Battle over Hoopa-Yurok trust fund continues

Tuesday, March 27, 2007  

In 1988, Congress created a trust fund to settle a land dispute between the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the Yurok Tribe of California.

The Hoopas took their share, about $34.5 million, while the Yuroks went to court. The Yuroks eventually lost the case after going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

But the Interior Department says the Yuroks can still collect their share of the fund. It's now grown to $90 million.

That has angered the Hoopas, who say Special Trustee Ross Swimmer's decision sets the stage for further litigation. The tribe is appealing to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals and could end up going to court.

Get the Story:
Tribal warfare between Hoopa and Yurok go on and on (Scripps News 3/26)

Relevant Documents:
Written Witness Testimony (8/1)

Relevant Laws:
Hoopa Yurok Settlement Act of 1988 (P.L.100-580)

Relevant Links:
Hoopa Valley Tribe - http://www.hoopa-nsn.gov
Yurok Tribe - http://www.yuroktribe.org

Related Stories:
Hoopa Valley Tribe weighs options on trust fund (3/5)Swimmer says $90M trust fund owed to Yurok Tribe (3/2)
Hoopa Valley, Yurok tribes at odds over $90M fund (07/17)
Calif. tribes and BIA at odds over settlement (8/2)