Senate approves apology to American Indians

[Wetzelbill]

Source: USA Today

Senate approves apology to American Indians

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a resolution apologizing to American Indians for years of "ill-conceived policies" and acts of violence by U.S. citizens.
Lawmakers said the resolution, included in a defense spending bill approved late Tuesday, was a symbolic gesture meant to promote a renewed commitment to tribal communities. The resolution was introduced by Republican Sam Brownback of Kansas and Democrat Byron Dorgan of North Dakota.

Brownback has pushed for the measure since 2004. The Senate approved a similar resolution in 2008 as part of a bill to increase funding for Indian health care, but the measure failed to advance in the House. Lawmakers are also developing legislation to improve health care and bolster public safety on reservations.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-10-07-senate-apology-american-indians_N.htm?csp=34

[jaysunb]

1. That's nice,now how about the money....

:evilfrown:

[Wetzelbill]

4. now let's don't get hasty

:) I mean that would just make sense and all, we can't have that happen just yet. If ever.

[MellowDem]

22. Well, I'm still waiting on the Romans...

for reparations for how they treated the Germanic tribes and the ethnic cleansing. Guess you'll have to get in line!

[otohara]

2. Bout Time

Bravo ... what's this a bipartisan bill?

[Judi Lynn]

6. I had to reread that part, too! Completely unexpected, for so many reasons. n/t

[liberalmike27]

3. Uh Oh

As we all know, we never ever did anything wrong, and America is perfect, so killing all those indians, well, I guess that was the right thing to do, no introspection needed. Otherwise, we'd be in the "Hate America first club," and be apologists for our country.

[troubledamerican]

23. +1. Well said.

[ihavenobias]

5. K & R n/t

[WriteDown]

7. Wow, I'll have to mark this day on my calendar.

:eyes:

[Wetzelbill]

8. What do you mean by that?

You don't think this is newsworthy?

[WriteDown]

9. An apology?

Sorry, doesn't quite cut it. I would rather Obama approve my tribes resort that was held up by the Bush Interior Department. At least that would do something to provide jobs and and maybe some economic prosperity for my people.

[Wetzelbill]

10. well of course it doesn't cut it

but why roll your eyes at the post. Indians were a priority in the stimulus, for example, and Dorgan has been working on various bits of legislation that are good for Indians, it's not like this administration and Congress isn't a big improvement over the last one. Obama has more Indians on his staff than any other president by far. Although symbolic, this is a step, we'll see where it goes from here. Dorgan is going to reintroduce the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and is in the process of passing Indian youth suicide legislation. The committee is also going to introduce an Indian energy bill soon, which would create jobs, of course.

[WriteDown]

11. Always western N.A.s

We from the eastern tribes could use some help too. This is all window dressing. We've heard the promises all before.

[Wetzelbill]

12. can't help you much there

My tribe is poor as hell and we're in the West, we deserve any help that we get.

[WriteDown]

19. Totally agree.

Thanks!

[Wetzelbill]

20. what needs to be looked at

and my research and policy areas of strength are not with Eastern tribes, but we need to find viable economic growth for you all as well. Ground up type of stuff and make sure it's managed well. I am in favor of casinos and resorts etc, but the way things are with Indian gaming regulation and various powerful interests, not every tribe is best served to go that route. You guys should be able to get your resort of course, that pisses me off because even though tribes have a special relationship with the feds, I do not believe the feds should be able to tell tribes what they can or cannot do in when it comes to economic development. I am not a fan of IGRA on many levels, for example, it's encroachment on sovereignty. I do wish tribes could find other types of ways to create jobs etc. I think they should market themselves in certain ways, like as a place with low taxes, an educated and untapped workforce, and with their own health care and then create bilateral relationships with different types of businesses. They could do this through their community colleges.It's a tough problem all around.

[glinda]

16. bravo

[swilton]

13. What abou reparations

Or repairing or paying for some of the broken treaties? Words are cheap...

[Wetzelbill]

14. there won't be reparations

I doubt you'll ever see the Cobell case honestly rectified. There will be some good work on treaties though and there has been. More likely you'll see good health care legislation passed soon and probably an energy bill. Byron Dorgan is the IA chair and he's about the best and most knowledgeable politician on these issues as I've ever seen. Plus the normal impediments like Blue Dogs and some Republicans are in states with Native populations and from time to time do pretty decent work for them. Like McCain and Kyl, for example. You should see things get a little better anyway, but I doubt it'll ever be as good as it could be. This is symbolic and for a reason, if Senators voted for this it makes it a touch harder for them to vote against the legislation that is about to be brought up for votes on committees and in the senate.

[jaysunb]

17. They don't need reparations...

just pay up ! There are billions in Indian money being held "in trust."

[Wetzelbill]

18. yes that's the Cobell case that I referred to nt

[defendandprotect]

26. Hasn't most of it been stolen?

[Cha]

15. This an excellent step plus the

legislation they're working on for health care, etc on the rez.

I know it's not just for show..we're in reality now.

This is from Kimberly Teehee's blog who is Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs at the White House Domestic Policy Council.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Clearing-Up-a-Few-Myths-on-Health-Insurance-Reform-and-the-Indian-Health-Service/

[Rex]

21. How embaressing, it took this long?

Wow, our government sucks donkey balls. I think snail piss moves faster and actually is better for mankind.

[defendandprotect]

24. Much of government and GOP seems to still be at war against Native American . . .

When are we going to stop stealing from them --

and begin to REPAY them???

[defendandprotect]

25. duplicate

Still stealing from them . . . of course -- !!!