United States v. White Mountain Apache Tribe
The White Mountain Apache tribe sued the federal government for failure to maintain or restore a former military post (Fort Apache) located on tribal land. The government held the property in trust for the tribe pursuant to a 1960 Act of Congress. The court of claims dismissed the suit for failure to state a claim. The court of appeals reversed, holding in relevant part that the 1960 Act created a fiduciary relationship between the government and the tribe, and it naturally follows that the government should be liable in damages for the breach of its fiduciary duties.
Question Presented:
Whether the 1960 Act authorizes the award of money damages against the United States for alleged breach of trust in connection with the property.
