Negotiations are under way with the Department...

Negotiations are under way with the Department of Interior on a possible legislative settlement to Western Shoshone claims to 24 million acres in eastern California and central Nevada, leaders of the Western Shoshone National Council said. “The Department of Interior reacted favorably to our call for negotiations and recognized the national council as the negotiator and spokesman for the Western Shoshone people,” council Secretary Virginia Sanchez told 200 Western Shoshones gathered at the reservation 70 miles southwest of Ely, Nev. Council Chief Jerry Millett said the council’s negotiating team had its first meeting with Interior Department officials in Washington two weeks ago. A second session is scheduled June 2 “in Shoshone country” at Austin, Nev., he added.