The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals held oral arguments on Monday in a taxation lawsuit filed by the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

The tribe says the state of Wyoming and Fremont County are illegally taxing people who live in a certain area of the Wind River Reservation. The area includes Riverton, widely referred to as a border town.

"This case is about tax immunity for the Northern Arapaho Tribe," attorney Kelly Rudd told the court, The Riverton Ranger reported.

Judge Clarence A. Brimmer dismissed the lawsuit in October 2009. He said the case could not proceed without the involvement of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the United States.

But since the Shoshones and the federal government enjoy sovereign immunity, they can't be joined without their consent, Brimmer ruled. The Arapahos share the reservation with the Shoshones.

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