Senate Confirms Bryan Scott Newland as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
On Saturday, August 7, the U.S. Senate confirmed Bryan Todd Newland to be the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior. Newland is a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community (Ojibwe), where he recently served as tribal president...
Native Law Group Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Editions of Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP announced today that U.S. News & World Report publication Best Lawyers will include three Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP attorneys in its 28th edition of “Best Lawyers in America” and one of its senior...
Native Law Group Welcomes Partner Linda Cooper to its Colorado Office
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is pleased to announce the addition of partner Linda Cooper to its Colorado team. With offices in Louisville, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., the growing, majority native-owned firm provides a broad range of legal services...
BIA Streamlines Rights-of-Way for Wireless and Broadband Infrastructure
On May 5, 2021, the Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a new policy for “Streamlining the Rights-of-Way Application Process for Telecommunications Projects.” The intent of the new policy is to promote the efficient and effective process of ROW applications for...
Nearly $1 Billion in Tribal Broadband Grants Available
On Thursday, June 3, 2021, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced nearly $1 billion in grants for Indian tribes as a part of the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Consolidated...
Congressional Infrastructure Negotiations Ongoing
President Biden and Congress have been working hard to finalize an infrastructure package, but reaching agreement remains difficult. As a part of his Build Back Better plan, the president first proposed a $7 trillion infrastructure plan including traditional...
Committee on Indian Affairs Holds Nomination Hearing for Newland Appointment
On Wednesday, June 9, 2021, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a nomination hearing to consider the appointment of Bryan Todd Newland to serve as assistant secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. Newland is a tribal citizen...
House Hearing on Indian Country Facilities: Written Testimony Due July 1
On June 17, 2021, the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States — part of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources — held a hearing titled, “Examining Federal Facilities in Indian Country.” The hearing focused on the significant need to improve...
Keystone XL Pipeline Terminated After 13 Years of Tribal Opposition
On June 9, 2021, TC Energy terminated its proposed Keystone XL Pipeline. The decision comes after 13 years of tribal opposition, and after President Biden revoked the cross-border permit on January 20, 2021, the first day of his presidency. Without this permit, the...
Tribes Make Plans to Use ARPA Fiscal Recovery Funds
Over the last couple of weeks, tribal governments have begun receiving their share of the $20 billion in Fiscal Recovery Funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds are intended to support the efforts of tribal governments as they respond to the...