A new book tells the story of Raymond Cross, one of the first Indian lawyers who helped his North Dakota tribe win a landmark claim.

Cross, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, is the subject of "Coyote Warrior" by author Paul VanDevelder. The book explains how the tribe obtained a $149.2 million judgment for the flooding of their land by the federal government.

Cross knew of the impacts of the dam flooding from his elders. He said the injustice forced him into action. He took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cross is currently a law professor at the University of Montana.

Get the Story:
A warrior's tale: 'Coyote Warrior' brings the story of Indian rights to life (The Missoulian 9/30)

Relevant Links:
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com

Related Stories:
N.D. tribe asks Congress to fulfill 50-year-old promise (6/13)
N.D. tribes still feel effects of dam project (6/10)