Chapter 54. For the relief of certain nations or tribes of Indians in Montana, Idaho, and Washington
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CHAP. 54.— An Act For the relief of certain nations or tribes of Indians in Montana, Idaho, and Washington. March 13, 1924.[[H. R. 3444](/us/bill/68/hr/3444).][[Public, No. 42](/us/pl/68/42).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, * That jurisdictionIndians in Montana, Idaho, and Washington.Claims of designated tribes of, for lands taken, etc., to be determined by Court of Claims. is hereby conferred upon the Court of Claims, with right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, to consider and determine all legal and equitable claims against the United States of the Blackfeet, Blood, Piegan, and Gros Ventre Nations or Tribes of Indians, residing upon the Blackfeet and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations, in the State of Montana; and the Flathead, Kootenais, and Upper Pend d’Oreilles Nations or Tribes of Indians, residing upon the Flathead Indian Reservation, in the State of Montana; and the Nez Perce Nation or Tribe of Indians, residing upon the Lapwai Indian Reservation, in the State of Idaho; and upon the Colville Indian Reservation, in the State of Washington, for lands or hunting rights claimed to be existing in all said nations or tribes of Indians by virtue of the treaty of October 17, 1855Vol. 11, p. 657.
(Eleventh Statutes at Large, page 657, and the following), and in said Flathead, Kootenais, and Upper Pend d’Oreilles Nations or Tribes of Indians by virtue of the treaty of July 16, 1855 (Twelfth Statutes at Large, page 975, and the following), withVol. 12, p. 975. said Indians, and all claims arising directly therefrom, which lands and hunting rights are alleged to have been taken from the said Indians by the United States, and also any legal or equitable defenses, set-offs, or counterclaims, including gratuities, which the United States may have against the said nations or tribes, and to enter judgment thereon, all claims and defenses to be considered without regard to lapse of time; and the final judgment and satisfaction thereof shall be in full settlement of all said claims.
That suits under this Act shall be begun by the filing of a petitionTime for filing suits. within two years of the date of the approval of this Act, to be verified by the attorney or attorneys selected by the claimant Indians, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, employed under contracts executed and approved in accordance with 22Parties, etc.existing law. The claimant Indians shall be parties plaintiff and the United States shall be party defendant, and such suits shall on motion of either party be advanced on the docket of the Court Compensation to attorneys limited.of Claims and of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The compensation to be paid the attorneys for the claimant Indians shall be determined by the Court of Claims in accordance with terms of the said approved contracts and shall be paid out of any sum or sums found and adjudged to be due said Indians: But in no event shall said compensation exceed 10 per centum of the amount of the respective judgments, nor exceed $25,000 for the Indians *Proviso*.Attorney for Nez Perces.residing on each respective reservation: *Provided*, *however*, That said compensation shall not exceed $25,000 for the Nez Perce Nation or Tribe of Indians residing on both the Lapwai and Colville Indian Reservations, nor exceed 10 per centum of the amount of any judgments rendered in favor of said Nez Perce Nation or Tribe, said compensation to be exclusive of all actual and necessary Judgments placed to credit of Indians.expenses in prosecuting said suits.
The balance of any such judgments shall be placed in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Indians entitled thereto and draw interest at the rate of 4 per centum per annum. Approved, March 13, 1924.