The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments next Monday, May 7, in a taxation lawsuit filed by the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

The tribe says the state of Wyoming and Fremont County lack jurisdiction over the Wind River Reservation. Specifically, the tribe wants a determination that certain parts of the reservation remain Indian Country.

Judge Clarence A. Brimmer dismissed the lawsuit in October 2009. He said the case could not proceed without the involvement of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the United States.

But since the Shoshones and the federal government enjoy sovereign immunity, they can't be joined without their consent, Brimmer ruled. The Arapahos share the reservation with the Shoshones.

The Arapahos appealed and oral arguments will be heard by the 10th Circuit in Denver, Colorado. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Northern Arapaho Tribe v. Harnsberger.

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Northern Arapaho push federal appeal of taxation (AP 5/1)