Regarding the letter of apology and AIRFA-- sorry, it still isn't fixed.
On July 14th, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will be holding
hearings on additional legislation to ensure the protection AIRFA was
supposed to guarantee explicitly (i still wonder why the 1st Amendment
shouldn't be enough). The Supreme Court has told us that there are still
holes in the Act, and therefore they cannot uphold the rights to traditional
practices; access, protection, and secrecy of sacred sites; and the right of
incarcerated tribal people to native healing and prayer.
Please-- contact your senators and representatives in support of this
legislation. It should be a matter of importance to all -- if my rights and
practices are not respected and defended because they are "different", who
will step forward for yours?