Yakama Nation faces crisis over per cap payments

Members of the Yakama Nation of Washington want $5 million and they want it in the next 10 days.

Tribal members voted Monday for a one-time $500 per capita payment. With 10,000 tribal members, that comes to about $5 million.

Tribal leaders say the tribe can't afford to make the payments. The tribe already distributes $1 million every month from timber revenues.

But tribal members want the $5 million now and another $5 million at Christmas. They also want a cut of the tribe's gaming revenues.

Get the Story:
Members' $5 million request could bust Yakamas' budget (The Yakima Herald-Republic 8/29)

Related Stories:
Yakama Nation pressed for more per cap payments (8/7)
Yakama Nation chairwoman suspended over firing (06/28)
Yakama chairwoman reflects on first year of job (4/24)