
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 24, 1990                   TAG: 9003242426
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: TACOMA, WASH.                                LENGTH: Short

INDIAN TRIBE CEDES 20,000 ACRES OF LAND FOR $162 MILLION, JOBS

An Indian tribe gives final approval today to the second-largest native land settlement in U.S. history, ceding claims to 20,000 acres of Tacoma's industrial heart in exchange for jobs and education for its people.

Tribal officials will sign documents giving up their claims to urban and industrial lands that were once their reservation, from Tacoma's harbor to the city of Puyallup (pronounced pew-al'-up).

In return, the Puyallup tribe will receive a $162 million package that includes just 900 acres of land, up to $20,000 cash to each of the tribe's 1,500 members, and trusts that promise a future of jobs, education and security.

"For years, we have been told we owned the land, but it was of no use to us," said tribal manager Frank Wright Jr. "Now we have parcels of land in our ownership, and the money to develop them. This agreement is for our children."

Not every member of the Puyallup tribe is pleased with the settlement. "I think these non-Indian people got away very, very cheap and we are the ones who are going to pay for it," said Debbie Joseph.

Alcoholism, poverty and unemployment that have been the American Indian's legacy continues to follow many Puyallups. The tribe's unemployment rate is 60 percent.

by CNB