The decision could change the system created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act more than 50 years ago.
Tsa'imaay dancers from the Tsimshian tribe dance during the Celebration 2008 parade on Franklin Street, in Juneau, Alaska Saturday, June 7, 2008.
Gleason said that while the Interior Department does have the power to place land into trust, the process used for the Tlingit and Haida request was flawed and should be redone. In legal arguments, the state has expressed its worry that allowing land into trust could balkanize Alaska into a variety of disparate jurisdictions.
To support its argument, state attorneys suggested that the issue is a “major question,” a designation under federal case law that says Congress must explicitly grant an agency a power if it involves a decision of extreme economic and political significance. In oral argument this spring, Gleason expressed skepticism about the rules used by the federal government to decide who may put land into trust here.
She also “finds problematic” the Interior Department’s statement that it was putting Tlingit and Haida land into trust as part of the “restoration of Indian lands.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Federal judge considers lawsuit that could decide Alaska tribes’ ability to put land into trustThe case could allow tribal governments, rather than Alaska Native corporations, to take authority over significant amounts of Alaska land.
Read more »
Federal judge considers lawsuit that could decide Alaska tribes’ ability to put land into trustArguments took place in early May, and Judge Sharon Gleason has taken the case under advisement.
Read more »
Federal judge considers lawsuit that could decide Alaska tribes’ ability to put land into trustArguments took place in early May, and Judge Sharon Gleason has taken the case under advisement.
Read more »
2 Southcentral Alaska seal pups admitted to Alaska SeaLife CenterThe pups are the third and fourth seals from the state to be admitted this season.
Read more »
Director of NREL’s Alaska Campus Ice Breaker: Q&A With Director of NREL’s Alaska CampusIcebreaker an question and answer between the Director of Alaska Campus of NREL talks about buildings clean energy and Ice
Read more »
Alaska Supreme Court confirms: ‘Hoverboard dentist’ is banned from dentistry in AlaskaIn a separate criminal case, former dentist Seth Lookhart was sentenced to 20 years in prison with eight suspended.
Read more »