Heckman v. United States, 224 U.S. 413 (1912) (Nos. 496, 404, 405, 434)

Case name: Heckman v. United States Opinion filed: 1912-04-01 Docket No.: 496, 404, 405, 434 Citations: • 224 U.S. 413 • 32 S. Ct. 424 • 56 L. Ed. 820 • 1912 U.S. LEXIS 2311 Case holding summaries: • holding when the federal government enters into a treaty or enacts a statute on behalf of an Indian tribe, Government commits itself to a guardian ward relationship with that tribe • decree will bind Indians represented by United States • suit to cancel conveyance of restricted Indian land • explaining with respect to limits on the right of alienation of tribal property that “the maintenance of the limitations which Congress has prescribed as a part of its plan of distribution is distinctly an interest of the United States”