This is the second opening in the story: the moment at which the apparent conclusion — the Supreme Court rules, the Sioux win, the matter is settled — turns out to be something else entirely.

The legal system had confirmed the wrong.

The legal system had provided a remedy.

The remedy was rejected.

And the underlying question — what will actually happen to the Black Hills? — had never been closer to resolution and had never felt more distant.

The response from tribal governments and their supporters was to turn from the courts to Congress.