A federal judge in South Dakota dismissed a lawsuit that sought to distribute the Black Hills trust fund.

Judge Lawrence Piersol said 19 members of eight Sioux tribes lack standing to sue the federal government. The trust fund is being held on behalf of the tribes, he noted.

The Indian Claims Commission awarded the Sioux Nation money for the taking of the Black Hills. Most Sioux leaders and tribal members oppose the distribution of the trust fund, saying they were tricked during the process.

The trust fund has grown to more than $900 million. The initial award from the Indian Claims Commission was $17.5 million, the Associated Press reported.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Different Horse v. Salazar.

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Judge tosses Sioux lawsuit over Black Hills money (AP 8/8)