44 FALL 2012CHUMASH! MAGAZINE

CHAIRMAN TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE

When Vincent Armen-ta, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Tribal Chairman, tes-tified before the

House Subcommittee on Indian and Alas-ka Native Affairs last month, he saw it as an opportunity to share with Congress how difficult it has been for the tribe to place land into trust. Chairman Armenta made his point loud and clear. Following his testimony, subcommittee Chairman Don Young (R-AK) issued a harsh message to the County of Santa Barbara. He was shocked that the County failed to act after the tribe sub-mitted a cooperative agreement more than a year ago and has yet to hear back. He said the County’s inaction might “make good grounds for a piece of legislation to solve the issue.” At the core of the issue is the tribe’s 1,400 acres located just two miles from the reservation. Known as “Camp 4,” the tribe wants to place the land into federal trust so it can build homes for tribal members and their families. “Developing homes on Camp 4 would allow the tribe and its members to ex-ercise true self-determination on the lands of our ancestors,” Chairman Armenta said. He told the House subcommittee that providing more housing for the tribe is the kind of progress the federal government envisioned when it began to support tribal economic development opportunities.

6.9 FEE-TO-TRUST PROJECTChairman Armenta also told the House subcommittee of the problems his tribal na-tion has faced with getting 6.9 acres into

federal trust for the purpose of building a museum a nd protecting a tribal cemetery and cultural site. “Twelve years and two Bureau of Indi-an Affairs (BIA) approvals later, the deci-

sion is still being held up in the appeals process,” he said. Congressman Young asked Michael Black, Director of the BIA, U.S. Depart-ment of the Interior, why the BIA couldn’t place the tribe’s 6.9 acres into trust today. Black said that two local trib-al opponent groups have appealed the BIA’s decision once again and have tied up the process indefinitely.

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“We can solve this congressionally, which would be my intent especially if there’s a museum,” said Congressman Young. “I guarantee if it’s appealed again it will be solved congressionally.” Marshall Grossman, partner at Bing-ham McCutchen and a witness testifying

against the tribe, appeared to agree that the delay of the 6.9 fee-to-trust project was inappropriate. “I think what happened on that 6.9 acres is a tragedy and the delay is unconscionable,” he said. Chairman Armenta told the House subcommittee that for 78 years, the fee-

to-trust process has been essential for tribal governments to add land to their reservations. Affirming the process means keeping tribal communities to-gether and encouraging future genera-tions to live on the reservation,” he said. “For our tribe, it’s about building a stronger community so we can build a future together…a legacy.”

– Frances Snyder

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: Congressman Don Young hears testimony on placing land into trust. OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Chairman Vincent Armenta testifies before House subcommittee. ABOVE: Chairman Armenta, at far right, shares the difficulties the tribe has faced with placing land into trust.