WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:05.920 --> 00:00:06.360 [silence] 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:13.970 Man 1: Land. More than just property, it's a promise, a provider, a source for inspiration 00:00:13.970 --> 00:00:16.180 and survival. 00:00:16.180 --> 00:00:17.279 [silence] 00:00:17.279 --> 00:00:32.750 Man 1: The lifeblood of our present, our past, and our future. And to the indigenous peoples 00:00:32.750 --> 00:00:38.180 across this country, they understood the importance of the land they occupied. 00:00:38.180 --> 00:00:43.650 Mutual reverence for land was passed down across generations by their ancestors and 00:00:43.650 --> 00:00:51.229 remains a sacred part of their culture to this day. But native lands were complicated. 00:00:51.229 --> 00:00:58.640 What was once sacred land held in trust for the tribes is now held in private hands. Lands 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:04.699 reserved for tribes were lost through allotment or lie broken and fractured. 00:01:04.699 --> 00:01:11.590 In 1996, a class action case was brought forth to address significant claims relating to 00:01:11.590 --> 00:01:19.210 native lands and accounting for monies generated by those lands. In 2009, the United States 00:01:19.210 --> 00:01:26.479 government reached a historic settlement that included a $1.9 billion fund for land consolidation. 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:32.799 It was then that the Land Buy Back Program for Tribal Nations was established to carry 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:36.009 out land consolidation. 00:01:36.009 --> 00:01:41.289 By working together through the Land Buy Back Program, we can consolidate historical native 00:01:41.289 --> 00:01:48.299 lands and strengthen tribal sovereignty across Indian Country. We know this is not the only 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:55.189 step needed to address historical wrongs, but it's a good start. 00:01:55.189 --> 00:01:57.280 [silence] 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:05.460 Man 1: Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Land Buy Back Program for Tribal 00:02:05.460 --> 00:02:10.720 Nations. This is a time sensitive, unique opportunity for owners of fractional land 00:02:10.720 --> 00:02:16.360 interests to receive fair market value for their land and to strengthen tribal sovereignty 00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:18.370 across Indian Country. 00:02:18.370 --> 00:02:23.900 The Buy Back Program implements the land consolidation component of the Cobell settlement, which 00:02:23.900 --> 00:02:30.220 provided $1.9 billion to purchase fractional interests in trust or restricted land from 00:02:30.220 --> 00:02:33.280 willing sellers at fair market value within 10 years. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:38.830 President Barack Obama: A few years ago my administration reached a historic settlement 00:02:38.830 --> 00:02:46.489 with George and other American Indian farmers and ranchers. I signed into law the historic 00:02:46.489 --> 00:02:52.580 Cobell settlement leading to the Land Buy Back Program, a $1.9 billion fund to consolidate 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:56.980 individual Indian lands and restore them to tribal trust lands. 00:02:56.980 --> 00:03:04.110 Man 1: Tribal treaty lands were broken up through the allotment policy into many separate 00:03:04.110 --> 00:03:09.280 tracts of land. Much of the land went out of trust, while the number of owners on the 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:15.870 remaining allotted land has continued to grow exponentially with each generation. 00:03:15.870 --> 00:03:21.709 Land fractionation is a serious problem in Indian Country. As individual allotted tracts 00:03:21.709 --> 00:03:28.900 of tribal land are passed down through generations, they gain more and more owners. In fact, many 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:33.390 allotments now have hundreds, and even thousands, of individual owners. 00:03:33.390 --> 00:03:39.819 Because it is difficult to gain landowner consensus for how to use the land, allotments 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:46.319 often lie idle and can't be used for any beneficial purpose. This program, created in partnership 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:52.090 with the Cobell plaintiffs, works to remedy this issue caused by years of now repudiated 00:03:52.090 --> 00:03:54.469 federal policies. 00:03:54.469 --> 00:04:00.099 It will help stop the loss of Indian lands by transferring those interests to the tribe, 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:05.200 forever preventing further fractionation. The Buy Back Program works in partnership 00:04:05.200 --> 00:04:10.640 with tribes to ensure that eligible landowners are aware of their opportunity to sell their 00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:17.010 fractionated lands. Those who choose to sell receive fair market value for their land interests 00:04:17.010 --> 00:04:23.980 plus $75 per offer packet to compensate sellers for their time and effort. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:29.920 Fair market value determinations for the program are performed by a licensed appraiser. The 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:35.470 land is appraised on a tract by tract basis as though the land were owned in fee by one 00:04:35.470 --> 00:04:41.440 owner. Sale proceeds are deposited directly into a landowner's individual Indian money 00:04:41.440 --> 00:04:43.980 or IIM account. 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:49.860 Upon sale, the fractionated land interests are immediately transferred in trust directly 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:55.700 to the tribe that has jurisdiction, preventing further fractionation. The tribe can then 00:04:55.700 --> 00:05:01.370 use this land to benefit its community. For example, to build homes, community centers, 00:05:01.370 --> 00:05:05.940 or businesses or for cultural or environmental preservation. 00:05:05.940 --> 00:05:16.530 Man 2: This program is voluntary. We're trying to find a way to better manage our resources. 00:05:16.530 --> 00:05:25.220 By managing our resources we can use that as a tool for economy and job building. It 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:27.500 plays an intricate part in our economy. 00:05:27.500 --> 00:05:37.000 Man 3: The benefits from the Land Buy Back Program are that the highly fractionated lands 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:42.350 where a lot of people couldn't do much with the land, now the tribe can turn around and 00:05:42.350 --> 00:05:47.970 make a profit for tribal members and to contribute to the economic well-being of the tribe. 00:05:47.970 --> 00:05:48.980 [silence] 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:58.550 Man 4: Land that's sold to us, where the lease revenue is being used for land purchase and 00:05:58.550 --> 00:06:02.990 economic development to further the economic well-being of the tribe and to secure the 00:06:02.990 --> 00:06:04.450 tribal land base. 00:06:04.450 --> 00:06:08.340 Man 5: We lost our land because of the treaties and the way everything was set up. Now the 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:13.720 federal government's helping us get it back. Our land became fractionated. The land has 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:19.750 become useless to us individuals and to the tribe. I believe our people have the opportunity 00:06:19.750 --> 00:06:26.100 now to turn this land back to the tribe where we can best utilize it for their children 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:27.470 and their children, also. 00:06:27.470 --> 00:06:30.090 We have to look about five years down the road. We have to look 30 years down the road. 00:06:30.090 --> 00:06:31.720 WIth this land, we'll be able to utilize to build up our infrastructure for homes, industrial 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:33.050 parks, everything. 00:06:33.050 --> 00:06:46.050 As the president, I need to look out what's best for those landowners' children and their 00:06:46.050 --> 00:06:52.330 children. They're going to need a place to live. We're going to need a place to grow 00:06:52.330 --> 00:06:57.590 food, to feed your children and your grandchildren. I think we have to go back to the way it was. 00:06:57.590 --> 00:07:00.200 We own the land, all of it. 00:07:00.200 --> 00:07:06.280 Man 1: As the Buy Back Program works with tribes to address the issue of fractionation, 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:12.210 there are several factors that guide its implementation. It is a priority for the program that landowners 00:07:12.210 --> 00:07:19.020 receive adequate information in order to make informed decisions. This occurs well before 00:07:19.020 --> 00:07:25.910 a landowner considers his or her purchase offer, which is only valid for 45 days. 00:07:25.910 --> 00:07:32.400 Making an informed decision can include understanding your land by reviewing the individual trust 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:38.490 interests, or ITI report, that includes a description of the land location, ownership 00:07:38.490 --> 00:07:42.880 type, and other tract information. Reviewing all your options. 00:07:42.880 --> 00:07:47.740 In addition to the unique opportunity associated with the Buy Back Program, owners may want 00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:53.170 to consider writing a will to leave all of their interest to an heir or the tribe, gifting 00:07:53.170 --> 00:07:59.550 interests to an heir or tribe, selling or buying interest to or from co-owners, exchanging 00:07:59.550 --> 00:08:04.690 their interest with the tribe, or creating a joint tenancy for their interest by will 00:08:04.690 --> 00:08:05.940 or deed. 00:08:05.940 --> 00:08:11.120 Considering the financial implications from a potential sale, it is important that landowners 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:16.870 think strategically about whether or not to sell their land, and if so how to use the 00:08:16.870 --> 00:08:18.880 funds they receive. 00:08:18.880 --> 00:08:24.700 By tailoring the program to the tribal goals and priorities at each location, we are upholding 00:08:24.700 --> 00:08:28.350 and respecting tribal sovereignty and self determination. 00:08:28.350 --> 00:08:35.880 Man 6: The Buy Back Program has been helpful to my family. My wife sold off some of her 00:08:35.880 --> 00:08:44.680 land. It was nice that it was...it was a quick, simple procedure. It wasn't nothing long and 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:49.050 drawn out and taking forever. It was just, "Here, fill out this paperwork and you'll 00:08:49.050 --> 00:08:51.120 have your check in a couple days. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:55.910 It has been helpful to my family. We appreciate that. 00:08:55.910 --> 00:09:02.459 Man 1: You should not wait to learn more about the Land Buy Back Program. Landowners can 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:08.029 contact the trust beneficiary call center or visit a local office of the Special Trustee 00:09:08.029 --> 00:09:14.800 for American Indians to update contact information, ask questions about land, or request assistance 00:09:14.800 --> 00:09:21.000 with purchase offers and learn about alternatives to sale and financial planning resources. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:27.250 The tribe may have already assembled a team focused on landowner outreach. The call center 00:09:27.250 --> 00:09:31.029 will be able to help identify those resources if they are available. 00:09:31.029 --> 00:09:37.350 If you are interested, you can register as a willing seller with the call center. This 00:09:37.350 --> 00:09:42.410 in no way commits you to sell your land, nor does it guarantee that you will receive an 00:09:42.410 --> 00:09:49.009 offer. It is simply the best way to ensure that the program is aware of your interest. 00:09:49.009 --> 00:09:52.329 More information is available at the program's website. 00:09:52.329 --> 00:09:53.449 [silence] 00:09:53.449 --> 00:10:00.560 Man 1: Thank you for your time and interest in the Land Buy Back Program. Only by working 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:05.670 together will we achieve success for generations to come. 00:10:05.670 --> 00:10:05.800 [silence]