CKST among 41 tribes to receive settlement
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PABLO — The federal government announced last week that it will pay more than $1 billion to settle a number of lawsuits including the high-profile Elouise Cobell suit, over mismanagement of tribal money and lands.
This settlement will resolve claims from 41 tribes including the Confederated Salish and Kootenai, who will receive $150 million, according to Associated Press reports.
The settlement was announced jointly by the Justice Department and the Interior Department, which manages more than 100,000 leases on tribal trust lands and about 2,500 tribal trust accounts for more than 250 federally recognized tribes.
“The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes completed months of negotiations with the federal government this week,” said a press release from the CSKT government. “Tribal administration and the Tribal Council are still considering long-term financial strategies for the settlement payout that best benefits our tribal nation.”
The White House sent out press releases on the settlements on April 11, and tribal leaders were asked to adhere to a non-disclosure order from the court, which prevented them from sharing the news sooner. Negotiations continue on dozens of other cases.
In February, another Montana tribe, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes from the Fort Peck Reservation announced a settlement for $75 million.
“We’re pleased to be among the 41 tribal nations that have successfully reached a long-anticipated settlement,” said CSKT Chairman Joe Durglo. “This is a positive moment in a long and sometimes contentious history with the federal government.”
