Facebook Twitter Email
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2003

Dorreen Yellow Bird interviews Kevin Washburn, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, for her "Prairie Voices" feature. Washburn, former general counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission, is now an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota.

Washburn talks about tribal sovereignty and the federal government's trust responsibility. After recounting some of the history of Indian policy, from wars to assimilation to termination to self-determination, he says the future holds promise.

"My sense is Indian tribes have finally become full participants in the American political process. Lots of Indian scholars are commending Indians for making their voices heard because they have a powerful voice in American elections," he says. "The downside is that they have to do this at all - because theoretically, tribes have treaty rights and the United States ought to abide by those treaties whether or not tribes vote. The United States ought to live up to its treaty responsibilities without politics getting involved."

Get the Story:
PRAIRIE VOICES: Tribal sovereignty for beginners (The Grand Forks Herald 4/6)