Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. sent a letter last week to President Obama calling for his veto of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act, legislation that would prohibit the mailing of tobacco products, according to a press release issued by the tribe.
The act could mean the loss of some 3,000 western New York jobs tied directly and indirectly to the Native American tobacco economy, the release said.
The tribe estimates enforcement of the act could result in up to a 65 percent loss in import/export revenue, which it uses to fund health and education programs.
In the letter, sent the day after the U.S. House approved the legislation, Snyder said, "If signed into law, the PACT Act will seriously impact the Seneca Nation and the Seneca people. We will be subject to racial profiling for the simple act of mailing a package. We will lose thousands of jobs and important health care support. And most damaging, we will be set back in our journey to self-determination by the very treaty partner that pledged to support and protect us.”
Snyder reminded Obama that the bill conflicts with his promise to improve relationships between the White House and Native Americans. He said the legislation was developed without “meaningful consultations” with tribes.
The letter also noted that the National Congress of American Indians and United South & Eastern Tribes both oppose the PACT Act.
Tribal governments should consider if continuing the right to profit from tobacco will cause more harm to their image than the value of the $ is worth.
ReplyDeleteCongress and the president do whatever is popular at the moment. If we were Black they wouldn't do this! We need to stand together, all tribes as one and start standing up to them! I don't speak alone when I say this; they treat us like dogs! Even McCain and what he has done to the Hopi and the Navajo! It's time to take a stand!
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