WilmerHale Secures Legal Victory Upholding Tribal Sovereignty and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

On June 16, 2025, WilmerHale achieved a pivotal legal victory for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians and its leadership when a California court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Tribe’s federally protected rights to its reservation land. This outcome reinforces the Tribe’s sovereignty and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Background of the Case

The lawsuit, initiated by local businessman Steve Pappas in the California Superior Court for the County of Santa Barbara, represented the latest attempt to undermine the Tribe’s land rights and halt the expansion of the Chumash Casino Resort. The dismissal protects the Tribe’s legal protections over tribal lands held in trust by the federal government, supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by safeguarding economic opportunities for the Tribe.

Tribal Land and Economic Development

• The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians historically controlled over 7,000 square miles in California.
• Currently, the Tribe resides on a 2.5-square-mile reservation in the Santa Ynez Valley, held in trust by the U.S. government for nearly a century.
• In 2003, the Tribe opened the Chumash Casino Resort, which has become a significant regional economic driver, leading to a major expansion over a decade later.

Legal Challenges and Implications

1. Steve Pappas has challenged the Tribe’s land rights and casino operations for over ten years, alleging improper federal trust status and disputing tax exemptions and water rights.
2. Previous lawsuits filed in 2015 and 2019 were dismissed, emphasizing the necessity of including the federal government and the Tribe in any land status disputes.
3. The 2024 lawsuit under the California False Claims Act targeted individual tribal leaders rather than the Tribe itself, attempting to circumvent sovereign immunity.

Court’s Decision and Legal Reasoning

The court agreed with WilmerHale’s argument that the lawsuit could not proceed without the United States as a party. Evaluating the claims required assessing whether tribal leaders’ statements about the land’s trust status were false, which inherently involves federal interests. This decision upholds SDG 16 by reinforcing legal frameworks that protect indigenous rights and promote justice.

WilmerHale Legal Team

• Lead Attorneys: Matt Benedetto and Sam McHale
• Supporting Team: Jill Folsom, Managing Attorney’s Office, Matt Howard, and Armani Veltman-Smith

Conclusion

This legal victory not only secures the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians’ land rights and economic future but also contributes to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. By protecting indigenous sovereignty and promoting economic growth within the Tribe, the case exemplifies progress towards inclusive and sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses the economic development of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians through the Chumash Casino Resort, which contributes to reducing poverty within the Tribe.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The legal protection of the Tribe’s sovereignty and land rights addresses inequalities faced by indigenous peoples.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The dismissal of lawsuits protecting the Tribe’s land rights highlights the importance of justice, legal recognition, and strong institutions supporting indigenous sovereignty.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The protection of tribal lands held in trust by the federal government relates to sustainable management and protection of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, particularly indigenous peoples, have equal rights to economic resources, including ownership and control over land and other forms of property.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices affecting indigenous peoples.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Target 15.a: Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 1.4 Indicator: Proportion of population living in poverty with secure tenure rights to land, property, and natural resources.
   • The article implies the importance of secure land tenure for the Tribe’s economic development and poverty reduction.
2. SDG 10.3 Indicator: Proportion of people who feel discriminated against or have experienced discrimination.
   • The repeated legal challenges against the Tribe’s land rights reflect ongoing issues of discrimination and inequality.
3. SDG 16.3 Indicator: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
   • The article shows the legal system’s role in protecting indigenous rights and sovereignty.
4. SDG 16.6 Indicator: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (e.g., justice).
   • The involvement of federal government and courts in upholding tribal land rights indicates institutional accountability and transparency.
5. SDG 15.2 and 15.a Indicators: Forest area as a proportion of total land area; Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems.
   • The protection of the Tribe’s reservation land held in trust supports sustainable land management.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wilmerhale.com