Andrea Joy Campbell: “Yesterday, we had a very extended debate here on the floor of the Senate, and several of us took the opportunity to…”

“Yesterday, we had a very extended debate here on the floor of the Senate, and several of us took the opportunity to address this Nation's shameful history in its dealings with American Indians. One of the areas that is the most shameful is the history of failing to abide by its treaties and agreements with native tribes. This country, as you know, Mr. President, coming from a State that has so many Indian tribes, has had very little respect for the lands and rights of aboriginal people, including the rights of the Wyandotte Tribe in question today. For example, in 1966 the Congress enacted a law requiring the Wyandotte cemetery be transferred and sold. That law is still on the books, fortunately. The tribe, however, opposed the action and the cemetery was not sold. In this respect, the tribe was seeking to preserve its burial site, culture, and history at a time when the United States was ignoring the tribe's rights.”