Tribal Codes – Turtle Talk

Sault Tribe Appellate Court Decision in Emery v. Sault Tribe Housing Authority

January 8, 2026Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

APP-2025-01 Emery v. STHA Opinion and Order Download

Quinault Disenrollments Vacated

November 10, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the order in Tarabochia v. Quinault Indian Nation:

CV23-015CorrectedSummaryJudgmentOrder.pdf Download

Native America Calling: Tribes look to modernize the traditional practice of banishment [today]

September 18, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

Blurb:

The Gila River Indian Community in Arizona is considering a new law to banish tribal members convicted of violent crimes. A bill awaits a signature from the New York governor that aims to strengthen the Seneca Nation’s ability to enforce tribal laws, which includes removing people convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes. Those are among efforts by tribes to formalize the traditional practice of banishment as tool to combat crime, but such efforts sometimes conflict with modern legal systems. In Alaska, the Native Village of Togiak faces a legal challenge after tribal members forced a man suspected of illicit alcohol sales onto an airplane to another city. We’ll get insights from tribal leaders and Native legal experts on how banishment fits in with modern justice.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court Holds Creek Freedmen & Descendants Entitled to Same Rights as Other Creek Citizens

July 23, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in Citizenship Board of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. Grayson and Kennedy:

Doc.-49-Order-and-Opinion-07232025.pdf Download

Briefs here (MCN website) and here.

Amanda Stephan on Navigating Tribal Law Research

July 22, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Amanda K. Stephen has published “Navigating Tribal Law Research” in the Washington State Bar Journal.

My favorite excerpt:

Chukchansi Sues in Federal Court to Enforce Tribal Labor Relations Ordinance

July 14, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the complaint in Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians v. United Here Local #19 (E.D. Cal.):

2 Complaint.pdf Download

UDub Tribal Code Drafting Workshop

July 3, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

1st Annual Tribal Code Drafting Workshop

Aug. 7–8, 2025

This August, the Native American Law Center (NALC) will hold its first CLE dedicated to drafting, revising and/or amending tribal codes.

The workshop — led by Professor Eric Eberhard, Associate Director of the NALC, alongside NALC Fellow Avey Menard — will provide focused instruction on legislative drafting techniques that focus on the specifics of tribal codes, including their intersection with federal laws, such as the Indian Civil Rights Act, VAWA and federal environmental statutes and their relationship to tribal courts and other governmental forums.

This two-day intensive workshop will provide you with opportunities to draft an amendment to existing law as well as a standalone piece of legislation of your own choosing within a workshop environment. Professor Eberhard and Fellow Menard will be available to review, comment on and discuss all drafts.

The program will only be offered live, and we anticipate 11.75 MCLE credit hours for those who attend the program. Registration costs $275 and attendance is limited to 15 participants. Make sure to reserve your seat now at the link below!