Explainer
Policy Explainer: Federal Trust Responsibility and Higher Education
This explainer clarifies the status of programs supporting American Indian students in higher education in response to recent legal and policy developments. Federal…
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: NCAI and Tribal Organizations Submit Comments to FCC Endorsing a Tribal Licensing Window for Upcoming AWS-3 Wireless Spectrum Auction
On February 28, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding its upcoming AWS-3 spectrum band auction. The NPRM…
Explainer
Public Radio at Risk: What’s at Stake for Tribal and Rural Communities
In rural Tribal communities across the United States, public radio is more than a source of news and entertainment; it's a lifeline. These stations deliver critical…
Fact Sheet
New FCC Report on Internet Usage Excludes Tribal Data
Read the fact sheet to learn more.Summary: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released Internet Access Services: Status as of June 20, 2024, estimating…
Broadband
Following Through on Policy with Meaningful Action
Coming from Minnesota, I never gave a second thought to wearing traditional regalia and an eagle feather at my graduation ceremony. In fact, it was encouraged. It wasn’t…
Explainer
The Affordable Connectivity Program: Sustaining Individuals and Tribal Networks
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) created in 2021 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, assists qualifying households with their monthly internet bills…
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: Bureau of Indian Affairs Publishes Framework for Processing Rights-of-Way Applications for Broadband Infrastructure Projects
On September 3, 2025 the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued a new National Policy Memorandum establishing a comprehensive framework for processing Rights-of-Way…
Report
Tribal Digital Sovereignty Guidebook
This guidebook is designed to provide a strong foundation for understanding digital sovereignty and Tribal Nations in the United States. It introduces key concepts, outlines…
Legislation
Reauthorization of H.R. 7888 carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty
Earlier this month, H.R. 7888 was introduced to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA). This bill includes an amendment that expands FISA’s…
Explainer
History of Advocacy in Tribal Telephony and Telecommunications, 1980–2020
AbstractThe history of Tribal advocacy in telecommunications policy is remarkable, yet many people are unaware of it. On Tribal lands, the connectivity gap extends beyond…
Explainer
At the intersection of Law & Policy in Indian Education
IntroIn the governance and regulation of society, law and policy play distinct yet essential roles. While both maintain order and guide behavior, they function differently…