U.S. Supreme Court says eastern half of Oklahoma is Native American land
The 5-4 decision, with an opinion authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, endorsed the claim of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to the land, which encompasses three million acres.
Indigenous rights & well-being
U.S. federal judge suspends Dakota Access pipeline over environmental concerns
A federal judge has sided with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and ordered the Dakota Access pipeline shut down until a more extensive environmental review is done. It must be emptied no later than August 5, 2020.
South Korea sends 10K masks to Navajo Nation to honor their service during Korean War
When the South Korean government realized that the Navajo Nation had been suffered infection rates of COVID-19 rivaling that of New York City, it shipped them 10,000 masks and other PPE to honor their service seven decades years ago to the East-Asian nation.
Indigenous group in Brazil wins decades-long battle over illegal logging
The Ashaninka indigenous community will receive $3 million in compensation and an official apology from companies. Experts said the case could serve as a legal precedent in other indigenous and environmental lawsuits in Brazil.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prevails as federal judge strikes down DAPL permits
The Court found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Policy Act when it affirmed federal permits for the pipeline originally issued in 2016.
First-ever Native American-owned film studio opens in New Mexico
The Tesuque Pueblo tribe of New Mexico has launched Camel Rock Studios, which lays claim as the first movie studio owned by a Native American tribe in the history of Hollywood.
Australian High Court rules Aboriginal people cannot be deported
The court found Aboriginal people held a special status and were exempt from immigration laws, after it considered the cases of two convicted criminals whom the Government wanted to deport.
Borneo locals win a court battle to bar a coal miner from their land
After a two-year court battle, Indonesia’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of a lawsuit that claims the permit for the mining firm should be revoked.
Canada sets aside 56,000 square kilometres of Yukon boreal forest for conservation after decade-long legal battle
Located in northwest Canada, Yukon’s Peel watershed covers 67,431 square kilometres of wilderness that is rich in biodiversity. Eighty-three percent will now be preserved as Conservation Areas.
Oglala Sioux Tribe legalizes same-sex marriage
The tribal council last week approved a same-gender marriage ordinance in a 12-3 vote with one abstention.