Law | Trust

Federal judge approves 25 settlements in tribal trust lawsuits





A federal judge approved settlements in 25 tribal trust lawsuits on Wednesday, the Native American Rights Fund reported.

Judge Thomas F. Hogan in Washington, D.C., approved the settlements for NARF's clients. The tribes affected will receive a total of about $350 million to resolve claims that the federal government mismanaged their trust funds and trust assets.

“We were happy to head up a fight that has led to the resolution of so many tribal claims,” said Brooklyn Baptiste, the vice chair of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, said after the hearing, which he attended.

John Echohawk, NARF's executive director, said President Barack Obama lived up to his campaign promise to reach fair settlements with tribes. “It’s remarkable, but it can be done," Echohawk said.

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