This is an important step for the healing of the people of our Oceti Sakowin.

Our people have grieved for well over a century the loss of life and the genocidal attack on our people and our way of life that took place at Wounded Knee.

Chaco Canyon and the withdrawal would be an example of that, in terms of protecting that sacred site.

We believe H.R. 3371 represents another important step in that process.

the legislation referencing the conferring with UIOs that would apply department-wide to HHS, not just to Indian Health Services, a department-wide confer policy that would be looking at improving health, health care policies and…

H.R. 630 is a bill that passed on suspension in the House with bipartisan support last session, didn't make it through the gauntlet at the Senate as they were putting their final package together.

The Biden administration has previously testified before this Committee in support of returning traditional and sacred sites to tribes.

But legislation that addresses lands, like the Wounded Knee legislation, for example, I think it is important because it represents not only the Department of the Interior's act to solidify that connection and to demonstrate respect.

We want to be at the table and not the menu.

The tribal proposal is a by-product, a very direct by-product of the toxic legacy that uranium mining inflicted on those areas.

I think you could say the same thing for New Mexico.