Bill Overview
Title: To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill confers jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's land claim arising under the Treaty of Grouseland. The court may hear, determine, and render judgement on this land claim without regard to the statute of limitations and delay-based defenses. The United States is the only entity liable for such a claim. This jurisdiction expires unless such a claim is filed within one year. All other claims of the tribe, including claims to title arising under the Treaty of Grouseland and the Northwest Ordinance, are extinguished.
Sponsors: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Target Audience
Population: Miami Tribe of Oklahoma members
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill addresses a specific land claim by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma related to land in Illinois.
- The Miami Tribe members who have a stake or interest in land claims related to the Treaty of Grouseland will be directly impacted.
- This includes tribal members who may benefit from any settlements or judgments rendered by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- The total number of Miami Tribe members is estimated to be around 5,000 individuals, but not all may be directly impacted unless involved in or benefiting from the claim settlement.
Reasoning
- The majority of the impact is directed towards members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, estimated at around 5,000 individuals. These individuals may be directly affected due to potential financial settlements or other benefits that could arise from the land claim settlement handled by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- The policy budget constraints limit large financial settlements initially, with $10,000,000 available in year 1 and a total of $70,000,000 over 10 years. This means that not all claims can be resolved immediately at high values, impacting the financial benefits that individuals may perceive.
- Many people in the wider population, especially those outside the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, are unlikely to be affected by this policy as it targets a very specific legal and tribal matter.
Simulated Interviews
Tribal Lawyer (Oklahoma City, OK)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy marks a significant opportunity for the Miami Tribe to address land grievances that have been long overdue.
- I am optimistic that this will lead to some degree of justice, although it may take time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Historian (Lawrence, KS)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's historically significant to see such a move towards addressing old treaties.
- However, as someone outside the tribe, I don't expect any personal impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, OK)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, the U.S. government is taking steps to right past wrongs, but I only hope it's enough.
- This could improve our community's morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems important for the tribe but doesn't directly affect my life or work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Education Administrator (Miami, OK)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a step forward but limited in scope.
- Might alleviate some tension and bring positive outcomes for our students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Tribal Affairs Consultant (Tulsa, OK)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could potentially change the dynamic for future tribal claims across the U.S.
- I am keen to see how it proceeds and its impact on tribal relations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Farmer (Delphi, IN)
Age: 75 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Uncertain how this policy will affect historical land ownership.
- Concerned about potential legal complexities arising.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Non-profit Executive (Indianapolis, IN)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This provides a legal path for addressing historical grievances, which is valuable.
- I'm watching closely as it sets precedent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Financial Analyst (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though it doesn't affect me directly, the legal interest in such cases remains high.
- I wonder about its financial implications for taxpayers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Norman, OK)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This offers academic interest as it unfolds as a live case study.
- I believe it shows progress in addressing historical wrongs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Legal proceedings and settlement benchmarks are primary cost drivers.
- Expedited legal resolution might influence timing but not total costs.
- Extinguishing other claims provides long-term certainty.