Law Commons^™

A Jurisprudential Quilt Of Tribal Civil Jurisdiction: An Analysis Of Tribal Court Approaches To Determining Civil Adjudicatory Jurisdiction, Jacob Maiman-Stadtmauer

American Indian Law Journal

There are hundreds of Native American Tribes with their own judicial systems and courts. Under the test first established in Montana v. United States, the Supreme Court of the United States has provided a single, nebulous standard for determining the limits of tribal courts’ jurisdiction over non-Indians. Scholars and federal jurists have long assumed that the Supreme Court's framework limiting tribal civil jurisdiction is essential to how tribal courts determine jurisdiction. This paper challenges that assumption. Through a first of its kind survey of tribal court decisions on civil jurisdiction, spanning 26 tribes and covering 71 decisions, this paper …

Legal Issues In Tribal E-Commerce, Adam Crepelle

American University Business Law Review

No abstract provided.

Preview—United States V. Cooley: What Will Happen To The Thinnest Blue Line?, Jo J. Phippin

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The Supreme Court of the United States ("Supreme Court") will hear oral arguments in this matter on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. This case presents the narrow issue of whether a tribal police officer has the authority to investigate and detain a non-Indian on a public right-of-way within a reservation for a suspected violation of state or federal law. The lower courts, holding that tribes have no such authority, granted James Cooley’s motion to suppress evidence. The Supreme Court must decide whether the lower courts erred in so deciding. While the issue before the Supreme Court is itself narrow, it has …

Law Library Blog (March 2021): Legal Beagle's Blog Archive, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Law Library Newsletters/Blog

No abstract provided.

Mcgirt V. Oklahoma, Allison Barnwell

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The United States Supreme Court ruled that large areas of Oklahoma, including much of the City of Tulsa, are reservation land. The case arose from an Oklahoma state court’s conviction of Jimcy McGirt on several criminal offenses. Mr. McGirt argued the State of Oklahoma lacked jurisdiction to prosecute because he was an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and committed his crimes on the Creek Reservation. Under the Major Crimes Act, only the federal government has the power to try tribal members for crimes committed on reservation lands. In a five to four decision, the Court held that …

Fmc Corp. V. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Seth T. Bonilla

Public Land & Resources Law Review

In 1998, FMC Corporation agreed to submit to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ permitting processes, including the payment of fees, for clean-up work required as part of consent decree negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency. Then, in 2002, FMC refused to pay the Tribes under a permitting agreement entered into by both parties, even though the company continued to store hazardous waste on land within the Shoshone-Bannock Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho. FMC challenged the Tribes’ authority to enforce the $1.5 million permitting fees first in tribal court and later challenged the Tribes’ authority to exercise civil regulatory and adjudicatory jurisdiction over …

Privatizing The Reservation?, Kristen A. Carpenter, Angela R. Riley

Publications

The problems of American Indian poverty and reservation living conditions have inspired various explanations. One response advanced by some economists and commentators, which may be gaining traction within the Trump Administration, calls for the “privatization” of Indian lands. Proponents of this view contend that reservation poverty is rooted in the federal Indian trust arrangement, which preserves the tribal land base by limiting the marketability of lands within reservations. In order to maximize wealth on reservations, policymakers are advocating for measures that would promote the individuation and alienability of tribal lands, while diminishing federal and tribal oversight.

Taking a different view, …

Upstate Citizens For Equality, Inc. V. United States, Kirsa Shelkey

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1935 is the proper avenue for Tribes pursuing restoration of their historic trust lands. The Oneida Indian Nation of New York long sought to reassert tribal jurisdiction over its historic homeland in Central New York. These efforts were largely unsuccessful until 2008 when the United States took 13,000 acres of this historic homeland into trust on behalf of the Tribe under the Indian Reorganization Act. This case affirms the federal government’s plenary powers over Indian Tribes, and that neither state sovereignty principles, nor the Enclave Clause upset that authority.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe V. U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, Jody D. Lowenstein

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The Standing Rock Sioux’s effort to enjoin the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ permitting of an oil pipeline was stifled by the United States District Court of the District of Columbia. In denying the preliminary injunction, the court held that the Tribe failed to show that the Corps violated the National Historic Preservation Act, and that the Tribe’s belated effort to litigate was futile after failing to participate in the consultation process.

Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act Of 2016, United States 114th Congress

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Federal Legislation: Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2016, in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, Title III, Subtitle G. PL 114-322, ** Stat. *** (Dec. 16, 2016). This Act authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the water rights compact between the Blackfeet Nation and Montana dated April 15, 2009, as modified to be consistent with this subtitle. The Act relates to the Blackfeet Nation’s water rights in the Milk River, Milk River Project, St. Mary River, instream flow rights, and rights in Lake Elwell and any water rights arising out of MT state law. The legislation authorized $422 million in …

Emulsified Property, Jessica A. Shoemaker

Pepperdine Law Review

The typical American Indian reservation is often described as a “checkerboard” of different real property ownership forms. Individual parcels of reservation land may be held in either a special federal Indian trust status or in fee, by either Indian or non-Indian owners. The general jurisdictional framework provides that federal and sometimes tribal law sets the rights and responsibilities of trust owners, while fee owners are subject to a peculiar mix of state and tribal law. Many scholars have analyzed the challenges created by this checkerboard pattern of property and jurisdiction. This Article, however, reveals an even more complicated issue that …

Partial Final Judgment And Decree Of The Water Rights Of The Pueblos Of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, And Tesuque, Usdc, Dcnm

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Court Decree: Partial Final Judgment and Decree of the Water Rights of the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque

Parties: Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Tesuque.

Contents: Approval of Settlement Agreement p. 2; Acquired Water Rights p. 3; Nambé Water Rights p. 3; Pojoaque Water Rights p. 5; Tesuque Water Rights p. 7; San Ildefonso Water Rights p.9; Limitations p. 11; Enforcement, Administration, Held in Trust p. 12.

Attachments: Attachment 1, p. 13: Nambé irrigation uses, domestic, community, commercial and industrial uses, livestock uses; Attachment 2, p. 25: Pojoaque irrigation uses, domestic, community, commercial and industrial …

Wheeler For Two, Do You Have A Reservation? The Supreme Court's Inconsistent Treatment Of Tribal Sovereignty, Fred Kantrow

Touro Law Review

No abstract provided.

Slides: Klamath Basin Agreements: Largest River Restoration Project In American History, Amy Cordalis

Innovations in Managing Western Water: New Approaches for Balancing Environmental, Social and Economic Outcomes (Martz Summer Conference, June 11-12)

Presenter: Amy Cordalis, Staff Attorney, Yurok Tribe

34 slides

“Play Or Pay”: Interpreting The Employer Mandate Of The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act As It Relates To Tribal Employers, Rachel Sibila

American Indian Law Review

No abstract provided.

White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Settlement Judgment And Decree, Superior Court Of Apache County, Az.

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Post- Settlement Court Decree, White Mountain Apache Water Rights Quantification Settlement Judgment and Decree, Parties: WMAT, White Mountain Apache Tribe, AZ, Arizona, USA, United States of America,, Arizona Water Company, Buckeye Irrigation Company, Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District, CAWDC, Central Arizona Water Conservation District, City of Avalon, City of Chandler, City of Glendale, City of Mesa, City of Peoria, City of Phoenix, City of Show Low, City of Scottsdale, City of Tempe, Town of Gilbert, RWCD, Roosevelt Water Conservation District, SRP, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Salt River Valley Water Users' Association,

Quantification of WMAT rights …

Aamodt Cost-Sharing & System Integration Agreement (2013), United States, State Of New Mexico

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Cost Share & Integration Agreement (Mar. 14, 2013); NM v. Aamodt, 66cv6639 USDC, DCNM. Parties: Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque, US, NM, Santa Fe County, City of Santa Fe. Conformed to Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act, Pub. L. No. 111-291, tit. VI, 124 Stat. 3064, 3134-56 (2010). Parties agree to fund and the United States agrees to plan, design and construct the Regional Water System (RWS). The Bureau of Reclamation will build the system. The Secretary of Interior shall conduct government-to-government consultation with the Pueblos regarding well locations and maintaining appropriate confidentiality to protect traditional Pueblo practices. US …

Aamodt Litigation Settlement Agreement (Pueblos Of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque), United States, State Of New Mexico, Pueblo Of Tesuque, Pueblo Of San Ildefonso, Pueblo Of Nambé, Pueblo Of Pojoaque

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Settlement Agreement: Aamodt Litigation Settlement Agreement (Apr. 19, 2012). 66cv06639, USDC, DCNM. (final signatures Mar. 27,2013) Parties: Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso & Tesuque, US, NM, Santa Fe County, City of Santa Fe. The key provisions of the Aamodt settlement include: 1) constructing a Regional Water System; 2) providing non-Indians a choice of whether to join the settlement and upon joining, a choice of whether to connect to the Regional Water System for domestic water; 3) relinquishment of existing Pueblo claims against non-Indians who join the Settlement; 4) closing the Pojoaque Basin to new water right development following the …

Cooperative Agreements: Government-To-Government Relations To Foster Reservation Business Development, Joel H. Mack, Gwyn Goodson Timms

Pepperdine Law Review

No abstract provided.

Territory, Wilderness, Property, And Reservation: Land And Religion In Native American Supreme Court Cases, Kathleen Sands

American Indian Law Review

In two trilogies of Supreme Court Decisions, both involving Native Americans, land is a key metaphor, figuring variously as property, territory, wilderness, and reservation. The first trilogy, written by Chief Justice John Marshall, comprises Johnson v. M'Intosh (1823), Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831), and Worcester v. Georgia (1832). The second trilogy concerns Native American claims for religious freedom under the First Amendment and includes Bowen v. Roy (1986), Lyng v. Northwest Cemetery Protective Association (1988), and Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith (1990). The Marshal cases attempted to legitimate the transformation of land from wilderness to territory and property, and …

Navajo Nation San Juan Basin In New Mexico Water Rights Settlement Agreement Of 2010, Navajo Nation, New Mexico, United States

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Settlement Agreement: Navajo Nation San Juan Basin, NM Water Rights Settlement (Dec. 17, 2010) Parties: Navajo Nation, US, NM. This Settlement relates to the Navajo Nation’s water rights in the San Juan River Basin located in NM. It is a part of the Juan River adjudication. It reconciles the Apr. 19, 2005 agreement with the Settlement Act. Allottees may make individual water right claims based upon historic and existing uses found in the Joint Hydrographic Survey Report. This Settlement finalizes all claims the Nation could make to the San Juan River Basin and settles all causes of action against the …

White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act Of 2010, United States 111th Congress

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Federal Legislation: Claims Settlement Act of 2010, TITLE III—White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification, PL111-291| 124 Stat 3064, 3073 (Dec. 8, 2010). Parties: White Mountain Apache Tribe, US, AZ. The Act ratifies, authorizes, and confirms the WMAT Water Rights Quantification settlement; authorizes the DOI Secretary to execute the and take all necessary action; to authorize appropriations; and, to permanently resolve certain damages and water rights in the general adjudication of the Gila River System and Little CO River System. The provides for: 1) environmental compliance; 2) tribal water rights; 3) CAP reallocation; 4) tribal leasing, distributing, exchanging or allocation …

Soboba Band Of Luiseño Indians Water Rights Settlement Act Of 2008, United States 110th Congress

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Federal Legislation: Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Act, PL 110-297, 122 Stat. 2975 (July 31, 2008). The Act ratifies the Settlement Agreement dated June 7, 2006, between the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, US, Eastern Municipal Water District, Lake Hemet Municipal Water District and Metropolitan Water District of Southern CA. The Tribe will receive an adequate and secure future water supply (9,000 acre-feet per year); $18 million from Eastern and Lake Hemet water districts for economic development; $11 million from the federal government for water development; and 128 acres of land near Diamond Valley Lake for commercial development. The …

Slides: "Mitaku Oyasin" Means "We Are All Related", Bob Gough

Shifting Baselines and New Meridians: Water, Resources, Landscapes, and the Transformation of the American West (Summer Conference, June 4-6)

Presenter: Bob Gough, NativeEnergy, Inc.

72 slides

Amended And Restated Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Agreement Oct. 21, 2005, Amendment No. 2, 2007, Gila River Indian Community, Et Al

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Amended and Restated Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Agreement Oct. 21, 2005, Amendment No. 2, 2007. Amendment 2 replaces 3 exhibits with documents filed in or by the courts: 1) Attachment 1 - replacing Exhibit 25.18.A1 - “Stipulation of the Parties to the Amended and Restated Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Agreement Setting forth the Terms of the Settlement (as filed with the Gila Adjudication Court on May 23, 2006”; 2) Attachement 2 - replacing Exhibit 25.18.A2 – “Judgment and Decree”; and 3) Attachement 3 - Exhibit 25.18.B “Order Pursuant to Stipulation issued by the Globe …

Justice Delayed: A Tribal Attorney’S Perspective On Elwha River Dam Removal And Ecosystem Restoration, Russell W. Busch

The Future of Natural Resources Law and Policy (Summer Conference, June 6-8)

Presenter: Russell W. Busch, Attorney for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

10 pages.

Indigenous Peoples And Environmental Justice: The Impact Of Climate Change, Rebecca Tsosie

The Climate of Environmental Justice: Taking Stock (March 16-17)

Presenter: Rebecca Tsosie, Professor of Law, Arizona State University

1 page.

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Decree For Water In Snake River Basin In Idaho, Fifth Judicial District Court, Twin Falls County, Idaho

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Revised Consent Decree: Parties: Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Idaho, United States, J.R. Simplot Company, Riddle Ranches. Duck Valley Reservation Contents: 1. Procedural History, Offer of Judgment. p.1; 2. Entry of Partial Final Decrees for Federal Reserved Water Rights. p.2; 3. Remaining Water Right Claims Disallowed, p.3; 4. Withdrawal of United States’ Objections to Riddle Ranch p.3; 5. Administration of Water Rights including tribal water code, p.3; 6. Waivers and Releases p.3; 7. No Establishment of Precedent, p.4; 8. Resolution and Finality, p.5; 9. Costs and Fees, p. 5; Attachment A, Consumptive Claim Numbers & Non-Consumptive, Instream Flow Claim Number p. …

Soboba Band Of Luiseño Indians Settlement Agreement, Soboba Band Of Luiseño Indians Et Al

Native American Water Rights Settlement Project

Settlement Agreement: Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Settlement Agreement of June 7, 2006, (final signatures Oct. 18, 2008) Parties: Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, US, Eastern Municipal Water District, Lake Hemet Municipal Water District and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The Tribe is entitled to 9K acre-feet annually (afy) as a prior and paramount right. The districts agree to supply the Tribe water to the extent that it is not able to produce that amount. However, the Tribe agrees to limit its exercise of the right to 4,100 afy for 50 years. The Tribe may use water made available …

Rural Housing And Code Enforcement: Navigating Between Values And Housing Types, Ezra Rosser

Ezra Rosser

This paper focuses on the relationship between rural housing and building codes. The paper covers the relationship between the existing urban based literature on housing conditions and the rural housing situation as well as a theoretical exploration of different ways of understanding value in housing. Finally, two rural case studies - the Navajo Nation and a small Colorado subdivision - illustrate the challenges of rural housing code enforcement and demonstrate how officials could benefit from the model.