Dear Mr President,
It is important that you understand the motives of the Oklahoma politicians
who are resisting the transfer of the Fort Reno Lands to the Cheyenne and
Arapaho Tribes. Two years ago, the DOA Experimental Station at Fort Reno,
Oklahoma was scheduled for closure due to federal budget cutbacks. This
most likely would have resulted in a federal declaration of the Fort Reno
lands as surplus and their ultimate return to the Tribes.
Oklahoma politicians (Senator Nickols, Representative Lucas and Govenor
Keating) were instrumental in re-establishing congressional funding for
the Station at Ft. Reno. These politicians have now publicly demonstrated
their strong anti-Indian bias. A western Oklahoma citizens group under the
leadership of U. S. Representative Frank Lucas met recently to discuss
development plans at the Washita historic site. (In November of 1868, Gen.
George A. Custer led an early morning raid on a sleeping Cheyenne
encampment resulting in the massacre of hundreds of women and children.)
Tribal officials from the Cheyenne Tribe asked to be present at this
meeting due to the sensitivity of the Cheyenne people to this solemn site.
The elected officials from the Cheyenne Tribe were refused an invitation.
At this meeting, it was subsequently decided that a monument would be
constructed to honor Gen. G. A. Custer. Govenor Keating has publicly
praised U. S. Rep. Lucas in this callous affront to the Cheyenne and
Arapaho people. By lending their support to the construction of this
monument to General George A. Custer at the Washita Massacre site in
Western Oklahoma, these politicians have demonstrated their utter
disregard for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe and for all Native Americans.
Mr. President, it is important that you understand that these Oklahoma
politicians are the very same ones who continue to resist the return of the
Fort Reno lands to the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. You must now follow
through on this countries 113 year old promise to return the Fort Reno
lands to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.
Sincerely,
Joseph Thompson
Ashland, Oregon 97520