The city of Toppenish has argued in federal court that the Yakama Nation does not have the right to use a local property within the Yakama Indian Reservation to operate a 24-hour emergency cold weather shelter. The city raised concerns about health and safety violations, which it claims cannot be bypassed.
In its response filed Wednesday, Toppenish contested the Yakama Nation’s motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. U.S. District Judge Mary K. Dimke had granted the tribe’s request for a temporary restraining order on November 27, blocking the city from preventing the shelter’s operation.
Toppenish claims the property located at 501 West 1st Avenue is not owned by the Yakama Nation, is not trust land, and is home to non-Indians. The city further cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1978 ruling in Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, which determined that Indian tribes lack jurisdiction over non-Indians.
“Toppenish is a separate jurisdictional entity with direct authority over code enforcement and health and safety standards within its boundaries,” the city’s legal team argued, referencing their responsibility to enforce these codes for non-tribal lands.
