Ten Michigan tribal nations urge Supreme Court to return Line 5 case to state court

October 28, 2025

Ten tribal nations in Michigan filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking justices to keep the Line 5 pipeline case in state court, according to Michigan Advance. The tribes urged the court to reject Enbridge Energy’s attempt to have a federal court decide the lawsuit originally filed in 2019 by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

“For many years, Tribal Amici have called on the State to uphold its public-trust obligation to protect the Straits of Mackinac and the Great Lakes,” the brief states. “Michigan’s suit against Enbridge is a long-overdue course correction.”

The tribal nations include the Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hannahville Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and others.

1.Michigan Advance.

1.Michigan Advance.

We provide the independent reporting that non-Native, extractive outlets often overlook. We give our communities the context and the facts they need to make informed decisions.

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Founder and Editor in Chief

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we exist to illuminate tribal government decision-making for everyone who cares about transparency about Native issues. Because the consequences of restricted press freedom affect our communities every day, our trauma-informed reporting is rooted in a deep, firsthand expertise. Every gift helps keep the fire burning. A monthly contribution makes the biggest impact.