The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) to settle the longstanding land claim of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).
The legislation represents a major breakthrough because KBIC has sought compensation for the unlawful taking of its land for generations.
The Community’s reservation was established under the treaty of 1854. Despite the treaty, the federal government transferred thousands of acres of reservation land to the state to defray construction costs of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal.
The tribe has claimed the transfer violated the treaty and created substantial economic and other harm, including cultural, religious, and subsistence rights.
Passage of this legislation resolving longstanding land claims is an important step forward. This bill is a long overdue solution.
SENATOR STABENOW
Senator Peters also told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that his legislation would “right a historical wrong” by authorizing federal funds to compensate the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Takes Collaborative Approach
In May, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on S. 195, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2023
The Honorable Doreen Blaker, President of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community shared testimony with the Committee.
“This bill is a testament to how working in the spirit of collaboration can lead to positive results,” President Blaker, said during her testimony.
Read: Testimony of President Doreen Blaker, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
See: The Full Video of the Senate Hearing
The legislation has broad support from neighboring communities — Baraga County, the Village of Baraga, and the Village of L’Anse. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also expressed her strong support for the legislation, according to Blaker.
Interior Department Supports Land Claim
The Department of the Interior reviewed analysis and reports presented by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. After its review in 2021, the Department found that the Community’s claims “have merit.” At the Senate hearing, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (pictured above) testified at the Senate hearing.
Newland said that the Department of the Interior endorses the bill. Assistant Secretary Newland further shared that the Department applauds the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for its “cooperative approach.”
Senator Peters also commended the Community. “The tribe has worked diligently and in good faith with me and with the rest of the Michigan congressional delegation, as well as the state of Michigan, their local neighbors and others to find a resolution to this issue,” Peters said.
Companion Legislative Introduced in the House
Representative Jack Bergman has introduced companion legislation (H.R. 650) in the House of Representatives. If the bill is passed and signed by President Biden into law, KBIC would receive nearly $34 million.
Congressman Bergman introduced the legislation in January 2023. A month later, the House referred the legislation to its Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. However, the Subcommittee has not yet taken action on the legislation.
