MEMORANDUM: URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT TO: National Indian Gaming Association Member Tribes FROM: Ernest L. Stevens, Chairman Jason Giles, Executive Director RE: ACTION NEEDED: Treasury Department Must Rely on Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act DATE: April 23, 2020 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ As we face the unprecedented challenges of the national Coronavirus Emergency, now more than ever Indian Country must pray to the Creator for the life and health of our communities and our people. We are carefully taking small steps towards a new future with the hope for renewed health and economic recovery. Congress’ $8 billion allocation for Tribal Governments is part of that initial step in our recovery. There Is An Existential Challenge to Indian Country’s Inherent and Federal Status as Sovereign Indian nations and governments: BIA’s Radical Plan for ANCs At the National Indian Gaming Association, we respect the status of all Indian Nations and Tribes, including Alaska Native villages, as sovereigns. Yet, we cannot countenance the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)’s new policy to attempt to treat state- chartered Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) as Indian tribes or ANC fee lands as Indian lands. ( See Alaska v. Native Village of Venetie , 522 U.S. 502 [1998]). From the beginning, our Indian Nations and tribes have exercised sovereign authority over our Native peoples and Native homelands. Our Creator gave us life and liberty, and our sacred duty to Mother Earth. For thousands of years before the United States was formed, our Native Nations thrived in the land of our Creation. The genesis of our Indian sovereignty is our Native people – our grandmothers and grandfathers from long ago who blessed us their vision, wisdom and love for our Native peoples, and our Native peoples today who honor those who came before, and the traditions and cultures that keep our Native Nations vibrant. From its first days, the United States sought out Indian Nations for counsel and assistance. The Oneida Nation brought corn to the Continental Army at Valley Forge, saving them during the frozen winter to win Independence. The United States entered into Treaties with the Six Nations, Delaware, Shawnee, Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaws, Delaware, Micmac, Penobscot, Wyandot and other Indian Nations in these early Revolutionary War days.
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