Opinion ID: 684405
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Wrongful Death Claim

Text: 7 We review the district court's determination of jurisdiction de novo. FMC v. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, 905 F.2d 1311, 1314 (9th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 943, 111 S.Ct. 1404, 113 L.Ed.2d 459 (1991). The Tribal Court's interpretation of tribal law is binding on this court. Sanders v. Robinson, 864 F.2d 630, 633 (9th Cir.1988), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1110, 109 S.Ct. 3165, 104 L.Ed.2d 1028 (1989). 8 Clearly, the Tribes have not surrendered their authority to exercise jurisdiction over civil actions involving non-members. See Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544, 565-66, 101 S.Ct. 1245, 1258-59, 67 L.Ed.2d 493 (1981) (tribe retains civil authority over matters affecting the tribe); see also National Farmers Union Ins. Co. v. Crow Tribe, 471 U.S. 845, 855-56, 105 S.Ct. 2447, 2453-54, 85 L.Ed.2d 818 (1985). Ordinance 40-A expressly provides that the Tribal Court and Tribal Government have concurrent jurisdiction over certain civil matters occurring on the reservation, including the operation of motor vehicles on public roads, and that all jurisdiction not expressly transferred remains with the Tribes. Tribal Ordinance 40-A (Revised) (May 5, 1965); Tribal Law and Order Code Ch. 1 Sec. 2-3. See also Larivee v. Morigeau, 184 Mont. 187, 602 P.2d 563, 566-71 (1979) (jurisdiction over torts arising from automobile accidents on the Flathead Reservation is concurrent between the State and the Tribes), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 964, 100 S.Ct. 1653, 64 L.Ed.2d 240 (1980). 9 The Mahlers' action falls squarely within the scope of Tribal Ordinance 36-B. Tribal Law and Order Code, Ch. II, Sec. 1(2) (1985). The accident occurred within the boundaries of the reservation. Gloria Mahler, Kenneth Mahler, and Hinshaw reside on the reservation and thus are found on the reservation, pursuant to section 1(2)(a)(1) & (2)(b). Hinshaw owned, used, and possessed a motor vehicle within the reservation, pursuant to section 1(2)(a)(2)(ii). Finally, Hinshaw's actions injured Gloria Mahler, a tribal member, pursuant to section 1(2)(a)(2)(iv). 10 The Tribes' jurisdiction has not been limited by treaty or statute, and the Tribes have not given up their authority to exercise jurisdiction over actions such as the Mahlers'.