In brief
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has officially stepped away from a $30 million federal contract aimed at developing designs for immigrant detention centers due to widespread criticism online. Many tribal members pointed out the historical injustices faced by Native Americans and questioned the tribe's involvement in a project linked to deportation efforts. The decision follows a week of internal reflection within the tribe, as officials aimed to realign their economic ventures with their core values.
In a significant move, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation announced that it has withdrawn from a nearly $30 million federal contract aimed at developing preliminary designs for immigrant detention centers, a decision made public late Wednesday. This announcement comes just over a week after the tribe's economic development officials who brokered the deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were terminated due to substantial backlash. Critics labeled the collaboration as 'disgusting' and 'cruel', especially in light of the historical uprooting of Native Americans, with many questioned how the tribe could support a system that mirrors their ancestors' experiences with confinement and removal.In a video statement, Tribal Chairman Joseph 'Zeke' Rupnick remarked that reservations were the government's initial attempt at creating detention centers, highlighting the sensitive history surrounding the issues. Following this criticism, the Nation officially declared its exit from 'all third-party related interests affiliated' with ICE.The tribe is known for various business ventures, including healthcare management and general contracting. In light of this incident, Rupnick stated that tribal leaders would convene in January to discuss ensuring that economic pursuits do not conflict with the tribe's values in the future. The contract, awarded in October for $19 million, was later modified to increase the amount to $29.9 million, raising eyebrows regarding the selection process and justification for such a large federal contract. The tribe's rapid reevaluation of corporate affiliations stands as an affirmation of their commitment to uphold their cultural and ethical standards.
