Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73

§294 Sale of certain abandoned buildings on lands belonging to Indian tribes

Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 7— - EDUCATION OF INDIANS › § 294

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior can sell at public auction any abandoned day or boarding school or agency buildings on tribal lands that are no longer needed. Sales must follow rules the Secretary sets and go for at least the appraised value, and they are to the highest bidder. The sale may include up to 160 acres with the buildings. Ownership goes to the buyer by deed or patent, though the Secretary can add fair conditions. No buyer may get more than 160 acres in one tract. Sale money must go into the U.S. Treasury for the Indians who own the land and be handled under existing law.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §294

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to sell and convey at public sale, to the highest bidder, under such regulations and under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe, at not less than the appraised value thereof, any abandoned day or boarding school plant, or any abandoned agency buildings, situated on lands belonging to any Indian tribe and not longer needed for Indian or administrative purposes, and to sell therewith not to exceed one hundred and sixty acres of land on which such plant or buildings may stand. Title to all lands disposed of under the provisions of this section shall pass to the purchaser by deed or by patent in fee, with such reservations or conditions as the said Secretary may deem just and proper, no purchaser to acquire more than one hundred and sixty acres in any one tract: Provided, That the proceeds of all such sales shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Indians to whom said lands belong, to be disposed of in accordance with existing law.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 294

Title 25 — Indians

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73