Lawyer 'stunned' by ruling against Maine tribe

Thursday, April 19, 2007  

A lawyer for the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians said he was "stunned" by a federal appeals court ruling that subjects the tribe to state laws.

In a divided ruling, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals said the tribe lost its sovereignty through a land claim settlement act. "I was stunned at the way that the court in many respects shredded federal Indian law," attorney Douglas Luckerman told the Associated Press.

Luckerman said he would consult the tribe to decide whether to seek a reconsideration or a full rehearing before the court. The case could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Get the Story:
Court rejects Micmac liberty (The Bangor Daily News 4/19)
1st Circuit: Micmacs are subject to state employment laws (AP 4/18)

Get the Decision:
Aroostook Band v. Ryan (April 17, 2007)

Earlier Decisions:
Aroostook Band v. Ryan (December 5, 2005) } Aroostook Band v. Maine (April 13, 2005)

Related Decisions:
Narragansett Tribe v. Rhode Island (May 24, 2006)

Relevant Laws:
Maine Tribal Settlement Acts

Relevant Links:
Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission - http://www.mitsc.org

Related Stories:
Maine tribe loses sovereignty dispute (4/18)
Appeals court hears land-into-trust dispute (01/10)
Appeals court to hear land-into-trust case (01/08)
Appeals court to rehear land-into-trust dispute (12/07)
High court rejects state raid, land claim (11/28)
Aroostook Band closes clinic and lays off employees (09/08)
Micmac chief suspended for not showing up to work (07/07)
Court subjects Narragansett Tribe to all state laws (05/25)
Appeals court hears tribal-state sovereignty dispute (12/07)
Judge: Micmac Band free from state jurisdiction (12/06)
Maine tribes mark 25 years since settlement (10/11)
Maine tribe wins key ruling on state jurisdiction (04/15)
Editorial: Maine must repair relationship with tribes (12/03)
Editorial: Maine tribes need more attention (11/22)
Forum examines legacy of tribal settlement acts (04/02)
EPA allows state jurisdiction over Maine tribal lands (12/3)
Tribes ordered to release some documents (5/2)
Maine dispute heads back to court (2/12)
Go directly to jail, do not collect sovereignty... (2/7)
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