The White Earth Nation of Minnesota has asked the federal government to assert criminal jurisdiction on its reservation.

With some exceptions, the state of Minnesota was granted criminal and civil jurisdiction in Indian Country by Public Law 280. Although that law contained provisions to undo the state's role, the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 makes it easier for the federal government to step back in.

"We can't fix the past. In order for us to succeed and be a stronger community, so to speak, we've got to work together," Randy Goodwin, the tribe's director of public safety and chief of police, told The Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We want to create a very good road map for other agencies and tribal nations to follow."

The White Earth Nation was the first to submit an application under the Tribal Law and Order Act to the Department of Justice. Tribes in California, another PL 280 state, also filed requests.

Get the Story:
White Earth teaming up with federal prosecutors (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 9/4)
Indian justice (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 9/4)