Native American Advocate Questions Obama Change Plan
Howard Hanson, through The Resource Sentinel, is addressing concerns about protecting the interests of American Indians and preserving local economies in Minnesota through a letter and fact sheet directed to President Obama. He is pointing out gaps in the Obama change plan and negative impacts continued by tribal policies that affect individual rights and local economies. Hopkins, MN -- As equal rights advocates, Howard Hanson and The Resource Sentinel call out statements made in President Obama's State of the Union address. With the concern that the President is falling short on promises made, Hanson is addressing the issue of gill netting, a primary feature of the local economy and Minnesota tourism, and the practices of tribal leaders that diminish the equal rights of citizens who should be protected. He goes on to point out that the new native "circle" is akin to the Ponzi schemes exposed on Wall Street and across the nation. He points out that old tribal ways, once revered, have been replaced by corporate power, gambling initiatives, and other practices that allow corruption and greed to hurt the local communities. In his address, President Obama pledged to strengthen tribal sovereignty, which Hanson claims will only serve to breed more racism and discrimination, perpetuating the exploitation and social issues plaguing the Indian people. He also points out that untaxed tribal trust lands contribute to the budget deficits plaguing many states, including Minnesota. "Indians are being deprived of their citizen rights by tribal governments exercising "sovereign" power and authority delegated by our federal government. It's unconstitutional. Here in Minnesota, citizens living in half of the state have lost rights, thanks to unequal double-standard laws and to dictatorial one-party rule on Indian reservations. The people most benefiting are the powerful and unaccountable nationwide Indian industry and rich citizens who own the most shares of the big food corporations." Hanson emphasizes. Hanson has pointed out in the past that Minnesota tourism has been pummeled by groups, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior, taking away citizens' rights to manage their own local resources. He claims that this is largely due to the gill netting over-harvest. Minnesota tourism has also been hurt. At one time, there were more than 5,000 resorts supporting sport fishing as well as providing local jobs, and that number has now been reduced to fewer than 900. Rather than having tribes gill netting, Hanson has strongly urged President Obama for an investment in aquaculture, a much needed new industry. Hanson further claims that government policies and the Obama change plan to strengthen sovereignty, as stated in the Address, will serve only to multiply the problem, thereby threatening and virtually eliminating the rights of tribal members and millions of other affected United States citizens. More about current issues affecting equal rights legislation and The Resource Sentinel's mission is available atTheResourceSentinel.com website. About Howard B. Hanson and The Resource Sentinel: After retiring in 2004, Hanson began serving the public through The Resource Sentinel. Hanson became involved in public service in 1979 and found growing frustration with the political control in the media, corrupt politicians, and laws that infringed on equal rights. Hanson formed The Resource Sentinel and the Resource Party in 1994 to shine a light on examples of political bias in the media and to fight for laws that protect our founding documents and ensure equal rights for all to a level economic playing field. ###
