News

The tribe’s press release is here. The text:

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Council has taken a bold and proactive position today to assert Tribal sovereignty on their War on Drugs. Unanimous votes were cast today during a work session of the Tribal Council for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to exclude or banish two non-member Native American’s for their involvement in drug trafficking within the boundaries of the Isabella Federal Reservation.

“Today our people have shown that we are no longer going to tolerate people who peddle unhealthy and life destroying substances onto the reservation. Today we took necessary steps to protect and uphold our members and their families against this plague called addiction”, stated Tribal Chief Steve Pego.

A routine traffic stop in Mt. Pleasant late Tuesday night, February 17, 2015, ended in a drug bust and the arrest of one woman on charges of possession of heroin and intent to deliver and another woman for carrying concealed weapons. “These are not the type of people we want in our community”, stated Tribal Sub Chief, Lorna Kahgegab Call.

Tribal Council under Ordinance No.3 of the Tribal Code can exclude individuals from their territories for specific reasons. “The choice to exclude these individuals before conviction is our way of sending the message that this will not be tolerated in our community”, stated Tribal Police Captain Jim Cates.

Maine Tribes seek authority to exercise VAWA ’13 jurisdiction

March 2, 2015March 1, 2015Ann Tweedy

Because of the Maine Settlement Act of 1980, state law would have to change to facilitate tribal authority, and a bill has been introduced. Here’s the news article.

Victoria Sweet on Trafficking and Alaska

March 1, 2015Kate Fort

Victoria Sweet, now of NCJFCJ, formerly of the ILPC and MSU Law, was interviewed on KTVA about trafficking and resource exploitation as part of the Alaska Institute for Justice Rural Safety and Justice Conference.

Here.

Tlingit and Haida to conduct same-sex marriages

February 25, 2015February 25, 2015Ann Tweedy

Here. As far as we know, this will be the first tribal nation in Alaska to conduct same-sex marriages.

Navajo Presidential Election Set for April 21

February 25, 2015Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Presidential election set for April 21st

Nooksack Disenrollments Enjoined

February 24, 2015Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here is a news article noting that Judge Doucet ruled from the bench.

An excerpt:

In a hearing Monday afternoon, Feb. 23, Nooksack Tribal Court Judge pro tem Randy Doucet held with the court’s previous rulings: Until tribal council has final word from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, they may not disenroll anyone, said lawyers for the affected members. A reporter was not allowed in the courtroom as only five people for each side were admitted.

Briefs:

2-10-15 Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion To Enforce Injuction Orders

2-10-15 Plaintiffs’ Response in Opposition To Defendants Notice of Compliance

2-19-15 Defendants’ Response in Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion to Enforce Injunction Orders

2-20-15 Reply Re Plaintiffs’ Emergency Motion to Enforce Injunction Orders