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US Senate Indian Affairs Committee to Hear Testimony on the Carcieri Crisis

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

The Carcieri Crisis

WASHINGTON DC - On Thursday the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will host a hearing called, "The Carcieri Crisis: The Ripple Effect on Jobs, Economic Development and Public Safety in Indian Country."

In February 2009 the US Supreme Court ruled on the Carcieri v. Salazar case. The court ruled the land-in-trust provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act apply only to American Indian tribes that were under federal jurisdiction in 1934. Tribes reaffirmed or recognized since are potentially in danger of losing their status and ability to even receive federal funds.

Since then, the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved S.676 as a remedy and included S.703, the HEARTH Act.

The two pieces of legislation now face votes by the full Congress. This hearing will deal with the need for the legislation.

Representative Tom Cole
- Chickasaw

The only American Indian in Congress, Representative Tom Cole, 4th District, Oklahoma, who is a tribal citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, will testify.

LIVE Webcast

The hearing will be webcast live on Thursday afternoon, though this LINK »

WHEN:     Thursday, October 13

TIME:     2:15 pm edt

WHERE:   Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room 628
Washington DC

Witnesses:

The Honorable Tom Cole
Congressman - 4th District, Oklahoma, US House of Representatives
Washington, DC

The Honorable Larry Echo Hawk
Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Washington DC

Accompanied by Mr. Donald Laverdure
Principal Deputy Assistant, Indian Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Washington DC

Ms. Jodi Gillette
Deputy Assistant, Indian Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Washington DC

Mr. Richard Guest
Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
Washington DC

Professor Colette Routel
Assistant Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Mr. William Lomax
President, Native American Finance Officers Association
Phoenix, Arizona

Professor Carl J. Artman
Professor of Practice, Director, Economic Development in Indian Country Program Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Temple, Arizona

posted October 12, 2011 9:59 am edt