Yet no tribal hunters were ever questioned in connection to the alleged event, and Smith would not respond when asked about her sources. Smith also claimed that visitors were afraid to come into the state for fear of bullets whizzing by while they camp and of tribal hunters being in public parking lots hunting. No response was forthcoming from Smith about the sources of these complaints either. The bill is expected to be heard in the House Resources Committee, chaired by Rep. Don Young, Republican of Alaska, before August. Write to your representatives and ask them to oppose H.R. 3987 under the laws of Indian Sovereignty.
Indian sovereignty is an issue that is always in the news today.
Governor Tommy Thompson demanding that Indian Nations to give up environmental control on their tribal lands in return for a state gaming license, to the Venetie community in Alaska who were recently shot down by the Supreme Court, to cigarette taxes in New York state, to oil and gas taxes in Oklahoma, Indians are under constant attack by state and federal judges and legislators who seem willing to ignore our rights under hundreds of treaties that were made and are still being broken even today. Educate yourself about these issues. Become involved in your own community. Only involvement can prevent us from losing what little we have left.