Indian Affairs Announces Return of Jurisdiction to Skokomish Nation

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs announced on Monday that the Department of the Interior has accepted the retrocession of partial criminal jurisdiction over the Skokomish Nation from the State of Washington. The Tribe collaborated with the State of Washington and the Department to reassume jurisdiction over specific crimes within its reservation boundaries.

“Jurisdiction over criminal matters is a fundamental part of a nation’s government. Restoring this jurisdiction to the Skokomish Nation is a significant act in support of Tribal sovereignty and self-governance,” Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community) said. “This retrocession is part of our work under the Biden-Harris administration to give back what has been taken away from Tribes by the harmful policies of the past.”

Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

In 1953, Congress enacted Public Law 83-280 as part of its broader Termination Policy, aimed at undermining the sovereign existence of Indian Tribes. The law transferred criminal jurisdiction over Indian people on Indian lands from the federal government to certain states. Retrocession allows a state to return jurisdiction, enabling a Tribe to assume control through self-determination and self-governance.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Tessa M. Gorman applauded the Skokomish Nation’s determination to secure retrocession.

“We look forward to working with our law enforcement partners, the FBI, and the Skokomish Tribal Police Department, to further our collective mission of keeping the Skokomish Tribal community safe, prosecuting criminal conduct, and protecting the rights of its Tribal citizens.” Gorman said.

The State of Washington retains partial criminal jurisdiction over the Skokomish Nation Reservation as provided in the Revised Code of Washington Section 37.12.010, including over offenses committed by non-Indians on Tribal land.

About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. “

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel