Interior Department Recommends Legislation to Settle Boundary Dispute Between Navajo and Ute Mountain Tribes, 1967-01-01 - 1967-12-31

Item — Box: DP 63, Folder: 40

Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_63_40_0010

Staff Only

The Department of the Interior has recommended the enactment of Federal legislation to establish a special three-judge Federal District Court to settle a boundary dispute between the Navajo and Ute Mountain Indian Tribes in New Mexico. The disputed area is a strip of land near the Colorado border, and millions of dollars are at stake. The dispute arose from conflicting treaties and acts defining the boundaries of the tribes' territories. The disagreement became more prominent with the discovery of oil in the area. Both tribes entered into a joint leasing agreement, but a supplemental agreement in 1965 removed the disputed strip from the agreement. The legislation being considered would allow for a three-judge court to decide the case with the right of direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The Department of the Interior recommended an amendment to clarify that the United States is not a party in the litigation but consents to the settlement of the dispute between the two tribes.

Dates

1967-01-01 - 1967-12-31

Language of Materials

English

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