Research

Sixth Circuit Remands Michigan’s Suit against Enbridge to State Court [this is a good thing]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in Nessel v. Enbridge Energy LP.

Briefs here.

The Halluci-Nation concurs.

Update in Winnebago Tribe Suit against the Army over Remains of Indian Child at Carlisle

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the new pleadings in Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska v. United States Department of the Army (E.D.Va.):

31 Army Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
35 Tribe Response.pdfDownload
38-1 USET and Catawba Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
Pages: 1 2

Alaska Federal Court Rejects State’s Theory of Case on Remand from Ninth Circuit on Metlakatla Fishing Rights

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the new materials in Metlakatla Indian Community v. Dunleavy (D. Alaska):

30 Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
42 Alaska Motion for Summary J.pdfDownload
46 Metlakatla Cross Motion.pdfDownload
50 Alaska Reply.pdfDownload
57 Metlakatla Reply.pdfDownload
59 US Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
61 Alaska Response.pdfDownload
62 Metlakatla Response.pdfDownload
70 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Ninth Circuit materials here.

Sault Tribe Appellate Court Rejects Challenges to Election that Opened Membership Rolls

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in McRorie v. Election Committee (Sault Tribe of Chippewa App. Ct.):

McRorie v Emerg. Elec. Cmte. Opinion.pdfDownload
APP-2023-09 Hatch v. Election Cmte.pdfDownload

Washington Federal Court Dismisses Wildfire Claims against BIA

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Townsend Ranch LLC v. United States (E.D. Wash.):

15 Second Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
26 US Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
31 Response.pdfDownload
34 Reply.pdfDownload
36 DCT Order.pdfDownload

SCOTUS Rules in Favor of Tribes in Health Care Funding Case, 5-4

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is opinion from the Chief Justice in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe.

Briefs here.

Ninth Circuit Oral Argument in L.B. v. United States [sexual assault by tribal police]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Briefs are here.

Montana Federal Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Suit Allegedly Caused by “Rogue” Tribal Police Force Formed in 2020

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Old Bull v. United States (D. Mont.)

17 Second Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
21 Officer Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
21-1 Crow Tribal Court Materials.pdfDownload
27 DCT Order Dismissing Officer.pdfDownload
31 Old Bull Motion for Summary J.pdfDownload
35 Federal Cross Motion for Summary J.pdfDownload
39 Old Bull Reply.pdfDownload
43 Federal Reply.pdfDownload
46 DCT Order.pdfDownload

News profiles of the Crow Tribal Police force that was formed and disbanded in 2020 abound. Here, here, and here.

Mother Jones made a video:

Minnesota COA Rejects Equal Protection Challenge to ICWA/State ICWA

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in the Matter of the Welfare of the Children of L.K. and A.S.:

Opinion.pdfDownload

Available briefs:

Appellant Foster Parent Brief

Guardian ad Litem Brief

Minnesota AG Brief

Minnesota Tribes Amicus Brief

Tribal Orgs Amicus Brief

Red Lake Nation Brief

ACLU Amicus Brief

Mother Brief

Mother Reply

Foster Parent Reply

Washington COA Affirms Tribal Immunity Applies to Tribally-Owned Fee Land

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the available materials in Flying T Ranch Inc. v. Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians:

Opinion.pdfDownload
17 – Brief of Appellant 5.19.23.pdfDownload
30 – Respondents Brief 6.21.23.pdfDownload
11 – Amicus Brief ISO STI – Multiple Tribes – 11.30.2023.pdfDownload
15 – Appellants Answer to Multiple Tribe’s Brief 1.2.24.pdfDownload
Sauk-Suiattle Amicus Brief.PDFDownload
Answer to Sauk-Suiattle Amicus Brief .PDFDownload
32 – Reply Brief of Appellant 7.21.23.pdfDownload