Ronald Colbert v. United States

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[PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
________________________
No. 14-12007
________________________
D.C. Docket No. 3:09-cv-998-HES-JRK
RONALD COLBERT,
JERRI COLBERT,
Plaintiffs-Appellees,
versus
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Defendant-Appellant,
KANDIS MARTINE, et al.,
Defendants.
________________________
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Florida
________________________
(May 7, 2015)
Before WILSON and ANDERSON, Circuit Judges, and VOORHEES, ∗ District
Judge.
∗
Honorable Richard Voorhees, United States District Judge for the Western District of
North Carolina, sitting by designation.
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VOORHEES, District Judge:
I.
The United States challenges subject matter jurisdiction, namely, the district
court’s partial summary judgment ruling that, under the Federal Tort Claims Act
(“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. § 1346 et seq., and pursuant to the self-determination
contract entered into between the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of
Indian Affairs (“BIA”) and the Navajo Nation Tribe, 25 U.S.C. § 450f 1, Navajo
Nation Department of Justice (“NNDOJ”) Attorney Kandis Martine was “deemed”
an employee of the BIA and afforded the full protection and coverage of the
FTCA. The district court determined that given Martine’s role in connection with
the Navajo Nation Child & Family Services Program (“NNCFS”), and its efforts to
oppose the adoption of a Navajo child by a non-Navajo family in Florida state
court, Martine was entitled to protection under the FTCA. As a result, the district
court dismissed Martine from the lawsuit and held that the United States was the
proper party-defendant, 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(3). On appeal, the United States
contends the district court erred in finding as a factual matter that Martine was
“carrying out” work under the self-determination contract. The United States
asserts that the decision to afford Martine FTCA coverage, allegedly based upon
1
All citations to the United States Code and the Code of Federal Regulations are to the
most recent edition, unless otherwise noted.
2
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erroneous factual findings, constitutes an impermissible extension of the
Government’s waiver of sovereign immunity.
Pursuant to the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act
(“Self-Determination Act” or “ISDEAA”), codified principally at 25 U.S.C. § 450,
et seq., Congress created a mechanism for Indian tribes and tribal organizations to
enter into agreements with the United States providing for the tribe or organization
to assume responsibility for programs or services to Indian populations that
otherwise would be provided by the Federal government. 2 See Pub. L. No.
93−638, 88 Stat. 2203 (1975).
In 2006, the BIA and the Navajo Nation entered into a three-year self-
determination contract (or ‘638 contract), effective January 1, 2006 through
December 31, 2008, which generally provides for the Navajo Nation to deliver an
array of social services to Navajo children and their families. Prior to 2006, these
social services were administered by the BIA under the Indian Child Welfare Act
(“ICWA”), 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901−1963. ICWA’s objective is “to protect the best
interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian
tribes and families . . . by providing for assistance to Indian tribes in the operation
of child and family service programs.” Id. § 1902. Of particular relevance here is
2
A “self-determination contract” is “a contract . . . between a tribal organization and the
appropriate Secretary for the planning, conduct and administration of programs or services which
are otherwise provided to Indian tribes and their members pursuant to Federal law.” 25 U.S.C. §
450b(j). The self-determination contracts provide for the allocation of federal funds to the tribe
or organization assuming responsibility for these programs or services. Id. § 450j-1.
3
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ICWA’s goal “to prevent the breakup of Indian families and, in particular, to insure
that the permanent removal of an Indian child from the custody of his parent or
Indian custodian shall be a last resort.” Id. § 1931(a). In connection with the ‘638
contract at issue here, the Navajo Nation established the Navajo Nation Child &
Family Services Program and charged NNCFS with the delivery of social services
to Navajo families in compliance with ICWA.
In or around March 2007, the Navajo Nation was notified of a potential
adoption of a Navajo child by a non-Navajo family and a related hearing scheduled
for April 2, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida.3 The Navajo Nation referred the case to
the NNCFS ICWA Unit, which was advised that the presiding state court judge
was not following ICWA’s placement preference. The Navajo Nation objected to
the proposed adoptive placement. During NNCFS’s staffing of cases with the
NNDOJ, the Director of the NNCFS Program, Regina Yazzie, elected to involve
NNDOJ Attorney Kandis Martine.
As an attorney for the NNDOJ, Martine serves as “the legal representative
for the NNCFS Program.” According to Martine, she dedicates more than half of
her time working for the NNCFS and approximately twenty percent of her time
working alongside the ICWA Unit at NNCFS. Martine, described by Yazzie as an
3
A Navajo mother relinquished her parental rights and the Navajo child was being
placed up for adoption. See in re: The Adoption Of: Baby Boy Billy, A Minor, Fourth Judicial
Circuit, Duval County, Florida. (Supp. App. 005). ICWA provides Indian tribes the right to
intervene “[i]n any State court proceeding for the foster care placement of, or termination of
parental rights to, an Indian child . . . .” 25 U.S.C. § 1911(c)(1978).
4
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“expert on ICWA,” was asked to attend the state court adoption hearing along with
a NNCFS ICWA Unit social worker. Martine obtained approval from her
immediate supervisor, Assistant Attorney General, at the NNDOJ to travel to
Jacksonville for the adoption hearing. The funds used for Martine’s travel were
provided by the NNCFS. The Navajo Nation, through Martine, also retained a
Florida adoption lawyer, Attorney Jodi Seitlin, to represent its interests in the state
proceeding. Although not licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, Martine
was expected to educate Seitlin about ICWA and monitor the state court adoption
proceeding relative to ICWA compliance.
On the morning of April 2, 2007, while in Jacksonville, Florida for the
hearing, Martine and NNCFS social worker, Lucy Laughter-Begay, were in a car
accident. At the time of the accident, Martine and Laughter-Begay were traveling
to Seitlin’s downtown office prior to the 10:00 a.m. hearing. Martine, the driver of
the rental car, traveled the wrong direction on a one-way street and caused a car
occupied by Ronald and Jerri Colbert to rear-end another vehicle, injuring both of
the Colberts and precipitating the instant civil action.
On October 2, 2009, after waiting six months for a response from the United
States to the Colberts’ administrative claims, the Colberts commenced litigation in
the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, against the United
States, Martine, and P.V. Holding Corporation, d/b/a “Budget Rent-A-Car System,
5
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Inc.” (“Budget”). 4 The Colberts’ complaint alleged negligence and loss of
consortium claims against the United States and Martine, and negligence, loss of
consortium, and dangerous instrumentality claims against Budget.
The Colberts named the United States as a party-defendant based upon the
Navajo self-determination contract. See 25 U.S.C. § 450f(a)(1)(b). Inclusion of
the United States as a party was premised on the theory that Martine is considered
a federal employee for purposes of the FTCA when performing work under the
self-determination contract. § 450f(c)(1).
After the lawsuit was filed, the BIA denied both administrative claims on
grounds that Martine was not a federal employee. Similarly, the United States
Attorney for the Middle District of Florida declined to certify that Martine was an
“employee of the Government” acting within the scope of her employment under
4
On November 24, 2008, as a prerequisite to filing a claim under the FTCA, the
Colberts submitted administrative claims with the BIA pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2675(a). Title
28, United States Code, Section 2675(a) reads:
An action shall not be instituted upon a claim against the United States for money
damages for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the
negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while
acting within the scope of his office or employment, unless the claimant shall
have first presented the claim to the appropriate Federal agency and his claim
shall have been finally denied by the agency in writing and sent by certified or
registered mail. The failure of an agency to make final disposition of a claim
within six months after it is filed shall, at the option of the claimant any time
thereafter, be deemed a final denial of the claim for purposes of this section . . . .
28 U.S.C. § 2675(a).
6
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28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(1). 5
On October 25, 2010, the United States moved to dismiss the claims brought
against the government pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure. The Colberts and Martine moved for partial summary judgment the
same day, asking the Court to rule as a matter of law that FTCA coverage was
available to Martine.
During the pendency of these motions, Ronald Colbert died and his wife
became the designated personal representative for his estate. On March 29, 2011,
a Second Amended Complaint was filed adding a wrongful death claim and,
alternatively, a survival action pursuant to Florida law.
On May 13, 2011, the district court denied the United States’ motion to
dismiss and the Colberts’ and Martine’s motions for partial summary judgment.
With respect to subject matter jurisdiction, the district court found that whether
Martine could properly be deemed a federal employee required an analysis of the
merits and further development of the record. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1). The
5
Title 28, United States Code, Section 2679 provides for the exclusiveness of remedies
against the United States for claims cognizable under the FTCA, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b). Title 28,
United States Code, Section 2679(d)(1) reads in pertinent part:
Upon certification by the Attorney General that the defendant employee was
acting within the scope of his office or employment at the time of the incident out
of which the claim arose, any civil action or proceeding commenced upon such
claim in a United States district court shall be deemed an action against the United
States under the provisions of this title and all references thereto, and the United
States shall be substituted as the party defendant.
28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(1).
7
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court also found that, at that stage of the case, genuine issues of material fact
precluded decision on the FTCA coverage issue. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.
In the fall of 2012, following discovery, the Colberts renewed the motion for
partial summary judgment on the same FTCA issue and Martine joined in the
motion. Martine’s motion also encompassed a request that the district court find
and certify under 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(3) that Martine is entitled to FTCA
coverage.6 Although the motion was styled as a summary judgment motion, the
court construed it as a petition for certification under § 2679(d)(3). On a more
developed evidentiary record, the district court reconsidered its May 13, 2011
decision that summary judgment disposition was precluded and held on November
21, 2012 that subject matter jurisdiction was present pursuant to the FTCA, 28
U.S.C. § 1346(b). Martine was dismissed from the case and the United States was
substituted as contemplated by 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(3). The claims against Budget
were dismissed at summary judgment.
6
When the Attorney General elects not to certify that the defendant was an employee, or
was acting within the scope of office or employment under § 2679(d)(1), § 2679(d)(3) permits
certification by the U.S. District Court. Subsection 2679(d)(3) reads in pertinent part:
In the event that the Attorney General has refused to certify scope of office or
employment under this section, the employee may at any time before trial petition
the court to find and certify that the employee was acting within the scope of his
office or employment. Upon such certification by the court, such action or
proceeding shall be deemed to be an action or proceeding brought against the
United States under the provisions of this title and all references thereto, and the
United States shall be substituted as the party defendant. . . .
28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(3).
8
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The district court presided over a five-day bench trial held June 10, 2013
through June 14, 2013 to determine liability and damages. On November 20,
2013, the court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law. The trial judge
found the United States eighty percent at fault and Mr. Colbert twenty percent at
fault. The United States was ordered to pay the Colberts more than 2.6 million
dollars in damages. On March 6, 2014, upon a Rule 59(e) motion filed by the
Government, the damages award was subsequently reduced, resulting in a final
judgment against the United States in the amount of $2,599,691.20.
On appeal, the United States challenges the applicability of the FTCA under
these facts. The district court’s findings concerning liability and damages are not
at issue.
On March 12, 2015, the Navajo Nation was granted leave of this Court to
participate as amicus curiae. The Navajo Nation urges the Court to affirm in
recognition of the objective of the ISDEAA and implications for future tribal
employees performing ‘638 contract functions.
II.
This Court “review[s] de novo a district court’s determination of whether it
has subject-matter jurisdiction.” Gupta v. McGahey, 709 F.3d 1062, 1064−65
(11th Cir. 2013). The district court’s interpretation or construction of a statute is
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also subject to de novo review. Bankston v. Then, 615 F.3d 1364, 1367 (11th Cir.
2010).
III.
Having conducted a de novo review, we conclude that the district court’s
decision concerning subject matter jurisdiction is consistent with ISDEAA’s
statutory scheme, the terms of the governing self-determination contract, and the
record evidence. We begin by considering the origin of ISDEAA.
The Congressional statement of findings present in 25 U.S.C. § 405 provides
that:
The Congress, after careful review of the Federal
government’s historical and special legal relationship
with, and resulting responsibilities to, American Indian
people, finds that − the prolonged Federal domination of
Indian service programs has served to retard rather than
enhance the progress of Indian people and their
communities by depriving Indians of the full opportunity
to develop leadership skills crucial to the realization of
self-government, and has denied to the Indian people an
effective voice in the planning and implementation of
programs for the benefit of Indians which are responsive
to the true needs of Indian communities.
25 U.S.C. § 450(a)(1). Based upon these Congressional findings, the United States
declared as policy “the obligation of the United States to respond to the strong
expression of the Indian people for self-determination by assuring maximum
Indian participation in the direction of. . . Federal services to Indian communities .
. . .” Id. § 450a(a). Likewise, the Congress declared its commitment to
10
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“establish[] a meaningful Indian self-determination policy which will permit an
orderly transition from the Federal domination of programs for, and services to,
Indians to effective and meaningful participation by the Indian people in the
planning, conduct, and administration of those programs and services.” Id. §
450a(b).
The Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act implements
this policy. However, as originally enacted, ISDEAA failed to account for the
problem of liability insurance for tribal employees who “step into the shoes” of the
federal government pursuant to these self-determination contracts. See FGS
Constructors, Inc. v. Carlow, 64 F.3d 1230, 1234 (8th Cir. 1995) (“Congress
acknowledged that the tribal governments, when carrying out self-determination
contracts, were performing a federal function and that a unique legal trust
relationship existed between the tribal government and the federal government in
these agreements.”); see also S. Rep. No. 107−324, at 2 (2002), available at 2002
WL 31474281 (“The Self Determination Act authorizes Indian tribes and tribal
consortia to ‘step into the shoes’ of the United States and assume responsibility and
managerial control of services and programs previously administered by the
Federal government.”). As a result, tribal employees performing what would
otherwise be “federal” work did not enjoy FTCA protection.
In 1990, Congress took additional measures and amended ISDEAA by
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requiring the BIA to obtain liability insurance “for Indian tribes, tribal
organizations, and tribal contractors carrying out” self-determination contracts. 25
U.S.C. § 450f(c)(1). Section 314 of the ISDEAA provides in pertinent part:
With respect to claims resulting from the performance of
functions . . . under a contract . . . authorized by the
[ISDEAA] . . ., an Indian tribe, tribal organization or
Indian contractor is deemed hereafter to be part of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior
. . . while carrying out any such contract . . . and its
employees are deemed employees of the [BIA] . . . while
acting within the scope of their employment in carrying
out the contract . . . . [A]fter September 30, 1990, any
civil action or proceeding involving such claims brought
hereafter against any tribe, tribal organization, Indian
contractor or tribal employee covered by this provision
shall be deemed to be an action against the United States
and will be defended by the Attorney General and be
afforded the full protection and coverage of the Federal
Tort Claims Act . . . .
See Pub. L. No. 101− 512, § 314, 104 Stat. 1915 (1990) (codified at 25 U.S.C. §
450f notes). Therefore, as a result of the 1990 Amendment to ISDEAA
(commonly referred to as “Section 314”), Congress provided that Indian tribes,
tribal organizations, Indian contractors, and their employees, may be deemed
employees of the BIA for purposes of the FTCA when they are carrying out
functions authorized in or under a self-determination contract. Id.
Federal regulations confirm the intended breadth of ISDEAA’s FTCA
protection. In addition to offering FTCA protection to tribal employees paid
directly pursuant to ‘638 contracts, FTCA coverage is available to tribal employees
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who are paid from funding derived from a source other than self-determination
contract funding “as long as the services out of which the claim arose were
performed in carrying out the self-determination contract.” See 25 C.F.R. §
900.197 (emphasis added).7
IV.
As a matter of first impression, we consider the plain meaning of Section
314 of the Self-Determination Act and hold that the statutory language is
unambiguous. See Lowery v. Alabama Power Co., 483 F.3d 1184, 1199 (11th Cir.
2007) (internal citations omitted). Accordingly, to the extent not already defined
by statute, we assign all terms their ordinary meaning. 8 Id.7
Title 25, Section 900.197 of the Code of Federal Regulations, asks and answers the
question:
Does FTCA cover employees of the contractor who are paid by the
contractor from funds other than those provided through the self-determination
contract?
Yes, as long as the services out of which the claim arose were performed
in carrying out the self-determination contract.
25 C.F.R. § 900.197. Section 900.197 was promulgated after public notice and comment and
has the force and effect of law. See Perez v. Mortgage Bankers Ass’n, 135 S.Ct. 1199, 1203
(2015) (“Rules issued through the notice-and-comment process are often referred to as
‘legislative rules’ because they have the ‘force and effect of law.’”) (quoting Chrysler Corp. v.
Brown, 441 U.S. 281, 302−03 (1979)).
8
The district court aptly noted competing canons of construction advanced by the
parties. First, the “principle of statutory construction that statutes passed for the benefit of
dependent Indian tribes are to be liberally construed, with doubtful expressions being resolved in
favor of the Indians.” (M & O, 23−24) (citations omitted). Secondly, “[a] waiver of the Federal
Government’s sovereign immunity must be unequivocally expressed in statutory text, and will
not be implied. Moreover, a waiver of the Government’s sovereign immunity will be strictly
construed, in terms of its scope, in favor of the sovereign.” (M & O, 24−25) (citations omitted).
13
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Section 314 expressly provides FTCA coverage to “an Indian tribe, tribal
organization or Indian contractor . . . and its employees” that are engaged in
“carrying out” functions authorized in or under a self-determination contract. 25
U.S.C. § 450f notes. The ISDEAA defines the terms “Indian tribe,” “tribal
organization,” and “Indian.”9 25 U.S.C. § 450b. For purposes of ISDEAA,
“Indian contractor” necessarily refers to a member of an Indian tribe, or “a tribe-
related organization that may itself enter into a self-determination contract” as
opposed to a private party. See FGS Constructors, Inc., 64 F.3d at 1234−35
(“Indian contractor” is “limited to a tribe-related organization that may itself enter
into a self-determination contract, not a private party . . . that has been retained to
work on a project funded by a self-determination contract.”); see also Demontiney
v. United States, 54 Fed. Cl. 780, 786 (Fed. Cl. 2002).
Because the district court found Section 314, ISDEAA’s FTCA provision, unambiguous, neither
of these canons was found to control the analysis.
9
“‘Indian tribe’ means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or
community, . . . which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided
by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.” 25 U.S.C. § 450b(e).
“‘[T]ribal organization’ means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally
established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such
governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian
community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of
Indians in all phases of its activities.” Id. § 450b(l). “‘Indian’ means a person who is a member
of an Indian tribe.” Id. § 450b(d).
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Next, we consider the meaning of “carrying out” in the context of Section
314.10 The phrase “to carry out” has been defined as “to put into execution,” “to
bring to a successful issue,” or “[t]o conduct duly to completion or conclusion; to
carry into practice or to logical consequences or inferences.” Shirk v. United
States, 773 F.3d 999, 1005 (9th Cir. 2014) (internal citations omitted) (relying on
dictionaries for the ordinary meaning of the term at or around the time of the
statute’s enactment). Therefore, “carrying out” a self-determination contract
simply means to act or perform under the contract.
The term “employee” is defined in part by the contours of the FTCA, which
we acknowledge is an exception to the general rule that the United States enjoys
sovereign immunity unless that immunity is expressly waived. See Means v.
United States, 176 F.3d 1376, 1378−79 (11th Cir. 1999); see also Suarez v. United
States, 22 F.3d 1064, 1065 (11th Cir. 1994) (“The FTCA is a specific,
congressional exception to the general rule of sovereign immunity.”). In Means,
we explained:
Congress has authorized a limited waiver of sovereign
immunity under the FTCA
for injury or loss of property, or personal
injury or death caused by the negligent or
wrongful act or omission of any employee
10
We observe that this “carrying out” limitation qualifies the group of ‘638 tribal actors
(i.e., “Indian tribe, tribal organization or Indian contractor . . . and its employees”) including the
potentially eligible tortfeasor-employee, Martine.
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of the Government while acting within the
scope of his office or employment, under
circumstances where the United States, if a
private person, would be liable to the
claimant in accordance with the law of the
place where the act or omission occurred.
Means, 176 F.3d at 1378−79 (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)) (emphasis added); see
also United States v. Orleans, 425 U.S. 807, 813 (1976). “Whether an individual is
an employee of the United States for purposes of the FTCA is determined by
federal law.” Means, 176 F.3d at 1379 (internal citations omitted).
Notwithstanding the United States’ contrary position, ISDEAA’s Section
314 means exactly what it says. Section 314 expands the United States’ waiver of
sovereign immunity to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian contractors, and
their employees as a means of advancing the “long-standing federal policy of
encouraging Indian self-determination, giving Indian tribes control over the
administration of federal programs benefitting Indians.” FGS Constructors, Inc.,
64 F.3d at 1234; see also Allender v. Scott, 379 F.Supp.2d 1206, 1218 n.15 (D.
N.M. 2005) (responding to policy arguments of the government agencies and
noting that Congress settled the question in favor of providing insurance coverage).
In addition, the parties agree that, if properly “deemed” a BIA employee,
Martine was acting within the scope of her employment under Florida law and as
contemplated within Section 314. Therefore, the sole issue presented for this
Court is whether Martine was, in fact, carrying out the Navajo self-determination
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contract when the car accident occurred and, therefore, properly “deemed” a BIA
employee falling within the protection of the FTCA.
In seeking to apply ISDEAA to the facts of this case, we next turn to the
Navajo self-determination contract. 11 See, e.g., 25 U.S.C. § 450l. The first matters
addressed by the self-determination contract are “Authority and Purpose.”
(Contract, § A). At the outset, the self-determination contract states that it “is
entered into by the Secretary of the Interior [BIA] . . . for and on behalf of the
United States pursuant to [ISDEAA] and by the authority of the Navajo Nation
(referred to in this agreement as the ‘Contractor’).” (Contract, § A, 1) (emphasis
added). To be clear, the Navajo Nation is the contracting authority – not the
NNCFS. In the following paragraph, the purpose of the self-determination contract
is explained:
Each provision of the [ISDEAA] and each provision of
this Contract shall be liberally construed for the benefit
of the Contractor to transfer the funding and the
following related functions, services, activities and
programs (or portions thereof), that are otherwise
contractible . . ., including all related administrative
functions, from the Federal Government to the
Contractor: Navajo Children and Family Services
Program (ICWA).
11
The Navajo self-determination contract is based on a “model” ‘638 contract.
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(Contract, § A, 2). Thus, the Navajo self-determination contract effectively
transfers the BIA’s responsibility for ensuring adherence to ICWA to the Navajo
Nation. To that end, the Navajo Nation created and funded NNCFS.
The Navajo self-determination contract incorporates by reference an Annual
Funding Agreement (“AFA”), which itself is comprised of multiple funding-
related documents, including “Attachment A,” entitled “Scope of Work.” The
AFA addresses its “Program, Functions, Services and Activities”:
The Navajo Nation shall administer and perform those
portions of the [BIA’s] Navajo Children & Family
Services Program identified in the Scope of Work, . . . in
accordance with its own laws and policies and the terms,
provisions, and conditions of the Contract and this AFA
and any attachments thereto. . . .”
(AFA, § A, ¶ 1). 12
The Scope of Work attachment identifies the specific goals and tasks to be
undertaken by the Navajo Nation under the contract. Indeed, consistent with
ICWA, the Navajo Nation’s goals are: “to prevent the break up of Navajo families,
to protect the best interest of Navajo children and to promote the stability of
Navajo families.” (AFA, Attach. A). The means for achieving these goals are
specifically outlined as eleven enumerated functions within the Scope of Work.
Here, the relevant contract functions are:
12
Again, although the NNCFS is the designated beneficiary, the signatories to the AFA
are the Navajo Nation and the BIA.
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5. Request coordination of legal services from the
Navajo Nation Department of Justice on behalf of Navajo
children and families, when applicable.
9. Provide education and training on the provisions of
ICWA.
11. Monitor the efforts made by the State to comply with
the ICWA, such as, placement preference and whether
active efforts are being provided.
(AFA, § A, ¶¶ 5, 9, 11).
In addition to setting out the boundaries of the self-determination contract,
the AFA speaks directly to application of the FTCA. Under the “Federal Tort
Claims Act” section of the AFA:
For purposes of Federal Tort Claims Act coverage, the
Navajo Nation and its employees are deemed to be
employees of the Federal government while performing
work under the contract. This status is not changed by
the source of the funds used by the Navajo Nation to pay
the employees [sic] salary and benefits unless the
employee receives additional compensation for
performing covered services from anyone other than the
Navajo Nation.
(AFA, § O) (emphases added); see 25 C.F.R. § 900.186(a) (model FTCA clause).
The AFA speaks broadly in terms of FTCA coverage being available for all
Navajo Nation employees assuming the other statutory criteria are met. Id.Consistent with Section 314 of ISDEAA, the AFA does not limit FTCA coverage
to employees of the NNCFS.
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In this case, Martine works for the NNDOJ, which in and of itself is not a
party to, nor designated beneficiary of, any ‘638 contract.13 However, Martine is a
member and employee of the Navajo Nation, a recognized eligible Indian tribe as
defined by ISDEAA. See 25 U.S.C. § 450b(e). In sum, given the aims of
ISDEAA, and the terms of the Navajo self-determination contract, we conclude
that, for purposes of the debated FTCA coverage, the relevant limiting principle is
the alleged tortfeasor’s performance of identifiable ‘638 contract functions –
“carrying out” the self-determination contract. Thus, the actual work performed by
Martine is the focus of our factual inquiry.
V.
The district court properly found as a fact that Martine was “carrying out”
the self-determination contract by performing functions identifiable in, and
expressly authorized by or under, the contract, namely, Scope of Work Functions 9
and 11. According to the Government, Martine’s licensure as an attorney,
including her purported performance of “legal services” in connection with the
Jacksonville, Florida adoption proceeding, is dispositive of the issue and precludes
13
As already noted, the fact that Martine’s salary was not paid directly via ‘638 contract
funds is not determinative. See 25 C.F.R. § 900.197. The NNDOJ receives federal funding
indirectly for its employees’ ‘638 contract work. There is also provision within ISDEAA for
“contract support costs” for funding activities necessary to ensure compliance with the ‘638
contract goals. 25 U.S.C. § 450j-1(a)(2).
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FTCA coverage. Given that Martine performed at least two other identifiable
functions under the Navajo self-determination contract, we need not decide
whether Martine actually performed legal services. 14
In this instance, Martine testified that her work for the NNCFS was
consistent with, and in furtherance of, the prescribed ‘638 contract goals:
“To assist our contract attorney on an adoption
case in the state court of Florida.”
“[T]elling [the contract attorney] what ICWA is,
providing her guidance on how the case should go, but
leaving it to her as the legal representative.”
“I was present in the state of Florida for an Indian
child welfare case that fell under the federal law of the
Indian Child Welfare Act, in that a mother relinquished
her rights to her child and requested that the child be
adopted by a nonnative family. Navajo Nation objected
to that. And we wanted the state court, as well as the
adoptive family to realize that under the federal law, the
placement preferences are that the child be placed with a
Navajo family.
So my intention as a representative – a legal
representative of Navajo Child & Family Services was to
assist them by, first of all, locating a contract attorney to
14
Martine’s primary role did not entail the performance of “legal services.” Rather,
separate counsel was retained to represent the interests of the Navajo Nation in the Jacksonville,
Florida adoption proceeding. Although licensed as an attorney in the States of New Mexico,
Washington, and within the Navajo Nation, Martine was not licensed to practice law in the State
of Florida. Martine was not admitted pro hac vice and did not enter an appearance on the record
as counsel. Beyond answering questions posed to her by the Court, Martine did not make legal
arguments, present legal briefs, or address the Court for purposes of representing NNCFS.
Moreover, even if Martine was engaged in helping to develop the NNCFS legal strategy with the
Florida adoption attorney, there is no provision within ISDEAA, the Navajo self-determination
contract, or any other statute or applicable regulation that purports to restrict Martine from
performing legal services while contemporaneously carrying out the ‘638 contract.
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represent us in the court and to assist that contract
attorney with the complexities of the Indian Child
Welfare Act . . . .”
In other words, consistent with Scope of Work Function 9, Martine made herself
available to the Navajo Nation’s contract attorney, Jody Seitlin, to educate and
train Seitlin (and possibly others involved in the adoption proceeding) on ICWA.
Similarly, Martine’s physical presence at the adoption hearing enabled Martine to
monitor first-hand the State’s efforts to comply with ICWA as outlined by Scope
of Work Function 11. The evidentiary record supports the district court’s finding
that, at the time of the accident, Martine was carrying out work falling squarely
within the Navajo self-determination contract.
Likewise, the district court properly found that Martine was sufficiently
qualified to perform Scope of Work Functions 9 and 11, and eligible for FTCA
protection, despite her professional status as an attorney. The Government argues
that attorneys are not contemplated by the ‘638 contract that governs here.
Appellees, on the other hand, argue that under ISDEAA, the Indian tribe must be
allowed discretion to determine who is needed to carry out the ‘638 contract.
There is no support within Section 314, or the Navajo self-determination
contract itself, for the proposition that a tribal attorney is ipso facto not qualified to
perform traditional social work tasks. The Government points to the “Personnel
Management” section within the AFA that reads in part:
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[A]ll personnel employed by the Navajo Nation to
carry out the Contract and this AFA shall meet the
qualifications set forth by the Navajo Nation Department
of Personnel Management . . . .
(AFA § I.2). The Government argues that, in light of the need to strictly construe
waiver of its sovereign immunity, the proper construction of the ‘638 contract is to
require a staffing plan that identifies “key personnel” and their qualifications in
order to limit employee eligibility for FTCA protection. See 25 C.F.R. §
23.23(b)(6)(i)−(ii). 15 More specifically, the United States contends that for
purposes of FTCA, “key personnel” should be limited to those positions set out
within the Program Budget and Description of Positions attachments to the AFA.
The Government relies on the Shirk decision for this proposition, which we find
unpersuasive. See, Shirk, 773 F.3d at 1006−07 (observing in dictum that “[i]f a
court determines that the relevant federal [self-determination] contract does not
encompass the activity that the plaintiff ascribes to the employee, or if the
15
Section 23.23 of the Code of Federal Regulations prescribes mandatory tribal
applications requirements for ‘638 contracts, including:
A staffing plan that is consistent with the implementation of the above-described
program plan of operation and the procedures necessary for the successful
delivery of services.
The plan must include proposed key personnel; their qualifications, training or
experience relevant to the services to be provided; responsibilities; Indian
preference criteria for employment; and position descriptions.
25 C.F.R. § 23.23(b)(6)(i). Here, the Navajo self-determination contract includes a staffing plan
in the Scope of Work and other AFA attachments.
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agreement covers that conduct, but not with respect to the employee in question,
there is no subject matter jurisdiction.”) (emphasis added).
Admittedly, the AFA does not include the position of “attorney” within its
listing of budgeted NNCSF personnel. However, “guidance, legal representation,
and advice to Indian families” involved in child custody proceedings is precisely
the type of child and family program envisioned by ICWA. See 25 U.S.C. §
1931(a); 25 C.F.R. §§ 23.13(a)−(f) and 23.22(a)(6)(2014). 16 In fact, the evidence
tends to show that the NNCFS and NNDOJ often worked in tandem to accomplish
these and other ICWA objectives on behalf of the Navajo Nation. Most
importantly, to accept the Government’s proposed construction would require the
Court to ignore the more specific AFA FTCA clause, which expressly states that
coverage under the FTCA is available to “any Navajo Nation employee” carrying
16
Section 23.22 of Title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations identifies the purpose of
tribal government grants to Indian Tribes under ICWA as for the establishment and operation of
tribally designed Indian child and family service programs. Section 23.22 reads in part:
The objective of every Indian child and family service program
shall be to prevent the breakup of Indian families and to ensure that
the permanent removal of an Indian child from the custody of his
or her Indian parent or Indian custodian shall be a last resort. Such
child and family programs may include, but need not be limited to:
(8) Guidance, legal representation and advice to Indian families
involved in tribal, state, or Federal child custody proceedings . . .
.
25 C.F.R. § 23.22(a)(8) (emphasis added).
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out work under the ‘638 contract.17
VI.
Finally, we also hold that provision of FTCA coverage to Martine and the
substitution of the United States under 28 U.S.C. § 2679(d)(3), does not constitute
an improper extension of the waiver of sovereign immunity. First, as previously
discussed, Section 314 of ISDEAA is unambiguous and plainly extends the United
States’ waiver of sovereign immunity to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Indian
contractors and their employees that are engaged in “carrying out” functions
authorized in or under a self-determination contract. Secondly, because Martine’s
work fell squarely within the identifiable functions of the Navajo self-
determination contract, the district court’s application of the law to these facts
comports with the above-referenced sovereign immunity principles, including the
FTCA.
AFFIRMED.
17
Advancing the same sovereign immunity argument in a different manner, the United
States contends that Congress did not intend for FTCA coverage to extend to tribal employees
acting in roles not traditionally filled by the BIA. The United States claims that because the BIA
would not have hired a federal lawyer to represent the interests of the Navajo Nation Tribe (as
opposed to the interests of Navajo children and families), Martine cannot be entitled to FTCA
coverage. The United States attempts to draw a distinction between the respective interests of
the Navajo Nation and Navajo children and families that does not exist. The United States’
argument cannot be reconciled with ICWA, which expressly and unequivocally aligns the
Navajo Nation’s interests with the interests of its members − Navajo children and families. See
25 U.S.C. § 1931(a). The Tribe’s ideal to preserve the Navajo family unit to the extent possible
is merely one example of their common interests. See id. § 1902 (ICWA’s objective is “to protect
the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and
families . . . .”).
25