ILI REPORT RELEASED
On February 6, 2003, the Western Shoshone National Council sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives Resources Committee and the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, expressing opposition to any attempt to re-intrdoduce legislation aimed at forcing a distribution of monies from Docket 326-K of the Indian Claims Commission to the Western Shoshone.
The Council letter enclosed a report, Failure of the United States Indian Claims Commission to File a Report with Congress in the Western Shoshone Case (Docket 326-K), prepared by the Indigenous Law Institute on behalf of the Council. The ILI Report found that the U.S. Indian Claims Commission never completed its action in Docket 326-K. The Council therefore asserted that there is no legal basis for a distibution bill and reiterated its position that negotiations between the Western Shoshone and the United States are the preferred way to resolve this ongoing conflict.
DISTRIBUTION BILLS RE-INTRODUCED
On February 25, 2003, Representative Jim Gibbons (Nevada) introduced H.R. 884, a bill "to provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Western Shoshone identifiable group under Indian Claims Commission Docket Numbers 326-A-1, 326-A-3, and 326-K, and for other purposes." The bill was referred to the House Resources Committee.
For bill status, history and other information, search for 'H.R. 884' on the Library of Congress Legislative Information website or use the following direct link: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN00958:|
Persons who want to contact their Representative about H.R. 884 may send an email via the House of Representatives email system. To check whether your Representative is a member of the Resources Committee, use the members list.
On March 13, 2003, Senator Harry Reid (Nevada) introduced S. 618, a companion bill to H.R. 884. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
For bill status, history and other information, search for 'S. 618' on the Library of Congress Legislative Information website or use the following direct link: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:s.00618:
Persons who want to contact their Senators about S. 618 may use the 'Find Your Senators' tool on the Senate website. To check whether your Senators are also members of the Indian Committee, use the members list.
On August 2, 2002, the United States Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on S. 958, a bill to provide for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Western Shoshone identifiable group under Indian Claims Commission Docket Numbers 326-A-1, 326-A-3, and 326-K. A partial transcript of the Hearing available from the Committee: http://indian.senate.gov/2002hrgs/080202hrg/080202hrg_wit.htm
On November 13, 2002, the bill, with an amendment in the nature of a substitution, passed the Senate in a special procedure called Unanimous Consent. The next day, the bill was received in the House and referred to the House Committee on Resources. The House adjourned later the same day and is not expected to consider any legislation until the 108th Congress convenes. This effectively ends the course of this legislation and requires new legislation if the matter is to be brought before the next Congress.
For bill status, history and other information, search for 'S. 958' on the Library of Congress Legislative Information website or use the following direct link: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN00958:|
The Western Shoshone National Council submitted testimony in opposition to this
bill. The National Council insists on acknowledgment of the Treaty
of Ruby Valley (1863). The bill would undermine the Treaty and Western
Shoshone land rights.
Go to WSNC Testimony submitted to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Go to testimony of Professor Peter d'Errico submitted to Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
The following audio archives from KNPR - Nevada Public Radio - feature commentary and interviews about S. 958 by Tim Anderson. They are playable with RealMedia Player.