The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a business meeting and hearing this afternoon.

The proceeding lasted about 90 minutes. The committee approved S. 3355, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act, with Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) voting no.

The hearing focused on four federal recognition bills. They are: S. 1058, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians of Michigan Referral Act; S. 724, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2007; S. 514, the Muscogee Nation of Florida Federal Recognition Act; and H.R. 1294, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2007.

Audio clips can be downloaded below:

• Introduction

• Testimony
The Honorable Jim Webb, United State Senate, Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia

The Honorable Jim Moran, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

• Business Meeting

• Testimony | Q&A
Mr. Lee Fleming, Director, Office of Federal Acknowledgment, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Anne Tucker, Chairwoman, Muscogee Nation of Florida, Bruce, Florida

The Honorable John Sinclair, President, Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana, Great Falls, Montana

The Honorable Ron Yob, Chairman, Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dr. Helen C. Rountree, Professor Emeritus, Old Dominion University, Department of Anthropology, Hampton, Virginia

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING to consider S. 335, to be followed immediately by a LEGISLATIVE HEARING (September 25, 2008)

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