Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73
§111 Payment of moneys and distribution of goods
Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 4— - PERFORMANCE BY UNITED STATES OF OBLIGATIONS TO INDIANS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - DISBURSEMENT OF MONEYS AND SUPPLIES › § 111
Summary
The government must deliver money and goods meant for any Indian or tribe in one of four ways the President or the Secretary of the Interior chooses. Payments can go to tribal chiefs, to someone the tribe appoints (or several jointly), directly to family heads or individuals, or—if the tribe agrees—be used for tribe projects under Secretary rules that don't conflict with treaties.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §111
Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The payment of all moneys and the distribution of all goods stipulated to be furnished to any Indians, or tribe of Indians, shall be made in one of the following ways, as the President or the Secretary of the Interior may direct: First. To the chiefs of a tribe, for the tribe. Second. In cases where the imperious interest of the tribe or the individuals intended to be benefited, or any treaty stipulation, requires the intervention of an agency, then to such person as the tribe shall appoint to receive such moneys or goods; or if several persons be appointed, then upon the joint order or receipt of such persons. Third. To the heads of the families and to the individuals entitled to participate in the moneys or goods. Fourth. By consent of the tribe, such moneys or goods may be applied directly, under such regulations, not inconsistent with treaty stipulations, as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, to such purposes as will best promote the happiness and prosperity of the members of the tribe, and will encourage able-bodied Indians in the habits of industry and peace.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification R.S. § 2086 derived from acts
June 30, 1834, ch. 162, § 11, 4 Stat. 737; Mar. 3, 1847, ch. 66, § 3, 9 Stat. 203; Aug. 30, 1852, ch. 103, § 3, 10 Stat. 56;
July 15, 1870, ch. 296, §§ 2, 3, 16 Stat. 360.
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For
Transfer of Functions
of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§ 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 111
Title 25 — Indians
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73