Elouise Cobell, a member of the Blackeet Nation of Montana who has led a nine-year long court fight to force the federal government to give individual Indian trust beneficiaries a full accounting of their holdings, has been honored by The National Neighborhood Coalition.

�We are proud to salute Elouise Cobell for her commitment to communities that have been robbed of their most vital assets,� said Anne Pasmanick, executive director of coalition, an organization that advocate for low-income people and neighborhoods.

Cobell directs the Blackfeet Reservation Fund in Montana and is the lead plaintiff in Cobell vs. Norton, a class action lawsuit that seeks to hold the federal government accountable for lands and monies it held in trust for 500,000 individual Indians.

Citing Cobell's fight to help Indians recover their lost assets, the NNC presented the Browning, Mt., resident with The Pablo Eisenberg Award for Neighborhood Leadership at a reception on April 7.

Cobell's leadership has guided half a million Native Americans in their quest for accountability from the federal government, the NNC said. �A banker and activist, Elouise Cobell defies stereotypes and fills both roles with equanimity and enthusiasm,� said Pasmanick.

The National Neighborhood Coalition (NNC) was founded in 1979 as the national voice for neighborhoods. We provide common ground for the nation�s leading advocates for lower-income neighborhoods. NNC is where national and local leaders come together to generate the resources, public policies and solution-oriented strategies that strengthen and sustain neighborhoods.

NNC�s Annual National and Neighborhood Leadership Awards Reception was sponsored by Freddie Mac, as well as, Citigroup, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and Bank of America.

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust

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