Trump administration takes Indian Country back to termination era

[ABX]

We are talking about private property who, by treaty are allowed a lot of leeway in self-governance. This isn't unique to Trump. This stripping away of Tribal sovereignty goes back to Clinton in the modern era. (think of this as a 10th Amendment issue, but far more localized).

Less than two months into the job, the new leader of the Bureau of Indian Affairs has set an ominous tone for the Trump administration's dealings with tribal nations.

Tara Sweeney, the recently-installed Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, issued a decision on Friday that paves the way for a reservation to be taken out of trust for the first time since the termination era. The victim in this age of self-determination and sovereignty is the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, whose homelands in Massachusetts are now on the chopping block.

But the People of the First Light aren't accepting Washington's dictate without a fight. An emergency council meeting is taking place at tribal headquarters on Monday to address what Chairman Cedric Cromwell described as an "unbelievably grave injustice.'

"We have been on this land for 12,000 years and we are not going anywhere," Cromwell declared after receiving the negative decision.

Key to the effort is legislation in Congress which would prevent the reservation from being taken out of trust. With the executive branch willing to walk away from any responsibilities, passage of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act appears to be the only hope for success. .....


https://www.indianz.com/News/2018/09/10/trump-administration-takes-indian-countr.asp

[jmyrlefuller]

So now Indian governments, who aren't even bound to basic human rights let alone open and honest governance or elections, are "private" too?

@AbaraXas, you've gone bat-guano crazy. First off, they're government, not private. Second, even if they are private, the Constitution offers plenty of jurisdiction over "private" entities.

[roamer_1]

I don't know about this particular incident... but out here, Indian nations are being used to gain control of the rights to whole watersheds... Arguing that the first people have the first right... This kind of thinking puts ALL water rights in the direct control of the Reservation, and the Reservation, by proxy, is a federal institution.

That kind of crap has to stop.

[ABX]

So now Indian governments, who aren't even bound to basic human rights let alone open and honest governance or elections, are "private" too?

@AbaraXas, you've gone bat-guano crazy. First off, they're government, not private. Second, even if they are private, the Constitution offers plenty of jurisdiction over "private" entities.

The land is owned privately by tribal governments. The governance is authorized by US treaty. The comment on 'basic human rights' is perplexing because they are bound by basic US law, but they can have their own courts and can set their rules regarding things like zoning or business regulations (just like a state or city can). It isn't like they can keep slaves or have child labor. (so 'basic human rights' charge is disingenuous).

I would counter and ask what authority the federal government has to take back any of that land that isn't theirs and was deeded to these tribes by treaty.

If the federal government can do this to them, they could do that to anyone. This is stripping sovereignty and we should oppose it just like stripping individual rights or state/local governance rights.

[ABX]

I don't know about this particular incident... but out here, Indian nations are being used to gain control of the rights to whole watersheds... Arguing that the first people have the first right... This kind of thinking puts ALL water rights in the direct control of the Reservation, and the Reservation, by proxy, is a federal institution.

That kind of crap has to stop.

The land is there by deed via US treaty. They have the right to that land just like you or I have the right to our land. This isn't just 'first people first rights' issue as this isn't being taken from another private property- this is land that has been deeded to them for over a century. The federal government is making moves to take it.

Why does the federal government have this right? If they have this right, what stops them from taking property from anyone?

[ABX]

...maybe lets look at it differently.

Tribal lands are like miniature States with similar rights granted to self-governance like a State.

Does the federal government have the right to strip a State of their governance or take away land from a State?

[roamer_1]

The comment on 'basic human rights' is perplexing because they are bound by basic US law, but they can have their own courts and can set their rules regarding things like zoning or business regulations. It isn't like they can keep slaves or have child labor. (so 'basic human rights' charge is disingenuous).

That's right. At least up in here, Federal law governs the tribes, and law on the ground is treated somewhat like a county sheriff/judiciary, in direct control of the Tribal Councils. If any, only state law is withheld, at least in some areas, which makes the Rez a great place to buy tobacco and fireworks... 

[ABX]

That's right. At least up in here, Federal law governs the tribes, and law on the ground is treated somewhat like a county sheriff/judiciary, in direct control of the Tribal Councils. If any, only state law is withheld, at least in some areas, which makes the Rez a great place to buy tobacco and fireworks... 

I'm still perplexed/surprised with how many are willing and cheering the federal government taking more power away from individuals and local governance.

The interesting thing is this is a policy started under Bill Clinton, and Republicans attacked it then. The only difference now is who is continuing the implementation. (and harkens back to another Democrat policy, the Termination Policy, started by FDR, who wanted to unilaterally tear up all treaties and take the land back). Some of us are now arguing the merits of this FDR policy. 

[endicom]

Cedric Cromwell

[Sanguine]

Cedric Cromwell

I like the hat.

[Frank Cannon]

This is terrible. Now these Indians won't be able to open their shrine to their heritage........this gaudy casino....

[roamer_1]

I'm still perplexed/surprised with how many are willing and cheering the federal government taking more power away from individuals and local governance.

Well, don't look at me. Even though we are currently battling over water rights, I sure as heck am not telling the Rez what to do on Rez land. That's their business, and their land. Reversing their sovereignty is a travesty of justice and is no way right.

[ABX]

Cedric Cromwell

And? What does that have to do with the government doing this? I bet we can find nutty images of everyone here. Hell, I can give you one of Trump making out with Rudy in drag.

[endicom]

And? What does that have to do with the government doing this? I bet we can find nutty images of everyone here. Hell, I can give you one of Trump making out with Rudy in drag.

How aboriginal does Cedric Cromwell look to you?

[ABX]

Well, don't look at me. Even though we are currently battling over water rights, I sure as heck am not telling the Rez what to do on Rez land. That's their business, and their land. Reversing their sovereignty is a travesty of justice and is no way right.

I bet if the government wasn't trying to do this by force and it was just local governments and the people negotiating with the tribes, they would have quickly come to a mutually beneficial and profitable agreement.

It is funny how, as soon as big government steps in and tries to do something by force, the American People have a tendency to put their foot down and say hell no. It is almost like that is built into our culture. :)

[ABX]

How aboriginal does Cedric Cromwell look to you?

Like a normal guy wearing a funny hat.  Maybe if he wasn't as dark, you wouldn't think it was a point of contention in the argument? 

How about someone whiter? (no offense Bill; Chive On).

[Wingnut]

This is terrible. Now these drunken Indians won't be able to open their shrine to their heritage........this gaudy casino....

Cheif Wild Eagle drive hard bargain. Remember wise old Indian Saying, “Bullfrog who sits on lily pad never do much croaking.



Crazy Cat:  "When Wild Eagle away, Crazy Cat play."

[Frank Cannon]

An inquiry and open dialog into the underbelly of Massachusetts Indian Gaming and its politics.

http://wampaleaks.blogspot.com/2011/09/tribal-elders-traditionalists-seek-to.html

Tribal elders, traditionalists seek to oust Cedric Cromwell for financial abuses
Thousands of dollars in credit card expenses for limousines and country club meals lobbying for casino cash by Cedric Cromwell has Mashpee Wampanoag tribe members seething!  Other financial records are still being kept secret from the tribe with members complaining to the feds demanding an investigation and are calling for Crush the Competition Cromwell's ouster.

Meanwhile Cromwell is being accused of attempting to change the Mashpee Wampanoag charter to privatize the tribe and lock in his ownership of any potential future casino cash in cahoots with his Malaysian gambling syndicate partners at Genting.  Perhaps he'll have a place on the board for Governor Patrick and Senator Therese Murray for all their assistance.

[roamer_1]

How aboriginal does Cedric Cromwell look to you?

What kind of remark is that?

[ABX]

What kind of remark is that?

I'm whiter than him, but I am Native American, and not just in an Elizabeth Warren, my grandma told me a story way, but actually tribal registration with benefits (not that I use them).

That remark reminded me of stories I heard when the government agents were going around the reservations with color charts holding it up to people's faces to determine if they were dark enough to be counted.

[endicom]

What kind of remark is that?

The same kind I might use with Liz Warren.

[thackney]

How aboriginal does Cedric Cromwell look to you?

Do you believe that members of the tribe are not allowed to marry people outside their tribe?  Or that the children of that marriage are not members of the tribe?

[roamer_1]

I'm whiter than him, but I am Native American, and not just in an Elizabeth Warren, my grandma told me a story way, but actually tribal registration with benefits (not that I use them).

That remark reminded me of stories I heard when the government agents were going around the reservations with color charts holding it up to people's faces to determine if they were dark enough to be counted.

I am pretty close to both the Salish and Cheyenne, close enough to hold a name with them. And while it ain't nothing to me, the differences between the two are pretty remarkable... The Cheyenne look pretty classic, for western plains indians... As with the Blackfeet. But the Salish are more influenced from the western side of the divide, tending to be lighter and often mistaken for Asian... or even white, with a streak of red and blonde headed among them.

Folks that think  all 'aborigines' are the same are fairly ignorant.

[roamer_1]

The same kind I might use with Liz Warren.

Then you don't know what you are talking about, plain and simple.

[ABX]

I am pretty close to both the Salish and Cheyenne, close enough to hold a name with them. And while it ain't nothing to me, the differences between the two are pretty remarkable... The Cheyenne look pretty classic, for western plains indians... As with the Blackfeet. But the Salish are more influenced from the western side of the divide, tending to be lighter and often mistaken for Asian... or even white, with a streak of red and blonde headed among them.

Folks that think  all 'aborigines' are the same are fairly ignorant.

Between the mid 1700s and shortly after the war of 1812, the Cherokee and Powhatan nations were as westernized as any British city. They had full blown colonial cities, representatives in colonial government, schools, and even a university. Andrew Jackson basically stole all their land, that prior presidents had recognized, and stripped them of any rights they had. He sent in the army and forcibly removed them from their homes (not tee-pees but some very stately colonial homes that in some cases, later became plantation homes.)  If you see old paintings, many were as westernized as George Washington himself. My ancestry is Potawatomi, and you can see old paintings of them and they looked downright Scottish in some images (one of the chiefs in a late 1700s painting I saw, looked kind of like Patrick Stewart with hair.)