EXCELLENT Description of Treaty Obligations and Federal Cuts in Indian Country

We are grateful to our supporter Mary LaVallee for drawing our attention to this excellent talk that all non-Native people need to hear. Please find 35 minutes that you can set aside to listen to this talk by two brilliant Native minds: Robert Maxim and Allison Neswood.

It is essential to understand a key difference and unique standing for Native peoples in this country. Predating the arrival of the Europeans, Native peoples had distinct, self-governing communities. They are sovereign nations and have a government to government relationship with the Federal government.

Native nations prepaid for their federal funding with their land and resources. 100's of treaties were made with tribal nations; a treaty being government to government and according to the US Constitution, treaties are the supreme law of the land.

The best way to understand the current condition of tribal communities regarding cuts, is to listen to this presentation. BUT...a huge takeaway is that the US Government has Trust and Treaty Obligations to Native nations. This is a unique legal status from all other minorities. This also creates many controls on Indian Country with their lands held in Trust, and limitations on how they can generate revenue. This is why Federal Funding is paramount for survival.

LISTEN TO THIS PRESENTATION HERE

(at 30 minutes Allison talks about why non-Natives need to know this)