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The US government has settled a class-action lawsuit filed by Native American farmers, who complained of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), by making available $680 million to eligible claimants and another $80 million in debt relief.
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According to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the settlement ends the litigation concerning discrimination complaints from Native American farmers covering the period 1981-1999.
Under the settlement, claimants who can "provide substantial evidence of discrimination to an impartial adjudicator" will receive uniform settlement of up to $50,000 and those who "believe they have stronger evidence of economic losses caused by discrimination" will be entitled to damage awards of up to $250,000 per individual. In the second case, a higher evidentiary standard is required.
"Actual monetary awards are subject to reduction based on the amount of available funding and the number of meritorious claims," a statement from the attorney general's office issued Tuesday, October 19, read.
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The settlement, subject to final approval by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, puts an end to an allegation made by hundreds of Native Americans that they were unfairly denied loans, despite being eligible for the USDA's farm loan programs, and had to sell off portions of their farms as a result.
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According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, though the settlement "can never undo wrongs that Native Americans may have experienced in past decades," it will "provide some measure of relief to those alleging discrimination," combined with the actions the USDA is taking to address such wrongs.
The settlement includes $80 million for debt relief and other assistance that will empower the community of Native American farmers. This includes the creation of the Native American Farmer and Rancher Council, a new federal advisory committee that will work together with USDA officials to discuss and execute the USDA's programs.
George and Marilyn Keepseagle, the plaintiffs of the lawsuit, said that though the relief took a long time to come, "it came to a positive end."
According to Attorney General Holder, the settlement will "allow USDA and the Native American farmers involved in the lawsuit to move forward and focus on the future."
In a statement U.S. President Barack Obama said the agreement is "an important step forward in remedying USDA's unfortunate civil rights history."
In February, the U.S. government made a similar settlement with aggrieved African-American farmers.
Both the settlements need congressional approval before the disbursement of the funds.
According to the 2007 Agriculture Census, there are about 60,000 Native American farmers in the U.S. or double the number of African-American farmers.
