Little Shell Tribe waits on recognition

Thursday, September 20, 2007  

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on federal recognition. • Opening Statements | Panel 1 | Q&A • Written Testimony: HEARING on the process of federal recognition of Indian tribes (September 19, 2007)

The Little Shell Tribe of Montana is losing elders and children as it waits for federal recognition, President John Sinclair said on Wednesday.

The tribe started the recognition process in 1978. The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a favorable preliminary decision in May 2000, during the Clinton administration.

But the tribe is still waiting on a final decision. "We want an answer," Sinclair told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "Yes or no."

The Little Shell are one of 17 petitioners whose applications are in the final stages of review or are being reviewed by BIA staff. The tribe has sought legislative recognition in order to get an answer quicker.

Get the Story:
Leaders say process to gain federal recognition too slow (Gannett News Service 9/20)
Tribes battle bureaucracy (Gannett News Service 9/20)

Relevant Links:
Little Shell Tribe - http://www.littleshelltribe.com

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Senate Indian Affairs hearing on federal recognition (9/19)
Senate Indian Affairs sets hearing on recognition (9/13)
Little Shell Chippewa to testify at Senate hearing (9/18)
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