New Deadlines and a Successful Closure in Sight for the Historic Cobell Settlement; New Horizon Emerging for Indian Education

SEATTLE, Jan. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by The Garden City Group, LLC ("GCG") regarding the Cobell Settlement.

The US District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered November 27, 2017 as the final deadline for Class Members in the Cobell Settlement or their heirs to submit documentation to Garden City Group, LLC ("GCG"), the Claims Administrator, so that payments can be made. All documentation must be received or postmarked by November 27, 2017. The Court made one exception to this deadline - Estates of deceased Class Members which are still pending at the U.S. Department of Interior's Office of Hearing and Appeals ("OHA") at that time will have funds held to be distributed once the probate process at OHA is complete.

The determination of a final deadline marks the end of an effective but grueling effort by Class Counsel and GCG to find and pay tens of thousands of Native American Class Members and their heirs. Those efforts have been incredibly successful and to date over $1.2 billion dollars and 92% of the funds have been distributed.

While the distribution phase is winding down, another important aspect of the Cobell Settlement is rapidly picking up steam. Along with setting a deadline to submit distribution documentation in order to be eligible to receive payment from the Settlement Fund, the Court also approved the transfer of $21,773,438.50 to the Indian Education Scholarship Fund, another important cornerstone for the Settlement.  The future of Indian Country was a significant focus for Elouise Cobell, who initiated this litigation, and funding of the Indian Scholarship Fund as part of the Settlement was something she insisted upon. The fund is administered by the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC). More information is available at www.cobellscholar.org.

Class Members or their heirs wishing to submit documentation to GCG for review by November 27, 2017 may do so via email at [email protected] or US mail to P.O. Box 9577, Dublin, OH 43017-4877. For more information about the Settlement and to read the Court's order, please visit www.IndianTrust.com.   You may also call (800) 961-6109 if you are an heir and have questions regarding acceptable documentation.

SOURCE GCG