Building Indian Economies with Land Settlement Funds

Abstract

On July 13, 1950, the Court of Claims awarded $31,460,216.84 to the "Confederated Bands of Ute Indians." In making the award, the court confirmed an agreement between the bands that 60 percent of the claim would go to the Ute Indian Tribe of Utah and 40 percent to the Utes of Colorado, and also confirmed an agreement between the bands of the Ute Tribe of Utah that their share would become property of all members of the tribe regardless of band affiliation. After the deduction of attorneys' fees (approximately $2,000,000) and distribution of about $12,000,000 to the Colorado Utes, the share of the Ute Indian Tribe of Utah was $17,500,000.