The Interior Department has entered into three more agreements for the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The Crow Tribe, the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Fort Peck Tribes will help facilitate sales among their members. Any land that is acquired will be returned to the tribes.

“President Obama has made clear his commitment to help strengthen Native American communities and I am proud that today we are continuing that momentum with the steady implementation of the Buy-Back Program,” Deputy Interior Secretary Michael Connor said today in a press release. “I want to thank the Crow Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community, and the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for their partnership as we work together to ensure individuals are aware of this historic opportunity to strengthen tribal sovereignty by supporting the consolidation of tribal lands for the benefit of each tribal nation.”

The announcement comes a week before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold another hearing on the buy-back effort. Lawmakers have said the program is moving too slowly and they say tribes should be more involved.

The hearing takes place July 16.

Committee Notice:
Oversight Hearing on "Improving the Trust System: Continuing Oversight of the Department of the Interior's Land Buy-Back Program" (July 16, 2014)

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