Tee-Hit-Ton Indians v. United States

The Secretary of Agriculture sold timber from land in Alaska occupied by the Tee-Hit-Ton Indians (plaintiffs), with the sale proceeds held in the Treasury pending resolution of the land's ownership. The Tee-Hit-Tons brought a Fifth Amendment takings claim against the United States (defendant) seeking compensation, but the Court of Claims held they held only a title of occupancy insufficient to support such a claim, and the Tee-Hit-Tons sought Supreme Court review.