Resolution Reaffirming Support for Tribal Sovereignty
The following resolution was adopted by the Democratic National Committee on December 3, 2005.
Submitted by: Frank LaMere, At-Large/Nebraska
Hon. Lottie Shackelford, DNC Vice Chair/Arkansas
Hon. Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair/California
Steven K. Alari, California
Kalyn Free, At-Large, Oklahoma
Dennis Langley, South Dakota
Leon Lynch, At-Large/Pennsylvania
Betty McElderry, Oklahoma
James Metcalfe, Chair, Alaska
Joe Wineke, Chair/Wisconsin
WHEREAS, Section 8, Article 1 of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power "to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States and with Indian Tribes" thus recognizing the Tribes as separate and independent peoples within the territorial boundaries of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution has been construed to recognize Indian sovereignty by classifying Indian treaties as part of the "supreme law of the land" and to establish Indian affairs as a unique area of federal concern; and
WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has enacted measures and laws that support tribal government, that alleviate some of the health and educational needs of the Tribes, that promote tribal economic development, that enhance tribal self-sufficiency, that protect sacred cultural and burial sites, that secure religious freedom and which enhance the government-to-government relationship between the Tribes and the United States of America thereby acknowledging the desire of this Nation to keep the Tribes as strong sovereign partners; and
WHEREAS, the Tribes have maintained a strong covenant with this nation having given up vast tracts of land and having sent their young men and women to war in disproportionate numbers during our nation's call to arms asking only the consideration agreed upon, including the promise that their children be educated, that health care be provided and that their traditional ways and government be supported and respected; and
WHEREAS, the Tribes have always stood four-square with the Democratic Party clinging to the values and ideals that brought them together, those being tolerance, respect, and a willingness to proclaim that everyone is important, that no one among us is unimportant; and
WHEREAS, the Tribes have looked to the Democratic Party to help them take their "rightful place" and to advocate for them in the political process and they have reciprocated in the same arena by delivering fully 85% of their vote to the Democratic candidates in the last four General elections and by securing several House and Senate seats for Democrats whose elections hinged on the Native American vote;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) stands in solidarity with the Indian Nations and reaffirms their support for the exercise of tribal sovereignty and for tribal efforts to be self-sufficient;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that federal laws, executive orders, and treaties in this regard be honored and that the DNC continue to fight for the rights of Native people while working to empower our first Americans by encouraging their involvement in the political process.
