The Trump administration is transferring 14 tribal education projects from the Department of Education to the Interior Department as part of efforts to dismantle Education. Democratic lawmakers worry this could deprioritize tribal education programs, while some Republicans view Interior as a logical choice given its existing tribal education role.

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The Trump administration removed a congressionally mandated report on missing and murdered Native Americans from the DOJ website, citing compliance with an executive order against DEI. Senators who championed the 2020 law are outraged, arguing the administration misclassifies tribal nations as a racial rather than political class.

The post Trump Administration Removes Report on Missing and Murdered Native Americans, Calling It DEI Content appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Tribal nations say they’re covering emergency food costs as federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits hang in limbo amid the shutdown. About 23% of Native American and Alaska Native households used SNAP in 2023—nearly double the U.S. average.

The post Native American Tribes Are Struggling in Wake of SNAP Uncertainty appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Legislation, introduced on Thursday would allow the U.S. Marshals Service to help tribal law enforcement find missing children. In tribal law enforcement’s stead, the service would also be able to search for and arrest suspects with warrants. Under current law, the U.S. Marshals Service can assist local law enforcement but not tribal. The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act would amend that.

The post Mullin and Cortez Masto File Bill to Allow Marshals to Help with MMIP appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The Trump administration followed through with threats to use the shutdown as an opportunity to slash federal programs. While some government-run programs for Indian Country are insulated from the lapse in funding, there is growing bipartisan concern that Native American nations will see cuts to critical programs.

The post Lawmakers Aren’t Sure if Tribal Programs are Safe From OMB Shutdown Cuts appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes claim a congressman is actively blocking their continued attempts to reclaim land the tribe believes belongs to them.

The post Tribe Claims Lawmaker Is Blocking It From Getting Its Land appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Donate to Oklahoma Watch D'Licia Reyna, Oklahoma City The Curtain Falls on Walters' Wild Ride: Media Takes Stock In a move that surprised few but delighted many, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced his resignation this week, trading the state's education helm for the CEO spot at the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a conservative outfit hell-bent [...]

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Since the McGirt decision, cases involving missing or murdered Native Americans have been mired in confusion and a lack of police collaboration.

The post Missing, Murdered Native American Cases Delayed as Police Struggle to Work Together appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

A group of lawmakers is working to make a program piloted by the first Trump administration permanent.

The post A Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Is Pushing to Make Healthier Food More Accessible to Tribes appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The state Supreme Court decided that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's reservation per McGirt is different in civil court, especially when there's tax money involved.

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