Sunday, December 11, 2011

Erick Rhoan, of Strict Liabilty in Blog, on Obama Administration and the Indian Community. It's Congress' Probem

Our friend Erick Rhoan, of Strict Liability in Blog has a differing view of our recent post about President Barack Obama's complicity in the destruction of Native Americans. He posted in our comments, but I feel it's due a promotion

I think the Obama Administration is taking a very cautious route into addressing the needs of the Indian Community. Part of the reason, I believe, is because of the oftentimes confusing and counter-intuitive nature of Indian law and precedents.

However, we've seen some progress: 1) the signing of the Tribal Law & Order Act into law; 2) ordering the Department of Justice to settle the Cobell Lawsuit; and 3) lending support to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All of these things were the right thing to do. Even if there are problems with them, it’s still a good starting point.

With respect to unrecognized tribes, that is a problem that will require much more than Obama's authority as Executive. To redress this problem will require: 1) Congressional overhaul of the Indian Civil Rights Act; and 2) administrative overhaul of the Office of Federal Acknowledgment and the tribal recognition process pursuant to 28 C.F.R. Part 83.

Furthermore, it's important to remember that Indians are Congress' problem, not the President's. The President's function in the Executive Branch is to sign laws into effect and enforce them. It is Congress's job as Legislative Branch to write the laws, and the poorly written laws (and how UN treaties are adapted within our constitutional framework) are what is at issue here, not Presidential action. Article I, Section 8, clause 3 of the US Constitution expressly delegates the regulation of commerce with Congress.

I'm not saying the Administration is wholly blameless. The President can still urge Congress to do something about the gross injustices levied against unrecognized tribes by poorly written laws, which I would like to see more of. Also, I can point to at least two other areas where the President had good intentions, should have followed through with those intentions and then later backed away when the issue either got too complicated or he faced too much pressure from the Republicans: 1) Guantanamo; and 2) Iran. Within the quirky subset of American jurisprudence that is Indian Law, dealing with unrecognized tribes is a deep, dark area of an already murky subject matter.

In short, suggesting that the Obama Administration is somehow complicit with not giving federally unrecognized tribes the equality they deserve is somewhat inaccurate. That being said, I would like to see something said on behalf of the unrecognized.

Thank you Erick, for your contributions to our blog and our readers can see more of Erick's articles on:

Tribal Disenrollments

Tillie Hardwick Settlement

96 comments:

Erick Rhoan said...

Thanks for the props!

The unrecognized Indians of this country deserve a thousand times more than the bureaucratic machinery that is currently in place.

Anonymous said...

Such a well thought out response versus the name calling and expletives that some put on here.

Good work, Mr. Rhoan. Hopefully, the President's team will see this

Anonymous said...

How does 25 USC § 174 apply? Does this not place President Barack Obama directly in the position to care over the tribes especially those here in California ("West of the Mississippi"), and what steps are being taken to protect those who are and are not currently federally recognized.

Every time I read about dis-enrollments I think "The president has failed in his duty to protect "against all interruption or disturbance from any other tribe or nation of Indians, or from any other person or persons whatever".

smokeybear said...

Erick Rhoan said: "Within the quirky subset of American jurisprudence that is Indian Law, dealing with unrecognized tribes is a deep, dark area of an already murky subject matter."....

Question: Why is this? And why does this have to be. Is it because of the fact that "Native Americans" that were rounded up, and put on reservations of worthless land in the 19th century, a "Count" of such was in order?....Hence, "Federally Recognized?" Indian roles, and the like, became common place. Then they realized that to recognize "All"... "Native American Tribes"... would cost them "Money" that they weren't prepared to spend. You have got to know that the "Government(Indian Affairs) isn't really in the business of helping the "Native American Indian" anytime soon, or an accounting of every Indian Tribe in the nation would be recognized as such. For nothing more then being here for the generations before the "White Man" steped into the Americas'! That, alone, is proof enough! So why is it that they are allowed to pick and choose? They treat us as cattle that can be "Bought and Sold" at their "Discreation!" But, alas, it's still all about the "Money!" Ooooo, "Sovereignty!" Their so called reasoning for not venturing into the world of "Human and Civil Rights Violations." They "Could" champion a revision to the I.C.R.A to include a provision for enforcement for the more criminal acts that are running so rampant through out "Indian Country." For you have got to know its because they don't "Want To, And Don't Have Too!"....Again, there is no "Money In It."

smokeybear said...

When is this going to...."STOP?" This is happening "OVER AND OVER AND OVER...AGAIN!" And there is no "End In Sight!

Erick Rhoan, you have been very good at showing us what has been going on here in "Indian Country," and, initially, who is to blame for the majority of the "Injustices" that are happening to the "Native American Indian," and to your credit, "Why!" Your clarity and insight into the problems that face us all, who have been wronged is "Commendable."

Now how about taking another approach, or "Putting the Shoe on the Other Foot," so to speak, and try to give us a little "Insight" into what we can "Do About it?" You seem to be in the "Know" when it comes to "Indian Law," and the workings of the "Government(Indian Affairs), Congress, and the Like." For you have got to know that we are in "Serious" trouble here in "Indian Country" and it's only going to get worse. These "Corrupt and Criminal Tribal Leaders" are routinely "Disenrolling and Banishing Legitimate Members of their Memberships," and "Sovereingty" being their "Tool Of Choice!" I guess what I'm asking is: "Are you up to the task?" Or will the "Heat" you will have to "Endure" helping the "Oppressed Native American".."Unsustainable?" Go "Anonymous" if you have too, but we need "Help" here.

smokeybear said...

A must read on Strict Liability In Blog on: The Legality Of Tribal Disenrollments: Greed Or Growing Pains. A three (3) part expose'.

smokeybear said...

Erick Rhoan, I would, at least, like an answer to my December 13, 2011 7:02am post? Or at least a "Rebuttle?" You are very good at what you do, but standing on the sidelines and looking in is "Unproductive" to our cause and what we, as "Native Americans," have to endure at the hands of these "Corrupt and Criminal Tribal Leaders." You have got to know that you are in a "Unique" of being in the know.

smokeybear said...

You have got to know that you are in a "Unique" of being in the know.

That is: "You have got to know that you are in a "Unique"
position of being in the "Know!"...

smokeybear said...

Erick Rhoan, don't get me wrong, but are you just here to "Enlighten, or are you able to help? But your opinion is, still, "Appreciated."

Erick Rhoan said...

Smokeybear,

I have been assisting with a trial that has completely consumed my life. It originally began as only a week-long trial, but it quickly morphed into a two-week trial. It has been quite exhausting and we are still in our closing arguments.

Furthermore, I am also beginning to study for the February 2012 California Bar Exam, which also consume my time.

To respond to your last question of whether I'm here to help or enlighten: I thought I was helping by enlightening. I didn't know I had to come on here or my own blog and make speeches about the injustices in Indian Country. In fact, I thought I have done that in a few of my posts. My blog is a legal one and I focus mainly on the law before rendering an opinion. I thought I have made perfectly clear that I am against disenrollments over greed.

Also, I have recommended courses of action, namely, WRITE YOUR CONGRESSPERSON AND HELP CHANGE THE LAW. Since Congress is the ultimate arbiter of Indian affairs, it should be to your elected representatives that our complaints should go. Beyond that, I bring people's attention to Indian law issues through my blog.

At bottom, I guess I just don't know what you want me to do on top of everything else I have already done.

smokeybear said...

Thanks, Erick, just asking. We really appreciate your help, and anything you give us: For we are in "Serious Trouble" here! Good Luck with "The Bar Exam."

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