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Bill Would Allow Funding for Tribal Veterans Cemeteries

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by Brad Jolly, Partner

September 8, 2006

Representative Tom Udall (D-NM) proposed a bill in the House of Representatives that would permit states for provide grants financed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the development of veterans cemeteries on tribal lands. In essence, Indian veterans killed in battle will be able to be buried near home without foregoing burial in a cemetary designated for veterans. Currently, Indian veterans killed in battle can be buried near their home or buried in a national veterans cemetery - a difficult choice for many. If the bill is approved, Indian veterans can be buried in a veterans cemetery at home, eliminating this difficult choice.

Right now, both the House and the Senate approved the bill as part of comprehensive veterans legislation. The comprehensive bills need to be reconciled in conference and, if they are, the Native American Veterans Cemetery Act will become law.

It is heartening to see consideration for Indian veterans coming more and more to the forefront. This bill is another positive step in recognizing the not only unique, but substantial, role of Indian peoples in the U.S. military. Perhaps the next step in this issue will be to provide funding directly to tribes from Veterans Affairs to develop tribal cemeteries on tribal land instead of requiring tribes to go through states, which can often be a difficult, burdensome, and hostile process. We can all hope that states will be respectful and helpful in dealing with an issue as important as the treatment of Indian veterans killed in battle. Nonetheless, the bill is a welcomed recognition of Indian veterans.

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