The tribal plan for the distribution and use of more than $1.8 million awarded to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians by the Indian Claims Commission was published in the Federal Register March 13.
The award represents payment for two tracts of land that were lost to the Band as a result of erroneous surveys of boundaries of the Red Lake Reservation in the periods 1883 to 1903 and 1885 to 1907.
Before payment of any judgment funds can be made, it is required that a plan for distribution and use of the funds be prepared and submitted to Congress for approval.
The plan of the Red Lake Band was approved on February 2, 1975, to become effective February 3. It calls for a per capita distribution of 80 percent of the judgment funds to tribal members.
The remaining 20 percent will be utilized in four existing tribal programs and a new tribal program to provide services for juveniles and the elderly. The existing programs are the Tribal Scholarship/Incentive Program, Tribal Credit Program, Tribal Industrial Development program and the Tribal Burial Allowance Program.
The regulations provide that as soon as possible after the approval date of the plan, the Red Lake Band of Chippewas post copies of the proposed tribal membership roll for 30 days during which any person may appeal the inclusion or omission of any name on or from the roll. Appeals will be handled in accord with procedures established by the Red Lake Tribal Council and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
