US overhauls process for recognizing Indian tribes

Associated Press ^ | Aug 25, 2013 11:39 AM EDT | Michael Melia

[Olog-hai]

His tribe once controlled huge swaths of what is now New York and Connecticut, but the shrunken reservation presided over by Alan Russell today hosts little more than four mostly-dilapidated homes and a pair of rattlesnake dens.

The Schaghticoke Indian Tribe leader believes its fortunes may soon be improving. As the U.S. Interior Department overhauls its rules for recognizing American Indian tribes, a nod from the federal government appears within reach, potentially bolstering its claims to surrounding land and opening the door to a tribal-owned casino.

“It’s the future generations we’re fighting for,” Russell said.

The rules floated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, intended to streamline the approval process, are seen by some as lowering the bar through changes such as one requiring that tribes demonstrate political continuity since 1934 and not “first contact” with European settlers. Across the country, the push is setting up battles with host communities and already-recognized tribes who fear upheaval. …

[Standing Wolf]

When will the poor taxpaying working stiff be recognized?

After we restore our constitutional republic, bgill.

[DoughtyOne]

While I agree, the last Olympics in Canada pretty much telegraphed where this is all headed. IMO

I actually like American Indian traditions to a point. I’m not willing to capitulate on the alter of the U. N. and other P. C. groups to surrender my traditions.

Frankly, that’s what our existence is all about these days.

This S needs to stop. A bit off the subject, but this is a serious matter.

[Fzob]

apparently you have not read your US history. There are multiple treaties that were signed and approved that say otherwise

I would not advocate breaking our treaties.

Even though what you say is true for some Indian tribes, it is not true for this one.

[righttackle44]

Calm your fears. There won't be any relocation of Indian tribes to reservations. The Lumbees have long had strong political savvy, and they won't leave their homeland. Since a number of Lumbees walked into a Ku Klux Klan rally in the 1950s wielding shotguns and pitchforks and caused considerable spontaneous urination in the trousers of the rallying Kluxers, the Lumbees have shown they will stand their ground.

Besides, only a few Freepers would really want the government to try to take the homelands of the Lumbees and other tribes. (You can find their designations on this thread.)

[kaehurowing]

Is that the Doncorleone Tribe?

[dfwgator]

"Hast du gesehen in deine leben? Dey darker than us....WOOF!"

[Smokin' Joe]

They have no claim to any US soil, they lost. Get over it.

Most Reservations were established as the result of treaty arrangements. While it can be argued they lost, the treaties were peace treaties agreed to by Tribal representatives and representatives of the US Government. Often these arrangements were in lieu of armed conflict.

Not every Tribe got the same deal, not every tribe engaged the US in warfare, but the claim to that soil was established (or supposedly maintained) by treaty..

[dfwgator]

[Nifster]

There are many faux tribes out there. Folks get greedy when free money is involved