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Cobell apologizes for comments on trust bill
Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Indianz.Com Listening Lounge, Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on S.1439, the Indian Trust Reform Act of 2005, July 26, 2005. Note: All files in MP3 format. Intro - 16:03 - 2.75MB Panel I - 14:13 - 2.44MB | Q&A - 14:28 - 2.48MB Panel II - 53:41 - 9.21MB | Q&A - 29:58 - 5.14MB • Witness List

Elouise Cobell, the lead plaintiff in the Indian trust fund lawsuit, apologized on Tuesday for linking a trust reform bill to a Blackfeet massacre.

But Cobell told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee she was disappointed by S.1439, the Indian Trust Reform Act of 2005. She said it didn't embody the 50 principles developed by the Cobell plaintiffs, Indian leaders and tribal organizations.

Cobell also said the bill doesn't recognize the court victories of the plaintiffs. But along with other tribal witnesses, she said she will work with the committee to improve the bill, which was introduced by Sens. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota).

Get the Story:
McCain tells Indians in suit to tone down rhetoric (AP 7/27)
Senator seeking concessions (The Oklahoman 7/27)
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Senate Testimony:
Hearing on S. 1439, Indian Trust Reform Act of 2005 (July 26, 2005)

Senate Documents:
John McCain Statement | Byron Dorgan Statement | Full Text of Bill as Introduced | S.1439

Relevant Documents:
Trust Reform and Cobell Settlement Workgroup Principles for Legislation (June 2005)

Related Story:
Federal official: Native trust fund accounts vulnerable (The Lincoln Journal Star 7/21)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org
Intertribal Trust Fund Monitoring Association - http://www.itmatrustfunds.org

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