Letter: Canadian Indians not getting fair share from U.S.

Do government and state officials know that North American Indians include Canadian Indians? Hello. Here's the part I don't get: A Native American having to have a permanent resident card. When we are the first people. I am surely no immigrant, nor are my parents. What an insult!

In the U.S. Immigration laws relating to Indian Affairs states in Chapter 308. "An act to exempt American Indians born in Canada from the operation of the Immigration Act of 1924." On April 11, 1980, The Inter-Tribal League of American Indians sent a letter to "Quad City Social Service Agencies" regarding rights of Canadian Indians.

The League responded to the misconception that Canadian Indians are not U.S. Citizens. The Jay Treaty (1794) Right of North American Indians allows them to freely cross the Canadian border. In a case sent forth from the treaty, a federal district court in 1974 ruled in Akins vs. Saxbe that North American Indians, born in Canada, are exempt from registration and visa requirements.

It is time for people who work in social services, Social Security, welfare agencies and Medicare and Medicaid to know our rights. We are entitled to such services as the next. I hope this can be solved as soon as possible so Canadian Indians of North America can receive services that they are required to have. No more of this statement we are not U.S. citizens!

My father had a six bypass a few years ago and was forced to retire. He has worked in the U.S. since 1962 and is a registered alien. What a joke! Both my parents are North American Indians and now they can't even get assistance for medical care because the staff in Illinois is not educated about my parents rights. This letter is for all North American Indians who have the same problem.

CANDICE ESQUIVEL

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