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KEVIN MCKIERNAN: News of the settlement took most observers by surprise. Events of the preceding two days, the holdout of the warriors against the noon Friday evacuation deadline, then the subsequent escalation of National Guard troops and armor, the gunshot injury to a white snowmobiler Saturday night, and then the attempted firebombing of a local tavern owned by a white militant later in the same day all led many of us to believe that the governor was right on Saturday when he predicted that there would not be a negotiated resolution to this month-long standoff.

Then early Sunday evening came the unexpected announcement from Brother Maurice Wilson of the Alexian Order based in Chicago.

MAURICE WILSON: An agreement was reached today, which will peacefully settle and end the occupation of the Alexian Brothers novitiate in Gresham, Wisconsin. The Alexian Brothers have decided, after much prayer and deliberation, to convey title of the novitiate to the Menominee Indian tribe in an attempt to prevent any further violence.

When the Menominee tribe regains its tribal status in February or March, the deed will be transferred to the new tribal government. In making this announcement, Brother Florian, the president of the Alexian Brothers of America, said that the property is to be used for humanitarian purposes, in the field of education or social services.

It is also understood that a good faith effort will be made by the Menominees to provide fair reimbursement to the Alexian Brothers for the value of the property. It is further understood that the state of Wisconsin, the National Council of Churches, and other concerned groups and persons will fulfill their commitments to improve our plight of the Menominee Indians and assist them in their fundraising efforts.

To gain support, those who unlawfully occupied the novitiate must have peacefully and promptly left, and the official elected leadership of the tribe must become the novitiate owner. Brother Florian said that he recognizes the great obligation that the people of the United States have toward the Indian people. He also suggested that it is all the people of the United States that bear the burden of just and peaceful resolution of the conflict at Gresham.

The Alexian Brothers care. We have been serious about caring for the past six centuries. Our purpose has been and will continue to be to save life and to raise the physical and spiritual quality of life. We, the Alexian Brothers, have searched our hearts in order to understand all sides of this conflict. We have listened with an open mind. We ask all concerned and interested people to do the same.

The time has come for all persons in the Shawano and Menominee area to heal its wounds and to ensure a constructive outcome from this distasteful conflict. An atmosphere of trust and Christian forgiveness must be promoted. This action is also in keeping with the Alexian Brothers' efforts, and negotiations begun more than a year ago to dedicate the novitiate property for use by the Indians. These efforts were thwarted by the occupation of the novitiate.

During the 30 to 60 days that remain before the Menominee regained tribal status, seven trustees will manage the property until the new tribal government is elected. Thank you,

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Alexian Brother Maurice Wilson announcing the conveyance of the Gresham Novitiate to the Menominee Indian tribe. Earlier yesterday, Bob Bryant, chief attorney for the warrior society inside the novitiate, revealed news of the surprise settlement to Menominees gathered in the reservation town of Keshena. During the victory celebration attended by hundreds of Indians following the announcement, Bryant elaborated on the surprise settlement.

BOB BRYANT: The price mentioned was only $1. In effect, there's no price mentioned in this, except that the-- I will quote this, "The Menominee Indian tribe will be expected to make a good faith effort to provide fair reimbursement to the brothers for the value of the property. And so there's no actual demand for any price."

The election brothers are simply expecting the Menominee people to make some effort. And I understand there are various donations coming in even within the Catholic Church for this purpose. So go ahead.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: What is the settlement contingent upon?

BOB BRYANT: It's not contingent upon anything. Now, it is done.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Well, what about the evacuation of the abbey?

BOB BRYANT: There's no-- it's not contingent upon that. I mean, it's already been agreed to. There will be an evacuation. As to when, whether it will be today, tomorrow, or the next day remains to be seen.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Now, are the warriors then subject to arrest when they come out or is some provision for amnesty been made?

BOB BRYANT: There hasn't been no provision at the present time for amnesty. We will discuss this at the meeting this afternoon.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Do you feel this is one of the demands of the warriors at this time?

BOB BRYANT: The property-- the settlement is not contingent upon amnesty. These brave warriors, men and women, are willing to die for what they believe in. And if they can get amnesty, they're willing to go to jail for it.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: At this point, they consider this a victory in sight?

BOB BRYANT: Definitely. 100% a victory. And they're very pleased. And their hearts are, I think, one of joy, peace, and love, and tremendous amount of satisfaction that there has been so much understanding that has come out of this among the non-Indian world.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Bob Bryant, Menominee warrior society attorney. Following the settlement announcement in Shawano, National Guard spokesman Colonel Dan Griffith indicated that some of the guards tougher duties still remain.

DAN GRIFFITH: I want everybody to know that we have established maximum security measures in the area to preclude any disruption of this evacuation. These security measures include the movement of armored personnel carriers throughout the perimeter. In addition, both motorized and foot patrols have been increased and checkpoints strengthened so that no movement in or out of the area will take place.

I cannot emphasize too much the need for your continued peaceful cooperation at this critical time so that we conclude our efforts to bring this peaceful and honorable settlement to a conclusion.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Colonel Dan Griffith. Despite yesterday's apparent settlement here and the beefed up National Guard security around the monastery, including the deployment of at least 14 armored personnel carriers, the night was not uneventful. Guard radio communications throughout the evening reflected a tense and hazardous atmosphere within the restricted perimeter.

MAN 1: 20, what's your status there now?

MAN 2: They said they're still shooting at us, but they're not coming. The incoming isn't all that close yet. But we have troopers on the outside looking around for possible personnel trying to leave the area of the abbey. Over.

MAN 1: 10-4, 2020. KZ 430.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Heavy gunfire was reported from the thick woods near the abbey, and the National Guard indicated that a US Army helicopter had been fired upon while trying to drive away hostile snowmobilers within the sealed off zone. That helicopter, piloted by a combat flyer, was employing a searchlight at the time to illuminate the wooded area near the abbey and to guard against last-minute breaches of the perimeter prior to the hopes for evacuation.

National Guard spokesman would not comment on whether or not the craft was struck. Throughout the night from the abbey itself, Indians engaged the snowmobilers in sporadic gunfire exchanges. One report from the warrior society claimed a direct hit on one of the snowmobiles. There was no confirmation of that report.

As of this morning, there has been no evacuation of the novitiate. The Alexian agreement to turn over the deed to the property is predicated on a peaceful evacuation. But at this time, there is no sign of that. Sources close to the warrior society indicate that there still may remain bargaining to gain federal, state, and local immunity, at least for those Indians in non-leadership positions. Outside the abbey, however, Shawano County District Attorney Richard Stadelman was emphatic in outlining the posture of his team of six special prosecutors.

RICHARD STADELMAN: We emphasize that we had nothing to do whatsoever with these negotiations. We wish to stress that we disagree with the armed and violent methods employed to gain title to this property. Since an evacuation is imminent, however, we as law enforcement officials strongly urge that there be no violence and that all unauthorized persons stay away from the perimeter area for their own protection.

Criminal prosecutions are already in progress and arrests definitely will be made. Thank you.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Will the Indians inside be arrested?

RICHARD STADELMAN: I have no comment at this time.

KEVIN MCKIERNAN: Richard Stadelman, Shawano County prosecutor. Near Gresham, Wisconsin, this is Kevin McKiernan.