Maine sovereignty case headed to Supreme Court

Monday, July 9, 2007  

Two Maine tribes who lost a critical sovereignty case are filing an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices are the last hope for the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that both tribes are subject to state employment laws.

The tribes fall under a land claims settlement that limited their sovereignty, the 1st Circuit said. Attorney Douglas Luckerman said the decision could have a negative impact throughout Indian Country.

The Supreme Court briefs will be filed in the coming months.

Get the Story:
Micmac-Maliseet sovereignty case headed to Supreme Court (Indian Country Today 7/9)

Get the Decision:
Aroostook Band v. Ryan (April 17, 2007)

Earlier Decisions:
Aroostook Band v. Ryan (December 5, 2005) } Aroostook Band v. Maine (April 13, 2005)

Related Decisions:
Narragansett Tribe v. Rhode Island (May 24, 2006)

Relevant Laws:
Maine Tribal Settlement Acts

Relevant Links:
Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission - http://www.mitsc.org

Related Stories:
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Maine tribe loses sovereignty dispute with state (4/18)
Appeals court hears land-into-trust dispute (01/10)
Appeals court to hear land-into-trust case (01/08)
Appeals court to rehear land-into-trust dispute (12/07)
High court rejects state raid, land claim (11/28)
Aroostook Band closes clinic and lays off employees (09/08)
Micmac chief suspended for not showing up to work (07/07)
Court subjects Narragansett Tribe to all state laws (05/25)
Appeals court hears tribal-state sovereignty dispute (12/07)
Judge: Micmac Band free from state jurisdiction (12/06)
Maine tribes mark 25 years since settlement (10/11)
Maine tribe wins key ruling on state jurisdiction (04/15)
Editorial: Maine must repair relationship with tribes (12/03)
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