Dakota descendants sue for return of land promised by 1863 law

Wednesday, May 21, 2014  

A group of Dakota descendants filed suit in federal court on Tuesday to seek the return of land promised to them in 1863.

Congress authorized the selection of land for the loyal Mdewakanton to reward them for supporting the federal government during the 1862 Dakota War. In 1865, the Interior Department set aside 12 square miles for the Dakota and their descendants "forever," the complaint states.

The land is now a part of three counties that are named in the lawsuit. Some is part of the Lower Sioux Indian Community, also named as a defendant.

The Dakota descendants previously sued the federal government for activity that occurred on the land. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, however, said they weren't entitled to damages under the law in question.

Turtle Talk has posted the complaint in the new case, Wolfchild v. Redwood County, which was filed in federal court in Minnesota.

Get the Story:
Loyal Mdewakanton Tribe Sues For Land Reclamation (WCCO 5/20)
Mdewakanton descendants file lawsuit to reacquire land (KARE 5/21)

Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Wolfchild v. US (September 27, 2013)

Supreme Court turns down Dakota trust mismanagement case (03/10)
Supreme Court asked to hear Dakota trust mismanagement case (02/19)
Dakota descendants back in court over mismanagement of trust (1/28)
Native Sun News: Loyal Mdewakanton Dakota win a partial ruling (1/19)
Dakota descendants win another round in trust management suit (1/11)