Four years after winning a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court case, the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona is reclaiming part of its history.
In March 2003, the high court ruled that the federal government breached its trust duties to the tribe by allowing Fort Apache to fall into disrepair. The decision paved the way for a $12 million settlement to rehabilitation, upgrade and repair the site, which inspired Hollywood movies and television shows..
The tribe's Fort Apache Heritage Foundation will now manage 24 of 27 buildings at Fort Apache. The other buildings remain under the control of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which operates the Theodore Roosevelt School.
The tribe will be hosting a public celebration on May 27, during the Ndee La Ade/Gathering of the People, the 8th Annual Great Fort Apache Heritage Reunion.
Get the Story:Persistence pays off for the White Mountain Apache Tribe (Indian Country Today 3/14) Supreme Court Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Souter] | Concurrence [Ginsburg] | Dissent [Thomas] Relevant Links:
White Mountain Apache Tribe - http://www.wmat.nsn.us Related Stories:
Arizona tribe settles trust mismanagement case (05/18)
Trial testimony focuses on trust standards (06/03)
Ariz. congressman to visit historic Apache fort (04/23)
Ore. tribes await outcome of trust fund case (04/17)
Reach of Supreme Court's trust rulings debated (04/14)
Indian Country takes on trust relationship debate (04/08)
Tribal official recalls battle to protect Ariz. fort (04/02)
Supreme Court panel's predictions mostly came true (03/19)
Supreme Court upholds common law trust claim (3/5)
Supreme Court issues trust decisions (3/4)
Panel predicts Apache victory (12/4)
U.S. pressed on trust duties (12/3)
Supreme Court takes on trust (12/2)
Review disputes 'costly' Indian trust litigation (10/21)
U.S. argues limits as trustee (8/9)
Griles slammed for ignorance (7/12)
Griles can't explain trust standards (6/27)
Court to decide limits of trust duty (4/23)
Supreme Court taking on trust (4/22)
Leave no Apache school behind (3/29)
Apache Tribe wins trust case appeal (5/17)
