Lawmakers Give Tribes a Voice.

Native American tribes have always been considered sovereign nations within the boundaries of the states. But relations between the tribes and the states have not always been smooth. Now states are looking at ways to improve communication and involvement between legislatures and tribes--a step taken by Maine back in 1820.

Following the Maine program undertaken 180 years ago and still being used, South Dakota and Wisconsin are looking at ways to include the tribes in the mechanisms of state government.

Senator Ron Volesky, a newly elected lawmaker and Native American, wants to give each of the nine American Indian tribes in South Dakota a nonvoting seat in the Legislature. He says that the delegates would be able to discuss with legislators issues that affect their tribes and take their knowledge back to the reservations and tribal councils.

A legislative study committee is looking at seating tribal delegates in the Wisconsin Legislature as one of several ideas to improve communications between the state and the 11 tribes in Wisconsin. Representative Terry Musser, who supports the idea, points out that controversies between states and tribes have been "resolved by talking, by communications, and I just think this would facilitate that."

Both states are looking at Maine as a model. The Pine Tree State has had Native American delegates as nonvoting members of its House of Representatives since it became a state in 1820. Current consideration is aimed at broadening the powers of the tribal representatives by allowing the delegates to propose floor amendments on any bill and to speak from the floor, sponsor legislation and vote in committee. Maine's Penobscot and Passamaguoddy tribes wanted full voting rights in the House, but were told by the attorney general last year that such a rule would "violate the one person, one vote" principle of the U.S. Constitution.