Yakama Nation, Toppenish settle emergency shelter dispute

The Yakama Nation and the city of Toppenish have settled a lawsuit over a 24-hour emergency cold weather shelter on reservation land. The city acknowledged the shelter is under the tribe’s jurisdiction and agreed to support efforts to build a permanent facility. The Yakama Nation plans to establish a long-term shelter within five years. The settlement reaffirms tribal sovereignty in governing its lands and services.