House approves bill to distribute Minnesota Chippewa trust fund

Tuesday, June 19, 2012  

By a voice vote, the House passed H.R.1272, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act, on Monday.

The bill distributes a $28 million trust fund that stems from the taking of tribal land. About $12 million will be distributed on a per capita basis to the 40,000-plus members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and the remaining $16 million will be equally distributed to the six Chippewa bands.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians has fought passage of the bill. Chairman Arthur "Archie" LaRose has been a vocal critic but just lost his re-election bid.

Get the Story:
House agrees to pay Minnesota tribes $28 million (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 6/19)
Chippewa, U.S. House settle on land sale (Minnesota Public Radio 6/19)

Related Stories:
Arthur LaRose: Minnesota Chippewa trust fund bill not fair at all (05/17)
Arthur LaRose: Trust fund bill a threat to tribal sovereignty (04/24)
Norman Deschampe: Trust fund bill fair to Chippewa bands (04/24)
House Resources Committee markup for five bills of interest (04/23)
Leech Lake Band threatens litigation over share of trust fund (03/05)
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)