The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana is taking its bid for federal recognition to Congress after losing a decision before the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe can still try to overturn the BIA decision. But supporters in the House and the Senate are hoping for Congressional action.

Chairman John Sinclair will testify about the tribe's struggle before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee this afternoon. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the chairman of the committee, says the BIA process is broken but he generally opposes legislative recognition of tribes.

Get the Story:
Senate hearing to eye 'broken' bureaucracy for new tribes (AP 11/4)
Little Shells denied Bureau of Indian Affairs recognition, await congressional action (Indian Country Today 11/4)
Great Falls City Commission Recognizes Little Shell Tribe (KFBB-TV 11/3)

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Fixing the Federal Acknowledgment Process (November 4, 2009)

Related Stories:
Witness list: SCIA hearing on federal recognition (11/3)
Indian Affairs Committee hearing on recognition (10/29)
Little Shell Chippewa recognition bill introduced (10/28)
Little Shell Chippewa Tribe loses recognition bid (10/27)
BIA delays decision on Little Shell recognition (09/23)
BIA sets new Little Shell Chippewa Tribe deadline (07/28)
BIA faces deadline on Little Shell Chippewa Tribe (7/27)
BIA near decision on Little Shell Chippewa Tribe (7/16)
Audio: House hearing on federal recognition bills (7/15)
Witness list for hearing on four recognition bills (7/14)
House hearing on four federal recognition bills (7/13)
House panel tackles more federal recognition bills (7/8)
Little Shell Tribe hopes for recognition under Obama (3/5)