Washington ( CNN ) -- The government will provide $ 680 million in compensation to settle a class-action lawsuit by Native American farmers against the U.S. Department of Agriculture , according to a proposed agreement announced Tuesday . Under the agreement , which requires federal court approval , Native Americans can file claims for discrimination involving farm loans that occurred in the period from 1981-1999 , said statements by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder . `` Today 's settlement can never undo wrongs that Native Americans may have experienced in past decades , but combined with the actions we at USDA are taking to address such wrongs , the settlement will provide some measure of relief to those alleging discrimination , '' Vilsack said in his statement . The $ 680 million will compensate eligible members of the class-action suits with valid claims , the statements said . The agreement has two payment tracks -- one provides $ 50,000 to those who provide substantial evidence of discrimination to an impartial adjudicator , and the other pays up to $ 250,000 to those who can show economic losses caused by discrimination . `` Actual monetary awards are subject to reduction based on the amount of available funding and the number of meritorious claims , '' the statements said . The settlement also includes $ 80 million for debt relief , as well as other assistance for Native American farmers . In a White House statement , President Barack Obama called the agreement `` an important step forward in remedying USDA 's unfortunate civil rights history . '' The lawsuit alleged discrimination against Native Americans regarding their access to and participation in the Agriculture Department 's farm loan programs , according to the statement . `` This settlement marks a major turning point in the important relationship between Native Americans , our nation 's first farmers and ranchers , and the USDA , '' said a statement by Joseph M. Sellers , the lead plaintiffs ' attorney . `` After three decades , Native American farmers and ranchers will receive the justice they deserve , and the USDA has committed to improving the farm loan system in ways that will aid Native Americans for generations to come . '' George and Marilyn Keepseagle , whose name is on the lawsuit against the government , said they were unfairly denied operating loans and had to sell portions of their sprawling farm on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota . `` This is a great day for us , not only for us but our people , '' Marilyn Keepseagle said . `` It 's been a long time brewing and finally today it came to a positive end . And I 'm happy about that . '' She said she wants to use some of the money to pay off bills and to make much needed repairs to their home of 40 years . Claryca Mandan of the Mandan , Hidatsa and Arikara Nation , who is a member of the lawsuit , said she was unfairly denied farms loans in the past . Mandan and her husband still reside on land that was allocated by the Dawes General Allotment Act of 1887 , which intended to settle Native American tribes and turn them into farmers and ranchers . `` It definitely was long , and it definitely was worth it , to voice some measure of justice for our community , '' Mandan said of the settlement . `` It 's always a rare day and one we rejoice in . We are very happy to be put back on equal footing again with the rest of America . '' The settlement also calls for future changes to the USDA 's farm loan program . It will create the Native American Farmer and Rancher Council , a new federal advisory committee , which lawyers said will bring together Native American and USDA officials to discuss the USDA 's programs . `` I think the leadership in the USDA genuinely wants to see them succeed , '' Sellers said , adding that it will take time to implement the changes . `` But we have the mechanism that will begin the process of delivering these services to Native Americans so [ with ] the next generation of farmers , the USDA will be a better partner than it has in the past . '' He praised the leadership of Marilyn Keepseagle and Claryca Mandan and others , saying their perseverance showed such a case could succeed . `` This illustrates the power of the individuals , '' Sellers said , adding they had `` pursued this with great courage and determination , and it 's a great tribute to them and others like them who may want to take on a mission like this . '' The agreement follows a similar settlement in February on behalf of African-American farmers against the USDA , known as Pigford II . However , that settlement depends on congressional appropriation of the necessary funds , which has n't happened . Obama 's statement called on Congress to authorize the more than $ 1 billion in funding for the Pigford settlement . Payment to the Native American farmers will come from the Judgment Fund maintained by the Department of Justice . The fund was established to provide monetary awards for court judgments and settlements against the government , and therefore needs no separate congressional authorization for the Native American farmers settlement . According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture , there are about 60,000 Native American farmers in the United States -- double the number of African-American farmers .
Plaintiffs say the long wait was worth it . No congressional authorization required to pay settlement . The agreement includes $ 680 million in compensation for discrimination . The U.S. Department of Agriculture was sued in the class-action lawsuit .