Officials in Napa County, California, met with Kevin Washburn, the new leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to lobby against federal recognition for the Mishewal Wappo Tribe.

The county lost a bid to intervene in the tribe's federal recognition lawsuit. The county is asking the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to rejoin the case but in the meantime officials reportedly told Washburn that their position is only Congress can acknowledge an Indian tribe.

The tribe was listed for termination by an act of Congress in 1959. The lawsuit claims the process wasn't carried lawfully out but a settlement with the Obama administration could restore the tribe's status.

Get the Story:
County officials take Wappo fight to Washington (The Napa Valley Register 11/16)

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