Bush BIA Now Questioning Federal Indian Trust Relationship

[NVMojo]

2/14/2005 8:40:29 PM

In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding the Cobell lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Interior Department, there is a major tremor running through Native American tribal leaders.

James Cason, Associate Deputy Secretary of BIA, indicated in early December that the federal government is considering the termination of the Indian land trust liability. This is in conjunction with resolving the monetary claims of tribes with a settlement now proposed in legislation sponsored by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) – the chairmen of Indian affairs committees on both sides of the Capitol.

Such a decision could potentially vitiate Indian tribes’ "sovereignty" claims, jeopardize tribes’ exemptions from certain state and federal taxes, sharply reduce revenue claim settlements due tribes, and greatly limit expansion of casino sites beyond reservation boundaries. It would, in effect, revolutionize federal Indian policies.

more...

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?d510c5a3-31ff-4dce-bc8b-d43c99cb380a

[Gman]

1. What is McCain's position on this?

Does anyone know? Is he pushing this or is the WH trying to do an end run around McCain?

[NVMojo]

4. I don't think he is part of it, it's an end run around him and the tribes.

[mike_c]

2. forked tongue....

In other words, yet another unilateral withdrawal from treaty obligations. Same as it ever was. The Great Father in Washington is a lying piece of excrement.

[KoKo]

3. Warning to the tribes to "recant" on Abramoff or else?

:shrug: It's the way they usually work. They retaliate against anyone who threatens them. Abramoff is a disaster for them....same as Cunningham. Expect to see alot of retaliation in the days ahead. Threats, "accidents" and tampering.

[NVMojo]

5. now that I can see happening. Sad part is alot of tribes do not have

casinos, can't bribe the government that sits on them,and get manipulated by the government that sits on them.

[KoKo]

6. I'm curious about this "Native American" Gaming Thing......

It seems that only certain Tribes (and the names of these tribes seem to be not ones "mainstream Americans" can identify with) are participating in the Millions of Joys from Gambling Interests

How were the tribes that got the "Gaming Interests" chosen and what did they have to do to get the franchise? Has it helped the building of schools and unemployment numbers in those tribes who have the Casinos.

A friend of mine's son left Las Vegas/Nevada area because he was a helicopter pilot and was spending all his time fighting forest fires ..to come back East to Florida (where his Mom and Dad live) but to take a job with the Seminole tribe running Casinos in SE Florida, where he's helicoptering the "Rich and Famous" back and forth to their private jets who fly in. (He took the job because his wife had a baby and they needed the money...he couldn't keep fighting forest fires forever on what he was making in Nevada).

Anyway I wonder which tribes decided to get involved with the Casinos and which didn't? Was there a Tribal Council of all the Native American Councils about this? Have some tribes been shunned?

We sure don't get any M$M talking about this out there...:-(

Is there some Native American Division about Tribes maybe "Selling Into Wealth" or "Selling Out" which is causing division?

Are there tribes "counselling against this money" even though it might help the whole Native American Culture? Or, do many see it as a "sell out?"

[NVMojo]

7. koko ...boy, I am going to answer this from my perspective ...

it will take a bit of time. Be back shortly ...you are getting close to something with your thoughts ...have you followed the McCain Bill on revising the Indian Gaming Act???

[KoKo]

8. Hey....kicking til you get your info on this!

Do you really "trust" McCain?