I write to oppose legislation that would allow the Narragansett Indians, or any other entity, to build a casino without voter approval from the host town and the state. 

It is time to consider repeal of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, to restore the rights of citizens to have a voice in matters affecting their communities.    The 1934 IRA authorized the executive branch to correct for an 1887 legislative failure that resulted in loss of tribal land during the years between.  Government purchases of land on behalf of those tribes were intended to restore their losses. It would seem that after 75 years, tribes adversely affected by the 1887 legislation have had ample opportunity for redress through the 1934 IRA. 

Today, the 1934 IRA is being perverted, to bring land purchased by tribes or their sponsors into trust to escape taxation and land-use restrictions imposed by a consenting majority of the public.  This abuse is authorized by administrative edict within the executive branch, without the need to consult citizens of the regional communities.  Further, for tribes along the eastern seaboard who were unaffected by the toxic 1887 legislation, administrative decisions enacted through the 1934 IRA can create legislative conflict.  More specifically, tribes in the northeast have successfully negotiated Land Claims Settlement Acts through local and state partnerships approved by Congress.  Tribal successes in negotiating these agreements are based on violations of the 1790 Non-Intercourse Act, which prevented sale of Indian lands without Federal approval.  Attempts to bring these tribal lands into trust status through the 1934 IRA subverts contracts between the tribes and regional governments, as authorized by Congress.

Decisions impacting the quality of life in a community belong with Congress, as representatives of the people, and not with an administrative czar within the executive branch of government.  The 1934 IRA should be repealed, to restore all such decisions to Congress and, by extension, to we, the people.

Sincerely yours,
George C. Tremblay