Native American Tribal Wealth And The Greed It Spawns

Congress is asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate five major American Indian tribes in Oklahoma. The investigation alleges that tribes have illegally expelled descendants of freedmen and has denied them federal education, housing, and health benefits. This has been an issue that has been brought up in California as well. Newly wealthy tribes (as a result of tribal gaming) are expelling members previously admitted for a variety of reasons. Some believe it is more related to greed than tribal eligibility. The Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw tribes (historically called "the five civilized tribes") are some of the richest in the nation. They are being investigated for allegedly expelling tribal members who are black.

Mike Miller, a spokesman for the Cherokee Nation has said, "As the Cherokee Nation has explained to more than 100 members of Congress through meetings, this issue has never been about race, but only about who is a citizen of an Indian Nation". Of course, as citizens of an Indian Nation, one would be entitled to benefits and tribal monies.

In adoption, we have seen tribal discrimination first hand. I have yet to encounter a tribe willing to fight for a part African-American baby. They will let them go. However, if a Caucasian baby who is part Native American is to be placed for adoption, they may very well intervene. Isn't a part black child just as entitled to tribal benefits as a part white child if the amount of Indian blood is the same? And what does that say about the value that is placed on the life of a black child versus that of a white child? Discrimination lives and thrives in the tribal communities and, yet, how do they respond if a Native American perceives that they are the one being discriminated against?

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Congress. Tribes are sovereign nations and, as such, want and are entitled to make all of their own rules and laws. So how, then, are they being held accountable? The fact is, they aren't. Greed has prevailed for too long and there is finally some light being shed on the issue. I hope the Department of Justice will review the matter and find a way to preserve the rights of the smallest Native Americans, whether black or white. The whole idea of making the determination based on race is offensive. Even though it is being denied, it is apparent. Adoption is just a small part of the issue. I wonder, too, when they will consider the birth mother's right to choose what she believes is the best path for her child, whether that be inside or outside the tribe. Tribal benefits and greed are currently the basis for life and lifetime decisions. That's a sad commentary and Native Americans should be outraged.