Editorial: Saginaw Chippewa Tribe settlement a historic moment

Opinion

Monday, November 15, 2010

"The agreements among the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the state of Michigan, Isabella County and the city of Mt. Pleasant over the extent of Tribal authority and the extent of Indian country in central Michigan are a truly historic change.

One expert described them as a "sea change," and that's certainly true. If they are approved, they will go a long way to reduce the uncertainty and ambiguity that has long surrounded the extent of Tribal sovereignty.

It has been recognized for centuries that Native American Tribes are autonomous entities that exert authority, separate from state authority, over Native Americans. When Natives were isolated and impoverished, that didn't matter much to the descendants of European colonists.

But in mid-Michigan, the Native population and the non-Native population live side by side, and the Native Americans have the means to make their decisions matter. That's what makes these agreements so necessary. It's much better to have one set of rules spelling out how things are supposed to work rather than attempt to draw inferences from dozens of unrelated regulations, laws, court rulings and traditions.

Non-Natives have little to fear from these agreements. In fact, in many cases, the agreements should protect the interests of non-Natives and their communities."

Get the Story:
OUR VIEW: Settlement is a historic moment for entire community (The Mt. Pleasant 11/14)

More Opinions:
Audra Goward Daniels and Ulana Klymyshyn: Settlement could improve mutual understanding in community (The Mt. Pleasant 11/14)
EDITORIAL: Changes to Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe property boundaries minor, but a relieving conclusion (Central Michigan Life 11/15)