Tribes in Oregon are paying close attention to a land-into-trust case that could affect their rights.

The Klamath Tribes and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde were both terminated in the 1950s. They are slowly trying to rebuild their homelands and are worried about a negative decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in Carcieri v. Kempthorne.

"This decision, depending on how it goes, could have an impact on how we move forward," Joe Mitchell, a Klamath council member, told the Associated Press.

At issue is whether the land-into-trust provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act apply to tribes that were recently recognized. The justices debated whether the inclusion of the word "now" in the law limits it to tribes who were under federal supervision as of 1934.

Get the Story:
In Ore., tribes' members eye Supreme Court case (AP 11/4)

Supreme Court Documents:
Docket Sheet | Questions Presented | Order List

1st Circuit Decisions:
En Banc (July 20, 2007) | Panel (February 9, 2005)

Briefs and Other Documents:
Carcieri v. Kempthorne (NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project

Relevant Laws:
Rhode Island Indian Claims Settlement Act (US Code)

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