PIC: Nigeal Big Pond, some white pastor from SD 
, Bruce Whalen, Sen. Sam Brownback, Vi & Gabe Medicine Eagle
This will be huge in God healing our land!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE February 14, 2008
BROWNBACK APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF NATIVE AMERICAN APOLOGY AMENDMENT TO INDIAN HEALTH BILL
WASHINGTON: U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today applauded passage of an amendment to the Indian Health Care Bill offering an official apology from the United States federal government to Native Americans. Senator Brownback has been calling for an apology since 2004. With this apology, the federal government can repair and improve our relationship with Native Americans, said Brownback. While we cannot erase the past, this amendment hopefully helps heal the wounds that have divided America for too long. The Indian Health Care Bill is being debated on the Senate floor this week. Brownbacks resolution, which had 13 co-sponsors, and passed tonight by voice vote as an amendment, recognizes the impact of destructive federal policies in the past toward Native Americans and is intended to facilitate reconciliation and healing. Brownback continued, Our nations relationship with the Native peoples of this land is an issue that is very important to the health of the United States. For too much of our history, Federal-Tribal relations have been marked by broken treaties, mistreatment, and dishonorable dealings. We can acknowledge our past failures, express sincere regrets, and establish a brighter future for all Americans. This amendment does not diminish the valiance of our American soldiers who fought bravely for their families in wars between the United States and a number of the Indian Tribes. Nor does this amendment cast the blame for the various battles on one side or another. What this apology does do is recognize and honor the importance of Native Americans to this land and to our nation in the past and today and offers this apology to Native peoples for the poor and painful choices our government sometimes made to disregard its solemn word. Hopefully, this apology will help restore the relationship between the United States and Native Americans.
You can read the official apology here.
3 comments
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February 16, 2008 at 7:13 am
Native American researcher
While this is great, it is not nearly as powerful as Australia’s recent appology, simply because it is attached to a Health Bill rather then being a stand alone appology. However, I’m glad to see it and thanks for noting its importance. It will help to the healing of our land.
March 24, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Native American Student
I and many others are very happy to have seen that the government has appologized. But i still sit here wondering if that includes the fact that Declaration of Independence still refers to us as “merciless indian savages” it is something that has effected others i know and myself…
March 25, 2008 at 10:05 am
Steve
Dear Native America Student, I really do think this “apology” is meant to acknowledge and officially renounce these types of hostile statements and all the hostile and inhumane actions that resulted historically from these racists mindsets in our nations past. The bad fruit of these things, as you personally can attest to, continue to hurt people today. I know first hand the heart of those who drafted the apology is to officially recognize that what has happened did not please God and public repentance is therefore in order.