Title: Support Small Tribes Be Consulted for Consent to the Five Nations Citizens’ Land Act Reform of 2000

 

WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest and largest national organization established in 1944 and comprised of representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and local Tribal concerns; and

WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of NCAI; and,

WHEREAS, a Bill entitled Five Nations Citizens’ Land Reform Act of 2000 is under development by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in conjunction with certain U.S. Congressmen from Oklahoma; and,

WHEREAS, although all affected parties agree that reform of the laws relating to the heirs of the allottees of the Five Nations is desperately needed, the B.I.A. and other federal officials have failed, refused and neglected to properly consult with all the federally recognized Tribal governments which would be affected by the proposed legislation, and have therefore violated their trust responsibility to the Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, the Bill in its present form would effectively terminate the membership, lands and jurisdiction of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokees, Eastern Delaware, Alabama/Quassarte, Kialiga and Thloppthlocco Tribal Towns each of which were organized pursuant to the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act of 1936 and none of these federally recognized Tribes have consented to such termination; and

WHEREAS, this action which allows large Tribes or one division of a related group of Tribes to seize control over another Tribe without notice or consent by Congressional action sets dangerous precedent for all Indian Tribes, Bands, Nations and the Alaska Native Tribes and Villages.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NCAI opposes the introduction, passage or approval of the proposed Five Nations Citizens Land Reform Act of 2000 unless and until all affected Tribal governments have agreed and consented to the terms of the Bill.

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000 with a quorum present.

_____________________________

Susan Masten, President

Juana Majel, Recording Secretary

Adopted by the General Assembly during the 2000 Mid-Year Session of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Centennial Hall in Juneau, Alaska on June 25-28, 2000.