27-051407

Stories:
Jamestown, 400 years later - Virginia tribes closer to federal recognition after House approval

Senate Indian Affairs Committee advances four bills - Indian Health Care Improvement Act, Hawaiian Native housing bill, Hawaiian Native self-governance, and formal U.S. apology to the Native Nations

Ousted Freedman descendents protest Cherokee vote, file suit in federal court

Columbus Day opponents chastise Colorado leadership for failure to repeal holiday this session

Commentary: Same Scene, Different Decade
All in all, the stories this week show a troubling trend in federal policy and the sovereignty of Native Nations. Limits on federal recognitioin and membership in tribes call into question our ability to define who American Indians are and how we shall live. Federal recognition is weighed in the balance with future financial gain. Civil rights of African Americans are leveraged against those of indigenous peoples. It is a sadly familiar situation in 400 years of North American history, but not one without hope. FNRN thanks those legislators who support apologies and reparations, but we hope to report on real progress in the coming months.
Yakoke.