In a class action lawsuit that was filed more than 11 years ago, justice has finally been served to thousands of Native American farmers.
On Thursday, April 28, US District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan granted approval of a $680 million settlement for Native Americans from the USDA, known as the Keepseagle settlement. The USDA had allegedly been discriminating against Native American farmers and ranchers across the US by denying them low-interest loans, which has caused economic losses to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
As part of the settlement, the USDA is also required to forgive up to $80 million in unpaid loan debt and improve the farm loan options that it offers to Native Americans.
According to the lead plaintiffs’ attorney Joseph M. Sellers, who is with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC, “Under this settlement, Native American farmers and ranchers will finally receive the compensation and justice they deserve, and we will undertake a process to ensure that the USDA treats Native Americans equally and fairly.”