A bill to return 24 acres of ancestral land to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians of Oregon was signed into law by President Bush on Friday.

H.R.6370, the Oregon Surplus Federal Land Act, was introduced in June. It passed the House on September 22 and the Senate on September 24.

The bill transfers the abandoned Cape Arago lighthouse to the tribe. An ancestral village and burial grounds are located at the site.

“Members of the tribes continue to pay respect to their ancestors and perform ceremonies there, including the annual Salmon Ceremony in August," Chairman Bob Garcia said in a press release, The Coos Bay World reported.

Get the Story:
Bush signs OK on land for tribes (The Coos Bay World 10/11)

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