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
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
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...
White House Nominates IHS Director
On March 9, the Biden Administration announced the nomination of Roselyn Tso to be the Director of the Indian Health Services (IHS). She is a member of the Navajo Nation and has worked for IHS for over 32 years. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a...
Native Law Group Partner Selected to Super Lawyers Listing
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is pleased to announce that Super Lawyers has selected partner Thomasina Real Bird to its listing for 2020-2022. The designation means she is a top-rated attorney in Native American Law and has earned a high level of peer...
Nominations for Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee
The Department of the Interior requests nominations for the new Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC). Deb Haaland, the Secretary of the Interior, will appoint one Tribal member from each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs Regions to serve on a staggered...
Comments Due on Treasury Tribal Consistency Fund
The U.S. Department of Treasury requests final comments on the $2 billion Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund. According to the statute, $250 million will be allocated to Tribes in 2022 and 2023. The funds may be used for any governmental purpose, except...
White House Releases Infrastructure Law Guidebook
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. The Act provides about $13 billion in infrastructure investments for tribal communities. The White House has just released The Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure...
U.S. SBA Reaffirms Tribal Consultation Policy
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reaffirmed the agency's commitment to strengthening nation-to-nation relationships through its Tribal Consultation Policy for 2022. The policy acknowledges the unique political relationship with Native American governments,...
Native Law Group Welcomes New Firm Administrators
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is pleased to announce the promotions of Stephanie Kroner (pictured) as the new Firm Administrator and Virginia Guevara as the new Assistant Firm Administrator. Stephanie and Virginia are highly skilled and vital assets to...