The Great Plains Tribal Chairman's Association held a discussion on the $3.4 billion settlement to the Cobell trust fund lawsuit on Saturday.

According to The Rapid City Journal, some tribal leaders and members were skeptical of the deal. They questioned the dollar amount of the settlement, the amount of attorneys' fees and incentive payments for lead plaintiff Elouise Cobell and the other four named plaintiffs.

"This is nothing personal against you, but we do not trust you. We do not trust the agency you represent," said Andrew Iron Shell, the Journal reported.

David Hayes, the deputy secretary of the Interior Department, urged the audience to support the deal. "This opportunity will not come again," Hayes said, the paper reported.

"There are many in Congress who do not want Indian Country to get a dime, and they are taking advantage of these questions," Hayes added, according to the paper. "If there is not vocal support for this settlement, I fear we'll lose it."

Plaintiffs' attorney Keith Harper, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, said the $3.4 billion settlement was the "best possible deal we could get." He said the litigation team, as well as Cobell and the named plaintiffs, deserved to be reimbursed for the costs associated with the 14-year-old lawsuit.

The settlement caps attorneys' fees at $100 million. A federal judge will make a final decision on the issue.

Reimbursement for Cobell and other named plaintiffs is capped at $15 million. Again, the judge will make the final decision.

Cobell and her attorneys did not receive any tribal donations for the lawsuit. One of the named plaintiffs died after the case was filed and was substituted by her daughter.

Get the Story:
‘We do not trust you' (The Rapid City Journal 3/21)
Cobell denounces ‘rumor’ of what she could receive (Indian Country Today 3/21)

Relevant Documents:
Agreement | Press Release | Q&A | Audio

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