Alaska Native Issues Roundtable

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] indigenous Language Institute: Native Language News

2010-03-11T11:00:05Z

Hi Everyone:

What a great idea for Native communities and libraries to collaborate (see below).

Linda

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

This E-mail is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. This information is confidential information and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.

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Student-created films aim to bring native tongues back to life

Lost Languages

Laura Benavidez, instructor at the 'Ancient Voice Modern Tools' workshop, helps Mikenna Quintana, 17, left, and Jazmin Arquero, 16, with their presentation Thursday at Santa Fe's Indigenous Language Institute. The students created films using historical images and music to depict the decline and hopeful resurgence of language within their cultures. Photos by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican

Dear Lisa;

     The following article appeared in The Santa Fe New Mexican Newspaper in the Local News section on Friday, March 5, 2010. Reprinted by permission of The Santa Fe New Mexican Newspaper. ©2010 The Santa Fe New Mexican Newspaper. Story as reported by Robert Nott / The New Mexican. Photos by Luis Sánchez Saturno / The New Mexican.

-Santa Fe New Mexican, March 5, 2010

     Who are you if your identity is based on your language, and your language is dying?

     It's a question posed by teen participants in a digital-media workshop titled "Ancient Voices, Modern Tools," at Santa Fe's Indigenous Language Institute. The 13 students involved learned how to use film as an educational tool to promote the use of Native tongues. The three-day workshop culminated Thursday with an in-class screening (popcorn included) of the completed works, which ran 3 to 5 minutes -- and packed a lot of story into that tight time frame.

     Though not all the students fully completed their film by end of day Thursday, most seemed enthused with the project as they manipulated images, text and song on their computer screens.

     The Legend of Ho'ok, by 18-year-old Klair Hubbard, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, related the tale of Ho'ok, a La Llorona type who lived in a hillside cave and came down to the village to spirit away newborns. Hubbard used historical photos, traditional music and narration in the film.

Hubbard's grandfather told her this story -- and many other tribal tales -- when she was a child. "Our legends set a base for our way of life," she said.

Living Our Culture: The Quest to Preserve Our Languages, by Kenny Chavez, Ohkay Owingeh, and Tiffany Esquibel, San Felipe Pueblo, also includes historical images, Native languages and music to depict the decline -- and hopeful resurgence -- of language within their cultures.

     The decline stems from the 1880s to the mid-20th century when federal law mandated that Native American children only speak and learn English. During those years, most Indian children were educated in "English-only" boarding schools.

     The Indigenous Language Institute was founded in 1992 to revitalized Native languages. This workshop provides a way for young people to connect to the cause, according to Matt Pecos, Cochiti Pueblo, who teaches at the Santa Fe Indian School's Cochiti Keres Language Program.

     "Our young people need to hear our language to learn it, and technology is a medium you can use to speak that language to them," Pecos said. "Language is not only a form of communication with one another. It's who we are."

     The workshop was funded by a grant from the First Nations Development Institute in Longmont, Colo., according to Inée Slaughter, executive director of the ILI, which is on the campus of the Santa Fe Indian School on Cerrillos Road.

"There is a renaissance of interest among the young generation to learn more about their language and culture," Slaughter said. "They need to learn language skills that are relevant to their lives, such as being able to talk about things that interest them -- such as sports. ILI believes in taking language where the kids are and technology -- social networking sites, texting, MySpace, YouTube -- is where they are."

     The institute will archive the shorts. Otherwise, the filmmakers can do with them what they wish. Slaughter encouraged them to submit their works to the Greater New Mexico All Roads Film and Photo Project, a statewide program that showcases student work.

Contact Robert Nott at 986-3021 or rnott@sfnewmexican.com.

Klair Hubbard, 18, puts the final touches on her story, The Legend of Ho'ok, before the in-class screening Thursday. Photo by Luis Sánchez Saturno/The New Mexican

1501 Cerrillos Road U-Building | Santa Fe, NM 87505 US

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] FW: American Indian Elder Health fact sheet

2010-03-11T10:20:03Z

Hi Everyone:

Share this message with your health community.

Linda

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

________________________________
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

American Indian Elder Health: Critical Information for Researchers and Policymakers

<http://infoltc.blogspot.com/2010/03/american-indian-elder-health-critical.html>

This fact sheet provides a quick summary of key economic, demographic and health trends facing AIAN elders, including cancer screening rates, health behaviors, falls as well as access to care, among other issues.

[http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/AI_FS_cvr.jpg]

Fact Sheet<http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs/files/AI_Elder_FS_012210.pdf> (link to a version of the UCLA fact sheet)

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] Governor Parnell's March 3 Native Issues Forum Remarks

2010-03-11T10:05:04Z

The message below came from Tlingit and Haida who sponsors the Native Issues forum during legislative session. I thought to share with our listserv and please share with your colleagues of the governor’s plans to improve and provide incentives for our youth to stay in school. It sounds encouraging and requires our support just like a village.

Linda

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

Governor Sean Parnell’s Address to the Native Issues Forum

March 3, 2010 / Noon / Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall

Thank you. It is hard to believe I was here just a couple of years ago as your lieutenant governor, and it seems like a lot has changed since then. And though much has changed, I’m going to talk about some familiar topics, and speak to you about the opportunity I see for us ahead.

Three years ago, I spoke about some tough topics. I spoke about our shared concerns of suicide and hopelessness among Alaska’s youth; I talked about high school drop out rates; and domestic violence and sexual assault in our homes and communities. Those were topics I discussed with you then, and we had a good discussion following.

And today, I’m going to revisit those topics because, like you, I want our people to flourish. I want all of us – and our kids and grandkids – to be filled with hope. I want them to live in safe and healthy homes. But in order for this to happen, it’s going to take all of us.

I’m working to create hope and opportunity on the government side through economic growth and through new educational opportunities. And I’m partnering with community leaders and stakeholders from every arena to come together to fight for our youth, and to fight for our families.

So first, let’s talk education. One way to cast a vision and to offer hope is to provide our youth with the option and opportunity to go to college or to a job training course. Right now, over one-third of Alaska’s high school students who start 9th grade don’t complete 12th grade. But if we give them something to work for, give them something to fight for, something to hope for – this can change.

I have introduced legislation to create the Governor’s Performance Scholarship. It’s a merit-based program that would offer every Alaska high school student the opportunity to work hard and earn their way to an Alaska trade school or an in-state university.

Here’s how it works: students qualify by taking a tougher curriculum than what is currently required. If they take, for instance, four years each of math and science, rather than the two years that is required, they – depending on their grade point average – can earn tuition scholarships ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent for in-state tuition.

We are working to make sure every kid in Alaska has this opportunity. This opportunity is transformational in nature. Many people think, “Oh, it’s just a scholarship.” No. This ticket that can be earned by a young person, can transform an individual with better education and by giving them more choices.

So, if every 8th grader heard that if they do well in school they could qualify for a tuition scholarship, it not only helps them do better, it drives us as parents to demand more of our school system and our school district. If there is a school district in Alaska that is only offering three math courses, and not four – I say, “Shame on you.” We will drive our school districts to improve the offering that every student has available to them.

The Governor’s Performance Scholarship will help our economy and local businesses by providing a more highly trained workforce and creating jobs.

And what’s more… studies show that upward of 70 percent of Alaska’s students end up residing in the state from which they graduate. Twenty-two other states have tuition scholarships, and those 22 states have experience with improved graduation rates and academic performance, and young people staying in their state, better prepared for the work force.

My administration is committed not only to increasing educational opportunities for Alaska’s students; we’re committed to improving their learning environment, as well.

Every Alaskan has the right to attend school in a well-lit, safe, and warm environment that is conducive to learning.

About three weeks ago, I traveled to Alakanuk, Kipnuk, Napaskiak, and Bethel with Representatives Foster and Herron and with Senators Olson and Hoffman.

Frankly, I was there to look at the condition of our rural schools. These three schools were in the top four on our Rural School Construction and Renovation list. And I found crowded schools, and schools that were in poor repair. I am committed to investing in Alaska’s children and in their future, by giving them a safe and productive learning environment.

To that end, I’ve been meeting with our state finance people; I gathered them around the conference room table last week to figure out how to finance such an undertaking.

We have good interest rates in these times, and if we work together, we can not only meet the needs through the 70/30 formula that has been used for years in the organized areas, but we can also meet the needs of our rural residents.

We Alaskans…we’re a pretty self-sufficient bunch in some regards. We like to work, to earn our way. And we are more fulfilled as a people, and have more personal dignity when we are able to provide for ourselves and our families.

Another way I’m working to build opportunity for our people is through my proposed Deferred Maintenance Plan.

I’ve proposed to put $100 million on the street for Deferred Maintenance. It’s not very glamorous, is it? It’s not a monument or something big to put a name on. It’s the heart of our public facilities. It’s the boiler replacements, the roof replacements; it’s the fire system and electrical system replacements. It’s the heart and soul of our small and mid-size contractors.

I’ve proposed a five year Deferred Maintenance Plan, saying if we spend $100 million a year for five years, which is my commitment, we will put more people to work, we’ll be able to fix what we’ve got, and take care of the facilities we’ve already constructed.

This is really about being good stewards of our state resources and showing respect for taxpayer dollars, both state and federal.

Turn with me now to a serious threat to Alaska’s communities, families and cultures: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. This is an issue that is ripping the fabric of our cultures, communities and relationships. These devastating crimes are not limited to a certain region of the state, culture or demographic. They affect us all.

In December, I launched a comprehensive Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Initiative; it is a three-legged stool consisting of:

1. Prevention, through education and raising awareness;

2. Increased funding for shelters that provide healing and safety for those in need; and

3. Increased law enforcement presence in our villages. Included in my proposal is funding for 15 new Village Public Safety Officer positions, or VPSOs.

It is difficult for Alaskans that live in my hometown to understand what it’s like to pick up a phone when you need help and not have someone respond within a few minutes. Most people in Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks, can pick up their phone and get police help within five to ten minutes. When you have to wait for days for that kind of help in the villages, that’s just wrong. And by then, it’s far too late.

I think every Alaskan has a right to safety and freedom from fear. And I’m committed to funding 15 more VPSOs every year for the next 10 years, until ALL Alaskans have the law enforcement presence and safety they need and deserve.

The comprehensive initiative I just described to you is already before the legislature. However, as I said to you here in this room three years ago, Alaskans cannot depend on government intervention to stop the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault in our state.

It’s going to take ALL of us… every individual, family, community and culture in Alaska. We have to change our way of thinking in this state. Domestic violence and sexual assault are crimes. There are no two ways around it. How we deal with that in each of our cultures and villages – that can be different, but we must recognize that it is going on around us, and that it is wrong.

Here’s the good news: we can stop it. That sad statistic that Alaska has six times the national average of child sexual assault – if that is who we are, there’s an average state out there that is significantly lower in danger to our young people. That means we can do better, that we can affect change.

My administration is partnering with non-profits and communities across Alaska to launch a statewide effort to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault.

At noon on March 31st, I will lead a march from the steps of the capitol. My hope is that thousands of Alaskans will join us across Alaska. I urge you to join me in challenging others to “Choose Respect.” That is the theme, and that is what we need.

It has been my honor to serve Alaskans as a legislator, as lieutenant governor and now as Governor. In my years of service, I have traveled the state and visited many of our rural communities. Across Alaska, the majority of my encounters were with people who reflected and lived out the values taught by the many cultures that make our state so rich – including the cultures and values of our First People.

One of those values that I love is ‘respect.’ Respect for the land and its abundance, and respect for each other. We must ensure that respect invades every home; we must make it a part of our statewide culture to choose respect.

So I’m asking you to get involved and participate in events in your individual communities. Please lead by example, lead by numbers, and let’s lead in choosing respect.

Thank you for receiving me today. It’s my honor and privilege to serve you as your governor. And I’m happy to take questions at this time.

Thank you.

Ashli Colón

Assistant to the President

Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

320 West Willoughby, Suite 300

Juneau, AK 99801-1772

(800) 344-1432 / (907) 463-7142

Fax: (907) 586-8970

acolon@ccthita.org / www.ccthita.org

ü Please consider the environment before printing this email.

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] Tribal library websites

2010-03-10T11:35:03Z

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University
of Illinois is looking for library web sites that need help redesigning
their site. Teams of graduate students from the "Web Design for
Organizations" class will be redesigning web sites as part of the course
curriculum. Student teams will work with you to assess your needs and
help you design a successful site that excels in usability, code
compliance and accessibility support for the disabled.

Timeframe: Students will contact you in early June and will work with
you one-on-one throughout the development process. Final projects are
due by July 31st.

Deliverables: When the site is done, you can make arrangements for the
student team to turn over the newly designed site to you so you can use
all or part of their work on your current web site.

Requirements: The only proviso is that you work with the student team to
help them understand your desires for the site. This will be an ongoing
process as they develop your site for you.

Availability: There will only be 9-10 teams of students who will each
pick a site so availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact/Questions: Tim Offenstein, timo@illinois.edu or 217-244-2700
(M-F, 9-5 Central Time)

Thank you,

Tim Offenstein
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tim Offenstein
Campus Accessibility Liaison
Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services
University of Illinois
217.244.2700

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] FW: [icc-series] Wilma Mankiller

2010-03-10T11:20:03Z

This is sad news about Wilma Mankiller. I experience her at the Seventh Generation Conference in Seattle. She was inspirational talking about our relationship with Mother Earth.

She was the first woman chief, an author, and excellent speaker. Let’s send good thoughts to her, family, Cherokee Nation, and All Tribal Nations. Below are a couple links that I thought you would be interested and your own search in the Internet.

National of Women Hall:

http://www.greatwomen.org/women.php?action=viewone&id=104

Lesson Plan link on Wilma Mankiller:

http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-famous/Mankillr.html

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

Dear Friends:

The news is going out from Oklahoma that Wilma Mankiller, first woman
chief of the Cherokee Nation, has Stage IV pancreatic cancer and is
receiving care at home from hospice. Members of her community are asking
for prayers "for Wilma, her husband Charlie Soap, and her family, all the
Cherokee people, the Native American people, the women, children and
elders who treasure her and who will miss her so much. May Creator God be
with her in this final earthly journey."

Please keep Wilma in your heart at this time. We were blessed by her two
visits to Willamette University and by her residency in Oregon in 2005.

--Rebecca

--
Rebecca Dobkins
Curator, Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Professor of Anthropology
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
503 370-6639
rdobkins@willamette.edu

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] Hoopa Library - Digital Storytelling Station Project

2010-03-10T11:05:03Z

Hi Everyone:

Wow, what a great way to provide storytelling and history at the same time. Check it out with the web link below.

This is one of the stories from the Hoopa Library in Northern California from their Digital Storytelling Project - San Diego Media Arts Center is a partner

http://www.mediaartscenter.org/site/c.dfLIJPOvHoE/b.5560571/k.6745/Hoopa_Valley_Stories.htm

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] FW: Can You Please Post To Your List?

2010-03-10T11:00:15Z

Here is another opportunity for a high school student whose interest is in computer science career. The deadline is April 2^nd. So hurry and get the applications sent.

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

Greetings - FYI

The Coalition for American Indians is able to extend our program for one more summer! We will host our last group of high school students at Humboldt State University this July 12-24. Thanks to all our efforts, last year's camp resulted in four students desiring to apply and being accepted at Humboldt State University.

The program for Summer 2010 will have space for just 16 students (we had 40 last year and 120 applications!). We hope to find those who are genuinely interested in exploring computing (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Technology, GIS) at the college level. The program will include instruction in problem solving, mathematical computations, and computer programming. Students live in campus housing and have a college student as a peer mentor. The mornings are used for class time and the afternoons and early evenings are used for fun projects. Field trips are being planned and we'd like to visit a local reservation or Native-owned business and see how technology is being used there to benefit the members.

I have attached this year's flyer and application. If you know any high school Sophomores or Juniors who would be interested in applying, please announce our program to them. If a student is interested but does not currently meet the criteria, please have them address that issue in their personal statement. The program dates are July 12-24, and we are again covering round trip travel, room and board and a stipend. The application deadline is SOON: April 2nd!

Lonyx Landry is doing local recruitment trips and talks to interested groups over the next few weeks. He may call you, or you may contact him at 707-599-7215, to schedule a meeting or presentation.

If you have any suggestions for the program, or can host our students for an hour tour, please contact me right away as we are finalizing our schedule this month.

Sincerely,

Janet Sclar
CAIC Project Coordinator
Coalition for American Indians in Computing
Humboldt State University
707-826-3338
http://www.humboldt.edu/caic/

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] FW: 2010 ALA Candidates for Councilor-At-Large

2010-03-10T10:55:04Z

Fyi see below

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

From: The Black Caucus of the American Library Association [mailto:BCALA@LISTSERV.KENT.EDU] On Behalf Of LaVerne Gray
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2010 2:18 PM
To: BCALA@LISTSERV.KENT.EDU
Subject: [BCALA] 2010 ALA Candidates for Councilor-At-Large

The Diversity Council, a sub-committee of the ALA Council Committee on Diversity, has compiled a list of 2010 ALA Candidates for Councilor-At-Large who are members of the constituent groups of Diversity Council: American Indian Library Association (AILA); Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA); Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies—Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (ASCLA-LSSPS); Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA); Chinese-American Librarians Association (CALA); Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT); and The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA).

This list identifies ALA Councilor-At-Large candidates who are active in our constituent groups and whose membership in the above associations represents a commitment to diversity. Please share this information with members of your groups, and any other interested voters, and consider these candidates when casting your ballot.

Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Candidates were identified by the members of Diversity Council with consultation from membership coordinators of each constituent group.

Leslie Monsalve-Jones

Chair, Diversity Council

library@swc.edu

2010 ALA CANDIDATES FOR COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE

Ismail Abdullahi

Xima Avalos

Gladys Smiley Bell

Bart Birdsall

Wanda Brown

Matthew P. Ciszek

Roberto C. Delgadillo

John DeSantis

Karen E. Downing

Loida Garcia-Febo

Sol Antonio Gomez

Janice Greenberg

Nancy Sun Hershoff

David A. Hurley

Florante Peter Ibanez

Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

Xudong Jin

Charles Kratz

Bernard A. Margolis

Michael L. Marlin

Carolyn V. Neal

Melora Norman

Cecilia Siu-Wah Poon

Cristina Ramirez

Elizabeth Ridler

Larry Romans

Doc Roth

Jacqueline Samples

Tony J.M. Tallent

James Teliha

Holly A. Tomren

Kelvin Watson

Tom Wilding

Richenda Hawkins (Wilkinson)

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] FW: FW: ANA: Native American LanguagePreservation and Maintenance

2010-03-10T10:50:02Z

Here are a couple grants below. Please take note on the due date of April 9th.

Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance

Under its Native Language program the Administration for Native Americans announces funds for new community-based projects to support assessments of the status of the Native American languages in an established community, as well as the planning, designing, and implementing of Native American language curriculum and education projects to support a community's language preservation goals. The Esther Martinez Initiative under this program will support 3-year projects being implemented by Native American Language Nests, Survival Schools, and Restoration Programs. Applicants must provide a 20% non-federal match of the approved project costs. Universities can participate only in partnership with a tribe or local community nonprofit as the lead applicant.

DEADLINE: April 9, 2010

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-ANA-NL-0028

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-ANA-NL-0029 Esther Martinez Initiative

Linda Wynne, MLIS
Sealaska Records & Information Manager Sealaska Corporation
One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400
Juneau, AK 99801
Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com
Direct: 907-586-9120
Cell: 907-209-5407

Nativelibraries mailing list
Nativelibraries@coyote.csusm.edu
http://coyote.csusm.edu/mailman/listinfo/nativelibraries

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] NEWS RELEASE: 2010 Ethel Lund Village Health Occupations Program (VHOP)

2010-03-10T10:35:07Z

Hi Everyone:

Here is great opportunity for SE Alaskan high school students, who are possibility interested in health care professions.

Linda

All,

Enclosed please find a press release about this year's Ethel Lund Village Health Occupations Program (VHOP), which is a program that brings Alaska Native high school students from Southeast Alaska to Sitka so they can job-shadow health care professionals and learn about careers in the health care field. While this program doesn't meet until April, students need to complete an application packet that includes writing an essay and getting letters of recommendation. Please run this press release early enough so the students have time to complete all the application requirements. The application deadline is Monday, March 22.

Thanks,

Charles Bingham

SEARHC Corporate Communications Specialist, Sitka

966-8504, office

charles.bingham@searhc.org

Linda Wynne, MLIS

Sealaska Records & Information Manager

Sealaska Corporation

One Sealaska Plaza Suite 400

Juneau, AK 99801

Email: linda.wynne@sealaska.com

Direct: 907-586-9120

Cell: 907-209-5407

[Alaska Native Issues Roundtable] Cobell v. Salazar (Indian Trusts) Settlement - Benefits available

2010-03-05T09:30:06Z

A hearty and belated thanks to Sheila Ring of the Martin Monsen Regional Library for providing this link to important information about the long standing litigation of the federal government's treatment of Indian Trust Accounts. - Daniel Cornwall, Alaska State Library

From: Martin Monsen Regional Library <tmpl_var LEFT_BRACKET>mailto:mmlibrary@bbbak.us<tmpl_var RIGHT_BRACKET> Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 4:41 PM To: Cornwall, Daniel D (EED)
Subject: website info.

Cobell v. Salazar
www.CobellSettlement.com
The information here is a brief overview of the Settlement. A complete notice will be posted on this website and mailed to all identifiable individual Indian trust beneficiaries as soon as appropriate. (See "What happens now that there is a Settlement" below.)

About the Settlement
Who is affected by the Settlement?
What happens now that there is a Settlement?
What are the rights of IIM Account Holders and other Trust beneficiaries who are Class Members? http://www.cobellsettlement.com/class/index.php#rights
What will IIM Account Holders and other Class Members get? http://www.cobellsettlement.com/class/index.php#award
Frequently Asked Questions
Register to Receive Notice

About the Settlement

A proposed Settlement has been reached with American Indian Plaintiffs in a long-running class action lawsuit against the federal government for mismanagement of individual Indian trust accounts and trust assets. The Settlement is with the Secretary of the Interior, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior-Indian Affairs, and the Secretary of the Treasury. The individual Indian trust accounts relate to land, oil, natural gas, mineral, timber, grazing, water and other resources and rights on or under individual Indian lands.

The class action lawsuit claims that the federal government failed to fulfill its financial responsibility for the individual Indian trust resulting in the loss, misdirection, and unaccountability of several billion dollars of monies held in trust or which should have been held in trust by the United States for Indian beneficiaries in Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts.

Under the terms of the Settlement in Cobell v. Salazar, the federal government will create a $1.412 billion Accounting/Trust Administration Fund and a $2 billion Trust Land Consolidation Fund. The Settlement also creates a federal Indian Education Scholarship fund of up to $60 million to improve access to higher education for Indian youth. The Settlement also includes a commitment by the federal government to appoint a commission that will oversee and monitor specific improvements in the Department's accounting for and management of individual Indian trust assets, going forward. The Agreement creates two groups of Indians eligible to receive Settlement money - the Historical Accounting Class and the Trust Administration Class. Details of who is eligible follow. (back to top)