In that case, James Smith sought to have a case heard in federal court which he had previously brought in a tribal court; when he disagreed with that court's decision, he claimed that the tribal court had had no jurisdiction in the first place.
James Smith sought to have a case heard in federal court. This was in that case. He had previously brought in a tribal court this federal court. The tribal court had had no jurisdiction in the first place. This was what he claimed. He disagreed with that court's decision.