by Mona Gallagher

Created on: April 11, 2007   Last Updated: May 13, 2007

Racial inequality is currently being expressed in full sight and with blatant disregard of the law in today's U.S. District Court. The American public is unaware of the proportions of this lawsuit and the history behind it. There is rarely a hint of mention of it in the mainstream media. It doesn't sell papers.

Yes, racial inequality and oppression exist in todays society. The largest class action suit against the U.S. government has been ongoing for 10 plus years. It revolves around 170 years of mismanagement by the Interior Department of the United States of America for records concerning IIMs (Individual Indian Monies) for leased resources. The resources include oil, minerals, timber and grazing rights. These resources belong to the American Indians and are held "in trust" by the U.S. Government, namely the Interior Department. The Interior Department cannot or will not produce the records and cannot reconcile the accounts and comply with the orders of the US District court.

It is a matter of court record that the US Treasury destroyed records that pertained to IIMs in 1999 rather than produce them for court as the Judge instructed. What did they get for this act of contempt? They got a slap on the wrist.

What did the American Indians get? The Judge was removed from the case because he made some strong remarks regarding the actions of the U.S. Government role in the mangled court records. Judge Royce Lamberth stood for the rights of the American Indian and he got booted for it.

"In response, the appeals court said Lamberth's opinion "extends beyond historical racism and all but accuses current Interior officials of racism." -Wall Street Journal, July 12, 2006

I take my money to a bank. I expect them to keep accurate records. Even before the arrival of the computer, people expected and received an accurate statements of their accounts.

Can we expect less of the U.S. Government? Do they take their fiduciary responsibility seriously?

Apparently, the indigenous people of this land can expect far less than fair play from the U.S. Government.

We, the stepchildren, of the United States of America, acknowledge your duplicity and your continued efforts to steal from the indigenous people of this land.

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