The Senate Indian Affairs Committee is holding a hearing today on two federal recognition bills.

S.480, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act, would recognize six Virginia tribes. The tribes cite a 400-year relationship with foreign governments that began with the Jamestown settlement in 2007.

S.437, the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan Referral Act, would force the Interior Department to consider the status of the Grand River Band. If no decision, positive or negative, was made by a certain date, the tribe would gain legislative recognition.

The witness list for both bills is as follows:

THE HONORABLE GEORGE ALLEN
United States Senator

THE HONORABLE CARL LEVIN
United States Senator

THE HONORABLE JAMES P. MORAN
United States Congressman

Panel 1
MR. LEE FLEMING
Director Office of Federal Acknowledgment, U.S. Department of Interior

Panel 2
THE HONORABLE STEPHEN R. ADKINS
Chief, Chickahominy Indian Tribe

DR. HELEN C. ROUNTREE
Professor Emerita of Anthropology, Old Dominion University

THE HONORABLE RON YOB
Chairman, Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians

REV. DAVID WILLERUP
Pastor, Westwood Reform Church

MR. MICHAEL O'CONNOR
President, Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association

The hearing starts at 9:30am. A live video feed can be accessed at http://indian.senate.gov/public.

Relevant Links:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov

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