Judge refuses to block Mishewal Wappo Tribe recognition

Wednesday, October 26, 2011  

A federal judge won't stop the Obama administration from extending federal recognition to the Mishewal Wappo Tribe.

The tribe was terminated by an act of Congress in 1959. But the Interior Department failed to abide by the law, according to the lawsuit.

A settlement was moving forward until Napa and Sonoma counties intervened and tried to block the potential settlement. But Judge Edward J. Davila said their arguments weren't sufficient enough to stop the process.

“My reaction’s obviously a happy one,” Chairman Scott Gabaldon told The Napa Valley Register. “It’s what I figured would happen in the first place.”

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Mishewal Wappo Tribe v. Salazar.

Get the Story:
Judge denies county’s request to dismiss Wappo claim (The Napa Valley Register 10/26)
Judge allows Wappos to continue quest to regain tribal status (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 10/26)

Related Stories:
Lawmakers oppose recognition for Mishewal Wappo Tribe (5/24)
Counties fight to remain in Mishewal Wappo Tribe's lawsuit (4/14)
DOJ wants two counties out of Mishewal Wappo Tribe's lawsuit (4/8)
Opinion: Recognition for Mishewal Wappo Tribe is devastating (3/18)
Editorial: County rightly worried about Mishewal Wappo casino (2/22)
County takes battle against Mishewal Wappo Tribe to Capitol Hill (2/10)
County settles federal recognition case with Mishewal Wappo Tribe (2/2)
City seeks to join lawsuit over Mishewal Wappo Tribe recognition (12/15)
Judge lets counties join Mishewal Wappo recognition lawsuit (6/15)
Judge delays hearing over Mishewal Wappo recognition (4/20)
County cites gaming fears in Mishewal Wappo lawsuit (3/9)
Judge delays hearing over Mishewal Wappo recognition (6/2)
Mishewal Wappo Tribe not thinking about casino for now (1/20)