Story Published:
Mar 10, 2010
Story Updated:
Mar 5, 2010
WASHINGTON – Tribal leaders are increasingly raising concerns over a proposed Cobell v. Salazar lawsuit settlement. Some want Congress to put the brakes on the matter to better examine how Indian class members would be affected.
Ever since the Obama administration and the lead plaintiff in the case, Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet citizen and longtime Native American advocate, announced an agreement in December, murmurs that the deal might have weaknesses have swept through Indian country.
The Obama administration, including the president himself, and the lead plaintiffs have called for speedy congressional approval, which is required for the deal to go through. The Senate held a hearing on the issue in December, and the House has scheduled one for March 10.
Parties in the case have already extended deadlines twice since December waiting for Congress to act. The latest deadline stands at April 16.
The push for quick approval has caused some tribal concern, since some Indians who would be affected by the settlement have said they don’t like many of its aspects. Cobell and her lawyers have started a question-and-answer column to help address that issue.
In broad terms, the deal 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. For years, the litigation had 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.
The main argument against the settlement has generally been that its financial terms are too low. Observers have pointed out that the plaintiffs had argued in court that the case should be settled for figures nearing $50 billion.
Some have argued, too, that lawyer fees for the plaintiffs make up too big a piece of a pie that already must be divided thin to account for the thousands of class members. The agreement, if approved by Congress and the overseeing court, would have the lawyers receiving anywhere from $50 million to $100 million, while many in the class would receive thousands. Cobell herself would also receive a stake in the millions of dollars range, much greater than most others in the class.
At the winter session of the National Congress of American Indians, held in early March at the Westin Washington City Center, the murmurs turned into resolutions.
One resolution, put forward by the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, requested increased transparency and more time “to fully inform Indian country regarding Cobell v. Salazar settlement terms.”
The resolution rang alarm bells that one of the main vehicles of access available to tribes and individual Indians involved in the settlement is a Web site maintained by the lead plaintiffs. It noted that “many thousands of individual Indians lack access to this type of technology.”
The proposal also said that the $2 billion for Interior land consolidation in the proposal “is not responsive to tribal land consolidation and restoration efforts, and the funds will be returned to the Treasury after 10 years if not fully expended by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.”
It further called for increased hearings on the matter by Congress and consultation from Interior and the lead plaintiffs in Indian country.
The resolution was ultimately tabled, but some NCAI executive council members did vote in favor of it. Oglala Sioux Tribal President Theresa Two Bulls, representing an area where many people who would be affected by the settlement live, offered the motion to let the resolution rest.
Jefferson Keel, NCAI president and lieutenant governor of the Chickasaw Nation, didn’t vote on the resolution, but urged attendees to contact congressional representatives to let them know of their concerns.
Some at the NCAI meeting were disappointed that the resolution was tabled. Still, it’s been NCAI’s official policy since 2006 to support a global settlement of the litigation.
“I’m very upset that Congress won’t be asked by this national Native organization to go to Indian country to hear first hand their concerns of this settlement, which, with its price tag, will have one of the largest policy impacts on our tribes,” said Kimberly Craven, a landowner at Sisseton-Wahpeton where she is an enrolled citizen. She plans to opt out of the plan, as is the right of any class member.
Dennis Gingold, the lead lawyer in Cobell, said it was wise for the national Indian organization to put aside the proposal, since he thinks any more time would unnecessarily keep much needed money away from many poverty-stricken and ailing Indian individuals.
Craven’s problems with the proposal echoed those of Bill Martin, president of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. In a column published in Indian Country Today in late January he wrote that the “settlement is not in the interest of most American Indians and trust beneficiaries.” He said more people from Indian country beyond the lead plaintiffs need to be asked by Congress to testify. The low settlement figure, compared to the amount lawyers would be getting, was another point of his concern.
Michael Finley, Board of Directors chairman for the Intertribal Monitoring Association on Indian Trust Funds and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation chairman, soon followed up Martin’s column, saying lawyers for the plaintiffs have unfairly attacked tribal leaders who raise questions about the deal.
Gingold had previously responded to Martin’s column with one of his own, in which he wrote, “The world, including Mr. Martin, turned its back on the class and allowed suffering to continue while elderly and infirm members of the class continued to die; while children continued to live in poverty.”
Beyond his column, Gingold said that he has “no problem with criticism from those who read the agreement and have informed inquiries about it.”
He added that the fees Cobell would receive as part of the deal serve as reimbursement for her time, money and energy involved in the case.
As for lawyers’ fees, he said he has personally gone for eight years without pay while working on the case. Plus, he said the proposed fees are far lower than standard legal practices.
“I understand why people raise the issue of the legal fees because it’s a lot of money to most people,” Gingold said. “But our fees are unheard of in context of the recovery. When you compare us to every other litigation in this country, it is a fraction of what any other firm would get.”
Gingold said the fees for lawyers in this case might even cause future lawyers to be wary of taking on big cases involving Indian country claims.
Gavin Clarkson, a Choctaw Nation citizen and leading tribal financial expert with the University of Houston Law Center, said it’s his sense that “most tribal leaders don’t think the settlement is fair in terms of what is really owed, but many of them realize that dealing with the federal government isn’t a place for optimum fairness.
“The truth is, Bill Martin, and those who are making their arguments public, are right. But the bottom line is that most tribal leaders know there is no ‘fair.’ ‘Fair’ doesn’t exist in Congress.”
In purely financial terms, Clarkson said it might turn out to be wise for class members to have a little money in hand now to invest than to wait another 14 years for a resolution.
“That would be a whole new generation. This could go on forever and result in no settlement at all.”
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greenriverkate said on Friday, May 14 at 2:13 PM
I don't know where ya all have been. Eloise has kept EVERYONE posted every step of the way. If you didn't find the info, blame yourself, not her. She used her own money to fight for all of you. Personally, I feel she should just represent Blackfeet and let the rest of you sink. Where have ya all been the past 15 years? Helping her? Nope!. You all have become petty and white with your greed and claiming it is "YOUR MONEY". It wouldn't be a dime if left up to the rest of you. NONE of you have to agree to this pay out. YOu all can get your own lawyer and file for yourself or tribe. (But wait til reality slaps ya in the face with the cost PER HOUR of these people) Eloise earned her money, none of you did. Get off the hand out attitude and help yourself. She tried and ya still whine like little B!!chs.
43236512tom quill said on Sunday, May 2 at 7:21 PM
no english,i speak american indian
42426007native woman said on Tuesday, Mar 30 at 6:32 PM
The attorneys are saying that they are getting low-balled with their settlement. Who are they kidding. How many attorneys actually make 50 - 100 mil. for 14 years of work? Any attorney would love to make that kind of money. AND FOR COBELL, SHE'S NOTHING BUT A PIECE OF S---...
40334487Standingtall said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 6:22 PM
Keep your pennies and glass beads US Gov! I stand with the Lakota's. The US Gov is not stealing my beautiful land. OPTING OUT.
39419264Papsey said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 2:22 AM
What else is new? This is the whiteman's way. My father-in-law had a saying -"You are in enemy territory; act accordingly!"
39300404tom quill said on Monday, Mar 15 at 10:49 PM
not 1k can give my horse a hernia
39294509Wasichu said on Monday, Mar 15 at 2:47 PM
It is truly sad that only $1000 dollars will be handed out, on average, to each individual. What's even sadder, the government will probably try to figure a way to tax that money and charge 44 cents for the stamp to send the check in.
39269634Are You Kidding? said on Monday, Mar 15 at 11:45 AM
Cobell is a money-grubber just like her attys! She struck a deal to 'close the books' on most- if not ALL-IIM claims, so springwater what 'standing up' did she do-she actually 'laid down!' She gets at least $15 mil for pay off! That's a great nap by any standards!
39257799Resolved said on Monday, Mar 15 at 11:43 AM
The criticism is dying down now. NARF and the others must have gotten their share of the money. Now the settlement will be hailed as a good thing by ndn country.
39257646Springwater said on Monday, Mar 15 at 11:33 AM
I am so tired of practically all of the NDN tribes and nations complaining about Mrs. Cobell standing up to the US government when nobody else would. Do you HEAR me. Go sit your complaining A---s Down and be Quiet. You all did not volunteer to step up and do what she did. You ROCK MRS. Cobell.
39257046No Way said on Monday, Mar 15 at 12:37 AM
I don't want to sell my fractionilzed land. I want to opt out of this seattlement. A couple of thousand dollars is chump change.
39239971Too Top Heavy! said on Saturday, Mar 13 at 9:27 PM
Cobell/her attys probably can't fathom res conditions so they'll say anything to get their payoff from the status quo 'handlers'-fed reserve! Who thinks letting these parasites take off with a sweet top-heavy deal is the right thing to do, will fall for anything! What 'courage' does it take to 'squat' on 100Ks' land interests! She just capitalized on 'dormat legal merits.' NO I"LL JUST WAIT FOR MORE ANSWERS BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FROM HERE! Nearly heartless they are!
39198536KMMH said on Saturday, Mar 13 at 8:34 PM
I agree with duh and crazytalk, but now is the time to stop the complaints and put your energy towards getting Congress to pass the bill so those who have waited 13 years can at least receive the meazley payment.
39197234NotSoCrazyHorse said on Saturday, Mar 13 at 9:42 AM
Everything this new administration does is "speedy". I wonder why, what the agenda is, maybe to settle the unfinished business with the indians upfront while they are stealing the land and mineral rights on the backside? Lawyers will suck up more money in fees for payment trying to locate heirs they will never find and thousands will receive nothing. The indian country might as well RIP as the rest of the nation if healthcare bill is passed.
39174779Nahegata said on Saturday, Mar 13 at 6:39 AM
At last thought the NAGC does not represent or have the authority totO make decisions for all Federally recognized tribal Org, however their interest are any gambling/money, and have no relevance to many Native American Tribes, thus there opinion is moot. This is gambling first, not culture!and Tribal second.tlobbyist in the Indian Affairs fiedl, yet their goalsplayer in the lobbyist, yet th top Native Political entity, STRONG ORGANIZATION, YET THEY DO NOT HAVE THE AVERAGE Native American Land owner at heart. strongly financed organization, but do they reallly have the in terest of the average IIM land holder at heart? I saY NOcritic, but they do not care about the individual Indian LaND oWNNER, AND WHETHEWR THEY ARE PROPERLY REPRESENTED only care about their own interests. Do they stand up for the small Trsustlobbyist, there "ideals" are not for culture, histo
39171136Anonymous said on Friday, Mar 12 at 5:34 PM
Cobell's aravice was marionetted by even greed-ier DC attys: 'fair and appropriate' [AsstSec Hayes] for WHOM? They banked on tribal apathy/ ignorance/used opacity during pendency & now jettison goebbels-like propaganda to sell this to Lakota country[NA]/America! Lakota country is the mother lode of IIM anomaly/discrepancy so we have great reason to be concerned! Some- thing must be done but I'm sure that awarding cobell $15 mil when she only gets $50 annually in IIM $$ will solve it! Those exorbitant atty fees to top it off-'unci' says so appropriately Cobell say do the right thing before other die off-translated that means, give me my payoff before I/my attys pass on! SHE/ATTYS ARE UNCONSCIONABLE BUT MAYBE THE GOVT'S 'MORAL HAZARDS' TO SHAFT US ALL! Like they really care about others! CONGRESS TAKE A LONG LOOK AT THIS SETTLEMENT-GET ANSWERS BEFORE SIGNING OFF!
39147316NotAbackwardIndian said on Friday, Mar 12 at 5:21 PM
The whole deal has its unfairness. What do you expect? 100% Justice? Fools! It's going to be unfair. MOST of the ripped off Natives are DEAD!!! Their descendants now must rise up and live and quit crying about yesteryear. Move forward! Most of the land is gone, the money gone. You can continue to be upset, but all youl do is eat each other up. Mrs. Cobell has more guts than 100 Native lawyers. You think she deserves to walk away with $1000? Give her what's due. Allow her to make that decision on what to do with it. And as for you Lakotas (so proud), other tribes will definitely love to take your share, so give it up to them then.
39146531A Lakota Gramma said on Friday, Mar 12 at 5:16 PM
Maybe Cobell did try but in the end only benefited herself by agreeing to millions for herself. By agreeing to 3.4 billion on a debt of a so far known $137 billion is shameful. She does not and will never speak for Lakotas!! Cobell sold us out! Bottom line! She is an embarrassment to Blackfeet.
39146256Florida Choctaw said on Friday, Mar 12 at 1:43 PM
It would be a traversity to not include all the tribes that were under federal jurisdiction before the Indian Reorganization Act., many of them were not included on that list. They should also receive compensation for lands that were trespassed as well. Those who received allotments from the Nation they were apart should also be compensated for the lack of diversity and disenfranchisment. We as Choctaws that live in Florida did not receive our compensation for Asphalt, Mining and other lease issues. Also illegal acqusition of tribal lands(Land Grabs) with consultation. How Corrupt can the States be when they violate the U.S. Constitution, Choctaw Nation was the first American States.
39131879nativelive said on Friday, Mar 12 at 12:53 PM
'KUDOS TO COBELL'. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US PROUD NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS THAT WERE RAISED TO APPRECIATE THE GOOD OFFERINGS BROUGHT FORTH ! I AM A PROUD 'BLACKFEET' THAT KNOWS WE NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED . OUR 'OLD ONES'ARE PROUD OF THE 'FIGHT'YOU PUT ON THE GOVERNMENT.REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME ,I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR 'INSPIRATION' AND NEVER 'BACKING DOWN'.. YOU SHOW ALL THE PEOPLE HOW US 'BLACKFEET'NEVER BACK DOWN..
39128256Blackfeet tribal member ,David Eli Guardipee said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 6:33 PM
Oki native Americans Are going to belive this is going to happen,congress can not agree with anything because tribes are not together as a people.
39085749to Resolved said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 3:54 PM
Narf was left out of the list of attorneys who would profit - but would have been an issue to have an Echohawk as Plaintiff's attorney and an Echohawk as a Govt. representative in the settlement agreement. Go figure.
39075284critic said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 3:51 PM
$1000 for every landowner for accounting claims is unfair since landowners have varying numbers of interests in land and sizes of acreage, money has no relationship to damages from the failure to do an accounting but can't opt out of this class. Cobell attorneys had no authority to put up land mismanagement claims -they were not part of initial suit. Eloise saw an opportunity and took it but lots of individuals have been bringing claims on their own - it is totally false to say she's the only one that attempted to bring justice - she just decided to take action on behalf of all Indians despite the fact they didn't ask her to. Research will reveal that the case was filed approx a yr and half after the law that required an accounting was adopted by Congress. Astute Tribal leaders saw the writing on the wall - the case would diminish tribal control over its members and would change the face of US trust responsibility and it has - damage of case is far beyond the pittance to class members
39075069Football in season! said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 2:31 PM
to 'drinking water' and like: cobell says we are "monday AM qb-ing!" Here's a few analogies for her edification: 'backfield in motion' 'clipping' /of course 'intentional grounding' [ploying for $50 billion, settling for $1.4 bil] but she/they are in cahoots with the zebra & are banking on 'undue solicitude' by challenging these calls! Lakota county/Native America mobilizes to take a long look at this so elouise rethink all of this while you can! WE all get too big for our britches from time to time! She/her attys throw 'chin music' at us-sorry that's baseball but she's trying to bean us for sure while she swings for the fence with a corked bat! She may even be juiced!
39069761Springwater said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 1:17 PM
All you all who are complaining can opt out and stop your d----d whining. I am an enrolled member and from what I have seen of some reservations they should not complain at all. I thank Mrs. Cobell for what she has done and what NOBODY else had the GALL to do. She stood up to the US government,would you have?
39064701Goebbels Would Be Proud! said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 12:01 PM
The pure fluidity of cobell's front story which masks her/attys rapacious greed would make joseph proud! No 'major' opposition in Lakota country-she was almost boo-ed off her perch! Miopia it gets a bad rap but herein cobell/rapacious attys engage it hoping to get their sham through Congress! There's plenty of Lakota/Natives who are mobilizing to oppose this travesty on the common Lakota/Native by an overt opportunist who doesn't dispute published figure of $50 annually in IIM $ but now stands to rake in $15 mil of OUR $$! Of course DOI/DOJ says that's fair/appropriate!
39059364Lakota said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 11:38 AM
Nobody has to sell their land in this settlement. Is that what most people are thinking? This is about the mismanagement of the IIM accounts. Yes, I wish the Government would of settled for more than 3.4 billion but it didn't happen. Who else would of went to bat for native country?
39057869NDN said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 11:25 AM
If there are so many of you who disagree with this settlement, then OPT OUT! Sue the United States of America yourself! You will then find out that it costs MONEY to hire an attorney. This case is about the past, not the present. That is the big mix-up.
39056874Take Affirmative Action! said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 9:36 AM
Cobell team has played NA as total fools who are willing to take what they get! Some of us are not as greedy as she and gingold are! In her House testimony yesterday, she was offend-ed by the Chippewa law prof calling the party(s) in this case as collusive/collusion which is exactly the way it seems. Means their in bed with each other! What knowledge or consent did they give NA-Lakota country? Little or none, gingold/harper/dorris/levitas practice law like a public pretenders! That's by design too! She/gingold/harper are mouths without an owner-don't listen to them, they speak with forked-tongue! There's courageous Native woman [people] out there but she's not one-she's a self-promoter/self-seeking disgrace to hard-working, tough Lakota [Native] women/people! NO TO cobell's LIES, NATIVE AMERICA!
39048866hadawada said on Thursday, Mar 11 at 12:46 AM
I heard that Busby Highschool got pretty close to a boy's state basketball title this year. They lost out and then I heard that there were a lot of angry people that placed the blame on the head coach. I wonder why? I am not too dense but we, as Indian people, should know by now how the Federal Government operates. Instead of complaining, if we feel so strongly about whether we agree or disagree with the proceedings what are we doing to make our situation better?
39037301Resolved said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 9:26 PM
This whole dustup is being raised by NARF and some other Washington Redskins who haven't gotten their cut. Give them their cut of the loot and all this criticism will suddenly stop.
39029239Ruth said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 8:29 PM
Somebody get the producers of "60 Minutes" or "Dateline" on this story (maybe they already did in the last 14 years and I missed it). Dangle money in front of poor people and they will go for it. Never mind that our tax dollars funded the federal government to carry out its trust responsibility for Indians and IT MISERABLY FAILED AND CONTINUES TO FAIL. Now they want to dangle money in front of poor people and hope everyone just forgets. Did I wake up in the 19th century?
39026714SalishChick said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 8:24 PM
IT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH!!!!!!! POOR EXCUSE FOR A GUILTY WHITE NATION. THIS LAND IS OUR LAND, NOT YOUR LAND!
39026479Cobell Denial/Propaganda said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 8:10 PM
This woman is a doozey-she says Lakota country was grateful for her efforts this weekend and the only opposition was from ignorance voiced by 'council members'& that she speaks for most Lakota because of distrust of their elected leaders! THIS IS SELECTIVE LISTENING & DENIAL! I appreciate Prof Monet-Chippewa-calling cobell team's relationship with DOJ=she took offense to this because it awakens her to some piercing of her charade-ask for more answers!
39025844SF said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 5:09 PM
KJ is right. Keep the money US Government.
39014504Die on the vine if need be! said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 5:08 PM
Unless cobell becomes miraculously forthright-she a banker/so is gingold ['hidden fees' 'up your % rate with unspoken haste' 'process your debits LONG BEFORE deposits/credits are posted' ] other 'bad faith' unfair practices] so they dismissed with moral compass(s) long ago and will tell you its the cost of doing business LIKE A WHITEMAN! Yeah $1K would come in handy but I will reject it on principle/ Lakota values! There's too much inbreeding in this process between cobell team/DOI & DOJ! No keep it but don't give in willing NA!
39014421PM said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 5:07 PM
Do you really believe the lawyers went 8 years without a paycheck? Now, the lawyers are complaining that 50 - 100 million isn't enough. Are you kidding me, that's at least 5 million a year, and most lawyer firms don't make that much.
39014369ND Native said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 5:04 PM
I'm 50 years old, and I don't re-call Cobell or anyone else asking for any native's help with this issue. So, for the people that think we should of helped with this matter years ago, should know, we as the Natives, were never asked. Don't call us Natives greedy when the opportunity was never there in the first place
39014176PM said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 4:59 PM
DASKINLEY must really be Elouise Cobeell. Cobell is nothing but a heartless b___
39013814mn native said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 4:57 PM
Cobell and her lawyers are just waiting to line their pockets. I would rather not get any money than to see them get a cent.
39013699Native America Indifferent??? said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 4:41 PM
The cobell co-babblers spin that NA did nothing but we who have not stood still on the behalf of our tribes knew well that cobell was used 'strativariously' by US in dilatory fashion to delay '638 funds' etc because they pointed to this frivolous litigation as an excuse to be irresponsible to treaty(s)! No, some of NA-Lakota country, etc-did not stand still to BIA/DOI antics but have been impeded by cobell
39012464Michael Mack said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 3:44 PM
This case is just the tip of the iceberg of a long unfortunate history of U.S. government neglect. The fact that there is a degree of resolution, with all its flaws, is in itself somewhat of a miracle - given the government's long history of delay tactics, misinformation, and lack of responsibility in maintaining the records it should have been keeping all along. The resolution certainly is not perfect, but don't blame Cobell and her attorneys - at least they tried to do something, while the rest of Indian Country sat around doing nothing. Considering the legal quagmire of the U.S. governments continuing legacy for Indian Country, the fact that Cobell and her lawyers at least got a degree of compensation is remarkable. Well, it WILL be if Congress doesn't sabotage it, and if Indian Country stops whining about the situation not being perfect. Indian Country knows the only perfect resolution would have been for the U.S. to keep its word, but given its history, how realistic is that?
39008219KJ said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 3:26 PM
$1,000 is a nice gesture but it won't have any impact beyond a month or so for most families. One month of a little financial boost for hundreds of years and billions of dollars of mismanagement. Keep your money US government. The fact that Elouise is getting millions doesn't sit well with me either. She is due something, but millions? I thought she was leading this effort with her heart and on principle. It just doesn't look good.
39006924wicasa maza said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 2:17 PM
Sounds like the black hills situation. The lawyers dont want to wait another 14 years. the lawyers are ready for retirement. so extinguish our rights for 100 yrs of mismangement for $1000. Its a sweetheart deal for the lawyers& eloise. I live in a 1970s trailorhouse & drive a rez car.. but no thanks Cobell & company!
39001771dmoccasin said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 2:04 PM
Living in occupied territory... This is no surprise and the final outcome is less than anticipated. America's natives still does get it. We live in a white mans world get a clue. NDN self determination needs to be put into practice. I have been informed that no tribe except the Blackfeet tribe actually participated in the lawsuit. So there is no room for complaints.
39000661Rick said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 1:37 PM
Everyone is missing a very important point. We already lost this case! The courts ruled we are entitled to $440 Million. DO you think the higher courts and especially the anti-Indian supreme court is interested in increasing the award. Has not happened in the past as far as I know. And how much more is the Bureau going to take from annual funds to support the on-going fight. The most important piece of this settlement is the endowed educational fund. Once the money is gone and it will go quickly we will have a permanent scholarship fund that will be the legacy of this case. a gift to our grandchildren that will give forever...That is awesome!
38998591Box of pandoras said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 1:02 PM
Yeah, come we all know this! That's why cobell/ her team kept folks in the dark/played patty cake with DOI/DOJ! If they had morals-made due notifications, folks would've asked ???s-hence said 'box!' Thumbs down Native America to this!
38996001Reply 'daskinley' said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 12:37 PM
She used her bankster background to wed herself to another rapacious atty-gingold! They banked on opacity and collusion with DOI to pull this off! I applaud transparency but where was her opennness during pendency-she took on this enterprise so she is bound to apprise others! I like the tone that Lakota country-w/most IIM accts is seeking answers because there's smoething that smells bad here!Anyone who is pro-Cobell is a 'fort indian!' Demand answers Native America!
38993976DASKINLEY said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 12:28 PM
I agree with elroy drake, dont be like a blister and show up after the work is done, great job mrs cobell, you deserve every penny you get, go back to your fort,
38993366Sham on Native America said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 11:45 AM
Gingold/cobell are unconscionable-no shame! Like they care about the run of the mill, res person! 'elroy drake' must've been in the inner circle because he sounds apprised of the case-I wasn't I got promises from gingold to be! As for white man advocating 'investing' that's how far 'off' he is! Cobell/gingold & their backers are opportunistic moral hazards who needed the rest of us to gain legal standing at all so they could make the MILLION $$$, they now seek!
38990361Niecie said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 11:37 AM
Yes the government is in the wrong and is always in the wrong. According to the government there always right and don'n admit any wrong doing,or know of any wrong doing.
38989714Elroy Drake said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 11:04 AM
Where was all the questions and help that Ms. Cobell needed when she started her journey? The hang around the Fort Indians are finally asking questions when they should have been scouting the trails.
38987586duh said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 10:39 AM
"have a little money in hand now to invest" invest? really? What do you invest $1000 in when your trying to pay bills and feed your kids. These lawyers were never here to fight for the people. They want to line their pockets, sit back and say they did something to help poverty stricken native american families and get credit for their good deeds.
38985604Crazytalk said on Wednesday, Mar 10 at 8:37 AM
The U.S. government should pay the lawyer fees! And double the dollar amount for Indians! Offering to settle the case showes that the government knows it's in the wrong!
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