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- Arizona House of Representatives
- 1700 W. Washington ! Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2848
- (602) 542-5862 ! FAX: (602) 542-0140
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- Representative Sylvia Laughter
- News Release
- November 27, 2001
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- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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- The 45th Arizona Legislature is considering eliminating its few
tribal programs in the next few days:
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The Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs (ACIA),
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TANFAppropriations for the five tribes (The Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation,
Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and
White Mountain Apache Tribe)
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Funding for tribal Senior centers on the Navajo and Hopi reservations,
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Funding for tribally operated Colleges.
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- I believe this would be a grave error on the part of the State of
Arizona. It is unfathomable that, in the 21st Century, short-sighted
governments should once again balance their budgets on our backs.
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- Historically, Indian tribes and nations have borne the brunt of
economic turndowns, denial of funding, loss of lands, and in some
cases even the fundamental right of sovereignty over their own peoples
and lands.
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- Despite this appalling past treatment, Arizona’s Native Americans
still answer their country’s call to military service in large
numbers. After the tragic events of September 11th, Native Americans
once again heeded our nation’s call to duty without hesitation. Just
July of this year, the Navajo Code Talkers were finally awarded the
Congressional Gold medal for their major role in the second world war
when the Navajo language became the key code which won the war for our
Nation. Regardless of circumstances, regardless of history, they came
forward to serve our Nation as code talkers.
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- Federal Indian policy has shifted toward a policy of devolving power
down to tribal, state, and local government levels. This policy shift
has provided tribal and state governments with an opportunity to work
toward establishing and enhancing intergovernmental relations. This
new era of partnerships enables tribal, state and local governments to
more effectively collaborate on joint programs, share scarce
resources, and build more secure futures for their citizens.
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- Injustices against our Native communities have persisted since
statehood. However, Arizona has but recently started to reconcile
itself with its past. Only in the past couple of years has Arizona
made an effort to establish and enhance true government-to-government
relations. However, with these proposals to cease funding the few
programs that serve the Indian tribes and nations of Arizona, the
state government is taking a giant step backward toward the failed
policies of termination. These programs use only a tiny portion of the
state’s resources, yet they return far more in value:
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In the past couple of years, ACIA has gained the respect of the
Arizona Legislature, the Governor’s Office, the Indian
Tribes/Nations of Arizona, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI),
the Southwest Tribal TANF Coalition (SWTTC), the National Conference
of State Legislatures (NCSL), and many other private, state and tribal
entities. In 2000, ACIA won a 10-year extension, the maximum allowable
by Arizona law.
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Since time immemorial, the tribes of Arizona were self-sufficient,
even prosperous people. However, as a result of forced dependency on
federal largesse, tribes must now rebuild their economies and
communities. Each tribe has its own tale of governmental intervention.
Tribal TANF programs are but one means of helping tribal community
members regain their economic self-reliance and self-respect, and
building the strong families that once were the backbone of
traditional tribal culture.
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Tribal colleges provide our Youth and other community members, with
the best opportunity for them to succeed in achieving the American
dream. Non Native American students also attend these colleges to gain
the unique tribal perspective. In 1998, the State of Arizona signed a
compact that enables tribal colleges, such as Dinè College and Tohono
O’odham Community College, to obtain the same type of revenue
sharing enjoyed by other state community colleges. According to the
Legislature, the funding the tribes receive are based on taxes
collected on tribal land. In the eyes of the tribes, a compact is
tantamount to a treaty, with the same solemn commitments involved.
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Elders are the most honored members of tribal communities; one way to
help our elders is through senior programs. These programs help the
elderly with meals, health care, recreation, and help keep them active
in their communities. These programs also enable the elderly to pass
on their precious cultural knowledge to the younger generation
searching to stay connected in an ever-changing modern world. To end
funding for these precious Elderly is to show disrespect for them, and
tell them they are not valued.
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- Today, 42 states and the United States Congress have an Indian
affairs commission, legislative committee, office or liaison,
according to NCSL. With the Commission of Indian Affairs, the House
Committee on Native American Affairs, and the intergovernmental
liaisons in all major state agencies and the Governor’s office,
Arizona has the potential to be a leader in its approach to
tribal-state relations.
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- Few if any other states have the number and quality of
intergovernmental liaisons as does Arizona, although states such as
New Mexico and Utah, with substantially smaller Native American
populations, more heavily fund and staff their Indian affairs
programs. [According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Arizona’s Native
population is 255,879, New Mexico’s is 173,483, and Utah’s is
29,684.]
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- While Arizona has an opportunity to emerge a leader in tribal-state
relations, it is unimaginable that the state would wish to degrade its
relations with the tribes and nations. By eliminating the only Indian
agency in the state, and by cutting the funds to the tribe, the state,
in effect, is deeming the 21 tribes insignificant.
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- Just recently, the Hispanic community fought hard to preserve its
rights in the redistricting effort. Despite their large population,
some 30 percent of all Arizonans, they succeeded only narrowly in
creating a congressional district that allows for Hispanic
representation. On the other hand, the state’s largest Indian tribe
may possibly lose both Congressional and legislative seats. What
message does this send to our Indian communities?
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- It is no wonder that some Indian tribes have chosen to open Gaming
Casino’s, in an effort to restore their dignity thus, regain self
reliance, not on the back of the federal or state government, but by
exercising their sovereign rights to take care of their own.
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- PRESS RELEASE: Representative Sylvia Laughter
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