Bill Overview
Title: A bill to permit the Miami Nation of Indiana to apply for acknowledgement as a federally recognized Indian tribe, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill authorizes the Miami Nation of Indiana to submit a petition to the Department of the Interior for acknowledgment as a federally recognized Indian tribe. When reviewing the petition, Interior may not use a previous denial as a reason to deny it.
Sponsors: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Miami Nation of Indiana
Estimated Size: 6000
- The Miami Nation of Indiana currently lacks federal recognition, which limits their access to federal benefits and support that recognized tribes receive.
- Federal recognition would provide the Miami Nation with access to federal funding for health, education, and housing programs.
- It would also affect the legal standing of the Miami Nation of Indiana in terms of sovereignty, self-governance, and land rights.
- The change could impact economic development opportunities within the Miami Nation community.
- There are several thousand members in the Miami Nation of Indiana.
Reasoning
- The Miami Nation of Indiana comprises around 6,000 individuals who would see the direct effects from being federally recognized. This involves access to various funding and benefits, potentially boosting their wellbeing scores as a result of enhanced services.
- The simulated population for interviews includes both members of the Miami Nation of Indiana and other US citizens to understand how awareness or indirect impacts of the policy might influence perceptions and perceived benefits.
- To maintain a focus on budget restrictions, the simulations reflect minimal fiscal impact per individual with gradual funding increments, emphasizing education, health, and economic development initiatives.
- Members of the Miami Nation of Indiana would likely experience improvements in life satisfaction, captured in the Cantril wellbeing scores, particularly in the early years of policy implementation when basic needs are addressed.
- People outside the immediate target group provide context on broader societal perceptions, revealing potential secondary benefits through increased economic activity or cultural enrichment from the recognition policy.
Simulated Interviews
Community Organizer (Indiana)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Achieving federal recognition is a priority for us; it will unlock opportunities for better healthcare and education for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Teacher (Indiana)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal recognition would solidify cultural education programs and support diversity in my teaching.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Health Services Administrator (Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might extend funding to reach more in need, improving health outcomes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (Indiana)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal recognition would help more of us get scholarships and educational support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Film Producer (California)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could increase visibility and support for preserving native cultures, which I advocate for.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nurse (Indiana)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to federal funds would allow us to improve health services for our elders.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Lawyer (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition changes the legal landscape, allowing more focus on meaningful cases supporting native rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Indiana)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal recognition is crucial for safeguarding our heritage and ensuring the next generations benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Economist (Washington)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition can stimulate economic growth within tribes, though measurable impacts will take time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Artist (Michigan)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition could boost participation in cultural exchanges and art programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The primary implication of federal recognition involves legal and economic status upgrades providing access to various federal supports.
- Considerations include the precise mechanisms for transitioning the Miami Nation to recognized status and integration into federal systems.
- Likely legal challenges or further clarifications about eligibility criteria beyond previous denials may also affect enactment or budget distribution across similar cases.