Indigenous Rights Movements & the Law

In 2017 Ithaka S+R launched a project to explore the changing research methods and practices of Indigenous Studies scholars across Canada and the US with the goal of identifying services to better support them in ways that are also beneficial to Indigenous communities more broadly. The project was undertaken by a cohort of research teams at 11 academic libraries with guidance from a group of advisors comprised of Indigenous scholars and librarians. Each research team in the cohort developed findings and next steps based on their local research engaging with Indigenous Studies scholars at their own institutions (listed in Appendix 1). Ithaka S+R has the deepest gratitude to the researchers, research participants, and advisors for contributing their time and insight to the Indigenous Studies project.

DENVER (AP) — A lawyer for four women who were temporarily banned from the Ute Indian Tribe’s reservation in Utah asked a federal appeals court on Tuesday to revive a lawsuit challenging their punishment...

The project will begin in the first quarter of 2021 and is expected to last ten months.

A new law that transfers coastal property from the State of California to Native Americans will be a historic first. Mendocino tribes could take…

The Passamaquoddy’s purchase of Pine Island for $355,000 is the latest in a series of successful ‘land back’ campaigns for indigenous people in the US

Amber Ortega, a Southern Arizona border activist facing two federal charges for protesting the construction of the border wall near Quitobaquito Springs, was found not guilty by a judge on Wednesday.

A Minnesota agency has appealed a federal judge's dismissal of its bid to end a case pitting it against a Native American tribe that sued, in tribal court, over a permit the agency granted Enbridge for its Line 3 oil pipeline replacement project, a Monday filing in federal appeals court showed.

Jessica Reznicek, who pleaded guilty to sabotaging the Dakota Access Pipeline, said at a sentencing hearing that she's turned her life around.

A North Dakota-based organization this week sued Colorado for banning American Indian school mascots earlier this year, arguing the state shouldn’t outlaw culturally sensitive uses of Native …

Here are the materials in Ute Indian Tribe v. Dept. of the Interior (D.D.C.): 57 Second Amended Complaint 67 State Motion to Dismiss 68 US Motion to Dismiss 69 US Motion to Transfer 70-1 Water Dist…

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday rescinded a 19th century proclamation that called for citizens to kill Native Americans and take their property, in what he hopes can begin to make amends for “sins of the past.”

A post highlighting items from Congressional Cemetery celebrating Native American heritage

Here are the updated materials in Stephen C. v. Bureau of Indian Education (D. Ariz.): 128 Third Amended Complaint 182 BIE Motion for Partial Summary J 184 Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary J 1…

Tribes and Native voter organizations successfully argued that a new Montana law that restricted ballot collection made it prohibitively difficult for Native voters.

The Department of the Interior hosted the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit. Over two days, the Summit provided an opportunity for Biden-Harris administration and Tribal leaders from federally recognized Tribes to meaningfully engage about ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen Native communities, as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come.

The Department of the Interior hosted the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit. Over two days, the Summit provided an opportunity for Biden-Harris administration and Tribal leaders from federally recognized Tribes to meaningfully engage about ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen Native communities, as well as ensure that progress in Indian Country endures for years to come.

Accomplishing NAGPRA : perspectives on the intent, impact, and future of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act-book

Deb Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo Native American, has been confirmed as Interior secretary. She's also the nation's first Indigenous Cabinet member.

Interior secretary from New Mexico will be responsible for US’s land, seas and national resources

Summary of H.R.1884 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Save Oak Flat Act

The purpose of S. 1980 is to provide for the protection of Native American graves and the repatriation of Native American remains and cultural patrimony.

Summary of H.R.5510 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): PAVA Program Inclusion Act

Summary of H.R.5237 - 101st Congress (1989-1990): Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

This Land is Crooked Media's 8-episode podcast series hosted by Rebecca Nagle about how a cut and dry homicide opened up an investigation into the treaty rights of five Native American tribes. Find out how this unique case could result in the largest restoration of tribal land in US history.

The Supreme Court will soon hear arguments in a case that will decide whether nearly half of Oklahoma is legally an Indian Reservation. The Court’s decision could have massive implications for tribal

A custody trial in Texas involving a Native American child and white foster parents caught journalist Rebecca Nagle’s eye. She discovered it was a part of something much, much bigger.

Today is our second revisit to the document that made us a nation. Writer, activist, and Independent presidential candidate Mark Charles lays out the anti-Native American sentiments within it, the doctrines and proclamations from before 1776 that justified ‘discovery,’ and the Supreme Court decision

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that much of eastern Oklahoma, constituting nearly half the state, is Native American land, recognizing a 19th century U.S. treaty with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Trump nominee, joined the court’s liberal wing in a narrow 5-4 ruling that found state authorities cannot criminally prosecute Indigenous peoples under state or local laws. The court’s bombshell decision — which also impacts the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole Nations — is a major victory for Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights. “It’s a landmark case, and probably the most important Indian law case in the last half a century to come down from the court,” says lawyer Sarah Deer, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and a professor at the University of Kansas. “The language of the decision itself goes far beyond Oklahoma.” #DemocracyNow Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on nearly 1,400 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream 8-9AM ET: https://democracynow.org Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today: https://democracynow.org/donate FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE: YouTube: http://youtube.com/democracynow Facebook: http://facebook.com/democracynow Twitter: https://twitter.com/democracynow Instagram: http://instagram.com/democracynow SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/democracynow iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/democracy-now!-audio/id73802554 Daily Email Digest: https://democracynow.org/subscribe