Research

Webinar: How to Transform Voter Registration in Indian Country Through NVRA Designation

Matthew Campbell

While many Native Americans face challenges to exercising their fundamental right to vote, there is an opportunity to break through voting barriers and transform voter registration in Indian Country through designation of federally and tribally run Indian Health Service facilities. Join us for a discussion hosted by tribal leaders, Native organizers, and voting rights experts as they walk through what IHS has already committed to, the potential impact of IHS designations, and a roadmap for how to pursue designations for your Tribal Nation. Register here.

When: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT

Speakers:
Regina Cuellar – Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Chairwoman
Heidi Todacheene – Senior Advisory to the Secretary, Department of Interior
Maggie Toulouse Oliver – New Mexico Secretary of State
Jacqueline De León (Moderator) – Native American Rights Fund, Senior Staff Attorney
Saundra Mitrovich – National Congress of American Indians, Director of External Engagement

Attend Virtually — Our Stories Heal – Ginoojimomin Apii Dibaajimoyang

Arianna Morseau

If you cannot attend this event in person, we now have a virtual link! You can watch it virtually here: https://vimeo.com/event/3271405

Indigenous Breastfeeding Research Project

Singel

Seeking Indigenous people who have given birth to participate in a research study to learn about your stories and experiences with feeding your baby.

Angie Sanchez ndizhnikaaz, ajijaak ndodem, Odawa minwaa Ojibwekwe ndaw. My family comes from Kewadin and Northport on my mom’s side, and Sault Ste. Marie and Sheshegwaning, ON on my father’s side. I am a fourth year PhD student at Michigan State University studying Geography, and my research focuses on increasing access to breastfeeding support resources in Indigenous communities. I am looking for life givers to interview either in a talking circle (focus group) or in single interviews or surveys. If you are willing to participate, please see the eligibility requirements below and then fill out the application at the link provided.

Please fill out application to participate, found at https://bit.ly/Indigi_BF

Eligibility:
• Must have given birth and fed a baby (breastmilk or formula)
• Be at least 18 years old
If selected, you will be invited to participate in ONE of the following:
• In person talking circle (focus group) plus survey, receive $150 Visa Gift Card
• In person or zoom interview plus survey will receive $75 Visa Gift Card
• Online survey only will receive a $25 Visa Gift Card

Contact Information:
Angie Sanchez (Doctoral Student, Co-PI)
Email: asanchez@msu.edu Phone: 231.642.0114
Dr. Sue Grady (Co-PI)
Email: gradys@msu.edu Phone: 517.432.9998
For information about the IRB:
IRB# STUDY00002828
irb@msu.edu

Sho-Ban Tribes Prevail (in part) in Challenge to BLM Land Transfer to Polluter

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Shoshone-Bannock Tribes v. Daniel-Davis (D. Idaho):

1 Complaint.pdfDownload
37-1 Tribe MSJ.pdfDownload
50 CBD Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
60-1 Simplot MSJ.pdfDownload
61-1 Federal MSJ.pdfDownload
74 Tribe Reply.pdfDownload
80 Federal Reply.pdfDownload
82 Simplot Reply.pdfDownload
89 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Wyoming SCT Briefs in Northern Arapaho Tribe v. Baldwin Crocker & Rudd

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Tribe Opening Brief.pdfDownload
BCR Answer Brief.pdfDownload

Reply

Highlights of a related suit, Baldwin v. Harper (D. Wyo.):

31 Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
48 DCT Order re Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
128 DCT Order re Motion for Summary J.pdfDownload
DALL-E’s version of “lawyers yelling at lawyers in the style of Van Gogh” but looks like they’re all in a chorus line.

Sauk-Suiattle v. Seattle Cert Petition

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Cert Petition.pdfDownload

Questions presented:

  1. Is the court-created “futility” doctrine, which allows a United States court to decide a case removed from state court even though it lacks jurisdiction, repugnant to Article III of the Constitution?
  2. Does application of the so-called “futility” doctrine by a United States court to decide a case over which it lacks jurisdiction contravene 28 U.S.C. 1447(c), the plain language of which requires remand of the cause to the state court from which it was removed?
  3. Should the Supreme Court grant certiorari to reconcile a conflict among the circuit courts of appeal regarding the validity of the futility doctrine?

Lower court materials here.

Washington Federal Court Holds that Railroad is Liable for Trespass on Swinomish Lands

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the available trial materials from Swinomish Indian Tribal Community v BNSF Railway Company (W.D. Wash.):

207 Swinomish Trial Brief

208 BNSF Trial Brief

And here is the judge’s decision:

216-dct-orderDownload

Prior post here.

Seneca-Cayuga Sues Oklahoma Officials over Reservation Boundaries Post-McGirt

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the complaint in Seneca-Cayuga Nation v. Drummond (N.D. Okla.):

1 Complaint.pdfDownload
Maybe time for some burn barrel protesting.

Update: Here is the complaint in Eastern Shawnee Tribe v. Drummond:

2 Complaint.pdfDownload