The Apache People’s Relationship with the US Government’s Indian Trust Fund

A History of Broken Promises and Betrayal

The Apache people have a long and complex history with the US government’s Indian Trust Fund, which was established to manage the financial affairs of Native American tribes. However, the relationship between the Apache people and the US government has been marked by broken promises, betrayal, and exploitation.

The Creation of the Indian Trust Fund

In 1887, the US government passed the Dawes Act, which allowed the government to divide Native American land into individual allotments that could be sold to non-Native Americans. The Indian Trust Fund was created to manage the financial affairs of Native American tribes, including the Apache people. The fund was supposed to hold and manage the land and assets of the Apache people, but in reality, it was used to exploit and plunder their resources.

The Wounded Knee Massacre and Its Aftermath

The Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 marked a turning point in the relationship between the Apache people and the US government. The massacre, in which over 150 Lakota Sioux were killed, was a brutal example of the US government’s willingness to use violence against Native American tribes. The aftermath of the massacre saw the US government continue to exploit and marginalize the Apache people, including the creation of the Indian Trust Fund.

The Cobell v. Salazar Lawsuit

In 1996, Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet Indian from Montana, filed a lawsuit against the US government on behalf of the Native American tribes affected by the Indian Trust Fund. The lawsuit, which became known as Cobell v. Salazar, alleged that the US government had mismanaged the Indian Trust Fund, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars in royalties and assets. The lawsuit was a major milestone in the Apache people’s struggle for justice and accountability from the US government.

The Legacy of the Indian Trust Fund

Today, the Apache people continue to grapple with the legacy of the Indian Trust Fund. The fund remains a symbol of the US government’s broken promises and betrayal of the Apache people. The Cobell v. Salazar lawsuit resulted in a settlement of $3.4 billion, but many Apache people feel that the settlement did not go far enough in addressing the historical injustices perpetrated against them.

Conclusion

The Apache people’s relationship with the US government’s Indian Trust Fund is a complex and painful one. From the creation of the fund to the present day, the US government has consistently failed to uphold its promises and obligations to the Apache people. The legacy of the Indian Trust Fund serves as a reminder of the need for greater accountability and justice in the treatment of Native American tribes by the US government.