Northern MN Bands to split $20 million

The federal government appears ready to make amends for a dark period in Indian relations 123 years ago that took timber and land from six northern Minnesota Chippewa reservations.

The Duluth News-Tribune reports legislation is advancing in Washington that would release a $20 million settlement to the Fond du Lac, Bois Forte, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs and White Earth bands of Chippewa. The money originally was awarded in 1999 but has been tied up ever since.

Now totaling more than $28 million with interest, a recently struck compromise among five of the six bands will see part of the money divided among individual enrolled members of the five bands — $300 for each person — with almost $3 million awarded to each of the six band governments.

The issue has roots in congressional passage of the Dawes Act of 1887 and the Nelson Act of 1889 that split up thousands of acres of what had been reservation land to individuals. Much of that land was bought by the government, timber and railroad barons and non-Indians, leaving little within reservation boundaries actually controlled by the Chippewa.

For example, White Earth lost all but 800 acres. And Indians saw little of the money they were promised under the act for the land they lost.

In 1999, a federal court awarded a $20 million Nelson Act settlement to be split between the six bands involved. But officials of the six bands were unable to agree on how the money should be divided. Pending an agreement, the Bureau of Indian Affairs decided not to release the money.

Now, an agreement has been struck between five of the six bands, with Leech Lake still not signing on. Legislation to release the money is being pushed by Sen. Al Franken, and Reps. Colin Peterson and Chip Cravaack,