Burgum

NOT FOR PUBLICATION FILED

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS JUN 17 2025

MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

CHINOOK INDIAN NATION, et al., No. 24-3629 D.C. No. Plaintiffs - Appellants, 3:17-cv-05668-MJP v. MEMORANDUM*

DOUG BURGUM, Secretary of the Interior, et al.,

Defendants - Appellees.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington Marsha J. Pechman, District Judge, Presiding

Argued and Submitted June 3, 2025 Seattle, Washington

Before: RAWLINSON, BRESS, AND BUMATAY, Circuit Judges.

The Chinook Indian Nation (“CIN”) appeals the district court’s dismissal of

its suit for presenting a non-justiciable political question. CIN brought the present

suit for declaratory and injunctive relief against the Department of the Interior

seeking federal recognition as an Indian Tribe. Federal recognition is a prerequisite

* This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

1 to an Indian tribe establishing a…