Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye. Photo from Faceboo
The leader of the Navajo Nation is calling for the Senate to take action on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Garland has heard several big Indian law cases as a member of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. While he didn't write any of the decisions, President Russell Begaye said the confirmation process will help explain the nominee's background. "I look forward to learning about Mr. Garland’s knowledge about tribal governments and our place in the three-sovereign regime established in the U.S. Constitution, and I urge the Senate to hold hearings and an up and down vote as soon as possible," Begaye said in a statement on Tuesday. "The delivery of justice in our nation, in Indian country, and in Navajo country, relies on the quick execution of the appointment and confirmation process provided for in the Constitution." The high court has been operating with eight members following the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia last month. But with a record number of Indian law cases on the docket, Begaye said tribes deserve a full slate. "Any further delay in filling this vacancy could result in split decisions with serious implications for the nation and for Indian Country, such as with the Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians case," he said. The court heard Dollar General Corporation v. Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians prior to Scalia's death but a decision hasn't been issued. The outcome will determine whether Dollar General -- which reported $18.9 billion in net sales in 2014 -- can escape the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians despite entering into an agreement with the tribe to operate a store on the reservation. Oral arguments in US v. Bryant, a domestic violence case that will affect protections for Native women, are scheduled for April 19. The case originated from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers the states where the Navajo Nation is based. US v. Bryant is the last remaining Indian law case that the court has accepted but petitions are pending in several more cases. The court decided Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin v. US on January 25 so it wasn't affected by the vacancy. By a unanimous vote, the Menominee Nation lost its contract support costs case against the Indian Health Service. The court issued its decision in Nebraska v. Parker on Tuesday but the vacancy did not pay a role either. By a unanimous vote of the eight remaining justices, Omaha Tribe won its reservation boundary case.
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Supreme Court backs Omaha Tribe in reservation
boundary case (3/22) Supreme Court won't hear case challenging Ute Tribe sovereignty (3/21)
Supreme Court declines case over Indian symbol on license plate (3/21)
Chair of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe calls for action on court nominee (03/17)
Supreme Court nominee comes with some Indian law experience (3/16)
Editorial: Scales of justice often lean wrong way for Indian people (3/15)
Alaska Natives seek fair consideration of Supreme Court nominee (3/14)
Supreme Court schedules hearing in Indian domestic violence case (3/11)
Diane Humetewa not under consideration for Supreme Court seat (3/11)
Gyasi Ross: Nominate Diane Humetewa to serve on Supreme Court (3/9)
Dollar General defends plan to open in majority Native community (03/08)
Joe Biden: Senate Republicans must act on pick for Supreme Court (03/04)
Klamath Tribes oppose Dollar General store due to court challenge (03/01)
Aaron Payment: Tribal sovereignty hangs in the balance at Supreme Court (02/29)
Steve Russell: Looking for an unbiased justice on Supreme Court (02/29)
Steven Newcomb: Justice Scalia didn't know anything about Indian law (02/26)
Updates from Day 2 of National Congress of American Indians winter session in D.C. (02/24)
Barack Obama: What I'm looking for in a Supreme Court nominee (02/24)
Senate Republicans refuse to consider Supreme Court nominee (2/24)
No Supreme Court opinions this week following Scalia's death (2/22)
Supreme Court delays work due to ceremony for Justice Scalia (2/19)
April Youpee-Roll: Supreme Court makes up Indian law decisions (2/18)
Peter d'Errico: Justice Antonin Scalia scorned tribal sovereignty (2/18)
Linda Greenhouse: A chance to reset a partisan Supreme Court (2/18)
President Obama affirms intent to fill vacancy on Supreme Court (2/17)
Matthew Fletcher: Tribes couldn't count on Justice Scalia's vote (2/17)
David Wilkins: Justice Antonin Scalia leaves an anti-tribal record (2/17)
Stakes raised as Supreme Court weighs domestic violence case (2/16) Appeals court backs tougher sentence in domestic violence case (2/16)
Steve Russell: Justice Antonin Scalia was wrong about Indian law (2/15)
Justice Antonin Scalia dies with Indian law cases on the docket (2/13)
John Lavelle: Supreme Court weighs key tribal sovereignty issue (02/10)
Supreme Court declines NAGPRA case affecting Kumeyaay Nation (01/25)
Menominee Nation loses contract support costs case at Supreme Court (01/25)
Supreme Court hears Omaha Tribe reservation boundary dispute (01/20)
Ex-US Attorney welcomes review of domestic violence case (12/17)
Supreme Court agrees to review yet another Indian law dispute (12/14)
Native women rally at Supreme Court for key tribal jurisdiction case (12/07)
Native women schedule Quilt Walk for Justice at Supreme Court (12/01)
Native women to rally at Supreme Court for upcoming case (11/11)
DOJ to help with arguments in Supreme Court jurisdiction case (11/09)
Native women defend tribal jurisdiction in Supreme Court case (10/26)
Tribes urged to bring states on board for Supreme Court case (10/20)
Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribal Tribune: Supreme Court case tests tribal jurisdiction (10/14)
Supreme Court schedules oral arguments in two Indian law cases (10/12)
States oppose tribal jurisdiction in upcoming Supreme Court case (10/07)
Supreme Court rejects petitions in four more Indian law cases (10/05)
Supreme Court agrees to hear Omaha Reservation boundary case (10/02)
Supreme Court considers petitions in slew of Indian law cases (09/22)
Bryan Newland: The racist foundation of Supreme Court rulings (09/08)
Supreme Court agrees to hear first tribal jurisdiction case in years (06/15)
Supreme Court needs more time to review tribal jurisdiction case (6/8)
SCOTUSBlog: DOJ urges denial of petition in tribal court dispute (05/20)
DOJ files brief in tribal jurisdiction case before Supreme Court (5/14)
Updates from National Congress of American Indians DC meeting (2/27)
Updates from National Congress of American Indians winter session (2/26)
Supreme Court asks DOJ for views in Mississippi Choctaw case (10/06)
