Arthur “Archie” LaRose, the chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians, will testify at a House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs hearing tomorrow.

The Leech Lake Band opposes H.R.1272, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act. The bill would distribute a $28 million trust fund to the six bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

LaRose believes the $20 million that was awarded by the Court of Federal Claims for the loss of tribal timber and land is inadequate. “The bill undermines and disrespects the damages,” he told The Bemidji Pioneer.

The other five bands of the Chippewa Tribe support the bill.

Get the Story:
Seeking a solution: LaRose says federal bill’s compensation is unfair to band (The Bemidji Pioneer 2/29)

Committee Notice:
Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1272 (March 1, 2012)

Related Stories:
Bill authorizes distribution of $28M Chippewa judgment fund (2/16)