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Report: Native Hawaiian sovereignty
After 100 years of political limbo, the Department of
Interior and Department went ahead and recommended
that the government fully recognize the sovereignty
and right to self-government of Native Hawaiians.
Often lumped together with tribes and Alaska
Natives as an afterthought, the United States has
only recently begun to address its relationship with
Native Hawaiians. The reconciliation process
officially started with the Apology Resolution in 1993,
when the government apologized for the overthrow of
the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.
With legislation pending and challenges to the state
of Hawaii over its Native Hawaiian programs once again
in the courts, the report is sure to go a long way
in resolving some, but not maybe all, of the outstanding questions of
indigenous sovereignty.
Get the Story:
US
recommends Hawaiian sovereignty (8/24)
Native
Hawaiian report (8/24)
Report: Bruce Babbitt, Ojibwe casino
When the Department of Interior denied a request to take
land into trust for a casino proposed by
three Ojibwe tribes in Wisconsin, a highly publicized investigation
into campaign corruption and government wrongdoing was launched
in 1998.
And although Secretary Bruce Babbitt was cleared of
any wrongdoing, the government was still waiting for a
final report explaining why Babbitt wouldn't be charged
with any crime over the decision. Their answer finally
came this week, to some disappointment by the Congresspersons
who oversaw the hearings and to the relief of Babbitt
and his staff.
But the real challenge has always been the one facing
the three tribes, who settled out-of-court with the
Interior over the decision and are still pursuing
their dreams. Significant opposition from
local governments and from tribes still exists, as
the comment period on the casino ends in the upcoming week.
Get the Story:
Babbitt
casino report released (8/23)
Casino
backers meet opponents (8/23)
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