Law | Trust

County raises Carcieri issue on Shakopee Tribe land-into-trust





Officials in Scott County, Minnesota, believe the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar might stop the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community from acquiring more trust land.

The decision bars tribes that weren't "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934 from following the land-into-trust process. The county attorney claims the Shakopees didn't gain federal recognition until 1969.

But the Shakopees say they've been considered a Sioux tribe since 1934. And they point out that the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved one of the tribe's land-into-trust applications in November 2009, nine months after the Supreme Court decision.

Still, the county is raising the issue as it challenges the tribe's application for about 150 acres.

Get the Story:
Expansion-minded tribe has Scott County on edge again (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 12/6)

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