Native American Indian & Tribal Issues

In the 113th Congress, I was able to pass two pieces of legislation – signed by the President – to return lands and benefits to members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe that were originally negotiated under the 1854 Treaty, which had been lost for many years. More recently, the House approved my amendment – with strong bipartisan support from Chairman John Kline (MN-2) – to a bill reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to state that the Congress must ensure that Indian children do not have to attend school in buildings that are dilapidated and dangerous. Nationwide, there are 63 schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education listed in Poor Condition, including the Bug O Nay Ge Shig School on the Leech Lake reservation in my district. Housed in an old pole building, the school faces rodent and bat infestations, roof leaks, mold, fungus, and more. Good schools deliver a message to students that their education is valued and important – and no child should have to endure deteriorating school rooms to get an education. 

I often point out to my colleagues that a bust of Chief Buffalo of La Pointe greets them as they enter the House Floor Chamber from the west front. Chief Buffalo was recognized as the Head and Chief of the Greater Chippewa Nation. And at the age of approximately 92, he lead a tribal delegation all the way from Wisconsin to Washington D.C. to meet with President Millard Fillmore and pave the way for the Treaty of 1854 to stop the removal of the Lake Superior Chippewa from their homes. So in asking my colleagues to continuously support our sovereign Indian nations, I ask them also to remember Chief Buffalo – and the diligence and long, hard work that is so often required to do the right thing representing our people.