American Indian groups argue over settlement money

Associated Press ^ | Dec 2, 2014 3:46 PM EST | Mary Clare Jalonick

[Olog-hai]

More than $380 million in government dollars left over from a federal discrimination settlement with American Indians is in limbo amid disagreements over how the money should be spent.

U.S. District Court Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on Tuesday reviewed a proposal to form a new foundation to help American Indian farmers with the money unexpectedly left over after the Obama administration settled a class-action suit filed by American Indian farmers in 2011. The farmers said they had lost out on decades of farm loans because of government discrimination. …

[freedumb2003]

Ah, the old “Casino Indians” or “Call Center Indians” debate (kind of) ;)

[cripplecreek]

Dot not feather as my sister says.

[freedumb2003]

>>Dot not feather as my sister says.<<

I saw “red dot not whoo whoo” the other day — that one cracked me up...

[Zakeet]

Red brother should give-um wampum to Granny Squaw with high cheek bones ... her use-em to become heap big chief ... her pay-em red brother back with much firewater and other goodies!

[PieterCasparzen]

Smokeless ePeace ePipe.

[henkster]

Firewater yes, but no Thundersticks!!!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Where’s my casino ?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I agree with this excerpt:

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“.......The government has not opposed the plan, but American Indian groups - including the plaintiffs themselves - have split with the lawyers originally representing them and opposed the idea, saying the money should be spread out among existing American Indian charities as originally intended or the case should be reopened for another round of claims.

Lead plaintiff Marilyn Keepseagle said in an emotional speech before Sullivan Tuesday that forming a charity with the money instead of further distributing it to those who have suffered discrimination “would be another way for discrimination, because not all people are going to benefit.”

Marilyn Keepseagle and her husband George have expressed frustration that the lawyers and the courts - whom they called the “suits” in a letter to Sullivan earlier this year - have been deciding what is best for Native Americans who initiated the lawsuit. She said in court that they have been made to feel “hopeless and helpless” as they have fought for justice....”

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A second round of claims is not unreasonable. More desirable than another layer of bureaucracy.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Toss them a bottle of THUNDERBIRD or high alcohol hair spray (Cheyenne champagne) and they wills settle down for a few days.

[blueunicorn6]

Ohhhhh.....so it’s Pigford Part II.
Buying Democrat votes with your tax dollars. For people who claim to be “a sovereign nation”.

[Western Phil]

Pigford Part II is right. Just as there were no black farmers discriminated against there were no Indians discriminated against.