Letter to Attorney Chairman Rob Bishop, Committee on Natural Resources and Chairman Don Young, Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs - Little Shell Recognition

Letter

Dear Chairmen Bishop and Young:

I write to ask for your consideration and attention to a matter of significant importance to Montana. The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Cree, headquartered in Great Falls and Hi-line area of the state, has been embroiled in a battle for long-overdue federal recognition. Unfortunately, this dispute has lasted for more than thirty-five years. Despite being officially recognized by the State of Montana in 2000, the Tribe continues to face uncertainty due to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and its bureaucratic process of regulatory recognition.

On January 12, 2015, I introduced H.R.286, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 2015. This was the tenth time a member of the Montana delegation has presented this legislation since former Representative Dennis Rehberg began the legislative push for recognition in 2006. Not only do my two colleagues, Senators Daines and Tester, fully support the bill, but Glacier, Cascade, and Blain counties; the 7 tribes of Montana; and our state government all support sovereignty and economic empowerment for Little Shell. Collectively, we acknowledge we must preserve the rich legacy of the Tribe and seek to swiftly pass this bill into law.

Therefore, I urge you to hold a subcommittee hearing on H.R.286. While this request is specific to one state, the discussion about reforming the process of recognizing tribes through Congressional action stretches far beyond Montana. Federal recognition requirements and qualifications continue to fail reputable and deserving Tribes. As members of the Committee on Natural Resources, I believe this is an issue of utmost importance that we should consider.

Thank you for your assistance and consideration. I look forward to working with you on this issue.

Sincerely,

Ryan Zinke

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