Indian beneficiaries are responsible for determining whether they get a fair amount for the use of their land, Special Trustee Ross Swimmer said on Wednesday.
Appearing on the nationally broadcast radio program Native America Calling, Swimmer said that federal law puts the burden on landowners to get the most for the oil, gas, timber and other assets. Only in certain cases does the Bureau of Indian Affairs play a stronger role, he claimed.
“The way the statutes and regulations read, the leaseholders are themselves the first persons responsible for leasing the land,” Swimmer said. “The BIA has to approve the lease of the land, and only in those situations where it’s so highly fractionated … does the BIA do the leasing.”
“It is a responsibility of individual Indian people to do the leasing and to ensure that they get what they want,” he continued. The BIA’s jobs is to conduct appraisals and oversee the deal, he said.
…“If you want to take your land out of trust — whatever you own — or the money that you have in an account, you’re welcome to do that at any point in time,” he said.