Tribal Members Cash $10,000 Settlement Checks

POLSON, Mont. (AP) — Members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have received $10,000 checks, their share of a $1 billion federal settlement over mismanaged assets that included $150 million for the tribe.

Tribal members lined up outside the tribally owned Eagle Bank on Wednesday to cash or deposit their checks and talk about what they plan to do with the money. Some argued that the tribe should turn all of the money over to its 7,850 enrolled members, rather than just half.

Barbara Finley, a certified nursing assistant for the tribe, told the Missoulian she plans to buy a car to transport elderly patients to medical appointments. She says people seem to be spending their money wisely on things like housing, furniture, savings and child care.

Randy Milliron says he paid off his trailer.