Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum

Siletz Takes Unusual Step of Filing an Amicus Brief in Opposition to Chinook’s Federal Recognition Cert Petition Where Feds Had Already Declined to Respond

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the brief in Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum:

Siletz Amicus BIO

Petition here.

Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum Cert Petition [federal recognition]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Chinook v Burgum Cert PetitionDownload

Question presented:

Does a federal court have jurisdiction to recognize the existence of an Indian tribe where the findings in the Indian Tribe List Act, Public Law 103-454, sec. 103(3), provide that “Indian Tribes presently may be recognized by . . . a decision of a United States court,” and no other federal statute addresses the question of tribal recognition?

Lower court materials here.

Ninth Circuit Rejects Chinook Recognition Bid

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the unpublished opinion in Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum.

Briefs here.

Ninth Circuit Materials in Chinook Indian Nation v. Burgum

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Briefs:

Chinook Opening Brief

Federal Answer Brief

Siletz Amicus Brief

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