A federal judge won't stop the Obama administration from extending federal recognition to the Mishewal Wappo Tribe.

The tribe was terminated by an act of Congress in 1959. But the Interior Department failed to abide by the law, according to the lawsuit.

A settlement was moving forward until Napa and Sonoma counties intervened and tried to block the potential settlement. But Judge Edward J. Davila said their arguments weren't sufficient enough to stop the process.

“My reaction’s obviously a happy one,” Chairman Scott Gabaldon told The Napa Valley Register. “It’s what I figured would happen in the first place.”

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Mishewal Wappo Tribe v. Salazar.

Get the Story:
Judge denies county’s request to dismiss Wappo claim (The Napa Valley Register 10/26)
Judge allows Wappos to continue quest to regain tribal status (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 10/26)

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