Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Native Identity

Seven Witnesses Provide Diverse Perspectives on the topic of "Reclaiming Our Image and Identity for the Next Seven Generations"

WASHINGTON (November 30, 2012) - On Thursday, November 29, 2012, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on "Reclaiming Our Image and Identity for the Next Seven Generations." 

Witnesses included; Lynn Valbuena, former NIGA Secretary and Chairwoman of the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) from Patton, California. 

In her testimony, Chairwoman Valbuena said, "Tribal people should not be in the position of constantly having to undo misconceptions caused in part by flawed policies... We look for Congress's collaboration in to the future so that tour image and identity is strong and vibrant for the next seven generations." 

Chairwoman Valbuena encouraged the reauthorization and appropriate funding of the Esther Martinez Act. She also spoke of the discrimination that she and her family faced, and shared that her organization had conducted a statewide study that also showed that many Californians held the same wrongful stereotypes of American Indian people. 

Other witnesses included; Andrew J. Lee, a Trustee of the National Museum of the American Indian; Mary Kim Titla, an educator and journalist; Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike N7 Programs; Tonantzin Carmelo, a SAG nominated actress; and Marjorie Tahbone, who served as Miss Indian World 2011-12. San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondolowski also provided testimony the day before. He was not present as he left to receive the 2012 Major League Soccer's Most Valuable Player.

National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr. also attended the hearing to support the witnesses. This hearing on November 29, 2012 was also the last that Hawai'i Senator Daniel Akaka will preside over as he is retiring at the end of his term in the Senate.

"Every single witness here today provides a unique perspective on our Native identity. Throughout American history, the authors of our stories have not been told from our perspective, and a Congressional hearing like this gives us the opportunity to do what is right and that is to put our stories back in our hands so that it is told truthfully and with conviction, " Chairman Stevens said. 

"Our organization also came here on this day to thank Senator Akaka for leading the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in a way that provided a venue that respects Nation-to-Nation cooperation and acknowledges our sovereign rights as Native people of this land. He has truly become a dear friend of mine and we will truly miss his presence. Senator Akaka has long been a warrior for Indian country and will be remembered as one of the greatest heroes in American history." 

This was the last hearing of 2012 until Congress reconvenes in 2013.