Comments on: $3.4B Class-Action Lawsuit Ends: 350,000 American Indians to Receive Payout

By: Luke Visconti

Luke Visconti — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:33:04 +0000

It's their land and their nation(s) to do with what they wish. Our (oppressive) management of their affairs over the past 300 years can only be described as an atrocity. We are just beginning to accept self-sovereignty of Indians, and I think the tribes are being very generous (perhaps pragmatically so). In any other situation, our government would be facing war-crime trials in The Hague. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

By: mike

mike — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:51:32 +0000

I am sorry for the crap the American Indians had to put up with years ago when they were mistreated and made to live on reservations in order to maintain their heritage but, with that said, I have a hard time accepting those that claim mis-use of the land and resources when there are so many of today’s tribes that sell out….
Case in point, a large number of our states today have legalized gambling where the tribes run BILLION dollar casinos on their lands under the guise that it will aid the local economy. The majority of the revenue from these casinos goes into opening other gambling establishments and “Pay Day Loan” stores. There are too many in my opinion and, I believe these kind of ventures on behalf of the tribes has hurt not only their reputation for “Love for the Land” but it has led to locals (and American Indians) having gambling addictions. This too has become a drain on our economy as these people become impoverished and then rely on welfare, food stamps and free medical care because they cannot afford it after wasting their monies at the casinos. Then there are the bleeding diehards who believe this is a Social concern and we MUST utilize tax dollars to provide free treatment for Gambling addiction.
Excuse me if I seem to be carrying on but I just take issue with their claim of a drain on their resources when in turn I believe it is the other way around…..
If you want my tax dollars to help the American Indians,
Tear down the casinos (hey, that’s what we built Las Vegas for) and reclaim the lands they destroyed when they chose to build them in the first place.

By: Wondering Why

Wondering Why — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:28:17 +0000

Why would they lease their land?
Did the lease include resources?

When Alaskan land is leased to miners it’s uaually done with an agreed upon percentage of the resources collected.

There’s still conflict between Indian Tribes and the United States?

Let’s get these issues settled and move on..

Eventually our sun will burn out.. We need to get off of this planet! Let’s put aside our differences of race, skin color, religion and work together for a better tomorrow. Our children are counting on us..

By: Diana

Diana — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:32:06 +0000

Sorry, but if you did not know, Native peoples do not pay taxes.

By: Choctaw Love

Choctaw Love — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:29:13 +0000

Its about time. We filed our documents and supporting information. Why does this kinda thing happen? How do we prevent it from happening again? However we are looking forward to our share of this genocidal cash.
In my eyes not enough but a great start on acknowledging the wrongs committed by genocide, from state folks and their accomplices.

By: Laura White

Laura White — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:42:14 +0000

A paltry sum indeed, especially after they take taxes out of it, the Feds w/probably consider it a CAPITOL GAIN, or something like that. They always find a way to get it back. The lying, thieving Bureau of Indian Affairs has screwed us out of Billions over the years and are probably still doing it. This is hush money, pure and simple. Thank you anyway, Ms. Cobell, may you rest in Peace my Sister.

By: Tahira Faune

Tahira Faune — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:51:58 +0000

I think a check for $800 or $1000 at today’s prices is equivalent to a handful of beads- a paltry sum for the hardship, and seems a less than adequate settlement.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:59:40 +0000

Some justice. Long overdue. Praise God!