The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on Friday that $28 million has been distributed to tribal beneficiaries following the completion of probate cases processed through a probate surge event held by the Indian Affairs Probate Strike Team at the Fort Berthold Agency in North Dakota.
The Department said the action reflects ongoing efforts to improve probate services for Native families and uphold federal trust responsibilities to tribal nations and citizens.
The distribution follows work completed through the Office of Hearings and Appeals, with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration, and the Land Titles and Records Office. Interior officials said coordination between agencies has improved the speed and efficiency of processing probate cases while maintaining accuracy.
Federal probate cases involving trust or restricted Indian lands can often take years to resolve because ownership interests pass through generations of heirs. The probate surge initiative is designed to reduce backlogs and help Native families gain access to inherited trust assets more quickly.
“This distribution reflects the Department’s dedication to honoring our trust responsibilities and ensuring that every beneficiary receives the assets owed to them,” Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland (Navajo) said. “Through improved systems and stronger coordination, we are delivering meaningful results for families and communities.”
Interior officials emphasized that the $28 million distribution represents more than a financial benchmark, describing it as part of broader efforts to ensure tribal beneficiaries receive assets through a respectful and timely process.
The Bureau of Trust Funds Administration will notify affected account holders and provide instructions on how beneficiaries can access their funds.
Beneficiaries with questions regarding probate status, account information, or future hearings are encouraged to contact their local agency office or the BTFA Trust Beneficiary Call Center at (888) 678-6836.
The Fort Berthold Agency serves the Three Affiliated Tribes — the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation — in North Dakota.
According to the Department, the Probate Strike Team has also conducted similar probate surge events in Alaska, Arizona, and Oklahoma as part of a wider initiative to address probate backlogs across Indian Country.