Trust

Swimmer says $90M trust fund owed to Yurok Tribe

Friday, March 2, 2007

Over the objections of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Office of Special Trustee has determined that a disputed $90 million trust fund is owed to the Yurok Tribe.

Special Trustee Ross Swimmer said the Yurok Tribe can receive the money despite having sued the United States. Conversely, he said the Hoopa Valley Tribe was only entitled to the $34.5 million it already accepted.

Congress had created a settlement fund for the two tribes to resolve a land dispute. The Hoopas accepted the settlement but the Yuroks filed a lawsuit and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court before losing.

Subsequently, the Hoopas said they were owed the money because the Yuroks didn't comply with the settlement. The Hoopas were willing to split it 50-50 until OST ruled for the Yuroks.

In a letter to the two tribes, Swimmer says the Yurok Tribe has to provide a waiver of claims to receive the money. Chairwoman Maria Tripp welcomed the decision.

Get the Story:
Yuroks to receive disputed $90 million fund (The Eureka Times-Standard 3/2)

Relevant Documents:
Written Witness Testimony (8/1)

Relevant Laws:
Hoopa Yurok Settlement Act of 1988 (P.L.100-580)

$rl Hoopa Valley Tribe - http://www.hoopa-nsn.gov
Yurok Tribe - http://www.yuroktribe.org