Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025

This bill would settle a long-running land dispute at the L’Anse Indian Reservation in Baraga County, Michigan. It would pay the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community $33.9 million to make up for reservation lands that were taken long ago without fair payment and to avoid lengthy lawsuits. In return, the tribe’s claims to those specific lands would end, and current landowners would have clear title. The tribe could use the money for services, jobs, natural resource protection, or to buy land, but not for gaming. It also makes clear that nothing in the bill allows land to be used or taken into trust for gaming.

Key points

• Who is affected: The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and current landowners within the reservation area in Baraga County, Michigan.
• What changes: The Interior Department would transfer $33.9 million; the tribe’s claims to the “Reservation Swamp Lands” and “Reservation Canal Lands” end; current owners get clear title; funds can be used for many community needs but not to buy land for gaming; no gaming authority is granted.
• When: Congress authorizes the $33.9 million for fiscal year 2026. Once the tribe receives the payment, the claims are extinguished and titles are cleared.