$395 million -- that is one judge’s estimate of how much the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community should receive in a trespassing case. The judgment is not only a monetary victory for the tribe, but points to the legal leverage Tribal governments have when it comes to protecting their sovereignty.

Guests:

• Isabella Breda, environment reporter at the Seattle Times

Relevant Links:

• Seattle Times: Judge orders BNSF to pay WA tribe $400M for oil train trespass 
• Seattle Times: A WA tribe will get paid by a railroad that trespassed. The question is how much 
• KUOW: BNSF Railway ordered to pay $395 million after years of trespassing on Swinomish land

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