On Wednesday, Congress examined the Obama Administration’s proposed revisions to the federal tribal acknowledgment process. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs questioned Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn and other stakeholders, including four from Indian Country, about potential impacts of the proposal. The representatives of Indian Country were unified in their opposition to the current language of the proposed rule. In particular, witnesses testified that the lowering of historical standards will cheapen the meaning of sovereignty, and create different classes of Indian tribes, an issue specifically raised by RCRC’s comments on the proposed rule.
Assistant Secretary Washburn fought back against critics of the proposal; defending it by saying it addresses the concerns about the current process that has only seen 17 tribes recognized since its inception in the late 1970’s. Assistant Secretary Washburn also indicated that the proposed rule has already been sent to the Office of Management and Budget for final review. Although no local government officials were asked to testify, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) pressed the Administration for greater local involvement. The proposed rule would challenge a local government’s participation in the process by revoking their status as a third party with standing. Rep. Courtney urged Assistant Secretary Washburn to maintain the status quo for local governments and formally recognize in regulation their third-party with standing status.
RCRC has previously filed comments on both the proposed Acknowledgement Process, as well as the proposed rules regarding the new Appeals process related to the new Acknowledgement process. RCRC’s comments on the Federal Acknowledgement Rule can be accessed here. RCRC’s comments on the Federal Appeals can be accessed here.