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Box 2574 :: :: Olympia, Wa Fido Net 1:352/333 :: :: 98507-2574 206-786-9629 :: :: USA The Quarto Mundista BBS :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A F F I L I A T E D T R I B E S O F N O R T H W E S T I N D I A N S 1989 Winter Conference Tacoma, Washington Resolution #89-06 PREAMBLE We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessings of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States and several States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the states of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Nevada, northern California, and Alaska; and WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians; and WHEREAS, Congress has passed Resolution (S. Res. 473) in February of 1988 that authorized a Special Committee on Investigations to conduct a comprehensive and intensive investigation of the entire spectrum of the federal government's relationship with American Indians; and WHEREAS, the Special Committee on Investigations original objectives were: (1) to study the Department of Interior's exercise of trust responsibilities, and (2) to investigate the allegation of fraud and mismanagement of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other Federal agencies administering Federal Indian programs; and WHEREAS, this Special Committee is specifically authorized to: "Study or investigate any and all matters pertaining to problems and opportunities of Indians and the Federal administration of mineral resources, including but not limited to resource management and trust responsibilities of the United States Government, Indian education, health, special services, and other Federal programs, and related matters."; and WHEREAS, this investigation was initiated following the controversy resulting from articles published by the Arizona Republic and other newspapers regarding allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and failure to successfully implement federal programs designed to improve the life and welfare of Indian people; and WHEREAS, ATNI is deeply concerned about the direction, approach, and impact of the study outside of its stated purpose and mandate; and WHEREAS, the general public has a basic misunderstanding and lack of knowledge of the obligations of the United States due to Treaties, Federal Statutes, Executive Orders, and other Congressional Acts regarding trust relationships with Indian Nations; and WHEREAS, ATNI is concerned that the Investigations Committee is entertaining testimony from Indian individuals who do not represent any Indian Tribal governments and do not have a background in implementing the Tribes' understanding of Self- Determination and Self-Sufficiency; and WHEREAS, ATNI is concerned regarding the dangerously misleading impressions and images of Indian Governments, as well as the damage and unjust impacts on Indian Governments that can result from testimony of such individuals; and WHEREAS, ATNI is concerned over the media portrayal of any alleged improprieties of a few Indian leaders and is concerned that the media does not create a generic view of Indian leaders and governments due to these alleged improprieties. We are concerned that the media coverage will critically damage the general public's view of the integrity and competence of Indian Tribes; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does urge the Special Investigations Committee to return to its focus, attention, and review on its original objectives, i.e. (1) studying the Department of Interior's exercise of trust responsibilities, and (2) the allegations of fraud and mismanagement of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other Federal agencies administering Federal Indian programs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby urge the Senate Special Investigations Committee to scrutinize carefully the roles and leadership positions of the individuals testifying before the Committee to assure that the voices heard by Congress are those of Indian leaders democratically chosen by the Indian people, so that the Committee can keep in perspective the true conditions, needs, problems, expectations, and solutions to the existing system that serves Indian people; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that ATNI encourages the Committee to focus on the positive progress of the Tribes in the United States in their pursuit of Self-Determination and Self-Sufficiency. That when the findings of the study focus on the Tribes, as opposed to the Federal agencies, the emphasis must reflect the accomplishments and successes. The Tribes must be provided an opportunity for their testimony to be recognized and to balance the negative findings with the success of the majority of the Tribes despite the dismal conditions and ineffectiveness of the federal programs designed to assist Tribal Governments in returning to Self- Sufficiency, Self-Determination, and Self-Governance. CERTIFICATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The following resolution was adopted at the 1989 Winter Conference of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, at the Executive Inn Hotel in Tacoma, Washington on February 1-3, 1989 with a quorum present. _____________________________ _____________________________ Joe DeLaCruz, President Georgia C. George, Recording Secretary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To have a current Center For World Indigenous Studies Publication Catalogue sent to you via e-mail, send a request to jburrows@halcyon.com Center For World Indigenous Studies P.O. Box 2574 Olympia, WA U.S.A. 98507-2574 Fax: 206-956-1087 BBS: 206-786-9629