Opinion ID: 516242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sanders' Remaining Claims

Text: 17 Sanders has requested this court to declare the original tribal court decree of Judge Robinson null and void, on the ground that Judge Robinson's federal conviction barred his ability to sit as a tribal judge. See Ch. I, Sec. 3, Northern Cheyenne Law & Order Code. The validity of Judge Robinson's decree is a moot issue. The bulk of his decree in this case was remanded by the Northern Cheyenne Appellate Court. The only part of his decree remaining in effect is the dissolution decree. The Northern Cheyenne Appellate Court held that, given the applicable standards, dissolution was properly granted in this case. Since Sanders has remarried, he cannot be heard to complain over the decree of dissolution. Thus there remains no cognizable issue over Judge Robinson's decree. 18 Sanders also asserts that his due process rights were violated in the course of the original dissolution proceedings. Any claim of due process violations (other than a petition for habeas corpus) must be asserted under the Indian Civil Rights Act, 25 U.S.C. Secs. 1301 et seq. Sanders is limited to pursuing relief under that Act in tribal court. See Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez, 436 U.S. 49, 59-72, 98 S.Ct. 1670, 1677-1684, 56 L.Ed.2d 106 (1978). 19 The crux of Sanders' due process complaint involves notice deficiencies in the original tribal court proceeding. These deficiencies were corrected by the Northern Cheyenne Appellate Court. Thus, Sanders' due process rights under the I.C.R.A. have in fact been protected.