Document: 358 U.S. 217 79 S.Ct. 269 3 L.Ed.2d 251 Paul WILLIAMS and Lorena Williams, Husband Wife, Petitioners,v.Hugh LEE, Doing Business as Ganado Trading Post. No. 39. Argued Nov. 20, 1958. Decided Jan. 12, 1959. Mr. Norman M. Littell, Washington, D.C., for the petitioners. Wm. W. Stevenson, Flagstaff, Ariz., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered opinion of Court. 1 Respondent, who is not an Indian, operates a general store in Arizona on Navajo Indian Reservation under license required by federal statute.1 He brought this action Superior Court against petitioners, his wife live Reservation, to collect goods sold them there credit. Over petitioners' motion dismiss ground that jurisdiction lay tribal court rather than state court, judgment was entered favor The Supreme affirmed, holding since no Act Congress expressly forbids their doing so courts are free exercise over civil suits non-Indians Indians though arises reservation. 83 Ariz. 241, 319 P.2d 998. Because doubtful determination important question power affairs, we granted certiorari. 356 930, 78 772, 2 761. Originally tribes were separate nations within what now United States. Through conquest treaties they induced give up complete independence right go war exchange protection, aid, grants land. When lands States these governments sometimes sought impose laws Indians. Around 1830 Georgia Legislature extended its Cherokee despite with which set aside land them.2 statutes forbade Cherokees from enacting or prohibited outsiders being except permission State Governor. constitutionality tested Worcester v. Georgia, 6 Pet. 515, 8 L.Ed. 483, when punish white man, licensed Federal Government practice missionary among Cherokees, refusal leave Reservation. Rendering one most courageous eloquent opinions, Chief Marshall held Georgia's assertion invalid. 'The nation * distinct community, occupying own territory can have force, citizens enter, but assent themselves, conformity treaties, acts Congress. whole intercourse between nation, is, our constitution laws, vested government States.' at page 561. Despite bitter criticism defiance refused obey Court's mandate Worcester3 broad principles decision came be accepted law.4 years has modified cases where essential relations involved rights would jeopardized, basic policy remained. Thus, been sanctioned. See Felix Patrick, 145 317, 332, 12 862, 867, 36 719; Candelaria, 271 432, 46 561, 70 1023. also Harrison Laveen, 67 337, 196 456. And allowed try committed crimes each other E.g., People New York ex rel. Ray Martin, 326 496, 66 307, 90 261. But if crime conferred remained exclusive.5 Donnelly States, 228 243, 269—272, 33 449, 458—459, 57 820; Williams 327 711, 778, 962. Essentially, absent governing Acts Congress, always whether infringed reservation make ruled them. Cf. Utah & Northern Railway Co. Fisher, 116 28, 246, 29 542. 4 acted consistently upon assumption regulate affairs To assure adequate it enacted comprehensive 1834 regulating trade organizing Department Affairs. Stat. 729, 735. Not satisfied solely centralized Indians, encouraged become stronger more highly organized. See, e.g., Wheeler-Howard Act, §§ 16, 17, 48 987, 988, 25 U.S.C. 476, 477, U.S.C.A. 477. followed calculated eventually all full-fledged participants American society. This contemplates criminal any ready assume burdens soon educational economic status permits change without disadvantage H.R.Rep. 848, 83d Cong., 1st Sess. 3, 6, 7 (1953). Significantly, wished had denied.6 5 No departure policies applied apparent relationship Navajos. On June 1, 1868, treaty signed General William T. Sherman, numerous chiefs headmen 'Navajo tribe Indians'.7 At time document Navajos exiled people, forced crowded together small piece Pecos River eastern Mexico, some 300 miles east area occupied before coming man. In return promises keep peace, 'set apart' 'their permanent home' portion native country, provided one, personnel, enter reserved area. Implicit terms, understanding internal exclusively whatever existed. Since then, Bureau Affairs assisted strengthening courts. Navajo-Hopi Rehabilitation 1950, § 64 46, 636, 636; CFR 11.1 through 11.87NH. Tribe itself recent greatly improved legal system increased expenditures better-trained personnel. Today Courts Offenses covers defendants.8 given such controversies.9 statute did express willingness people vote affirmatively accept responsibility.10 date, jurisdiction, possibly because anticipate accompanying might considerable.11 There doubt allow here undermine authority hence infringe govern themselves. It immaterial respondent Indian. transaction took place there. supra; supra. guarded reservations. recognized Treaty done ever since. If taken away them, do it. Lone Wolf Hitchcock, 187 553, 564—566, 23 216, 220—221, 47 299. Reversed. 31 1066, amended, 32 1009, 262, provides: 'Any person desiring shall, establishing fact, satisfaction Commissioner Affairs, he proper engage trade, permitted rules regulations may prescribe protection said Indians.' out extensively 521—528. principal found 18, For interesting accounts episode struggle see IV Beveridge, Life John Marshall, 539—552; I Warren, History, c. 19. Nation 25. Kansas Wall. 737, 18 667; Ex parte Crow Dog, 109 556, 396, 27 1030; Kagama, 118 375, 1109, 30 228; Forness, Cir., 125 F.2d 928; Iron Oglala Sioux Tribe, 231 89; Begay Miller, 380, 222 624; Cohen, Law (Revision Interior 1958); 55 Decisions 56—64. Government's derived Art. I, 8, cl. Constitution, Perrin 232 478, 34 387, 58 691, necessity giving uniform dependent people. example, exclusive reservations 11 major crimes. committing generally tried 437—439, 1151 1163, 1151—1163; op. cit. supra, note 4, 307—326. 62 1224, 845, 232, 233, 233 (granting York); 1162, 28 1360, 1360 California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Wisconsin). series granting extensive Oklahoma discussed 985—1051. 15 667. 16 566 (1871), declared should thereafter independent whom could execute impair obligations previously ratified. Thus 1868 survived Act. Young, Yearbook (1955), 165, 201; id. (1957), 107, 110. 9 1949 Bill, S. 1407, 81st Sess., setting 10-year program capital improvements concurrent state, jurisdiction. President Truman vetoed bill felt subjecting Hopi undesirable view illiteracy, poverty primitive social concepts. impressed fact vigorously opposed bill. 95 Cong.Rec. 14784—14785. After objectionable features deleted passed again became law. 44, 631—640, 631—640. 10 Aug. 15, 1953, 505, 7, 590, provides follows: 'Notwithstanding provisions Enabling admission State, consent hereby amend, necessary, existing statutes, case be, remove impediment accordance Act: Provided, That shall effective respect until thereof appropriately amended be. '* having offenses causes action, both, manner affirmative legislative obligate bind thereof.' note. disclaimer 569, A.R.S., XX, Fourth, A.R.S. Draper 164 240, 17 41 419. (1953); Secretary Interior, Annual Report 247—248; (1956), 215—216; 253—254.

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