The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community assures tribal members that leaders remain committed to protecting Native American rights and treaties. President Robert Curtis posted to the KBIC Facebook page an announcement grateful for the rescinded pause to federal grants and loans.
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has begun reviewing all federally funded programs to understand what may be affected and how to continue running services smoothly under future executive orders. The tribe will also continue communication with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services to get clear answers and push for solutions that keep programs funded into the future. Leaders have also worked to update themselves on legal challenges to similar directives and will work with legal offices in Washington D.C. to stand up for funding needs and rights.
KBIC Council President Curtis ended his message to members with a commitment to keep the community informed with future updates and offer support for those impacted. Keweenaw Bay Indian Community recognizes that federal financial assistance plays a crucial role in supporting essential services and will advocate for the community’s needs and resources. KBIC’s message to members follows the Bay Mills Indian Community’s similar notice to the tribe. Bay Mills Chairperson Whitney Granville expressed that treaty rights protect the sovereignty of tribal nations across the United States. Going on to state native Americans are recognized United States citizens under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
Bay Mills Indian Community also expressed concern for an executive order that suspended delegated authority that may delay action in approving land transactions, granting right of way, issuing renewable energy authorizations, and publishing notices in the Federal Register for rulemaking. However, BayMills enacted a new leasing ordinance under the HEARTH Act that will allow the tribe to move leases on its own. Old leases will remain unchanged.
Both tribal governments expressed commitments to sovereignty, and to continue developing relationships with the United States government. Bay Mills Indian Community was a signatory of the 1836 treaty of Washington and created its own charter in 1937. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community was ceded land as a part of the Treaty of 1842 with other upper Great Lakes tribes.
Those interested in learning more about the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Bay Mills Indian community’s commitment to tribal sovereignty can find more below.
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