Last October, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims recommended that Congress award the Alabama-Coushatta tribe of eastern Texas $270.6 million after finding that the government neglected its duties to protect the tribe and its interests from 1845 to 1954. During this time, the state of Texas allowed oil and natural gas production, logging, and settlement by non-Natives on 5.5 million acres of Alabama-Coushatta land. The court also ruled that the tribe, currently confined to a 1,111 acre reserve, still possesses aboriginal title to the original 5.5 million acres, now covered by suburban sprawl, small towns and farmland. Tribal leaders say they have no interest in suing or displacing private landowners in their territory provided Congress acts on the ruling. Though Congress almost always approves the court’s decisions, it has not yet taken any action.
