Research

Split Ninth Circuit Affirms IGRA Good Faith Suit in Favor of Chicken Ranch Rancheria

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California v. State of California.

Briefs here.

Alaska Federal Court Rules in Favor of Southcentral Foundation in Dispute with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the final order in Southcentral Foundation v. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (D. Alaska):

352 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Prior post here. Long running case, so case tag here.

NCAI Amicus Brief in Merrill v. Milligan

Matthew Campbell

On January 24, 2022, a unanimous three-judge court in the Milligan case blocked Alabama’s newly drawn congressional map. The Court ordered the state Legislature to draft a new congressional map that complies with the Voting Rights Act by including two districts where Black voters have the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The Supreme Court is now hearing the case.

Here is NCAI’s amicus brief in the matter.

ncai-21-1086_amicus-briefDownload

D.C. Circuit Briefs in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation v. Yellen

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Prairie Band & Miccosukee Brief.pdfDownload
US Brief.pdfDownload

Lower court materials here.

California Federal Court Allows Taylorsville Rancheria Recognition Suit to Proceed (again)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the new materials in Tsi Akim Maidu of Taylorsville Rancheria v. Dept. of the Interior (E.D. Cal.):

65 Second Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
70-1 Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
71 Opposition.pdfDownload
71 Reply.pdfDownload
74 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Tenth Circuit Briefs in Hooper v. City of Tulsa

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Hooper Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Muscogee Nation Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
Tribes Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
Tulsa Answer Brief.pdfDownload
Oklahoma Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
Reply.pdfDownload

Lower court materials here.

Jim Thorpe Sole Winner of 1912 Olympic Medals

Kate Fort

As it was relayed to me, “a modicum of good news on a Friday,” which seemed reason enough to post.

ND District Court Denies State’s Motion to Dismiss Redistricting Case

Matthew Campbell

Here is the Order denying the North Dakota’s Motion to Dismiss Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake’s Complaint.

order-denying-motion-to-dismissDownload

The Tribes’ Release can be seen here. From the release:

“North Dakota’s newly drawn state legislative map dilutes the voting strength of Spirt Lake members. The Secretary of State has tried to dismiss the case on far-fetched procedural arguments because he doesn’t want to have to argue the facts, but we look forward to the opportunity move forward with this case,” said Spirit Lake Tribe Chair Douglas Yankton, Sr.

“Historically, Native voters in northeastern North Dakota have been able to elect two State House candidates of our choice. The new map reduces our representatives to one and is in direct violation of the Voting Rights Act. We appreciate that the court recognized that Tribes and individual Native voters have the right to be heard and have our voting rights protected,” said Turtle Mountain Chippewa Chair Jamie Azure.

The Motion, Response, Reply, and United States’ Statement of Interest are below.

18-mtdDownload
24.-response-to-mtdDownload
doc.-025-statement-of-interest-of-the-us-turtle-mtn-v.-jaeger-2022.05.20Download
reply-to-response-to-mtdDownload

Previous post on this matter here.