Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Get Strong Congressional Support

Native News Network Staff in Native Challenges. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Following testimony Thursday from Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Tribal Chairman Vincent Armenta before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs on his California tribe's difficulties in placing land into federal trust, Chairman Don Young, R- Alaska, issued a harsh message to the County of Santa Barbara.

It's about building a stronger community.

Congressman Young said that the County's inaction to meet with the tribe after the tribe submitted a cooperative agreement more than 370 days ago for ancestral land to be used for tribal homes, might "make good grounds for a piece of legislation to solve the issue."

Chairman Armenta said it was his tribe's desire to seek federal trust status for a 1,400 acres parcel located just two miles from the tribe's reservation.

“Developing homes on this parcel, known as 'Camp 4,' would allow the tribe and its members to exercise true self-determination on the lands of our ancestors,”

he said.

He told the House Subcommittee that providing more housing for the tribe is the kind of progress the federal government envisioned when it began to support tribal economic development opportunities.

Chairman Armenta also told the House subcommittee of the problems his tribal nation has faced with getting 6.9 acres into federal trust for the purpose of building a museum and protecting a tribal cemetery and cultural site.

“Twelve years and two Bureau of Indian Affairs approvals later, the decision is still being held up in the appeals process,”

he said.

Congressman Young asked Michael Black, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Department of the Interior, why the Bureau of Indian Affairs couldn't place the tribe's 6.9 acres into trust today. Black said that two local tribal opponent groups have appealed the BIA's decision once again and have tied up the process indefinitely.

“We can solve this congressionally, which would be my intent especially if there's a museum,”

said Congressman Young.

“I guarantee if it's appealed again it will be solved congressionally.”

Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, said that he hoped the tribe and community could find a resolution and protect the tribe's 6.9 acres.

“I would encourage the community - pertaining to the cemetery and the sacred site - that we think about it in that regard.”

Marshall Grossman, partner at Bingham McCutchen and a witness testifying against the tribe, appeared to agree that the delay of the 6.9 fee-to-trust project was inappropriate.

"I think what happened on that 6.9 acres is a tragedy and the delay is unconscionable,"

he said.

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posted August 4, 2012 7:10 am edt