The Oglala Sioux Tribe can't pursue its Whiteclay lawsuit in federal court, a judge ruled on Monday.

The tribe sued liquor companies, liquor distributors and liquor stores over sales of beer in the border town of Whiteclay, Nebraska. Judge John M. Gerrard said he lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

"There is, in fact, little question that alcohol sold in Whiteclay contributes significantly to tragic conditions on the reservation," Gerrard wrote in his ruling, the Associated Press reported. "And it may well be that the defendants could, or should, do more to try to improve those conditions for members of the tribe.

"But that is not the same as saying that a federal court has jurisdiction to order them to do so," Gerrard concluded.

The tribe blames Whiteclay liquor sales for health, law enforcement, social service and other woes on the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol is banned.

Get the Story:
Lawsuit against Whiteclay beer stores dismissed (AP 10/1)
Liquor administrators discuss “The Battle for Whiteclay” documentary (The Oklahoman 10/2)

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