Two pieces of legislation introduced by Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR) to streamline the process for the Grand Ronde and Siletz tribes to take land into trust passed unanimously today in the House Natural Resources Committee. H.R. 841 and H.R. 931 would streamline the process to take land into trust for the Grand Ronde and Siletz tribes respectively.
Currently, the tribes are hampered in their efforts to restore land within their original reservations by a lengthy Bureau of Indian Affairs process. Both bills introduced by Congressman Schrader are designed to remove cumbersome bureaucratic red tape and make it easier for each tribe to take land into trust within their original reservation boundaries that existed prior to termination by the federal government.
“Passage of these bills today in the House Natural Resources Committee is very encouraging for the Grand Ronde and Siletz tribes as we pursue a long-term, positive legislative solution to the longstanding obstacles they face in restoring their historic lands,” Rep. Schrader said. “As we seek to have these important bills enacted into law, I remain committed to working with our tribes and other stakeholders to build consensus. To that end, I would thank Representative DeFazio for his work in the committee to help advance this process on behalf of our tribes.”
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to Congressman Schrader for not only introducing H.R. 841, the Grand Ronde Reservation Act Amendment, but for his personal involvement and follow up with the committee and his colleagues to ensure the legislation advances through the legislative process. Congressman Schrader understands the importance of Native people being able to say that ‘this land is our reservation now and forever,’” said Reyn Leno, Tribal Council Chair of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
"The Siletz Tribe and its nearly 5,000 members are truly grateful for Congressman Schrader's hard work on behalf his constituents. His legislation is crucial to helping the Siletz Tribe provide much-needed services, such as housing, to its membership," said Dee Pigsley, Chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
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