The lawyer in the $25 billion Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school abuse case plans to file a claim with the agency now that a court has dismissed the lawsuit.

The students say they suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse at schools formerly overseen by the BIA. They say the government failed to live up to the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie and protect them from the "Bad Men."

A federal judge last month dismissed the case. The judge said the former students should have gone to the BIA first to deal with "Bad Men" claims.

The plaintiffs are six members of the Sioux Nation. They are seeking class action status for the suit.

Get the Story:
Lawyer: Indian school students have recourse (AP 11/17)

Get the Decision:
Zephier v. United States (October 29, 2004)

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