Regulations Issued To Govern Distribution Of Judgment Funds For Miami Indians Of Oklahoma And Indiana

Media Contact: Leahy 202-343-7435
For Immediate Release: August 21, 1972

Regulations have been issued to govern distribution of I $5,199,660.20 for the Miami Indians of Oklahoma and Indiana, Louis R. Bruce Commissioner of the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs, announced today. The new regulations establish qualifications for enrollment and the deadline for filing applications to update the roll of Miami Indians prepared pursuant to a 1966 Act of Congress.

The money comes from settlement of Indian Claims Commission Dockets no. l24-C, -0, -E, -F, 131, 253, 255, and 256. Pursuant to the Act of Congress signed by President Nixon June 2, 1972, all persons of Miami Indian ancestry born on or prior to and living on the date of the Act, and whose names or the name of an ancestor appears on one of the following rolls, shall be entitled to share in the distribution of judgment funds awarded the Miami Indians of Oklahoma and Indiana:

Roll of Miami Indians of Oklahoma and Indiana prepared pursuant to the Act of October 14, 1966 (80 Stat. 909).

Roll of the Western Miami Tribe of Indians of June 12, 1891, prepared and completed pursuant to the Act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. 1000).

Roll of Miami Indians of Indiana of June 12, 1895.

Roll of "Miami Indians of Indiana, now living in Kansas, Quapaw Agency, I. T., and Oklahoma Territory".

Roll of Eel River Miami Tribe of Indians of May 27, 1889, prepared and completed pursuant to the Act of June 29, 1888 (25 Stat. 223).

Persons whose names appear the roll of Miami Indians of Oklahoma and Indiana prepared in 1966 will not be required to reapply for enrollment. They will, however, be required to furnish current information as to their whereabouts. Names of such enrollee’s who are not living on June 2, 1972, shall be deleted from the roll upon receipt of satisfactory proof of death.

Applications for enrollment may be obtained from and must be filed with the Area Director, Muskogee Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma, 74401. They must be postmarked on or before midnight December 2, 1972.