CLAREMORE —
Recent news has highlighted two national lawsuit settlements for Tribal citizens, Individual Indian Money (IIM) account holders and Indian farmers discrimination claims.
Many Cherokee citizens and other Federally-recognized Tribal citizens are likely eligible for one of the settlements, so do apply if you feel you are part of the class.
Note, the Cherokee Nation does not administer either of the class action lawsuit settlements and will likely be unable to answer questions as we are not authorized or trained to do so from what I understand. We will try to answer your questions, if possible.
The $3.4 billion Indian Trust Settlement (Cobell vs. Salazar) for IIM current and past account holders or their descendants or those who have or have had ownership interest in land held in trust or restricted status was approved by President Obama on December 8, 2010.
If you are not currently receiving quarterly or annual IIM account statements and believe you are part of this Settlement, you will need to File a Claim Form and register to participate. You may file online or download and print the form to mail. To obtain a Claim Form, you may also call the toll-free number or write to Indian Trust Settlement and request that a Claim Form be mailed to you.
Call 1-800-961-6109, email Info@IndianTrust.com or write ‘Indian Trust Settlement,’ P.O. Box 9577, Dublin, OH 43017-4877.
For details, go to www.indiantrust.com.
A $760 million Settlement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been reached in the Keepseagle v. Vilsack class action lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed the USDA discriminated against individual Native Americans by denying them equal access to credit in the USDA Farm Loan Program.
The lawsuit claims the USDA denied thousands of Native American farmers and ranchers the same opportunities to get farm loans or loan servicing given to white farmers and ranchers. Plaintiffs also claim the USDA did not do outreach to Native American farmers and ranchers or provide them with the technical assistance needed to prepare applications for loans and loan servicing.
The Class includes all Native American farmers and ranchers who farmed or ranched or attempted to farm or ranch between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999 who sought, or attempted to seek, a farm loan from the USDA during that period, and complained about discrimination to the USDA orally or in writing on their own or through a representative, such as a tribal government, during the same time period.
Individual Tribal citizens may be eligible for a payment of up to $50,000 or more and forgiveness of some or all outstanding USDA loans if you qualify as a class member.
The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved, and the claims process is completed.
Call 888-233-5506, email questions@indianfarmclass.com or write ‘Keepseagle Claims Administrator,’ PO Box 3560, Portland, OR 97208-3560.
For more information, go to www.indianfarmclass.com.
If you have questions, issues or concerns about the Cherokee Nation government, please email me at cara@caracowan.com or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018. For daily news and event notices, ask to be added to my District 7 email listserv. You can, also, find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
To contact the Tribe, call 453-5000. The operator will connect you with the appropriate department. Tribal programs and services are administered by the Chief’s staff at the Tribal Complex. Tribal hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Save a trip to Tahlequah by using the Tribes Internet tools at www.cherokee.org.
Almost all applications are available online to print from home.
Cara Cowan Watts is deputy speakter of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council and elected legislator of District 7.
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