Tribal climate change plan moves forward with federal grant funds

In July 2014, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn announced that the Obama Administration would dedicate almost $10 million to help Native American tribal governments prepare and adapt to climate change. “Impacts of climate change are increasingly evident for American Indian and Alaska Native communities and, Read More »

Asst. Secretary Washburn cites federal pre-emption regarding taxes on Indian land

Deputy Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn. SHAWNEE, Okla. – A letter to Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Chairman John Barrett, from Deputy Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn, reaffirmed the federal government’s position that businesses operating on tribal trust land are exempt from state and local taxes. “In light of the President’s and Congress’ goal Read More »

Concerning the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s detachment

Editors Note: On Sept. 20, 2021, the City of Shawnee formally de-annexed the land south of the North Canadian River. The detachment ended the legal dispute between the City of Shawnee and Citizen Potawatomi Nation. On Sept. 21, 2021, Leaders from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and City of Shawnee announced Tuesday the launch of Shawnee Read More »