In October 2002, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims recommended to Congress that the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe be compensated $270.6 million for the loss of about 5.5 million acres in east Texas.

The tribe is still waiting for action nearly four years later. Tribal officials met with Congressional staff at the United South and Eastern Tribes conference earlier this month but the outlook isn't positive.

"The staff took notes and asked questions, but they didn't know too much about it," tribal council member Carlos Bullock told The Lufkin Daily News. Sen. Kay Bailey (R-Texas), whose support would be required for any settlement bill, has characterized the potential payout as "reparations."

The court made its decision after 20 years of review. The judge found that the tribe had not been compensated for the loss of its land or the activities, including oil and gas production and timber harvesting, that occurred on the land.

Get the Story:
Indian tribe still waiting on government to pay up (The Lufkin Daily News 2/26)

Relevant Links:
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe - http://www.alabama-coushatta.com

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