The Department of the Interior today announced .its support of H. R. 4786, a bill that would turn over to the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Tribe approximately 16 acres of land, together with a Government-owned cottage and warehouse office building, in Dewey County, South Dakota.
The land was bought by the United States from a private company in 1915 and was for many years used as the site for an Indian Bureau farm station. Its use for this purpose was discontinued in 1948.
The Government cottage and warehouse-office building were formerly used by the Indian Bureau tribal field aid, were built at a cost of $3,104, and are currently valued at $5,352.
In addition to these two Government buildings, there are on the land five tribally owned houses occupied by Indian welfare clients and two privately owned Indian homes.
The Department recommended amendment of the bill so that it conveys the title and does not require the execution of conveyancing instruments by the Department. No opinion was expressed on whether the property should be conveyed to the tribe in trust or unrestricted status, nor on whether the tribe should be given title to the privately owned homes.
