Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Considers Cole Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) attended the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs hearing as they considered his legislation, H.R. 2827. After speaking at the hearing, Congressman Cole released the following statement:
“As a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest serving Native American in the House, I am resolute in my commitment to ensure tribal issues are heard in this chamber. That commitment is what brought me to advocate for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma in the Subcommittee hearing today,” said Congressman Cole.
“H.R. 2827 is a straight-forward, bipartisan piece of legislation. It simply resolves the claim to certain land exclusively for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma without setting any new precedent,” said Congressman Cole.
“I would like to thank Chairman Westerman, Chairman Hurd, Ranking Member Huffman, and Ranking Member Leger-Fernandez for their time and consideration. I really do appreciate their efforts to help move this much-needed bill through the legislative process,” said Congressman Cole.
Background:
In 1805, the Miami Tribe, Eel River Band, and Wea signed the Treaty of Grouseland, which under Article Four reserved all lands within the Wabash River watershed and land located west of the Wabash River, which is in present-day Illinois. Specifically in Article Four of this Treaty, the U.S. acknowledged ownership of this land and agreed not to purchase any part without consent of each of the aforementioned tribes. This key part of the Treaty is why Congress has the sole authority, at the request of the tribes, to extinguish any claims to the land.
Then, from 1805 to 1840, the U.S. transferred 2.6 million acres of land to non-native settlers in the area without having acquired title from the Miami, Eel River Band, and Wea under Article Four of the Grouseland Treaty. As a result, title to that land is still held by the Miami Tribe’s superior claim to title and the tribe never consented to that land being purchased. This has caused difficulties for landowners and farmers in Illinois in conducting certain operations or sales of this land.
Now, ever since the Indian Claims Commission’s adjustment in 1978, pending documents have been transferred to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to handle cases on unresolved Indian land claims. However, Congress is the only entity that can authorize the Court of Federal Claims to hear, determine, and render judgement on a tribe’s claim.
H.R. 2827 does just that by authorizing the Miami Tribe’s authority to bring their claim forward and relinquishes all claims to the land. There is no monetary compensation included, as it simply allows the tribe to have their day in court.
To read the bill text, click here.
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