Natives need change, not apology

Each year, we watch the health, safety and education of our children erode like the sandy banks of a raging river. But rather than improved health care or justice programs, Native people get an apology from the Senate attached as an amendment to a defense appropriations bill. "The Senate's action today is a big step for the relationship between the federal government and Native Americans," said Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., one of two senators who sponsored the resolution. "The resolution seeks reconciliation and offers an official apology to Native Americans for the hurtful choices the federal government made in the past." Brownback and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, sponsored the resolution, which the senators were clear to say Sept. 7 does not "authorize or serve as a settlement of any claim against the United States and does not resolve many challenges still facing Native Americans." You can say that last part five times.