117600628 325 indian trust settlement payments released

Maine Republic Free State News, 3 Linnell Circle, Brunswick, Maine 04011http://maine-patriot.com / [email protected]

Indian Trust Settlement Payments Released. . . if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for battle? I Corinthians 14:8 12/19/12

Maine Republic Email Alert. . . that I should bear witness unto the truth. John 18:33 // David E. Robinson, Publisher

No.325

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -COBELL SETTLEMENT MONEY ONTHE WAY - NATIONAL CONGRESS OFAMERICAN INDIANS

Washington, DC On Monday theIndian Trust Settlement Administratorbegan issuing checks for the Cobellsettlement to an estimated 400,000American Indians who are IndividualIndian Money (IIM) account holders.

In an effort to raise awareness aboutthe possibility of fraud and scamstargeting these account holders theNational Congress of American Indians(NCAI) has released a Public ServiceAnnouncements (PSA) for radio stationsas part of the organizations ProtectNative Money initiative.

This settlement can benefit you, yourfamily and your communities, but wemust all be aware of the potentialnegative impacts. You or others may bea target for scams, says NCAIsJefferson Keel in the radio PSA beingdistributed to Native American radiostations throughout the United States.

Dishonest people know about thesettlement and are figuring ways to takemoney from you. Be aware and bewatchful. If you suspect a scam, you cancontact your States Attorney GeneralOffice of Consumer Protection or yourtribe.

Keel and NCAI are also encouragingNative people to become educated andvisit the organizations site full ofinformation on the issue at...http://www.ncai.org/protectnativemoney.

NCAI has also developed an alertwith information for tribes to provide totheir members. Keel closes the PSA bysaying, Remember, its your money, itsNative money. Lets keep it that way forgenerations to come.

NCAI outlines specific ways in whichrecipients may be targeted. Individuals

in these circumstances usually get mail,phone calls, and email with ideas for howto spend the money.

For example, individuals or their familymight get offers for new or used vehicles,credit card or loan offers, rent-to-owndeals, or an advance on the money. Theorganization is encouraging individuals todetermine how to save or spend theirmoney, and to be wary of scams thatencourage people to Act Now!, makebig promises, offer no risk, or tell peopleto keep it secret referring to the offer.

NCAI says the best way to protectNative money is to make a plan, takeyour time when deciding how to spendthe money, ask questions, and talk tosomeone your trust.

The Cobell settlement payments,being made by the Indian TrustSettlement Administrator, will bedistributed in two payments with the firstbeing the $1,000 to everyone in the class.

These payments are expected tohave been mailed on Monday December17, 2012. The remaining payments willgo out within six months of the firstpayment. $1.5 billion is slated forindividuals in these initial payouts. $1.9billion will go to repurchase fractionatedinterests over the next 10 years.

A major number of the recipients arein Montana, North and South Dakota,

Idaho, Washington, California, Arizona,Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

NCAI has also learned that the courtwill issue an order this week appointinga special master to oversee thedistribution of the funds with a focus onefforts to locate all eligible beneficiaries.

Efforts will be made to reach out totribes to help locate members who maybe eligible but who may need to updatetheir addresses.

NCAI is directing individuals who havequestions about payments for classmembers of the Cobell v. Salazarsettlement, to contact the claimsadministrator, Garden City Group, Inc.,directly.

Call: 1-800-961-6109 toll free. Email:[email protected] Mail: Indian TrustSettlement, P.O. Box 9577, Dublin, OH43017-4877

Trust Beneficiary Call Center beneficiaries can contact the TrustBeneficiary Call Center for the Office ofSpecial Trustee, toll-free, at 1-888-678-6836

About The National Congress ofAmerican Indians (NCAI): Founded in1944, the National Congress of AmericanIndians is the oldest, largest and mostrepresentative American Indian andAlaska Native organization in the country.

NCAI advocates on behalf of tribalgovernments and communities,promoting strong tribal-federalgovernment-to-government policies, andpromoting a better understanding amongthe general public regarding AmericanIndian and Alaska Native governments,people and rights. For more informationvisit http://www.ncai.org

Tom WallaceCommunicationsDirectorNational Congress of AmericanIndiansLearn More http://www.ncai.org

Contact Information Office (202) 466-7767 ext. 207,Cell (202) 630-1094,Fax(202) 466-7797.


2

117600628 325 indian trust settlement payments released

Documents