The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs announced Monday that the Department of the Interior has accepted the return of partial criminal jurisdiction over the Skokomish Nation from Washington state. The tribe worked with Washington State and the Department to regain jurisdiction over specific crimes within the reservation’s boundaries.
“Jurisdiction over criminal matters is a fundamental part of a country’s government. “Restoring this jurisdiction to the Skokomish Nation is an important act in support of tribal sovereignty and self-government,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community). “This retrocession is part of our work under the Biden-Harris administration to give back what was taken 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 receive our reporting directly 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 Native American tribes. The act moved criminal jurisdiction over Indian people on Indian lands from the federal government to certain states. Retrocession allows a state to return jurisdiction, allowing a tribe to take control through self-determination and self-government.
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 behavior 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 crimes committed by non-Indians on tribal lands.
About the Author: “Native News Online is one of the most widely read publications covering Indian Country and the news important to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Native peoples. Contact us at editor@nativenewsonline.net.”
Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
