‘President Jimmy Carter, Rest in Peace’
Indigenous leaders praised the former president, who died at his family residence in Plains, Georgia, at age 100
Pauly Denetclaw
ICT
Christine Mason, of Atlanta, places flowers at the entrance to The Jimmy Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. Formr President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. (AP Photo/John Bazemore )
Former President Jimmy Carter left a lasting legacy across Indian Country, with groundbreaking legislation that protected religious freedom and Native children while largely recognizing the sovereignty of tribal nations.
His death on Sunday, Dec. 29, at age 100, brought praise and condolences from Indigenous leaders for his work during and after his term from 1977-1981 as the 39th president of the United States.
Carter signed into law two historic pieces of legislation for Indigenous people — the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Indian Child Welfare Act. These two bills are heralded as two of the most important pieces of legislation for sovereign Indigenous nations, but there were others as well.
“President Jimmy Carter, Rest in Peace,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said on a social media post. “He signed into law the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act, and the Indian Child Welfare Act, all of which made a positive and enduring impact on #IndianCountry. Such a leader of [grace] and dignity who championed peace and dignity for all people, both while president and in the decades since.”
Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis’ message was simple: “Rest in strength @jimmycarter.”
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren also offered praise for the former president on social media.
“His policies and actions showed a commitment to support the rights and well-being of tribes,” Nygren said. “His administration’s focus on self-determination, education and environmental protection promoted greater autonomy and opportunities for Native American communities.”
During his presidency, Carter created 39 national parks, protecting millions of acres in land, and used his executive power to designate 13 national monuments in Alaska, providing federal protections for 56 millions acres of land which, at the time, doubled the amount of land managed by the National Park Service.
“President Jimmy Carter exemplified what it means to live a life of faith and service to others,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, said in a press release. “His love for and conservation of our shared public lands leaves a tremendous legacy, and I am grateful that the department will continue to honor his work at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park for generations to come. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the global community as we all mourn this selfless public servant.”
But there were other measures as well. Carter signed the controversial Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, which gave three federally recognized tribes $81.5 in reparations for stolen land but also made tribes subject to state law much like municipalities. The act heavily curtails tribal sovereignty for Wabenaki Nations.
Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, on Oct. 1. 1924, and served in the U.S. Navy before returning to Georgia to run the family peanut farm. He served as a Democrat in the Georgia Senate from 1963-1967 and was elected Georgia’s governor in 1971, serving until 1975. He ran for president in 1976, defeating Republican President Gerald Ford.
Carter was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1980 by Ronald Reagan amid rising inflation, long lines at gas stations and the Iran hostage crisis.
He and his wife, Rosalynn, formed The Carter Center to promote human rights, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. He also was active in his support for the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, turning out to build homes even at his advanced age. Rosalynn Carter died in 2023.
The Carter Center said the former president died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, surrounded by his family, after spending about 22 months in hospice care.
The funeral is set for Jan. 9 at Washington National Cathedral. Last year, President Joe Biden was asked by Carter to give his eulogy. Previously, Carter and his late wife had spoken about being buried next to each other near a pond at their family residence in Plains.
The article contains material from The Associated Press.