2001-10-27
By Bob Doucette
Staff Writer
Agency could seize Seminole
programs...
The
Oklahoman
Sat Oct 27
WEWOKA -- An ongoing dispute between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the
Seminole Nation could lead to a federal takeover of several programs managed
by the tribe.
The BIA has denied the tribe's contract bids to run a number of federal Indian programs. Instead, federal authorities plan to run the programs themselves, thus stripping away some of the tribe's autonomy.
The dispute goes back to a referendum in which tribal voters approved a plan that excluded Freedmen bands from participating in the Seminoles' government. The Freedmen are descendants of freed black slaves who were allowed to live with the tribe and, until recently, have had seats on the tribe's general council.
After passage of the referendum, BIA officials told the tribe the agency wouldn't recognize any elections or tribal government actions until the Freedmen's status was restored.
The bureau can't sign contracts with a tribal government it doesn't recognize, officials contend.
Seminole Chief Kenneth Chambers said the bureau has acted unjustly.
"Not once has the BIA contacted current members of the Seminole government or its representatives to address its concerns," Chambers said in a prepared statement. "It seems that the BIA's contempt for the Seminole