President Bush on Friday signed into law bills benefiting the Osage Nation of Oklahoma and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota.

H.R. 2919 ensure the Osage Nation can set its citizenship requirements regardless of a 1909 law that limits membership to those with a share in the tribe's mineral estate. About 20,000 Osages, in addition to 3,000 already on the rolls, should be eligible for membership, according to tribal leaders.

S.1146, the Three Affiliated Tribes Health Facility Compensation Act, fulfills a 50-year-old promise to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. The tribe's Indian Health Service hospital was destroyed by the creation of the Garrison Dam in the 1950s but never replaced. The tribe will be compensated with an IHS clinic.

Get the Story:
Bush signs law to let Osages set membership (The Oklahoman 12/4)
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Lucas� Osage Bill Becomes Law (The Native American Times 12/3)
President signs bill for tribal health facility (AP 12/3)

Get the Bills:
To reaffirm the inherent sovereign rights of the Osage Tribe to determine its membership and form of government. (H.R.2912) | Three Affiliated Tribes Health Facility Compensation Act (S.1146)

Relevant Links:
Osage Nation - http://www.osagetribe.com
Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com

Related Stories:
Osage Nation citizenship bill clears Congress (11/22)
Bill for North Dakota tribe's clinic sent to Bush (11/19)
Bill to reaffirm Osage membership advances (06/02)
House committee approves Osage membership bill (05/06)
N.D. tribe asks Congress to fulfill 50-year-old promise (11/13)
N.D. tribes still feel effects of dam project (6/10)