Senate approves funds for Shoshone members

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2002 | 10:48 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A Senate panel today approved a plan to distribute roughly $20,000 to each member of the Western Shoshone Tribe for federal government seizures of their land dating to the 1860s.

The bulk of a $138 million fund would be released to those who are at least one-quarter Western Shoshone, under a bill introduced by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Reid sits on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which approved the legislation without discussion today.

The bill now moves to the full Senate. Reid said he hoped the body would pass it this year.

The legislation has been controversial because a minority of the tribe opposes it. Dissenters believe it thwarts their challenges to land rights.

Among them are Western Shoshone ranchers Carrie and Mary Dann who have led a small revolt against accepting the money. They contend the tribe still owns much of Nevada under the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley. Bureau of Land Management officials seized 227 head of their cattle on Sunday in the Danns' latest clash with the federal government. The BLM said the cattle have been grazing illegally.

But the majority of the Shoshone are said to favor receiving the payments. In June, tribal members voted in support of the plan by an 8-1 margin.

"Talk about a majority -- that's a super majority," Reid said today after the panel vote. He said the time has come to make the payments.

The Associated Press

contributed to this story.