The seal of the Ute Tribe of Utah is seen on a gymnasium on the reservation. Photo from Facebook
Three counties in Utah are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a jurisdiction dispute affecting the Ute Tribe. In June, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals rebuked Duchesne, Uintah and Wasatch counties, along with the state, for repeatedly challenging the tribe's sovereignty. The unanimous opinion called on the state parties to stop trying to "relitigate" the boundaries of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. But with the Supreme Court slated to hear Nebraska v. Parker, a reservation boundary case affecting the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, the counties believe they have a shot at overturning the 10th Circuit decision. Their petition was filed on November 13, according to docket sheet No. 15-640. The tribe's response is due December 16. The case is Wasatch County, Utah v. Ute Indian Tribe. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the 10th Circuit case, Ute Tribe v. Utah. Get the Story:
3 counties want Supreme Court to hear complex jurisdiction dispute with Ute Tribe (The Deseret News 11/24) 10th Circuit Decision:
Ute Tribe v. Utah (June 16, 2015)
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