I would be very suprised if anyone in netland can answer
these questions, but it doesn't hurt to ask...
My brother and I just inherited a portion of land
in North and South Dakota that was given to our ancestors
in the early 1900's by the U.S. government. I know roughly
where it is, that the government leases it for cattle ranching,
and that it's held in trust by the U.S. government. That's
ALL we know. I've written letters to the BIA but I suspect I'm
going to have to do a lot of research on my own. (I suspect
we're getting ripped off on the amount we're getting for grazing
rights, but I don't have any proof.)
Does anyone out there own Indian land and understand how the
trust works? What are my rights as an individual? Could I
sell it (not that I'd want to) or lease it on my own to the
tribe to graze buffalo on it without breaking the trust? This
land was given to my great-great uncle, grandmother, and mother,
yet I feel as though it belongs more to the government than me.
Are my assumptions correct?
Diane Thomas