Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar should take action immediately to settle the case.

Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, was frustrated by Salazar's pledge to resolve the lawsuit. "Let's talk settlement, serious settlement," Cobell told the Associated Press. "I don't want words that say 'let's resolve it.'"

Cobell also said Salazar's comments about a pending appeal in the case were an "insult to Indian people." In an interview with the AP, Salazar indicated that he might wait until the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals determines how much money, if any, is owed to Indian beneficiaries before talking to the plaintiffs.

"It may create the framework for us to move forward with some kind of final resolution of the litigation," Salazar said.

The plaintiffs are appealing a judge's decision to place $455.6 million in the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust, saying the amount is too low. The Department of Justice is also appealing, saying the plaintiffs aren't entitled to any money.

Get the Story:
Cobell says Salazar comments 'insult to Indian people' (AP 3/12)

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