A plan for the use and distribution of $4.6 million awarded to the Winnebago Indians by the Indian Claims Commission is being published in the Federal Register, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.
The award represents payment for lands in Wisconsin and Illinois ceded by the Winnebago Tribe to the United States between 1829 and 1837.
The plan, approved by Congress and made effective October 30, 1975, divides the award between the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the Winnebago Tribe of Wisconsin on the basis of current tribal rolls.
A per capita distribution of the total amount allotted to the Winnebago Tribe of Wisconsin will be made to enrolled members of the tribe.
Thirty-five percent of the amount allotted to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska will be used for programs benefitting the tribe. These will include a Tribal Burial Trust Fund, Tribal Credit Program and Tribal Land Acquisition Program. The remaining 65 percent will be distributed on a per capita basis to tribal members.
Persons eligible for enrollment in both tribes will be asked to make a choice for the purpose of updating the current rolls.
