Democratic U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein along with Republican Representative Doug LaMalfa are praising the final passage of the Susanville Indian Rancheria Lands Bill, which will transfer federally-owned lands into trust for the Susanville Indian Rancheria to preserve the Tribe’s cultural and natural resources. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on June 22nd.
“I thank the President for helping protect the culture, history and identity of the Susanville Indian Rancheria,” said Senator Boxer. “This law will allow the tribe to preserve precious artifacts, restore these lands and one day build a cultural center that will benefit the community for generations to come.”
“The identity of the tribe at Susanville Indian Rancheria is tied to their ancestral homeland,” said Senator Feinstein. “I felt it was important to transfer this parcel into the trust to reconnect the tribe to their land and allow them to restore it while preserving their culture and heritage.”
“The President’s signature ensures that the Susanville tribes may continue their traditional practices on land with which they have a close and historical connection,” said Representative LaMalfa. “It also serves federal taxpayers by relieving the BLM of the costs of maintaining the property, while allowing the development of a cultural center that benefit both Susanville and other tribes.”
Chairman Brandon Guitierez of the Susanville Indian Rancheria said, “How mu! Pesa tabeno Togo’o ne gea’hoo. Te pea teepu numme kemmadame. Onona ka teepu e tooa sumu tunna patsakwu! Numme natuhowaedu. I would like to thank Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein, and Rep. LaMalfa for their bipartisan efforts to ensure that the Susanville Indian Rancheria regained a piece of important land. The Honey Lake Valley is very important to our 4 indigenous tribes. Of those 4 tribes there are at least 8 bands. Every piece of dirt, blade of grass, and sweet smelling sagebrush is a part of all of us. We love our home, and we are thankful to the BLM, and the leaders in Washington who saw fit to ensure the return of a very small piece of what was once ours.”
The Susanville Indian Rancheria is a federally recognized Indian tribe in Northeastern California. The Susanville Indian Rancheria Lands Bill will place approximately 300 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management into trust for the benefit of SIR. The BLM had identified this land, located in Hidden Valley in Lassen County, as unsuitable for federal administration due to its terrain and location. SIR plans to restore this land to its natural ecological condition and to one day establish a cultural center and/or sports complex, as well as pow wow grounds.
Senators Boxer and Feinstein introduced the land transfer bill in July 2015, and it passed the Senate on June 10, 2016. The House companion legislation was introduced by Congressman LaMalfa in May 2015 and passed in November 2015.
Chairman Guitierez added, “Once this legislation is signed into law we will have the ability to preserve more of our ancestral lands and cultural areas. The bill’s passage is the culmination of years of collaboration and hard work by current and former SIR Council Members, and our Congressional delegation. I appreciate the combined and concentrated efforts of all those who took the time to help us out. This piece of land has vitally important cultural artifacts, including the remains of a historic Native camp, ancient petroglyphs, traditional medicinal plants, and it serves as a migratory path for Antelope and Mule Deer. Since we were put in Honey Lake Valley, we have strived to make it through the tough winters so that our children can know what happiness is. More land in the hands of Indian people is a very good thing, and I hope leaders in Washington see fit to give more back to the indigenous people of the United States. When an Indian tribe is given land in trust, they almost always do a great job in protecting and preserving their identities, history, and culture for future generations. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of my people, and as always no’oko hemma tamme mannena pesa sootunaga, pesatoo mea. No’obatu e nanumu.”
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