The Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation are in a dispute over access to religious sites in Arizona.

The two tribes settled a long-running land feud in 2006. As part of the agreement, the Hopi Tribe retained access to certain religious sites controlled by the Navajo Nation.

A dispute arose when a Hopi man was arrested for allegedly trespassing on a Navajo allotment. The Navajo Nation contends the agreement doesn't cover such allotments.

The issue went before a joint commission that was set up by the 2006 settlement. The commission, however, declined to take action, citing the potential effects on other parties.

The Hopi Tribe went to federal court and Judge G. Murray Snow agreed that the commission should make a decision. He remanded the issue to the commission in a November 8, 2013, ruling.

The Navajo Nation is challenging the ruling, the Associated Press reported. The case will now go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Hopi Tribe v. Navajo Nation.

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Navajo Nation to appeal ruling on religious sites access (AP 1/6)