Tribes

Judge Dismisses Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Lawsuit Against Dakota Access Pipeline, Senator Cramer Applauds the Ruling

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BISMARCK, N.D. — A federal judge has rejected the latest legal effort by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to close down the Dakota Access Pipeline. This decision marks a significant legal victory for proponents of the pipeline who have been engaged in a protracted legal battle over its operations. Judge James Boasberg of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against the tribe’s lawsuit, effectively allowing the continued operation of the contentious pipeline. The Dakota Access Pipeline, which has been at the center of environmental and indigenous rights debates, remains a … Read more

Wells Fargo to Challenge $800 Million Verdict in Favor of Seminole Tribe’s Children Trust Fund

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a significant ruling, Wells Fargo has been ordered to pay more than $800 million in damages to a trust fund established for the children of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This decision comes after a contentious six-week trial in Broward County, which concluded with a jury deliberation lasting approximately six hours. Despite the verdict, Wells Fargo plans to challenge the decision through an appeal. Meghan McDonald, spokeswoman for Wells Fargo’s Wealth and Investment Management department, expressed disappointment over the jury’s ruling. “We adhered to the Tribal Government’s detailed instructions regarding … Read more

Jury Orders Major U.S. Bank to Pay $826 Million to Seminole Tribe’s Children for Trust Mismanagement

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a landmark decision, a Broward County jury has awarded a massive $826 million to the descendants of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This historic verdict, considered one of the largest in county history, comes after claims that a major American bank mismanaged a tribal trust fund over more than a decade, resulting in subpar returns. The lawsuit centered on the Minors Per Capita Payment Trust, initially set up in 2005 with Wachovia Bank, which later came under the control of Wells Fargo in 2008. The trust, designed to financially benefit … Read more

Federal Court Revives Native American Tribe’s Lawsuit Over Casino Built on Sacred Grounds

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a significant turn of events, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a lawsuit by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation which contends that another tribe’s casino construction has violated the sanctity of their ancestral lands in Alabama. This case marks a poignant instance of inter-tribal legal strife over historical lands that hold deep cultural significance. The Oklahoma-based Muscogee Nation has long contested the development undertaken by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, asserting that the land in question, known as Hickory Ground, is a sacred burial site. The Muscogee were … Read more