Tribes

Federal Court Upholds Eklutna Tribe’s Casino Venture Amid Local Controversy

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Anchorage, Alaska — A U.S. District Court judge has ruled in favor of a tribal casino near Anchorage, backing the Native Village of Eklutna and its newly opened Chin’an Gaming Hall. The ruling comes amid contention from local residents who attempted to halt the project, citing concerns over traffic and noise disturbances in their community. The judge, James L. Robart, firmly dismissed arguments from Birchwood residents who contested the tribe’s federal recognition. According to Robart’s decision, the Eklutna tribal government was recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1993. Furthermore, he pointed out … Read more

Florida’s Legal Battle: State Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Challenging Seminole Tribe’s Online Sports Betting Deal

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The state of Florida is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the legality of a sports betting agreement between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the state, a deal critics claim violates a constitutional amendment aimed at curbing casino gambling. Last week, Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office submitted a detailed motion to a Leon County circuit judge, requesting the lawsuit, initiated in April by Protect the Constitution, LLC, be thrown out. The 34-page motion argues that Protect the Constitution lacks the legal standing necessary to continue its challenge and asserts that the … Read more

Oregon Takes a Bold Step: New Bill Empowering Tribes to Reclaim Jurisdiction on Tribal Lands Signed into Law

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Salem, Oregon — A new law aimed at simplifying jurisdictional complexities in Oregon’s Indian Country has been signed by Governor Tina Kotek. The legislation, which garnered unanimous support in both chambers of the state Legislature, was enacted on May 22 and will establish a formal process for tribal nations to request changes to state jurisdiction on their lands. The law specifically addresses the implications of Public Law 83-280, enacted in 1953, which allowed certain states, including Oregon, to claim jurisdiction over tribal lands. This has complicated criminal and civil matters, as jurisdiction often varies based … Read more

Tribes Take Legal Action Against U.S. Government Over Boarding School Atrocities and Deaths

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TRIBES SUING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OVER HISTORICAL HARMS IN BOARDING SCHOOLS Washington, D.C. – A coalition of Native American tribes has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging a long history of severe abuses at Indigenous boarding schools. This legal action highlights decades of trauma stemming from policies designed to assimilate Native children into Euro-American culture. The lawsuit accuses the federal government of responsibility for numerous instances of death and mistreatment within these institutions, which operated broadly across the United States for more than a century. Many families experienced the loss of children, … Read more