Two Montana tribes signed agreements as part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe will help their members to participate in the program by selling highly fractionated interests. The tribes will receive any land that the Interior Department acquires.

“I commend the leaders of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Northern Cheyenne Tribe for their interest and initiative in working to implement this important program in their communities,” Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said in a press release. “We look forward to working with them on this important partnership, which ultimately transfers land to tribal ownership. These agreements underscore the important role that tribes fulfill in improving the Buy-Back Program’s effectiveness and efficiency, while providing potential economic development opportunities for current and future generations.”

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes hope to acquire 38,400 acres on the Flathead Reservation. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe is looking at land with mineral estates.

The $3.4 billion Cobell settlement authorized $1.9 billion for the land consolidation program. Participation is voluntary.

Get the Story:
Montana tribes reach land buyback agreements (AP 1/30)
CSKT reaches agreement with feds on land buyback program (The Missoulian 1/31)

Related Stories:
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes enter buyback deal (1/30)
Deadline approaches for first Cobell land consolidation offers (1/27)
Makah Nation enters agreement for Cobell land buy-back (01/13)
Kevin Washburn: Buyback program strengthens tribal relations (12/20)
Audio from SCIA hearing for Cobell land consolidation program (12/11)
Oglala Sioux Tribe enters agreement for land consolidation (12/10)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on land buyback (12/9)
Gabe Galanda: More problems in DOI's land buy-back plan (11/12)
Appraisal Foundation reviews Cobell land consolidation plans (11/8)