Bill > S642

This bill provides compensation and legal resolution for historical land claims by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Michigan. The bill acknowledges that between 1893 and 1937, the federal government transferred 2,743 acres of "swamp lands" and between 1,333 and 2,720 acres of "canal lands" within the L'Anse Indian Reservation to the State of Michigan without properly compensating the tribe, which violated the tribe's treaty rights established in 1854. To address these historical injustices, the bill authorizes a $33.9 million payment to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, which can be used for governmental services, economic development, natural resources protection, and land acquisition (but explicitly cannot be used for gaming purposes). In exchange, the tribe will relinquish all legal claims to these specific lands, and current landowners will receive clear title to the properties. The bill aims to provide a fair and equitable settlement that resolves historical land ownership disputes without lengthy litigation, offering both justice for the tribe and security for current landowners. The settlement is meant to recognize the tribe's cultural, religious, and economic connections to the land while providing a path forward for future development and community well-being.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/642/all-info