The six bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe are divided over legislation that would distribute a $27 million trust fund.

The tribe settled a land claim lawsuit in 1999 for $20 million. H.R.2306 and H.R.3699 would finally distribute the funds in trust account JA1041696.

H.R.2306 distributes the money based on the membership of each band. Under H.R.3699, each band gets the same amount.

The White Earth Nation supports H.R.2306. The tribe says it should get more money because it has more members.

The four smallest bands, however, back H.R.3699, saying each should get the same amount because all of them lost the land. The House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on both sides of the dispute earlier this month.

Get the Story:
Plans duel for Chippewa cash (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 6/26)
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Committee Notice:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing: H.R. 2306 and H.R. 3699 (June 5, 2008)

Related Stories:
House hearing on Minnesota Chippewa trust bill (6/5)
Witness list for House Resources hearing (6/4)
House hearing on Minnesota Chippewa trust fund (6/2)