Tester response to settlement of Cobell lawsuit

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, today released the following statement in response to the settlement of the Cobell class-action lawsuit:

“This is milestone for all folks in Indian Country, and I’m proud of the Montanans who made history by working together for years to reach this agreement.  We still have a long way to go, but as a member of the Indian Affairs Committee, I’ll keep working with folks on the ground to empower Montana’s sovereign tribes and make sure the federal government meets its trust responsibilities.”

Elouise Cobell, an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, filed the lawsuit 13 years ago alleging federal government mismanagement of trust funds for hundreds of thousands of American Indians.

More information on today’s announcement is available online HERE.