Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Nez Perce Tribe
This article is outside of Ballotpedia's coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia.
| Nez Perce Tribe | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce Counties, Idaho |
| Type: | Federally Recognized Tribe |
| Top official: | Anthony D. Johnson, Chairman |
| Website: | Official website |
The Nez Perce Tribe is a federally recognized Native American tribe. The Nez Perce tribal reservation is located in north-central Idaho in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce Counties. The reservation is approximately 770,453 acres with a population of roughly 2,010, according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau.[1]
History
The Nez Perce, called the Nimi'ipuu in their native language, were warriors, though, according to Lewis and Clark, they were peaceful.[2] The tribe moved seasonally and roamed Southeastern Washington, Northeastern Oregon, Western Montana and Wyoming, while Central Idaho remained their traditional homeland.[2] The tribe was organized into two bands, the Upper Clearwater River Nimi'ipu and the Lower Nimi'ipu of the Wallowa Valley, each band consisted of smaller groups of Nez Perce, who lived along waterways in villages. The villages were led by an elders, who, together, formed the council.[2]
While economic influence by Europeans occurred in the early 19th century through trappers and trading companies, Christian missionaries began to appear in the 1830s. Military conflict between the U.S. Government and the Nez Perce people resulted in the first treaty between the two groups in 1855, in which Gov. Isaac I. Stevens of the Washington Territory, established the tribes ownership of land that served as their reservation. The treaty also guaranteed off-reservation rights of hunting, fishing, gathering, and travel.[3] A second treaty, the Treaty of 1863, reduced the size of the previously established reservation.[3]
In 1877, the Nez Perce War broke out between the Nez Perce and the U.S. Army. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, after failing to move the tribe to the reservation, offered an ultimatum, in which he stated that the tribe would have 30 days to voluntarily relocate, before the army would take action.[3] The chiefs, including Chief Joseph, prepared to relocate to the reservation; however, a band of warriors killed local Anglo-American ranchers, to which Howard responded by sending 500 soldiers and volunteers after the tribe. The army's persuit resulted in the Nez Perce taking flight for three months and covering 1,300 miles in an attempt to evade the army. In Lolo Pass, Montana they were stopped by a former ally, the Flathead tribe, who did not want to get involved in the conflict. The Nez Perce sought the help of the Crow, but the Crows, like the Flatheads, refused. The tribe decided to head north into Canada and join the Hunkpapa Sioux Chief Sitting Bull, but were attacked on the Yellowstone River. After fending off the attack, they were attacked again two weeks later, 40 miles south of the Canadian border. Col. Nelson Miles led the battle and less than a week later Chief Joseph was forced to surrender with over 400 Nez Perce. The tribe was relocated to Oklahoma, though some returned to the Pacific Northwest to live on the Colville Reservation in Washington. Between 1800 and 1975, the tribal lands in the region diminished from 13 million acres in 1800 to 80,000 in 1975. In 1980, the tribe began to buy back land, resulting in its current 770,453 acres.[3]
Native American governance
Lands designated as federally recognized tribal reservations are considered sovereign nations, and as such are governed by tribal councils. Tribal councils oversee the management of the natural resources, and the health and the education of those people living on the reservation. The council also manages law enforcement, economic development, cultural and social functions.[1]
Federal Indian Law is defined by four key issues:
- Tribes are independent and have a right to self-govern[1]
- Tribal independence is subject to the acts of Congress, who may modify or regulate tribal status[1]
- Only the federal government is authorized to regulate and monitor tribes, not local governments[1]
- The federal government is obligated and has the responsibility to protect tribes and their property[4]
Tribal government
Generally, tribal councils are elected, with each person serving a set number of years. While the council may pass laws and ordinances governing the tribe, such acts are subject to review by the Secretary of the Interior. Tribal councils are often headed up by an appointed or elected chairman or governor, whose job it is to oversee the council.[1]
The Nez Perce Tribe consists of 14 administrative departments, including the Executive Direction Committee, the Administration Department, the Education Department, the Finance Department, the Fisheries Department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Social Services Administration, the Land Services Geographic Information System, the Tribal Court, Child Support Enforcement, the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department, the Office of Legal Counsel, the Nez Perce Tribal Prosecutor's Office, and the Nez Perce Arts Council.[5] The tribe also operates four commissions which monitor fish and wildlife management, tribal gaming, employment rights and tribal enterprises.[6]
Economic impact
Tribes are permitted to participate in economic development in a corporate form and "create perpetual membership corporations encompassing all tribal members."[1] Committing tribal income and entering into leases must be approved by the Secretary of the Interior.[1]
In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by the 100th Congress, which stipulated that regulated gambling was permissible on tribal lands, provided that the state had some form of legalized gambling.[7] The act led to an increase in tribal casinos, which also led to other ventures, such as resorts, hotels and golf courses. The Nez Perce Tribe operates the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge in Lewiston, Idaho. The casino is overseen by the Nez Perce Gaming Commissions, whose mission is as follows:[8]
| “ |
The Nez Perce Tribe Gaming Commissions (NPTGC) vision is to protect the assets of the Nez Perce Tribal Gaming Enterprise by insuring adequate internal controls are in place and conformed to. Ensure that all gaming activity is honest and fair. Regulate all forms of permissible and authorized gaming within the jurisdiction of the Nez Perce Tribe.[9] |
” |
The Nez Perce Tribe is the second largest employer in Nez Perce County. In 2001, across Idaho, tribal gaming contributions to the state's economy were $84 million in wages and earnings, $250 million in sales, $11 million in property and sales taxes.[1] In total contributions, including gaming, tribes contributed $159 million in wages and earnings, $478 million in sales, $17 million in property and sales taxes, and $6 million in state income tax payments. The tribes generated 7,400 jobs, 4,500 in gaming.[1]
The tribe also operates the Nez Perce Multi-Purpose Training Education and Business Development Center, which offers classes and resources for tribal members from Idaho, eastern Washington and eastern Oregon interested in starting their own business or to participate in local economic development.[10]
Lobbying, politics and initiatives
Between 2004 and 2012, the Nez Perce spent nearly $200,000 in lobbying on bills dealing with Indian affairs, the Department of the Interior and gaming regulations.[11]
In 2007, the Nez Perce ended a dispute with the state of Idaho over the issue of who should receive fuel taxes from gas sold on reservations. The agreement on a tax rate was also in question. Gov. C.L. Otter and the Nez Perce and Kootenai tribes agreed to the statewide 25 cents a gallon tax rate and the tribes would collect the tax themselves, not the state. In 2006, the Nez Perce collected $850,000 from fuel taxes. According to the Associated Press, the state of Idaho had spent "hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs in its bid to collect the tax, including a previous law that was overturned by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2004, saying it violated tribal sovereignty."[12]
In 2007, the tribe also concluded a long-standing dispute with the state of Idaho over water rights regarding the Snake River. The negotiations, which had been ongoing since 1998, involved the Department of the Interior, the state of Idaho and the Nez Perce Tribe. The resolution provided funding to the tribe to enable water rights and funding for salmon and steelhead repopulation efforts.[13]
Leadership
The following is a list of the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee:[14]
- Anthony D. Johnson, Chairman
- Bill Picard, Vice Chairman
- Mary Jane Miles, Secretary
- McCoy Oatman, Treasurer
- Daniel Kane, Asst. Secretary and Tresurer
- Leotis S. McCormack, Chaplain
- Samuel N. Penney
- Albert R. Barros
- Quintin Ellenwood
Media
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Nez Perce Tribe Idaho. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Nez Perce Tribe
- Clearwater River Casino and Lodge
- National Indian Gaming Commission
- Department of the Interior, Tribal Nations
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 University of Idaho, "Indian Tribes in Idaho," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nez Perce, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed January 4, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 University of Washington Libraries, "Digital Collections: The Nez Perce," accessed January 4, 2015
- ↑ Department of the Interior, "Native American Nations," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Nez Perce, "Tribal Departments," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Nez Perce, "Tribal Commissions," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ National Indian Gaming Commission, "Indian Gaming Regulatory Act," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Nez Perce, "Nez Perce Tribal Gaming Commission," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Nez Perce, "Nez Perce Multi-Purpose Training Education and Business Development Center," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Nez Perce Tribe," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Indian Country, "Nez Perce, Kootenai sign gasoline tax pact with Idaho," December 11, 2007
- ↑ Bureau of Indian Affairs, "Idaho, Nez Perce Tribe, and Federal Government Finalize Snake River Water Agreement," accessed November 3, 2015
- ↑ Nez Perce, "Nez Perce tribal Government," accessed November 3, 2015
| |||||||
