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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Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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: Hearing on Small Business Administration Native 8(a) program (Feb. 10, 2026): The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a hearing examining the Small Business Administration Native 8(a) program on Feb. 10, 2026 at 3:00pm ET in Dirksen Senate Office Building 628.
• House Natural Resources: Markup Including Catawba Indian Tribe Land Claims (Feb. 11, 2026): The House Committee on Natural Resources will mark up bills including H.R. 4463, which amends the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993, on Feb. 11, 2026 at 1:45pm ET in Longworth 1324.
• Senate ENR Subcommittee on Public Lands: Hearings on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and More (Feb. 12, 2026): The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining will examine a range of bills including S.2554, addressing recognition and claims settlement for certain Alaska Native communities, on Feb. 12, 2026 at 10:00am ET in Dirksen 366.

Federal Government News

US Department of Education: FY2026 Indian Education Formula Grant Applications

The U.S. Department of Education has invited applications for the Office of Indian Education (OIE) Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies and Tribes for fiscal year 2026. The Electronic Application System for Indian Education (EASIE) opened Part I on February 2, 2026, with a closing date of March 6, and Part II to open March 30, closing May 11. Eligible entities include LEAs, BIE-operated schools, Indian Tribes, Indian organizations, Indian Community-Based Organizations, and consortia. Grant funds are to be used for comprehensive programs serving Indian students’ language, cultural, and academic needs. Projects must be developed with Indian Parent Committee (IPC) participation and tribal consultation where required. The program operates under ESEA section 6112-6113 with an estimated $110 million available and expects about 1,250 awards.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

BIA Posts Petition for Gabrielino/Tongva Nation Federal Recognition

On February 6, 2026, the Department of the Interior announced receipt of a documented petition for federal acknowledgment from the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is soliciting public comments and evidence on the petition until June 8, 2026. The petition and related materials are available online via the Office of Federal Acknowledgement's website. Interested parties can submit comments electronically or via mail, and may also request to stay informed about the process. The public notice initiates early-stage transparency as regulated under 25 CFR part 83.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Series of NAGPRA Notices Announced in February 2026

Federal agencies and museums issued multiple Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) notices, each announcing inventory completion or intended repatriation involving human remains or cultural items. Recent notices include: Field Museum, Chicago, IL (linked to Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes; and separately Aleutian Islands Tribes); University of Florida's Florida Museum of Natural History (Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma); Indiana University of Pennsylvania (O'Odham group); New York State Museum (Stockbridge Munsee Community, WI); City of Pomona (Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation); Museum of Kansas City, MO (Osage Nation); California Department of Transportation (Colusa, Kletsel Dehe, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nations); and Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, MA (O'Odham group). Each notice indicates the repatriation process may begin after March 4, 2026, detailing object types, origins, and affiliated Tribes. Requests for repatriation and further consultation are instructed to be directed to the listed institutional representatives.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Approval by Operation of Law: Amendments to Tribal-State Gaming Compacts

The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced approval by operation of law of amendments to multiple Tribal-State gaming compacts, effective February 6, 2026. Approved agreements include: the first amendment to the California–Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation compact, the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska–Kansas Gaming Compact, and the sixth amendment to the Lummi Nation–State of Washington compact. The Iowa compact amendment authorizes sports wagering with a hub-and-spoke model. The Lummi Nation amendment revises definitions, implements wagering limits, and permits electronic wagering. No action was taken by the Secretary of the Interior during the statutory review period, triggering approval as allowed under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 7325, Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026

This bill would establish a national commission to investigate policies and impacts of Indian boarding schools. It was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce and the Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 7396, Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

The bill would focus on promoting Native American entrepreneurship and is currently referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 6021, Archie Cavanaugh Migratory Bird Treaty Amendment Act

Aimed at amending the Migratory Bird Treaty for Native Americans, the act recently had subcommittee hearings held.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 6568, Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

The bill addresses water resources and fish conservation relevant to Tribal interests in the Lower Yellowstone River. Recent action involved subcommittee hearings.

Sources: www.congress.gov

H.R. 7331, To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System

This bill instructs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of water supply projects for the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. It was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• E&E News: Ore., Wash., tribes head back to court after salmon deal collapse: Tribes in Oregon and Washington are renewing litigation following the collapse of a regional salmon protection agreement.

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