History of the Trust: Continued
1998: The Southern Cheyenne traditional and ceremonial leaders and Southern Arapaho traditional and ceremonial leaders in conjunction with approximately 10,000 individual lineal descendants from diverse tribal affiliations, ratified the Sand Creek Massacre Descendant’s Trust and recognized the Trust as spokesman and business arm in all matters pertaining to the November 29, 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, and recognized the Trust, as representing the interest of individual descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre in negotiations with state and federal governments.
July 24, 1998: The Trust and descendants visited the burial grounds (massacre site) of their ancestors at Sand Creek Colorado. April 2000, the Trust was affirmed as the Legal Representation for the Sand Creek Claims by Southern Cheyenne Traditional Spiritual Leaders, Chiefs, Headsmen.
June 1, 2000: The Trust received from the Northern Arapaho Business Council of the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, resolution 2000-8289, recognizing and supporting the Trust’s efforts in seeking the treaty promises in Article Six (6) of the 1865 Treaty for all descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre.
2003: The Trust and the Derryberry Law firm, attempted to pursue the claims by Congressional action by attempting to introduce a Bill to Congress titled, “Sand Creek Descendants Claims Fund Distribution Act” to provide for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay claims in favor of the Sand Creek descendants arising from the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre and the promises in Article Six (6) of the 1865 Treaty. The Trust found that to vigorously pursue the treaty promises in Article Six (6) of the 1865 treaty by Congressional and/or Court action, the Trust needs funds to for legal, lobbing, travel and public relations expenses. The Trust sought out professionals with expert credentials to provide the Trust with financial advice and establishing a fundraising program.
February 21, 2006: Traveled to the University of Florida Law School, in Florida in an attempt to put together a pro-bono team of attorneys and other professionals to create a litigation and political strategy to address the Sand Creek Massacre claim.
September 21, 2006: Traveled to the University of Florida Law School, in Florida in a follow up meeting of the February 21, 2006 meeting.
2006: Ellis Fischer, with expertise in financial planning, and having special skills as a professional engineer and independent mortgage broker joined the Trust as consultant and advisor, to provide financial advice and assist Pan American Development Company (PADC) in establishing a fundraising program.
June 2007: PADC, with expertise in writing grants and other fundraising activities, joined the Trust as an advisor and consultant to help the Trust establish a strong fundraising plan and program in all phases of fund raising, from corporations, foundations and individuals, and to initiate progressive steps to seek, acquire, and sustain public funding from private, local, state, and federal sources and setting up a web site to provide historical awareness of the Sand Creek Massacre, and further, provide awareness to the descendants of the Trust’s activities.