Kenneth Kahh is the first new chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in 17 years. Photo by Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is taking aim at a member of Congress who opposes the tribe's land-into-trust bill. Chairman Kenneth Kahn, who just took office last month, criticized Rep. Lois Capps (D-California) for endorsing the proposed Chumash Marine Sanctuary. He questioned her support for protecting an area that was stolen from his people, The Santa Maria Sun reported, even as she opposes H.R.1157, a bill to put 1,400 acres in trust for the tribe. “You have repeatedly opposed the efforts of the tribe to acquire land for housing its members and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,” Kahn told the lawmaker in a letter, the paper reported. “How can you extol a marine sanctuary, the boundaries of which were stolen by military force from the Chumash people?” The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians Land Transfer Act has seen support from other members of Congress. It was written because the tribe has repeatedly faced opposition at the local level to its land-into-trust efforts. Officials in Santa Barbara County finally came to the table last fall to discuss their concerns but talks ended earlier this year without a clear resolution. Still, Capps has said the dispute should be resolved locally rather than by Congress. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the tribe's land-into-trust application but the county has voted to appeal the decision. Get the Story:
Santa Ynez Chumash slam Capps on marine sanctuary endorsement (The Santa Maria Sun 5/11)
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