I guess I spoke too soon, if you go by this article in the Bismarck Tribune about the long time dispute over the Indian Trust monies.
Here's an excerpt:
Native advocates who believed President Obama would settle a longstanding suit between the Interior Department and American Indian landholders say they're disappointed with the new administration.
Instead, Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar have expressed a need to settle the Cobell vs. Salazar case in court rather than sit down and talk to Indian landowners and negotiate a settlement.
"Salazar's out there talking, saying he wants to settle this case and putting false hopes into Indian people," said Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the case.
"It's really a slam in the face," she said. "Why is this administration taking this avenue? They have to live up to their trust responsibility, and they need to talk to Indian people."
In August, a judge awarded $455 million in a suit over Department of the Interior mismanagement of Indian Trust monies. Salazar now only will talk of a settlement after the case goes through the Court of Appeals.
Ken, are you with Indian Country or against it? Please let us know. If not, we'll be lobbying Obama for your replacement, no matter how many promises you make to provide better law enforcement in Indian Country (through the BIA).
No comments:
Post a Comment