The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will be holding an oversight hearing:
Setting the Standard: Domestic Policy Implications of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
| Date:Time:
Location: |
June 9, 20112:15 pm (EST)
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628 Washington, D.C |
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| The hearing will be webcast live at www.indian.senate.gov.For resources about the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples visit www.indianlaw.org | ||
WASHINGTON INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT PASSED
After a multi-year tribal effort to make this Act a reality, Governor Chris Gregoire has signed the Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act (WICWA) into law. AAIA has worked closely with Washington state tribes on Indian child welfare issues for many years and we believe this is an important step forward in the ongoing efforts to promote the safety and well-being of Indian children and families.
WICWA has two main purposes. First, it codifies in Washington law the main provisions of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This helps to make sure that state courts, attorneys and others involved with the state legal system incorporate ICWA protections for Indian children, families and tribes into their everyday practice. AAIA has long been involved in Indian child welfare advocacy. Studies and efforts by the AAIA were the catalyst for the enactment of the ICWA in 1978.
Second, WICWA clarifies how the federal law should be implemented and expands upon its protections. Among the most meaningful additions are provisions which define important legal terms, such as “active efforts,” “best interests,” and “qualified expert witnesses,” modify the placement preferences and improve procedures for identifying Indian children, including recognizing tribal decisions on membership as conclusive.
AAIA provided technical legal assistance to Washington tribal leaders and attorneys drafting and advocating for WICWA. WICWA builds upon previous tribal efforts to implement ICWA in Washington State which AAIA has assisted, including negotiation of a landmark tribal-state Indian child welfare agreement with the state, incorporation of provisions in the agreement into state practices and procedures, and legislation requiring the state to recognize tribally-licensed foster homes.
WICWA will help to advance the central goals of ICWA – namely to keep Indian families together and to ensure placement with extended family or tribal members whenever possible.
Here are the documents:
Here’s an article about the Quileute Tribe’s efforts to move its village to avoid tsunami dangers: Tsunami could erase Northwest Washington village – Northwest McClatchy – bellinghamherald.com.
Ya’a’teeh abini,
Please be advised that the AZ governor has the state gun bill (SB 1610)before her to sign or to veto. I urge you to contact her and urge her not to sign the bill into law.
The honoring of any gun is offensive to Native Americans. Guns were used to kill Native Americans and take everything that belong to them. They were used to put Native Americans on reservations.
Please get involved. Here’s the contact info:
Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
1-602-542-4331
1-800-253-0883
Easiest contact: http://www.azgovernor.gov
Thank you. Have a nizhoniful day.
Ahbihay aka Representative Albert Hale
Here’s the article on the approval of the bill.
Here is the Arizona Dems Press Release from a few days ago:
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – House Minority Whip Anna Tovar released the following statement today on making the Colt Action Army Revolver the official state firearm (SB 1610), which passed the House and will be sent to the governor:
“Another day, another waste of taxpayers’ time and money at the state capitol. My family owns guns, and I’m embarrassed that state government chose to spend hours on a state gun — even brought it back on reconsideration after it was defeated — instead of changing one word in statute to ensure 20,000 Arizonans’ jobless aid isn’t cut off during tough times. This is absolutely ridiculous and offensive, and it’s even more humiliating that the weapon they chose isn’t even manufactured in Arizona . It’s time for a change.”
Witnesses (with links to written testimony):
Mr. Joseph G. Jordan [testimony]
Associate Administrator
Government Contracting and Business Development, Small Business Administration, Washington, DC
Mr. Peter L. McClintock [testimony]
Deputy Inspector General,
Office of the Inspector General, Small Business Administration, Washington, DC
Panel # 2
Ms. Jackie Johnson-Pata [testimony]
Executive Director
National Congress of American Indians, Washington, DC
President
Alaska Federation Natives, Anchorage, AK
Panel # 3
The Honorable Chief James Allan [testimony]
Tribal Chairman
Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Plummer, ID
Chairman
Native American Contractor s Association, Washington, DC, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Ho-Chunk, Inc., Winnebago, NE
President
S & K Electronics Inc., Ronan, MT
Here is the press release from the governor’s office.
The text:
Governor Susana Martinez today signed Senate Bill 417, the Native American Suicide Prevention law, at the Phil Thomas Performing Arts Center in Shiprock. She was joined by Shiprock High School students and teachers, along with the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lynda Lovejoy, and numerous other local and state leaders.
“Suicide prevention requires the attention of our entire community. Parents, families, coaches, grandparents, friends and public officials hold a shared responsibility to encourage New Mexico young people and never let the opportunity pass to simply tell them ‘you matter,’” remarked Governor Martinez. “Sadly, Native American youth suffer from a disproportionately high suicide rate, and this is a problem that must not go unaddressed. I am confident that this bill will increase and improve collaboration, data collection, and resource-acquisition efforts so that we can better support Native American young people and stop the scourge of suicide.”
SB 417 creates a collaboration between the state’s Indian Affairs Department and Human Services Department to establish culturally-based programs designed to increase suicide awareness and prevention in New Mexico’s Native American Communities. Governor Martinez continued, “In signing this legislation, New Mexico takes an important step in addressing a serious problem that has claimed too many of our youth and devastated our families. I encourage every young New Mexican to chase their dreams with vigor, shut out any whispers of self-doubt, and commit to overcoming their fears. We must not be held back by stereotypes, despair, or glass ceilings that limit achievement and undermine confidence. Every New Mexican is capable of succeeding in school, in the workforce, and in life – and in making a difference in our families and communities.”
Sen. Lovejoy also remarked, “I am grateful to Governor Martinez for signing this important bill. It demonstrates her support and our mutual commitment to making the well-being of Native youth and their families a priority in New Mexico in preventing needless suffering and loss from suicide.”
Here’s the article from Seattle Times: Outdoors | Transfer of park land would let Quileutes move from tsunami zone | Seattle Times Newspaper.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Alray Nelson, (970) 403-6953
September 17, 2010 Student Body President
STUDENT FORUM ON FEDERAL LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE REIMBURSEMENT TO FORT LEWIS COLLEGE FORTHE NATIVE AMERICAN TUITION WAIVER
DURANGO, CO– Fort Lewis College students and other stakeholders are invited to a student-led forum at the Fort Lewis College Native American Center on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
“Is it not our responsibility, regardless of the academic field in which we have been trained, to make every effort to produce a more decent and educated electorate, a more humble and sincere political leadership, a morally alert and concerned citizenry?” – Robert A. Corrigan, Past Chair of the Association of American Colleges and Universities
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss and make recommendations on the federal legislation pending in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate concerning Native American Tuition Waiver funding for out-of-state Native students at Fort Lewis College. The general public is encouraged to attend.
Turtle Talk 
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