The plaintiffs in the Dakota trust mismanagement case plan to appeal a decision that ended their lawsuit, an attorney said.

The Wolfchild plaintiffs had won a ruling that said the federal government breached its fiduciary duties by failing to hold land in trust for them. But the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals said Congress never created a trust in the first place.

The land at issue is now part of the Shakopee, Prairie Island and Lower Sioux reservations in Minnesota. The plaintiffs say they are owed money for activities -- including some successful casinos -- that have occurred on the properties.

Attorney Erick Kaardal said an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely.

Get the Story:
Court rules group has no claim to casinos (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 3/13)
Court rejects lawsuit by Mdewakanton descendants (The Prior Lake American 3/13)

Federal Circuit Decision:
Wolfchild v US (March 10, 2009)

Court of Federal Claims Decision:
Wolfchild v. US (December 16, 2005)

Related Stories:
Turtle Talk: Issues at play in Dakota trust case (3/11)
Appeals court decision in Dakota trust case (3/10)
Judge expands Dakota trust mismanagement suit (4/30)
Dakota descendants fight for land trust rights (4/23)
Dakota descendants await payment in trust case (8/14)
Judge reaffirms ruling in Dakota trust fund lawsuit (12/19)
Meetings set in Mdewakanton trust fund lawsuit (01/28)
Dakota descendants win round in trust fund case (10/29)
Dakota descendants file trust mismanagement suit (11/19)
Minn. tribes challenged on membership policies (11/17)