| The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) holds
11 million acres in trust for Native Americans. Money
from timber sales, agricultural and oil leases is
distributed under the Individual Indian Monies (IIM)
program. In addition to Individual Indian Monies, the
Office of Trust Funds Management administers Tribal
Trust Accounts. The Special Trustee for
American Indians oversees annual payments of $450
million for 300,000 Native Americans, but the
whereabouts of 47,000 Native Americans eligible for
payment are unknown.
Due to
lost and inaccurate records - many lack a current
address and social security number - you will likely
not be contacted, so you should initiate a search.
{Because the funds are held by an agency of the U.S.
Federal government, your name will not appear in a
state unclaimed property database search.} Note:
pending litigation may significantly increase your
entitlement.
For a
search the Office of Trust Funds Management
Individual Indian Monies (IIM) Whereabouts Unknown
database and to obtain recovery and claims
information order our Special Report: Indian Trust
Fund Search
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