Nearly $3.8 Million in Purchase Offers Sent to More Than 3,200 Landowners with Fractional Interests at Fond du Lac Reservation

WASHINGTON, DC – Deputy Secretary Michael L. Connor today announced that nearly $3.8 million in purchase offers have been sent to more than 3,200 landowners with fractional interests at the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota as part of the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program). Interested sellers have 45 days – until May 2, 2016 – to 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 or restricted land 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 $736 million has been paid to individual landowners and the equivalent of nearly 1.5 million acres of land has been transferred to tribal governments.

“We continue to see enthusiasm for the Buy-Back Program across Indian Country,” said Deputy Secretary Connor. “As Program implementation progresses, federal staff and tribal leaders must continue to work together to ensure that landowners are provided all relevant information so they are fully informed about participation in the Program.”

Offers are also pending for landowners with fractional interests at the Makah Indian Reservation. The deadline to accept those offers is April 7, 2016.

There are approximately 245,000 owners of nearly three million fractional interests across Indian Country who are eligible to participate in the Buy-Back Program. Many see little or no economic benefit from what are often very small, undivided interests in lands that cannot be utilized due to their highly fractionated state. 

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. More information is available at: .  

The Department has announced 42 locations where land consolidation activities such as planning, outreach, mapping, mineral evaluations, appraisals or acquisitions are expected to take place through the middle of 2017. These communities represent 83 percent of all outstanding fractional interests across Indian Country.

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 to help individuals make informed decisions about their land.