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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2002

The House on Tuesday approved legislation to pay three Oklahoma tribes $40 million for more than 7,000 acres of lost land.

The Supreme Court in 1907 ruled that the Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw nations are the rightful owners of the Arkansas River bed. But by that time, the Department of Interior -- acting as trustee -- had allowed whites to occupy the land and allowed tribal assets to be taken without compensation. Other parts dried up due to construction projects.

The bill creates a $20 million trust fund for the Cherokee Nation, a $15 million fund for the Choctaw Nation and a $5 million fund for the Chickasaw Nation.

Get the Story:
House Approves Carson’s Arkansas River Bed Claim Settlement (Brad Carson 10/1)

Get the Bill:
The Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Nations Claims Settlement Act (H.R.3534)

Relevant Documents:
Testimony: Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby | Testimony: Cherokee Nation Chief Chad Smith | Testimony: Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory Pyle

Relevant Links:
Chickasaw Nation - http://www.chickasaw.net
Choctaw Nation - http://www.chickasaw.net
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org