Story Published:
Jul 23, 2010
Story Updated:
Jul 23, 2010
WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is unhappy with Republicans. It’s not exactly a new situation, but this time it’s over a proposed $3.4 billion settlement between the Obama administration and Indian individuals who have been bilked for ages by the federal government.
Some Native-focused Republicans say they want to strengthen the Cobell v. Salazar settlement to better serve individual Indians. A number of Indians also want to see the settlement modified, so some GOP and tribal interests have converged on the matter.
Reid, meanwhile, says the Republicans want to prevent justice for Native Americans.
No matter the politics of the situation, Reid has failed to highlight a major point: Some Senate Democrats are against supporting the deal as it now stands, and voted against its inclusion and other domestic funding in an Afghanistan war appropriations measure late July 22. The score was 46-51, which means that several Democrats stymied the plan in addition to Republicans.
House Democrats have been largely more supportive, and have passed the settlement as part of two different bills, whereas Senate leadership could not rally members to do the same.
With that reality as the backdrop, Reid started the latest round of in-fighting over the settlement, first announced in December, by issuing a statement soon after the latest failure with language strongly condemning Republicans.
“Republicans should be held accountable for standing in the way of justice for those affected. Their obstruction has not only hurt our economic recovery and our growth as a nation, it is now preventing individuals and families who suffered discrimination for decades from receiving a long-overdue resolution to their grievances,” Reid said in the statement issued after the vote.
The Senate leader had just been forced to remove Cobell from the larger war appropriations legislation to get enough votes for it to pass.
“I hoped that tonight the Senate could finally right a wrong that has been left unresolved for far too long. But Republicans stood in the way. For the fourth time in three months, Republicans blocked approval of the Pigford 2 and Cobell settlements for black farmers and Native American trust accounts respectively.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, is not taking lightly to Reid’s lashing.
“Senator Reid’s release fails to mention that both Republicans and Democrats voted against including non-related spending with funding for our troops,” noted Emily Lawrimore, a spokeswoman for Barrasso.
Barrasso has offered several amendments to the settlement that wouldn’t take any money away from individual Indians in the case, but are intended to make them have a more solid footing in dealing with lawyers and government interests, GOP staffers said.
“Sen. Barrasso has repeatedly expressed his support for quickly finalizing the Cobell settlement,” Lawrimore added.
Lead plaintiff Elouise Cobell and her lawyers have in the past taken issue with GOP legislators who want to modify the deal. Cobell’s spokesman pointed to the Reid statement when asked for comment on the latest development.
“We have not taken partisan sides in this debate except that we are for passage of our bill,” added Bill McAllister, Cobell’s spokesman.
“To be sure, we repeatedly have taken issue with Sen. Barrasso, but not because he had any power to hold up the legislation. We have been against his amendment that would terminate the settlement. We have never suggested, implied, said or indicated in any way that the ‘GOP’ at large or even a subset is responsible for the holdups.”
The Cobell team has long said that any changes would cause the deal to collapse, although many Indians have questioned why that would have to happen. Some have argued that the interests of the lawyers involved and lead plaintiffs are taking precedent over the good of the whole – claims the Cobell team has strongly denied.
At the same time, tensions are flaring between the Obama administration and some tribal interests that have expressed support for modifications.
Largest among tribal organizations that have supported changes is the National Congress of American Indians, which passed a resolution in June supporting settlement, but also calling for a bevy of updates. NCAI President Jefferson Keel also sent a letter to Congress leaders saying there are “legitimate concerns” about the terms as negotiated by the Cobell team and the Obama administration.
The NCAI actions appeared to be on the mind of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar when he met with tribal leaders July 13 on Capitol Hill. Upon mentioning his desire for a fast settlement of Cobell, he briefly made reference to divergent interests from tribal players as complicating the situation. And he shot a glance at NCAI leaders in attendance.
Despite those tensions, some Indians are hoping that the stalemate in the Senate could lead to a better settlement arrangement.
“This is a good opportunity for the plaintiffs and administration to reconsider their hardline stance of moving the settlement without any changes,” reflected Kimberly Craven, an Indian account holder who has rallied support for modifications. “Clearly, this settlement cannot be passed without more buy-in from individual Indians and affected tribal governments.”
Timelines continue to tick, as the Obama administration and the Cobell team have set Aug. 6 as their latest deadline for congressional action.
“After fourteen years of hard-fought litigation, the parties reached a carefully balanced agreement, and we hope and expect it can be implemented as agreed,” said Hannah August, a spokeswoman for the Department of Justice, after the latest Senate setback.
The settlement calls for $1.4 billion for individual Indian trust fund beneficiaries and $2 billion for a land consolidation program to be overseen by the Department of the Interior to buy back fractionated trust lands. Under the deal, many beneficiaries will receive around $1,000 to $1,500 for their claims.
The litigation has hinged on the contention that the government mismanaged billions of dollars in oil, gas, grazing, timber and other royalties overseen by Interior for Indian trustees since 1887.
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ho wah said on Tuesday, Aug 17 at 7:51 PM
ok no response then i want a lawyer too then to oppose this i dont want 15 mil for my share i want to get for all of us and yeh we need to just like every one else heck some of us poorer then the new people comming here we are owed this , and its not about greed its about justice
50031604ho wah said on Tuesday, Aug 10 at 8:01 PM
some of us here agree this is wrong , most of US AGREE 90% I WOULD SAY we should hire attorneys to oppose and ask INDIAN COUNTRY ! IF THEY WANT THIS ANY LAWYERS WANT THIS ?? BUT HAS TO BE A BIG LAW FIRM I THINK ?? DONT U WHO ARE ON HERE OPPOSE WHAT DO U THINK? PLEASE ANY LAW FIRM TAKERS
49567329HO WAH said on Tuesday, Aug 10 at 7:52 PM
yep i want rent money from those who stole our lands too they legally dont own it lets get that moving too a u.s.a eviction notice but i think its not a 30 day notice here its probly 14 yr notice
49566813ho wah said on Monday, Aug 9 at 8:46 PM
wait a min here the republicans dont even come close to comming to having the money the dems do check it out ! they are dems are so willing to give everybodys money but there own check out all the past dems past ! for real and the republicans may have too,, but they are the real feel sorry for the poor too .. noot sure whos is full of it thease days be we are not a voting block for real check it out
49489291ho wah said on Monday, Aug 9 at 8:42 PM
okay waiting here whats the 6 or 7th hesitation here ? did this pass or not! or they behind closed doors again:( !
49489049Anonymous said on Sunday, Aug 8 at 4:27 PM
you stay off the board LAKOTA BROTHER practice what you PREACH your a hypocrite your like the rest of us indians now HUSH! mind your own buisness
49414634Anonymous said on Sunday, Aug 8 at 4:22 PM
you stay off the board LAKOTA BROTHER practice what you PREACH HYPOCRITE your words no good now!
49414434Lakota brother said on Sunday, Aug 8 at 2:23 PM
I was referring to you "anonymous" and not springwater. You "hush' and stay off the board.Lakota brother
49409757Anonymous said on Friday, Aug 6 at 12:44 PM
yeah SPRINGWATER your the one thats always getting smart and obnoxious with people on this board listen to your LAKOTABROTHER now HUSH!
49299624Lakota brother said on Thursday, Aug 5 at 6:39 PM
I know this board is about COBELL and not for people to be taunting OTHERS when they have a comment. to anoymous you deserve everything that is said to you from springwater whoever he/she is. indians always arguing amongst themselves,that's what the WHITE MAN likes.
49248869Anonymous said on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 6:57 PM
hey does anybody out there in indian country know if it is true that the chippawa tribe has proof found documentation that the u.s goverment (stole) mismanaged resources in the sum of 70 billion dollars there is got to be more out there that the tribes can dig up the u.s goverment could not of shredded all the documentations has anybody heard this too?
49173438Anonymous said on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 6:17 PM
hey METHWATER stay out of the SUN is it makeing you senile are you still kissing ms elouis cobells ring? come to your senses if you have any?
49171107Springwater said on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 2:22 PM
Comment please.
49154882Springwater said on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 1:58 PM
To "Anonymous" my name is Springwater not methwater. How would you liked to be called out of your name? And besides I'm minding my own business are you? Do you feel me?
49153306Anonymous said on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 1:46 PM
yeah right stay out of the SUN ANONYMOUS its makeing you senile! come to your senses if you have any! just keep kissing ms cobells ring!
49152539Anonymous said on Tuesday, Aug 3 at 4:50 PM
You do the math methwater; A handful of african black farmer's, with a small bottom line vs. hundreds of years theft's of billions of acrea's of land, billion's of U.S. dollars in royalties, from oil, gas, timber, grazing ect....Do you always talk as if your walking east into the sun?
49094154ho wah said on Monday, Aug 2 at 7:43 PM
the slang is SAD ! dogs, back benders,co blabbers what next? (must me be a want a be here! ) pretty sickening
49029989ho wah said on Monday, Aug 2 at 7:41 PM
maybe a dog but a dam good one! and know what we do expect from somone who is suppose to be doing well for her pupps ? and a dog does take care of its pupps too ..
49029839Anonymous said on Sunday, Aug 1 at 4:17 PM
hey where is methwater? is she still kissing ms elouis cobells ring?
48959713Anonymous said on Sunday, Aug 1 at 4:09 PM
what happend to ms cobell saying it was not about the money she sued in the court of equity ONLY for iim account holder accounting ONLY which no money can be awarded period! now that the settlement dragged on for 14 years she comes up with this scam that us iim account holders owe her millions we dont owe her nothing! the goverment let this drag on for 14 years so they should pay her! so she can go away and drop this settlement! i hope those hateful republicans blow this cobell settlement to bits! philibuster it then if that dont work nuke it! and get it over with be done with it! get a job and go to work ms cobell like the rest of us indian! NO SETTLEMENT
48959449Anonymous said on Sunday, Aug 1 at 3:51 PM
yes i would agree ms cobell deserves some kind of praise only if she drops her cobell settlement for trying but this current cobell settlement is flat wrong! she is trying to extinguish our land management and mineral rights and she claims us iim account holders owe her millions which is not right at all she is flat selling us out the goverment should pay her go away money so she can drop this cobell settlement its the goverments mess so they can clean it up! and the opted out thing iam getting tired of hearing about if its news to anybody some people cant opt out period!
48958839orville goss said on Sunday, Aug 1 at 3:29 AM
all mrs. cobell needs is praise think ?
48933509tom quill said on Friday, Jul 30 at 11:49 PM
give me my two dollars,im out of here.
48877564"Col. Sanders/yard birds/barasso" said on Friday, Jul 30 at 5:11 PM
This metaphor will take this back prairie Lakota a few to wrap my mind around! For whatever reasoning, Sen Barrasso is asking cobell/gingold/harper, etc..to account for all they claim they've spent on litigation costs; to limit the 'rabid' attys fees to $50 million- what pray tell is wrong with that [did anyone check to see the fees paid to Black farmers' attys yet?]; authenticate the bank used for disbursing IIM monies [can you imagine the fees it will stand to collect on this chunk?] and more tribal influence/input on the bulk-75% -of this 'settlement' WHAT IN HADDES IS WRONG WITH THAT? SOME KIND OF PRETEXT MUST BE MISH-MASHED INTO THIS BY HER & DOI/DOJ TO TAKE SUCH A RIGID POSTURE! MORE IN STONE THAN MOSHE'S EDICTS, RIGHT? I hope its rejected as stand alone because it's still not that when blended in with 'Pigford.' Go Sen Barasso & company!
48858653mim said on Friday, Jul 30 at 4:21 PM
i know indians have medicine powers im suprised that they have not used it on the people the run our country they kill us every day and we sit n let them get away with it! instead of using it on others indians use it on the senate and house and everyone else that hate us!!!
48855228mim said on Friday, Jul 30 at 4:08 PM
How come the black farmers get money that is not their land! It was the seminoles indians and the creeks that should get the money! Remember the black people came as slaves so how did they manage to get indian land by killing off the indians! They should be ashamed of what they're doing taking land that did not belong to them and think its right! I still think all but the natives should go back to their respective countries and ruin their own respective lands! Evey day we natives should get checks from all government and business's for our land well never disappear! We should get massive money for the water they have taken and sold as long as the grass grows and the water flows, as long as this happens the indians should be getting billions from the reserved water rights and we better no settle for anything less. None of this 500 millin one time deal no as long as the grass grows and the water flows neither of them will stop s0 we should get water money every month in the Flathead
48854324Lakota brother said on Friday, Jul 30 at 3:34 PM
To all the complainers I hope your having a very wonderful day.No need in getting mad,OOPs,I meant angry at other folks who are for THe cobell settlement. Only DOGS go mad. Have a very meaningful day.
48851674Montana Indian said on Friday, Jul 30 at 3:03 PM
I applaud Ms. Cobell for everything she has done to get this as far as it is now. We shouldn't be blaming her for anything or calling her a sell-out. The one to blame is the BIA for all the years of mismanagement of our monies. I really hoped this would be resolved and passed by the new deadline but it don't look like it's going to. And as far as the ones who want to hold out for more, that is never going to happen. Wake up and smell the coffee.
48849368white widow said on Friday, Jul 30 at 2:32 PM
listing to sen.barruso is like the chickens listing too the colonel sanders.if he was here for us he whould have added to the settelment.he is trying to crush it in congress.native americans of his state need to let them know how they feel.
48847233Anonymous said on Friday, Jul 30 at 11:36 AM
TO SELLOUTS its not about the money so what if you think there are no real indians left its all about the land we still have our reservations and our land which money cant buy iam glad that the majority of indian country dont see it your way all you iim account holders dont sell your land keep it pass it down to the next generation this cobell settlement is the goverments way of trying to take over and abolish reservations
48832537SELLOUTS said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 9:44 PM
We have been selling out for over 100 years this is noting new... Lets do it again an SELLOUT theres no real indians left in this country, its all about money nowdays the whiteman has taught us well!
48794959james said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 8:53 PM
Say good-bye Mr. Reid. We the people are sick and tired of your bull. And that is ditto to all you cry baby Dems.I think this Cobell deal stinks, it is not in the Indians best interest. KEEP SOVEREIGN BROTHERS.
48792369ho wah said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:57 PM
heard of no child left behind act then there should be a NO INDIAN LEFT BEHIND ACT HERE !
48789659ho wah said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:52 PM
hey i have a alot more to complain about and just not about cobell want to hear it ? then save your key strokes, please I WOULD SAY SIT DOWN BUT YOU ARE ALREADY DOING THAT :) just a lite joke there in all this ser B.S, TALK HERE
48789329HO WAH said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:42 PM
i just hope this does not divide the indians in this country, (this settlement does not even get mentioned on the evening news) isnt that a joke too..
48788778HO WAH said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:33 PM
ANYONE HERE WHO DOESNT NOT WANT THIS DID NOT ASK HER TO DO THIS FOR THE INDIANS NO ASKED FOR FOUR NATIVES TO TAKE IT UPON THEM SELVES TO DO THIS FOR US NO ONE ASKED AND NO ONE AGREED TO IT !
48788314Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:17 PM
i agree with ONE EYE TIED BEHIND MY BACK the cobell team name calls when they dont get there way such calling the individuals (iim account holders) and tribes (rabid group) of people just because we are against this rip off settlement and also dennis gingold talking down a respected tribal leader amongst other things they are spewing at the mouth to just who do they think they are this cobell team so go ahead you cobell supporters keep kissing their rings
48787294Lakota brother said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 7:15 PM
You say Cobell is an old woman.I hope you live long enough to get old. all of you are porbably old as dust. I hope I live long enoug to see this pass. Get mad,be happy either way.
48787124Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 5:58 PM
i did not give the cobell team the go ahead to represent me! i have a right to legal counsel and the cobell team aint it! iam an iim account holder i have my rights!
48783034With one eye tied behind my back! said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 5:37 PM
This old woman is a tribal super hero wannabee! She has never explained [anything] why she made a class action anyway-her buddies at OST & her don't even know how many are in the class..what is that all about? There's obviously enough swopping spit between cobell & DOI/DOJ that a range less than 200K should be established by now! Isn't that's what this is about-not knowing what's up with IIM?? Senility is evident because if she gets her way, cobell will leave DOI/bia/ost in charge of 75% of this mazaska??? Has she been dipping her bill or is she that out of it? Kissing her ring is the ONLY way to get along with her if you want answers-they name-call forcing you to want to meet them on the playground..I'm going to talk with the Black farmer attys-after I file grievance(s) with DC Bar on these jokers!
48781501Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 5:34 PM
ms. cobell dennis gingold need to step aside get out of the way before they get crushed you got the senate standing in front of them saying NO to this rip off settlement! not only republicans but democrats too! then you got a bunch of angry indians from indian country coming in behind the rear saying NO! to this rip off settlement ms. cobell needs to come to her senses and realize its not about her them its about us the iim account holders and the tribes greed has a grip on this old blackfeet wwomen she has been around washington d.c for far too long!
48781284Lakota said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 5:10 PM
I defenitely agree with springwater. She/He does have a point. You are the one Ms.Cobell.thank you
48779453Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 5:07 PM
yeah ms cobell should of never even went there dragging all of us into this rip off! cobell settlement ANONYMOUS she should of just sued for her blackfeet tribe mind her own buisness i would say take care of her own tribal affairs make changes to the settlement sue for her own tribe only the blackfeet tribe!
48779204Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 4:53 PM
Leave springwater alone. she has the right to voice her opinion just like yall. Seems like everyone on this boeard has a messed up attitude. If it wasn't for Cobell you would not have nothing to B---- about. I hope the settlement goes thru so I can see a lot of smiling faces like yours.Have a very HAPPY day.
48777967Precarious and imposed choice! said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 4:45 PM
This 'methwater' person is so inculcated to the lameness of this all, that it can't even step back to compare what Black farmers-with no real legal standing-are coming away with in way less time! cobell drug us into this thing; picked the flaccid legal team-who went to sword fight armies to ted with a noodle-and was fortunate to get away with their scalps-or in cobell's case, her wig-EACH Black farmer gets minimum of $50K & attys aren't paid for out of their take in just several years..come on methwater/co-babblers, don't give us an option to 'opt out' just amend the class of parties and take your $$ and GO AWAY, you bums! The farmers' legal team is probably available to fight DOI/DOJ & they don't back down to buraecrats very easily, like gingold!
48777059DakotaLakota said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 4:43 PM
I could use some money bad and do you think that there will ever be another chance at getting anything from the govt. True the Republicans are always against the indians, always have been. These tightwad S.O.B.'s suck big time.
48776829Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 4:22 PM
TO SPRINGWATER your the one thats always getting offensive and obnoxious with commenters no wonder you are so 100% percent behind your hero ms. elouis cobell you are so much like her! we the majority rule in indian country not you the minority a hand full of supporters and a few tribes!
48774569Springwater said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 3:57 PM
Don't tell me to hush you IDIOT. I can say what I want on this board and don't try to stop me OK? That's whats wrong with NDN's today ,they get offensive and take it out on other people. I am not the ONE OK.
48771639Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 1:56 PM
TO SPRING yeah right just opt out i get tired of hearing that read the fine print i got news for you some people cant opt out at all period now hush!
48756627Springwater said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 12:45 PM
All the negative comments about Mrs. Cobell "OPT OUT". Don't take the money put "return to sender".
48748544Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 12:42 PM
No I'm not missing the "POINT" you are.
48748194Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 12:14 PM
waiting to see my comment on board
48744674Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 11:48 AM
your missing the whole point ANONYMOUS we did not all agree on this settlement we were dealt a hand and did not want to play i did not ask the cobell team to represent me and they did not ask me i did not sighn anything i did not see no survey on this settlement what happened to ms cobell saying its not about the money she sued in the court of equity for iim account holder accounting only which no money can be awarded now she claims us iim account holders owe her millions we dont owe her nothing! if anybody owes her money its the u.s goverment they created this mess so they can clean it up! they should of dismissed this case years ago! so go ahead keep supporting this SELLOUT!
48741564Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 29 at 11:09 AM
To"Another Opinion" thanks for sticking up for Mrs. Cobell. If it was not for her we would not be getting anything. I also stand by her ALL THE WAY. And if some people don't like it that is THERE problem. Our people are always complaining but don't want to do anything about it. The Black men march, Latino's protest and NDN's sit on there butts and complain.
48736859jrr said on Wednesday, Jul 28 at 9:00 PM
I want 1-million dollars tax free and nothing less. If the gov. paid each individual 1-million they would still be getting of easy.
48686954ho wah said on Wednesday, Jul 28 at 7:28 PM
OK WE ARE NEGATIVE FINE BUT HONEST!CORRECT! AND YOU ARE HERE TOO,, GOT ANY LAWYERS NAMES TO HAND OUT HERE?
48681304Shirl D said on Wednesday, Jul 28 at 7:00 PM
Mary Lee Johns you are a smart woman and I think you should step up and take charge. I have been reading your comments and you sound driven and intelligent. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I am also a strong, driven and intelligent woman and I am trying to do my part in making sure people are treated with respest, honesty, and fairly. Good luck to you!
48679244TO: 'another opinion' said on Wednesday, Jul 28 at 12:56 PM
Your vitriolic applause of 2nd rate work is touching but ignorant for real! Since cobell was chosen as the Govt's 'media darling' most tribes/tribal members who sought to assert any grounds for mismanagement/fraud, etc..was put off because 'cobell will resolve these issues!' Your ignorance is demonstrated because its patently obvious you have not tried to articulate your case/causes to DOI-also you if your review the docket calendar in this frivolous litigation you will see 'contempt citations' against norton, etc..if they wouldn't answer to a federal court what chances did I as a back prairie Lakota have of Due process'diligence? Some tried but cobell bogarted the stage because she was singled out as the Govt's face for tribal reform! Herein, she was swimming at the deep end of the pool and gotten taken under! Dismiss this case NOW
48641274Another Opinion said on Wednesday, Jul 28 at 12:45 PM
To all those who criticize Ms. Cobell, where were you when your expertise was needed? It's easy to criticize, but a much harder task to get involved. We've all opted out for the famous Indian way of sitting back and letting someone else do the dirty work and then complaining. Unless someone can take it from here and make it better, stay quiet! There's still time for the experts to get involved. Whatever the amount of $'s received, Ms. Cobell is to be commended for the time and hard work she put into it. Good job Cobell, you deserve whatever amount of $$'s you receive. If we don't like it, we can get involved. Being a Native Nevadan I give kudos to Harry Reid who has been a supporter of Indian issues. He is a good representative and hopefully he will be be retained at election time, or it will be a negative for Nevada Natives. Again, if we don't like what Cobell is doing, get involved instead of writing negative comments. Do something, or stop complaining!
48640069HO WAH said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 7:55 PM
i have to say this , are native americans voting blocks , check the settlements out!cobell and the farmers
48576559HO WAH said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 7:45 PM
i just want to sleep at night and not worry about food and bills for while AND 1,500 DOESNT CUT IT WITH ME!
48575979ho wah said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 7:40 PM
i really dont think bad of elouise cobell she is a native like the rest of us but !!! things just seem to much one way and not the other thougHt was about the IIM ACCT HOLDERS HERE !
48575619ho wah said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 7:25 PM
hey northern cheyenne welcome back from mexico glad to see you here . :))
48574524ho wah said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 7:23 PM
yes we need to band together if anything that was taught here , band together and today u need money to get by in this world , i am not ashamed of saying it. and yes the indians out here do deserve more than 1,500 dollars
48574384Montana Indian said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 4:45 PM
I don't know when we're going to wise up and realize that "they" don't want to see us with anything. They have stolen away everything from us since they arrived and have no intention of ever letting an indian get ahead of them.
48560969Not a Democrat or Republican issue! said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 1:42 PM
reading here, I see Black farmers have been able to get more $$$ for a fraction of affected party(s) in way less time& NOT pay atty fees- if this is true what kind of charade is wheezy cobell up to??? She sure got taken in choice of attys! If I were her, I'd want the firms the Black farmers got-they ROCK!
48541749Mary Lee Johns said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 12:55 PM
Indian Country needs to realize that Elouise Cobell is not the only Indian Woman who has worked for Indian Country. It's important to note this. There has been many women and men who have worked tirelessly to make life better for our people. The very idea of using money as a standard is contrary to our beliefs as Lakota. Our standard has always been doing things in a humble way and not talking about how hard they have worked for the people. To say some one worked harder then those who worked to eradicate TB that was killing entire families is an insult to those of us who knew them. Money is not the standard by which Indian Country judges a person to be great. There are those who worked their entire lives from 20 to 80 to make sure our children survived. When debating this issue let us keep this in perspective. The others who we are forgetting have more then likely did it for love and never asked for a dime. I'm not impressed when individual's sell us out and want to paid for it.
48536929Did they think we'd not get up said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 10:51 AM
to snuff on how bad this 'settlement' is? I agree cobell plays her 'media darling' role to the hilt to sell this 'justice' for Native America! Right? Interlopers-Black farmers-are getting way more $$ for not being treated fairly in the app process...mt ancestors were promised-per US oath-to an area known as The Great sioux Nation which has been stolen down to a fraction of its mandated boundaries and for this we get maybe $1500? The farmers non-combatants for the rights they now cash in on , are getting FIVE BILLION DOLLARS! cobell how is that anything like fair-we need to get rid of gingold/harper and get their attys-they know how to articulate/protect their clients' rights per existing law(s)!
48523074Sometimes holding out for said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 10:00 AM
justice is the best way to thwart the status quo but playing patty-cakes with the Govt's darling, cobell, is being stupid! Yes those Black farmers were merely applying for farm assistance and were denied-Govt had no legal duty to help, just treat them fair! Their attys not only 'got them bank' the Govt or someone other than the Farmers paid the legal fees! In way less time-tell me there's not diabolical pupetmasters behind the scenes! Lakotas are not in any hurry to 'sign off' on the Govt's BS even with a Native front leader-a 'barker' of olden days! Lack of Due Process/diligence is what cobell attys practiced, acquiesing to BS!
48518079Iron Bear 7 said on Tuesday, Jul 27 at 12:41 AM
The Gov't is responsible for alot of the Indian issues that exist! They pay for all other lawyers.......why not pay thses lawyers.......anything that deals with Indians, Indians ALWAYS get the short end of the stick....Americans are all immigrants and it will always be their way......they own the court system!WHite is always right....in their minds!
48492849jack rabbit said on Monday, Jul 26 at 10:07 PM
brothers use your brains the us gov can treat us better than it has the last 300 yr hold the feet of the gov.to a large fire we are as good as the blacks and whites do it for our childern.
48484139Springwater said on Monday, Jul 26 at 7:36 PM
ICT would you kindly put my comment I made just a few minutes ago on the subject of Cobell on the comment board please.
48474289Springwater said on Monday, Jul 26 at 7:17 PM
I am a supporter for Mrs. Cobell so MAYBE the GOVERNMENT should pay up for the lawyers fees and leave that money for IIM account holders. And to the ANONYMOUS my name is SPRINGWATER and not methwater you IDIOTS. I can say what I want to say about the COBELL settlement. DO you get it? PEACE.
48473259Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 7:12 PM
Thank you for explaining that so elegantly...
48472904yellowater said on Monday, Jul 26 at 6:35 PM
I am a supporter of Cobell but I do agree that the U.S. Government should be accountable and pay the lawyer's fees. It is their mess after all!
48470709Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 6:29 PM
SPRING WATER thats exactly everybodys point this is a rip off deal 1.4 billion is not enough for iim account holders you do the math compare 1.4 billion to 176 billion use your common sense and this is for over 120 years of stolen iim account holder money and stolen resources you do the math! ms cobell would be better off walking away from this settlement and its not only that the money part she is trying to extinguish our land management and mineral rights away for ever so you do the math! SELLOUTS
48470234Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 5:14 PM
You do the math methwater; A handful of african black farmer's, with a small bottom line vs. hundreds of years theft's of billions of acrea's of land, billion's of U.S. dollars in royalties, from oil, gas, timber, grazing ect....Do you always talk as if your walking east into the sun?
48464734Springwater said on Monday, Jul 26 at 3:46 PM
Yes the Black farmers may get 50,000.dollars apiece because there's not 300,000 to 500,000 black farmers.Do you GET it. Do the math if you can count. PEACE OUT.
48456174TRIBAL MEMBER said on Monday, Jul 26 at 1:01 PM
I WONDER WHAT OTHER BILLABLE EXPENSES WILL COME OUT DURING THIS PHASE TWO SEEMS EVERYONE WANTS THEIR CUT ACCEPT THE IIM ACCOUNT HOLDERS THEMSELVES GINGOLD CAN YOU TELL CONGRESS ABOUT THESE OTHER EXPENSES OR YOU UNDER A GAG ORDER.
48441924ICT is screening pertinent "Pigford case Info!" said on Monday, Jul 26 at 12:51 PM
Why? With journalistic responsibity/ethics,ICT can report the obvious differences in 2 lawsuits that are being considered by Reid & his colleagues. Pigford's atty fees are being paid SEPARATE of the award the Black farmers are getting! This old woman wants us to further depress ourselves by accepting this 'sweet deal' for those attys/her when these Black farmers are getting FIFTY fold what an IIMer gets and they don't pay atty fees fron award!
48441139fire horse said on Monday, Jul 26 at 12:26 PM
the amount slated for settlement is peanuts when compared to what united states pays to egypt. its in the billions. africa also has a u.s. fund to practice democracy. afghanistan is also getting lots of money. when it comes to 'first americans', well, i don't have to tell you the story. its unity time skins.
48438994Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 12:02 PM
just relitigate the cobell settlement and go for the rough estimate loss which is 176 billion dollars and also ask for all the interest that iccumulated over a 120 year period for all iim account holder stolen money and stolen resources i know it is way more of a loss than this estimate it depends on how you look at it it depends on how many years you look back in history i read one estimate at 700 billion dollars
48436619Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 11:49 AM
To all of the Native Americans out there if it was not for Mrs.Cobell you wouldn't have a thing to complain about. Opt out if you don't like IT.
48435472Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 11:44 AM
all you COBELL SUPPORTERS you are all being made to look like FOOLS going for this beads and trinkets deal the black farmers get $50 thousand bucks each what a bunch of FOOLS!
48435074No Fiduciary Trust At All! said on Monday, Jul 26 at 11:32 AM
The Govt held no fiduciary trust responsibility(s) to the Black farmers per treaty(s) either! All told-'google' it Native America is right!-about 40 thousand Black farmers are getting $5 BILLION and since 1999-after Mr. Pigford filed in 1996! Each gets a mininum of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS just for filing bias for USDA subsidies in other words Native America, they gave up nothing and were seeking an agricultural 'hand out' in bad times! How does cobell stack up to this litigation? Still ground-breaking eloiuse?
48434029Anonymous said on Monday, Jul 26 at 11:21 AM
did you hear that SPRING WATER the black farmers got 50 thousand each and your willing to settle for 50 buck on up to $1500 or maybe you dont qaulify what gaurantee is their that you will even qaulify do you still want MS COBELLS autograph SPRINGWATER ms cobell needs to get over her hardline stance and make changes to the settlement and make it a standalone bill! or better yet just cut her losses and walk away and go on with her life just drop the whole cobell settlement
48433269Some deal right? said on Monday, Jul 26 at 10:21 AM
cobell/cobabblers 'bank' on Native low self-esteem/ignorance to try to sell us this so-called 'historical settlement!' I say HOG WASH- just google 'pigford v. glickman' where almost 50K Black farmers got $50 THOUSAND each in less time-we should tar & faether this legal team and get that legal team, right! 'Historical' my back side-this is 'hysterical!' Native America just google 'pigford v. glickman.' FIFTY-THOUSAND GREENBACKS EACH BLACK FARMER! Rewrite cobell to this award and I'm one 'dumping in high cotton' Lakota!
48428364yellowhawk said on Monday, Jul 26 at 2:57 AM
CRAZYTALK you obviously don't understand the game. dems in repubs out dems in repubs out and on and on it goes. the blame game continues which works well in their favor.
48410699Kimberly Craven said on Monday, Jul 26 at 12:00 AM
I will add what I know about NARF. I asked John Echohawk directly what is interest was in getting the proposed Cobell settlement passesd. They have billable hours in Phase Two totaling $3 million. So while they were left out of the language of the settlement, he will be presenting a bill to the Court to be paid.
48406259Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 11:50 PM
I see "Northern Cheyenne" is back from MEXICO.
48405984Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 11:07 PM
yes the u.s goverment should pay ms cobell dennis gingold and lawyers to drop this rip off cobell settlement and go away! pay them go away money so they will get off everybodys back thats what the cobell team is so obsessed with their 115 million in lawyer fees they dont care what we get this is the u.s goverments mess so they can clean it up and pay the lawyer fees! the cobell team refuses to make any changes to the settlement or make this a stand alone bill!
48403459Jaded Raven said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 10:06 PM
Th!e Govt. should indeed pay the lawyer's fees since the courts have awarded the money to the native People!All the money should go to the wronged parties , the n ative People!
48400924Inviting Ted Bundy to your daughter's said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 9:27 PM
debutante ball is how this avarice-driven liti-gation has been shielded from IIMers! Earl OP and NARF need to give sworn statements about this case...how did they both end up off the case?? Why aren't either of them hollering now? Maybe not many but some sought to expose DOI mismanagement but this case was profferred as the Govt 'end all' for wrongdoing! The status quo discerned cobell could be played like a stravarious-like she has-so they made her the front story for tribal reform while the powers that be stepped up the money-grubbing until they had exacted the type of systemic failings which would make cobell rip for settlement as a modicum of justice for tribes...snicker snicker!These folks are not reformers they are profiteers bent on being rich-that's why they are so rigid about changes-I hope it goes on into ad infinitum! cobell case was the smoke screen of these times for indian country and cobell is these times' biggest Native sell-out! NARF, earl speak out about!
48399556Candace Colbert Odom said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 7:55 PM
It should be only fair that the government pay for the lawyers fees, that would be the All-American Way since the government took the money owed to all the Native People. They should pay for the attorney fees that Keith Harper and Gingold have had to pay to help Cobell file all these continuances and briefs and whatever... for the duration of this lawsuit.
48396339Blackfeet2010 said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 6:58 PM
Hold on there folks, lets give credit where credit is due. If not for Ms. Cobell this issue would still be in a basement somehwere gathering dust. WIth that said, there are too many of we Native peoples fighting each other. That is the "white" way. I really do beleive that the lawyers need a cap on the ammount that they receive and that can be in the neighborhood of ten million. Why not? They did do alot of the leg work and ground breaking work. Ms.Cobell deserves something for her time as well. Where were all of us while this went on? Sitting on our asses complaining about what the Govt was and is doing to us. These people who brpught this to the forefront deserve credit. We need to quit fighting amongst each other and tribal governments need to keep their grubby hands outta this. It should be left to the people it effects not those who have stolen from us as much as the US has
48394279Wanbli said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 6:13 PM
We Red Peoples demand the 130 billion to go to the red indiviual land owners, not the same system that has stolen and still is stealing the future of our red children, land, resources, peoples, culture and traditions to exploit...and who continues to maintain the systematic structure that is designed to extreminate... "human beings." with all living things...
48392236Biglodgepole said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 2:51 PM
One concern I have is mineral rights violation tribal leaders have always negotiated with big oil companies. And the turnover of our fractionated land ownership will allow them to negotiate better royalties incomes for themselves and very small incomes for us IMMlandowners
48383099Resolve it more fairly! said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 11:08 AM
I'm from tribal lands in SD. I absolutely believe a settlement is due Lakota {indian} country for historical thievery but this cobell scam is not it as written! Ask that old woman what's wrong with us keeping more of our own IIM $$ and not allowing doi/bia/ost to stay in control of our lives because they are at the heart of this lawsuit to start with right? Fiduciary trust responsibilities to them means safeguarding what the Fed Reserve dictates as policy-screw indian country and if you help us [cobell] even though we don't like it, we'll let you walk with $15 MILLION and neutralize oversight-go on a shopping spree & talk us up where you go OK! Can anyone now think this old woman & her white handlers care about anything other than mission objections and R & R-ing with our IIM money? Really!
48371544Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 10:48 AM
Corrections, A typo in my previous comment shall read as follows: "That they are *NOT* willing to resolve this long awaited issue."
48370378Custer Killer2010 said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 10:46 AM
This shows us that the RepubliFOOLs are very divisive and so partisan, that they are willing to resolve this long awaited issue. I praise Cobell for keeping up the fight and not giving up. She reminds me of the late and great Mankiller(RIP). But we all know how biased and prejudice the Republicans feel about Indian Country and its dire needs. What is more concerning is that the Repugs are taking a more pro-White political stance, than we have seen in recent years. Voting for a Repug is traitorous to all of Indian Country.
48370223It's not tribalism said on Sunday, Jul 25 at 9:35 AM
cobell just isn't fair to IIM accts! She has been brainwashed by GREED & DC attys that Indian country will not pick up on how UNFAIR this is as written & even if they do, they'll have little/no recourse but...the script includes Rep such as barrasso questioning the atty fees, etc..which throws it back to 'quagmire status' all the while, the Govt is still pillaging tribal lands! As diabolical as they are, the status quo will ignite wars; oil spills; do run on the banks-the TARP $; hang of few of their own workforce-rangel, etc. -out to dry, as corrupt when it's all corrupt! cobell finds herself at the deep end of the [cess] pool in over her head! TRUST NONE OF THEM!
48365232jj said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 5:17 PM
I feel like elouise ubderstands the beads and trinkets quality that many raise on an intellectual level. She is just caught ttoo far down the hole at this point. Maybe creator will help her see the light.
48335249northern cheyenne said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 4:06 PM
i agree the cobell team needs to step aside all tribes need to have a say so in this settlement and to come to an agreement and also every iim account holder has to be asked first before any settlement goes through and we need to re-litigate and get a better deal and remove the other issues that were thrown in on this deal behind our backs this settlement needs to be a stand alone bill so all voices and opinions can be heard it should of been done right the first time this settlement would have had far more support behind it if it was done right and more likely to have been pushed through the senate kill the whole cobell settlement and relitigate the way this current cobell settlement stands today NO SETTLEMENT
48332373David (lakota) said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 4:01 PM
Why? Why do so many people have to suffer and be mistreated by an elected democracy? Why cant all indigenous people come together and unite as one, for the people by the people!? Why does it feel like it will never change?
48332164deb said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 3:16 PM
I agree anonymous>>>>>>>>we need a leader. All nationalities have their leaders. where is ours. we dont have one. we need someone to stand up for the indian.
48330399Mary Lee Johns said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 2:22 PM
I for one support a bill that stands alone and not connected to the Black Farm Issue. This will allow for our tribal leaders to be involved in the negotiations. I trust elected leaders more then I trust non-Indians who are in it for the money. Cobell and her team need to step aside now and let a negotiating team who represents all of Indian Country and will not receive any large payment for their work to sit down and hammer out something that we in Indian Country can support. If it looks like the government is not going to come to the table in good faith we need to walk away. There is no shame in saying "we are not for sale". Everyone thinks Obama is the only answer but fail to remember it was Nixon who gave more to Indian Country then anyone else. If we don't want beads and trinkets then lets be proud enough to say we are not interested. There are other ways to negotiate then just getting dollars that will be spent in an hour. Rebuilding our land is something we need to consider.
48328024Truth said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 10:18 AM
The court ordered the gov to do their "best job" in trying to do an accounting. Does anyone have any faith in that? You'd be lucky to get 1k then
48315063It's simple. said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 8:47 AM
For those who wanted an accounting to have some idea of what revenues were generated from thier allottments and where it went, it's tough luck. If you did not get big money in the last 20 years you are getting the base payment and no accounting. For those who got big checks in the last 20 years, its bonus time. So, say you sold your allottment or had a big lease on it, you are going to get a bonus on money you already got. The courts ordered an accounting. The lawyers traded teh accounting for the settlment. It is that simple.
48309783ho wah said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 8:46 AM
yep another dead line ,
48309751Crazytalk said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 8:05 AM
Well if more republicans are elected in November you can forget the settlement ever getting passed! Just bend over and take what those racist pig, Indian rape-ers have wanted for years!
48307993Delia Marlene said on Saturday, Jul 24 at 2:08 AM
I don't understand why everyone involved (ie..tribal members) would settle for $1000-1500. That seems so trivial. I don't know the fine print in this litigation, but this still sounds like the government trying to put one over on Native Americans again. All tribes should get together and sue the United State of America for all lands taken which are on record as matter of fact.
48300348common sense said on Friday, Jul 23 at 11:25 PM
It appears that the Cobell players are lashing out at any and everyone because they see that their payday is in jeopardy. We're talking a $100 million payday for a small group of lawyers, many non-Indian, who already received substantial legal fees along the way. They agreed to a settlement that was good for them, but not the whole. And Sen. Reid has the nerve to say that he doesn't want amendments that would hurt the lawyers. Wait. $100 million? What about the individual plaintiffs? The Obama admin wants this because it would allow Interior much more control over Indian lands. This is a bead and trinkets situation, and Cobell refuses to see it. And what happened to her saying this was NOT about money? Does anyone remember that?
48294658Lakota Commonsense said on Friday, Jul 23 at 10:43 PM
Sen. Reid in blaming the GOP senators for this neglects to mention that BOTH Colorado Democrat Senators voted against cloture with the Senators...another Democrat includes newly-minted Democrat Arlen Spector. One of the Colorado Senators was appointed to fill Ken Salazar's seat when he became Interior Secretary...so he would seemingly have something to give back to the Secretary, wouldn't he? The Cobell legal team is desperate, folks. They know they can't win in court and the only way to salvage these ridiculous legal fees is on the backs of IIM account holders they have always pretended to represent. By the way, the Justice Department has paid all of their legal fees along the way...plus expenses.
48292549More Rigidity Than When Moshe said on Friday, Jul 23 at 9:00 PM
went up Mt Siani for those edicts! 'Kill the deal' this scheme needs an arrow in the aorta yesterday! How come they think WE [IIMers] have to pay those profiteer-minded attys? By now, who doesn't think they-cobell, too-were not in this thing for themselves? Thank you Senate Reps & Dems who were scripted to vote against this! Yes, ICT did show some pro-cobell fanfare from time to time but this article has more balance than previous propaganda releases! Why didn't cobell just stick to her tribe & local allies with this?? She was told/convinc-ed Lakota/indian country would sleep through this one, right? Get back to work cobell and earn your notoriety for real!
48287458C.D. in Lame Deer,MT. said on Friday, Jul 23 at 8:52 PM
I would be intrested in how this went from an accounting issue to cobell getting millions and what gives her the right to settle the debt owed to me from the U.S?Her lawyers should take their millions in tax breaks with the thanks of 389,000 plus IIM accountholders. and holders,the
48286919Kimberly Craven said on Friday, Jul 23 at 7:25 PM
I don't get the criticism of Rob Capriccioso - I've read this story twice and I'm not detecting bias. It's obvious this deal that Mrs. Cobell and her team have tried to ram down our throats has totally torn Indian Country apart. She should drop out the creation of the new class and have the $2 billion go to Indian Country not the BIA. That was all the first class of original litigants would get nearly $4,000 and the $2 billion would be for our use in perpetuity.
48282856One question? said on Friday, Jul 23 at 6:39 PM
Who do you think is going to renegotiate or continue to litigate this case? After the treatment Eloise and her attorneys have gotten I wouldn't blame them for dropping the whole thing. Congrats, maybe someone else will take up this case in another hundred years.
48280484TRIBAL MEMBER said on Friday, Jul 23 at 5:30 PM
AUGUST 6, 2010 ANOTHER ARBITRARY DEADLINE IS LOOMING SALAZAR GINGOLD,HOLDER TIME TO CHANGE THE AGREEMENT AND PUT THE MUCH NEEDED CHANGES INTO A STAND ALONE BILL OR JUST CANCEL THE WHOLE SETTLEMENT AND GO BACK TO NEGOTIATION TABLE.
48276674northern cheyenne said on Friday, Jul 23 at 5:05 PM
good! good news to me the senate rejects cobell settlement they should hurry up and kill the whole cobell settlement and relitigate! the cobell team was never of front with us never honest when they through other issues into this settlement they flat out lied so they deserve nothing all you cobell supporters are you brain dead! wake up ms cobell actually sued for court of equity for iim account holder accounting she did not sue for money so no money can be awarded to anyone and the tribes that are against this cobell settlement are 70 strong and counting. people are waking up to the fact that this cobell settlement is all a scam!
48275056Mervyn Taunts the Crow said on Friday, Jul 23 at 5:03 PM
C'mon - how come the black farmers get $50,000 each and over $2 billion and the Indians get a lousy $1500 and $1.4 billion?
48274883Curious said on Friday, Jul 23 at 4:24 PM
So why would the deal fall apart if the lawyers got less money? They have withdrawn their petition ot have the Supreme Court review the decision that said they could not achieve a monetary award in the litigation, so are they saying that they will throw thier clients under the bus if they, the lawyers, cannot become filthy rich?
48271708Springwater said on Friday, Jul 23 at 4:13 PM
What difference does it make. All you Native Americans out there and myself know the Senate (Republicans) don't give a tohoot about US. They don't care about a dam INDIAN. Only thing they (so called senate) cares about is making sure there is plenty of WAR money for the war in Afghanistan and Irag,killing up our soldiers. The people need to boot out all the OLD COOTS and put some new ones in the senate. It won't be until next year probably until the Cobell case is over and done with. You can thank Barasso,the worthless Republicans and a few of the Democrates and bickering Indians for the senate action. PEACE OUT.
48270724Eagle Man said on Friday, Jul 23 at 4:05 PM
Great news! Our ancestors are helping us against Cobell the opportunist, and the greedy lawyers. Hopefully this will lead to a fairer settlement for us the plaintiffs.
48270023Anonymous said on Friday, Jul 23 at 3:37 PM
1983-1997Blacks 1.??? billion vs. 1400's or earlier to current day Indians 1.4 billion. This is wrong...wake up Indians of all Nations...Time to become one...Let he world know of our plight...
48267996Why? said on Friday, Jul 23 at 2:12 PM
Why do none of the "interests who want to see the settlement modified or strengthened" agitate for the settlement to be larger? Why doesn't Barraso add another billion to it?
48260908Finally said on Friday, Jul 23 at 2:08 PM
Finally Rob Capriccioso has given up any hint of being objective on this issue. Don't you think it's kind of misleading to imply that the Senate action, or lack there of, had anything to do with the Cobell or Pigford settlements? You make no mention of the other, larger domestic spending pieces that were the real reason the House version of the war supplemental was stripped of the add ons. Way to go, at least now we can see your true motivation. I wonder who is supporting your writing financially?
48260618Mahkwah said on Friday, Jul 23 at 2:05 PM
The Spirits have spoken!!!
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