Law

Non-Indian worker settles with Colville Tribes

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

A non-Indian employee who said he was the victim of racial discrimination and harassment has settled his lawsuit with the Confederated Colville Tribes of Washington.

Christopher Wright sued the tribe's corporation after he said he was repeatedly subject to slurs on the job. The Washington Supreme Court, however, said tribal sovereign immunity extends to tribal-owned corporations.

Wright appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. But both sides reached an agreement and the petition was dismissed in May [Docket Sheet].

The settlement allows non-Indian employees to take complaints directly to tribal court. Other terms of the agreement remained confidential.

Get the Story:
Tribe ends suit by white employee (The Spokesman Review 7/10)
White worker, tribe settle bias lawsuit (AP 7/10)
Press Release: Center for Justice Negotiates Precedent-Setting Agreement With Tribal Corporations (Center for Justice 7/9)

Supreme Court Decision:
Majority | Concurrence | Dissent

Lower Court Decision:
Wright v Colville (May 23, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation - http://www.colvilletribes.com
Center for Justice - http://www.cforjustice.org