Indian law faces challenge as sex assault case heads to high court

New Mexico tribal leaders say the decision in a long-running Indian law case that will be heard Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court could impair their ability to govern themselves.

“It’s sad. It’s a direct attack on tribal sovereignty and Native American rights, and it’s plain wrong,” said Joe Talachy, governor of Pojoaque Pueblo.

He was referring to the case involving Dollar General Corp., a multibillion-dollar business with 12,396 stores in the United States, and the federally recognized Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. At issue is whether tribal courts can exercise civil jurisdiction over non-Indians for wrongs committed on their lands.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/indian-law-faces-challenge-as-sexual-assault-case-heads-to/article_bd758678-b23c-576d-885d-39c7b3d9c93d.html