TITLE 25 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER LXVIII - BLACKFEET AND GROS VENTRE TRIBES: DISTRIBUTION OF JUDGMENT FUND

25 USC 1261 - Distribution of funds; attorney fees and expenses

The funds appropriated by the Act of October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1190, 1198), to pay a judgment to the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana, and the Gros Ventre Tribe of the Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana, in Indian Claims Commission docket numbered 279A, together with interest thereon, after payment of attorney fees, litigation expenses, and the cost of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, shall be divided by the Secretary of the Interior on the basis of 73.2 per centum to the Blackfeet Tribe and 26.8 per centum to the Gros Ventre Tribe.

25 USC 1262 - Membership roll; per capita distribution; minors

The sum of $5,671,156 from the funds credited to the Blackfeet Tribe under section 1261 of this title shall be distributed per capita to each person whose name appears on or is entitled to appear on the membership roll of the Blackfeet Tribe, and who was born on or prior to and is living on March 18, 1972. The sum of $2,100,000 from the funds credited to the Gros Ventre Tribe under section 1261 of this title shall be distributed per capita to all members of the Fort Belknap Community who were born on or prior to and are living on March 18, 1972, and

(a) whose names appear on the February 5, 1937, payment roll of the Gros Ventre Tribe of the Fort Belknap Reservation, or

(b) who are descended from a person whose name appears on said roll, if such member possesses a greater degree of Gros Ventre blood than Assiniboine blood. If such member possesses equal quantums of Gros Ventre and Assiniboine blood he may elect to participate in the per capita distribution authorized by this section, in which event he shall not be eligible to participate in any per capita distribution of an Assiniboine judgment. A share or interest payable to enrollees or their heirs or legatees who are less than eighteen years of age or under legal disability shall be paid in accordance with such procedures, including the establishment of trusts, as the Secretary determines appropriate to protect the best interest of such persons.

25 USC 1263 - Use of funds; authorization and approval

The balance of each tribes share of the funds may be advanced, expended, invested, or reinvested for any purposes that are authorized by the respective tribal governing bodies and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.

25 USC 1264 - Tax exemption; Social Security eligibility

None of the funds distributed per capita under the provisions of this subchapter shall be subject to Federal or State income taxes, and the per capita payments shall not be considered as income or resources when determining the extent of eligibility for assistance under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.]. The provision of this section regarding eligibility for assistance under the Social Security Act is enacted in recognition of unique circumstances applicable to the tribes involved, and shall not be regarded as a precedent or as a general policy for application to other tribes.

25 USC 1265 - Rules and regulations

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to prescribe rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.