Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-7-2016

Abstract

In the Blackfeet Tribal Court of Appeals, the Court considered whether appellant, ARMC, was subject to the jurisdiction in the Blackfeet Tribal Court. The lower court erred in finding that it had jurisdiction in this matter under the arm of the tribe analysis it applied. The “arm of the tribe” analysis would have been more appropriate if ARMC was a section 16 entity. Rather, ARMC is a Section 17 Charter, which demands an analysis of whether the Charter was properly granted and ratified. ARMC does enjoy a congressional grant of sovereign immunity under 25 U.S.C. 477, but ARMC’s immunity defense was waived by the inclusion of an arbitration clause in the Participation Agreement. The Court ordered Blackfeet Housing and ARMC to undergo mediation, pursuant to their Participation Agreement.

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