Brutal, Tragic Case Out of Yakama: Government Limits Liability for Negligent Death of Teenage JobsCorps Worker

Here are the materials in Challinor v. United States (E.D. Wash.), where the court concludes:

In summary, because the Estate’s FTCA negligence claims colorably fall within FECA’s scope, the Court must dismiss this lawsuit for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. See Moe, 326 F.3d at 1068 (requiring dismissal of a claim that is “colorably within” FECA’s scope). Although the United States may face liability under the FTCA if an injury occurs to a non-Job-Corps participant at YFP because that individual may not be a federal employee, the Court recognizes this question is not before it at this time. The Court is hopeful that the BIA and YFP take the appropriate necessary steps to ensure that all workers, especially those young Job Corps students with so much life ahead, are not subjected to such serious safety violations. See Marly’s Bear Med. v. United States, 241 F.3d 1208, 1216-17 (9th Cir. 2000) (finding that fatal injuries to anon-federal employee during a logging operation conducted pursuant to a BIA contract were recoverable under the FTCA because the BIA’s responsibility to ensure that safety precautions were implemented was not a discretionary function). The Court is also hopeful that Congress will soon address the shameful inadequacy of FECA’s $10,000.00 death gratuity payment. While the law required this decision, the Court sympathizes with Mr. Challinor’s parents for the loss of their son.

DCT Order Granting Government’s Motion

Government Motion to Dismiss

Challinor Opposition

Government Reply Brief

Update in Yakama/FBI Raid Dispute: Federal Court Denies FBI Motion for Reconsideration (Motion for Protective Order)

Here are the materials in Yakama Indian Nation v. Holder (E.D. Wash.):

Federal Defendants Memorandum in Support of Motion for Reconsideration

Yakama Nation’s Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Reconsideration

Federal Defendants Reply on Motion for Reconsideration

Order Denying US Motion for Reconsideration

Here are the earlier materials on the federal motion for a protective order.

Challenge to Colville State Tax Agreement Dismissed

Here are the materials in Tonasket v. Sargent (W.D. Wash.):

Colville Motion to Dismiss

Tonasket Response

Colville Reply

DCT Order Granting Colville Motion

Challenge to Colville Membership Decision Dismissed by Federal Court

Here are the materials in Desautel v. Dupris (E.D. Wash.):

DCT Order Dismissing Desautel Complaint

Colville Motion to Dismiss

Desautel Response

Colville Reply

Update in Yakama v. Holder: Federal Court Orders US to Comply with Discovery Requests

An excerpt from the order:

[T]he waiver of sovereign immunity [under the APA] applies to all actions seeking non-monetary relief that are cognizable before the federal courts, including actions brought pursuant to the APA and other actions which provide their own private right of action.  Yakama seeks non-monetary relief in this case.  Accordingly, any claims by Yakama, whether brought independent of or through the APA, may not be barred by sovereign immunity (citations omitted).

 The Court agrees with Yakama’s argument that discovery as to the policies that govern the Federal Defendants’  actions with the Yakama, particularly with regard to notification and limitations on  actions while on tribal lands, and discovery as to the Federal Defendants’ decision  not to notify the Yakama before entering onto tribal lands, as well as discovery regarding the actual entry onto tribal lands is needed to establish whether the Court has jurisdiction.

Here are the new materials in Yakama Indian Nation v. Holder (E.D. Wash.):

ORDER ON MOTIONS TO STAY DISCOVERY AND MOTIONS FOR EXTENSION

Memorandum in Support of United States’ Motion to dismiss

Yakama Nation’s Memorandum in Opposition to Federal Motion to Dismiss

United States’ Memorandum in Support of Motion for Protective Order

Memorandum in Opposition to Motion for Protective Order

Reply on United States’ Motion for Protective Order

Here is the Nation’s amended complaint.

Wapato Heritage v. Evans Update — Federal Court Order Appointing Receiver to Manage Judgment Funds

Here:

ORDER APPOINTING RECEIVER

Amended Complaint in Yakama Indian Nation Claims against FBI’s Invasion of Yakama Reservation

Here:

Yakama v. Holder Filed Second Amended Complaint.

Apparently, the FBI’s raid on the Yakama reservation included law enforcement units from local counties and, remarkably, from jurisdictions in Mississippi and Virginia.

Yakama v. Holder/FBI — Amended Complaint

Here: FILED FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT – YAKAMA v HOLDER

The original complaint is here.

Yakama Indian Nation Sues FBI for “Invasion” of Tribal Lands without Consultation in Violation of Treaty

Intriguing case, here is the complaint:

Yakama Nation v. Holder Complaint

Federal Court Recognizes State Authority to Regulate Off-Rez Treaty Rights for “Public Safety” Concerns

Here are some of the materials in Colville Confederated Tribes v. Anderson (E.D. Wash.) (not all of the state briefs were available):

DCT Order on Summary Judgment – Colville v Anderson

Colville Motion

State Motion

Colville Opposition

Tribal Amicus Brief