U.S. to pay $554 million to Navajo Nation

The U.S. government has agreed to pay the Navajo Nation $554 million to finalize a lawsuit stemming from claims of mismanaged funds on the reservation that date back several decades.

The agreement, which marks the largest settlement with an American tribe in U.S. history, brings to an end a long-standing dispute, with some of the claims dating back more than 50 years.

“This landmark resolution ends protracted and burdensome litigation. It will provide important resources to the Navajo Nation. And it fairly and honorably resolves a legal conflict over the accounting and management of tribal resources,” U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement Wednesday.

Obama administration officials are scheduled to join members of the Navajo Nation on Friday in Window Rock, Ariz., to sign and finalize the settlement.

The Navajo Nation is the largest American Indian tribe in the United States, with over 300,000 members. Its reservation encompasses more than 27,000 square miles in the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

“The Navajo Nation is excited to host the signing ceremony on Friday. The trust litigation has been a protracted battle and in the end, it was a victory for tribal sovereignty,” Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly said in a statement.

“After a long, hard-won process, I am pleased that we have finally come to a resolution on this matter to receive fair and just compensation for Navajo Nation.”