USDA

Roadless Rule Tribal Hub

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

From the site:

Federally recognized Tribal governments maintain inherent sovereignty, treaty and reserved rights, and ancestral connections to approximately 44.7 million acres of inventoried roadless areas across 36 states now threatened by the USDA’s proposed rescission of the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Tribal Nations’ traditional territories, sacred sites, and subsistence resources within these lands predate the existence of the Forest Service itself. The federal government’s failure to conduct prior consultation violates Executive Order 13175, USDA Departmental Regulation 1350-002, and trust responsibilities.This hub provides Tribal governments with a central source of comprehensive resources, template documents, and strategic tools.

Imagine this without the road.

Keepseagle Claim Reminder

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Keepseagle Settlement Claims Filing Period Open for Native American Farmers and Ranchers

 Those Eligible Must File Claims No Later than December 27, 2011

 WASHINGTON, October 13, 2011 – Janie Hipp, Senior Adviser to Secretary Vilsack for Tribal Relations today reminded Native American farmers and ranchers that the period to file a claim in the Keepseagle class action settlement remains open.

“The claims process opened mid-summer.  Native American farmers and ranchers who believe they are entitled to funds under the Keepseagle settlement must file a claim on or before December 27 in order to file a claim,” said Ms. Hipp. “Tribal leaders should consider advising Tribal members of the requirement to obtain and submit a completed claims package if they wish to participate in the Keepseagle claims process.  Claims meetings are still occurring and individuals can also call the toll-free number and get assistance with filing.”

Keepseagle v. Vilsack was a lawsuit alleging that USDA discriminated against Native American farmers and ranchers in the way it operated its farm loan program. The lawsuit was settled late last year and the settlement has been approved by the court.

The filing period opened June 29, 2011 and continues for 180 days, until December 27, 2011.

Up to $760 million will be made available in monetary relief, debt relief, and tax relief to successful claimants. There are two tracks for claims: Successful Track A claimants may receive up to $50,000; successful Track B claimants may receive up to $250,000. The standard of proof for Track B claims is a higher standard than what will be applied to Track A claims.

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USDA Discrimination against Native Farmers Press Release

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Native American Leaders Call on the Obama Administration to End Decades of USDA Discrimination Against Native American Farmers &  Ranchers

Native American leaders and lawyers representing thousands of Native American farmers and ranchers in a 10-year-old nationwide class action lawsuit (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will urge President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to make long-overdue changes to the USDA’s discriminatory lending practices and call upon the new Administration to settle the Keepseagle case.

After a panel discussion and a press availability that are open to the media from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, hundreds of Keepseagle class members will meet with their attorneys, Joseph Sellers and Sarah Vogel at the Bismarck Civic Center.  These events will take place in conjunction with the 40th Annual United Tribes International Powwow and the United Tribes Tribal Leaders Summit, which thousands of Native Americans will attend.

A new expert report will be released that finds since 1981 Native American farmers and ranchers received only half the loans they were qualified to receive, when compared to other farmers.  This disparity confirms the accounts of thousands of Native Americans who have been the subject of a longstanding pattern of discrimination by USDA, which denied them $3 billion in credit, resulting in nearly $1 billion in damages.

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