John McCain and Native American Indians
As Senator of Arizona, many of John McCain’s constituents are Native American Indians. As such, he has been involved with the different tribes in
and around Arizona. For the most part, he has been an advocate for the Native American people. For the most part ….
John McCain’s
POLICY toward Native
American Indians.
- Principle sponsor of the Tribal Indians Self Governing Act (Title II P.L. 103-413)
- Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Protection Act (Title IV P.L. 101-630)
- Reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
read here
- Helped enact the American Indian Trust Management and Reform Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-412)
- Sponsored legislation to protect natural and cultural tribal resources.
- Sponsored Reservation Employment Tax Credit
- Sponsored Accelerated Depreciation Allowance for reservation business.
- He believes in Tribal Self-Determination and Self Governance.
- He supported Indian housing assistance programs under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act.
- Supports the BIA schools construction initiative which has provided $1 Billion for construction of new schools and refurbishments on
reservations.
- Has led Congressional efforts to build a Native American Veterans Memorial.
John McCain says that, when elected president, he will
closely consult with tribes
when things arise that concern them. He acknowledges America has a long history of misuse and abuse of Indians and their assets.
John McCain is the Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and is working to help resolve
Cobell v. Norton.
John McCain supported
Hopi attorney Diane Humetewa for US Attorney
for the district of Arizona. She was
confirmed .
John McCain is helping to save
Native American Indian Languages . He has called
what is happening to the Native American Indian language – language genocide.
Jon McCain – aware of the Native American Indian struggle –
blurbed
wilkinson’s book – Blood Struggle . A book that, instead of tired stereotypes, sets the record straight.
The Violence Against Women Act – which had particular importance to the Native American
Indian population which suffers an exceptionally high amount of violence against women.
More Information can be found here as to some of the programs that John McCain
(and others) have been working with in order to help Native American Indians help themselves.
The California Chronicle discusses how Native American Indian Veterans support John
McCain for president even when most of them do not support the Republican party.
BUT .. there is that ‘little business’ that required some Navajos and Hopis to have to relocate. This was in regards to
Public Law 93-531 (HR 953 is being discussed to freeze P.L. 93-531). They were
relocated and Peabody Coal Company, a McCain
contributor in the 1990’s, was able
to come in and strip mine Black Mesa. (small contributor – $3,000 in 1996) Information on the coal and water supplies in the area, from the
viewpoint of the Native American Indians, can be read about
here . The tribes
recognized the potential for the coal being mined. At one point they were not against mining. The Hopi Tribal Council approved of the mining. So
did the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Also – it looks like the land is being leased by Peabody Coal Company. I couldn’t find where they actually
bought it or were ‘given’ it. If they are leasing it – that means they are paying rent. Who gets the money?
John McCain was one of the founders (not the right word - but you get the idea) in regards to
Indian Gaming He was right that gaming would be a fantastic income for Native American Indians and would go a long way toward self
determination. Jobs, income, and educational funding for Native Americans are just some of the benefits from Indian Gaming. He co-wrote the
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 and tried in recent years to amend it to
impose more limits on tribes. Some Native Americans aren’t happy about it. Others are. It was written to help stop
these kind of illegal scandals from happening. The fact is … where there is big
money … criminals will come in to try to take over – mafia style. His Regulatory Act is an effort to help Native Americans keep their income safe
from criminal enterprises, although some Native Americans don’t see it that way. As Senator, John McCain has a duty to protect the people of
Arizona. All people. He helped Native Americans get gaming off and running, but he has to protect all the citizens of Arizona from criminal
activities that smell the gaming money.
There was something about John McCain and the protection of Native American graveyards … but I couldn’t find anything on it either way. I know
it’s out there .. just can’t seem to find it at this point.
So .. is John McCain an advocate for the Native American Indians living in Arizona? The answer is … mostly. The Peabody Coal Company and the
relocation of some Native Americans is a sticky situation. But it isn’t as anti-Native-American as the Native Americans say. It also isn’t as
hunky-dory as McCain says. It’s probably 65/35 against the Native American Indians – IMHO.
All in all, John McCains record in regards to helping the Native American Indians is pretty good. He manages, for the most part, to help the Native
American Indians in Arizona without subjecting the non-Indian population of Arizona to undue hardships or financial burdens. It's a delicate
balance. The business with Peabody Coal and Black Mesa is the only real potential sticking point. Neither McCain, nor the Indian Council, are 100%
right on this. All things considered, I give John McCain a grade of B+.
[edit on 4/7/2008 by FlyersFan]
