Native American Rights Fund

Who is the Tribal Water Institute #indigenous #native #water #policy

The Tribal Water Institute was created to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and advance the protection of Tribal waters. In this short, we break down how it came to be and the work it does today: buff.ly/sK8t8gW

The SAVE Act is moving again. This bill remains harmful to Native communities. It would require in-person voter registration, forcing many Native voters to travel long distances, and mandate documentary proof of citizenship. Drive calls and emails, submit letters opposing S.1383.

The pipeline has leaked more than 30 times inland, spilling over a million gallons of oil collectively. All 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan have called for it to be shut down.”

The Supreme Court hears a Line 5 oil pipeline case with high stakes for treaty rights The Straits of Mackinac aren't just ecologically critical — they're the center of the Anishinaabe creation story.

SCOTUS heard arguments in a high-impact case today. “The case, Enbridge v. Nessel, centers on Line 5, a 645-mile oil pipeline that starts in Superior, WI, snakes through MI, and concludes in Ontario, CA. More than half a million barrels of oil and gas flow through it daily.": buff.ly/iey0HoL

Resources for Students and Schools: Eagle Feathers at Graduation - Native American Rights Fund Resources for graduating high school students and families to help ensure that they can wear eagle feathers during their commencement ceremony.

#Graduation is a milestone. For many Native students, wearing an #eaglefeather is a sacred honor that is bestowed to graduates. Start the conversation with your school leaders early. Review your district’s policy, request a religious accommodation if needed: buff.ly/es7LkC8

#ReligiousFreedom

Supreme Court case on absentee ballots could further disenfranchise Native voters - Native American Rights Fund On January 9, 2026, three Native American organizations—National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and Native Vote Washington—filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court…

Last month, the National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and Native Vote Washington filed an amicus brief in Watson v. Republican National Committee. The case before SCOTUS challenges a Mississippi law allowing absentee ballots mailed by Election Day: buff.ly/DV5NaK4

We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Osage Principal Chief and former NARF Board member Jim Gray. Chief Gray had a deep love, passion for his family, his Osage people and for Indian Country. He brought that love, passion and commitment to his role on our Board Chair from 2003 - 2008.

Elizabeth Peratrovich, a Tlingit leader, helped secure passage of the Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945, the first civil rights law in the United States. Her powerful testimony helped dismantle legalized segregation and expand protections for Alaska Native people.

Love takes many forms, and your support is one of them. Thank you for everything you make possible. Happy Valetine’s Day!

Webinar Recording | Know Your Rights: Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe - Native American Rights Fund In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) will host a 60-minute “Know Your Rights” webinar followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A…

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, NCAI and NARF hosted a ‘Know Your Rights’ webinar. Watch the recap here: buff.ly/0pXvyJB

We’ve refreshed the Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative website! For more than 30 years, IPI has supported Tribal Nations in strengthening and revitalizing traditional peacemaking practices. Explore a cleaner, more accessible space of resources, trainings, Tribal models, and more: buff.ly/pLBnV9f

Tribal Engagement in FERC Hydropower Licensing - Native American Rights Fund Although hydroelectric energy has long been touted as a “clean” energy, hydropower projects have devastated Tribal Nations’ treaty-protected rights and resources—particularly salmon and other…

Hydropower has devastated Tribal homelands and treaty-protected fisheries—but Tribal Nations have tools to shape these decisions.

In this new Headwaters Report piece, we outline how Tribal Nations can engage in FERC licensing to defend their rights and resources: buff.ly/DsRq0eD

Honoring Ancestral Sites: A Guide to Right Relations, Care, and Return - Native American Rights Fund Throughout NARF’s longstanding work supporting Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, NARF has been committed to helping foster respectful and just relationships with sacred places, Native…

Now available: Sacred Grounds: A Rights Relations Guidebook on Native Burials and Cultural Items.
Co-authored with Land Justice Futures, this resource offers practical, ethical, and legal guidance for institutions and landholders responsible: narf.org/resources/na...

There’s still time to give a meaningful Valentine’s gift rooted in love, powered by justice, and built for change. Honor someone you love with a donation for justice—order now to guarantee your card is delivered by Valentine’s Day: buff.ly/zUmb2ap

Supreme Court victory secures Alaska Native subsistence fishing fights - Native American Rights Fund The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) celebrates a historic victory for our clients and Alaska Native communities as the United States Supreme Court announced on January 12, 2026, that it will not…

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to hear U.S. v. Alaska.
That decision rightly secures federal protections for Alaska Native subsistence fishing and hunting, closing the door on decades of attempts to undermine these rights. Read: buff.ly/792BgHY

SD Voter settlement ends; Tribal advocates emphasize continued vigilance - Native American Rights Fund As the three-year settlement ends in a SD National Voter Registration Act case. NARF urges Native voters to continue reporting suspected NVRA violations.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe v. Barnett settlement has concluded after three years. The case secured long-overdue voting registration reforms in South Dakota. While court oversight has ended, the law has not. NARF and Dēmos will continue monitoring compliance: buff.ly/JW9movJ

Public News Service | News in the Public Interest Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news…

"Trump administration officials announced Thursday they plan to draw down federal immigration agents in Minnesota following a sustained national backlash. Local leaders say the negative effects are still being observed, including among Native Americans...." Read the full article at

Missed our Know Your Rights webinar? The full recording is now available.

Hosted by NCAI and NARF on January 28, 2026, this session provided clear, practical information for Tribal citizens about ICE encounters, warrants, identification, and safety. Watch now: buff.ly/u22Yedd

This Valentine’s Day, turn love into action. Honor someone special with a gift that fuels justice and lasting change. Order now to ensure it arrives by February 14: buff.ly/3rahxoe

Webinar | Know Your Rights: Tribal Citizens, Law Enforcement Encounters, and Practical Steps to Stay Safe - Native American Rights Fund In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) will host a 60-minute “Know Your Rights” webinar followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A…

TOMORROW: Know Your Rights. Protect Your Community.
In response to concerns raised across Indian Country, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and NARF are hosting a #KnowYourRights webinar for Tribal citizens and Tribal Nations.

Register now: narf.org/webinar-know...

Hydropower licensing has long excluded Tribal Nations, but that could change. Nearly 40% of FERC-licensed projects will be relicensed in the next decade. Our latest Headwaters Report outlines where and how Tribes can assert their rights in FERC hydropower proceedings. Read now: buff.ly/lA1Jfi1

Supreme Court case on absentee ballots could further disenfranchise Native voters - Native American Rights Fund On January 9, 2026, three Native American organizations—National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and Native Vote Washington—filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court…

Recently, Native orgs urged SCOTUS to protect state laws that allow ballots cast by Election Day to be counted when delayed by mail. In Watson v. Republican National Committee, they explain that unreliable postal service and limited in-person voting in Native communities: buff.ly/gRv1cVO

Commit to protecting Native rights in 2026. Your gift supports Tribal Nations year-round and helps defend what cannot be replaced. Give today: buff.ly/9lO5NVx
#NewYearsResolution #NativeRights

Thursday, January 8, 2026 — New post office rule is among potential hurdles for Native voters » Native America Calling The U.S. Postal Service just implemented a seemingly minor rule that is worrying Native American voting rights advocates. They and others say it is among a number of changes that add to the barriers…

A seemingly small change by the U.S. Postal Service could have major consequences for Native voters. By shortening the window for when mail-in ballots are postmarked, the new rule threatens to further disenfranchise Native communities already facing significant voting barriers: buff.ly/LwdZgtn

This #MLKDay, we reflect on the ongoing struggle for equal access to the ballot. A three-year settlement in SD recently came to an end. This marks real progress toward enforcing the #NationalVoterRegistrationAct after years of disproportionately harmed Native voters: buff.ly/9DCvka3

“Across Indian Country, we are seeing Native American people illegally stopped, abused, or detained by ICE agents. It is hard to miss the irony of locking up the first people of this land in an immigration sweep.” -- NARF Executive Director John Echohawk buff.ly/yl1iQdA

We put together a Know Your Rights post with clear, practical guidance on what to do if you are approached by ICE. The slides break down your rights and steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones: because access to information is a form of safety: buff.ly/wyH57GY

U.S. must fulfill obligations by protecting programs - Native American Rights Fund On December 24, 2025, NARF filed an amicus brief supporting an injunction that has blocked the destructive, broad-based freeze of federal funding that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)…

On December 24, 2025, NARF filed an amicus brief backing an injunction that stopped a sweeping federal funding freeze from taking effect. The freeze would disrupt essential services and undermine the United States’ trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and Native people: buff.ly/2Kg025p

Native American Tribal leaders and water advocates explain why water is so important to them and why they do the work that they do. This Tribal perspective on water rights provides the foundation for… Advocating for Water #water #indigenous #native #policy #nativeamerican

Native American leaders and water advocates explain why water is so important to them and why they do the work that they do. This Tribal perspective on water rights provides the foundation for the work of the Tribal Water Institute at the Native American Rights Fund. Watch: buff.ly/vG2wpu6

Supreme Court case on absentee ballots could further disenfranchise Native voters - Native American Rights Fund On January 9, 2026, three Native American organizations—National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives, and Native Vote Washington—filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court…

On January 9th, Native organizations filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in Watson v. Republican National Committee, warning that restricting states’ ability to count ballots received after Election Day could further disenfranchise Native voters. Read: buff.ly/3rbspyp