Makah Indian Tribe v. Clallam County

Will Rogers 1 once said that this country had never lost a war nor won a peace parley. Emerging victorious in a number of Indian wars, the United States parleyed and made numerous treaties with the Indian tribes and nations. Under the Treaty of 1855, 12 Stat. 939, the Makahs claim immunity on their reservation from personal property taxes. We think the Indians have won another parley.

Under the Treaty of 1855, the Makahs yielded their claims to the lands where they lived and roamed in exchange for a reservation on which to live, hunt, fish, plant and work. The Assessor of Clallam County now…