{"id":8850,"date":"2019-07-01T22:39:44","date_gmt":"2019-07-02T03:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/were-getting-it-done\/"},"modified":"2019-07-01T22:39:46","modified_gmt":"2019-07-02T03:39:46","slug":"were-getting-it-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/were-getting-it-done\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We\u2019re getting it done\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Leaders of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians went tto Capitol Hill at the end of the 115th Congress to lobby for their federal recongnition bill but it didnt pass. They are optimistic about success in the current session.
Photo: Rep. Greg Gianforte<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Federal recognition for Montana\u2019s Little Shell Band of Chippewa Cree Indians has been added to a must-pass U.S. defense bill, which the state\u2019s congressional delegation says could end the decades-long struggle for tribal rights.<\/p>\n

Since they lack federal recognition, the Little Shell have never received basic treaty rights offered to other American Indian tribes. Montana\u2019s congressional delegation has, with limited progress, tried for years to get Congress to recognize the tribe.<\/p>\n

The next best chance at recognition will come with a vote on the National Defense Reauthorization Act. It\u2019s a must-pass bill that sets U.S. defense funding levels and establishes spending priorities like pay raises for the military. Sens. Jon Tester, a Democrat, and Steve Daines, a Republican convinced Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to add the Little Shell language, on the condition that Daines be listed as the lead sponsor. Daines is up for re-election in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take McConnell at his word when he sent the email that said, \u2018Hey, if you put Steve at the top of the list we can get this done,\u2019\u201d Tester said. \u201cI said \u2018Hey, go ahead and do it. It\u2019s important.\u2019 We\u2019re getting it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tester said recognition for the Little Shell was the bill he proposed first as a new senator in 2007. He said the current request is the best chance at recognition the Little Shell have had. There have been several attempts in the Senate by the Montana delegation. Each effort won support in committee but failed to get a vote by the full Senate.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat news today for Montana\u2019s Little Shell Tribe,\u201d Daines said in a press release. \u201cAfter decades of fighting for the federal recognition they deserved, we\u2019re one step closer to making it a reality. I\u2019m honored to have worked to get this included in the must-pass NDAA, and will continue to work until it\u2019s signed into law.\u201d<\/p>\n

The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act will include Little Shell recognition language, as well. Syncing the language in the House and Senate versions of the bill was the only way to get the provision passed by both chambers.<\/p>\n

However, in March the Democratic House easily passed a bill by Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., to get the Little Shell recognized. The March vote was only the second time the Little Shell received a floor vote in Congress. A Gianforte bill for Little Shell recognition also passed in September 2018, when Republicans controlled the House.<\/p>\n

The March bill passed by the House would have given the Little Shell 200 acres of land, treaty health care benefits, education support and federal economic development programs. There are 5,400 known members of the Montana Band of Chippewa Cree Indians.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is another important step for the Little Shell Tribe in their quest for federal recognition,\u201d Gianforte said in a press release.\u00a0\u201cAfter successfully guiding the bill through the House last September, and again in March, I am thankful the Senate is taking up their worthy cause. I appreciate the dedication and determination of Chairman (Gerald) Gray and the Little Shell people throughout this process, and I will continue to push for the recognition they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a heavy lift getting congressional votes for Little Shell recognition. In the House, Republicans Denny Rehberg, Daines, Ryan Zinke and Gianforte all sponsored bills for the tribe. In the Senate, Democrats Tester and Max Baucus co-sponsored no fewer than four Little Shell bills. Daines and Tester have co-sponsored no fewer than three bills. At times the legislation has been blocked by a single senator\u2019s objections when unanimous consent was needed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve gotten recognized and then gotten the recognition rescinded. I don\u2019t know why,\u201d Tester said. \u201cSince I\u2019ve been here, there have been tribes in Virginia that have gotten recognition and the Little Shell haven\u2019t. So, I think the paperwork is there, the lineage is there to show that these folks deserve recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tribe has sought recognition for more than 70 years, Tester said. There\u2019s plenty of blame to go around for why the acknowledgement hasn\u2019t been made.<\/p>\n

By Tom Lutey tlutey@billingsgazette.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Leaders of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians went tto Capitol Hill at the end of the 115th Congress to lobby for their federal recongnition bill but it didnt pass. They are optimistic about success in the current session.Photo: Rep. Greg Gianforte Federal recognition for Montana\u2019s Little Shell Band <\/p>\n

Read More<\/a>
Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> July 1, 2019<\/p>\n

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