Federal judge won't interfere in Creek intra-tribal court dispute

Tuesday, January 8, 2013  

A federal judge ruled that he lacked jurisdiction in a dispute between the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town and the Muscogee Nation.

The Thlopthlocco Tribal Town agreed to have the courts of the Muscogee Nation resolve certain disputes. But some Thlopthlocco leaders questioned the Muscogee Nation's authority, leading to a series of lawsuits in federal court.

“The court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction as no federal question exists,” Judge James Payne observed. “Intra-tribal disputes are not the subject of federal question jurisdiction.”

The Thlopthlocco Tribal Town maintains federal recognition separate from the Muscogee Nation. However, many Thlopthlocco citizens are also citizens of the Muscogee Nation.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town v. Stidham .

Get the Story:
US District Court: Intra-tribal disputes not federal jurisdiction (The Native American Times 1/8)

10th Circuit rules in case involving tribal court and law firm (6/1)