Regulations governing the preparation of a roll of lineal descendants of Michigan and Indiana Potawatomi Indians eligible to share in a judgment award of more than $6 million are being published in the Federal Register, the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced today.
The award, granted by the Indian Claims Commission, is compensation for lands in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan ceded to the United States by the Potawatomi Tribe and Nation of Indians during the treaty making period of 1795 to 1833.
The funds will be shared by members of four organized tribal groups Prairie Band, Citizens Band, Hannahville Indian Community and Forest County Potawatomi Community --and lineal descendants, who are United States citizens, of Michigan and Indiana Potawatomis, including Huron, Pokagon and other bands.
The regulations set forth the procedures for enrollment as a member of this group of lineal descendants. The application deadline is November 15t 1979.
For additional information contact the Superintendent, Michigan Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, P.O. Box 884, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 49783 (906-632-6809).
Over the years, Hoopa Valley Reservation Indians and all inside fishers have criticized the lack of action restricting the ocean take. The Department addressed this point in February when Secretary Cecil D. Andrus cautioned the Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (FIRFM) against a proposal to extend the 1977-78 salmon plan, which has implications for the Klamath River and coastwise fisheries.
The 1979 salmon runs are expected to be dangerously low, due to the impact of the 1976 drought, which has adversely affected fish runs from California to Alaska. In his February 7 letter to the PRFM Council Chairman, Andrus stated that the inside fisheries cannot be expected “to bear the conservation burden for all. Fairness alone requires that the ocean fisheries bear their fair share of the conservation burden.” However, the cutback in ocean fishing voted two weeks ago by the PRFM does not solve the conservation problem, and restrictions on river fisheries are still necessary to achieve conservation goals.
The 1979 regulations will take effect on April 1, when the spring run is expected to begin. The comment period closed on March 16. The regulatory procedures may undergo further alteration throughout the year, based on the spring run experience, all available biological data and continuing consultation.
Further information on the regulations can be obtained from: Joe Weller, Superintendent, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Hoopa Agency -P.O. Box 367, Hoopa, California 95546, Telephone (916) 625-4285.
