The Supreme Court ruled on February 24, 2009 that under the Indian Reorganization Act, the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island cannot hold a tribal-owned tract of land---slated for housing development---in trust and thereby exercise sovereignty over the land. This ruling reinforces the court's preference to protect states' rights over tribal sovereignty. While many Native activists see the ruling as an opportunity to change the law, the court's decision could have far reaching affects on American Indian Tribes recognized after the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934. For more information, please read The Providence Journal's article here.
