On March 23rd the Snoqualmie Tribe announced a key federal decision that will increase the size of its approximate 55 acre tribal land base – the first expansion in 14-years.
According to a news announcement, on March 18th Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney issued her opinion to have 16.63 acres of on-reservation, non-gaming acquisition taken into trust status for the Snoqualmie Tribe. The long-awaited decision resolves a challenge to the Tribe’s federal status made by the City of Snoqualmie in 2015 in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.
“This is a huge victory for the Snoqualmie people,” said Snoqualmie Tribal Council Chairman Robert de los Angeles. “The decision of the United States adds much needed land that will help the Snoqualmie people and reaffirms our status as a Treaty signatory.”
In Carcieri decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the Secretary may only take land into trust for tribes that were “under federal jurisdiction” in 1934 — the year the Indian Reorganization Act was enacted. The Snoqualmie Tribe can now follow the land-into-trust process for other property owned because it was confirmed to be under federal jurisdiction in 1934.
The Tribe said the determination ensures it will be able to add to its Reservation land base to meet its needs for future generations.
Per the news release, “Despite the City of Snoqualmie’s challenging of the Tribe’s ability to have land held in trust, the Department of the Interior decision states the Tribe qualifies to hold land in trust because it was a signatory of the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855, and its historical political-legal relationship with the United States dating back to at least 1934.”
The four tax parcels taken into trust are adjacent to the existing Snoqualmie Tribal Reservation, previously located in unincorporated King County. One parcel includes a single-family home and the other parcels are vacant.
The Tribe said its Environmental Resources Department currently uses the parcels for collecting water quality data and it has no plans for a change in use.
Sweeney’s decision states that because the Tribe does not have any plans to change the use of the Parcels at this time, the proposed use is consistent with the existing county land use and planning for the area.
Sweeney also stated in her decision:
“Placing the Parcels into trust is important to the Snoqualmie Tribe because it will give the Tribe rights to govern the land. It is important for the Snoqualmie Tribe to have the inherent right to govern its own lands and is one of the most essential powers of any sovereign tribal government. The Tribe would be able to determine its own course in addressing the needs of its government and its members. Taking the Parcels in trust will also allow the Snoqualmie Tribe to consolidate and protect the unique Indian land status and ensure its integration back into the Snoqualmie Tribe’s land base. This will further enhance tribal self-determination by ensuring that the Parcels are not used in a manner contrary to the Snoqualmie Tribe’s governmental, historical, and cultural interests.”
“We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Interior officials,” said Chairman de los Angeles. “This has been a huge effort for more than five years involving current and past Council Members and countless hours of work by dedicated Tribal staff and our legal team at Kilpatrick Townsend.”
Comments
This decision is so very important for the Snoqualmie Tribe. I am very happy for them. I stand with the Tribe in their fight to move forward.