U.S. Government To Pay Millions to Settle Lawsuit with Chickasaws, Choctaws

By Jason Doyle Oden
The McCarville Report

Settling a lawsuit over past federal mismanagement of tribal trusts, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the U.S. Government would pay the Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation a combined $186 million to resolve the long-standing dispute. Both tribes had a lawsuit in place regarding the U.S. government’s mishandling of funds and natural resources that it holds in trusts.

A commemorative signing ceremony was held at the Choctaw Nation headquarters in Durant with Secretary Jewell, Choctaw Nation Principal Chief Gary Batton and Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. Some of the claims against the federal government are more than a hundred years old.

“Today’s agreement is the latest addition to a record number of long-standing settlements resolved under this Administration,” said Secretary Jewell. “This historic settlement is the start of a new chapter in our trust relationships with the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations, and underscores our commitment to fulling those responsibilities to Native communities across the country.”

Since April 2012, the U.S. has settled with 41 tribes for at least $1 billion. The Chickasaw Nation will get $46.5 million, while the Choctaw Nation is set to receive $139.5 million. They are dropping their lawsuits in return for the settlement and agree to alternative dispute resolution procedures to reduce the possibility of future lawsuits.

“This settlement represents a significant milestone in helping solidify and improve our relationship with the United States,” said Governor Anoatubby. “We respect the vital role Secretary Jewell has taken in helping make this historic settlement a reality. We are confident she will play an essential role in our efforts to continue strengthening the relationship between our governments, because we believe she has a unique appreciation for the mutual benefits of a positive government-to-government relationship.”

“It is a historic occasion to have the Secretary of the Interior visit the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. I am appreciative of having a sovereign-to-sovereign relationship between the Choctaw Nation and the United States government. It is also historic that these three sovereigns have agreed to a settlement of the timber trust account case,” said Choctaw Chief Gary Batton. “We plan for the proceeds to be invested in our people – expanding education, creating jobs, promoting economic development and culture, as well as a portion to be invested in a sustainability fund for the future of our citizens.

Congressman Tom Cole, who is a member of the Chickasaw Nation, praised the agreement.

“Without question, this is a significant announcement for Indian Country and one for which Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Choctaw Nation Principal Chief Gary Batton and former Principal Chief Gregory Pyle should be proud,” said Cole. “Not only does the historic trust settlement further repair what has long been a broken relationship between all of Indian Country and the federal government, but it serves as a beacon of hope for other tribes across the nation that have suffered similar neglect at the hands of the federal government. It is certainly a day for celebration and one that would not be possible without the steadfast commitment of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, who has tirelessly worked with tribal nations and their leaders to acknowledge and fulfill the broken promises of the past.”


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