On the recordNovember 17, 2004
In 1948, then Chairman George Gillette of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota, wept as a contract was signed to sell over 150,000 acres of tribal land to the U.S. Government to build the Garrison Dam. Through his grief, Chairman Gillette stated, ``We will sign this contract with a heavy heart. With a few scratches of the pen, we will sell the best part of our reservation. Right now, the future does not look good for us.'' Chairman Gillette was correct as 80 percent of the tribe was forcibly relocated, 94 percent of their agricultural land was destroyed and their hospital flooded. Today, 56 years later, Chairman Gillette can now smile as we finally authorize this health care facility. Over this period of time, there has been one reason or another not to fulfill this promise made to the tribes. In fact, we are only here today because of the hard work and determined persistence of several people.
Source
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