Chippewa Indians Cheered by Plan of Community Farm for Homeless

Members of the tribe from around the state came to express their views to John Collier Jr., Federal Indian Commissioner, about land, the allotment system, heirships and claims. Some of the lands being given to the Tribe might be allotted as community farms, while others will be given to tribal members in need of homes. The land allotment process is also likely to be changed at request of the community. As it was, the system divided land amongst heirs and those allotments became smaller with subsequent generations. Instead of giving land to the individuals for farming, many are in support of community farms. The current allotment system has also been used by lumbermen to give land to dead people before claiming it for themselves to work on. Chief Elijah Elk is wary of government proposals, as their three million dollar claim against the government, filed in 1927, is still pending. Money generated by the land will be put back into the community providing schools and churches.