from FCNL
NOTE: Pax Christi USA has signed onto this letter.
A number of faith groups, including Pax Christi USA, signed onto a letter which was hand delivered on May 19 and 20 to members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, subcommittees on Interior and Environment.
The letter begins:
We write to thank you for the attentive and supportive oversight you provide for Native American programs. In the last few years, your work has resulted in significantly increased support for several programs that benefit Indian country, especially school reconstruction, health care, and tribal justice.
As faith-based organizations, we have followed and supported legislation and funding in these areas, in part from our deep concern for future generations of Native Americans, and in part due to an emerging recognition of our own role in the history of destructive relationships between Native Americans and colonists. We seek to support and strengthen tribal governance, tribal health, and tribal youth…