Washington, DC – Our U.S. Congressional Delegation introduced legislation on January 31, 2023 to
resolve the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (“Community” or “KBIC”) longstanding land claims
for the unlawful taking of some of our Reservation lands.
Through the 1842 and 1854 Treaty of LaPointe, the United States recognized and preserved the
Tribe’s right of occupancy of certain lands within KBIC’s historic land base and established the
L’Anse Reservation. Despite these treaty promises, the federal government unlawfully transferred
various lands within the boundaries of the L’Anse Reservation to the State of Michigan.
The Community’s loss of at least 4,000 acres of Swamp Lands and Canal Lands without just
compensation has impacted the exercise of cultural, religious, and subsistence rights; and limited
the ability of the Community to fully develop its Reservation economy. These lands were also
protected property under the U.S. Constitution and any taking by the federal government demands
just compensation.
“Working together to find solutions to our toughest challenges is what makes our area so
special,” said Representative Bergman. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to find a nonpartisan solution to right the wrongs of the federal government and ensure that all parties
involved, from the KBIC to the current landowners, have a lasting solution to this decadeslong challenge.”
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claims Settlement Act (“KBIC Settlement Act”) was
developed after working closely for several years with our neighboring communities, the State of
Michigan, and our U.S. Congressional Delegation. The KBIC Settlement Act:
• Acknowledges the uncompensated taking by the federal government of the Reservation
Swamp Lands and the Reservations Canal Lands;
• Provides compensation to the Community for those takings;
• Extinguishes all claims by the Community to those lands;
• Confirms the ownerships by the current landowners of those lands; and
• Extinguishes all potential claims by the Community concerning title to, use of, or occupancy
of those lands that had not already been recovered by the Community.
“I worked alongside the tribe and local community to bring forth this needed solution, and
I’m pleased the bill will also provide legal clearance for local residents who currently own the
property at issue,” said Senator Peters.
“This legislation is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together and work in
the spirit of cooperation,” said Keweenaw Bay Indian Community President Doreen Blaker.
“We are proud of our Congressional Michigan Delegation for taking a stand and doing the
right thing, “said Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Vice President Toni Minton.
The Community would like to thank Baraga County, the Village of L’Anse, the Village of Baraga, and
the State of Michigan for our efforts. Finally, the Community sends our utmost gratitude to Senator
Gary Peters, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Representative Jack Bergman for thoughtfully reviewing
the facts surrounding our land claims, and seeing the importance of resolving those claims with this
legislation.
The Community looks forward to advancing the bipartisan bill through the legislative process.
Enactment of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Settlement Act will have wide-reaching
benefits. KBIC will finally compensated for the taking of our invaluable lands and the resulting
missed opportunities; our neighbors will have clear title to their lands; and the Federal government
will right an historical wrong.
