Chris Jaehing/Daily Mining Gazette Members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and other friends and family from out of state gathered in Baraga Saturday for the Pow Wow.

BARAGA — A hearing of the House Subcommittee on Indian Insular Affairs was held in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, regarding four bills surrounding issues impacting Native American peoples and tribes. Among the four bills, was H.R. 411, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025.

The bill would see the tribe compensated $33.9 million for more than 4,000 acres of land that was unlawfully given to Michigan by the federal government in violation of 1842 and 1854 treaties. The bill will also recognize tribal relinquishment of disputed areas which will give clear title to parties who purchased those lands. If the bill passes, the $33.9 million can be utilized by KBIC in any lawful way except for gaming.

KBIC President Robert Curtis Jr. testified before the subcommittee with U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, present to speak on H.R. 411, which was introduced by Bergman then referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. Curtis informed the subcommittee of the history leading to H.R. 411, its importance and the how the $33.9 million was determined.

“This bill would compensate our tribe for the unconstitutional taking of our treaty protected reservation lands and confirm title of the current landowners,” Curtis told the subcommittee. “In the mid 1800s the Western Frontier continued to expand and the federal government took a greater interest in the mineral resources of the Upper Peninsula. This lead the United to enter the 1842 and 1854 Treaties of LaPoite with our ancestors.”

Curtis explained the two treaties ceded lands in Michigan and Wisconsin for constitutionally protected reservations. Some tribal land was granted to Michigan from the federal government through the 1850 Swamp Land Act and the 1852 Canal Land Act. Curtis said for many years the federal government flatly rejected Michigan’s contentions and the United States’ General Land Office refused to transfer title for what would have been illegal. From 1893 to 1937 however violations occurred and tribal lands were unlawfully granted to Michigan. This was recognized in 2021 by the Department of the Interior.

“Enactment of the KBIC Settlement Act would mean KBIC is finally compensated for the taking of our lands, our neighbors would gain clear title to their land and the state and federal government would right a historical wrong,” Curtis said.

Bergman went over the bill at the hearing and explained the importance of righting a historic wrong and clearing titles.

“We’ve talked about this bill for a long time,” Bergman said. “There’s been a lot of effort by the staff, by the KBIC, by our office, by the appraisers, everybody to make this right so rather than waste words and time let’s just go ahead and get this bill in. Let’s get it done.”

Later in the hearing Curtis explained how the $33.9 million was determined. The tribe commissioned a report by Compass Lexicon, a consulting firm which came up with a range of compensation. Curtis said the amount fell in the middle of the range.

On Friday KBIC issued a press release regarding the hearing. In the release KBIC Vice-President Everett Ekdahl Jr. said the Tribal Council and KBIC appreciate the efforts of the Michigan delegation especially Rep. Bergman and Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, for their support during the hearing.

“After the United States admitted that our claims are valid, KBIC Tribal Council chose to pursue justice through cooperation, not unnecessary litigation, so we could acknowledge past wrongs while maintaining harmony with our community.”

According to the release, KBIC is celebrating an important step forward and expressed appreciation to Bergman and the House Natural Resources Committee for working to right the historic wrong.

“This legislation now awaits markup in the House Subcommittee, after which it may be advanced to the full House Natural Resources Committee and ultimately the U.S. House of Representatives. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community looks forward to continuing its work with Congressman Bergman and other federal partners to ensure the passage of this legislation,” the release said.

The release also acknowledged the companion bill which passed the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in March led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin.