Wiring the Rez: Innovation across Indian Country

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 follows Congress’s recent enactment of the Spectrum and Secure Technology and Innovation Act of 2024 (the Act).

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This brief follows up on the recent AIPI Policy Explainer: Federal Trust Responsibility and Higher Education, which clarified the status of programs supporting American Indian students in higher education in response to recent legal and policy developments by explaining that Federal relationships with Tribal Nations and their citizens/members are based on political distinctions rather than racial classifications.

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This explainer clarifies the status of programs supporting American Indian students in higher education in response to recent legal and policy developments. Federal relationships with Tribal Nations and their citizens/members are based on political distinctions rather than racial classifications. The framework outlined in this document reflects the federal government’s unique relationship with and obligations to Tribal Nations.

Legal Framework

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• Read more about Fact Sheet: Summary of Congressional Oversight Hearing to “Examine Native Communities’ Priorities for the 119th Congress”

Read our recent infographic one-pager on American Indian Education. It offers a concise overview of significant legislative and policy advancements related to American Indian education in 2024, elevating efforts to support Tribal communities and education initiatives.

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The decision in  Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. is just as impactful as the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade,  its ruling on Presidential immunity, or any of the other recent blockbuster decisions. On its face, Loper Bright appeared to be a rather benign case involving commercial fishing vessels and whether private parties had to pay for federal observers on those vessels for purposes of monitoring possible overfishing – a scenario with little relevance to most tribes.

• Read more about Unrelenting Litigation? The Supreme Court’s Overruling of Chevron in Loper Bright Enterprises & Relentless, Inc. and What’s Next for Tribes

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL) created several new programs to expand broadband access.

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Earlier this month, H.R. 7888 was introduced to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA).

• Read more about Reauthorization of H.R. 7888 carries substantial implications for Tribal Sovereignty

• Read more about Explainer: BEAD Challenge Process: AZ BEAD Program Update

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) created in 2021 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

• Read more about The Affordable Connectivity Program: Sustaining Individuals and Tribal Networks