Course Description
Indian real estate holdings are the single most important economic resource of Indian tribes. Approximately 60 million acres of land are now held in trust by the United States for Indian tribes and individuals. Another forty million acres have been set aside for Alaska natives pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
Interests in real property have been acquired by Indian tribes in at least six ways: (1) by action of prior government; (2) by aboriginal possession; (3) treaty; (4) act of Congress; (5) by executive action; and (6) by purchase.
Montana & Associates have developed this course for the purpose of allowing tribes the ability to more thoroughly understand the dynamics of land ownership and responsibilities that follow. Further, with trust applications flooding the Department of Interior in recent years as the revenue of tribes grow, legal ramifications of trust and non-fee status of Indian lands must be clearly articulated by tribal leadership.