Sioux Woman Wins Claim Under 'Bad Men' Treaty

The Court of Federal Claims awarded nearly $600,000 to an Oglala Sioux woman who was sexually assaulted by an Army recruiter. Under an 1868 treaty, the United States must reimburse Sioux members for "any wrong" committed by "bad men among the whites." Elk filed a claim with the Department of the Interior under the "bad men" provision of the Fort Laramie Treaty of April 29, 1868. The federal claims court awarded her $590,755.06. "Based on the record, the court finds that Ms. Elk has suffered a significant amount of pain, suffering and emotional distress as a result of the assault and more than likely will continue to experience these same injuries at least over the next two years," Allegra concluded...Courthouse News