More than $7 Million in Buy-Back Offers Sent to Landowners with Fractional Interests at Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Deputy Secretary Michael L. Connor today announced that more than 1,300 landowners with fractional interests at the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma have received approximately $7 million in purchase offers as part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program). Recipients have 45 days – until October 6, 2016 – to consider and return accepted offers in the pre-paid postage envelopes provided. 

The Buy-Back Program implements the land consolidation component of the Cobell Settlement, which provided $1.9 billion to purchase fractional interests in trust from willing sellers at fair market value within 10 years. Consolidated interests are immediately restored to tribal trust ownership for uses benefiting the reservation community and tribal members. 

Since the Program began making offers in December 2013, more than $840 million has been paid to individual landowners and the equivalent of approximately 1.6 million acres of land has been transferred to tribal governments.

“This Program is about putting resources back into Indian Country and keeping land in trust,” said Deputy Secretary Connor. “The Buy-Back Program is an exceptional opportunity that cannot be taken for granted. We are committed to working with tribal leaders to ensure landowners are provided all the info they need to make decisions about the use of their land.”

The Buy-Back Program has announced an implementation schedule that brings the number of locations planned for the Program to 105, a total that includes more than 96 percent of all landowners with fractional interests and more than 98 percent of both purchasable fractional interests and equivalent acres in Program-eligible areas.

Offers are also currently outstanding for landowners with fractional land interests at:

• Navajo Nation -- August 22, 2016 deadline
• Fort Hall -- August 25, 2016 deadline
• Quinault -- September 1, 2016 deadline

Individuals who choose to sell their interests receive payments directly into their Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts. In addition to receiving fair market value for their land based on objective appraisals, sellers also receive a base payment of $75 per offer, regardless of the value of the land.

It is important that landowners think strategically about how to use the funds they receive from selling their land. Financial training, including budgeting, investing, and planning for the future, empowers beneficiaries to grow and sustain personal wealth. 

Landowners can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 888-678-6836 or visit their local Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ask questions about their land or purchase offers, and learn about financial planning resources.

More information and detailed frequently asked questions are available at  to help individuals make informed decisions about their land.

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