9th Circuit to hear appeal in Mishewal Wappo recognition case

Monday, June 3, 2013  

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will be hearing arguments next week in the Mishewal Wappo Tribe federal recognition lawsuit.

Sonoma County and Napa County intervened in the lawsuit but were thrown out by a federal judge due to a lack of "significant protectable interests," The Napa Valley Register reported. The counties are asking the 9th Circuit to be reinstated.

The hearing takes place Tuesday, June 11, in San Francisco, according to the 9th Circuit's calendar.

The tribe sued the Bureau of Indian Affairs in hopes of being placed on the list of federally recognized entities. The tribe was listed for termination in an act of Congress but the lawsuit accuses of the federal government of failing to comply with the law.

The tribe and the Obama administration entered into settlement talks but failed to reach an agreement. A hearing is scheduled July 25, the Register reported.

Get the Story:
Court arguments in Wappo tribe case set for June 11 (The Napa Valley Register 6/2)

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Opinion: Don't fight Mishewal Wappo Tribe's federal recognition (11/13)
Mishewal Wappo Tribe aims to regain federal status and land (10/30)
County seeks to rejoin Mishewal Wappo Tribe recognition case (10/17)