Wrangell Sentinel -

What was described by a Southeast tribal leader as a benchmark achievement has led to what could become landmark litigation over Native lands.

The state of Alaska filed a lawsuit Jan. 17 against the federal government over a small plot of land in downtown Juneau, which was approved as the first parcel owned by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska to be put into federal trust.

Lands held in trust are afforded permanent protection from state or municipal actions that could be detrimental to the tribe, according to supporters of the transfer.

The state’s lawsu...