One person recently commented to me that the great tribal Chiefs were fighting to maintain independence, stay off of reservations and out from under the control of government, but tribal governments today seem to be fighting to keep people dependent, on reservations and under the control of two governments. I had to stop and think about that comment. It was true; this system is NOT what was fought for 100 years ago.
The reservation system had been set up to treat tribal members as wards with the BIA in stewardship. This continues today. For example, a few years ago an elderly woman living in poverty in Washington State had wanted to sell her trees on her property in order to support herself. The BIA denied her the right to do that. However, after she died the BIA had the trees harvested for the benefit of the tribe. What had happened to the woman's rights?
Now for the last two decades, tribal lobbyists in Washington, DC have been pushing for laws giving more control over people to tribal government. Tribal members are told that this is about sovereignty and that tribes are protecting members from the Federal government. What isn't told the members is that legislation such as Indian Child Welfare Act actually strips away personal rights.
In addition, government programs such as commodities and tribal housing sound nice but end up keeping people controlled. People can't speak up and complain if their homes are at risk.
Someone is the winner here, but it isn't the average tribal member. Look at the amount of federal money pumped into reservations [estimated at between $56,000 and $62,000 per family of four – Ed.], and then see the condition most members are still living in. It doesn't match up.
More money from the Federal Government isn't the answer. But recognizing tribal members as full citizens, capable of handling their own affairs, and covered by the Bill of Rights is.
This edited article was published in the August 1997 issue of Valley Voice a publication of All Citizens Equal; PO Box 673; Polson MT 59860. Lisa Morris is the wife of Roland Morris an enrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe and a board member of CERA.