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Interior begins controversial Indian captivity program
Wash. Tribe Finally Gets Recognition, and Tough Love 
From a safe distance, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton looks at endangered tribal members whom she placed into captivity in Washington. (AP)
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By Jim March
Tomorrow Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 04, 2001 TACOMA, WASH., July 2 -- One tribe's attempt to have its bid for federal recognition put on the fast track has turned into a controversial program in which Secretary of Interior Gale Norton has placed tribal members into captivity, hoping to restore their numbers to pre-Lewis & Clark levels. In a series of events which can only be termed as monumental, Norton launched the program over the weekend with the help of US Fish and Wildlife officials in Washington state. They placed all fifteen known members of the Stellabroom Tribe into federal custody on Saturday, designating a 20-acre plot in a Tacoma suburb as their critical habitat. The action brought great joy to Norton, who has prided herself on protecting endangered species. And it was all the more special since Norton, as an assistant solicitor during the Reagan administration, defended the Interior from attacks by environmentalists who protested the placement of California condors into zoos for breeding purposes. The Save the Stellabroom Program, in fact, was modeled after that now successful initiative, said Norton. With a tear about to form in her eye, she watched as her department began what she hopes will be a successful rebound of the tribe's numbers. "Just imagine what other success stories we could celebrate together if all groups put down their verbal swords and joined hands to save our most endangered species," remarked a visibly moved Norton. For tribal members, the past few days have been almost surreal. In what she had originally planned as a public relations stunt, Chairwoman Jane "Austen" Ormon last week submitted a petition to have her tribe declared endangered under the Endangered Species Act. "I hoped it would bring attention to the fact that our struggle to gain federal recognition has lasted more than 30 years as administration after administration ignores us while we languish in poverty, in poor health, and in poor housing," said Ormon as she snacked on a government provided meal of fry bread, brucellosis-free bison, and iced tea. "Instead, it has become a roller coaster ride of emotions," she added. "But I have faith that Auntie Gale can help us." Ormon and other tribal council members admit they never thought their petition would be taken seriously. But Interior officials, upon reading the application, found the technical documentation so convincing that they had to act. "I don't know much about species," said spokesperson Mark Pfeifle. "I didn't even take biology in college. But I've never seen so much food in one place at one time. I'm stuffed." Norton, stung by criticism for gutting endangered species programs, said she views her new project as a chance to showcase the types of private-public partnerships that are good for the environment in the long run. The land on which tribal members are being held is owned and managed by the local chapter of the National Rifle Association, who use the field for artillery practice every night. "What we're trying to do is to substitute cooperation for conflict," said Norton, dismissing questions that nightly gun shooting sessions might hurt, or possibly, kill tribal members. "We need to have stringent federal recognition regulations to protect the Indians. But this is an example of going beyond regulation and taking steps to enhance the Indians." Fish and Wildlife officials have constructed authentic settings for tribal members to foster growth, they said. Surplus housing from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, an Indian Health Services clinic, and a networked computer center from the Department of Commerce will aid in the tribe's speedy recovery, they promised. "Friday night, I went to sleep in my apartment," said tribal member Adam "Beach" Marques. "The next morning, I woke up in substandard HUD housing." As part of the project, Blumenthal is about to issue a final determination acknowledging the Stellabroom as an Indian tribe, said Bureau of Indian Affairs spokesperson Mona "Whistle Blower" Infield. Citing an anonymous mole at the BIA whose initials begin with a consonant, the Boston Globe reports today that Blumenthal has overrode the objections of an annoying member of the media in order to recognize the tribe.
© 2001-2002 Indian Country Tomorrow
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