"A misinformed member of the media is once again playing a joke on Indian country: ignore the federal trust responsibility and tribal people will be better off. Don’t be fooled, it’s not a new joke. Indian country heard this same argument during the termination era. John Stossel’s piece “Freeloaders” is conveniently making its way across the internet just as Congress considers budget cuts in excess of $30 billion, putting Indian country and the federal trust responsibility in the crosshairs. The objective is simple: Distract the public and distract Indian country from holding Congress accountable to meet one of its most basic constitutional responsibilities.

John Stossel called for the elimination of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, saying the government has “helped Indians the most … and no group does worse” while also saying those who receive government funding are “freeloaders.” Not only did Mr. Stossel recycle a myth from the termination era, he simply repackaged a story that ABC aired over a decade ago while Stossel was reporter for ABC’s 20/20. That piece starts off, “Often the more the government helps, the worse things get; look at what they did to the first Americans.” Sound familiar?

The National Congress of American Indians was formed in 1944 to fight against termination, and every day since, members of our organization have successfully protected tribal sovereignty. Grandstanders like Mr. Stossel are not only trying to grab headlines and boost ratings by calling for the elimination of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, they are attempting to eliminate tribal sovereignty completely.

There is no debate to be had. The federal trust responsibility is simply that, a responsibility, and a legal one. Many members of Congress understand that responsibility clearly, whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent. The federal government acquired the entire landmass of the United States through treaties with the Indian tribes, and in return made treaty promises to protect and fund tribal self-government on reservation lands. This is a sacred trust responsibility that originates from the United States’ most sacred document."

Get the Story:
Jefferson Keel: Don’t Be Played the Fool; It’s about Sovereignty (Indian Country Today 4/1)

Related Stories:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe wants Fox News to apologize for segment (3/30)
John Stossel: Freeloading doesn't help the freeloader Indians (3/30)
Opinion: Lumbee Tribe does better without federal assistance (3/30)