Coeur d' Alene Tribe v. Johnson

Kenneth and Donna Johnson appeal the judgment of the district court in Benewah County recognizing a tribal judgment from the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Court (Tribal Court). The Johnsons own land within the Coeur d’Alene Reservation (Reservation) on the banks of the St. Joe River and have a dock and pilings on the river. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe (Tribe) initiated an action in Tribal Court to enforce a tribal statute which requires a permit for docks on the St. Joe River within the Reservation. The Johnsons did not appear and a default judgment was entered against them. The judgment imposed a civil…