Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
In Committee
Summary
Provides a settlement framework to compensate the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for the U.S. taking of Reservation Swamp Lands and Reservation Canal Lands within the L'Anse Reservation. It would resolve long‑standing title disputes and seek a restorative, non‑confrontational settlement that protects current landowners while addressing harms to the Tribe's cultural, religious, subsistence rights and economy.
Show full summary
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community: Would establish a negotiated settlement to compensate the Tribe for the uncompensated taking of Reservation Swamp Lands (about 2,743 acres) and Reservation Canal Lands (at least 1,333 and up to 2,720 acres). It recognizes that the loss affected the Tribe's cultural, religious, and subsistence practices and its local economy.
- Current occupants and local governments: Would protect ownership for non‑Indian individuals, entities, and local governments who occupy or hold interests in the lands in good faith by resolving title clouds and securing those interests under the settlement.
- Federal findings and record: Would codify Congressional findings about the 1842 and 1854 treaties and related federal land laws and reflect the Department of the Interior's December 2021 statement that the Tribe's claims have merit.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Settlement funds for Keweenaw Bay Community
If enacted, the government would authorize $33.9 million in fiscal year 2026 for this settlement. The money would stay available until it is spent. Once available, the Secretary would transfer $33.9 million to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. The payment would go to the tribal government, not directly to individual households.
Community could use funds, not for gaming
If enacted, the Community could use the settlement money for any lawful purpose, like government services, economic development, natural resource protection, or buying land. The funds could not be used to buy land for gaming, and land bought with these funds could not be used for gaming. The Act also would not give the Secretary power to take land into trust for gaming for this Community.
Clear land titles in reservation area
If enacted, when the Community receives the settlement payment, current owners of the Reservation Swamp Lands and Reservation Canal Lands would have clear title free of tribal claims. At the same time, the Community would give up its claims to lands owned by others in those areas. This would take effect on the date the settlement payment is received.
Defines reservation and affected lands
If enacted, the bill would define the L’Anse Indian Reservation and list the townships and ranges it covers. It would define Reservation Canal Lands as about 1,333.25 to 2,720 acres and Reservation Swamp Lands as about 2,743 acres within the reservation.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]
MI • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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