Hamul Indian Village fights for ancestral land restoration
July 10, 2024 | Indian Affairs: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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In a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around two key pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing the rights and resources of Native American tribes in the United States.
The first bill, S 3857, proposes to place approximately 172.1 acres of land in San Diego, California, into trust for the Hamul Indian Village. This legislation would officially incorporate the land into the tribe's reservation, which includes a prohibition against class 2 and class 3 gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The land transfer is intended to protect culturally significant sites, including a church and cemetery, and facilitate the development of housing, a clinic, and an administration building. The Department of the Interior expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the Biden administration's commitment to restoring tribal homelands.
Chairwoman Erica Pinto of the Hamul Indian Village highlighted the tribe's historical connection to the land, noting that their ancestors have resided in the area long before European colonization. She detailed the tribe's struggles with inadequate living conditions and the loss of cultural identity due to relocation. Pinto emphasized that the bill would not only preserve their sacred sites but also enable the tribe to provide essential services and resources to its members, thereby fostering self-determination and sovereignty.
The second piece of legislation discussed was S 2783, the Miccosukee Reserve Area Amendments Act, which aims to expand the boundaries of the Miccosukee Reserve Area in Florida. Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe expressed strong support for this bill, which would include the OCOO camp within the reserve and authorize funding to protect the area from flooding. Cypress recounted the tribe's history and the importance of the Osceola camp, named after a notable ancestor, underscoring the need for permanent governance and protection of their remaining lands.
Both bills reflect a broader commitment to addressing the historical injustices faced by Native American tribes and restoring their rights to ancestral lands. The discussions in the meeting underscored the importance of these legislative efforts in promoting cultural preservation, community development, and self-governance for Indigenous peoples.
The first bill, S 3857, proposes to place approximately 172.1 acres of land in San Diego, California, into trust for the Hamul Indian Village. This legislation would officially incorporate the land into the tribe's reservation, which includes a prohibition against class 2 and class 3 gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The land transfer is intended to protect culturally significant sites, including a church and cemetery, and facilitate the development of housing, a clinic, and an administration building. The Department of the Interior expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the Biden administration's commitment to restoring tribal homelands.
Chairwoman Erica Pinto of the Hamul Indian Village highlighted the tribe's historical connection to the land, noting that their ancestors have resided in the area long before European colonization. She detailed the tribe's struggles with inadequate living conditions and the loss of cultural identity due to relocation. Pinto emphasized that the bill would not only preserve their sacred sites but also enable the tribe to provide essential services and resources to its members, thereby fostering self-determination and sovereignty.
The second piece of legislation discussed was S 2783, the Miccosukee Reserve Area Amendments Act, which aims to expand the boundaries of the Miccosukee Reserve Area in Florida. Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe expressed strong support for this bill, which would include the OCOO camp within the reserve and authorize funding to protect the area from flooding. Cypress recounted the tribe's history and the importance of the Osceola camp, named after a notable ancestor, underscoring the need for permanent governance and protection of their remaining lands.
Both bills reflect a broader commitment to addressing the historical injustices faced by Native American tribes and restoring their rights to ancestral lands. The discussions in the meeting underscored the importance of these legislative efforts in promoting cultural preservation, community development, and self-governance for Indigenous peoples.
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