Indians Hope Outcry Will Stop Gop Resolution Panel Urges Action To Fight Proposal

Letters, e-mails and phone calls to elected officials expressing disgust for a recent Washington state Republican resolution to end tribal governments on reservations is the best way to combat the “anti-Indian” movement, Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity members said Sunday.

Without education about tribal sovereignty, people will continue to misunderstand the issue and support measures such as the Republican resolution to “take whatever action necessary to terminate tribal governments,” coalition board members told about 45 members Sunday at Cavanaugh’s Ridpath Hotel. The resolution’s sponsor has even advocated using U.S. military force if tribes resist.

“It’s been said man will destroy what he doesn’t understand,” said Roger Moses, a Spokane tribal member appalled by the GOP resolution.

Delegates to the state Republican convention passed the controversial resolution to end tribal sovereignty June 17 without much discussion. Since then, tribal governments and human rights groups have cried out against the proposal, calling it racist and anti-Indian. Leah Henry-Slaney, a coalition board member who represents the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, said many people don’t understand native sovereignty and that breeds misconceptions.

“It’s a very complex issue and the history goes so far back that there is just a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation,” said Henry-Slaney, a member of the Nez Perce Nation.

As established in treaties with the U.S. government, tribal sovereignty is the concept that Native American tribes are self-governing entities. Based on federal court decisions that date back to the 1800s, states cannot interfere with tribal rights, although Congress can override an Indian nation’s authority.

Members attending Sunday’s board meeting agreed public education and outcry is needed, especially because the resolution’s sponsor, John Fleming, Skagit County delegate to the recent state Republican convention, wants it introduced at the GOP’s national convention later this month in Chicago.

Coalition members said it’s doubtful the resolution will reach the national convention.

“It’s a bad message to not only Native American people, but all people who stand for democracy,” Henry-Slaney said.

Deb Louie, a coalition board member and Colville tribal councilman, is outraged by the resolution, yet said it’s a good eye-opener for people. He hopes it will spark action to stop racist efforts against all minorities, not just Indians.

If the resolution is introduced at the national GOP convention, Louie said the United States will wake up and learn minorities control the vote.

“It would be the best thing that ever happened if they (Republicans) follow through,” Louie said.

Resolution sponsor Fleming has insisted he’s not anti-Indian and other Republicans supporting the resolution say it is a way to end problems on Washington’s reservations.

Jim McCurdy, a Gonzaga University law professor specializing in Indian law, told coalition members that federal Indian law, U.S. law and international law all recognize tribal sovereignty. He added that this type of “genocide” is not isolated to Washington or the Northwest, but is found nationwide.

“It has to do with resources and the control of resources,” McCurdy said about movements to end tribal governments.

George Critchlow, a fellow Gonzaga law professor, said it’s dangerous to draw partisan lines around this issue and that the problem transcends Republican politics.

”Bigotry and ignorance certainly is not limited to partisan Republicans in this country,” Critchlow said.

The coalition is planning another informational meeting on Aug. 6 at Eastern Washington University’s Riverpoint auditorium.

This sidebar appeared with the story: BACKGROUND GOP resolution

Delegates to the state Republican convention passed the controversial resolution to end tribal sovereignty June 17. Since then, tribal governments and human rights groups have cried out against the proposal, calling it racist and anti-Indian.