White House Finds Impediments to Native American Vote

White House Finds Impediments to Native American Vote

At the end of March 2022, the White House released its Report on Native American Voting Rights. The Report found that Native Americans face “unnecessary and unacceptable impediments” to exercising their voting rights.   According to the Report, several...
GAO Seeks Nominations for First Ever Tribal Advisory Council

GAO Seeks Nominations for First Ever Tribal Advisory Council

On April 7, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced plans to form its first Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). GAO is calling for nominations to fill 15 positions. The TAC will advise GAO on vital and emerging issues affecting Tribes and Indigenous...
Supreme Court to Hear ICWA Challenge

Supreme Court to Hear ICWA Challenge

On February 28, the United States Supreme Court announced that it would hear a challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in the Haaland v. Brackeen case.  The Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of ICWA, its validity under the Indian Commerce...
President Biden Announces Supreme Court Nomination

President Biden Announces Supreme Court Nomination

On February 25, President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the 116th Justice of the United States Supreme Court.  If confirmed, Judge Jackson would take the seat of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer and become the court’s first Black female justice....
Congress Reauthorizes VAWA

Congress Reauthorizes VAWA

On March 10, as a part of the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). VAWA is the important and historic act that restored tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for certain crimes including child violence, sexual...
Congress Passes Omnibus Funding for FY22

Congress Passes Omnibus Funding for FY22

On March 10, Congress passed a $1.5 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill to fund the Federal government through FY 2022.  The Bill increases funding for a number of important tribal programs and services.  Overall, approximately $10 billion will be provided to fund...