Chemehuevi Indian Tribe

Tribal Nations Granted Intervention to Protect Chuckwalla Homelands

Matthew Campbell

On March 3, 2026, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan granted the Tribal Nations’ motion to intervene in Torongo v. Burgum, the case that threatens the long-sought designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument.

In August 2025, five Tribal Nations — the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, the Chemeheuvi Indian Tribe, the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians — filed a motion to intervene to protect Chuckwalla’s national monument status.

Learn more about Tribal Nations’ advocacy for their homelands in the Chuckwalla region.  

Ninth Circuit Denies Attorney Fees to Chicken Ranch

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

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

Briefs here.

Prevailing Tribes Seek More than One Million in Attorney Fees against California

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Briefs:

Motion for Attorney Fees

Opposition

Reply

Prior post here.

California COA Briefs in California Capitalism Association v. Marston

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

California Capitalism Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Answer Brief.pdfDownload

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.

Ninth Circuit Briefs in Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California v. State of California

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

State Opening Brief

Counties Amicus Brief

Union Amicus Brief

Answer Brief

Tribal Amicus Brief

 

Lower court materials here.

California Tribes With IGRA Good Faith Negotiation Suit against State

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California v. State of California (E.D. Cal.):

25 Second Amended Complaint

35-1 Tribe Motion for Summary Judgment

38-1 State Motion for Summary Judgment

41 Tribe Opposition

42 State Opposition

43 State Reply

44 Tribe Reply

77 DCT Order

Prior post here.

Update (5/30/21):

79-1 State Motion for Stay

87 Opposition

88 Reply

90 DCT Order

Tribes Sue California for Violation of Good Faith Obligation to Negotiate a Class III Compact

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the complaint in Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California v. State of California (E.D. Cal.):

1 complaint