In one of the largest financial settlements made to American Indian tribes, the federal government said it had ended dozens of lawsuits by agreeing to pay tribes more than $1 billion for the mismanagement of funds and natural resources that the government holds in trust. […]
The Interior Department, which manages about 56 million acres for Indian tribes and oversees more than 100,000 leases on those lands, has long been accused by tribes of doing a poor job of keeping track of the tribal funds it maintains and of not being diligent in collecting fees from companies that hold leases on reservations and elsewhere in Indian country. In addition to administering the land leases, the Interior Department manages about 2,500 trust accounts for more than 250 tribes.
“These settlements fairly and honourably resolve historical grievances over the accounting and management of tribal trust funds, trust lands and other nonmonetary trust resources that, for far too long, have been a source of conflict between Indian tribes and the United States,” said Attorney-General Eric H. Holder Jr. in a statement. […]
The amount each tribe will receive is based on a formula that takes into account how much land and money the government held in trust, and the value of the concessions. Tribes holding oil and gas concessions, which are usually of far greater value, generally will receive the most from the settlement.
The Osage tribe of Oklahoma, for example because of its extensive oil and gas reserves will get $380 million. The tribe has about 16,000 members. […]
Many tribes say they have not decided how to spend the money. In most cases, tribal councils — the elected governing bodies — will have the ultimate authority. Tribes are variously considering making monthly payments to members, establishing loan programmes, financing social service groups, improving infrastructure on reservations and undertaking environmental initiatives. […]
Chief James Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, said despite longstanding tensions between tribes and the federal government, the settlement represented the fairness with which the Obama administration had treated American Indians.
“They have kept their promise to Native Americans to ensure we are heard in Washington,” said Chief Allan. “He has not made treaties with us, but he gave us his word. And his word has been golden.”
President Barack Obama signed legislation in December 2010 authorising payment for a similar, though far larger, settlement for Indians. That money, totalling $3.4 billion, has not been distributed because of several pending lawsuits. — New York Times News Service
Source: The Hindu : News / International : American Indians win huge settlement
Address : http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article3315165.ece
Date Visited: Sun Apr 15 2012 13:04:04 GMT+0200 (CEST)
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