United States Congressman Tim Walz responds to my letter

Tim Walz responds to my open letter


To Congressman Timothy Walz 

Message Subject: The Expulsion Act of 1862 
Message Text:
On a recent FOX 12 news story your representative stated that you would be interested in reversing the law on the books, expulsion of the portions of the Sioux Nation from Minnesota. 

Several of us here in Mankato are very interested in reversing the law as a sign of good faith to a people group that our federal government has treated in the past with contempt. Certain agents of that government were corrupt and treated this indigenous nation as second class Americans. They took their land, hunting grounds, means of livelihood, through treaties that later were broken. 

They moved entire populations onto reservations. If the UN was established back in the 1860's and were looking in from the outside, these reservations would look similar to modern day  refugee camps. Hopelessness, extreme poverty, suicide, drug abuse and all kinds of social ills continue to flourish as long as this is allowed to continue, Before we look down our noses at the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian conflict where Palestinians have been kept in refugee camps since 1948. We need to realize we have kept these Americans in refuge camps (reservations) for almost three times that long.  for more info. the rest of my letter 



Thank you for contacting me about issues regarding American Indians. I appreciate hearing from you.
You might be interested to know that my first teaching job after college was on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This experience left me with a deep appreciation for the Oglala Sioux culture and understanding some of challenges American Indians face. I am proud of the strong relationships I have with the eleven federally recognized American Indian tribes in Minnesota, and I am committed to making sure the needs and concerns of indigenous communities across southern Minnesota are addressed.
Recently, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and President Obama signed it into law. I voted in favor of this re-authorization and it was important to me that the final version included key tribal provisions which are an important step in restoring the authority of tribal governments to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
I appreciate your comments and concerns about the Native American communities in southern Minnesota and nationwide. I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind should any further legislation about this issue come to the House floor for a vote.

If you share my desire to see the expulsion act of 1862 reversed please contact your congressman or representative. and ask for them to draft a bill or support a bill to strike this 150 year old law from the books.