News and Notes

Native American Legislative Update - September 2012

Tribal Law and Order Commission

Since last September, the Tribal Law and Order Commission has held 10 field hearings, exploring the implementation of the Tribal Law and Order and related issues. Documents and testimony from most of the 10 hearings are available here.

Political Platforms Reveal Positions on Native American Issues

The two major political parties have completed their conventions. Both platforms included substantial information about their respective positions on Native American affairs and relationships between the federal government and tribal governments. Read the relevant sections of the Republican platform here and the Democratic platform here.

New Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs

In early August, President Obama nominated Kevin Washburn to serve in the Department of the Interior as assistant secretary for Indian affairs, replacing Larry Echo Hawk who left the position in April. Washburn, a member of the Chickasaw nation, is currently the dean of the University of New Mexico Law School. A committee hearing on Washburn’s confirmation is scheduled for this week. Read more about the nomination here.

Updated List of Tribes

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued an updated list of 566 “Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs” by virtue of their status as Indian tribes. This update replaces a list issued in 2010.