House of Representatives

Rep. Pearce (R-NM) Introduces PROTECT to Congress

Sarah M Donnelly1 Comment

Link to concurrent resolution here.

The summary of the resolution upon introduction:

By Mr. PEARCE (for himself, Mr. COLE, and Ms. MCCOLLUM):

Con. Res. 122. Concurrent resolution supporting efforts to stop the theft, illegal possession or sale, transfer, and export of tribal cultural items of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians in the United States and internationally; to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

The press release from Pearce’s office: https://pearce.house.gov/press-release/pearce-introduces-resolution-protect-tribal-artifacts.

The press release from the Association on American Indian Affairs, which puts this issue in its international human rights context: https://internationalrepatriation.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/breaking-pearce-introduces-protect-patrimony-resolution/.

Congressional Legislative Summary for This Week

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

House Floor

Tues., 6/5            Under Suspension of the Rules

  • H.R. 4222 – Pascua Yaqui Tribe Trust Land Act (Sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva / Natural Resources Committee)

Bill text at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr4222rh/pdf/BILLS-112hr4222rh.pdf

DOI testimony at: http://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedFiles/NeddTestimony04.17.12.pdf

  • S. 292 – Salmon Lake Land Selection Resolution Act (Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski / Natural Resources Committee)

Bill text at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s292rh/pdf/BILLS-112s292rh.pdf

DOI testimony at: http://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedFiles/SmithTestimony01.25.12.pdf Continue reading →

BIA Clarification of House VAWA Report

Kate Fort

Here. (pdf)

House Barely Passes VAWA Reauthorization (without Tribal jurisdiction provisions)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher4 Comments

Here.

National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act’s Threat to Tribal Land

Adrea Korthase

The bill’s (H.R. 1505) purpose is “To prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from taking action on public lands which impede border security on such lands, and for other purposes.” Information on (and link to) the bill can be found here.

ICT has an article by Montana Senator John Tester here, which discusses the threat to tribal land in Montana, including sacred sites.

House Bill to Ban NLRB from Tribal Business Introduced

Adrea Korthase2 Comments

The bill “To clarify the rights of Indians and Indian tribes on Indian lands under the National Labor Relations Act” was introduced last week and the text of the bill became available today.

H.R. 2335 (text)

Here’s a link to other information about the bill.

Finally, a story on the bill from The Daily Republic:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., introduced legislation Thursday to clarify that the National Labor Relations Board does not have jurisdiction over tribally owned businesses on reservation land as a matter tribal sovereignty.

In 2004 the National Labor Relations Board, which is the federal agency of the U.S. government charged with conducting elections for labor union representation and other labor-related duties, determined that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) applies to activities on reservation lands.  This bill would reverse that decision. The legislation stands to defend tribal sovereignty and promote economic opportunities on reservations lands by eliminating ambiguity in existing federal law.  Continue reading →

Fort Lewis College Tuition Funding Bill

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

H.R. 5974.

Purpose:

    It is the purpose of this Act to ensure that Federal funding is provided to support and sustain the longstanding Federal mandate requiring Fort Lewis College in the State of Colorado to waive tuition charges for each Indian student it admits to an undergraduate program, including the waiver of tuition charges for Indian students who are not residents of the State of Colorado.