Supreme Court of the United States
United States v. Navajo Nation
March 4, 2003537 U.S. 488
Summary
The Court held that the Indian Mineral Leasing Act of 1938 and its implementing regulations do not impose specific fiduciary duties on the Secretary of the Interior that can be enforced through a money damages action under the Indian Tucker Act. The Tribe's claim for breach of trust regarding coal lease amendments failed because no provision of the IMLA or its regulations mandates compensation for the Government's alleged fiduciary wrongs. Justice Souter, dissenting, would have held that the Secretary's approval obligation under the IMLA created a fiduciary duty sufficient to survive summary judgment.
Holding
- Whether the IMLA imposes fiduciary duties enforceable by damages.. The IMLA and its regulations do not provide the substantive law that mandates compensation by the Federal Government for alleged breach of trust.
Docket 01-1375
Cited authorities
- 52 Stat. 347
- 41 Stat. 31
- 25 U.S.C. § 399
- 25 C.F.R. §211.2
- 25 C.F.R. § 211.15
- Pub. L. 94-377, §6
- 90 Stat. 1087
- 30 U.S.C. § 207