American Indian Self-Determination - Native Nations Institute ...

American Indian Self-DeterminationStephen CornellJoseph P. KaltFigure 9. Support for American Indians in the U.S. Congress:Social Spending v. Self-Determination, 1973-2010Note: “Support” is measured as the frequency of sponsorship of legislationon American Indian social conditions v. self-determination. Republican majorityin Senate, 1981 – 86; Republican majority in both Houses, 1995 – 2006;otherwise Democrat control of both Houses.Self-Determination: The smaller number of Congressional legislativemeasures concerning tribal self-determination over 1973-2010 (an averageof about one per year) makes year-to-year comparisons of relativeparty support problematic. Thus, in Figure 9 we show aggregateDemocratic and Republican support for policies of tribal self-determinationover the period, and compare the pattern to the relative aggregatesupport for social spending on American Indian social conditions.There is a clear pattern consistent with the hypothesis that Republicansfind self-determination more worthy of support than social spending.While there is slightly more Democratic support relative to Republicansupport in the case of tribal self-determination, the pattern is considerablycloser to proportionate to party membership of the U.S. Houseand Senate. The greater balance in support for self-determination providesat least some explanation for its longevity as the cornerstone offederal Indian policy.25