A roll to determine which Indians in California are eligible to share in two awards totaling $30 million in land claims funds is being prepared by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Area Office in Sacramento, according to Robert L. Bennett, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
The money comes from awards in settlement of two Indian claims against the United States Government for approximately 65 mi11iQn acres of California land taken from the Indians without compensation.
Indians who believe they are eligible to share in the awards, including those on the 1950 roll, may obtain application forms and instructions from the Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sacramento, Area Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, Calif., 95825, Bennett said.
Applications must be filed with the Area Director by the close of business on Sept. 22, 1969. Applications must be filed by everyone wishing to be enrolled.
Bennett emphasized that there is no fee for any part of the application process. Those who may be eligible to share in the awards are Indians:
1. Whose name or the name of a lineal or collateral relative appears to any of the approved rolls heretofore prepared under the Act of May 18, 1928 (45 Stat. 602) and its amendments.
2. Who can establish lineal or collateral relationship to an Indian who resided in California on June 1, 1852.
3. Who were born on or before and were living on Sept. 21, 1968.
The funds of a 1944 award will be divided equally among those eligible when the roll is completed. The funds of a 1964 award will be divided equally among those on the completed ro1i, except those persons whose ancestry is derived solely from one or more of the following groups, and persons of mixed ancestry who elect to share in any award made by the Indian Claims Commission to the following groups: Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, Mohave, Quechan (Yuma), Chemehuevi, Shoshone, Washoe, Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Band of Snake Indians.
Bennett noted that current residence in California is not a requirement and eligible California Indians will be found in "practically every State of the Union."
