Here is the unpublished opinion in Tule Lake Committee v. Follis:
Montana Federal Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Suit Allegedly Caused by “Rogue” Tribal Police Force Formed in 2020
Minnesota COA Rejects Equal Protection Challenge to ICWA/State ICWA
Here is the opinion in the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of L.K. and A.S.:
Washington COA Affirms Tribal Immunity Applies to Tribally-Owned Fee Land
Here are the available materials in Flying T Ranch Inc. v. Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians:
D.C. Federal Court Dismisses Gila River Suit over Veterans’ Health Care Expenditures
Here are the materials in Gila River Indian Community v. Becerra (D.D.C.):
Suquamish and Squaxin Island Amicus Brief in State Environmental Regulation Matter
Here is the brief in City of Tacoma v. State of Washington Department of Ecology:
World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) Adopts Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
In a historic step toward protecting Indigenous Peoples’ genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, on May 24, 2024, Member States of WIPO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, adopted a landmark new treaty. Culminating over two decades of negotiations, the treaty requires patent applicants to disclose when they seek to patent inventions that are based on genetic resources and/or traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources. The disclosure requirement is aimed at preventing the erroneous granting of patents based on “prior art” (e.g., the use of plant medicine known to Indigenous Peoples for centuries) and can also help to curb instances of biopiracy by pharmaceutical companies and others who seek to profit from use of traditional knowledge to develop new medications or other products. The treaty, WIPO’s first involving Indigenous Peoples, references the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as States’ commitment to achieving the ends of the Declaration. It also includes provisions allowing for Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the treaty’s implementation.
The treaty will enter into force following ratification by 15 countries. Negotiations will continue at WIPO in December 2024, on other potential treaties for the protections for Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. The Native American Rights Fund participates in the negotiations on behalf of the National Congress of American Indians.
You can learn more here.
New Scholarship on Integrating Tribal Law into the Legal Writing Curriculum
Amber Madole, Bonnie J. Shucha, and Rebecca Plevel have posted “Integrating Tribal Law into the Legal Research and Writing Curriculum: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies” on SSRN.
Here is the abstract:
In the United States, the Constitution recognizes three types of sovereigns: federal, state, and tribal. Each of these sovereign entities possesses the inherent powers of self-government and has the authority to address the social, economic, safety, and cultural needs of their citizens. However, under the mainstream conception of American law, tribal governments are often overlooked. This narrow perspective fails to acknowledge the significant contributions of Native Nations, which play a vital role in shaping the legal landscape of the United States. If we want our students to develop a more comprehensive understanding of America’s laws, we must teach them that the United States is a union not just of fifty states, five territories, and a federal district, but also of 574 unique, federally recognized tribes.
As an integral part of the American legal landscape, tribal law should also be an integral part of the law school curriculum, not only as an elective or specialized topic but integrated alongside federal, state, and local law. Legal research and writing instructors are pivotal in this endeavor. They have the unique opportunity to introduce tribal law within the core first-year curriculum. This approach allows instructors to familiarize students with the presence and relevance of tribal law, preparing them for its application in the various legal scenarios that they will encounter later in their law school and legal careers. We believe that including tribal law in LRW instruction can serve as an important step towards inclusivity in the legal profession. Given that LRW courses are where most law students form their bedrock understanding of legal authority and legal information, these courses present a substantial opportunity to help students understand the U.S. justice system in all its nuance and complexity.
Graduates with an awareness of tribal law will be better equipped to serve tribal communities, recognize and research tribal law issues when they arise, and contribute to the broader legal discourse surrounding Native American rights and interests. They may also increase their employment prospects as knowledge of tribal law may provide an advantage in some positions. This knowledge does not just benefit those working directly with or for Tribal Nations; it is essential for all legal professionals given that tribes interact extensively with federal and state governments, businesses, and individuals. Understanding tribal law empowers legal professionals to effectively address legal issues in Indian Country and contribute to a more inclusive legal system.
This Article will explore the benefits of incorporating tribal law into legal education. Part one presents actionable strategies for the effective integration of tribal law into the legal research and writing curriculum, part two explains the importance and upsides of introducing law students to tribal law research, and part three addresses some of the challenges. Two appendices provide curated lists of resources for further exploration of tribal law.
CFC Allows Colville Trust Breach over Wildfires to Proceed
Here are the materials so far in Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation v. United States (Fed. Cl.):
Ninth Circuit Materials in Grand River Enterprises Six Nations v. Knudsen [Montana]
Here are the briefs:
Oral argument video:
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