36 



And I know that his testimony will be valuable in the overall 

 work of this committee this morning. 



So, again, I'm looking forward to reviewing all of the testimony 

 and working with my staff in that regard. 



And I apologize for having to leave here very soon now. 



Mr. Richardson. I thank the gentleman from South Dakota for 

 his statement, and we recognize lus many responsibilities. 



Let me ask our two witnesses, what would you advise the Bu- 

 reau of Indian Affairs, the Department of the Interior, and this 

 subcommittee, to do in terms of carrying out the trust responsibil- 

 ities to Indian tribes for the protection of tribal fish and wildlife re- 

 sources? 



In other words, what should we do to carry out our trust respon- 

 sibilities to protect your fish and wildhfe resources? 



What would you like us to do that is not being done? 



Mr. Velarde. Well, with the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, I think as 

 far as the Secretary is concerned with the Interior Department, it 

 should be recognized and, again, on three levels, I think. 



One is on the secretarial level. The Tribe would like to be recog- 

 nized and be a part of this Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson 

 bill together, also. 



We would also like the President to have an order designating 

 such a proclamation or recognition of our sovereignty to be able to 

 regulate and manage our own game and fish. 



And then on a legislative level, we would like to do likewise with 

 the overall management of our reservations. Initiate some type of 

 sovereignty bill to support those kinds of things. 



Mr. Richardson. Thank you. 



Ms. Notah? 



Ms. Notah. Mr. Chairman, remedial legislation is urgently need- 

 ed to recognize the govemment-to-govemment relationship that ex- 

 ists between tribes and the federal government, by extending exist- 

 ing federal aid programs to tribes. 



And to fulfill the federal government's trust responsibility to 

 tribes by ensuring they have the right to exercise their sovereign 

 rights over their lands and resources. 



One of the major problems I think is that fish and wildlife mat- 

 ters are on a lower priority level in terms of other human needs. 

 That needs to be increased. 



Mr. Richardson. Yes, did you want to add to this? 



Mr. Rudy Velarde. Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. 



My name is Rudy Velarde, and I would like to suggest that the 

 BLA consider the tribes individually because we are, each tribe, all 

 different. 



For example, rather than address us with a blanket type of a pol- 

 icy, if you would consider each tribe individually, because we are 

 individuals, just by the mere fact of population, geography and the 

 size and location of tribes. 



Even regarding the economic development of different tribes, 

 we're all different. So if the BIA tries to address us with a general 

 type of a rule, it really doesn't help most of us. 



But if they could consider us specifically, then they could accom- 

 plish more of their goals. 



Thank you very much. 



