The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians says it will go to court if Congress approves a bill to distribute a $28 million trust fund.

H.R.1272, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act, would distribute $300 to each of the 40,000-plus members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. The remaining $16 million would be equally distributed to the six Chippewa bands.

The Leech Lake Band says it's entitled to a bigger share. At a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, Chairman Arthur “Archie” LaRose said the tribe suffered the most from the theft of land and timber during the late 1800s.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the chairman of the subcommittee, urged LaRose not to go to court. He said litigation will only benefit lawyers.

Get the Story:
Decades after U.S. swindle, Chippewa may be repaid (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 3/5)

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

Related Stories:
MPR: House panel debates Minnesota Chippewa trust fund bill (3/2)
Witness List: House hearing on Chippewa trust fund measure (3/1)
Leech Lake chairman to testify against trust fund legislation (2/29)
Bill authorizes distribution of $28M Chippewa judgment fund (2/16)