The Supreme Court ruled, somewhat surprisingly to uphold an 1868 treaty that allows members of the Crow Indian reservation to hunt "unoccupied land" with no restrictions. The 4-3 ruling was split along party lines with one exception Gorsuch sided with the more liberal side of the court.
The Safari Club, Wyoming game and fish and other groups that regulate hunting and support hunting rights opposed the treaty and felt that the treaty should be ignored.
NOTE: The Treaty of Laramie with the Crow May 7, 1868 can be found here.
As I read this news, I was struck with two concerns. My first concern was for the Crow people and all other Native Americans who have been denied, abused, and restricted by our federal government ever since white men first landed on the continent. I have an admitted proclivity to stand with Native Americans and to defend their sanctity of culture and way of life that was stolen from them by our government.
For generations, the federal government entered into treaties with different tribes and nations with no intent of keeping these treaties. False promises, hopeful insinuations and out right lies were told to Native Nations in a guise to get their land. While promising excellent land and living conditions as long as they all would relocate to reservations. A government term for concentrations camps.
Here, a member of the Crow people exercised his right under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 and was arrested, persecuted, and find for doing what the federal government told him he was allowed to do under the treaty agreement. Once again, showing the government had no intention of allowing the Crow Nation to exercise its rights under the treaty.
If the state of Wyoming, feels the treaty is unjust, request the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigate and re-negotiate the treaty. Otherwise, follow its mandates and allow all of the benefits of the treaty to be upheld.
Does the Court upholding this treaty put wildlife in jeopardy? Probably not. Did the treaty in 1868 put the Crow nation in jeopardy? Most likely. It is safe to say the US Government would never enter into a treaty that was one sided in the favor of the government.
It just seems, that with all of the mistreatment the government has historically contributed to the Native Americans, it seems fit and proper that this decisions should go in their favor.
