Tribal leaders in Washington DC for Tribal Unity Impact Week

Tuesday, October 11, 2011  

Tribal leaders are in Washington, D.C., this week to press three major issues before the U.S. Congress.

As part of the first Tribal Unity Impact Week, tribes are seeking to protect Indian programs in the federal budget. "Tribes stand united in reminding Congress that the federal government's trust obligation to sustain funding for tribal programs is a sacred and historic duty," a backgrounder stated.

Tribes also also looking for a fix for the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. They say all tribes, regardless of the date of federal recognition, should be able to follow the land-into-trust process.

"Congress must stand firm against any legislation intended to diminish Indian tribes' ability to acquire land for the provision of services and programs to their membership," the backgrounder stated.

Finally, tribes want Congress to protect American Indian and Alaska Native women from violence. They are supporting the Obama administration's proposal to amend the Violence Against Women Act by boosting tribal jurisdiction over Indian and non-Indian offenders.

The Tribal Unity Impact Week kicks off today with a rally at the U.S. Capitol at noon.