Okla. tribes want river bed settlement

FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2002

Three Oklahoma tribes are asking Congress to finalize a $50 million settlement for land and trust assets along the Arkansas River bed.

But the Bureau of Indian Affairs doesn't want the legislation finalized. At a House Resources Committee hearing on Wednesday, he asked lawmakers to hold off pending resolution of certain issues.

The bill affects the Chickasaw, Cherokee and Choctaw nations. It would resolve a dispute over land the Supreme Court in 1966 said belongs to the tribes.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby testified that it was time to resolve the issue.

Get the Story:
Delay of river settlement opposed (AP 4/19)

Get the Bill:
To provide for the settlement of certain land claims of Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Nations to the Arkansas River bed in Oklahoma. (H.R.3534)

Related Documents:
Written Witness Testimony (4/17)