Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
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Washington, D.C. - Tribal leaders met Wednesday, Feb. 11, on Capitol Hill to discuss the many challenges facing Indian Tribes and, in particular, Tribal government gaming, during the second session of the 108 th Congress. The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) hosted the two-day meeting, which began on Tuesday, Feb. 10. Its purpose was to provide NIGA member Tribes and Associates with updates on pending legislation and information on a host of other issues facing Indian Country.

"Once again, we are facing direct attacks on our Tribal sovereignty," said NIGA Chairman Ernest L. Stevens, Jr. "This is an opportunity to visit our elected officials on Capitol Hill and educate and inform them about Tribal sovereignty and Tribal government gaming."

Tribal leaders heard from 31 members of Congress, officials from the National Indian Gaming Commission, including Chairman Phil Hogan, and newly-sworn in Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Dave Anderson, who during his first address to NIGA delivered a rousing and positive message for the audience on behalf of the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"The National Indian Gaming Association was pleased to hear from Assistant Secretary Dave Anderson about the active role that he will take working closely with the Tribes on many issues," said Stevens. "He brings significant experience and enthusiasm to the job of Assistant Secretary; and his goal of making the Bureau of Indian Affairs a stronger institution and a true leader among Native people will be welcomed throughout Indian Country."

Among the upcoming battles for Tribes this session include proposed legislation to tax internet sales of tobacco products. The bill would allow states to sue Tribes if Tribes don't register to sell their tobacco products on the internet. "This is a major issue for Tribes, because it is a direct attack on Tribal sovereignty," said Stevens.

Another serious concern for Tribes is Congressman Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Va.)'s Tribal and Local Community Relationship Improvement Act, which would require state legislatures to approve new Indian casinos and directs the President to establish the Advisory Committee on Minimum Regulatory Requirements and Licensing Standards for Indian gaming, which will create minimum requirements for federal regulation of Indian gaming.

The Shays-Wolf proposed bill also seeks to establish a commission to report to Congress on living and health standards in Indian country, the effectiveness of federal programs designed to improve standards in these designated areas, and the economic, environmental and social impacts of Indian gaming facilities on local communities.

"The goal of federal Indian policy should be to maximize the ability of Tribes to control their own destiny - this means increasing economic independence and working to preserve cultures to pass on to future generations," said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.). "Your sovereign right to use your lands as you see fit should not be needlessly restricted by either bureaucrats in Washington or professional environmental activists from New York City and Hollywood who seek to take advantage of and manipulate Tribes to fulfill their own agenda."

Also of recent concern to Indian Tribes is U.S. v. Lara - a Supreme Court case involving the jurisdiction of Tribes over non-Tribal member Indians who commit crimes on their reservations.

"The two proposed bills, as well as the Lara case, are in opposition to Tribal sovereignty and could create dangerous precedents to whittle away to an even greater extent the sovereign rights of Tribal nations," said Stevens. "Tribes must work together in a positive pro-active manner, which will ensure that Indian Country has a strong voice."

"I believe a country's treatment of its indigenous population is a testament to the overall health of the democracy; and I've spent my time in Congress working to improve our nation's democratic system by making Indian concerns and initiatives a priority," said Congressman Brad Carson (D-Okla.), who is running for the U.S. Senate this year and who has said he will oppose any attempt to erode Tribal self-determination and self-government. "As a member of the Cherokee Nation, I am immensely proud of the heritage and enduring strength of Native people. It is my hope that together we can continue building a promising future for our nation's Indian people."

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The National Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit trade association comprised of 184 American Indian Nations and other non-voting associate members. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people - economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.