Nebraska lawmaker sponsors bill to recognize tribal courts

Monday, January 13, 2014  

Nebraska Sen. Rick Kolowski has introduced a bill to recognize tribal court orders.

The bill came about after an Indian parent ran into trouble registering his son for a public school wrestling program. John Keen had custody of his son under an order issued by the Cherokee Nation courts but the Nebraska School Activities Association balked at recognizing it.

"They said, 'This isn't a court,'" Keen told the Associated Press. "I said, 'Well sure it is.'"

Keen's situation was resolved but heard from another member of the Omaha Tribe with a similar problem. So he asked Kolowski to address the issue through legislation.

The bill is modeled after one in Iowa that recognizes tribal court orders in civil cases.

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Bill would have Nebraska recognize tribal rulings (AP 1/12)