Peltola Becomes First Alaska Native Elected to Congress
In a historic win, Mary Peltola defeated former Alaska Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a special election for Alaska’s only seat in the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Peltola is Yup’ik, and is the first Alaska Native elected to the...
New DHS Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council Seeks Nominations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking nominations for its first-ever Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council to advise on homeland security policies and practices, including emergency management, law enforcement, cybersecurity, domestic terrorism and...
FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program Offers Enhanced Tribal Benefit
The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, makes internet access affordable for low-income households and offers an Enhanced Tribal Benefit. Native American families living on Tribal lands can...
Native Law Group Attorneys Recognized in 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch
On August 18, 2022, Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP announced U.S. News & World Report publication Best Lawyers will include seven Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP attorneys in its 2023 edition of "Best Lawyers in America" and "Best...
Inflation Reduction Act Includes Over $600 Million for Tribes
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The Act is a $740 billion supplemental tax and spending package that includes $600 million for Indian tribes. The Act also includes $18 billion more in energy loan guarantees for tribes...
Department of Justice Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation
From September 21 to 23, 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold its 17th Annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation. The Consultation will be held virtually and in person in Anchorage, Alaska. The Dear Tribal Leader letter...
Native Law Group Partner Elected President of Navajo Nation Bar Association and Appointed Chair of Colorado State Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is pleased to announce the Navajo Nation Bar Association (NNBA) elected partner Alvina Earnhart as President for a two-year term. Also, on May 13, 2022, she was appointed Chairperson of the Colorado State Advisory...
Supreme Court Decision Upends Decades of Federal Indian Law
On June 29, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its controversial decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta, holding against decades of precedent that states possess concurrent authority with the federal government to prosecute non-Indians for crimes committed against...
First Native American Appointed U.S. Treasurer
On June 21, 2022, President Biden announced that he intends to appoint Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn "Lynn" Malerba, Chief of the Mohegan Tribe, as the first-ever Native American to serve as Treasurer of the United States. As Treasurer, Chief Malerba will...
New Community Reinvestment Act Regulations Comments Due
On June 3, 2022, the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Treasury's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued a joint notice, proposing to amend their regulations implementing the Community...