A plan for the distribution and use, of more than $9 million awarded by the Indian Claims Commission to the Lake Superior and Mississippi Bands of Chippewa Indians is being published in the Federal Register, the Bureau of Indian Affairs announced today. The award is additional compensation for land in Wisconsin and Minnesota ceded by the Indians in 1837 and 1847.
According to the plan, approved by Congress and made effective February 1, Indians from 14 reservation groups in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan will share in the award. They are descendants of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Chippewas involved in the 1837 and 1847 treaties.
Division of the award among the various beneficiary groups will be based on a historic population formula, using census and annuity rolls for the period 1937 to 1941.
The reservation groups that have adopted plans for the use of their shares will distribute 80 percent to individuals on a per capita basis. The remaining 20 percent will be invested and programmed for tribal and community purposes.
The shares of those groups that have not adopted a utilization plan will be held and invested by the Secretary of the Interior until proposals are adopted.
