Repeals sections of the Narragansett Indian Land Management Corporation Act and acknowledges the Narragansett Indian Tribe as the sole aboriginal people sovereign to the territory of what is now known as Rhode Island.
Impact
The bill's passage indicates a shift in the state's approach to its Native tribes, particularly in recognizing their sovereignty and rights to the land they have traditionally inhabited. By formally transferring land rights, the bill not only restores a measure of control to the Narragansett Tribe but also enforces public access to certain areas, ensuring that fishing rights are retained for the public. The governor's ability to approve these transfers is contingent on securing the necessary federal approvals, indicating that the impacts of this legislation intertwine both state and federal jurisdictions over land management.
Summary
House Bill H7762 seeks to amend the existing framework regarding the Narragansett Indian Land Management Corporation by repealing sections of the act which govern the transfer of land within the state of Rhode Island. The bill recognizes the Narragansett Indian Tribe as the sole aboriginal people sovereign to the territory of Rhode Island, a significant step towards acknowledging their historical claim and rights over the land. It involves the transfer of approximately 900 acres of land, including critical areas such as the Indian Cedar Swamp management area and the state land around Deep Pond, to the Narragansett Tribe.
Conclusion
This bill reflects an important legislative move towards respecting Native American sovereignty within Rhode Island, which could serve as a model for similar actions in other states. The implications of H7762 extend beyond land management to broader themes of recognition and respect for indigenous rights, presenting both opportunities and challenges as the state and tribe navigate this new relationship.
Contention
While many advocates view H7762 as a positive step towards reconciliation and restoration of rights for the Narragansett Tribe, there may be contention surrounding the land use plans and conservation provisions included in the bill. Specifically, the requirement that the land must be held in perpetuity for conservation means that development on the land will be restricted, which some stakeholders may perceive as limiting potential economic opportunities. Additionally, the acknowledgment of the tribe's sovereignty raises questions about the balance of state and tribal authority, potentially leading to legislative debates on further rights and powers.
House Resolution Welcoming The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, To The Rhode Island State House For The Presentation Of Their 2022 "report To The State"
Senate Resolution Welcoming The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts Of America, To The Rhode Island State House For The Presentation Of Their 2022 "report To The State"
House Resolution Posthumously Honoring The Legacy And Life Of Ellison Myers "tarzan" Brown, A Native American Narragansett Indian Who Twice Won The Boston Marathon
Exempts all Narragansett Indian Tribe members owning real estate, whether privately, commercially, in nonprofit corporations or in land trusts, from all real estate taxes imposed by the state or any municipality.