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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
A bill introduced in Congress would make tribal consultation required by law. The Requirements, Expectations, and Standard Procedures for Effective Consultation with Tribes Act, makes tribal consultation mandatory for U.S. government agencies and not just a recommended practice. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, discussed the bill at a press conference this week, in Washington, D.C.
He says the time is right to seize momentum happening in the Biden administration to uphold trust responsibilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives, and strengthen tribal sovereignty. Grijalva says next week (4/6), the Respect Act will go before the full committee for a markup.
“This is the first time in Congressional history that a bill, a specific bill, requiring tribal consultation will come before the full committee, but I know this time is right. Our country is finally starting to take meaningful steps in reckoning with its colonial past.”
Tribal consultation changes with each new presidency, and federal actions without tribal input often impact tribal rights, lands and resources. If the bill becomes law, the U.S. government could be held legally responsible for not conducting tribal consultation. Tribal leaders and directors of Native organizations are among those backing the bill.
A group of Native Americans living in the United Kingdom say work continues to educate the public about Native Americans, after they were instrumental in a campaign to eliminate a Native American-themed mascot and logo used by an English rugby team. In January, the Exeter Rugby Club announced it was dropping its logo and moving away from its Native American-themed brand. The move was made following a two-year review process started by fans seeking change.
LeAndra Nephin, who’s Omaha living in England, along with some other Native Americans, joined the change the mascot movement. Nephin talked about the effort during a virtual event Wednesday on mascots and misappropriation of imagery, which was hosted by the Indigenous Studies Discussion Group at the University of Cambridge. She says part of the group’s overall goal is to tackle issues between Indigenous and British relationships.
“In a sense, create change in a colonial empire and that work is continuing today in terms of our involvement with curriculum, teaching colonialism in U.K. schools. So, this is a really important key aspect of us in terms of creating or changing the narrative. Taking control of the definition of what is honorable to us.”
Tony Perry, who’s Chickasaw and part of the UK Native community, agrees with Nephin. He says the Exeter mascot change was a victory, but the advocacy continues.
“For me, I feel like this is actually a step in a much bigger journey. Native culture is so deeply commoditized, normalized, or the caricatures. They don’t see the problem with it. It’s just normalized as something that these are brands or this is what people do. So, there’s far more to do about raising awareness of Native peoples, of our contributions, and about us still being here.”
The Natives in the UK group say members have made connections with a number of educators and a network of supporters to start teaching Indigenous history. There are also other sports teams the group would like to see end the use of Native American-themed mascots. The Exeter Rugby Club will launch its new brand this summer.
Native young people in Alaska are gearing up for the 2022 Traditional Games, which kicks off this weekend in Juneau. Mid school, high school, and adult athletes from communities across the state are expected to attend. They’ll compete in 10 events based on hunting and survival skills of Indigenous people. The event will be open to the public with COVID-19 precautions. The games will also be live streamed by Sealaska Heritage Institute.
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