U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, was in full support of the three measures involving native cultural sites and conservation being considered by the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on Wednesday, but he wasn’t about to squander an opportunity to air a grievance on behalf of the indigenous people of his own state.
What You Need To Know
The hearing was held to discuss bills that would improve consultation with Indian tribes regarding cultural sites on federal land; establish a Tribal Cultural Areas System; and establish the Great Bend of the Gila National Conservation Area
Case took issue with what he said was the continued exclusion of Native Hawaiians from specific mention in legislation impacting Native Americans, Native Alaskans and other indigenous people in the United States
Case noted that the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States, which was established last year, does not have Native Hawaiian representation despite the fact that such schools also operated in Hawaii
Asked whether there were any policy reasons why Native Hawaiians should be excluded from the language of the bills, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said Native Americans and Native Hawaiians have different legal statuses but similar cultural and religious interests
The hearing was held to discuss bills that would improve consultation with Indian tribes regarding cultural sites on federal land; establish a Tribal Cultural Areas System; and establish the Great Bend of the Gila National Conservation Area—all worthy legislation, according to Case.
