Buy-Back Program Sends Offers to Landowners with Fractional Interests at Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Location

Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov  

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced that nearly 3,000 landowners with fractional interests at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes location in Oklahoma have been sent purchase offers from the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations (Buy-Back Program).

The Buy-Back Program implements the land consolidation component of the Cobell Settlement, which provided $1.9 billion to purchase fractional interests in trust from willing sellers at fair market value. Interests consolidated through the Program are restored to tribal trust ownership. As a result of the Buy-Back Program, tribal ownership now exceeds 50 percent in more than 14,000 tracts of land, strengthening tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

Since the Program began making offers in December 2013, more than $1.2 billion has been paid to landowners, more than 720,000 fractional interests have been consolidated, and the equivalent of over 2.1 million acres of land has been transferred to tribal governments.

“The Buy-Back Program remains focused on consolidating fractional interests in collaboration with tribes,” said Program Director John McClanahan. “Land consolidation supports tribal sovereignty, enables more effective land management, and has facilitated tribal infrastructure projects and economic development.  I am hopeful that lasting benefits will be realized as a result of Program implementation at Cheyenne and Arapaho, one of most fractionated locations in Oklahoma.”

Landowners have 60 days to consider and return accepted offers in the pre-paid postage envelopes provided. Offers are currently outstanding for landowners with fractional land interests at: 

• Stockbridge-Munsee – deadline September 15, 2017
• Yakama Nation – deadline October 17, 2017
• Cheyenne and Arapaho – deadline October 24, 2017 

Interior recently announced revised strategies and policies to more effectively reduce fractionation of tribal lands. The announcement came following extensive analysis and feedback received from tribal leaders and landowners. 

It is important that landowners think strategically about how to use the funds they receive from selling their land. 

Landowners can contact the Trust Beneficiary Call Center at 888-678-6836 or visit their local Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) to ask questions about their land or purchase offers, and learn about financial planning resources. More information and detailed frequently asked questions are available to help individuals make informed decisions about their land.

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