Northern Cheyenne Tribe seeks $35M for detention center and law enforcement funding
February 26, 2025 | Appropriations: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations convened on February 26, 2025, for the American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day, focusing on pressing issues faced by Native communities. The afternoon session highlighted critical needs for law enforcement and environmental protection funding.
The first speaker emphasized the urgent requirement for funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to bolster law enforcement efforts in Western New York. They called for federal support to combat drug trafficking and highlighted the significance of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for Indian nations. The speaker pointed out the detrimental effects of pollution from nearby industrial activities and stressed the importance of programs like the Clean Water Act and Brownfields Land Revitalization for monitoring and cleaning contaminated lands.
Concerns were raised about potential cuts to the EPA under the current administration, urging the committee to streamline funding processes through existing laws that allow for greater flexibility and reduced administrative burdens. The speaker concluded by advocating for mandatory funding for Section 105(l) leases, which are vital for maintaining health facilities in Native communities.
The session then shifted to President Small of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, who addressed the law and order crisis on their reservation. He reported a severe lack of law enforcement personnel and the absence of a functioning jail, leading to skyrocketing crime rates. The Northern Cheyenne Nation requested $35 million to build a new detention center and a 20% increase in funding for BIA law enforcement services to recruit and retain officers.
President Small detailed the dire consequences of inadequate law enforcement, including a tragic incident involving the death of a child due to gun violence. He criticized the BIA for failing to respond adequately to emergencies and highlighted the urgent need for improved resources to ensure community safety.
The meeting underscored the critical challenges faced by Native communities regarding law enforcement and environmental protection, with speakers calling for immediate federal action to address these issues. The committee's ongoing support and funding decisions will be pivotal in shaping the future of these communities.
The first speaker emphasized the urgent requirement for funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to bolster law enforcement efforts in Western New York. They called for federal support to combat drug trafficking and highlighted the significance of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for Indian nations. The speaker pointed out the detrimental effects of pollution from nearby industrial activities and stressed the importance of programs like the Clean Water Act and Brownfields Land Revitalization for monitoring and cleaning contaminated lands.
Concerns were raised about potential cuts to the EPA under the current administration, urging the committee to streamline funding processes through existing laws that allow for greater flexibility and reduced administrative burdens. The speaker concluded by advocating for mandatory funding for Section 105(l) leases, which are vital for maintaining health facilities in Native communities.
The session then shifted to President Small of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, who addressed the law and order crisis on their reservation. He reported a severe lack of law enforcement personnel and the absence of a functioning jail, leading to skyrocketing crime rates. The Northern Cheyenne Nation requested $35 million to build a new detention center and a 20% increase in funding for BIA law enforcement services to recruit and retain officers.
President Small detailed the dire consequences of inadequate law enforcement, including a tragic incident involving the death of a child due to gun violence. He criticized the BIA for failing to respond adequately to emergencies and highlighted the urgent need for improved resources to ensure community safety.
The meeting underscored the critical challenges faced by Native communities regarding law enforcement and environmental protection, with speakers calling for immediate federal action to address these issues. The committee's ongoing support and funding decisions will be pivotal in shaping the future of these communities.
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