July 19, 2026 to July 25, 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

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Indian Affairs Committee: Water Rights Hearings (July 29): Open hearing scheduled July 29 to review S.3573, S.3617, S.4368, S.4417, and S.4890—settlement legislation concerning water rights for Yavapai-Apache Nation, Agua Caliente Band, Pechanga Band, and the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: Business Meeting and Bill Consideration (July 29): Business meeting on July 29 in Dirksen 366 will review S.365, S.764, S.791, S.888, S.945, and other bills, including S.3635 to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act and H.R.6380 for Chiricahua National Park establishment.

Federal Government News

Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI

The National Park Service published an inventory completion from the University of Michigan regarding one associated funerary object, a lot of botanical material from Caplen Mound (Texas), linked by cultural affiliation to eight tribes including Alabama-Coushatta and Cheyenne and Arapaho. The item was collected in 1932 and donated for analysis in 1933. Repatriation requests can be submitted to the University of Michigan until August 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: Michigan History Center, Lansing, MI

Michigan History Center completed inventory on human remains and silver brooches removed from St. Joseph County in 1908, with cultural links to Potawatomi, Miami, Sac & Fox, and Peoria tribes. French trade silver among the funerary objects dates the burial to circa 1760–1796. Repatriation to affiliated tribes may occur after August 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Eastern Washington University, WA

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Eastern Washington University announced completion of inventory for human remains and an associated mammal bone, recovered in 1950 from Okanogan County, WA. The collection is affiliated with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Transfers between institutions occurred from 1966 to 1992, and repatriation requests are open until August 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University intends to repatriate 70,589 lots of unassociated funerary objects from numerous archaeological sites in Sonoma County, CA, accumulated between 1973 and 2015. Objects include stone tools, shell beads, faunal bone, and historic items, with cultural affiliation to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Repatriation may proceed after August 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pascua Yaqui Tribe Liquor Control Ordinance Correction

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a correction to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Liquor Control Ordinance, clarifying that Ordinance No. 14-15, not 07-15, was adopted under Resolution C06-103-15 on June 10, 2015. Notice published July 23, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Public Health Security—State, Local, and Tribal

Bill 5056 was read twice in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The proposal focuses on improvements to state, local, and tribal public health security infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Geese House Site Conveyance Act

Bill 4399 had hearings in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks; the act relates to Native American interests at the Geese House Site.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Bill 6021, addressing Native American interests in migratory bird treaty amendments, was ordered to be reported in the nature of a substitute (amended) by unanimous consent.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Dual Enrollment for Indian Reservations—Nutrition Assistance

Bill 5132 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The measure would allow dual enrollment in the supplemental nutrition assistance program and the food distribution program on Indian reservations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Requirement for Public and Tribal Involvement in Land Leasing Decisions

Bill 5118 requires the Secretary of the Interior to involve public and tribal officials when offering land parcels for oil or gas leasing. Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Black members of Oklahoma Native American tribe file federal lawsuit to gain citizenship rights: Freedmen in the Muscogee Nation are suing for tribal citizenship recognition.
• Brazil’s government says it is working with Peru to protect border Indigenous lands: Brazil announces cross-border efforts with Peru to secure Indigenous territories from criminal activity.
• A model Indigenous territory in Brazil's Amazon seeks protection from criminal gangs: Indigenous communities in Brazil’s Amazon request government support against organized crime.
• A model Indigenous territory in Brazil’s Amazon seeks protection from criminal gangs: Ashaninka territory faces urgent threats from illegal groups and appeals for state intervention.

.