The national Republican Party adopted a platform this week that includes a lengthier section on American Indian and Alaska Native issues.

The section titled Honoring Our Relationship with American Indians represents the party's strongest language to date on Indian issues. It bluntly states that the federal government has failed to live up to its trust obligations.

"The social and economic problems that plague Indian country have grown worse over the last several decades; we must reverse that trend. Ineffective federal programs deprive American Indians of the services they need, and long-term failures threaten to undermine tribal sovereignty itself," the platform states.

The platform includes a section on public safety in Indian Country. However, it does not endorse restoring tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians for domestic violence and other crimes.

"Everyone’s due process and civil rights must be safeguarded," the party writes.

Finally, the platform mentions Native Hawaiians but only in connection with preservation of "culture and languages." Republicans in Congress have opposed extending the policy of self-determination to Native Hawaiians.

Get the Story:
Republicans Ratify Positive American Indian Platform (Indian Country Today 8/29)

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