Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-8-2003

Abstract

  • In the Blackfeet Tribal Court of Appeals, the Court considered whether a Blackfeet Housing decision was proper in awarding a unit to the respondent. When the lease purchase agreement was signed, both Wrobleski, who is a non-member descendant of the Blackfeet Tribe, and Wagner, a Blackfeet tribal member, signed the lease, and they share a child who is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. The couple subsequently split with Wrobleski filing an emergency petition and the court awarding the home to her and her child. The Lower court granted joint custody but stated that the Blackfeet Housing Board must make the final decision. Blackfeet Housing awarded the home to wrobleski and her daughter. Blackfeet Housing moved the court to close this issue and a hearing was subsequently held and ordered possession of the unit to Wrobleski.  

  • The Court concluded that the parties never had a valid marriage because common-law marriages are not recognized, pursuant to Blackfeet Law and Order Code, Ch. 3, Sec. 1. The Court upheld a prior order awarding the unit to Wagner because the Blackfeet Housing Board did not have authority to award housing to a non-member.  

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