The Meskwaki Indian tribe near Tama will be better able to celebrate theirreligious traditions if a bill which cleared the Senate yesterday becomeslaw. The measure allows the tribe to hunt its land by its own rules. Presently, state hunting and fishing regulations are enforced on thereservation. Tribal chairman Dean Whitebreast.The move will allow the tribe to conduct certain religious rituals anddances which it cannot, by law, conduct now.Senator Dennis Black, a democrat from Grinnell, spearheaded the change.Black says the Meskwakis have a right to practice their religion, withoutstate interference.FEDERAL hunting restrictions on fish and wildlife, like the prohibition onkilling eagles, WOULD be maintained on the reservation even if the billbecomes law. The Meskwakis are prepared to challenge the state’s huntingrestrictions in court, if the legislature fails to pass the bill.
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