Andrea Joy Campbell: “just as it recognizes foreign governments, the United States is called upon to consider extending its recognition to…”

“just as it recognizes foreign governments, the United States is called upon to consider extending its recognition to Indian tribal governments here at home. From the first days of the republic, the Congress has acted to recognize the unique legal and political relationship the United States has with the Indian tribes. Reforming the process of recognition is the goal of the legislation I am introducing today. Just as the United States at times refuses to recognize foreign governments, there are and always have been tribal governments which have not been recognized by the Federal government. This lack of recognition does not alter the ``Indian-ness'' of a tribe's members; rather it merely means that there is no formal political relationship between that tribal group and the United States. Federal recognition is critical to tribal groups because it triggers eligibility for services and benefits provided by the United States because of their status as members of federally recognized Indian tribes. I want to be clear--I am not advocating for the approval of every petition for recognition, and I am not proposing that the petitions receive a limited or cursory review. I am concerned with the viability of the current recognition process and am interested in seeing fairness, promptness, and finality brought into that process while providing basic assurances to already-recognized tribes regarding their inherent rights.”