Norma Torres

the current land-into-trust process is paramount to achieving those goals.

The shameful allotment and assimilation periods of the late 19th and 20th century was nothing short of a disastrous time for Native people.

We must ensure that tribes are treated with the fairness and dignity they rightfully deserve.

the purpose of the IRA provisions for fee-to-trust acquisitions was to address energy projects, housing, infrastructure (hospitals, schools, etc.) and reduce checkerboarding.

This is why the Carcieri decision has been so troubling in Indian Country.

I personally have had to deal with adjacent jurisdictions trying to come in and dictate how my city should be run.

Throughout our Nation's history, tribes have suffered abuse and ongoing indignity at the hands of the Federal Government.

The return of land to the tribes was and continues to be critical to restoring the tribal way of life.

I wanted to associate myself with the comments from my colleagues from California regarding offshore drilling in the coast of California.

we must not impose new unfunded mandates on IHS or Indian Country.

Well, that commitment hasn't shown, sir. It is obvious to me by all of the witnesses that they have tried time and time again to provide to you, to your department, feedback. And yet that feedback has fallen to deaf ears.

I simply want to say that we have heard over and over in this meeting that there was very little tribal consultation before introducing this legislation.

the tribes still feel that they have not been heard and their concerns have not been addressed or even replied to, which means that you have not acknowledged that they have real issues.

We want to help recruit more people.

How is this bill going to help you improve what you haven't been able to improve to date?

We cannot provide competent, quality health care to Native American and Alaska Natives when we allow inadequate facilities and substandard levels of care to continue to exist.

I understand that. In your statement you say IHS has existing authorities to implement adverse employment actions.

We have to be very proactive at dealing with the very corrupt governments that have become a culture of our neighbors.

The world looks at the United States for leadership on the global stage. Unfortunately, the President's words and actions have been undermining American leadership.

Are the President's tweets the official foreign policy of the United States?

Some tribes have seen a greater reduction in fractionation.

I think that when we look at maximizing this dollar, if you are only looking at the cost of land, and not really looking at the bigger picture of what the tribes really need, it is a short-sighted plan.

The Cobell Land Buy-Back Program was created to strengthen tribal sovereignty and self-determination.

It makes it very difficult for you and for me to do our jobs when we don't have enough data.

Remember, they were the original owners of this land that was taken from them, pillaged from them.