Although it started back in 1860s, the Federal Government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) today finally issued a decision about the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.  The Little Shell had formally petitioned the government for Federal recognition, the latest time being in 1978.

Today, the BIA determined the Little Shell does not deserve Federal recognition.

That is just plain wrong in many ways.  

The State of Montana recognizes the Little Shell.  That happened about nine years ago.

By the way, there are 562 Federally recognized tribes.

The Clinton Administration had given preliminary recognition to the Little Shell Tribe in 2000 when the “Department issued a proposed finding (PF) that concluded the petitioner met all seven mandatory criteria and proposed to acknowledge the group as an Indian tribe.”

Interesting.  Now, nine years later the Obama Administration “concluded that the Little Shell did not satisfy three of the seven mandatory criteria…”

I have always felt that our Native American friends have been wronged by Federal Government.  It really does not matter who occupies the White House or controls Congress.  This is just another example.  I won’t even get into the mismanagement of trust funds belonging to more than a half million Native Americans (paying off this debt, would have been a good use of stimulus funds, by the way).

I was surprised by the BIA decision because they had given preliminary approval, but I was also surprised because the Secretary of the Department of Interior (who oversees the BIA) is former U.S Senator Ken Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado.  He’s been to Montana a few times to campaign for his friends and give speeches, so I figured U.S. Senator Jon Tester and U.S. Senator Max Baucus would have an inside track on getting this done for their constituents, the Little Shell.  I guess not.

Senator Tester said in a press release that the process is “broken.”

Then fix it.  You are on the committee that can do just that.

Of course, the Little Shell may appeal the decision, but probably their best bet is to get the three members of the Montana congressional delegation to pass legislation.

All three members were miffed at the decision and rightly so.  Since U.S. Senator Jon Tester is a member of Senate Indian Affairs Committee, he should be able to get a bill quickly through his committee and on the senate floor for a vote.  Tester and U.S. Senator Max Baucus introduced a bill today.  But, Congressman Denny Rehberg has been out front on the issue, as he introduced a bill in early July and held hearings.

Bills were also introduced the 110th Congress (by Tester and Rehberg), and in the 109th Congress (Rehberg).  We are currently in the 111th Congress (if you are keeping score at home).

The members of the Montana congressional delegation should put this on the fast track.  It’s been too long – way too long for the 4,300 members from the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana.