NewsOK member benefits

Payments to begin soon for Indian trust account holders

With legal challenges to the historic Cobell settlement ended, the federal government will send out payments of $1,000 that may reach Indians within weeks. An estimated 50,000 in Oklahoma will be included.

By Chris Casteel | Published: November 26, 2012 Comment on this article

The federal government fought the Indian account holders for years in a case that went through three judges and numerous appeals. The Obama administration brokered a settlement that was approved by Congress in late 2010 and by a federal judge in August 2011.

Payments have been delayed by four account holders who challenged the settlement. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge last month, paving the way for the payments to begin.

Of the $3.4 billion settlement, more than $1.4 billion will be used to make payments to Indians who have or had trust accounts within certain date ranges. For many, the payment will be a flat $1,000, while others will get additional amounts based on how much revenue was received in their accounts.

The settlement includes another $1.9 billion to buy parcels of land that have been divided up numerous times over generations and don't generate enough income to justify the management costs.

Page 2 of 2