DEER PARK, WASH., Senator LEE METCALF, DEAR SIR: I am writing to express my deep interest in the passage of the bill S. 1413 as I am a member of the Colville Indian Tribe and am anxious to have the reservation sold and the proceeds divided among tribal members. Those of us who are older hope the liquidation is accomplished very speedily, so that we may benefit from the money. Many of us are very poor and will be saved from a poverty-stricken old age by the liquidation. Thanking you, I am, Mrs. LESTER NEAL. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. (Attention of James Gamble). DEAR MR. GAMBLE: A vast number of the tribal members of the Colville Confederated Tribes in the State of Washington desire to be relieved of governmental wardship over their lands and individual actions for the reason that said wardship handicaps them in their business dealings and deprives them of their freedom of action and the exercise of rights and privileges awarded and exercised by other American citizens and it is their desire to be placed on the same basis economically and legally as other American citizens. It is their desire also that they be granted as individuals their equal cash share representing their equity in all reservation assets of the Colville Confederated Tribes in the State of Washington. It is my feeling that S. 1413 is a beneficial step in this direction; however, I would like to see subsection (f) of section 6 amended to read as follows: "select the portion of the tribal property which if sold at the appraised value would provide sufficient funds to pay the members who elect to withdraw from the tribes for their equal cash share representing individual equity in all reservation assets, sell the property so selected at not less than the appraised value determined by section 6 of this act." Thank you for the consideration of this matter. Sincerely, SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS. CORINNE COE, ELIZABETH HOLBROOK. REPUBLIC, WASH., April 1, 1965. DEAR SIR: I wish to say I truly support S. 1413 and hope for the best interest in making it to help all tribal members. Sincerely, JESSIE A. BREMNER, Member of Colville Indian Enrollment. SEATTLE, WASH., April 2, 1965. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIRS: I would like to urge the committee to recommend the enactment of S. 1413, which provides for the termination and liquidation of the Colville Indian Reservation. The time has come for an end to the outdated and discriminatory policy of treating the American Indian as a conquered people and segregating them from the rest of society by the establishment of Indian reservations. Many of these people no longer wish to have an ownership share of the tribal assets and it is not in their interests that they be tied to an organization to which they do not wish to belong. Congress now has the opportunity to right the wrongs of the past 80 years and I feel it must. Sincerely yours, DENNIS E. NEAL. HAMPTON, Va., April 2, 1965. DEAR SIRS: I am writing concerning hearings your committee is holding on bill S. 1413. I am very much in favor of seeing this bill passed. I cannot understand how a $150-a-year per capita payment on an estimated per capita share of $20,000 can possibly be called fair. This money, if deposited in a bank, would bring an income of at least $800 a year. I think, given the chance, most Colville Indians would handle their money as well as any other segment of the American population. We are responsible citizens and should be allowed to handle our own affairs. Thank you very much for your interest in this matter. VIRGINIA D. JOHNSON.. REDDING, CALIF., March, 31, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEAR SIR: It has come to my attention that the Colville Indians as a unit should like to have enacted at your earliest convenience a bill in the Senate of the United States; namely, S. 1413. As a member of that group I heartily endorse this act of termination, so let it be known that I have hereby recorded my feeling and support in the affirmative. We, too, have been socially and economically segregated as a group of people too long. I could go on but the world wouldn't hold the multitude grievances if time were to permit ; neither would your patience. Briefly, then, please do all in our favor to pass this bill; otherwise, we shall go on wailing at your doorstep. Yours truly, ELMINA C. GERLINGER. Senator LEE METCALF. ROCKAWAY, OREG., March 29, 1965. SIR: I am a member of the confederated tribes, of the Colville Indian Reservation. I am in favor of termination bill S. 1413. Yours truly, CHARLES NEWELL OVERTON. OROVILLE, WASH., April 2, 1965. DEAR MR. GAMBLE: I support the bill S. 1413 for termination. I am a ColvilleIndian Association member but do not support or agree to the bill the other Colville Indian Association members that are at Washington, D.C., are therefor. Sincerely, VELMA SEYLER JENNINGS, CIA Member. WILBUR, WASH., April 1, 1965. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, Washington, D.C. (Attention of James Gamble). DEAR MR. GAMBLE: As a tribal member of the Colville Tribes, I would liketo register my testimony for the proposed legislation, bill S. 1413, termination bill. Sincerely yours, NORMA H. NUGENT. ABERDEEN, WASH., March 31, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE: I firmly support the bills S. 1413 and H.R. 5925 now in Congress. The tribal members have waited so long for this, and I hope that Congress at this time will approve the bill. MARY B. BABINEAU. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, New Senate Office Building, SAN JOSE, CALIF., April 1, 1965. (Attention of James Gamble). Dear Mr. GAMBLE: This letter is to express my wholehearted endorsement of S. 1413. I believe an expeditious termination of Federal supervision over the property of the Confederated Tribes of Colville Indians is essential if the members of the tribes are to ever take their place in society as responsible citizens. To date the only thing I have heard in opposition to the bill is that if the property is sold and the money dispersed to the various members that some members would spend this money frivolously and become welfare cases. I am sure you realize the lack of validity in such an argument. Surely the responsible majority is not to be made to suffer because of an irresponsible minority. If this line of thought was followed on a nationwide basis it would mean a curtailment of free enterprise because a few people weren't fiscally responsible. Also I think you will agree that an individual with this degree of naivete or irresponsibility is probably now, and always will be, a welfare case. Many of the tribal members that I have corresponded with have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current dole system. We earnestly request an end to this well-meaning "hothouse" existence you would provide for us. Please give us a chance to make it on our own. Think of the small businesses, the education, and the training that could be afforded us by the passage of this bill. I would like a chance for my children to grow up, not under the shadow of poverty and handouts, but as heirs of contributing members of society. I would like to be able to leave them something other than funeral expenses; I would like to help them-especially with their education. I believe you can help me to help them by giving this bill favorable consideration. Yours very truly, MYRNA M. WILLIAMS. KELLER, WASH., April 2, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. I am an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and heartily endorse S. 1413 and H.R. 5925 now in Congress. I lend all my support to the cadidates pledged to support termination legislation of the Colville Reservation. MARY BRUDWOLD. ABERDEEN, WASH., March 31, 1965. DEAR SUBCOMMITTEE: I am very much for the termination bill such as S. 1413 and H.R. 5925. That is coming up before Congress on April 5, 1965. Sincerely, NANCY M. LEFFELBEIN. APRIL 2, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: I wish to urge the passage of legislation S. 1413 and H.R. 5925 now in Congress. I am an Indian of the Colville Reservation, and as I will be affected by this bill, I wish to voice my wish. Very truly, HENRY JAMES DESAUTEL. KIRKLAND, WASH., April 2, 1965. MY DEAR SENATOR: I am an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, a supporter of the group called the Colville liquidation promoters, and a mother of four children. I am writing to urge passage of the termination bill known as S. 1442 that has been reintroduced in this session of Congress. In the Senate the bill is S. 1413; in the House it is H.R. 5925. As an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes I have an investment in all of its assets and I feel I am not getting the full pecuniary advantages from my investment. Under Federal control we only receive $150 dollars per capita payment each year, where if we terminated and just put our cash shares in a bank, we would realize more than that amount. So I feel that by terminating, my interests and those of my family could be better served by investing my cash shares as I wish. Sincerely yours, Mrs. MYRTLE ETHEL BLACK MORRIS. MOXEE CITY, WASH., March 29, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: Your committee will be hearing S. 1413 regarding termination legislation on April 5, 1965. Being a member of Colville Tribe, I strongly urge you to pass this bill for the good of all concerned. Yours very truly, ERMA J. HAYNES. SPOKANE, WASH., March 27, 1965. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. (Attention: Mr. James Gamble). DEAR SIRS: I am an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. I have read S. 1413 and urge its immediate passage. I also wish to state at this time that I am no longer a member of the Colville Indian Association and that this association no longer represents me. Sincerely yours, THADDEUS D. MOORE. EPHRATA, WASH., March 29, 1965. Re S. 1413. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: Please lend your support to S. 1413, favoring liquidation of the Colville Confederated Tribes. It is my opinion that this is the only fair and profitable course for all members. The only people profiting from the present arrangement, are those in positions of management. They, of course, oppose liquidation. A development program would entail all members investing their holdings for the doubtful advantage of a very few on-reservation Indians. The program of rehabilitation, to enable the Indian to become a member of society, would not be furthered by confining them to an Indian community, and forcing the younger generation to look forward to reservation jobs in order to benefit from their heritage. This would be no incentive for them to seek education and leave the reservation. The majority of these young people want nothing more than the opportunity for advancement into positions as solid citizens, and to blend with the rest of society. The Indians, as such, are, to a degree, discriminated against in white communities near reservations; however, incidents or discrimination against individuals, off the reservations, are isolated. The chief objection of those opposed to liquidation, is simply not applicable, i.e., the incompetents would soon squander their per capitas, and again be destitute. The oppositions use of the word "again," is indicative of these same incompetents present situation; however, under a trusteeship, with the money invested, the income from interest alone would be more than the present annual per capita payments. The incompetents are not the ones who would seek positions in a development program, and they will spend their money in the same manner, regardless of the sum or manner of disbursal. Sincerely, ERNEST C. SHAW. OAKLAND, CALIF., March 30, 1965. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. (Attention of James Gamble). DEAR SIRS: As an enrolled member of the Colville Tribes, I wish to register my testimony for the immediate enactment of S. 1413 termination bill. I am one of many who do not live on the reservation. The reservation represents a large resource, that due to the method of tribal representation and control by a Federal agency, is not being managed for the benefit of all of those who have interest in it, but mainly for those living on it. S. 1413 will enable tribal members to exercise their democratic rights to choose how they want to use their inherited interest in this resource. S. 1413 provides that this large acreage not retained by the reduced tribal entity will be purchased by the Secretary of Agriculture. This will enable this large resource to be managed and made available to all. The current management plans are to sustain it, whereas that of the Forest Service would be that of intensive management to improve the benefit to the community and the Nation. I wish to impress upon you that this bill will enable the members of the tribe to decide how they want this large resource managed. I am a graduate forester currently employed in the profession. I have visited the reservation recently and under the current type of management, I will vote for termination. If I can be of any other help, please feel free to contact me. Very truly yours, WAYNE KNAUF. OROVILLE, WASH., March 31, 1965. SENATE INTERIOR COMMITTEE, DEAR SIRS: I am a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and also a member of the Colville Indian Association. In fact, I am the chapter leader of the Oroville Tonasket group. I am writing your committee to support S. 1413 now before your committee for a hearing. I know that some factions of the Colville Indian Association oppose S. 1413. I want to make certain that they do not represent my feelings in their testimony. I am wholeheartedly behind S. 1413. Thank you. R. J. IRWIN. BREWSTER, WASH., March 29, 1965. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. I would appreciate your favorable consideration of S. 1413 termination bill at your committee hearing April 5, 1965. I have been in favor of termination of the Colville Tribes for many years. I believe that S. 1413 is a fair and equitable solution to all concerned. DEAR SIRS: We are in favor of the Colville termination bill, S. 1413, and we have lived on and near the reservation all of our lives. I am 61 years old and my wife is 63 years old. Most of the Indians that we have talked to on and off the reservation are in favor of termination with liquidation. We are well acquainted with all of the Indians. I lived under the council for years and they didn't do me |