Post by blackcrowheart on Sept 12, 2006 11:12:37 GMT -5
Indian recognition effort hits new snag
By the Associated Press
September 9, 2006
www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--virginiaindians-r09\
09sep09,0,598153.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia
<http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--virginiaindians-r0\
909sep09,0,598153.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia> RICHMOND, Va. -- A
powerful supporter of legislation that would grant sovereign status to
Virginia Indian tribes is expressing new concerns the law could pave the
way to casino gambling in the state.
Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee and a
co-sponsor of the so-called federal recognition bill, has asked the
Virginia congressional delegation to take a closer look at the
legislation.
Six Indian tribes have sought recognition through legislation sponsored
in the House by Rep. James P. Moran, a Democrat, and in the Senate by
Republican Sen. George Allen. They've argued it will give them access to
federal funds.
Moran first introduced recognition legislation in 2000. The Senate
version is currently in the Committee on Indian Affairs; the House
version of the bill has been referred to the Committee on Resources.
At issue is the specter of Indian-operated casino gaming.
Warner said last week he didn't want to see legislation that could
"thwart the ability of a state, whether it's Virginia or any other
state, to prohibit gambling."
He went on to say that in light of federal court decisions, "It's tough
(to determine) whether or not the state can prohibit gambling once
sovereignty is granted to these tribes."
Supporters of the legislation didn't take Warner's seeming misgivings as
a negative sign.
Wayne Adkins, a member of the Chickahominy Tribe and president of
Virginia Indians Tribal Alliance for Life, an advocacy group pushing for
federal recognition, saw positives in Warner's move.
"He wants to see us have recognition," he said. "It looks like he's
trying to remove the stumbling blocks."
Moran thought Warner is simply being thorough and politically practical
about the legislation.
Allen was equally optimistic, spokesman David Snepp said.
"He wants these questions to be settled by the Virginia delegation," he
said. "That's the only way this bill will be in the strongest position
going forward."
The tribes are asking for the same status given more than 560 other
tribal governments.
The tribes named in Allen's bill are the Rappahannock, the Chickahominy,
Eastern Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Nansemond and Monacan Indian
Nation.
The Indian Affairs Committee is expected to meet again this month
By the Associated Press
September 9, 2006
www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--virginiaindians-r09\
09sep09,0,598153.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia
<http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--virginiaindians-r0\
909sep09,0,598153.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia> RICHMOND, Va. -- A
powerful supporter of legislation that would grant sovereign status to
Virginia Indian tribes is expressing new concerns the law could pave the
way to casino gambling in the state.
Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee and a
co-sponsor of the so-called federal recognition bill, has asked the
Virginia congressional delegation to take a closer look at the
legislation.
Six Indian tribes have sought recognition through legislation sponsored
in the House by Rep. James P. Moran, a Democrat, and in the Senate by
Republican Sen. George Allen. They've argued it will give them access to
federal funds.
Moran first introduced recognition legislation in 2000. The Senate
version is currently in the Committee on Indian Affairs; the House
version of the bill has been referred to the Committee on Resources.
At issue is the specter of Indian-operated casino gaming.
Warner said last week he didn't want to see legislation that could
"thwart the ability of a state, whether it's Virginia or any other
state, to prohibit gambling."
He went on to say that in light of federal court decisions, "It's tough
(to determine) whether or not the state can prohibit gambling once
sovereignty is granted to these tribes."
Supporters of the legislation didn't take Warner's seeming misgivings as
a negative sign.
Wayne Adkins, a member of the Chickahominy Tribe and president of
Virginia Indians Tribal Alliance for Life, an advocacy group pushing for
federal recognition, saw positives in Warner's move.
"He wants to see us have recognition," he said. "It looks like he's
trying to remove the stumbling blocks."
Moran thought Warner is simply being thorough and politically practical
about the legislation.
Allen was equally optimistic, spokesman David Snepp said.
"He wants these questions to be settled by the Virginia delegation," he
said. "That's the only way this bill will be in the strongest position
going forward."
The tribes are asking for the same status given more than 560 other
tribal governments.
The tribes named in Allen's bill are the Rappahannock, the Chickahominy,
Eastern Chickahominy, Upper Mattaponi, Nansemond and Monacan Indian
Nation.
The Indian Affairs Committee is expected to meet again this month