2026-03-27T09:39:08+00:00 2025-09-30 440160260 Forvis Mazars LLP 111 South Tejon Suite 800 Colorado Springs CO 809039848 990 2024-10-01 840611876 NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND INC NATI 3034478760 250 ARAPAHOE AVENUE BOULDER CO 803025821 MICHAEL KENNEDY CFO 3034478760 2026-03-27 true Adam R Smith P00958966 7194714290 2026-03-27 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JOHN ECHOHAWK 250 ARAPAHOE AVENUE BOULDER CO 803025821 37529320 false X WWW.NARF.ORG X 1970 DC CONSTRUCT THE FOUNDATIONS NECESSARY TO EMPOWER TRIBES SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THEIR NATIVE TRADITIONS, ENFORCE THEIR TREATY RIGHTS AND PROTECT THEIR SOVEREIGNTY. 13 13 78 20 0 0 20925046 20114536 1003416 531103 2611267 3945485 46411 70243 24586140 24661367 0 0 0 0 11965591 13068784 33300 37400 4412016 8492321 8234824 20491212 21341008 4094928 3320359 84115280 92169287 3528328 3143392 80586952 89025895 THE NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND HOLDS GOVERNMENTS ACCOUNTABLE. WE FIGHT TO PROTECT NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS, RESOURCES, AND LIFEWAYS THROUGH LITIGATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY, AND LEGAL EXPERTISE. AS ESTABLISHED BY NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND'S (NARF) FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) false false 13417723 0 601041 SEE SCHEDULE O. 668470 0 0 National Indian Law Library In 1972, NARF founded the National Indian Law Library (NILL) to serve the research needs of NARF attorneys. NILL's resources are also available to the public however, and hundreds of research requests are received weekly. The library houses a unique and valuable collection of federal Indian and tribal law materials and provides specialized legal research assistance. It also provides online bulletins to keep advocates aware of the latest legal developments and most recent news in Indian law. Researchers around the world have access to the resources of the National Indian Law Library through online access to our library catalog (https://nill.softlinkliberty.net/liberty). The catalog contains information on over 18,000 titles held in the NILL collection. Copies of most resources can be delivered to researchers in a timely way and many catalog records provide links to free resources that are available on the internet. NILL's collection includes catalog records for approximately 7,000 articles, 4,500 books, and 1400 tribal law resources. Many of these items are freely available online and are easily accessed via a link in the catalog record. NILL is the only library serving the public with extensive expertise and resources relating to Indian law, providing services that other libraries are unable to provide. One critical resource provided during FY2025 was in the many public presentations and training NILL Staff provided to the public, librarians, judges, court employees, law students, and other researchers on how to conduct Federal Indian Law and Tribal Law research. 14086193 true true false true false false false true false true true true false false true false true false false false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 113 0 78 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 13 13 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true true true true false false AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY X X NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS FUND 3034478760 250 ARAPAHOE AVENUE BOULDER CO 803025821 KENNETH KAHN VICE-CHAIRMAN 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 LACEY HORN CHAIRWOMAN 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 CAMILLE KALAMA BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GAYLA HOSETH BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GEOFFREY BLACKWELL BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JAMIE AZURE BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LORI STINSON BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LOUIE UNGARO BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL PETOSKEY BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 REBECCA CROOKS-STRATTON BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 REBECCA MILES BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 RHONDA PITKA BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROBERT MIGUEL BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DONALD RAGONA DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 205078 0 34558 JOHN ECHOHAWK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 309749 0 35061 Mary Miles Corporate Secretary (BEGIN 02/2025) 40.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW CAMPBELL DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 271273 0 40527 MICHAEL KENNEDY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.0 0.0 X 222618 0 44475 SARAH TRUJILLO PALACIOS CORPORATE SECRETARY (END 02/2025) 40.0 0.0 X 156408 0 34558 BRETT SHELTON ATTORNEY 40.0 0.0 X 273688 0 31516 DAVID GOVER ATTORNEY 40.0 0.0 X 267046 0 32416 MELODY MCCOY ATTORNEY 40.0 0.0 X 258728 0 62772 SUSAN NOE ATTORNEY 40.0 0.0 X 274648 0 30556 THOMAS MURPHY ATTORNEY 40.0 0.0 X 273089 0 24618 2512325 0 371057 46 false true false CLASS EXPERTS GROUP 740 WEST GLEN OAKS LANE MILWAUKEE WI 53092 SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATION 715472 ENFRANCHISEMENT PRODUCTIONS LLC 1629 K ST NEW SUITE 300 WASHINGTON DC 20006 FILM PRODUCTION 269163 JEMAL'S ATLANTIC LLC P O BOX 714435 CINCINNATI OH 452714435 RENT 222348 SALT LLC 645 G STREET SUITE 301 ANCHORAGE AK 99501 PROJECT MANAGEMENT 176941 OC COMMUNICATIONS PO BOX 242263 ANCHORAGE AK 99524 RENT 107286 8 559 3192564 16921413 88173 20114536 LEGAL FEES 541110 531103 531103 0 0 0 0 531103 1611524 1611524 305 305 0 0 15201914 12867953 2333961 0 2333961 2333961 OTHER MISC REVENUE 900099 49354 49354 REIMBURSEMENTS 900099 15434 15434 HONORARIUMS 900099 5150 5150 0 0 0 0 69938 24661367 601041 0 3945790 1369736 598980 463043 307713 9557103 7980932 961940 614231 444524 361913 54773 27838 987640 776176 83778 127686 709781 514195 119612 75974 16391 16391 45603 45603 37400 37400 442788 442788 1316503 1316503 0 0 1136499 479885 207376 449238 582551 240444 185684 156423 782772 688847 63638 30287 771215 535563 130487 105165 25903 16752 9151 5173 5173 474292 319691 54469 100132 56874 49762 4843 2269 MAILING, PRINTING & PRODUCTION EXPENSES 2361352 2361352 LIBRARY 195428 185070 3201 7157 CLIENT CASES LITIGATION EXPENSES 21480 21480 0 0 0 0 0 21341008 14086193 2842799 4412016 3053102 3384037 776165 4133577 7478868 7232886 258665 170806 0 0 0 0 447753 504612 13453523 1816128 11926782 11637395 51333988 55581678 7372449 8243830 0 1467508 1280466 84115280 92169287 1640908 1403269 0 0 58885 48800 1828535 1691323 3528328 3143392 X 70051126 77321604 10535826 11704291 80586952 89025895 84115280 92169287 3320359 5118584 0 X false true true false X 17314327 14822919 17939492 20925046 20114536 91116320 0 0 17314327 14822919 17939492 20925046 20114536 91116320 5741363 85374957 1537528 1132902 1274389 1596737 1611829 7153385 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 98269705 0 0.86878 0.84263 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 9730 9730 21331278 21341008 1000000 0 250000 0 0 false 877081 1000000 1000000 1000000 3877081 5815622 139660 56540 17104 9730 223034 219270 250000 250000 250000 969270 1453905 3662 2287 1592 0 7541 X X ASSIST IN RESEARCH - CLIENT CASES false 31175807 11224 31187031 31068058 107749 31175807 31061234 6824 31068058 26053835 5007399 31061234 26041891 11944 26053835 0.9619 0.0381 0.0 false false 3570000 3570000 8163053 946050 7217003 1639586 832855 806731 80884 37223 43661 11637395 Closely-held equity interests Financial derivatives PRIVATE EQUITY 8243830 F 8243830 Federal Income Taxes OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 1300704 RETIREMENT OBLIGATION 390619 1691323 29337163 5118584 0 5118584 24218579 442788 0 442788 24661367 20898220 0 0 20898220 442788 0 442788 21341008 Schedule D, Part III, Line 1a Collections of art - financial statement footnote IF ELECTED UNDER SFAS 116 PROVIDE FOOTNOTE FROM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: COLLECTIONS OF WORKS OF ART, HISTORICAL TREASURES, AND SIMILAR ASSETS ARE NOT CAPITALIZED IN AS MUCH AS THE ITEMS ARE PRESERVED AND CARED FOR CONTINUOUSLY. PURCHASES OF COLLECTION ITEMS ARE REPORTED IN THE YEAR OF ACQUISITION AS DECREASES IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, OR IN TEMPORARILY OR PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS IF THE ASSETS USED TO PURCHASE THE ITEMS WERE RESTRICTED TO THAT USE BY DONOR STIPULATION. CONTRIBUTIONS OF COLLECTION ITEMS ARE NOT REPORTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. PROCEEDS FROM DISPOSAL OF AND INSURANCE RECOVERIES RELATED TO COLLECTION ITEMS ARE REPORTED AS INCREASES IN THE APPROPRIATE NET ASSET CLASSES. NARF'S COLLECTIONS CONSIST OF RARE BOOKS AND MAPS. THESE COLLECTIONS ARE HELD FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PURPOSES. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO A POLICY THAT REQUIRES PROCEEDS FROM THE DISPOSITION OF COLLECTION ITEMS TO BE USED TO ACQUIRE OTHER COLLECTION ITEMS. NO COLLECTION ITEMS WERE SOLD OR REMOVED IN 2025 AND 2024. Schedule D, Part III, Line 4 Collections of art - description of collections DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTIONS AND HOW THEY FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE: COLLECTIONS CONSIST OF RARE BOOKS AND MAPS. THESE COLLECTIONS ARE HELD FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PURPOSES, WHICH ARE USED IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT INDIAN RIGHTS, LAWS, AND ISSUES. Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Intended uses of endowment funds DESCRIBE THE INTENDED USES OF THE ORGANIZATION'S ENDOWMENT FUNDS: THE ENDOWMENT ASSETS INCLUDE DONOR-RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUNDS HELD IN PERPETUITY OR FOR DONOR-SPECIFIED PERIODS AND A BOARD-DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT, TITLED FUTURE LEGAL ADVOCACY FUND, FOR FUTURE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPRESENTATION OF TRIBES AND NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF PREPARING FOR PROTRACTED LITIGATION. RETURNS GENERATED BY THE ENDOWMENT ASSETS ARE UNRESTRICTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONOR STIPULATIONS AND ARE USED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTING OPERATIONS. X X X X X true INNOVAIRRE STUDIOS INC 2 EXECUTIVE CAMPUS SUITE 200 CHERRY HILL NJ 08002 DIRECT MAIL false 3696525 37400 3659125 3696525 37400 3659125 AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Schedule G, Part I, Line 2b(v) payment of fees or payment of expenses INNOVAIRRE STUDIOS INC-SCHEDULE G, PART I: PAYMENTS FOR PRODUCTION EXPENSES (SUCH AS PRINTING AND POSTAGE) TO INNOVAIRRE STUDIOS WERE MADE SEPARATELY FROM FUNDRAISING FEES. TOTAL PRODUCTION EXPENSES AMOUNTED TO $2,361,352 FOR THE YEAR.; X X true true X X X X false true false false false false false false false DONALD RAGONA DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR 202030 0 0 0 3048 0 9292 0 25266 0 239636 0 0 0 JOHN ECHOHAWK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 307895 0 0 0 1854 0 21729 0 13332 0 344810 0 0 0 MATTHEW CAMPBELL DEPUTY DIRECTOR 271033 0 0 0 240 0 16150 0 24377 0 311800 0 0 0 MICHAEL KENNEDY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 221034 0 0 0 1584 0 16621 0 27854 0 267093 0 0 0 SARAH TRUJILLO PALACIOS CORPORATE SECRETARY (END 02/2025) 156408 0 0 0 0 0 9292 0 25266 0 190966 0 0 0 THOMAS MURPHY ATTORNEY 271637 0 0 0 1452 0 1029 0 23589 0 297707 0 0 0 DAVID GOVER ATTORNEY 266494 0 0 0 552 0 15820 0 16596 0 299462 0 0 0 MELODY MCCOY ATTORNEY 257144 0 0 0 1584 0 19710 0 43062 0 321500 0 0 0 BRETT SHELTON ATTORNEY 272104 0 0 0 1584 0 16120 0 15396 0 305204 0 0 0 SUSAN NOE ATTORNEY 273064 0 0 0 1584 0 16120 0 14436 0 305204 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a First-class or charter travel EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NECESSITATED FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL TO A BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN FAIRBANKS ALASKA SHORTLY AFTER A PROCEDURE Schedule J, Part I, Line 1a Travel for companions FAMILY MEMBER WHO ASSISTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH TRAVEL TO A BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING IN FAIRBANKS ALASKA Schedule J, Part I, Line 4b Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan AMOUNT OF AWARD UNDER THE ORGANIZATIONS NONQUALIFIED PLAN IS DETERMINED BY INCORPORATING YEARS OF SERVICE, AGE AND AVERAGE THREE-YEAR BASE SALARY. THE ONE-TIME CASH AWARD IS PAYABLE AT THE DATE OF RETIREMENT FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES ACCRUED DEFERRED RETIREMENT COMPENSATION UNDER THE PLAN: *JOHN ECHOHAWK - $3,590 *MELODY MCCOY - $3,590 *MICHAEL KENNEDY - $3,510 *DONALD RAGONA - $2,962 7 88173 Market value 0 false false false Schedule M, Part I Explanations of reporting method for number of contributions Securities - Publicly traded - the organization is reporting the number of contributions on column b. Form 990, Part III, Line 1 THE PRIORITIES THAT GUIDE NARF IN ITS MISSIONS STILL CONTINUE TO LEAD NARF TODAY: (1) THE PRESERVATION OF TRIBAL EXISTENCE; (2) THE PROTECTION OF TRIBAL NATURAL RESOURCES; (3) THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS; (4) THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENTS TO NATIVE AMERICANS; AND (5) THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN LAW AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT INDIAN RIGHTS, LAWS AND ISSUES. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) continues to provide high-level legal advocacy and programs that serve tribal nations and their communities across the country. Our mission and work are to simply assist tribal nations in living according to their culture and identity through the assertion, defense, and evolution of tribal sovereignty and the protection of their treaty rights. NARF's casework and programming assist tribal communities in addressing ongoing adverse threats to tribal interests and their homelands. NARF is guided by five mission priorities, which include the preservation of tribal existence, the protection of tribal natural resources, the promotion of human rights, the accountability of governments to Native Americans, the development of Indian law and by extension, the education of the public about contemporary Indian rights, laws, and issues. A board of directors consisting of tribal and indigenous leaders from across the country guide the direction of NARF to the fulfillment of our mission in protecting tribal nations and their communities. Our litigation management committee and corporate officers ensure that the programs and cases NARF engages in under the umbrella of Federal Indian law for the benefit of tribal nations are effective, directly impact and advance tribal sovereignty and their interests. NARF's work is generally organized into two areas, casework/litigation and programs. Tribal nations and Native individuals approach NARF for legal assistance in a variety of areas under Federal Indian Law such as environmental/natural resource protection, water law, social justice, voting rights/election protection, treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, Indian child welfare, education, international indigenous rights policy, and peacemaking/mediation, among others. NARF provides high-level litigation support at no charge to tribal nations that have difficulty to pay, but thanks to our donors, we are able to provide the assistance they need, regardless of duration of litigation or cost. Our programs are meant to provide critical resources to tribal nations, their in-house counsels, and the public regarding legal information and resources they may need to most effectively understand tribal law and provide advocacy to their communities. Programs include the National Indian Law Library, the Homelands Coalition, the Native American Voting Rights Coalition, the Tribal Supreme Court Project, the Tribal Water Institute, and Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty, among others. FY2025 was a year of continued growth for our organization, and an opportunity to see many successful assertions of tribal sovereignty. The development of new coalitions of legal advocates, in-house tribal general counsels, and academics assure that NARF will continue to be agile and prepared to assist tribal nations with their ongoing legal needs and challenges. NARF Programs - Tribal Supreme Court Project The Tribal Supreme Court Project (TSCP) is currently in its 25th year of serving as a resource program that coordinates and focuses resources to improve advocacy and results in state and federal cases that may appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. Spearheaded by the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) the TSCP consists of a coalition of over 200 attorneys, academics, Indian Law and US Supreme Court Practitioners, tribal In-House attorneys, and other legal organizations that support Federal Indian law cases that have the potential to reach the Supreme Court. The goal is to improve advocacy so that tribal interests and their cases are presented in the most favorable positions. The TSCP provides legal support, strategy, amicus drafting/presentation, moot court and practice of their oral arguments and various professional legal experience and opinions from relevant experts. - Judicial Selection Project The goal of the Judicial Selection Project is to increase the representation of Native Americans in the federal and state judiciaries. To that end, the Project helps recruit and support qualified Native candidates for federal and state judicial appointments. The Project works with the White House to promote better Native American representation in the federal judiciary and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to ensure that nominees are asked about their experience with Indian tribes and their understanding of federal Indian law during confirmation proceedings. Project staff also participate in several coalitions that work to increase demographic and professional diversity in the judiciary. The Project also evaluates the records of judicial nominees on their knowledge of Indian issues. The analysis and conclusions are shared with stakeholders and federal decision-makers in relation to their decision whether to support or oppose a particular nomination. The Project also seeks to educate the federal judiciary about tribal issues, educating tribal leaders about the federal judiciary and the judicial nomination process, and reaching out to elected officials and the public at large about the need for Native American federal judges and judges who understand the unique legal status of Indian tribes. - Homelands Coalition In 2025, NARF formalized our natural resource protection, environmental, and water work into one coalition named the Homelands Coalition. Protecting sacred places, lands, and water across the country has long been a pillar of NARF's work. Two of our five organizational priorities have been to Protect Tribal Natural Resources and to Preserve Tribal Existence, each dependent on tribes' ability to maintain strong relationships with their homelands. Our reputation, built on over 50 years of leadership supporting Tribal Nations, enables us to use existing relationships to find meaningful ways to bring people together to address these pressing issues. Recognizing the increased capacity and strength of our advocacy through partnerships and relationships with other organizations and experts, NARF established the coalition to broaden our capacity and address issues in Indian country with coalition partners that can strategize, participate in administrative actions, advise, litigate, collaborate, provide co-management policy, defend tribal lands, host convenings, and develop the next generation of advocates. Part of this work is through our Tribal Water Institute. - Tribal Water Institute NARF continues to build and expand the Tribal Water Institute (TWI), a project to address the unique and often technically challenging water law issues of tribal communities. Vital resources are needed to address climate change, environmental management frameworks, varying water and water priority issues, and under-representation in management discussions and agreements will be addressed by this innovative approach to tribal water issues. The TWI will address the shortage of water law expertise across Indian Country, bolster educational efforts, and provide thoughtful leadership in advocating for tribal water rights. NARF's senior water attorneys and four legal fellows address water issues in Indian country through taking on representation involving the Clean Water Act, hydropower licensing, water rights protection, fishery protection, general stream adjudications, and amicus briefing opportunities - increased its collaboration with other partners, and launched "The Headwaters Report," a Tribal water law and policy informational blog site. NARF's TWI meets the water priorities of Tribal Nations through: (1) capacity building, increasing the number of Tribal water lawyers by training early-career attorneys so they can support Tribal Nations when their two-year fellowships conclude, (2) educating Indian Country and the public on Tribal water law and policy; and (3) develop water policy and legal reform concepts by collaborating with Tribal Nations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGO), federal and state governments, and other entities, and (4) through direct legal representation. The Headwaters Report can be found here: Headwaters Report - Native American Rights Fund (https://narf.org/headwaters-report/) Form 990, Part III, Line 4a - Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty NARF is a member and assists in leading the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty (CTS). Consisting of 26 member organizations and coordinated at the Executive Director level, the coalition has biweekly meetings, regular email coordination, and are making strategy calls, drafting work product and position papers, and making sign-on decisions. Staff and designated representatives coordinate meetings, talking points, resource development and template materials. NARF co-leads the efforts and contributes to the coordination, letter drafting, template materials, and consults on legal strategy. Recently, we were coordinating the response to eight announced Department of Interior tribal consultations. NARF expects to have attorneys present at each in-person consultation and will be sharing talking points and monitoring current political climate, policy changes, and adverse attacks on tribal interests. As this new political landscape develops, NARF is strategizing appropriate responses and actions. https://coalitionfortribalsovereignty.org/ - The Implementation Project The Implementation Project is a joint initiative of NARF and the University of Colorado Law School ("Colorado Law"). Founded in 2018, the Project seeks to advance education and advocacy regarding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ("Declaration") as a means of supporting American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian organizations, especially in law and policy matters, through the implementation of the Declaration. The Project works with Indigenous Peoples in tribal, national, and international forums. Engaging with community partners, we produce educational materials on the Declaration; conduct interactive workshops and other events with tribal governments and in Indigenous communities; and support Indigenous leaders in their diplomatic meetings with federal agencies, the United Nations, and otherwise. Guided by Indigenous values, contemporary challenges, and the needs of future generations, the Project works to achieve the aims of the Declaration both at home and around the world. Guided by traditional Indigenous lifeways, values, and knowledge, the challenges of contemporary life in Indian Country, and the needs of future generations, the Project works to realize the promises of the Declaration in the U.S. toward the true flourishing of Indigenous Peoples, and healing and justice for all. The aim of the Project is to support Indigenous Peoples' own goals through education and advocacy embracing the Declaration. Implementation of the Declaration will advance justice in Indian Country and empower tribal communities by bringing Federal Indian Law into compliance with international human rights standards. https://www.un-declaration.narf.org NARF Casework - Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, et al. v. Jaeger The Turtle Mountain case challenges the state of North Dakota's legislative redistricting plan which would have diluted the Native American Vote and subsequent representation in violation of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). We represent the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the Spirit Lake Nation, and individual native voters in the districts. We successfully defeated a motion to dismiss filed by the State. Early in the case, the federal court held that the Tribes have standing to sue the State and that our Voting Rights Act challenge can continue. The State filed a motion for summary judgment, which the court denied. The trial took place during the week of June 12, 2023. On November 17, 2023, the court issued a favorable trial order, finding a violation of the Voting Rights Act and provided the state until December 22, 2023 to submit a remedial redistricting map. The state requested stays of the trial decision to the district court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals respectively, which we opposed and were denied. Once the state failed to submit a remedial map, the court granted our request that the Tribes' proposed map be implemented, which is the same map the Tribes submitted to the state legislature during the 2021 redistricting process. This resulted in a Voting Rights Act compliant map being in place during the 2024 elections in North Dakota. The State appealed to the Eighth Circuit. A panel of the Eighth Circuit reversed and, in an unprecedented decision, held that private parties cannot sue to enforce the Voting Rights Act under Section 1983 which is the statute used to enforce civil actions. The 8th circuit denied our petition for en banc review and then we were granted an emergency stay by the U.S. Supreme Court in July of 2025. Certiorari has been requested and the petition was granted for conference in November 2025. We are awaiting action on the petition. - Walen v. Burgum On March 30, 2022, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA) and individual Native American voters filed a motion with the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota to intervene in Walen et al. v. Burgum et al. This is a lawsuit brought by two individuals seeking to eliminate the majority-Native state legislative subdistrict encompassing the Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota. The tribal government and Native voters seek to defend the subdistrict, which ensures MHA tribal members have an equal opportunity to elect a candidate that represents their interests to the North Dakota State House. The plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction last year, and the State of North Dakota and MHA Nation opposed. The three-judge panel denied the motion, and the election was allowed to proceed, which resulted in the MHA Nation's district for the first time being represented by an MHA tribal member. On November 2, 2023, the three-judge panel granted MHA Nation's motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case and vacating the trial. The plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the tribal government and Native voters have moved to dismiss the appeal. On January 13, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled summarily in our favor. This is a significant victory that ensures that their tribal community is represented by appropriate representatives. - Bay Mills Indian Community and Enbridge Line 5 expansion NARF and Earthjustice jointly represent the Bay Mills Indian Community to fight a proposed oil pipeline tunnel, which threatens the Community's treaty rights, tribal fisheries, and the environment. The proposed tunnel would encapsulate oil giant Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. Bay Mills has a long-standing and critical interest in the waters of the Great Lakes, the Straits of Mackinac, and the surrounding region. As one of the signatories to the 1836 Treaty of Washington, which ceded nearly 14 million acres to the United States for the creation of the State of Michigan, Bay Mills reserved the right to fish, hunt, and gather throughout the territory - including in the Great Lakes and the Straits of Mackinac. Furthermore, the area has deep cultural, religious, and economic significance to the Community. After many years of litigation and multiple hearings, on December 1, 2023, the MPSC issued an order approving Enbridge's permit application. Bay Mills, along with other Tribal intervenors, appealed the decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Briefing is complete and oral argument took place on January 13, 2025. On February 19, 2025, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the MPSC decision. Bay Mills applied for leave to appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, which the Court granted on September 19, 2025. The case will be fully briefed by late January with a hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court scheduled for March 2026. Form 990, Part III, Line 4a - Winnebago Repatriation Case NARF continues to seek the return of two Winnebago children, Edward Hensley, and Samuel Gilbert, from the Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery (Carlisle). Following the success of repatriating children from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Spirit Lake Nation, NARF is partnering with Big Fire Law & Policy Center to represent the Winnebago tribe. In October 2023, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska requested the repatriation of Samuel's and Edward's remains pursuant to NAGPRA. On December 7, 2023, the Army refused to comply with the law and denied Winnebago's request. On January 17, 2024, NARF, its co-counsel at Cultural Heritage Partners, and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska's general counsel, Danelle Smith, filed a federal lawsuit against the United States Army ("Army") in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia seeking the repatriation of the remains of Samuel Gilbert and Edward Hensley from the Carlisle Cemetery pursuant to NAGPRA. Through its lawsuit, Winnebago seeks to enforce its plainly apparent rights under NAGPRA. However, the battle to enforce NAGPRA repatriation at Carlisle also symbolizes a broader effort to obtain justice and healing for all Tribal Nations impacted by the cultural and literal genocide carried out by federal Indian boarding schools. On August 20, 2024, the Court granted the Army's motion to dismiss. On October 21, 2024, Winnebago filed its notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Winnebago filed its opening brief on January 22nd, 2025. The Army filed its response brief on April 23, 2025. Winnebago filed its reply brief on May 27, 2025. On September 10, 2025, NARF argued the appeal of the EDVA's grant of the Army's motion to dismiss at the Fourth Circuit and we are awaiting the decision. - Tule River Tribal Water Adjudication Since 1971, the Tule River Tribe has sought to secure its federally reserved water rights on the South Fork of the Tule River in California through a storage project on its Reservation. Eighty-five percent of the South Fork watershed is contained within the Tribe's 48,000-acre Tule River Reservation. In 2007, after almost 30 years of advocacy, the Tule River Indian Tribe, represented by NARF, successfully settled its water rights claims with the affected state-based parties. The Settlement Agreement secures a domestic, municipal, industrial, and commercial water supply for the Tribe. To fully settle the terms of the Agreement, Congress must ratify it, bind the U.S., and make its terms federal law. Since reaching the 2007 Agreement, the Tribe has sought federal legislation to ratify the agreement and authorize appropriations to develop the water rights through the creation of water storage and delivery infrastructure on the Reservation. From the Fall of 2021 through the Spring of 2022 the Tule River Tribe, through NARF, negotiated with the Federal Team to obtain their tentative support for proposed legislation that would include ratification of the 2007 Agreement and associated 5,828 acre-feet per year Tribal water right, $568 million in mandatory funding for the construction of the reservoir and delivery system, and a land exchange of ~9,000 acres of federal lands. After failed attempts to pass the legislation in 2022, 2023, and 2024, in February 2025, Sen. Padilla (D-CA), with co-sponsor Sen. Schatz (D-HI), reintroduced the bill (S.689) in the U.S. Senate. On March 5, 2025, the committee ordered the bill reported out of committee without amendment favorably. Discussions with Rep. Fong (R-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives remain ongoing, with an upcoming trip to D.C. planned for January of 2026. It is estimated that at any given time, NARF has almost 60 cases and programs that serve underrepresented tribal nations and their communities. NARF's work to preserve tribal sovereignty, enforce treaty rights, and provide much needed legal resources to Tribal Nations has been increasingly important over the last 55 years. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15 Line 15a & 15b REVIEW OF CEO AND TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL COMPENSATION: AN EXTENSIVE SALARY SURVEY IS PERFORMED FOR ALL POSITIONS IN THE SUMMER OF EVERY EVEN YEAR IN WHICH CURRENT SALARIES ARE COMPARED TO MARKET SURVEY DATA OBTAINED FROM A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEY SOURCES. THIS INFORMATION IS THEN SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW AND THEN DISCUSSED AND APPROVED DURING AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING. MINUTES OF THE MEETING ARE TAKEN FOR SUBSTANTIATION OF THE DELIBERATION AND DECISION. THIS PROCEDURE WAS LAST PERFORMED IN 2024. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Review of form 990 by governing body PROCESS TO REVIEW THE FORM 990: THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY THIRD PARTY PREPARERS. THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER THOROUGHLY REVIEWS THE FORM 990 AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PROVIDED WITH COPIES OF THE FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Conflict of interest policy PROCESS FOR MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY: BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE STATEMENT ANUALLY (BY JANUARY 15 OF EACH YEAR). DISCLOSURE AND DETERMINATION OF THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (PCI) AT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS LEVEL IS DISCLOSED TO THE BOARD CHAIR (IF THE BOARD CHAIR IS THE ONE WITH PCI, THEN TO THE VICE-CHAIR), WHICH IS THEN BROUGHT TO THE FULL BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND DETERMINATION. BOARD MEMBERS WITH PCI SHALL BE ABSENT FROM THE BOARD'S DISCUSSION AND DECISION. EMPLOYEES WITH PCI SHALL GO TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (ED) (IF ED HAS A PCI, THEN TO THE BOARD CHAIR). THE MATTER WILL THEN GO TO CORPORATE OFFICERS FOR CONSIDERATION AND DETERMINATION. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Required documents available to the public EXPLAIN WHY 1023/1024, 990, OR 990-T IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC: FORM 1023 WAS FILED BEFORE JULY 15, 1987 AND A COPY WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. DESCRIBE HOW DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE AND UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS (WITH A VALID BUSINESS PURPOSE) FOR THE MANAGING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WILL BE CONSIDERED. Form 990, Part VIII, Line 1e GOVERNMENT GRANTS: THE AMOUNT SHOWN AS GOVERNMENT GRANTS ON LINE 1(E) INCLUDES $3,192,564 OF CONTRIBUTIONS REVENUE FROM APPROXIMATELY 20 TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.