Little Shell recognition bill close to passage

The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians are two steps away from federal recognition.

Recognition was included in a defense appropriations bill that came out of a joint committee Monday, and now needs approval from the House and Senate and the president’s signature for the tribe to be federally recognized after more than a century of effort by the Little Shell.

The recognition was kept in a defense appropriations bill by the joint committee resolving differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill.

“Today, I would just like to say our ancestors are smiling because now our futur...