May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning tribal affairs, the BIA, reservation lands, tribal statistical areas, and treaty rights. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Tribal Affairs? Don't miss this week's updates in Social Issues and Environment. Also consider subscribing to our Indigenous Affairs - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act Signed Into Law

On May 19, 2026, President Biden signed H.R. 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, waiving specified land requirements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and allowing Cape Fox Village Corporation to select alternative lands for settlement purposes. The law enables further land entitlement resolution for Cape Fox Village Corporation, impacting ongoing Native land claims processes in Alaska. Other bills signed alongside include H.R. 972 and H.R. 2066, which focus on conservation and small business investment, respectively.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, and the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History issued a joint NAGPRA inventory notice for the Wann site in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. Human remains representing sixty-six individuals and 44,112 associated funerary objects from the Woodland archaeological period are scheduled for repatriation to the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. Collections excavated by WPA in 1940 and by USACE in the 1970s are included, with repatriation possible on or after June 18, 2026. Requests and competing claims will be managed by the respective institution.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Submission for OMB Review: IMLS Native American Library Services Basic Grants Reporting Renewal

The Institute of Museum and Library Services submitted a proposed renewal for the Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program—Final Performance Report Form to the Office of Management and Budget. Covering reporting for eligible Native American Tribes for 2026–2028, the renewal addresses monitoring grant performance, with an estimated 150 respondents, 225 burden hours, and $7,419 annual cost. Comments are due June 21, 2026, focusing on necessity and burden minimization.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Agency Information Collection Activities: Northeast Region Alaska Native Handicrafts

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks comment on the proposed renewal of its information collection regarding Alaska Native handicrafts under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The notice affirms recordkeeping and certification requirements for authentic Alaska Native handicrafts containing inedible migratory bird parts, and details eligibility via Tribal enrollment cards or the Silver Hand program. Estimated annual respondents are two, and the comment period closes July 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice Announcing Promise Neighborhoods Program Competition

The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services opened the FY2026 Promise Neighborhoods grant competition, which targets academic and developmental outcomes in distressed and tribal communities. Applications must be submitted by August 6, 2026; eligible applicants include Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits partnered with local agencies. The program prioritizes literacy, intervention supports, and community-based services, with full details available via Grants.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2815)

H.R. 2815 became Public Law No. 119-93, waiving certain land requirements under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and permitting Cape Fox Village Corporation to select different lands for settlement.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act (S. 1513 & H.R. 2388)

Senate and House versions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act were ordered reported favorably by the Committee on Indian Affairs, advancing restoration of project lands for tribal use.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Land Leasing Act (S. 236 & H.R. 681)

Bills in both chambers would amend the Long-Term Leasing Act, enabling 99-year leases for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), ordered reported favorably by Committee on Indian Affairs.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025 (H.R. 2302 & H.R. 2735)

House bills regarding land transfer for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians have been ordered reported favorably, addressing property rights and administration for tribal entities.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

A Bill to Enhance Tribal Child Welfare Funding (S. 4638)

Bill 4638 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, proposing removal of administrative barriers and increased federal funding for Indian tribes in child welfare programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Virginia Board Appointments Include Pamunkey Indian Reservation Retired Chief

Governor Abigail Spanberger announced appointments to various advisory boards and commissions, including Robert Gray, retired Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Reservation, named to the Board of Veterans Services.

Sources: www.governor.virginia.gov

California Deploys More Personnel to Combat Wildfires, With Tribal Collaboration Noted

Governor Gavin Newsom deployed over 2,800 firefighters and emergency workers, recognizing federal, tribal, and local partnerships. The state’s forest management initiatives emphasize integrated planning involving tribal and non-profit landowners.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US-Mexico border wall construction is desecrating sacred sites, Indigenous leaders say: Indigenous leaders report US-Mexico border wall construction is impacting tribal sacred sites.
• Europe’s Green-Energy Future Has a Problem: Reindeer: European green energy expansion is facing resistance from Indigenous communities due to impacts on reindeer herding.
• Sites tied to equality movements join list of America’s most endangered historic places: Historic places associated with equality and social movements are added to the America250 endangered list.

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