Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians v. Holyfield

490 U.S. 30 (1989)

MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS

v.

HOLYFIELD ET AL.

No. 87-980.

Supreme Court of United States.

Argued January 11, 1989

Decided April 3, 1989

APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI

Edwin R. Smith argued the cause and filed briefs for appellant.

Edward O. Miller argued the cause and filed a brief for appellees.[*]

This appeal requires us to construe the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act that establish exclusive tribal jurisdiction over child custody proceedings involving Indian children domiciled on the tribe's reservation.

I

A

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978…