Judge finalizes $940M Ramah contract support costs settlement


Oglala Sioux Tribe President John Yellow Bird Steele at the Ramah settlement announcement in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 17, 2015. Photo from Bureau of Indian Affairs / Twitter

A federal judge held a fairness hearing on Wednesday for the $940 million Ramah Navajo contract support costs settlement.

Judge James Parker approved the settlement, attorney Lloyd Miller told Alaska Public Radio Network. That clears the way for 699 tribes and tribal organizations to receive their shares for self-determination underpayments at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"None objected to anything," Miller told APRN of Indian Country's acceptance of the settlement.

A list of the 699 eligible beneficiaries and the amounts they expect to receive can be found at rncsettlement.com. They will share in $854.6 million, the amount remaining after $79.9 million in attorney fees and $5.5 million in other costs are deducted.

Get the Story:
BIA settlement closes; Alaska tribal groups net $100M (Alaska Public Radio Network 1/20)

Relevant Documents:
DOI Press Release | Ramah Navajo Chapter Press Release | Oglala Sioux Tribe Press Release | Zuni Pueblo Press Release | Attorneys Press Release | Settlement Q&A

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