Northern Cheyenne Tribe

Illinois COA Reverses Termination of Indian Parent’s Rights for ICWA Notice Violations

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in In re K.F.:

In re K.F. 2025 IL App (5th) 250410.pdfDownload
Jonathan Thunder

L.B. Awarded $1.6 Million after Trial over Assault by BIA/Northern Cheyenne Police

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in L.B. v. United States (D. Mont.):

179 L.B. Trial Brief.pdfDownload
180 U.S. Trial Brief.pdfDownload
192 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Prior post here.

Ninth Circuit Restores Suit against Feds in L.B. v. United States

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the unpublished opinion.

Briefs here.

One of the shittier efforts by DOJ to weasel out of accountability I’ve seen (and there are plenty). Glad the government’s position was booted so unceremoniously.

Ninth Circuit Oral Argument in L.B. v. United States [sexual assault by tribal police]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Briefs are here.

Montana SCT Counts Tribal Jail Time as Time Served for State Court Convictions

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the available materials in State v. Crazybull:

Opinion.pdfDownload
DA 21-0574 Appellant Reply — Brief.pdfDownload
Jim Denomie

Ninth Circuit Briefs in L.B. v. United States [sexual assault by tribal police]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Federal Answer Brief.pdfDownload
Tribal Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
ACLU Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
Reply.pdfDownload

Other briefs TK.

Here are the federal district court materials:

134 US Motion.pdfDownload
138 L.B. Response.pdfDownload
141 Reply.pdfDownload
149 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Montana SCT decision here.

Montana SCT Rules Against US in Case Where BIA Police Officer Sexually Assaulted Tribal Member

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

This means that the United States is potentially liable under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Let the settlement negotiations proceed.

Opinion in L.B. v. United States:

Opinion – Published.pdfDownload

Argued by April Youpee-Roll in her first argument. She kicked some serious onze in this one.

Briefs:

Appellant Brief.pdfDownload
Amicus Brief Supporting Appellant — NIWRC.pdfDownload
ACLU Amicus Brief.pdfDownload
US Brief.pdfDownload
Reply.pdfDownload

NYTs: “How Did Allison Highwolf Die? Distrust Fuels a Mystery in Indian Country.”

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

NYTs: “Rural Montana Had Already Lost Too Many Native Women. Then Selena Disappeared.”

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

QEW Case out of the Colorado Court of Appeals [ICWA]

Kate Fort

Here.

The question is whether the parent should have had attorney representation during the interview with the qualified expert witness. This is a really interesting question, especially given that in this case the mother was assigned her own Guardian ad Litem. The Court ultimately held that she did not have the right to representation during the interview and upheld the termination of parental rights.