Tribal Homelands
• H.R.5244,
the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act• Sponsor: Rep. William Keating (D-Massachusetts) H.R.5244, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act, protects the homelands of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe from litigation. Without the bill, which enjoys bipartisan support, the tribe faces the prospect of having its trust lands in Massachusetts taken out of trust. "Such bi-partisanship is proof of the urgency that our rightful place in history remains intact and our land remains in trust," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a message to tribal citizens last week.
Economic Development
• S.607,
the Native American Business Incubators Program Act. • Sponsor: Sen. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) S.607, the Native American Business Incubators Program Act, establishes a business incubators program within the Department of the Interior to promote economic development in Indian Country. The bill passed the Senate on March 22 by a voice vote. “Finally establishing business incubators tailored to maximize the unique characteristics and capabilities of tribal and other native-owned business entities will help catalyze growth and success of economic development in Indian Country," said Chris James, the president and chief executive officer of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. "We believe the Native American Business Incubators Program Act will have a positive impact on the economic vitality of our communities.” • S.1116, the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act
• Sponsor: Sen John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) S.1116, the Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act, amends the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act, the Native American Programs Act and the Buy Indian Act in ways that supporters believe will spur economic growth and increase access to capital in Indian Country. The bill also passed the Senate on March 22 by a voice vote. “The Indian Community Enhancement Act includes many of the National Center’s top priorities, including improving economic and community development programs, enhancing access to capital, and better interagency coordination and prioritization for Indian Country initiatives," James of the NCAIED said. "We hope this important legislation soon becomes law.” The hearing takes place at 2pm Eastern on Wednesday in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. The witness list follows:
Mr. Darryl LaCounteHouse Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Notice:
Acting Deputy Bureau Director - Office of Trust Services
Bureau of Indian Affairs
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Cedric Cromwell
Chairman
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Mashpee, Massachusetts
Mr. Chris James
President & CEO
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Mesa, Arizona
Mr. Michael G. Anderson
Executive Director
Native American Contractors Association
Washington, D.C.
Legislative Hearing on Indian Affairs Bills (July 24, 2018)
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