Echo Hawk Law Office - Paul Echo Hawk

08/26/2026

NCAI applauds the signing of Minnesota Executive Order 26-10, which halts new exploratory mining leases and operations within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Rainy River Headwaters Watershed.

NCAI recognizes the Bois Forte Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, all signatories to the 1854 Treaty, for their longstanding leadership in protecting their ceded territory.

The protection of these lands and waters is essential to honoring treaty rights, preserving cultural and natural resources, and supporting the well-being of generations to come. This action demonstrates the importance of governments working with Tribal Nations to uphold shared responsibilities and advance responsible stewardship.

Read NCAI’s full statement: https://hubs.la/Q04tvdn60

08/26/2026

For generations, U.S. Supreme Court decisions have had lasting consequences for Tribal sovereignty and Native rights. During the Court’s October 2000 Term, two opinions struck devastating blows to Tribal sovereignty and Tribal jurisdiction, the most fundamental elements of continued Tribal existence and principles of federal Indian Law.

That’s why 25 years ago, NARF and the National Congress of American Indians created the Tribal Supreme Court Project, which improves strategy and promotes greater coordination in U.S. Supreme Court cases that may affect the rights and interests of Tribes.

07/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EaW1i85Ya/?mibextid=wwXIfr

07/12/2026

NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation and Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

04/22/2026

01/28/2026

In response to recent concerns raised across Indian Country, NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) will host a 60-minute “Know Your Rights” webinar followed by a 30-minute moderated Q&A using pre-screened questions.

01/21/2026

A news release from our client the Association of Village Council Presidents: Association of Village Council Presidents and Allies Win Federal Court Case Which Protects Subsistence Fishing Rights, Defends Katie John Cases On August 20, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the U...

01/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DdE8VQ3XZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/05/2026

The Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation and Native voters filed a lawsuit challenging Chouteau County’s unfair, at-large voting system. The suit alleges the system unlawfully dilutes the voting strength of Native voters and has denied them any representation on the county commis...

01/04/2026

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) mourns the passing of former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne).

“Ben Nighthorse Campbell stood at the intersection of our peoples’ history and future,” said NCAI President Mark Macarro. “His extraordinary life and accomplishments broke barriers and left a path for all those who seek to follow as leaders in Indian Country and in America.”

“I will miss the counsel and wisdom of my old friend,” President Macarro added.

Senator Campbell, a trailblazing statesman, helped transform federal Indian policy and elevate the voices of Tribal Nations across the United States. As the first Native American to serve in the U.S. Senate in more than six decades — and the only American Indian to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs — Senator Campbell brought the concerns of Tribal Nations to the center of national decision-making.​

Senator Campbell was a tireless champion for Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the well-being of Native communities throughout his time as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator. He advanced key legislation for Indian Country, including the establishment of the National Museum of the American Indian, major water rights settlements for Tribal Nations, and critical investments in Indian health, education, infrastructure, and public safety. His legacy also includes broader national achievements, such as his work on national parks, public lands, and protections for law enforcement officers through the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Act.​

Beyond elected office, Senator Campbell’s life reflected a profound commitment to service and excellence. A member of the Northern Cheyenne Council of Forty‑Four Chiefs, a three-time U.S. judo champion and Olympic team captain, and a renowned jeweler, he carried his culture, discipline, and creativity into every arena. He earned global respect for building bridges between peoples and nations, as underscored by his awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun.​

NCAI extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Campbell’s family, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, and all those whose lives he touched through his leadership, mentorship, and friendship. May his memory be a blessing and a charge to continue the work of strengthening Tribal Nations and upholding the inherent rights and dignity of Native peoples.

Statement available at https://www.ncai.org/news/the-national-congress-of-american-indians-ncai-mourns-the-passing-of-former-u-s-senator-ben-nighthorse-campbell-northern-cheyenne