Maine Republic Email Alert

. . . that I should bear witness unto the truth. John 18:33 // David E. Robinson, Publisher
. . . if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for battle? I Corinthians 14:8

No.325
12/19/12

Indian Trust Settlement Payments Released

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COBELL SETTLEMENT MONEY ON THE WAY - NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS Washington, DC On Monday the Indian Trust Settlement Administrator began issuing checks for the Cobell settlement to an estimated 400,000 American Indians who are Individual Indian Money (IIM) account holders. In an effort to raise awareness about the possibility of fraud and scams targeting these account holders the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has released a Public Service Announcements (PSA) for radio stations as part of the organizations Protect Native Money initiative. This settlement can benefit you, your family and your communities, but we must all be aware of the potential negative impacts. You or others may be a target for scams, says NCAIs Jefferson Keel in the radio PSA being distributed to Native American radio stations throughout the United States. Dishonest people know about the settlement and are figuring ways to take money from you. Be aware and be watchful. If you suspect a scam, you can contact your States Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection or your tribe. Keel and NCAI are also encouraging Native people to become educated and visit the organizations site full of information on the issue at... http://www.ncai.org/protectnativemoney. NCAI has also developed an alert with information for tribes to provide to their members. Keel closes the PSA by saying, Remember, its your money, its Native money. Lets keep it that way for generations to come. NCAI outlines specific ways in which recipients may be targeted. Individuals Idaho, Washington, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Minnesota. NCAI has also learned that the court will issue an order this week appointing a special master to oversee the distribution of the funds with a focus on efforts to locate all eligible beneficiaries. Efforts will be made to reach out to tribes to help locate members who may be eligible but who may need to update their addresses. NCAI is directing individuals who have questions about payments for class members of the Cobell v. Salazar settlement, to contact the claims administrator, Garden City Group, Inc., directly. Call: 1-800-961-6109 toll free. Email: info@IndianTrust.com Mail: Indian Trust Settlement, P.O. Box 9577, Dublin, OH 43017-4877 Trust Beneficiary Call Center beneficiaries can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center for the Office of Special Trustee, toll-free, at 1-888-6786836 About The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI): Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights. For more information visit http://www.ncai.org Tom WallaceCommunications DirectorNational Congress of American IndiansLearn More http://www.ncai.org Contact Information Office (202) 4667767 ext. 207,Cell (202) 630-1094,Fax (202) 466-7797.

in these circumstances usually get mail, phone calls, and email with ideas for how to spend the money. For example, individuals or their family might get offers for new or used vehicles, credit card or loan offers, rent-to-own deals, or an advance on the money. The organization is encouraging individuals to determine how to save or spend their money, and to be wary of scams that encourage people to Act Now!, make big promises, offer no risk, or tell people to keep it secret referring to the offer. NCAI says the best way to protect Native money is to make a plan, take your time when deciding how to spend the money, ask questions, and talk to someone your trust. The Cobell settlement payments, being made by the Indian Trust Settlement Administrator, will be distributed in two payments with the first being the $1,000 to everyone in the class. These payments are expected to have been mailed on Monday December 17, 2012. The remaining payments will go out within six months of the first payment. $1.5 billion is slated for individuals in these initial payouts. $1.9 billion will go to repurchase fractionated interests over the next 10 years. A major number of the recipients are in Montana, North and South Dakota,

Maine Republic Free State News, 3 Linnell Circle, Brunswick, Maine 04011 http://maine-patriot.com / drobin88@comcast.net

Maine Republic Free State News, 3 Linnell Circle, Brunswick, Maine 04011 http://maine-patriot.com / drobin88@comcast.net

Maine Republic Free State News, 3 Linnell Circle, Brunswick, Maine 04011 http://maine-patriot.com / drobin88@comcast.net