Feds reach settlement with US Indian tribes

Indian tribes in Minnesota and Wisconsin will take part in a $1 billion dollar settlement with the federal government.

The settlement announced Wednesday is over land and money that was originally meant to benefit tribes. But the federal government acknowledged it mismanaged resources held in trust for the tribes.

Some of the claims by tribes date back over 100 years.

In all, 41 tribes in the US will receive payments. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement the settlement will "restore a positive working relationship with Indian Country leaders."

It's not clear how much each tribe will receive. The Justice Department lists Minnesota's Chippewa tribe, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and Wisconsin's Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians as beneficiaries.

Online: Dept. of Justice announcement

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