Opinion: Protecting tribal sovereignty fits into GOP philosophy

As two guys who have worked for Republican friends and allies of Indian Country, we’ve asked ourselves – why is it that some Republican politicians still seem to get awkward when they step into Indian Country? The Republican Party has much to be proud of when it comes to federal Indian policy and practice. Perhaps Indian Country’s coming courtship with the Republican majority on Capitol Hill will smooth out more of these wrinkles.

Looking ahead to 2015, we see a fairly short window of time, perhaps as little as half a year, when the Republican majority will have the focus and energy to get things done before the presidential campaign craziness acts like a kill switch on constructive change. The first part of 2015 offers the best chance for measures that enjoy bipartisan support. Many Indian issues – tax reform, self-governance, energy development, trust reform, housing – are perfectly poised to fit a bipartisan definition. Moreover, Indian Country knows full well that its interests are best furthered by bipartisan alliances – what goes around comes around and sooner or later Democrats will take a turn again at leadership.

If the Republican majority is to make an enduring contribution to Indian Country next year, we believe it must exuberantly marry its less government is better government mantra with tribal self-determination and self-governance in the fields of land management, economic development and tax reform. Just timidly tinkering around the edges of the failed status quo federal Indian policy will not be good enough. Indian Country, dating back to the American Indian Policy Review Commission of the late 1970s, has long asked for bigger, bolder solutions. Republicans, now with a solid majority, should not be afraid to deliver.