Burt Lake Band lobbies for legislative recognition

Tuesday, June 19, 2007  

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE Opening Statements Part 1 Panel 1 - Testimony | Opening Statements Part 2 | Q&A Panel 2 - Testimony | Q&A Panel 3 - Testimony | Q&A

The chairman of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Michigan testified in favor of legislative recognition at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last week.

Chairman Curtis Chambers said the tribe's relationship with the federal government began with two treaties. He said Congress has never terminated that relationship.

The tribe went through the Bureau of Indian Affairs process but was denied recognition by the Bush administration. Officials said the petition didn't meet all the criteria.

The BIA opposes H.R.1575 but officials did not dispute the power of Congress to recognize tribes.

Get the Story:
Tribal leader testifies before House panel (The Cheboygan Daily Tribune 6/19)

Hearing Testimony:
Full Committee Legislative Hearing: H.R. 673, H.R. 1575 and H.R. 2120 (June 13, 2007)

Relevant Links:
Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians - http://www.burtlakeband.org
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

Related Stories:
BIA supports two land-into-trust trust bills (6/14)
House Natural Resources Committee hearing (6/13)
House Natural Resources Committee hearing (6/11)
Cason finalizes decision against Burt Lake Band (9/22)
Museum takes down marker that offended tribe (12/07)
Anderson denies recognition to Burt Lake Band (03/29)