U.S. must heal native peoples' wounds, return lands: U.N.

[PufPuf23]

41. Cobell vs Salazar Settlement - a "win" for the Obama Administration

There is much confusion about the issue of of American Indian Trust lands. People including many American Indians are uninformed or deliberately confused.

The Cobell vs Salazar settlement ended all American Indian claims against the US Federal Government for Indian Trust lands (Reservations and Allotments) sold under the Dawes Act and monies lost by BIA mis-management of natural resources on Indian Trust lands. Cobell vs Salazar calls for $2 billion for Dawes Act sales and $1.4 Billion for decades of mis-management by the DOI/BIA of Indian Trust natural resources (minerals, fossil energy, timber, grazing, etc.) on lands remaining in Indian Trust post Dawes Act .

The settlement was for less than $0.02 on the dollar in economic terms ignoring cultural damage and excludes most American Indians.

Many American Indian leaders and the Obama Administration consider the settlement a "win" rather than a political convenience even though most American Indians are excluded.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobell_v._Salazar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawes_Act

About 100 million acres of Indian Trust lands were sold by the DOI/BIA under the Dawes Act. There are individual Tribes harmed more than the $2 Billion allotted for the entire USA. About 38 million acres of Indian Trust lands remain.

The 100 million acres sold under the Dawes Act and converted to fee simple is land within existing Reservations, terminated Reservations, and Indian Trust lands outside Reservations (Allotments).


From the FAQ at : http://www.cobellsettlement.com/


2. What am I giving up as part of the Settlement?

If the Settlement becomes final, you will give up your right to sue the federal government for the claims being resolved by this Settlement. The specific claims you are giving up against the federal government are described in Section A, paragraphs 14, 15, and 21 of the Settlement Agreement. You will be "releasing" the federal government and all related people as described in Section I of the Settlement Agreement.