Interior notifying eligible Indians about Cobell settlement money

The federal government has begun notifying hundreds of thousands of Native Americans that they are eligible for money from a $3.4 billion class-action settlement Congress funded several weeks ago to resolve claims of trust mismanagement. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday that Native Americans who qualify for payment should soon receive information through the mail about their legal rights. The department also has set up a website (www.IndianTrust.com) and toll-free number (1-800-961-6109), and plans "an extensive media campaign" using Native American print media, television and radio ads, and online advertising. Formal notice is part of the settlement being supervised by the courts...more