Document: 412 U.S. 481 93 S.Ct. 2245 37 L.Ed.2d 92 Raymond MATTZ, Petitioner,v.G. ARNETT, Etc. No. 71—1182. Argued March 27 and 28, 1973. Decided June 11, Syllabus Petitioner, a Yurok, or Klamath River, Indian, intervened in forfeiture proceeding, seeking the return of five gill nets confiscated by California game warden. He alleged that were seized Indian country, within meaning 18 U.S.C. § 1151, state statutes prohibiting their use did not apply to him. The trial court found River Reservation 1892 'for all practical purposes almost immediately lost its identity,' concluded area was country. Court Appeal affirmed, holding since had been opened for unrestricted homestead entry 1892, earlier reservation status land terminated. country is defined 1151 as including 'all limits any under jurisdiction United States government, notwithstanding issuance patent.' established Executive Order 1855 included question. In 1891, Order, made part Hoopa Valley Reservation. Act 17, provided lands embraced what Reservation' reserved are 'declared be subject settlement, entry, purchase laws granting rights . Provided, That now located upon said may, at time one year Secretary Interior an allotment .. And may reserve from tract which village settlement Indians located, set apart same permanent occupation Indians.' further proceeds sale 'shall constitute fund maintenance education residing on children.' Held: terminated boundaries still 1151. Pp. 494—506. (a) provisions Act, rather than indicating intention terminate reservation, completely consistent with continued status. Seymour v. Superintendent, 368 351, 82 424, 7 346. 496—497. (b) reference past tense manifest congressional purpose but merely convenient way identifying land, just recently 498—499. (c) Act's legislative history does support view terminated, contrast final enactment, it compels conclusion efforts denying allotments failed completely. 499—504. (d) A determination must expressed face statute clear surrounding circumstances history, neither obtained here. 504—505. (e) reinforced repeated recognition thereafter Department Congress. Congress has recognized reservation's existence extending, 1942, period trust allotments, 1958, restoring tribal ownership certain vacant undisposed-of ceded reservation. P. 505. 20 Cal.App.2d 729, 97 Cal.Rptr. 894, reversed remanded. Lee J. Sclar, Berkeley, Cal., petitioner. Harry R. Sachse, New Orleans, La., States, amicus curiae, special leave Court. Roderick Walston, San Francisco, respondent. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion 1 Our decision this case turns resolution narrow question whether northern remains 'Indian country,' 1151.1 When established, described 'a strip territory commencing Pacific Ocean extending mile width each side River' distance approximately miles, encompassing exceeding 25,000 acres. This description taken President Franklin Pierce's issued November 16, 1855, pursuant authority granted 3, 1853, 10 Stat. 226, 238, 686, 699.2 2 Petitioner Mattz who age nine, regularly fished, his grandfather before him, dip, gill, trigger nets, location called Brooks Riffle River. On September 24, 1969, warden owned Mattz. stored near Riffle, 200 feet river, miles river's mouth. 3 respondent Director Fish Game instituted proceeding court. asked nets. alleged, among other things, he enrolled member Yurok Tribe, Cal.Fish & Code §§ 8664, 8686, 8630, therefore inapplicable court, relying Elser Gill Net Number One, 246 30, 54 568 (1966), identity,'3 where thereby disposed petitioner's primary defense forfeiture. It reach issues bearing application fishing there. 4 appeal, State that, inasmuch Cal.App.3d 894 (1971). Supreme California, judge dissenting, denied petition hearing. See Cal.App.3d, 735, Cal.Rptr., 898. We certiorari, 409 1124, 933, 35 255 (1973), because judgments courts appeared conflict applicable decisions 5 reverse. reversal, course, dispose underlying issue. remand, questions relating Mattz' applicability law will addressed. intimate no those issues. 6 * While current primarily effect cannot determined without some Tribe between 1892. apparently resided lower substantial when established. Little known prior history. There sources, however, provide us relatively detailed information about tribe, culture, living conditions, customs following 1855.4 tribe inhabited well suggested name. means 'down river.' names neighboring tribes, Karok Modok, mean, respectively, 'up river' 'head river,' these appellations, would expected, coincide respective homelands. Powers 19; Kroeber 15.5 8 By 'authorized make military reservations public domain Territories Utah Mexico bordering State, purposes.' 699, appropriated funds 'collecting, removing, subsisting two additional reservations, selected heretofore enlarge quantity selected, equal hereby for.' Pierce then order specifying stating, 'Let made, proposed.' Kappler 817. 9 site ideally Yuroks. They lived area; arable although limited, 'peculiarly adapted growth vegetables,' 1856 Report 238; ran through canyon entire length, abounded salmon fish. Ibid.; 1858 286.6 1861 nearly destroyed Freshet, and, recommendation local agent, removed Smith Reservation, 1862. Only small number Yuroks moved new move returned few years Crichton Shelton, 33 I.D. 205, 208 (1904); 830; 1864 122. discontinued. July 27, 1868, 15 198, 221. 11 total population 1860's stated precision. 1852, based rough census trader, estimated 2,500. 16—17.7 flood firmly established; remained thereafter.8 For later years, 1895 900, 1910, 668, 19. From appear least cause dissolution tribe; contrary, reside turn century beyond. 12 April 8, 1864, 13 39, designated superintendency. also recited 'there shall President, discretion, four tracts state, retained reservations.' 'the several act, surveyed into lots parcels offered outcry, thence afterward held private entry.' Id., 40. At passage there were, apparently, three California: Mendocino, appears, also, take immediate action, recognize California. until 1868 formal occurred, acted. discontinued 221, restored Mendocino lands. 223. No similar action respect I.D., 209. appropriations Round 1869, 16 37, these, theretofore Order.9 14 reestablished specific continued, certainly, de facto existence. Affairs regarded 'in reservation' throughout 1891.10 steps sell parts thereof, Act. Indeed, 1879, trespassers military. 1883 directed reservation.11 February 1889, Senate, resolution, 'to inform Senate proceedings, if any, have relative survey pursuance act approved 1864.' Cong.Rec. 1818. response, Commissioner Affairs, letter dated 18, disclosed proceedings undertaken.12 An assistant Attorney General January 20, 1891.13 1888, suit, District Northern Rev.Stat. 2133, prescribing penalty unlicensed trading composing therefore, longer constituted Forty-eight Pounds Rising Star Tea, etc., F. 403 (N.D.Cal. 1888). expressly affirmed appeal circuit judge. 30 400 (CCND Cal.1889). Assistant General, referred above, conceded probable correctness judgment convinced own views erroneous, could assent reasoning felt court's comments abandoned 'were dicta essential court.' 215. Thus, fair say exact legal obscure uncertain. petitioner brief here, p. 14, states 'ceased exist 1876, latest.' 17 Any concerning continuing existence, appears effectively laid rest October Benjamin Harrison14 terms order, which, we already noted, formally situated 50 upstream River's mouth, extended so include present limits' Ocean. thus extended. reason incorporating apparent. authorized 'set apart' more certainly apart. These Valley, Mission,15 Tule 830—831. fifth along permissible Accordingly, turned expand existing, enlarged intervening riparian connecting tracts.16 President's specifically, legality 1891 Donnelly 228 243, 255—259, 449, 452—454, 57 L.Ed. 820 (1913), reh. denied, 708, 1024, 1035, challenged II 19 general background origin development contested either party. conceded. controversy relates termination subsequent 52 entitled 'An disposition Reservation.' provided: 'That sixteenth, eighteen hundred fifty-five, declared authorizing mineral, stone, timber lands: Indians. Provided further, arising used direction 21 argues effected urges contrary. our task, light language historical background, outlined determine proper consequently, 22 relies feels significant references contends, 'The fact up homesteaders strongly militates against continuation such status.' Brief Repondent 3. 23 conclude, misreading ascertained overview Allotment 1887, 24 388. permitted resident consent, surplus Its policy continue system lands, allot individual agriculture grazing. allotted expired, abolished.17 Unallotted available non-Indians purpose, part, promoting interaction races encouraging adopt white ways. 390; Interior, Federal Law 115—117, 127—129, 776—777 (1958).18 Under 1887 required open allotment; discretion do so. discretionary nature presidential power, occasionally enacted legislation assure particular allotment.19 example this. provisions, differ materially refer not, alone, recite even suggest intended 357—358, 427—429, 346 (1962). Rather, unanimously observed, analogous setting Seymour, id., 356, S.Ct., 427, (in respect) non-Indian settlers manner Government, acting guardian trustee Indians, beneficial wards.' Celestine, 215 278, 93, 195 (1909); Nice, 241 591, 36 696, 60 1192 (1916). Wilbur 281 206, 320, 74 809 (1930); (1913). III 25 urges, supported 'what (the) According respondent, reference, compel 26 sure, tense. But read indication terminate. Just weeks bill (H.R. 38, 52d Cong., 1st Sess.), eventually became reported out committee 5, H.R.Rep. 161, Sess., only portion extension seems, then, natural, convenient, shorthand Act.20 believe can directly innuendo. points numerous statements view, indicate need detail cited passages H.R.Rep.No.161, supra, debates bill, 1598—1599, 3918—3919 (1892), challenge here House generally hostile estimation, very fact, perspective, supports undermines respondent's position. 28 As early abolish date strong sentiment existed effect. ever commanded majority support. advocates argued long abandoned; useless reservation; many property should protected. H.R.Rep.No.1354, 46th 2d (1880). whites settled clear, after gross misconception sought termination.21 29 first providing introduced May 1879. S.Res. 34, Sess.; 1651. having 'abandoned' 'and another use.' another, purport, 12, 1880, House. H.R. 3454, 286. 'be, hereby, abolished,' them preemption lands.' report second 1—5, establishment viewed mistake injustice. Report, freshet, later, Reservations. White wished exploit lumber soil said, 'has fruit wine growing country.' 5. Inasmuch blocked access resources developed. Although unmentioned Office opposed bill. H.R.Rep.No.1148, 47th (1882). recommitted taken. 3126 identical 60, 90 (1881). introduced, oppose provision made. 2. Commissioner's proposed amendment Committee, 3414 (1882), full 31 1884 bills introduced. interest note acceded request 112, 48th 62 (1883); S. 813, 166 7505, 5923 (1884). Each 'abolished' pre-emption entry. None enacted, likely, Bureau began work survey, perhaps anticipation passage. 32 1885 substanially 1884. 158 165, 49th 370 (1885). bills, 1889. During period, 388, passed amended, 794, Tea case, 403, decided. 34 1889 inconsistent 12104, 50th 756 (1889). affirmance 38 (1889), providing, mention allotment, purchase' laws. 113, 51st 229 (1889); 2297, 855 (1890). recommending they amended domain, Short 102—63, pp. 44—45 (Report Commissioner, Claims, 1972). 113 amendments, 'removal, maintenance, education' being considered place removal. Allotments emphatically rejected. H.R.Rep.No.1176, 10701—10702 died Senate. last presence opinions, protected details effort, 45—50. culminated Harrison's expanding avoid allotting Cong. Rec. 125 (1892). specified for, 'semicivilized, disinclined labor, conception values desire cultivate soil.' Committee changing word 'and' 'or' proviso proceeds. change. 1598 1599 struck version substituted deleting removal amended. 3918—3919. substitute measure Department. 3918. conference House, 3919, adopted amendments. Sen.Misc.Doc.No.153, Sess. IV Several conclusions drawn account. First, reliance floor placed. impetus 1871, effort consistently accomplish objectives seeks achieve. Likewise, objectives, version, Department, ultimately sales 'maintenance education,' removal, relied terminated; rather, finally 39 inescapable. interpreted mean apparent defining 'notwithstanding patent' therein. More significantly, 1871—1892 unequivocal terms. fully aware effected. employed so, inclined infer intent reservation.22 U.S., 285, 94, 'when once remain separated therefrom Congress.' (1962); (1916).23 40 Finally, 1904 ruled reconfirmed 1932 albeit Reservation,24 continues today. 1942 348a, 1958 supra.25 conclude 41 reversed, remanded proceedings. 42 ordered. 43 Reversed Remanded. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT [NOTE; MATERIAL SET AT THIS POINT IS NOT DISPLAYABLE (GRAPHIC OR TABULAR MATERIAL)] Title defines term country' include, inter alia, patent ..' 1162(a) provides over offenses committed areas extent elsewhere ., criminal force Section 1162(b) provides, 'Nothing section deprive band, community right, privilege, immunity afforded treaty, agreement, hunting, trapping, control, licensing, regulation thereof.' 12300 (Supp.1973), reads: 'Irrespective law, code whose inscribed rolls, while effective Public 280, Chapter 505, First Session, 1953, 83d (18 1162).' reproduced C. Kappler, Affairs—Laws Treaties 817 (1904) (hereinafter Kappler). end opinion, Appendix, map text indicated 'Old Pet. Cert., App. B 4—5. A. Kroeber, Handbook cc. 4, published Bulletin 78, American Ethnology 1—97 (1925) Kroeber); Powers, Tribes Contributions North 44—64 (1877) Powers). Various Annual Reports information; see, example, 249—250 Report). preface work, suggests factual material contained Powers' manuscript criticism. Kroeber's deserves reproduction here: 'I close expressing my sincere appreciation predecessor field, late Stephen classic 'Tribes California,' most remarkable reports printed government. journalist profession true ethnology often crudest. Probably inaccurate, misleading, proportion foundation positively erroneous. possessed, astoundingly quick vivid sympathy, power observation keen untrained, invariably spirited gift portrayal rises times realm sheerly fascinating. Anthropologically great service lies looseness data method able greater degree anyone him seize fix salient qualities mentality people described. ethnologist writhe smile fingers Powers's pages, broad outlines culture high lights shadows, better consult book. With flimsy texture slovenly edges, always best introduction subject.' ix. Of agent stated, 'No themselves adapted, spot. possessions Government spared them. offers little less man. issue seems disappear.' 266. interesting believed far exceeded 2,500 numbered 5,000. was, 'before come them, bringing corruptions maladies 59. renowned Major John Wesley Powell, charge Geographical Geological Survey Rocky Mountain Region, placed faith figures requested modify estimates. displeasure Powell characteristic fashion, greatest your beliefs, rich personal experience observation; you cut paragraph insert signature, brackets, something kind, I submit murmur, add remark, quoted myself, wit: simply ask reader remember accustomed vast sterile wastes interior continent, visited forests teeming rivers California.' greatly prefer disavow estimates, throw whole responsibility me. 'This permission give you; waded too climbed mountains abate jot opinions beliefs carpet-knight yields compiling-pen office —- —-. If critic, sitting comfortable parlor York, reading sparse aboriginal populations cold Atlantic overthrow dash pen, book all? Luther Diet Worms, 'Here stand; otherwise.' beg you, dear major, consider anything above written slightest disrespectful yourself; farthest remove thoughts.' 2—3. estimates altered, above-quoted sympathetically introductory study. 122; Opinion Jan. 210 Another source 1871 D. H. Lowry, Agent, Sept. 1, noted August 21, purposes, Grant 23, 1876. 815. Appendix map. 'Original Letter Apr. 211. postponed 'on account discovery errors surveys.' XLVIII. 'In response am unable discover records correspondence contemplated aforesaid; superintendent affairs charged selection extend (one act), else keep separate independent station subagency there, control day (Ex.Doc. 140, 2).' Quoted 212. 'Pushing aside technicalities construction, doubt constitutes reservation? Surely, characteristics authority; occupied now, treated executive branch management administration abolished 1864. Is so? instance, home immemorial; authorities, dedicated solemnities adding official sanction right me mere implication, rigid technical construction Congress, show body occupancy consultation assent. implication all, think third supposed applicable.' 212—213. 'It ordered duly apart, (8), (13 Stats., 39), Ocean; valid attached excluded extended.' 819—824. noteworthy Mission altered repeatedly 1870 1875, thereafter. actions diminish 243 449 1035 form, consisted different noncontiguous tracts. 819—824; 209—210. 'Connecting Strip.' encompass old frequently Extension. expired 1919, Dec. 56 1081, 348a. S.Rep. 1714, 77th (1942). various 159.57 acres Pub.L. 85—420, 72 121. treatment policy, see Otis, History Policy, Readjustment Hearings 7902 Before 73d 428—440 (1934). repudiated 1934 Reorganization 48 984, codified 461 et seq. See, Mar. 2, 888 (Sioux Reservations), (1916); 22, 1906, 80 (Colville Reservation), 29, 1908, 460 (Cheyenne Standing Rock ex rel. Condon Erickson, 459 F.2d 663 (CA8 1973), aff'g 344 F.Supp. 777 (SD argues, unacquainted convey 1598—1599 text, infra, quarters settlement. n. 34—52. interpretation phrase plausible, plausible unsuccessful proponents (of requiring allotments) attractive amending 'former took Committee's 1148, 1—3 transmitted 1881, infantry lieutenant, 'gleaned principally civilians, are, believe, somewhat lessen number, thinking doubtlessly smaller likelihood thrown settlers.' express result desired. 221 (1868) ('the discontinued'); 63 (1892) (adopted concerned, Half Colville be, vacated domain'), 354, 426, 346; 218 lines Ponca Otoe Missouria abolished'). Appeals Eighth Circuit reached presenting unlike us. concluded, 689, favoring federal unless diminished settlement' (emphasis original). Subcommittee Conditions pt. 72d 15532 usually much weight construing statutes, Southwestern Cable Co., 392 157, 170, 88 1994, 2001, 1001 (1968), significance. 356—357, 427 428.

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