2
Indian Voices • June 2009
Dems call for DOJ probe of Indian tribes
pleased, though. Watson criticized Obama
for his position in an op-ed in The Hill in
May 2008, saying the senator did not have
“a clear understanding of the issue.”
by Kevin Bogardus - The Hill
the caucus’s chairwoman. involving a group of Freedmen and the
Now, as president, Obama most likely
“Over forty years after enactment of the leaders of the Cherokee Nation. The
A civil rights controversy surrounding
will have to weigh in again via his adminis-
landmark Civil Rights and Voting Rights Freedmen had been expelled from the
several Indian tribes could pit President
tration. A court filing by the Interior
Acts, there is a place in the United States tribe after it amended its constitution in
Obama against some of Capitol Hill’s most
Department just days after his inauguration
that African Americans cannot vote or March 2007.
prominent liberals and black lawmakers.
has already sought to dismiss several of the
receive federal benefits as a matter of law,” The CBC had begun targeting the
Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), John
Freedmen’s claims against the Cherokee in
the letter states. “The victims of this racial Cherokee for that decision, pushing legisla-
Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), John Lewis (D-Ga.)
particular.
oppression are known as freedmen, who tion to cut off public housing funding for
and others asked Attorney General Eric
But the Freedmen have their own
are descendants of African slaves owned by the tribe.
Holder to initiate a “full-scale investigation”
advocates among the lawmakers on
Indians. They are called freedmen, but Instead, Obama advocated for the mat-
of five Indian tribes for allegedly abusing
Capitol Hill, whose letter the Justice
they are anything but free.” ter to be adjudicated through the courts,
the rights of the Freedmen: African-
Department has received.
The call for an aggressive investigation not Congress, though he said he felt the
Americans descended from freed slaves
“We will review the letter to determine
of the tribes by Congress could force Cherokee were wrong to banish the
once owned by Indians.
what action, if any, is appropriate,” said
Obama to contradict a position he took on Freedmen from their ranks. That won
Also signing onto the letter were other
Alejandro Miyar, a Justice Department
the campaign trail last year. praise from several Native American lead-
senior lawmakers from the Congressional
spokesman.
In the spring of 2008, the then-Illinois ers, many of whom said they would have
Black Caucus (CBC), including Reps.
Reacting to the letter, representatives
senator helped solidify his Native reconsidered their endorsements of the
Diane Watson (D-Calif.), Shelia Jackson
American support by arguing against candidate if he sided with the CBC.
Lee (D-Texas) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.),
Washington intervening in a dispute Lawmakers in Washington were not
SEE DOJ Probe, page 3
Dear Editor,
matching American Indian resources to their efforts. communities who share this vision of
meeting American Indian needs. This is I am neither Indian or American, but economic development.
such a far reaching concept that I believe as a long time San Diego resident, a It will take continued leadership,
I am writing to congratulate Richard
has the potential to transform the futures social entrepreneur and a manufacturer insight and strategy to realize the full
Bowers, President of the Seminole Tribe
of many thousands of less wealthy of a unique design of self-assembly wood potential of the Consortiums work, but I
of Florida Inc. and other members of the
American Indians. By trading amongst based affordable housing, I feel sure that for one am ready to step up and support
Economic Consortium of Indian Tribes
tribes, each can support the other in whether it is “Beef to Burgers” or “Trees the initiative in any way I can.
for their innovative drive towards a bet-
their efforts to improve housing, food, to Housing” there is much more synergy Wishing the Consortium continued
ter future for all Native Americans.
education and general prosperity. between tribes than has been realized to success. - Jacky Vel, President, CEO and
In their piece recently aired on CNN,
Meeting such basic needs are at the date. I encourage other tribes to consider Co-founder Icology Group, Inc.
Bowers detailed the opportunity for heart of any economic development pro- their resources and needs and begin Shaping the future of affordable hous-
inter-tribal economic development: gram and I applaud the Consortium for seeking out partners within their tribal ing - www.icologygroup.com
Multicultural News from an American Indian Perspective
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