Spilyay Tymoo, Wqrm Springs, Oregon Msy 13, 2004 Pge 10 Head of Indian Affairs says he won't resign BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The head the Bureau of Indian Affairs said last week he will not resign, despite a call from a Connecticut senator to do so. "I will not step down," said Dave Anderson. Anderson was the keynote speaker at the United Tribes Technical College commencement ceremony in Bis marck. The founder of Famous Dave's restaurants took over Feb. 2 as the In terior Department's assistant secretary for Indian affairs. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., called for Anderson's resignation ear lier this week, saying Anderson no longer is making critical decisions on tribal recognition. A congressional committee has stepped up its efforts to investigate the effect of gambling on the federal tribal recognition process. Anderson, who co-founded a com pany that runs tribal casinos, said he has recused himself from tribal recog nition and gambling-related decisions to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. He said he also has stepped down as chairman of his Famous Daves barbecue chain, which opened a restaurant in Bismarck last month. Anderson was introduced at Friday's ceremony by Tex 1 1 all, president of the National Congress of American Indi ans and chairman of the Three Affili ated Tribes in North Dakota. Mall said he had been contacted by officials in Connecticut to help oust Anderson. "I told them I would not, because he's a fellow American Indian," Mall said. "I told them it's their issue." Mall urged graduates and others at the United Tribes' commencement to stand behind Anderson. "(Me) is an Indian man committed to Indian country," Hall said. Anderson said he would make no apologies for promoting casinos in the past. "Gaming opportunities for our In dian people have often helped tribal infrastructure and created meaningful jobs," he said. Anderson is a Choctaw and Chippewa, and an enrolled mem ber of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa. Anderson co-founded Grand Casinos Inc. In an other BIA news item last week: Anderson asked Interior Secretary Gale Norton to delegate authority for all matters related to tribal gaming to BIA's deputy assistant secretary Aurene Martin. The order was signed last month and took effect immediately. In an accompanying memo, Norton said Anderson, confirmed by the Sen ate last December, initiated the change. "I Ie didn't want to have any possi bility tl.at his past associations would call into question any of his decisions," said spokeswoman Tina Kreisher. The move drew criticism from Con necticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who protested that criti cal decisions will now be made by some one not subject to Senate confirmation. "I am deeply troubled that Mr. Anderson will be unable to perform some of the key responsibilities of the office for which he was nominated and confirmed by Congress," said Blumenthal. I Ie added that recusal on individual cases is appropriate but, "such general, across the board delegation is severely problematic, raising constitutional and statutory questions about overbroad illegal delegation." While Anderson will have no influence in recognition deci sions, gaming matters or issues related to tribes taking land into trust for casino purposes, Kreisher said that he will con tinue to have other duties as the head of BIA. I Ie will oversee social welfare pro grams, other land use issues, and the 184 BIA schools located in 23 states. Congressional panel vows BIA investigation WASHINGTON, DC. (AP) -A congressional committee said last week that it expects to sub poena leaders of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation as part of a widen ing investigation into the effects of big money gaming on the fed eral tribal recognition process. Government Reform Commit tee Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., said the panel invited the Schaghticokcs, who are based in Kent, Conn., to testify at a hear ing Wednesday, but they declined. During the hearing the inspec tor general for the Bureau of In dian Affairs said his office is also investigating the BIA's decision to grant the Schaghticokcs federal recognition to determine if the agency followed proper procedures. mm mnm h-m-mih mm mum mum mwm mwm mm mmmmw mum Hwm mm mm ferfte gfErgfo TOffrnEffEift, flfoty o fitfB) frwrrv fpfrffr Gfeff a& V, ENTIRE STOCK MEN S SUITS REGULAR WESTERN Wool Blends And 1 00 Polyesters by m mi mm ill SHEPHERD CIRCLE S HAGGAR 7o Off Reg. 149.95 Reg. 159.95 Reg. 169.95 Reg. 189.95 Reg. 199.95 Alterations Extra sl 12.46 SI 19.96 s127.46 s142.46 M50.96 PRINEUILLE MEN S WEAR Once-A-Year-AIl-Out-Gigantic Savings Event... MEN'S DRESS SLACKS SANS A BELT HAGGAR - SAVANNE 100 No Wrinkle Cotton Pleated and Cuffed OUR ENTIRE STOCK 25 OFF Alterations Extra ENTIRE STOCK MEN'S SPORT COATS REGULAR - WESTERN 25 OFF FARAH - HAGGAR CIRCLE S - PIONEER STOCK UP FOR FALL! 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