Most Native American tribes have at least some land that was reserved by the federal government for the purpose of creating a homeland for the Tribe. Under the Winters doctrine, established by the United States Supreme Court in 1908,[1. Winters v. United States, 207…

Agreements for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs or PILTs) are used frequently by local governments to incentivize private investment in facilities or infrastructure that will provide a public benefit. A recent case in the State of Washington highlights the risk of…

On April 7, 2015, in Grand Canyon Trust v. Williams,[1. No. CV-13-08045-PCT-DGC, 2015 WL 1538084 (D. Ariz. Apr. 7, 2015).] the United States District Court for the District of Arizona granted summary judgment to the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) on claims brought by…

In an opinion issued on March 26, 2015, Federal District Court Judge Martha Vazquez granted Albuquerque Public Schools’ Motion for Summary Judgment on a former employee’s claims of Title VII discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment discrimination.  This thorough opinion clarifies several…

U.S. Senate Bill 248 (SB 248)—The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015—would amend the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. §§151–169, to provide that any enterprise or institution owned and operated by an Indian tribe and located on its lands is not…

In Northern Arapaho Tribe v. Ashe,[1. 2015 WL 1137487, No. 2:11-CV-00347-ABJ (D. Wyo. Mar. 12, 2015).] the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming contrasted two tribes’ eagle interests, the First Amendment, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and the Supreme…