Document: 424 U.S. 382 96 S.Ct. 943 47 L.Ed.2d 106 Alva FISHERv.The DISTRICT COURT OF the SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL MONTANA, IN AND FOR COUNTY ROSEBUD. In Matter of ADOPTION Ivan FIRECROW, etc. No. 75-5366. March 1, 1976. Rehearing Denied April 5, See 425 926, 1524. PER CURIAM. 1 Disagreeing with an advisory opinion Appellate Court Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Montana Supreme held that state court has jurisdiction over adoption proceeding in which all parties are members Tribe and residents Indian Reservation. We reverse. 2 Petitioner is mother Firecrow. On July 1969, after petitioner Ivan's father were divorced, Tribal found had neglected Ivan, awarded temporary custody to Josephine Runsabove, made a ward court.1 1973 rejected petitioner's request regain her son.2 August 30, 1974, however, entered order granting "for period six weeks during summer months."3 3 Four days before entry order, Runsabove husband initiated District for he Sixteenth Judicial Montana.4 moved dismiss lack subject-matter jurisdiction, asserting possessed exclusive jurisdiction. After hearing, certified question whether ordinance Tribe5 conferred upon Court. The expressed it did not,6 State dismissed 4 Runsaboves then filed original application writ supervisory control or other appropriate set aside dismissal. granted requested relief, holding reasoned prior organization 1935, courts adoptions involving tribal residing on reservation this could not be unilaterally divested by ordinance; Congress recognized 25 U.S.C. § 372a; depriving would deny equal protection plaintiffs, at least under Constitution. ex rel. Firecrow v. Court, Mont., 536 P.2d 190 (1975).7 5 litigation between Indians non-Indians arising out conduct reservation, resolution conflicts depended, absent governing Act Congress, "whether action infringed right make their own laws ruled them." Williams Lee, 358 217, 220, 79 269, 271, 251 (1959); accord, Kennerly Montana, 400 423, 426-427, 91 480, 481-482, 27 507 (1971) (Per curiam ). Since involves only Indians, same standard must met may exercise Mescalero Apache Jones, 411 145, 148, 93 1267, 1270, 36 114 (1973); McClanahan Arizona Tax Comm'n, 164, 168-173, 179-180, 1257, 1260-1263, 1266, 129 (1973). 6 govern itself independently law been consistently protected federal statute. As early as 1877, ratified agreement United States providing "Congress shall, legislation, secure (the Indians) orderly government; they shall subject States, each individual his rights property, person, life." 19 Stat. 256. This provision remained unaffected enabling enter Union,8 statutes specifically concerned Tribe.9 adopted constitution bylaws10 pursuant 16 Reorganization Act, 48 987, 476, statute intended encourage tribes revitalize self-government. supra, 151, 1271. Acting bylaws, Council established "among Tribe."11 7 State-court plainly interfere powers self-government exercised through It dispute among forum than one have themselves.12 present record illustrates, create substantial risk conflicting adjudications affecting child cause corresponding decline authority 8 No sanctions interference granted, nor assumed, civil Reservation, either Aug. 15, 1953, 67 588, Title IV Civil Rights 1968, 82 78, 1321 Et seq. And contrary Runsaboves' contention, 372a13 manifests no congressional intent confer Indians. solely documentation necessary prove proceedings Secretary Interior. recognizes "by judgment decree court" means but nowhere addresses render such judgments decrees. does courts. McClanahan, U.S., 174-175, S.Ct., 1263; Williams, 220-221, 270-271. 9 appropriately characterized exclusive. sought defend court's arguing any part supporting petition took place off reservation. Cf. DeCoteau County 420 425, 428-430, n. 3, 95 1082, 1085-1086, 43 300 (1975).14 10 remaining points dealt briefly. argue ordinances deprive matters 1935. conferring was authorized 476. Consequently, implements overriding policy clearly adequate defeat Accordingly, even if we assume properly do decide, now pre-empted. 11 Finally, reject argument denying access constitutes impermissible racial discrimination. derive from race plaintiff rather quasi-sovereign status law. Moreover, jurisdictional occasionally results nonIndian access, disparate treatment justified because benefit class member furthering Morton Mancari, 417 535, 551-555, 94 2474, 2483-2485, 41 290 (1974). 12 motion leave file brief, Amicus curiae, granted. certiorari proceed forma pauperis reversed. 13 Motions granted; 14 so ordered. 190, 192 (1975). re (Northern Ct., 1973). Defendant's Exhibit C. 1974). A. They alleged voluntarily abandoned June 2, supported year. natural consented waived further notice. Chapter Revised Law Order Ordinances approved Commissioner Affairs, 9, 1966. provides: "The Reservation hear, pass upon, approve applications Tribe. "Upon proper showing decision court, binding hereafter recognized. "On non-members both who wish adopt concurrent written consent taken up consummated Courts." reads, relevant part: "It rules, where appears minor being proceedings, say, parent and/or parents person persons adopting said reside within exterior boundaries "This called decide issue both, Therefore, interpretation provisions last (3rd) paragraph Section III Code." Firecrow, (filed Apr. 12, 1975). issued final our 28 1257(3). available Mont. Const., Art. VII, §§ 2(1), (2); Mont.Rule App.Civ.Proc. 17(a), although broad range circumstances, equivalent appeal. Ibid. ; Amsterdam Lumber, Inc. 163 182, 186-187, 516 378, 380-381 Walker Tschache, 162 213, 215-217, 510 10-11 A terminates appellate decided concerns lower even, court. Madruga Superior 346 556, 557 74 298, 299, 98 L.Ed. (1954); Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 565-568, 1409, 1417-1419, 1666 (1947); Bandini Co. 284 8, 14-15, 52 103, 105-106, 76 136 (1931); see Costarelli Massachusetts, 421 193, 197-199, 1534, 1536-1538, 44 (1975) Feb. 22, 1889, 676. 4(2) provides "Indian lands remain absolute . ." For provision, similar language statehood Acts, 175-176, 1263-1264, Organized Village Kake Egan, 369 60, 69-71, 562, 567-568, 573 (1962). first came trusteeship Treaty May 10, 1868, 15 655, subsequently modified quoted text. created Executive Orders November 26, 1884, 19, 1900, Kappler, Affairs 860-861 (1904), confirmed property trust 1926, c. 459, pt. 690. None cited sources grants Montana. Constitution bylaws Interior, Nov. 23, These since superseded Amended By-Laws Assistant 1960. Quoted Supra. third case By its express terms, confers "adoptions Tribe," Supra, Neither cede factor alone distinguishes decisions relied. Bad Horse Horse, 445, 450-451, 517 893, 896, cert. denied, 419 847, 83, 42 (1974); Iron Bear 335, 337-338, 342-343, 512 1292, 1294, 1297 enactment council effective date Pub.L. 280, sufficient 426-429, 481-483, ); 129. 1940, 555, 54 746. "(Sec. 1) (I)n probate heir deceased virtue "(1) Unless "(a) court; "(b) "(c) superintendent agency having tribe adoptive member, duly recorded book kept purpose; "(d) accordance procedure authority, Department parent, "(2) Interior distribution estate died date: Provided, That custom valid recordation still living, requests recorded, adult makes behalf approves recordation. "Sec. 2. apply respect estates Five Civilized Tribes Osage Oklahoma, Act." grounds given resided times, partially terminated, cf. 429 1085, 300, none acts giving rise occurred contend otherwise. do, point birth marriage divorce facts affect conclusion Court's adoption, determines permanent litigants, predicate residence litigants location particular incidents marginal relevance, best.

Category: 1