Native American Rights Fund
NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 2020
Tribes Notify South Dakota of Voter Registration Violations
On May 20, 2020, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and
Four Directions, a non-profit group that works to encourage civic
participation in Indian Country, notified South Dakota officials of
serious and ongoing violations
([link removed] )
of federal requirements for providing voter registration
opportunities through public assistance agencies and departments of
motor vehicles. "When you go to a state office, such as to get
your driver's license or to apply for public assistance, you are
supposed to be able to register to vote at the same time. The state is
supposed to facilitate voter registration, but that is not what is
happening in South Dakota. Reservation residents in particular are not
being given this opportunity, and it is driving down voter
participation," said NARF Staff Attorney Natalie Landreth. Learn
more about these serious violations and what tribes are doing to
protect Native voters at [link removed]
Bay Mills Indian Community Will Fight Enbridge Pipeline
Bay Mills Indian Community filed a Petition to Intervene to
participate as a party in the Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Project
proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission. The
proposed tunnel would encapsulate oil giant Enbridge's Line 5
pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, purportedly to prevent another
oil spill. Enbridge was responsible for the largest inland oil spill
in 2010 in Michigan's Kalamazoo River, which resulted in nearly
1 million gallons of oil being released into Michigan's
waterways. NARF Staff Attorney David Gover explains, "Over the years,
the tribe has consistently fought to protect their fishing and hunting
rights. Today's filing continues that fight. The Native American
Rights Fund is proud to stand with the Nation to ensure that the Bay
Mills Community's fishing lifeways and tribal homelands are
adequately protected for generations to come." Find out more
about how the Bay Mills Indian Community is safeguarding its
homelands at [link removed]
Legal Review Highlights Success in North Dakota
Earlier this month, we released the Winter/Spring 2020 Legal Review. The NARF Legal Review is a semi-annual publication that provides updates on NARF's cases and information on other timely Indian law topics. This most recent edition highlights some good news with a successful ending to the long-standing fight for Native voting rights in North Dakota. Get the latest Legal Review and read about this and other recent case updates at [link removed]
NARF Mourns Loss of Two Recent Board Members
NARF staff and board are saddened by the passing of two recent Board
members and long-time advocates for Indian Country
([link removed] ).
Kurt Bluedog, a member of the Sisseton-Wapehton Sioux Tribe,
and Peter M. Pino, from the Pueblo of Zia, were beloved patriarchs to
their respective families and long-time friends of NARF. The entire
NARF family sends its prayers and condolences to the families and
communities of Kurt Bluedog and Peter M. Pino. We are grateful for
their example and their friendship, and we hope that their
legacy will continue to live on in our organization and our continuing
service to Indian Country. We do not doubt that they will continue to
watch over and guide their families, communities, and NARF. Rest in
power.
Native American Rights Fund
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Anchorage 907-276-0680
Boulder 303-447-8760
Washington 202-785-4166
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