Cobell to visit Dinétah, share information

Holders of individual Indian trust accounts - including an estimated 42,000 Navajos - should soon be notified that they have a right to a portion of the $3.4 billion Cobell settlement, and Eloise Cobell herself will make a trip to the Navajo Nation next week to answer questions about the suit and plaintiffs' rights (see accompanying schedule).

Cobell, a Blackfeet tribal member, brought a class action suit against the federal government 14 years ago asking for an accounting of the mineral, logging and other interests the government held in trust on behalf of individual Native Americans.

There were so many missing or inaccurate documents that the feds were never able to account for all the holdings, and after numerous court battles the case was settled last year for $3.4 billion.

President Obama signed legislation Dec. 8 approving the settlement and releasing the funds.

The amount is about a tenth of what Cobell's accountants estimated the accounts to be worth, but a realistic figure for a cash-strapped federal government, Cobell and her attorneys decided after holding meetings with plaintiffs' groups across the country.

Cobell had said at the time she was distressed by the number of elderly plaintiffs who were dying each year without receiving anything, and was ready for an end to the litigation.

to keep their right to sue the federal government must opt out of the settlement by April 20. Class members may also submit written comments or objections about any settlement terms by that date.

Each plaintiff will receive $1,000 up front, with the remainder of the first $1.4 billion set aside for payouts divided between the claimants. Two billion will be divided among the allottees' tribes to buy back and consolidate factionalized land claims. The affected tribes may set aside a portion of that amount for tribal scholarships.

"We're grateful to Eloise for coming out here and following up with us," said Ervin Chavez, president of the Navajo allottee association Shi Shi Kéyah. "Hopefully we can get the word out and everybody will come to these meetings and get their questions answered."

If you receive statements for an Individual Indian Money account, you are already on the list for your share of the settlement and don't have to do anything. You should soon be receiving a letter in the mail informing you of your rights.

If you haven't been receiving statements, but believe you have a share in an IIM, visit www.IndianTrust.com or call 1-800-961-6109 to learn how to file a claim. The Web site also contains a video in Navajo (and several other Native American languages, plus English and Spanish) explaining the lawsuit and notification process.

Individuals wishing to keep their right to sue the federal government must opt out of the settlement by April 20. Class members may also submit written comments or objections about any settlement terms by that date.

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