The tribal plan for the distribution of $1,850,000 awarded to the "Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation" of North Dakota by the Indian Claims Commission were published in the Federal Register November 19 Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.
The award is additional payment for more than 1,750,000 acres of land in northwest North Dakota. The tribes involved, who have recently adopted the "Three Affiliated Tribes" designation, are the Hidatsa, Mandan and the Arikara.
Before use or distribution of the judgment funds could be made, it was necessary to obtain Congressional approval of a plan for the use or distribution of the funds as required by the Act of October 19, 1973, 87 Stat. 466.
The "Three Affiliated Tribes" plan became effective October 2, 1974 and calls for a per capita distribution of 75 percent of the judgment funds to tribal members. The remaining 25 percent is to be used for a land purchase program for the tribe.
The per capita distribution, which sometimes involves lengthy determinations of the eligibility of persons seeking to qualify for receipt of per capita payments, will be made as soon as possible.
