Payments from Indian trust settlement on the way

RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) – The second set of payments stemming from a settlement between the federal government and Native American land trust beneficiaries is due to be distributed to members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes within a few weeks.

Lori Castaneda, vice president of operations for The Garden City Group, which administers the settlement, tells The Riverton Ranger the minimum award that class members will receive is estimated at $800. The total award for the 6,728 members in the second set is more than $10 million.

Elouise Cobell was the lead plaintiff in the Indian Trust Settlement that aimed to bring justice for the trust funds, assets and tribal land mishandled by the federal government. In 2010, President Obama signed off on the distribution of $3.4 billion for tribes across the United States.