Indian beneficiaries in Oklahoma demand release of Cobell settlement funds at this protest last year. Photo from Katherine Ware-Perosi / Change.Org
Elmeretta Blackbird calls for an immediate distribution of the final payment from the $3.4 billion Cobell trust fund settlement:
Elouise Cobell fought a long, hard battle to get money stolen by government employees. This money has proved to be stolen and yet the government does not pay out the settlement. Every Native American Indian has a tribal ID number for their accounts, yet they are looking for people. Put the money in their accounts. They are still paying the people they hired. The money they are taking from the Cobell settlement is paying their wages. Why?Get the Story:
Elmeretta Blackbird: Put the money in the tribal members' accounts (The Billings Gazette 6/12) Relevant Documents:
Judge Hogan's Order (May 29, 2014) | Plaintiffs' Motion (May 23, 2014) Related Stories:
Cobell attorneys schedule meetings with beneficiaries in Alaska (6/9)
Sen. Tester calls for speedy distribution of Cobell settlement (06/05)
Cobell settlement checks expected within next three months (6/3)
Judge approves distribution of second Cobell settlement check (5/30)
Cobell team to meet with beneficiaries in Oklahoma next week (5/30)
Tex Hall: Distribute minimum payments from Cobell settlement (05/19)
Long-delayed Cobell payments range from $850 to nearly $10M (05/19)
Native Sun News: Cobell checks could be delayed to December (05/14)
Cobell attorneys provide update on settlement amid complaints (05/13)
Indian beneficiaries demand release of Cobell settlement fund (5/12)
Jay Daniels: Cobell settlement was flawed from beginning (04/18)
Cobell settlement administrator responds to payment delay (04/16)
Letter from Cobell attorneys on second settlement payment (04/16)
Lawmakers question delay in payments from Cobell settlement (04/03)
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