Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10); U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (WA) and Patty Murray (WA); and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) celebrated the House passage of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature.
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act places more than 17 acres of land currently owned by the Puyallup Tribe into trust, restoring part of the Tribe’s ancestral homeland and facilitating new economic development and job creation opportunities at the Port of Tacoma and on the Tacoma waterfront.
Land that is taken into trust by the federal government is governed by the Tribe and can benefit from federal programs and services that protect Tribal sovereignty and allow the Tribe to create economic opportunities for its members and surrounding communities.
“This bill will create jobs, promote economic growth, and increase infrastructure investments for the Puyallup Tribe and the region,” said U.S. Rep. Strickland. “We must honor treaty rights and help the Puyallup Tribe advance their vision for a vibrant, healthy, and working Puget Sound.”
“Legislation helping the Puyallup Tribe create jobs in South Puget Sound is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law,” said Senator Cantwell. “The Puyallup Tribe is an economic force and taking this land into trust allows the Tribe to continue to diversify its economy within its traditional lands on Commencement Bay.”
“Bringing this land into trust will help the Puyallup Tribe pursue economic development on the Tacoma waterfront, expand critical infrastructure, and open up tax benefits for the entire community – not to mention that this bill will also restore part of the Tribe’s ancestral homeland, which matters a great deal,” said Senator Murray. “I was proud to work with my colleagues on this legislation and am thrilled that our bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk. Ensuring that Tribal communities have what they need to grow and thrive is an important responsibility of the federal government and something I will always take seriously.”
“This legislation is a big deal because it will help restore the Puyallup Tribe’s homelands – a place that holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Puyallup people,” said U.S. Representative Kilmer. “It’s about enabling the Puyallup Tribe to further diversify and expand economic opportunities and to spur job creation at the Port of Tacoma and along the Tacoma waterfront – a vision of prosperity that benefits not only the Tribe but the entire South Puget Sound region.”
“I want to thank Senator Cantwell, Senator Murray, Congresswoman Strickland, and Congressman Kilmer for their tireless support of the Puyallup Tribe and their work on the Puyallup Land Into Trust Confirmation Act, S. 382,” said Chairman Bill Sterud, Chairman of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. “This Act will restore the Tribe’s place along Commencement Bay and will expand the Tribe’s presence along the Blair Waterway. It is truly historic for the Tribe. I also want to thank the leadership of both the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. This legislation is truly bipartisan and represents the best of our Nation. The Puyallup Tribe looks forward to working with our partners to continue contributing to the region’s economy in exciting ways and this legislation is a key part of these plans.”
Land is taken into trust when land is transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to be held for the benefit of the Tribe. Tribes may apply to the BIA to transfer Tribal lands into trust or Congress may pass a bill directing the BIA to take the land into trust. Due to legacy contamination on this land due to industrial development near Commencement Bay, the BIA is unable to take the land into trust and Congressional action through legislation is “the most viable option” as the BIA affirmed in a letter to the Tribe on August 15, 2022.
The Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act is supported by the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, Governor Jay Inslee, and the Port of Tacoma.
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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