Post by Okwes on Nov 27, 2006 11:24:53 GMT -5
Input sought in Indian case against feds By Associated Press
November 9, 2006
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_51296\
52,00.html
<http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5129\
652,00.html> BISMARCK, N.D. - Attorneys for American Indian farmers
and ranchers in a discrimination case against the federal government are
slated to meet in Fort Yates to gather more information and witnesses.
The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
discriminated against Indians in the granting of loans beginning in
1981. Joe Sellers, the Indians' lead attorney in Washington, D.C.,
said his firm is gathering up to 100 Indian ranchers and farmers to
serve as witnesses for a trial. He said that about 50 witnesses have
been found, mostly in North Dakota, Montana and Oklahoma. The meeting
today at Prairie Knights Casino near Fort Yates is focusing on Indian
producers from South Dakota who believe that they have been
discriminated against by the USDA, Sellers said. The casino is near the
North Dakota-South Dakota border. "We want to reach out to people in
South Dakota about the case," Sellers said. The meeting was advertised
throughout the American Indian community in the Dakotas, Sellers said,
and he expects about 50 Indian ranchers and farmers from South Dakota to
attend. The Indian lawsuit alleges that the USDA denied or delayed
loans, or did not approve enough money to keep farms afloat.
November 9, 2006
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_51296\
52,00.html
<http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5129\
652,00.html> BISMARCK, N.D. - Attorneys for American Indian farmers
and ranchers in a discrimination case against the federal government are
slated to meet in Fort Yates to gather more information and witnesses.
The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
discriminated against Indians in the granting of loans beginning in
1981. Joe Sellers, the Indians' lead attorney in Washington, D.C.,
said his firm is gathering up to 100 Indian ranchers and farmers to
serve as witnesses for a trial. He said that about 50 witnesses have
been found, mostly in North Dakota, Montana and Oklahoma. The meeting
today at Prairie Knights Casino near Fort Yates is focusing on Indian
producers from South Dakota who believe that they have been
discriminated against by the USDA, Sellers said. The casino is near the
North Dakota-South Dakota border. "We want to reach out to people in
South Dakota about the case," Sellers said. The meeting was advertised
throughout the American Indian community in the Dakotas, Sellers said,
and he expects about 50 Indian ranchers and farmers from South Dakota to
attend. The Indian lawsuit alleges that the USDA denied or delayed
loans, or did not approve enough money to keep farms afloat.