The Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold a public meeting on June 19 to discuss the distribution of the Western Shoshone trust fund.

In 1972, the Indian Claims Commissionsaid the Western Shoshone Nation was owed $26 million for the gradual loss of the lands that were promised by the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. Tribal activists long refused to accept the money but Congress passed a law to distribute the fund with the support of some tribal leaders and the Bush administration.

The trust fund has grown to about $185 million, The Elko Daily Press reported. About 4,000 to 6,000 are expected to be eligible for a per capita share of the money.

Applications for the fund are due August 2. A person must possess at least one-fourth Western Shoshone blood and must have been born before July 7, 2004, to qualify.

Get the Story:
BIA to talk claims at Elko meeting June 19 (The Elko Daily Press 6/10)

Federal Register Notice:
Deadline for Submission of Applications To Be Included on the Roll of Western Shoshone Identifiable Group of Indians for Judgment Fund Distribution (May 20, 2010)

Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act:
Bill Report | H.R.884 | S.618

Related Stories:
Appeals court won't reopen Western Shoshone case (5/23)
Ely Shoshone Tribe seeks share of $145M payout (2/7)
Western Shoshones worried about trust payout (11/23)
BIA reopens Western Shoshone distribution process (05/19)
Bush signs Western Shoshone payout bill into law (07/08)
Western Shoshone payout bill clears Congress (06/25)
Western Shoshone payout bill approved by House (06/22)
Western Shoshone payout bill delayed in House (06/03)
Support grows for Western Shoshone trust fund bill (05/07)
Western Shoshone bill faces another push in 2004 (01/13)
Western Shoshone leaders want U.S. to show ownership (10/27)
Senate approves $144M Western Shoshone payout bill (10/20)