News

• First Public Hearing of the American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Task Force Held in Bismarck, N.D
  

  The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of the Task Force on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence held its first public hearing today in Bismarck, N.D., convening tribal researchers, advocates, and local community members to discuss domestic violence and child physical and sexual abuse in Indian Country. The task force is comprised of a federal … Read more



• Diane Humetewa nominated to be a District Court Judge for the US District Court for the District of Arizona
  

  NNABA APPLAUDS THE HISTORIC NOMINATION OF DIANE HUMETEWA TO BE A FEDERAL JUDGE IN ARIZONA Phoenix, AZ. — The National Native American Bar Association applauds the historic nomination of Diane Humetewa to be a district court judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. If confirmed, Ms. Humetewa will be the first … Read more



• Indian Country Today Media Network: 9 Notable Women Who Rule American Indian Law
  

  By Tanya H. Lee October 23, 2013 Justice systems are never easy to come by, as the U.S. vertical hierarchy of courts, jury options and appeals processes attest. In American Indian law, with its need to integrate the principles of 567 nations (counting the U.S.), tribal law, state law, federal law, the inherent and reserved … Read more



• Indian Country Today Media Network: Baby Veronica & Baby Deseray: Don’t Let Them Sell Our Babies!
  

  By Dot Scott October 13, 2013 The recent cases of Baby Veronica and Baby Desaray make me fear for young adoptive children, especially those of color. The similarities of these two cases, including the same adoption agency attorney in both, demand a closer look into these children’s civil rights. As an African-American mother, it disturbs … Read more



• Professor Keith Camacho announced as Senior Editor of Amerasia Journal
  

  UCLA AASC: Professor Keith Camacho, Senior Editor of Amerasia Journal Dear Alums and Friends, The UCLA Asian American Studies Center is very pleased to announce that Professor Keith Camacho will become the senior editor of Amerasia Journal, effective 1 January 2014. Professor Camacho is an award-winning scholar, teacher and active member of the UCLA community. … Read more



• NYTimes: Obama Points to ‘Legitimate Concerns’ Over Redskin’ Name
  

  By KEN BELSON Published: October 5, 2013 The long-simmering debate over the Washington Redskins’ name took a new turn when President Obama said that he would consider changing it if he were the team’s owner. Obama’s comments are likely to stoke the dispute, which has forced the team, the N.F.L. and politicians on both sides … Read more



• The Cherokee Nation on the Transfer of Custody of Veronica Brown
  

  TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA The Cherokee Nation released the following statement on the transfer of custody of Veronica Brown, who was taken from her Cherokee biological father and family on Monday evening. Statement from the Cherokee Nation Statement from Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker: There is no word for goodbye in the Cherokee language. We … Read more



• Indian Country Today Media Network: Cherokee Nation Mourns as Veronica Is Returned to Adoptive Family
  

  By Suzette Brewer September 24, 2013 In the end, it came down to one simple strategy: Waiting. As Dusten Brown faced the Damocles Sword of jail time and a felony warrant, Matt and Melanie Capobianco only had to wait. Last week, as the clock was running down on the stay that the Oklahoma Supreme Court … Read more



• DOJ: Justice Department Awards $90 Million to Enhance, Support Tribal Justice and Safety
  

  The Department of Justice today announced the awarding of 192 grants to 110 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, tribal consortia and tribal designated non-profits. The grants will provide more than $90 million to enhance law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in nine purpose areas including public safety and community policing; … Read more



• UN Human Rights: USA / Indigenous peoples: UN expert urges respect for the rights of Cherokee child in custody dispute
  

  GENEVA (10 September 2013) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, today called on the relevant state, federal and tribal authorities in the United States of America to take all necessary measures to ensure the wellbeing and human rights of ‘Veronica,’ an almost four year old Cherokee child … Read more