Good Morning NUNAverse,
The Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling against the Navajo Nation in its attempts to secure water rights to the Colorado River. The high court ruled that the 1868 treaty in question — in which the Navajo Nation reservation was established, and the U.S. government guaranteed the tribe’s agriculture needs, including water rights — did not require the federal government to take “affirmative steps” to secure water for the tribe.
A widespread Arizona Medicaid scam that has left an unknown number of Native people homeless on the streets of metro Phoenix is being declared a public health state of emergency by the Navajo Nation as fraudulent sober living homes lose their funding and turn former residents out onto the streets. The declaration allows the tribe to add more personnel, travel resources, medical supplies, funding, and other means of support to address the ongoing problem.
The Maine House approved a bill that would let Natives in Maine benefit from federal laws despite a state land claims settlement. The bill received bipartisan support, and the 100-47 vote would be enough to overcome a possible veto from Democratic Governor Janet Mills. The Senate takes up the bill next.
Keep reading for a full news update.
Law:
SCOTUS Rules Against Navajo Nation In Landmark Water Rights Case
Native News Online, Elyse Wild, June 22
Supreme Court Rejects Navajo Nation’s Water Rights Trust Claim
Indian Country Today, Kolby KickingWoman, June 22
Supreme Court: US Not Responsible For Water Rights; Navajo Nation Still Battling For Water
Native American Rights Fund, June 22
Supreme Court Rules Against Navajo Nation In Colorado River Water Dispute
The Guardian, June 22
Minneapolis’ Native Americans, Feeling Validated By Findings Of Police Bias, Want A Place At The Table
Star Tribune, Susan Du, June 23
Montana Tribal Leaders: Native Americans Must Remain Vigilant Despite ICWA Decision
Daily Montanan, Aislin Tweedy, June 21
Maine House Advances Proposal To Let Federal Laws Apply To Tribes In The State
AP News, June 21
Enbridge Ordered To End Operations On Tribal Lands In Wisconsin
Native News Online, Darren Thompson, June 20
Native American Tribes Say Supreme Court Challenge Was Never Just About Foster Kids
AP News, Michael Warren, June 20
Health:
Navajo Nation Declares Widespread Medicaid Scam In Arizona A Public Health State Of Emergency
AP News, Anita Snow, June 21
Other:
Canada’s UNDRIP Plan Draws Mixed Reactions From Indigenous Leaders
Indian Country Today, Miles Morrisseau, June 23
Men’s Haudenosaunee Nationals Seek First World Championship
Indian Country Today, Kolby KickingWoman, June 23
Tribal Activists Oppose Nevada Mine Key To Biden’s Clean Energy Agenda As ‘Green Colonialism’
AP News, Matthew Dally, June 20