US Government Documents related to Indigenous Nations
Congress
104th Congress, 2d Session
Files
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Description
This court case, decided on August 28, 1996, presented the problem of tribal council authority to enter the tribe into binding contracts. The disputing parties in this case entered a contract for co-operation of casino activities at Four Bears Motor Lodge while Wilbur Wilkinson was part of the Tribal Council. When the council changed leadership, the validity of the contract between Bruce Lien Co. and the Three Affiliated Tribes was challenged by the new leadership who alleged that Wilkinson did not have the authority to bind the Three Affiliated Tribes to the contract. Bruce Lien Co. felt they were entitled to additional compensation for start-up costs and disputed increased licensing fees imposed by the tribes. The court ruled that the issue of whether or not Wilkinson had the authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the Three Affiliated Tribes needs to be decided first and foremost. As such, the court ruled that tribal remedies need to be exhausted before the case can move forward.
Publication Date
8-28-1996
Keywords
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, tribal council authority, Bruce Lien Co, Four Bears Motor Lodge, casino, lawsuit, litigation, trial
Organizations Referenced
Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Mandan, Nueta, Hidatsa, Arikara, Sahnish, Bruce Lien Co.
People Referenced
Russell D. Mason, Marty Fox, Daylon Spotted Bear, Ivan Johnson, Austin Gillette, George Fast Dog, Ed Hall, P. Diane Avery, Andrew W. Bogue, Wilbur Wilkinson
Publisher
Government Printing Office
Disciplines
American Politics | Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law | Indigenous Studies | Law and Politics | Native American Studies | United States History
Recommended Citation
Bruce Lien Co. v. Three Affiliated Tribes. 93 F.3d 1412 (1996). https://commons.und.edu/indigenous-gov-docs/133/.
Included in
American Politics Commons, Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Law and Politics Commons, Native American Studies Commons, United States History Commons
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