The state of Montana A white state lawmaker in Montana is wondering if the land that was set aside for Native Americans should still be there.
The Republican senator wants Congress to look at other options for reservations. The measure submitted this week is not likely to pass and would have no practical effect if it did. Tensions are rising at the Republican controlled Montana Legislature.
Extending the state's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force for another two years is one of the legislative priorities of Native American lawmakers.
A member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes said Thursday that he hates spending energy and time on things he doesn't want to do. It shows to me that we have a lot of work to do in this state.
Who proposed the solution?
Mark Agather, a retired businessman who is involved in conservative politics in Kalispell, Mont., wrote the language in the resolution.
He did not reply to an email asking if he would introduce the draft.
He didn't respond to questions about whether he sought input from tribal members.
According to the draft resolution, reservations have failed to positively enhance the lives and well-being of Native Americans. It says that tribal members who don't own land have the lowest life expectancy of any ethnic group in America.
It says reservations are not in the best interests of the Indians inside our borders or of our common Montana citizens.
Legislators should give the land back that was taken in the first place, not robbing the last bit of land and resources that we have, said Morigeau.
How do Native American's respond?
When social ills, such as addiction, occur nationwide, the draft resolution perpetuates racial stereotypes about life on the reservation.
He wanted to know why the reservations were exaggerated. Some people make themselves feel better by attacking Native Americans, according to him.
The federal government has failed to stamp out tribes and their culture through relocation programs. Deb Haaland, who is from New Mexico, acknowledged the harm the policies caused and sought ways to address it.
It's time to stop hearing what other people think is best for us. It's better to seek the advice of Indian people than to impose on them.
Morigueau said that the solution to any social issues on reservations is not to diminish reservations. Tribal sovereignty should be built up.
What do you mean by "reservations"?
More than half of the Native American and Alaska Native villages in the US have federal trust land. The land is often referred to as a reservation in California and New Mexico.
The largest reservation is the Navajo Nation, which spans over 69,000 square miles. Some reservations are small.
Before Montana became a state, all but one of its reservations were established.
Federal policies in the past tried to force Native Americans into cities. More than 70% of Native Americans live off reservation today.
Land to Native American tribes has been restored recently. Alaska Native villages can now apply for trust land status.
There are repercussions of racing.
According to the resolution, race was a factor in the creation of Native American reservations. The U.S. Constitution states that tribes are political classifications.
Conflicts between Native Americans and white settlers are lessened by the federal government.
The same language used in the draft resolution has been seen elsewhere. Critics of the Indian Child Welfare Act argue that the law is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause.
The law giving preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings is expected to be struck down by the Supreme Court. If the court attempts to dismantle their political status, the tribes are worried.
The language used in the case was based on race.
There have been previous racially charged incidents at the Montana Legislature.
Native American lawmakers saw discrimination and racism in legislative actions, such as tabling a bill to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, and threatening to eliminate funding for a Native American language preservation program.
The laws that were declared unconstitutional by a judge were passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature. For the first time in 16 years, there is no Native American representation on the Montana Human Rights Commission.
Legislators try to be civil. It is difficult when the Indian people are attacked day after day.
There was no legislation that was discrimination.
That's right.
The reporter contributed from Arizona.
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