Document: 425 U.S. 649 96 S.Ct. 1793 48 L.Ed.2d 274 The NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBE, Petitioner,v.William HOLLOWBREAST et al. No. 75-145. Argued March 29, 1976. Decided May 19, Syllabus Section 3 of the Northern Cheyenne Allotment Act 1926 (Act) reserves coal and other mineral deposits underlying lands on Reservation for Tribe's benefit, but further provides that 50 years after approval such "shall become property respective allottees or their heirs" "unallotted lands" shall be "subject to control management thereof as Congress may deem expedient benefit said Indians." In 1968 amended reserve rights "in perpetuity Tribe," subject a prior judicial determination had not been granted vested by Act. As authorized amendment Tribe brought suit against determine whether allottees, heirs devisees, received right in minerals under District Court held did grant deposits, construing § including deposits. Appeals reversed, an unconditional, noncontingent absence any express statement Congress' intent retain power over Held: give surface those lands. This reading is supported its legislative history, which indicates congressional sever estate from interest no future thereby relinquish "control Such conclusion also fact agency charged with executing construed it granting rights. Pp. 654-660. 505 F.2d 268, reversed. Stev H. Chestnut, Seattle, Wash., petitioner. Steven L. Bunch, Helena, Mont., pro hac vice, special leave Court, Lewis E. Brueggemann, Billings, respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 question decided Act, June 3, 1926, 44 Stat. 690, gave Montana 349 F.Supp. 1302 (1972). Ninth Circuit 268 (1974). We certiorari. 423 891, 876, 47 (1975). agree reverse. 2 * statutorily established pursuant federal policy expressed General 1887, 24 388,1 provided allotment tracts land individual tribal members. A declared constituting reservation "to (the Cheyenne) Indians, United States direct." set up procedure agricultural grazing 691, upon decision this case turns, reads follows: "That timber, minerals, oil, gas, natural are hereby reserved tribe leased consent Indian council rules regulations Secretary Interior prescribe: Provided, That at expiration fifty date allotments heirs: Provided further, unallotted Indians common, 4 On face, title would pass heirs,2 But phrasing might read imply ngress terminate allottees' before date. Thus, critical could, purports have done 1968, without rendering constitutionally liable pay just compensation. 5 supervening event particular significance was considerable increase value allotted occurred 1960's due increasing energy demand concomitant need new sources energy.3 Until occurred, until 1976 significantly benefited it, because mining most economically feasible. There substantial concern that, one-third live reservation, if strip passed serious adverse consequences suffered living reservation. addition, believed injustice result benefits realized depended found S.Rep.No.1145, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., (1968); H.R.Rep.No.1292, (1968). These considerations led Tribe." July 24, Pub.L. 90-424, 82 424.4 termination was, however, expressly conditioned so avoid possibility successful claim damages Just Compensation Clause Fifth Amendment. commence action Act) protected fifth amendment," cease force effect" court determines "the amendment."5 II 6 Both argue plain meaning providing allottees" effective compels declaratory judgment favor. argues provision can only expectancy, while maintain unequivocally grants interest.6 interpretations consistent wording we therefore must looking history background principles governing alter plans. 7 agreed Tribe, since severed subjected F.Supp., 1309-1310. rejected Court's interpretation them management; rather, "unconditional, mineral) allottees," noted "clear expression Congress's retained power." F.2d, 271-272. 8 erred basic approach construction Its view regarded having relinquished power.7 opposite true. has consistently recognized wideranging plans ose executed. g., Chase v. States, 256 1, 7, 41 417, 418, 65 L.Ed. 801, 806 (1921); Rowell, 243 464, 468, 37 425, 427, 61 848, 851 (1917); Sizemore Brady, 235 441, 449-450, 35 135, 136-137, 59 308, 311-312 (1914); Gritts Fisher, 224 640, 648, 32 580, 583, 56 928, 933 (1912); Stephens Cherokee Nation, 174 445, 484, 19 722, 736, 43 1041, 1042 (1899). principle specifically applied uphold imposition restraints alienation interests expansion class beneficiaries Jim, 409 80, 93 261, 34 282 (1972); Brader James, 246 88, 38 285, 62 591 (1918). extensiveness authority, well "Congress' unique obligation toward Indians," Morton Mancari, 417 535, 555, 94 2474, 2485, 290, 303 (1974), underlies judicially fashioned canon these statutes powers clear contrary. Chippewa 307 5, 687, 689, 83 1067, 1070 (1939). 9 Read light, statutory supports Although 1925 Acts enacted nearly all reservations, none yet Reservation. petitioned Senator Walsh allotted. petition pertinent part: 10 "We, undersigned members State Montana, do humbly beseech you your Bill introduced Congress, less than 320 acres tillable farm made each every member Indians. 11 "To mineral, Tre, absolute same." 12 outset sought provisions retain, entire 13 Shortly thereafter Hubert Work, Interior, sent Representative Leavitt Chairman House Committee Affairs, proposed draft bill An accompanying letter reiterated desire Work suggested survey "(i)n listed allotting contain contemplated allot only." H.R.Rep.No.383, 69th 1st (1926). 14 (H.R. 9558) two days later followed suggestion. geological required 15 "if allotted, tribe." 16 language evidence least wherever exist. nothing appears explaining object proviso: 17 "Provided, aottees assigns." 18 persuaded several reasons intended plainly reveals purpose estate; "only . allotted" bill. fact, limited bill, stated title, provide severalty within carries out Work's suggestion, honors request, limit enable enjoy full Nothing shows follow Secretary's proposal; indication contrary.8 Only were allotment. Committee's amendments make even clearer; omitted imposing limitation land.9 H.R.Rep.No83, Supra, 1. Committee. 67 Cong.Rec. 6522 20 Senate reported amendments, support our conclusion. S.Rep.No.638, Sess. opening section, eventually see 651, confirmed authority manage rewrote substituted following bill: 21 tribe: act 22 changes indicate difference purpose. still "reserved tribe," suggestion attached more import 50-year House. Most significantly, supporting added lands."10 Since clearly lands, compelled conclude when both Houses adopted Senate, included See British-American Oil Co. Board Equalization, 299 159, 164-165, 57 132, 134-135, 81 95, 97-98 (1936).11 23 reach trust patents. patents land," reference interest. "While conclusive, given (allotment) course actual execution entitled great respect." La Roque 239 62, 64, 36 22, 23, 60 147, 150 (1915). Jackson, 280 183, 193, 143, 146, 74 361, 366 (1930); Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes Nordwick, 378 426, 432 (C.A.9 1967), cert. denied, 389 1046, 88 764, 838 Reversed. 25 BLACKMUN (concurring). 26 For me, obviously much closer makes be. factors distinctly favor onexample, comparable statutes, there Specific reservations (E. "unless otherwise Congress") kind finds implicit here. Our National Legislature knew how employ "magic words" balance, strength rests It some importance, I feel, could depleted during period. surely diminishes reliance allottee his successors. join judgment. objects end ownership substitute private ownership, better advance assimilation self-supporting society relieve Federal Government continue supervision affairs. Comment, Tribal Self-Government Reorganization 1934, 70 Mich.L.Rev. 955, 959 1961 add devisees beneficiaries. Sept. 1961, 87-287, 75 586. At same time permit lease beyond taken outstanding leases." prohibited conveying voided conveyances entered into 1961. Previously timber 1947, c. 314, 418. Petitioner informs us "conservative" estimate $2 billion, based recent offer Crow Reservation, adjoins text amended, is: "(a) purposes accordance 11, 1938 (52 347; U.S.C. (s) 396a-f), rules, regulations, conditions prescribe. "(b) extending term years, rather perpetuity, recommendation Department Interior. took extension number original 42 create difficult costly administrative problems determining allottees; accordingly extended perpetuity. amendment, "The who either individually class, amendment. jurisdiction hear appeal law. If does here first section effect, September (Sic ), thereupon carried fully Act." sued representatives heirs, owned refer "allottees." Respondents Williamson Bowen unusual review evidences "a Formidable Congressional apprehension " concerning constitutionality contrary, merely plausible argument behalf desired merit determined. Committee, belief expectancy. 3. Moreover, concerns assertedly felt undoubtedly present 1961; year encumber signing long-term leases, expanded include interests. n. 2, Supra. relied "statutes liberally doubts resolved favor." 272. eminently sound vital application here; contesting parties individuals consisting primarily Documents deposit Archives show Leavitt's identical draft, thus summary intention tribe" mention deleted brackets, reads: "(and minerals,) ." balance unchanged. 657. final passage estates, 9735 (1926), require income Id., 9962. reasonable explanation thought policy, Supra ; they became assimilated. hand, vesting irrevocable wholly particularly reflected already losing logically expected reluctant surrender modify

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