We were pleased to see friends and partners at the Boulder International Film Festival for the premiere of “The River” and the Colorado River Water Expo. The film highlights urgent water issues in the Colorado River Basin and the people who are impacted.

Indian Peaks Band files to protect Tribal water rights - Native American Rights Fund On April 1, 2026, the Indian Peaks Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, represented by the Native American Rights Fund, filed a Notice of Appeal and Petition for Stay with the U.S. Department of…

The Indian Peaks Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah is taking action to protect its water. Recently, the Band, represented by NARF, filed an appeal challenging a proposed groundwater project in southern Utah that threatens Tribal water rights and resources: buff.ly/6ry90mH

What You Need to Know About Tribal Sovereignty and Birthright Citizenship - Native American Rights Fund Tribal sovereignty has always existed, long before the United States was formed, and Tribal Nations continue to govern their own lands and citizens today. Yet recent legal debates about birthright…

Tribal sovereignty didn’t start with the United states Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with inherent authority over their lands and citizens. Recent legal debates about birthright citizen have raised questions that overlook this fundamental reality. What you need to know:

Arizona Tribes Seek to Protect Child’s Right to Family and Culture - Native American Rights Fund Six Tribal Nations in Arizona filed a brief explaining, “This case presents a critical opportunity for the court to reaffirm that ICWA’s placement preferences are not suggestions — they are essential…

Six Tribal Nations are stepping in to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act in Arizona.
Can a temporary foster bond override a Native child’s right to be raised by family and within their Tribal community? Tribes are making clear that ICWA’s protections must be upheld:

Protections continue for Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument - Native American Rights Fund The Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation defended their request to intervene in a lawsuit attacking their role as co-managers of the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral…

GOOD NEWS: On April 1, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Arizona lawmakers’ challenge to the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, keeping protections in place.

NARF remains committed to defending sacred places.

Protections continue for Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument - Native American Rights Fund The Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation defended their request to intervene in a lawsuit attacking their role as co-managers of the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral…

GOOD NEWS: On April 1, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Arizona lawmakers’ challenge to the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, keeping protections in place.

NARF remains committed to defending sacred places: buff.ly/8YcYU6W

The Wabanaki Nations have stepped in to defend Maine’s new internet gaming law, critical to the Nations’ economic opportunity and self-determination. By intervening in federal court, the Nations are protecting their right to build sustainable economies and support their communities.

Registration form for Treaty Waters at Risk: Tribal Sovereignty and the Line 5 Challenge in the Great Lakes, hosted by the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at MSU College of Law Friday, April 17, 2026 from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm in the Castle Board Room on the 3rd floor of MSU College of Law. Important Note: Registration is required. Attendance may be capped due to space…

NARF staff are joining a key panel on the Line 5 pipeline and the future of treaty waters in the Great Lakes. Tribal leaders and legal experts discuss risk, regulation, and what meaningful Tribal consent looks like in decisions impacting treaty resources: buff.ly/AeYOhYG

Arizona Tribes Seek to Protect Child’s Right to Family and Culture - Native American Rights Fund Six Tribal Nations in Arizona filed a brief explaining, “This case presents a critical opportunity for the court to reaffirm that ICWA’s placement preferences are not suggestions — they are essential…

Six Tribal Nations have come together to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act and what it protects. ICWA makes clear that family connections come first: buff.ly/UeCdESH

#ICWA #ProtectICWA #NativeFamilies

NARF Attorney Brett Lee Shelton will be featured in the Spring 2026 Elizabeth Cook-Lynn Lecture Series presentation highlighting the “Sacred Places Protection” special issue of Wicazo Sa Review.

Register now: buff.ly/lzsJmru

This #NationalLibraryWeek, we’re spotlighting a resource that continues to empower Native Nations, advocates, and communities through access to critical Indian law. Since 1971, the National Indian Law Library has been opening doors to justice in Indian Country: buff.ly/SgPDdMU

Six Tribal Nations in Arizona recently joined together to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act. They explained to the court that protecting Native children and families is not optional. buff.ly/XyFYBfu

#ICWA #ProtectICWA #TribalSovereignty

Indian Law Clerkships, Internships, and Fellowships at the Native American Rights Fund NARF offers competitive school year and summer clerkships and internships for law school students and recent grads interested in Indian law.

Looking to gain hands-on experience with Indian Law? Law clerk applications are now open at buff.ly/Gtl2Xa2 giving third year law students a chance to work on impactful cases defending Tribal sovereignty and justice. #LawClerk #Internship

Protections continue for Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument - Native American Rights Fund The Havasupai Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation defended their request to intervene in a lawsuit attacking their role as co-managers of the new Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral…

BREAKING NEWS: On April 1, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the Arizona Legislature’s challenge to Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The decision leaves the monument in place and fully protected. Read: buff.ly/6osqdYX

Enbridge’s Line 5 Pipeline (Bay Mills Indian Community) - Native American Rights Fund Bay Mills Indian Community fights a proposed oil pipeline tunnel, which would run through their treaty protected sacred homelands and impact communities, local businesses, and the environment.

Line 5 threatens Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the protection of sacred waters that communities have relied on for generations. From the Great Lakes to surrounding Tribal Nations, this pipeline puts clean water, ecosystems, and cultural lifeways at risk:

Tó éí ííná (water is life) - Native American Rights Fund In celebration of World Water Day 2026, NARF Staff Attorney Daniel Cordalis shares recent water work, including case work highlights, the Tribal Water Institute story, and key issues we are tracking…

NARF is working with Tribal Nations to protect water, defend sovereignty, and take on the growing threats to Tribal homelands. From the courts to the Tribal Water Institute, this work is about making sure those rights are upheld now and for future generations: buff.ly/9iKAIVI #ProtectTribalWaters

TIP’s Annual UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Preparatory Meeting – March 31, 2026 – The Implementation Project Achieving the Aims of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

TOMORROW! Join The Implementation Project on March 31 (12:00–1:30 PM MT) for a preparatory meeting ahead of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Annual Session.
Open to anyone interested in learning more or preparing to engage with the UNPFII. Register now: buff.ly/wyzik5X

#UNPFII

Indian Law Clerkships, Internships, and Fellowships at the Native American Rights Fund NARF offers competitive school year and summer clerkships and internships for law school students and recent grads interested in Indian law.

Looking to gain hands-on experience with Indian Law? Law clerk applications are now open at buff.ly/Gtl2Xa2 giving 3L law students a chance to work on impactful cases defending Tribal sovereignty and justice. #LawClerk #Internship

Resources for Students and Schools: Eagle Feathers at Graduation - Native American Rights Fund Resources for graduating high school students and families to help ensure that they can wear eagle feathers during their commencement ceremony.

Eagle feathers hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Native communities.

Learn more about the cultural importance of eagle feathers and Native student rights: buff.ly/KqKQWpN

#NativeStudents #EagleFeather #GraduationSeason #IndianCountry

TIP’s Annual UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Preparatory Meeting – March 31, 2026 – The Implementation Project Achieving the Aims of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Join The Implementation Project on March 31 for a preparatory meeting ahead of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Annual Session.

Hear from Brenda Gunn, Mirian Masaquiza, and Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie, moderated by TIP Co-Directors Kristen Carpenter and Sue Noe: buff.ly/wyzik5X

#UNPFII

Tribal Nations’ Intervene to Protect Chuckwalla Homelands - Native American Rights Fund Today, on behalf of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Chemeheuvi Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, and Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Native…

Earlier this month, Tribal Nations took a critical step to protect the future of Chuckwalla. In Torongo v. Burgum, five Tribes moved to intervene to defend the Chuckwalla National Monument, land they fought to protect for its deep cultural, spiritual, and historical significance: buff.ly/QzkjGbH

Tó éí ííná (water is life) - Native American Rights Fund In celebration of World Water Day 2026, NARF Staff Attorney Daniel Cordalis shares recent water work, including case work highlights, the Tribal Water Institute story, and key issues we are tracking…

On #WorldWaterDay, we honor water as life and the generations of Tribal Nations who have protected it. With landmark cases to today’s fights against pipelines, water diversions, and rollbacks to the Clean Water Act, NARF continues to stand alongside defending their inherent rights: buff.ly/8ll6I0F

For 25 years, the Tribal Supreme Court Project, a partnership between NARF and NCAI, has worked to protect Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2026, we’re marking the project’s 25th anniversary!

Learn more : sct.narf.org

Q+A: Ada Montague on NEPA changes and what they could mean for tribal consultation Ada Montague of the Native American Rights Fund discusses changes to federal NEPA rules and what they could mean for tribal consultation, environmental review and sovereignty.

The U.S. Department of the Interior recently finalized changes to how it implements the National Environmental Policy Act, shifting most regulations into internal guidance. According to NARF Senior Staff Attorney Ada Montague, the move could limit Tribal input on federal project:

TIP’s Annual UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Preparatory Meeting – March 31, 2026 – The Implementation Project Achieving the Aims of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Join The Implementation Project on March 31 for a preparatory meeting ahead of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Annual Session.

Hear from Brenda Gunn, Mirian Masaquiza, and Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie, moderated by TIP Co-Directors Kristen Carpenter and Sue Noe: buff.ly/EAtjrpD

Tribal Nations’ Intervene to Protect Chuckwalla Homelands - Native American Rights Fund Today, on behalf of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Chemeheuvi Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, and Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Native…

A federal court has granted Tribal Nations’ motion to intervene to defend the Chuckwalla National Monument in Torongo v. Burgum. Learn more: buff.ly/7jnwvei

All versions of the SAVE Act harm Native voters - Native American Rights Fund The SAVE Act (H.R. 22 / S. 128) and SAVE America Act (S. 1383) would force Native voters living in rural or remote areas to travel great distances to register to vote. They would require applicants…

Proposed voter registration laws would create new barriers to the ballot for Native voters. Requiring in-person proof of citizenship and limiting the use of Tribal IDs, these bills would force Native voters in remote communities to travel unreasonable distances to register: buff.ly/oKWPgUe

Prof. Robison on the Colorado River and Tribal water rights - Native American Rights Fund A conversation with Professor Jason Robison of the University of Wyoming College of Law about the Colorado River and Tribal water management within the Colorado River Basin.

Tribal Water Fellow Alyson White Eagle recently spoke with Professor Jason Robison of the University of Wyoming College of Law to talk about the Colorado River and Tribal water management across the Basin.

Watch now:

SD bill would exclude voters and deepen inequities - Native American Rights Fund NARF urged Gov Rhoden to veto SD SB 175 that excludes voters, burdens election officials, and deepens inequities in Native communities.

We sent a letter to SD Governor Rhoden urging him to veto a bill that excludes eligible voters, burdens election officials, and deepens inequities in Native communities. Read the letter now

Michigan Supreme Court to hear challenge to Line 5 oil tunnel - Native American Rights Fund This week, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear a challenge brought by Tribal Nations located in Michigan and environmental advocates who argue that the Michigan Public Service Commission broke state…

TOMORROW, March 11: Tribal Nations and environmental groups will argue before the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn a 2023 permit granted by the Michigan Public Service Commission for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

Watch the hearings live: buff.ly/jtZoAEc.