Native American Rights Fund
NEWS
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NARF NEWS
July 2020
Tribes Fight for Pandemic Protections
"You see what they're doing at the state level in places
like Washington state, New York and California to be proactive in
slowing the spread," said Rodney Bordeaux, President of the
Rosebud Sioux Tribe. "Our tribal governments also have rights
and obligations to our people to protect them. Apparently, the
administration wants to punish Tribes for that. We will not stand by
and let that happen." NARF's client Rosebud Sioux Tribe has
joined Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in calling on
the South Dakota governor and the federal government to respect tribal
sovereignty as they take steps to address the pandemic. Read more
about the Tribes' ongoing fight at
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US Supreme Court Reaffirms Reservation Boundaries
The United States "solemnly guarantied" the Muscogee
(Creek) Nation their reservation as a "permanent home" in
exchange for leaving their eastern homelands. This month's
historic US Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma reaffirms
that understanding. In issuing the opinion of the Court, Justice Neil
Gorsuch said, "Today we are asked whether the land these
treaties promised remains an Indian reservation for purposes of
federal criminal law. Because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold
the government to its word." NARF Executive Director John
Echohawk responded to the decision, "In this case, the Muscogee
(Creek) Nation had to fight long and hard to protect their homelands,
which were promised in their treaty agreements with the United States.
In holding the federal government to its treaty obligations, the US
Supreme Court put to rest what never should have been at question. We
congratulate the Nation on its success." Find out more about the
case, which NARF supported through amicus briefing at
[link removed]
Washington Football Team to Change Name
The Washington (DC) NFL football team recently announced its plans to
retire its name and logo We welcome this long overdue change. For over
two decades, NARF has repeatedly called out the Washington DC football
team for their use of a racist and offensive term. To that end, we
have participated in multiple legal cases on the issue, advocated for
an end to racist trademarks, joined with partners to put pressure on
advertisers and news outlets to stop using the names of Native mascots
in print and on air, and boycotted companies such as FedEx that invest
in sports organizations with racial slurs masquerading as team names.
NARF stands strong against any and all Native-based mascotry. (Image:
Retire Indian Mascots by TR Redcorn) Read our latest statement on
the issue at [link removed]
Summer Law Clerks Serve Indian Country
Despite the pandemic, NARF was able to welcome this year's class of
summer law clerks to our team. Although attending remotely, each of
the clerks is assigned to work with attorneys in one of our three
offices. Through this competitive and long-standing program, students
have the opportunity to serve Indian Country and learn about complex
Indian law working on unique and novel legal issues, which can span
across federal, tribal, and state courts. Meet these talented law
students on our website or Facebook at
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looks nice and hope that you like it too!
Native American Rights Fund
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Washington 202-785-4166
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