Senate Committee on Indian Affairs takes up sacred lands measure

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A legislative hearing on S.4439, the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act, took place on July 20, 2022. Photo: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Monday, December 12, 2022

Indianz.Com

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding a business meeting as the 117th Congress enters its final stretch.

Only one item is the agenda for the meeting on Wednesday afternoon. It’s S.4439, the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act.

The bill transfers about 1,031 acres in northern California into trust for the Karuk Tribe. The land is currently held by the Department of Agriculture .

Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act

A map titled the Katimiin Area
Boundary Proposal shows the federal land that would be transferred to the Karuk Tribe under the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act. Image Source: Office of Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California)

Known as the “Center of the World,” the area has been used for fishing and praying by the Karuk people since time immemorial. A committee hearing took place on July 20.

“By placing this land into trust, this bill will forever protect and preserve our ability to exercise our religious beliefs in the same manner as our ancestors have done since the beginning of time,” Chairman Russell A. Attebery said in written testimony. He appeared virtually at the hearing.

Indianz.Com Audio: Chairman Russell Attebery of Karuk Tribe – Senate Committee on Indian Affairs – July 20, 2022

The companion to S.4439 is H.R.6032. The House Committee on Natural Resources approved the measure at a markup last Wednesday.

“Katimiîn and its surrounding acres are not only majestic, they are central to Karuk history, religion, traditions, and identity. Placing them in trust ensures that the Karuk culture and way of life can endure for future generations,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) said of the measure.

H.R.6032 has not yet been scheduled for final consideration on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is not on the House Majority Leader’s calendar for the current week although four other measures of interest in Indian Country are slated for passage.

Passage of S.4439 or H.R.6032 would need to occur before the end of December in order for the bill to become law and for the land to be held in trust for the tibe. The 117th session of Congress will conclude in less than three weeks.

The business meeting takes place at 2:30pm Eastern on Wednesday in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Notice

Business Meeting to consider S. 4439 (December 14, 2022)