Recognize Native Nations and Honor Treaties

When Tribal nations are thriving, the whole region thrives. The U.S. Constitution recognizes Tribal nations, and we must honor our treaties. The federal government should engage in nation-to-nation consultation with Tribal governments on federal projects and rulemakings in a manner consistent with the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging their right to “free, prior, and informed consent.”¹

Ensure that Tribes and Native landowners have the freedom and resources to manage land in ways that improve it for future generations.
Respect Tribal sovereignty over Tribal resources and the right to generate revenue.
Prevent the dramatic sell-off of federal lands to wealthy investors and corporations.

Notes

Update federal law to negate the Supreme Court’s ruling in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that the U.S. Department of the Interior could not take land into trust for a specified Tribe because that Tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction at the 1934 enactment of the Indian Reorganization Act. Pass A Bill to Amend the Act of June 18, 1934, to Reaffirm the Authority of the Secretary of the Interior to Take Land into Trust for Indian Tribes, and for Other Purposes. The bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act to all federally recognized Indian Tribes, regardless of when a Tribe became recognized.