Bud Fractionated land title is a problem created by the government. First of all allotments should not have been. Reservations were to be set aside for the Band or Tribe, not to individuals as the government decided and then the so-called extra sold off. Fractionation also occurred because ownership/title was kept clouded by courts systems that would not act on heirship. Part or all of this may have been caused by the Department of Interior/BIA by not working with the courts in our best interest. When you put land on hold for 20, 30, or 40 years, chances are that another whole generation has passed on. People cannot will what is not theirs nor do most people make contingencies that they would gain ownership to something after they die. To add to the picture of this problem, let's not forget that allotments were 80 acres while white people needed 160 acres. Just look at the current day handling of IIM Accounts and the fraud, deceit and lies going on - now imagine what swindling went on 100 years ago when "the only Indian good was a dead Indian." You try to get help from the BIA anywhere. Without deep pockets you may get dizzy from the run-around. There are good people and well intentioned people in there but the whole system is more than flawed and these good people can make little difference. I have said that BIA meant Bury Indian Assets. That pretty well says it. I won't speak for all Indian lands but the land in question would have to be sold or transferred through heirship. The government would have us believe that ownership may be taken by the tribe but this is not only clearly wrong, it is an immoral and corrupt practice. The courts have addressed this and the land people have been working hard ever since to go back and correct the titles that were transferred illegally. Larry Friend (Black Buffalo) niidji@mchsi.com > Most alloted land has become so fragmented because our people didn't make > wills ( the BIA is required to do this for us if we ask) that the tribes > have claimed them. BIA in AShland should be able to help. Bud