And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 06:55:10 -0400 From: prop1 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: For Native Americans, a louder voice http://usatoday.com/news/washdc/ncsthu14.htm 05/14/99- Updated 02:38 AM ET For Native Americans, a louder voice By Gregory Wright, Gannett News Service WASHINGTON - Medical care is so bad on his reservation, Montana Blackfoot George Horse Capture Jr. says, that a friend had to wait three years to find out his constant stomach pains were caused by cancer. By the time his friend went to a doctor outside the reservation for the diagnosis, the cancer was terminal, Horse Capture says. Horse Capture and more than 400 other Native Americans traveled from around the nation to the west steps of the Capitol this week to protest what they say is continued poor federal spending on medical care, education and law enforcement on tribal lands. Native Americans are also angered that legislation has popped up in Congress that could erode the ability of tribes to govern their own reservations and make money through ventures such as gambling. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., the only Native American serving in Congress, says the National Congress of American Indians rally shows that once-marginalized Indians are now flexing political muscle. Gambling and other economic activities on Indian lands have also given some tribes the money to get involved in politics, he says. After the rally, group members planned to pace the halls of Congress, urging lawmakers to turn back legislation that may harm the interests of Native Americans. They are asking lawmakers to honor Native American treaties - many of which date back more than a century - that promise the government will respect Native American rights. "The corporate boardrooms and the law degrees are the new way for us to protect ourselves," Campbell said at the rally. The nation's Native Americans make up less than 1% of the U.S. population. But unemployment on some reservations hovers well above the national average at almost 50% and social problems such as alcoholism and high infant mortality are rampant. But Native Americans are also becoming more concerned by legislation in Congress and state governments that may erode their sovereignty rights. Perry Beaver, principal chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation near Okmulgee, Okla., accuses his state of trying to get the power to administer wills on tribal lands, something that is now handled by tribal governments. Oklahoma officials maintain the change is needed because tribal governments have not been quick and efficient in settling wills. Although federal and state lawmakers have said legislation targeted at Native Americans is designed to make positive changes on reservations, Indian officials are suspicious. They accuse Congress and states of trying to steal their rights just at a time when Indians are trying to wield real political and economic power. According to National Congress of American Indians officials: Legislation is included in the fiscal 1999 supplemental spending bill that will likely make it more difficult for American Indian tribes to settle disputes with states over gambling issues. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission next month is also scheduled to give a report to Congress that Native American officials said may be biased against gambling on American Indian reservations, opening the way for restrictive legislation, the group claimed. There have been calls in Congress to levy federal taxes on the revenue of tribal governments, which could hamper the ability of tribes to provide much-needed services to their members. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., this year will introduce legislation to allow state government officials to go on tribal land to collect taxes owed on cigarette and fuel sales to nontribe members. Indian tribes have said this legislation would violate their sovereignty. "They are not looking for a handout." Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
