Opinion ID: 2109887
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Treaty Powers

Text: Following Montana and Justice White's analysis in Brendale, we first look to the Tribe's treaty with the United States to determine whether the Tribe has the authority to regulate electric service to DTI. The 1867 treaty which established the Fort Totten Reservation contained no language similar to the exclusive use and benefit language found in the treaty in the Brendale case. This treaty provided that the bands of Dakota Sioux Indians hereby cede to the United States the right to construct wagon roads, railroads, mail stations, telegraph lines, and such other public improvements as the interest of the government may require, over and across the lands claimed by said bands (including their reservation as hereinafter designated) over any route or routes that that (sic) may be selected by authority of the government,... Act of Feb. 19, 1867 [Act], art. II, 15 Stat. 505, 506. In consideration of this cession and the faithful and important services ... rendered by the friendly bands, lands were set apart for the members of said bands as a permanent reservation. Act, art. III, 15 Stat., supra. This treaty also authorized the chiefs and headmen of the reservation: to adopt such rules, regulations, or laws for the security of life and property, the advancement of civilization, and the agricultural prosperity of the members of said bands upon the respective reservations, and shall have authority, under the direction of the agent, and without expense to the government, to organize a force sufficient to carry out all such rules, regulations, or laws, and all rules and regulations for the government of said Indians, as may be prescribed by the Interior Department: Provided, That all rules, regulations, or laws adopted or amended by the chiefs and headmen on either reservation shall receive the sanction of the agent. Act, art. X, 15 Stat. at 510. Although the treaty granted the Tribe the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the general security of life and property, we do not view the treaty as granting the Tribe the right to regulate electric services on the reservation. Rather, the regulation of electric service is analogous to the public improvement rights ceded to the government under Article II of the treaty. Although those rights were specifically ceded to the United States rather than state government, there has been some history of federal deference to state regulatory authority for local electric utility services. See 16 U.S.C. § 2627(b). [3] See also Application of Otter Tail Power Co., supra . We conclude that the Tribe's regulatory authority does not derive from its treaty with the United States.