Protecting Native Voters in Montana

This month, the Native American Rights Fund, American Civil Liberties Union, and ACLU of Montana challenged a Montana law that severely restricts Native Americans’ access to the ballot. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of the Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck, Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Crow Tribe, and Fort Belknap Indian Community as well as Western Native Voice and Montana Native Vote, Native American-led organizations focused on getting out the vote and increasing civic participation in Native American communities. They are challenging the so-called Montana Ballot Interference Prevention ACT (BIPA).The complaint charges BIPA with violating the voting and due process rights of individuals living on reservations, as well as the free speech and association rights of organizers engaged in ballot collection on reservations. Learn more about the case at our website →

Want to Know More About What You Made Happen?

The 2019 NARF Annual Report is now available online. At any given time, NARF's attorneys are working on fifty or more cases and projects. The annual report is a great way to learn about the wide breadth of those actions, which only happen with the support of our friends like you. Some highlights from the last year include work to assert the Nez Perce Tribe's water rights claims, the Little Shell Tribe obtaining federal recognition, defending Native children and families through the Indian Child Welfare Act, and enforcing tribal consultation requirements for 5G wireless development projects. The report also showcases one-of-a-kind, high-end fashion pieces hand-executed by Jamie Okuma (Luiseño, Shoshone-Bannock), which means that it is beautiful to look at as well as informative. Get the report →

50th Anniversary Gala Postponed

From NARF Executive Director John Echohawk:

"After numerous discussions with the Gaylord Rockies Resort, we regretfully have decided that we must POSTPONE our 50th Anniversary Dinner Gala that was scheduled for May 8, 2020.  The decision to postpone the gala was a difficult one....
Currently, we are in discussions to secure a new date for this extraordinary event. Once this situation is behind us, we hope that you will join us for our new date. Until then, I wish you well. Please know our prayers are with you and yours during this difficult time." Read the full letter →