Commissioner Louis R. Bruce of the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs, today announced the approval of a 1965 claims judgment for more than $4.9 million to the Creek Nation of Oklahoma.
The judgment represents more than $1 million in Indian Claims Commission docket 276 and $3.9 million in docket 276. Decision to begin payment was recommended by Claude Cox, Principal Chief of the Creeks; Ed Johnson, Chairman of the Creek Indian Council; and Virgil Harrington, Area Director of the Bureau's Muskogee, Okla. Area Office.
The award for docket 276 represents additional payment for more than 2 million acres of land in Oklahoma ceded under the Treaty of August 7, 1856. Funds to cover the award were appropriated in 1966 and legislation authorizing expenditure of the funds was enacted in 1968.
The award for docket 21 represents payment for about 8.9 million acres of land in Alabama and Georgia ceded under the Treaty of 1814. Legislation authorizing expenditure of the funds was enacted in 1968 and the funds were appropriated in 1965.
The Muskogee Area Office expects to complete per capita distribution of the award by January 1, 1973.
