"American Indian farmers are advised to “be patient.”

No kidding.

Even as the U.S. Senate voted Friday to pay settlements in two large lawsuits — one involving black farmers who suffered discrimination at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and another involving a mismanaged trust of Native American assets — Indian farmers are will waiting.

The case that still demands patience is styled Keepseagle v. Vilsack. The lawsuit was brought by Native American farmers and ranchers, including Marilyn and George Keepseagle of Fort Yates, North Dakota. The Keepseagles and others claim that the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminated against Indians by denying them equal access to credit in the USDA Farm Credit Program. It was filed in 1999.

USDA officials and lawsuit plaintiffs reached a settlement in October of this year in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. Now, Indian plaintiffs must wait until the court holds a “final fairness hearing,” at which it will decide whether or not to approve the settlement.

The hearing date is April 28, 2011. Then, according to a website tracking the case: “Payments will not be made until after the Court grants final approval to the Settlement and after all Claims Packages are reviewed. This cannot happen until after December 24, 2011. Please be patient”

Talk about a boatload of patience. "

Get the Story:
Mary Annette Pember: Indian Farmers Glimpse End to 'Keepseagle' Case (The Daily Yonder 11/22)

Relevant Documents:
• Plaintiffs Press Release | Settlement | Notice Form A | Notice Form B
• Damages Award | Loan Debt Relief
• Native American Farmers and Ranchers Council | Named Plaintiffs
• President Obama Statement | USDA Press Release

Related Stories:
Plaintiff in Indian farmers suit died after learning of settlement (11/15)
Opinion: USDA 'capitulates' to Indian farmers in $760M settlement (11/3)
Judge gives preliminary approval of settlement in Keepseagle suit (11/2)
Hearing this Friday to discuss settlement in Indian farmer case (10/27)
NPR: USDA agrees to $760M settlement for Indian farmers case (10/22)
Indian farmers reach $760M settlement for USDA discrimination (10/20)
Keepseagle won't need Congressional approval for settlement (10/19)
Justice Department reviewing settlement in Indian farmer case (10/14)
Settlement reportedly near in Indian farmer discrimination suit (10/13)
USDA loan officer in Montana was arrested for incident at Fort Peck (7/30)
No word of settlement in Indian farmers discrimination suit (5/26)
Standing Rock Sioux ranchers complain about loan office (4/22)
'Nowhere close' to deal in Indian farmer discrimination suit (4/8)
Deadline approaches for Indian farmers discrimination suit (4/6)
NCAI pushes for settlement in USDA discrimination suit (3/17)
Indian farmers wait on settlement over discrimination (2/26)
Indian farmers receive fewer services despite more land (1/15)
Settlement talks underway in Indian farmers lawsuit (12/9)
USDA not ready for Indian discrimination talks (9/29)
Indian farmers set for USDA discrimination trial (9/11)
Indian farmers wait for settlement with Obama (9/8)
Indian farmers prepare for discrimination trial (5/26)
Indian farmers ready for trial in discrimination case (3/5)
Indian ranchers seek settlement from Obama (3/4)