Tribe Could Gain Control Of National Park (AP)

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By Carson Walker

Story Created: Jul 5, 2008 at 6:45 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 5, 2008 at 6:47 PM CST

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, S.D. (AP) - The National Park Service is taking input on what could be a first -- turning over management of a park to an American Indian tribe.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe already owns the South Unit of Badlands National Park.

The federal government seized the area from more than 800 American Indian families in the 1940s for a military bombing and gunnery range that was used until the 1960s.

In 1976, the land was returned to the tribe, which has since co-managed it with the Park Service.

Now the federal agency is drafting its future management plan and one of the options is to remove it from Park Service territory and turn over total management to the tribe.

It and another option would require approval from Congress.

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Saturday, Jul 5 at 8:57 PM Dwight Hale wrote ...

This is a pathetic backward move. They can not even manage reservations without extensive robbery. Tribal members must move to join the USA. None can claim personal loss as they have lived their entire lives as beggars of the federal government even though they were born decades after wrongs were done. All of us have ancesters who were greatly wronged if we care to check. Whining is not progress.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 1:42 PM Sal wrote ...

It's about time since its there's anyway before we stole it for some beads and smallpox contanimated blanket.

Monday, Jul 7 at 7:29 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree this is pathedic. We took this and that. Yeah right! i didn't take anything. This is a bunch of crock. Tribal members try to get everything and everything free. I went to a tribal hospital once. OMG! gross and stinky. I couldn't imagine we giving someone something back. I was always told indian giver when things come about like this. I am not being racist at all. i have friends that are indian, but c'mon. Where do i sign up for free check, housing and doctoring. My fuel bill is killingme

Monday, Jul 7 at 7:31 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Dwight Hale, whose land do you live on? That was the deal with your federal government, and we still do not get adequate food, housing, and health care that was promised in order for your white ancestors to have a place to live. Think of it as paying extremely cheap rent.

Monday, Jul 7 at 10:04 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I disagree with the Dwight Hale party. They really should have showed up at their English and US History classes, then their arguments might make sense. I'm afraid racist and inaccurate history lessons from pa don't count in this century.

Monday, Jul 7 at 11:41 AM Nunya wrote ...

Drive by the other housing projects on the res. you will see what that area will look like in a couple of years. I think the biggest wrong ever made to the whites and the indians and all americans is the seperation and handout. We are all Americans now do away with the Res and handouts and give the people some dignity and self worth. It will take Generations to undo the mentality that has formed there just like it took Generations to create it.

Monday, Jul 7 at 2:59 PM Huron Resident wrote ...

I agree with Dwight Hale. Plus I'm tired of the whinning about not getting enough free food, health care, housing and everything else. For crying out loud work of it like I do.

Monday, Jul 7 at 4:09 PM CUB4 wrote ...

Look at the gross open pit left in the Black Hills then try to make the argument that whites take such great care of the land. In fact, drive by most farms and you'll see abandoned machinery all over. So, now that gas is too expensive for tourists to be coming to SD, they're going to turn it back over to the Indians, mighty white of you. Hale is an ignorant fool (along with those agreeing with him) who doesn't understand the U.S. Constitution.

Monday, Jul 7 at 9:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

when will the natives get back manhatten and areas like that that they got very little for the east coast snobs think that south dakota should give everything back to the natives well lets start on the east coast then move west for once.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 1:50 AM Roland wrote ...

The tribe lovers make me sick.I want this free health care and free schooling and FREE FREE FREE handouts. Im sick of my taxes going to people that dont work.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 9:52 AM Yea wrote ...

I'm with Roland and Dwight. We pay taxes to dish out free everything to the tribes and they don't give a hoot to excel themselves at anything worth while. They are victims of themselves.

Tuesday, Jul 8 at 5:47 PM Chris Columbus wrote ...

Our ancestors stole this land from the RedMan. This is a fact people. Our ancestors raped and crushed an entire race and culture into the ground just to make a buck. This is fact. You mock and degrade the Native's and their issues-it's just another blade in the back of the native population.

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