President Donald Trump has signed the $738 billion defense appropriations bill that provides a record amount of spending for the Pentagon.
Tucked deep inside the bill is the formal designation of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians as a federally recognized Indian tribe.
The president marked the occasion Friday night by signing the bill in a special ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base.
Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., will recognize the occasion by shooting a can in Montana.
It seems that Gerald Gray of Billings, chairman of the Little Shell Tribal Council, gave Daines a can to symbolize the fact that Congress had for years kept “kicking the can down the road” on the Little Shell issue.
But this week, both houses passed the bill and sent it on to Trump for his signature.
Sometime when they are back in Montana, Daines and Gray will shoot the can, marking the end of the century-long battle to win recognition for the Little Shell. They haven’t set the time or place.
Little Shell members are now eligible for certain health benefits and the tribe has potential for economic development and other benefits.
The legislation sets up four designated areas where services will be provided: Glacier, Cascade, Blaine and Hill counties.
In addition, the Interior secretary will be authorized to establish an 800-acre reservation in the service area to provide a home for the tribe.
There are an estimated 5,500 members of the tribe, but no one is certain of the number since it is assumed that many potential members are not enrolled.
Montana has long recognized the tribe and has provided it with services.
Gov. Steve Bullock Friday ordered the Little Shell tribal flag flown over the state Capitol in Helena to celebrate the federal recognition.
The Montana congressional delegation was on the verge of winning its long battle for recognition last year, but at the last minute Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, objected to a unanimous consent request for approval on the Senate floor.
It was after that defeat that Gray gave Daines the can as a reminder to keep up the good fight.
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., introduced the Little Shell legislation in 2007, his first bill upon taking office. As other members of the delegation changed, they joined in Tester’s effort.
Email John Kelleher at [email protected]
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