Chinook

260669 Chinook Indian Tribe Chinook Nation Kenivashiro States of America Jefferson Clinton, President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 April 7, 1998 RE: Chinook Indian Tribe/ Federal Recognition Issues/ Other Miscellaneous issues. Dear President Clinton: I am writing to again ask your indulgence and attention to the Federal Acknowledgment process the Chinook Tribe has been involved with since 1979 with the Branch of Acknowledgment and Research, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. As you know huge problems exist with BIA,BAR regarding process issues for tribes involved, as well as repeated lengthy delays, and unconstitutional equal protection under the law regarding two sets of regulations which govern federal acknowledgment for petitioning tribes. The Chinook Tribes petition for acknowledgment was formulated and prepared for the "old regulations" of 1978 for review by the BIA,BAR. However, the BIA,BAR on numerous occasions asked the Chinook Tribe to request to be evaluated under the "new regulations" of 1994, which , in my opinion contain some easier or looser criteria which could be met by a petitioning tribe for Federal Acknowledgment. These matters have been the subject of a great deal of communication with the BAR for more than 3 years. And after allowing many other tribes to proceed under the "new regulations " of 1994 the BIA, BAR has specifically denied the Chinook request for such an option. You may recall that Loretta Avant, formerly of Office of Inter-Governmental Affairs facilitated White House Conferences under your leadership with the Non-Federally Recognized Tribes of this Country during your first term. I still very much appreciate your behind the scene involvement in those conferences and issues. ADD / 4 1998 P.O. Box 228 Chinook, Chinook Indian Country 98614 Telephone 360-777-8303 Fax 360-777-8100