Here is the opinion in Smith v. United States (Fed. Cl.):
CFC Rejects Dakota “Half-Breeds” Claims against US
Research
Ninth Circuit Materials in Blue Lake Rancheria v. Kalshi
Swinomish and Squaxin Island Sue over Endangered Species Act Regulatory Change
Here is the complaint in Swinomish Indian Tribal Community v. National Marine Fisheries Service (W.D. Wash.):
President Trump Revokes Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments Weeks after Tenth Circuit Decision
On July 13, 2026, President Trump issued proclamations revoking the Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
This comes just weeks after the Tenth Circuit reversed the District of Utah’s dismissal of the lawsuits seeking to dismantle the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. The Tenth Circuit’s decision remanded the matter back to the District Court for further proceedings. Here is the briefing from the Tenth Circuit.
Tenth Circuit Decision:
Plaintiff’s Opening Briefs:
Opening Brief of Individual Plaintiffs
Opening Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellants Garfield County, Utah, et al.
Response Briefs:
Federal Defendants’ Consolidated Answering Brief
Response Brief of Suwa Intervenors-Appellees
Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, And Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Response Brief
Plaintiffs’ Reply Briefs:
Reply Brief of Individual Plaintiffs
Reply Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellants Garfield County, Utah, et al.
Sauk-Suiattle Sues State of Washington in Tribal Court Over Denial of State Social Services Benefits
Here are the materials in Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe v. Ferguson:
From the tribe’s legal counsel:
The civil action (No. SAU-civ-07/26-002) seeks to enjoin various officials of the State of Washington from deducting nominal property of $300 ($450 to Elders) which the tribe provides to its members and applying the value of such property to reduce or deny eligibility for certain programs which the tribe’s people otherwise entitled.
Trump v. IRS Decision (Not an Indian Law Case, or is it?)
Here is the order in Trump v. IRS (S.D. Fla.) dismissing the case in which DOJ agreed to pay the Trump family and business $1.776 Billion and sanctioning DOJ attorneys who signed off on the “settlement”:
Lots of discussion of Muskrat v. US (a Fed Courts standby) and the Keepseagle settlement:
Wilton Rancheria Files Cert Petition in Labor Dispute
Here is the petition in Wilton Rancheria v. UNITE HERE:
Question presented:
Notwithstanding the deference afforded to arbitration awards, arbitrators lack the power to facially invalidate federal and state statutes. Similarly, courts defer to Tribal interpretation of Tribal law, as a critical element of longstanding policies upholding and safeguarding Tribal sovereignty. Does an arbitrator exceed his authority when he facially invalidates a duly-enacted Tribal law, especially when a court would not do so and when he would not be permitted to invalidate a duly-enacted federal or state statute?
Lower court materials here. Ninth Circuit unpublished opinion here.
Update: Wabanaki Nations Defend Maine’s Internet Gaming Law
Here are the merits briefs in Oxford v. Champion.
Opening Briefs
- The Wabanaki Nations’ Motion for Summary Judgment and Incorporated Memorandum of Law in Support Thereof
- Defendant Milton F. Champion’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Incorporated Memorandum of Law
- Defendants’ Joint Supporting Statement of Material Facts
- Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on The Pleadings Under Fed. R. Civ P. 12(C) and Memorandum in Support
Response Briefs
- The Wabanaki Nations’ Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on The Pleadings
- Defendant Milton F. Champion’s Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judgment on The Pleadings
- Plaintiffs’ Opposition to The State’s and Tribes’ Motions for Summary Judgment and Memorandum in Support
- Plaintiffs’ Response to The State’s and Tribes’ Joint Supporting Statement of Material Facts
Reply Briefs
- The Wabanaki Nations’ Reply in Support of Summary Judgment
- Defendant Milton F. Champion’s Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of His Motion for Summary Judgment
- Plaintiffs’ Reply in Further Support of Their Motion for Judgment on The Pleadings
Amicus Brief
Previous post on this matter is here.
Prairie Band Potawatomi Sues to Stop Kansas Lottery on Indian Lands
Here is the complaint in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Durrell (D. Kan.):
Supreme Court Allows Ballots Cast On Time To Be Counted After Election Day
On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court, in Watson v. Republican National Committee, allowed Mississippi ballots cast on time to be counted after Election Day, as permitted under state law. The decision respects longstanding absentee ballot receipt rules. It also protects Native voters who are disproportionately affected by a dearth of voter services and postal delays beyond their control.
An amicus brief on behalf of the National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and Washington Conservation Action Education Fund was filed in the case. The brief explained that Native voters often are forced to mail in ballots because in-person voting is made less available in their communities. Meanwhile, Native communities often lack reliable mail delivery, have fewer postal services, and endure longer mail transit time, especially in Alaska Native communities. You can see the brief here.
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