Elouise Cobell

Elouise Cobell was a Native American activist and banker who fought for fair management of Native American trust funds. She led a historic lawsuit accusing the U.S. government of mismanaging billions of dollars owed to Native tribes and individuals from land leasing and resource revenues. Her efforts, culminating in a 2009 settlement of $3.4 billion, aimed to correct decades of financial injustice and promote transparency and accountability. Cobell’s work brought national attention to issues of Native sovereignty and economic justice, making her a significant figure in Native American advocacy.