The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe will receive $28 million under a bill that's waiting to be signed by to President Barack Obama.

After decades of litigation, the tribe received $20 million in 1999 for land and timber that was taken by the federal government in the late 1800s. Since then, the money has been sitting in a trust fund account, generating interest, due to a dispute on how to divide it.

H.R.1272, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act, resolves the dispute and divides the money into two pots. About $12 million will be distributed on a per capita basis to the 40,000-plus members of the tribe, so each person will get around $300.

The remaining $16 million will be equally distributed to the six bands that make up the tribe. During consideration of the bill, the Leech Lake Band threatened to sue, calling the distribution unfair.

Some bands, like Fond du Lac, have already agreed to distribute their share on a per capita basis. That will mean an additional $600 for members, Chairwoman Karen Diver said.

Get the Story:
Minnesota Chippewa Expecting Funds with Possible Passage of Nelson Act (Northland's NewsCenter 9/24)

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