Law

Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wins decision in disenrollment dispute


The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe's police, fire and court facility in Saginaw, Michigan. Photo from Sidock Architects

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan can reopen disenrollment proceedings against more than 230 people, including some who are deceased, an appeals court ruled this week.

The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun reported on the decision, which comes in a long-running dispute affecting a group of people who thought the matter was settled. The appeals court, however, said the plaintiffs couldn't point to a provision in tribal law that bars new proceedings.

The tribe hasn't commented much on the issue. But similar cases prompted the National Native American Bar Association to denounce removal proceedings that occur "without equal protection at law or due process of law, or any effective remedy for the violation of such rights."

Get the Story:
Appeals judges rule in favor of Tribe (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 8/20)

National Native American Bar Association Resolution:
Supporting Equal Protection and Due Process For Any Divestment of the American Indigenous Right of Tribal Citizenship (April 2015)

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