Tonto Apache Reservation Quadruples in Size

Earlier this week, the Tonto Apache Tribe in Arizona signed a deal that added 293 acres to its 85-acre land base, The Payson Roundup reported on June 1.

The new acreage, located at the southern edge of Payson, was obtained by purchasing about 405 acres of privately owned land, which contains one of two peat bogs in the state, and then swapping it for the 293 acres adjacent to the reservation, where the tribe’s Mazatzal Hotel and Casino and housing for many tribal members are located.

The deal was in the works for more than 15 years. “This has been a long process. This will allow for us to bring other tribal members who are living off-reservation home,” Tribal Council member Vivian Burdette told The Payson Roundup.

Colville Tribes Want a Shot at Buying Traditional Lands

The Colville Tribes are suing to stop an auction of U.S. Forest Service property in Twisp, Washington, until it’s determined whether the tribes should be offered the property first.

The property was a traditional fishing and gathering spot for member tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, according to documents the Tribes filed in U.S. District Court in Spokane. The Colville Tribes filed a request Thursday for a temporary injunction. To read more about this click here.

Northern Arapaho Takes State and County to Court

The Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Fremont County and the state of Wyoming with the hope of settling an old reservation boundary dispute, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.

Although the suit challenges things such as sales tax and vehicle registration fees, it will ultimately call for defining what lands in the Riverton area are "Indian Country" and, thus, should be included within the boundaries of the tribe’s Wind River Indian Reservation.

Should the court see it the tribe’s way, all of Riverton and some unincorporated areas near the towns of Pavillion, Shoshone and Hudson are within the exterior boundaries of the reservation and, therefore, should be exempt from sales tax and vehicle registration fees.

A 1905 act opened up the area in question to non-Indians for settlement. However, the tribe contends that the act never terminated the reservation or “Indian Country” status of that land.