2025 Tribal Sovereignty and Jurisdiction News Stories
Trump wants to renew hydropower project permitting on reservations without Tribal consent (KJZZ Public Radio Phoenix) 11/17/2025
California courts on supporting Native American communities in our court system say Tribal and state courts work together to improve outcomes for Native Americans involved in the justice system (Sierra Sun Times) 11/14/2025
Tribal digital sovereignty: How Native communities are powering their own tech future (Ford Foundation) 11/12/2025
Gorsuch, Thomas want to ‘correct’ 139-year-old Supreme Court ruling (Newsweek) 11/10/2025
5 largest Tribes in Oklahoma are asking SCOTUS to take up tax case involving Muscogee citizen (KGOU NPR Oklahoma) 11/4/2025
What data sovereignty means for Native Nations (Buffalo's Fire) 11/3/2025
Federal judge rules DOI violated Scotts Valley Band's due process rights in casino dispute (Tribal Business News) 11/2/2025
Indigenous identity: ‘Invisible within the data’ (ICT) 11/1/2025
‘Advancing digital sovereignty’ with Tribal broadband bootcamps (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 10/28/2025
Congressional republicans lay ground for attack on Tribal consultation (Earthjustice) 10/28/2025
Judge tosses Tribal lawsuit over online sports betting (Colorado Public Radio News) 10/23/2025
WA governor moves to improve state consultation with Tribes (Washington Standard) 10/23/2025
Menominee County property owners argue land can’t be transferred to Tribal trust (Wisconsin Public Radio) 10/13/2025
Native survival depends on protecting both Tribal and US citizenship rights (Truthout) 10/13/2025
Tribes hail U.S. Supreme Court dismissal of Maverick Gaming’s lawsuit attacking sovereignty (The Daily World) 10/7/2025
SCOTUS declines to hear case involving Gov. Stitt's brother, Tribal jurisdiction in Oklahoma (Public Radio Tulsa) 10/7/2025
Stroble files petition for U.S. Supreme Court review in tax case (Mvskoke Media) 10/6/2025
Indigenous Nations plan a tariff-free trade corridor across the US-Canada border (Mother Jones) 10/5/2025
Justice delayed for Cherokee County victim after Snapchat rejects Tribal warrant (News on 6 - Tulsa, OK) 10/3/2025
The development conundrum: Why is housing so hard to build in Indian Country? (Montana Free Press) 10/1/2025
Ramsey County District Court raises Tribal flags, acknowledging sovereignty (Minnesota Public Radio News) 9/30/2025
In Alaska, a graphite mine races toward approval without the required Tribal consent (Grist) 9/30/2025
Department of the Interior revises who has jurisdiction over Native allotments (Alaska News Source) 9/29/2025
Umatilla Tribes navigate modern development on reservation land (Oregon Public Broadcasting) 9/26/2025
Cherokee Nation to take over operation of last hospital on Oklahoma reservation operated by feds (Oklahoma Voice) 9/25/2025
Rural voice: Tribal rights and sovereignty (Minnesota Public Radio) 9/25/2025
Understanding criminal jurisdiction on Montana's reservations (Big Horn Country News) 9/24/2025
‘A bit of a conundrum’: Tribes facing new hurdles as self-determination law reaches major milestone (Indianz.com) 9/23/2025
Tribes look to modernize the traditional practice of banishment [podcast] (Native America Calling) 9/18/2025
Navajo Council Law & Order Committee Chair Charles-Newton, Tribal leaders press federal officials on delayed funding reports, public safety crisis (Native News Online) 9/15/2025
The federal government is deregulating contracting. Alaska Native organizations wonder if it will hurt their business. (Alaska Public Media) 8/26/2025
Good data, stronger Tribes (Brookings) 8/25/2025
Courts, treaties, and power — A conversation with John Echohawk [podcast] (WTOP News Washington DC) 8/22/2025
Oklahoma governor takes aim at Tulsa mayor’s decision to prosecute crimes in Tribal courts (Oklahoma Voice) 8/21/2025
Native Nations reshape rural health care through Tribal governance (Daily Yonder) 8/18/2025
Despite Tribal citizenship, traffic tickets for Freedmen descendants to remain in city court (The Frontier) 8/18/2025
Some Oklahoma towns still ticket Tribal citizens, in violation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling (The Frontier) 8/14/2025
Oklahoma tax case could affect Tribes nationwide if brought to Supreme Court (KOSU Oklahoma Public Radio) 8/6/2025
Army Corps may remove Soo Locks monument on Native American burial ground (WCMU Public Media Central Michigan University) 8/6/2025
Judge issues summary judgment in favor of homeowners and Town of Lac du Flambeau in roads easement case (WXPR Wisconsin Public Radio) 8/6/2025
Reopen Alcatraz? Indigenous People say it’s more than madness – it’s historical erasure (The Guardian) 8/2/2025
Washington's congressional delegation introduces bill to give Tribal law enforcement equal footing with federal counterparts (The Chronicle - Washington) 8/1/2025
Native leaders push back on gender-affirming care restrictions for Tribal citizens (The 19th) 7/25/2025
Muscogee high court rules 1866 treaty requires Freedmen citizenship, strikes ‘by blood’ language (NonDoc) 7/23/2025
Who prosecutes who? Explaining Tulsa's agreement with Oklahoma Tribe (The Oklahoman) 7/20/2025
Southern Ute Indian Tribe addresses ICE deportation concerns (Durango Herald) 7/17/2025
Oklahoma oil and gas regulator dismisses environmental authority of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (KOSU NPR Oklahoma) 7/17/2025
Judge cites fewer 'civil rights protections' for Tribes in Tulsa woman's suit (2 News Oklahoma) 7/14/2025
Craig City Council considers controversial ‘Indian Country’ ordinance (Must Read Alaska) 7/12/2025
Muscogee Nation files lawsuit against Oklahoma town for violating 'McGirt' (KOSU NPR Central Oklahoma) 7/10/2025
Choctaw Nation Chief reflects on the impact of McGirt ruling, five years later (Native news Online) 7/8/2025
University of Montana preserves legal history of Montana's Tribes (Missoula Current) 7/4/2025
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules 'McGirt' precedent doesn't apply in state income tax protest (KOSU NPR Central Oklahoma) 7/1/2025
Muscogee Nation and City of Tulsa reach agreement on criminal jurisdiction and public safety collaboration (Native News Online) 6/26/2025
Oklahoma's Tribal Nations tout $12.7 billion economic impact (KOSU Public Radio Oklahoma) 6/13/2025
Mohawk students file legal suit over changes impacting access to federal financial aid (Native News Online) 6/12/2025
PROTECT Act would expand Tribal jurisdiction in drug cases (Lake County Leader - Montana) 6/12/2025
Senators introduce bipartisan bill to give Tribes tax parity with states (Native News Online) 6/11/2025
Osage Nation seeks full control of minerals estate amid federal cuts (KGOU NPR Oklahoma) 6/6/2025
North Dakota Tribes push for more autonomy amid federal cuts (North Dakota Monitor) 6/4/2025
An egregious backlog: Interior Department searches for ways to speed up Native American probate court (Oklahoma Watch) 6/2/2025
New chapter for Public Law 280 (Char-Koosta News) 5/29/2025
Native American programs protected from Trump's anti-DEI order, agencies say (Axios) 5/27/2025
New Oregon law allows Tribes to petition for removal of state control from tribal affairs (Oregon Public Broadcasting) 5/27/2025
New law paves way for La Center and Cowlitz Indian Tribe to share public services (The Reflector - Washington) 5/26/2025
New state code aims to resolve law enforcement dispute between Lake County, state, Tribes (Montana Free Press) 5/23/2025
More Indigenous Tribes are launching cannabis markets (Forbes) 5/21/2025
Governor Stitt's claims spark tension with Creek Nation over road fund contributions (News Channel 8 ABC Tulsa) 5/20/2025
Tribal IDs accepted during Real ID requirement (ICT) 5/19/2025
Tribal court warrants to be enforceable by state authorities (Salish Current - Washington) 5/15/2025
Bill would allow Oregon Tribes to request jurisdiction over civil and criminal proceedings (Oregon Public Broadcasting) 4/22/2025
Investing in sovereignty: the Oweesta approach (Forbes) 4/14/2025
Montana Legislature hits pause on Public Law 280 (Hagadone News Network) 4/11/2025
Blackfeet tribal members sue feds over Canada tariffs (Montana Free Press) 4/7/2025
Building a Native economy: Apache Corners and the Tonto Apache Nation flexing their economic sovereignty (Native News Online) 4/1/2025
Most critical minerals are on Indigenous lands. Will miners respect tribal sovereignty? (Grist) 3/26/2025
Rebecca Nagle considers Supreme Court wins and what’s at stake for Tribes under Trump (High Country News) 3/25/2025
Oregon bill would allow Tribes to petition for removal of state control from tribal affairs (Investigate West) 3/24/2025
More than 100 Tulsa cases involving Natives sent to Tribes in mayor’s sovereignty push (Public Radio Tulsa) 3/21/2025
Montana legislature aims to resolve law enforcement dispute (ICT) 3/20/2025
Tribal leaders and state lawmakers come together for Sovereignty Day at the Minnesota State Capitol (Minnesota Public Radio) 3/18/2025
Tribal Nations back Swinomish in legal battle against BNSF Railway Co. (New Mexico Sun) 3/17/2025
Trump Administration rolls back executive order on tribal sovereignty and self-governance (Native News Online) 3/15/2025
Judge rules Minnesota can prosecute marijuana crimes on reservations even after legalization (Minnesota Reformer) 3/13/2025
Gov. Stitt's brother loses appeal of $250 speeding ticket in McGirt-related case (The Oklahoman) 3/6/2025
Native groups urge equal teatment for Tribal Nations in U.S. appellate courts (New Mexico Sun) 3/4/2025
What cuts to the federal government mean for Native American communities (WBUR Boston) 3/4/2025
Naabik’íyatí Committee approves legislation advocating for Indigenous representation in federal dietary guidelines (Navajo-Hopi Observer) 2/17/2025
Sen. Murkowski defends tribal sovereignty on senate floor (Native News Online) 2/14/2025
Native organizations' leaders defend tribal sovereignty before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (Native News Online) 2/13/2025
Imminent Minnesota-tribal compacts would allow Tribal Nations major access to off-reservation cannabis market (MinnPost) 2/11/2025
Bill considers how to return improperly collected online sales tax on the Wind River Reservation (Wyoming Public Media) 2/7/2025
BADGES for Native Communities Act reintroduced in the US Senate (Native News Online) 2/7/2025
New lawsuit seeks to limit Alaska Native Tribes’ authority, stop Eklutna gambling hall (Alaska Beacon) 2/6/2025
South Carolina Native American Tribes sign treaty promising to work together (South Carolina Daily Gazette) 2/5/2025
Minnesota Tribes could gain sports betting rights under trio of new bills (Tribal Business News) 2/4/2025
CDC data removal threatens Native health, violates treaties, UIHI says (Native News Online) 2/4/2025
Native leaders press Trump Admin, Congress to preserve Tribal Nations' political status amid federal changes (Native News Online) 2/2/2025
Tribes look to join DOJ suits against top attorneys who 'push the envelope' in Indian Country (Public Radio Tusla) 1/26/2025
"Excluding Indians": Trump admin questions Native Americans' birthright citizenship in court (Salon) 1/23/2025
Tribal leaders call on Colorado to respect Tribes’ sovereignty, and include them in policymaking (Colorado Public Radio) 1/16/2025
Tribal council keeps roads open as federal judge rules on Lac du Flambeau dispute (Native News Online) 1/16/2025
Wisconsin Tribe plans nightly road closures in easement dispute (Native News Online) 1/14/2025
Lawmakers hear proposal urging feds to fully fund law enforcement in Indian County (Montana Public Radio) 1/14/2025
City Manager Murray: City had ‘no authority’ over the federal government’s decision concerning casino (Times-Herald Valejo California) 1/13/2025
Proposed regulations provide clarity on tax treatment of entities wholly owned by tribal governments (JD Supra) 1/10/2025
Despite fed pushback, Tulsa district attorney pursues charges against tribal citizen (Public Radio Tulsa) 1/7/2025
Citing McGirt decision, Osage Nation wants federal court to acknowledge its reservation (The Oklahoman) 1/7/2025
Q&A: Native American Rights Fund founder John EchoHawk on the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act of 1975 (Native News Online) 1/5/2025
Feds back Shinnecock land rights, undercutting state and local lawsuits (Tribal Business News) 1/3/2025
