The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1954-04-16

legislation. lin that regard. the
delegation already has consider.
ed the danger that a simple bill
to give the Blackfcct Indians
greater control over their prop
crty could be transformed by
Congress into q full Pledged with.
drawal billy In the event that
the Bureau raises any objections
about possible liabilities on the
part of the United States. it Is
anticipated that such objections
can subsequently be overcome by
proper provisions in the prOpos.
ed agreement.
If, on the other hand, the In.
dian Bureau replies that q con.
tract with Mr.. Cullen can be
worked out under existing statut.
es and regulations. including the
Blackfeet Constitution and Char.
ter, that decision will be q go
ahead" signal for the tribal at.
torncys and Mr.. Cullcn's attor.
neys to prepare draft of the
agreement. Because of the mag.
nitude of the undertaking. the
preparation of this final contract
will undoubtedly be q difficult
and complicated process. Not on.
ly are the attorneys concerned
with the exact language of the
contract, but more important the
with them. must work out a com.
plete understanding as to the
exact rights and responsibilities
of the respective parties. Thus,
it is still the job of the Council
to determine whether MIR. Gull.
ems proposal. when made in writ.
ing and in detail, satisfies the
needs, desires and expectations of
the Tribe.
From time to time. as the Coun.
Gil and Mr.. Cullen. with their
respective attorneys. are ncgoti.
ating and preparing the final
agreement. If any. it is expected
that all or part Of these drafts
will be submitted to the Indian
Bureau for consideration, com.
ment and tentative approval.
When the final form of a con.
tract is written. of course. it will
be subject to final Bureau ap.
prOval. Before any agreement or
contract of any kind is finally
executed. however. the entire
matter will be placed before the
membership of the Blackfect
Tribe for a referendum vote on
whether MIR. Cullcns proposal
should be accepted. In other
words, although the Council
members. as representatives OF
the Tribe, will conduct the pre-.
liminary negotiations as to the
form of the agreement. because
of the great importance of such
a contract. all of the members
Of the Blackfcct Tribe will have
the last say on whether Mr.. Gull,
ems proposal should be accepted
In this manner. i.c.. first consid
Grafton by the Council as to the
practically and dcsirability of q
deal with Mr.. Cullen and second
~. review of the same question
by the Tribe together with ad
vice from the tribal attorneys
the Montana Congressional del
egation and other interested per
sons.) It Is confidently expected
that the rights and interests Of
every Blackfeet Indian will BIZ
fully protected.
Legislation
The second general catceor,
OF problems taken up by the
Blackfect delegation while IN
Washington was that of pending
legislation affecting the Black
feet Tribe. and individual mem
bers thereof. either directly O,
indirectly. OF most immediate
concern were the ten so.callcd
withdrawal" bills. one involving
the Flathead Tribe of Montana
on which hearings were held by
the Senate and House Subcom
mittees on Indian Affairs and
which were the major subject OF
an Emergency Conference call.
cd by the National Congress OF
American Indians. The interest
OF the Blackfcct representatives
IN these bills was that they would
set q pattern Of Federal termin
alton which. II not changed, soon.
or or later would be applied 10
the Blackfcct Tribe.
II the proposed withdrawal
bills do not pass during the pres.
ent session Of Congress, or II
they are amended 10 conform ia
Indian wishes. a major share of
the credit for such action must
be given to the tribal represent.
ativcs who. although their own
groups are not directly affected
ny the pending legislation, took
q united stand with their friends
and neighbors TO oppose the IN.
Just provisions thereof. The
blackfect delegates did take such
q position. In particular whom
speaking to members of the Mon.
tant Congressional delegation
and Dave Higgins testified in CD.
position to the Flathcad bill. Al.
though ONLY mn s,nrt .,r Ga.