September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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.

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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Hearing: Missing and Murdered Indigenous People: Strengthening Public Safety in Tribal Communities: The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance will hold a hearing on 'Missing and Murdered Indigenous People: Strengthening Public Safety in Tribal Communities' on September 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., Rayburn 2237.
• Hearing: Housing Needs in Native Communities, S.5354: The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will convene a hearing on September 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in Dirksen 628, focusing on housing in Native communities and reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (S.5354).
• Markup: Indian Buffalo Management Act and Related Measures: On September 15, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. in Longworth 1324, the House Natural Resources Committee will consider H.R. 7954 (Don Young Doug LaMalfa Indian Buffalo Management Act), H.R. 8483 (Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act), and technical correction bills affecting tribal settlements.
• Legislative Hearing: Tribal Water Rights Settlements: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will conduct a legislative hearing in Longworth 1324 on September 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., reviewing bills concerning Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Pechanga Band of Indians water rights settlements.
• Hearing: Helping Out People Act of 2026 and Geese House Site Conveyance Act: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 7269 (Helping Out People Act of 2026) and H.R. 8674 (Geese House Site Conveyance Act) on September 17, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., Longworth 1324.

Federal Government News

Ball State University Completes Inventory Under NAGPRA

Ball State University, Muncie, IN, has completed an inventory of Native American human remains acquired before 1938 and determined cultural affiliation with twelve tribal and Native Hawaiian organizations. The remains, originally from Florida with no detailed provenance, were cataloged in 1953. Written repatriation requests must be submitted by October 9, 2026, after which Ball State will evaluate any competing or joint requests. The National Park Service has published the notice as required by law but is not responsible for the determinations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

History Colorado Initiates Repatriation of Sacred Objects to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

History Colorado intends to repatriate 20 sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony, including eagle bone whistles, pipe stems, and ceremonial items originally collected in South Dakota, to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The items, connected to both Cheyenne River Sioux and other historical collections, are described as central to tribal religious practices. Competing requests are to be reviewed by History Colorado prior to transfer, with the process expected to begin on or after October 9, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Princeton University Repatriation to Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Princeton University has identified human remains and two associated funerary objects originating from Sitka, Alaska, acquired in the late 19th century as part of the Sheldon Jackson collection. These items have been culturally affiliated with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. Written repatriation requests should be submitted to the university, and in cases of competing claims, Princeton will determine the appropriate recipient according to NAGPRA guidelines.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Buffalo Bill Center of the West to Repatriate Sacred Crow Tribe Items

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming, will repatriate two sacred objects—a stone and a pouch—collected from Goes Ahead, a Crow spiritual leader, to the Crow Tribe of Montana. These items were donated to the museum in 1980 by descendants of Baptist missionaries. Written repatriation requests must be received by October 9, 2026. Any competing claims will be reviewed under NAGPRA protocols to determine the final recipient.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Knife River Indian Villages, North Dakota: Notice of Intended Disposition

The National Park Service’s Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site has issued a notice for the possible disposition of human remains, representing at least one individual, removed between 2019–2021. The Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, have priority for disposition, and claims must be filed by September 9, 2027. If unclaimed by that date, the remains will be considered unclaimed, with notification sent to lineal descendants, Tribes, and relevant organizations according to statute.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Greenland Seeks to Turn Peril Into Profit After Trump’s Threats to Take It Over: Greenland focuses on development strategies following international political tensions.
• The women saving Mexico’s ‘sacred Maya bee’: Local beekeepers organize to protect the endangered Melipona bee, vital to Maya heritage and ecology.
• In North Carolina, a race is on to restore critical peatland before it dries up or is destroyed: North Carolina conservationists work against time to restore and preserve high-value peatlands.

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