© 2024 Wyoming Public Media
800-729-5897 | 307-766-4240
Wyoming Public Media is a service of the University of Wyoming
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Transmission & Streaming Disruptions

Sen. Enzi Drafts Bill To Define Wind River Reservation Border

As Wyoming’s appeal to an Environmental Protection Agency decision about the Wind River Indian Reservation’s borders waits for its day in court, U.S. Senators Enzi and Barrasso have drafted a bill “to clarify” those borders.

Last year’s EPA decision drew the Wind River’s boundaries to include thousands of acres that the state has long considered non-tribal land. The state reacted quickly in opposition to the EPA’s determination, but the tribes rejoiced, saying it was just recognition of what they’ve long held to be true. A state bill trying to define the borders failed in the last legislative session. Now, Enzi is attempting a federal bill. He worked with Governor Matt Mead’s office on the bill. The legislation defines the reservation size as the smaller parcel of land drawn by a 1905 treaty. The Northern Arapaho Tribe, in a statement, said in drafting this bill Enzi has turned his back on his tribal constituents. The legislation has not yet been introduced.

Irina Zhorov is a reporter for Wyoming Public Radio. She earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA from the University of Wyoming. In between, she worked as a photographer and writer for Philadelphia-area and national publications. Her professional interests revolve around environmental and energy reporting and she's reported on mining issues from Wyoming, Mexico, and Bolivia. She's been supported by the Dick and Lynn Cheney Grant for International Study, the Eleanor K. Kambouris Grant, and the Social Justice Research Center Research Grant for her work on Bolivian mining and Uzbek alpinism. Her work has appeared on Voice of America, National Native News, and in Indian Country Today, among other publications.

Enjoying stories like this?

Donate to help keep public radio strong across Wyoming.

Related Content