The late Elouise Cobell meets President Barack Obama at the White House. December 8, 2010. Official Photo by Pete Souza
Thousands of people across the nation are missing out on their share of the $3.4 billion Cobell trust fund settlement because the federal government can't find them. In Minnesota alone, some 7,326 members of the Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth tribes are on the "whereabouts unknown" list, The Bemidji Pioneer reports. Overall, more than 30,000 people who are entitled to a share of the settlement are going without payments. The Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians has been trying to address its whereabouts unknown list for years. Some of the people are owed money not just from Cobell but from activities on their trust lands. Get the Story:
Local tribal members missing out on Cobell checks (The Bemidji Pioneer 9/28)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Walt Lamar: Say thanks to Elouise Cobell for stepping up for us (09/24)
S.E. Ruckman: A remarkable day with arrival of Cobell checks (9/22)
Cobell settlement checks being cashed across Indian Country (9/19)
Cobell settlement checks landing in Indian Country mailboxes (9/18)
Sen. Walsh welcomes arrival of last Cobell settlement payout (9/18)
Checks from final payment of Cobell settlement put in the mail (9/16)
Jay Daniels: Still waiting on that final Cobell settlement payment (9/15)
Sen. Tester applauds approval of final Cobell settlement payout (9/12)
Judge approves motion to distribute Cobell settlement payment (9/11)
Native Sun News: Final Cobell payment might 'almost' be ready (9/11)
Final payments from Cobell settlement closer to being distributed (09/04)
Tim Giago: Greedy lawyers and government ruin Cobell settlement (08/27)