An Introduction to the

Tribal Supreme Court Project

The Tribal Supreme Court Project works to improve strategy and promote greater coordination in U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) cases that may affect the rights and interests of Tribal Nations. The project is staffed by attorneys from the Native American Rights Fund and the National Congress of American Indians and consists of more than 300 volunteer attorneys, academics, and Tribal representatives from around the nation who specialize in federal Indian Law, Tribal advocacy, and SCOTUS practice. When the project started in 2001, Tribal Nations in the Court were losing a historic low of 80% of their cases. In contrast, and with the leadership of the project, in the last decade they have won 70% of their cases.

Front of the Supreme Court building with blue sky

25th Anniversary

Tribal Supreme Court Project Celebrates 25 Years

The Project is commemorating 25 years of furthering the interests of Tribal Nations and Native American people before the SCOTUS. As part of the anniversary recognition, the Project released a 25th Anniversary Report that highlights the Project's history and impact, and outlines future goals. The report celebrates the Project's role in defending Tribal sovereignty and shaping legal strategies to protect the rights of Tribal Nations.

Join us for an anniversary celebration to be held in Washington, DC, on September 17-18, 2026. The celebration will include a Thursday evening reception at the National Museum of the American Indian and a Friday legal colloquium at the Eaton DC hotel. Learn more and get tickets now. Space for both events is limited!

Current Term: October Term 2025

Selected Cases that we are Monitoring

A coordinated and structured approach to Tribal advocacy is needed to preserve Tribal sovereignty, jurisdiction, and other rights and interests. The Tribal Supreme Court Project monitors selected Indian Law cases in the SCOTUS and occasionally in the lower courts. While the project works to keep our website up-to-date, please refer to the SCOTUS website for the most recent case information and dates.

Cert Granted

Cert Pending

Department of Interior v. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation (26-96)
07/20/2026 - Petition filed. Response due August 20, 2026.
N. R. v. Ellison (25-1287)
05/04/2026 - Petition filed. 06/12/2026 - Amicus brief of Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, et al. filed. 06/15/2026 - Amicus brief of Foster Parents and Pacific Legal Foundation and Amicus brief of Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare filed. 06/25/2026 - Response requested. 07/10/2026 - Motion to extend time to file response submitted. Motion to extend granted July 13, 2026. Response due August 26, 2026.
Perez v. City of San Antonio (26-15)
06/26/2026 - Petition filed. 07/21/2026 - Waiver of City of San Antonio of right to respond filed.
Wilton Rancheria v. Unite Here International Union (26-39)
07/07/2026 - Petition filed. 07/20/2026 - Waiver of Unite Here International Union of right to respond filed. 07/22/2026 - Distributed for Conference of September 28, 2026.
Winckler v. South Dakota (25-7600)
06/09/2026 - Petition filed. 6/30/2026 - Motion to extend granted. Response due July 31, 2026. 07/22/2026 - Brief in Opposition of South Dakota filed.
Winnemucca Indian Colony v. United States (25-1170)
04/08/2026 - Petition filed. 05/27/26 - Response requested. 07/24/2026 - Motion to extend granted. Response due August 20, 2026.

Cert Denied

In Winnemucca Indian Colony v. United States (25-1170) (Breach of trust), Petition filed April 8, 2026. Response requested May 27, 2026. Motion to extend granted July 24, 2026. Response due August 20, 2026.

In Department of Interior v. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation (26-96) (Federal land policy and management act), Petition filed July 20, 2026. Response due August 20, 2026.

In Winckler v. South Dakota (25-7600) (State criminal jurisdiction and Indian country), Petition filed June 9, 2026. Motion to extend granted June 30, 2026. Response due July 31, 2026. Brief in Opposition of South Dakota filed July 22, 2026.

In Wilton Rancheria v. Unite Here International Union (27-39) (Tribal law), Petition filed July 7, 2026.07/22/2026 - Distributed for Conference of September 28, 2026.

In Perez v. City of San Antonio (26-15) (First Amendment religion clauses), Petition filed June 26, 2026. Waiver of City of San Antonio of right to respond filed July 21, 2026.

In N. R. v. Ellison (25-1287) (Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act), Petition filed May 4, 2026. Amicus brief of Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, et al. filed June 12, 2026. Amicus brief of Foster Parents and Pacific Legal Foundation and Amicus brief of Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare filed June 15, 2026. Response requested June 25, 2026. Motion to extend time to file response submitted July 10, 2026. Motion to extend granted July 13, 2026. Response due August 26, 2026.

In Republican National Committee v. Mi Familia Vota, et al. (25-1017) and Petersen, et al. v. Mi Familia Vota, et al. (25-1019) (State voter / Election laws and National Voter Registration Act), Petitions granted June 29, 2026. Petitioner's brief on the merits due August 28, 2026. Respondents' briefs on the merits due October 13, 2026.

In Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe (25-253) (Voting rights), Petition granted May 18, 2026. Judgment Vacated and case Remanded for further consideration.

Calendar of Selected Upcoming Dates

View hearing dates, filing deadlines, and new cert review announcements.

Current Term

Selected Cases of Interest

The Tribal Supreme Court Project also notes selected cases of interest at SCOTUS and lower courts. Current cases:

Decided:

Enbridge Energy, LP v. Nessel (24-783) (Removal time limits under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1446(b)(1)), Opinion issued April 22, 2026.
Galette v. New Jersey Transit Corporation (24-1021) (Interstate sovereign immunity from suit under federal law of a state created entity), Opinion issued March 4, 2026.
Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections (23-1197) (Individual capacity suits for damages under RLUIPA), Opinion issued June 23, 2026.
Louisiana v. Callais (24-109 & 24-110) (Voting Rights Act), Opinion issued April 29, 2026.
Princess Azizi Kuulei Kaiama v. U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii (25-1044) (Removal to federal court of land title dispute), Petition denied April 27, 2026.
Trump v. Barbara (25-365) (Birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment Citizenship Clause), Opinion issued June 30, 2026.
Watson v. Republican National Committee (24-1260) (Federal election day ballots), Opinion issued June 29, 2026.

Pending:

Hastings College Conservation Committee, et al. v California (25-1231) (Contract and Bill of Attainder Clauses), Petition filed April 27, 2026. Response requested June 22, 2026. Motion to extend time to file response submitted July 10, 2026. Motion to extend granted July 13, 2026. Response due August 21, 2026.
Nebraska v. Colorado (22O161) (Interstate water compact), Motion to file bill of complaint granted June 29, 2026. Motion to extend time to file answer submitted July 2, 2026. Motion to extend granted July 8, 2026. Answer due September 28, 2026.
Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County (25-170) (preemption of state law claims for relief from injuries of climate change and SCOTUS jurisdiction), Amicus brief of Coalition of Large Tribes in support of petitioners filed May 21, 2026.
United States v. Ruiz (10th Cir. No. 24-2128) and United States v. Hebert (10th Cir. No. 24-7030) (consolidated) (General Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1152, and non-Indian status) will be reheard en banc with oral argument on August 17, 2026.