A plan for the distribution and use of more than $8 million awarded to Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River Chippewa Indians is being published in the Federal Register, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Forrest Gerard announced today.
The judgment award, granted by the Indian Claims Commission, is additional compensation for more than seven million acres of land in Michigan ceded by the Indians to the United States by the treaty of September 24, 1819.
The funds will be shared by members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, an organized tribal group with headquarters at Mount Pleasant, Michigan and other descendants of the Saginaw, Swan Creek and Black River bands. The Secretary of the Interior will publish rules to govern the enrollment of these eligible descendants.
The tribal group will distribute 80 percent of their share to members on a per capita basis, retaining the balance for future tribal programs. All of the descendant-group's portion will be distributed per capita.
This plan was approved by Congress and made effective November 12.
Persons wanting additional information should contact the Michigan Indian Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783
