Navajo jurisdiction dispute back in court

Thursday, May 10, 2007  

A jurisdiction dispute on the Navajo Nation was back before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday.

In November 2005, a federal judge ruled that the Navajo courts have jurisdiction to hear certain claims regarding an employment dispute at the Montezuma Creek Clinic in Utah. The clinic was managed by the state and was located on state-owned land within reservation boundaries.

But Judge Bruce Jenkins dismissed claims against county officials, saying the tribal courts lacked jurisdiction. That issue was heard by the 10th Circuit.

The Navajo Nation now controls the clinic through a health care management firm.

Get the Story:
Navajo-San Juan suit back in court (The Salt Lake Tribune 5/10)

Related Decision:
MACARTHUR v. SAN JUAN HEALTH SERVICES DISTRICT No. 014001 - 10/07/02 (10th Cir. October 7, 2002)

Judge rules in jurisdiction dispute over clinic (11/7)
Appeals court won't recognize tribal authority (10/15)
Tribe wants jurisdiction over clinic (01/15)