The Obama administration is supporting an Alaska tribe in an Indian Child Welfare Act case.

The Department of Justice submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of Hogan v. Kaltag Tribal Council. The brief states that Alaska tribes maintain concurrent jurisdiction in ICWA cases.

Attorney General Dan Sullivan is asking the Supreme Court to hear the case. He maintains that the state court system takes precedence over tribal court judgments.

The petition is due to be considered by the Supreme Court on September 27. The justices will announce at a later date whether they will hear the case.

9th Circuit Decision:
Kaltag Tribal Council v. Jackson (August 28, 2009)

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