US apologises to native tribes

THE United States formally apologised to American Indian tribes for “ill-conceived policies” and acts of violence committed against them.

Republican Senator Sam Brownback read the congressional resolution at an event attended by representatives of five Indian nations in Washington: the Cherokee, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Pawnee nations.

Four of the five are based in Oklahoma, and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate are in South Dakota.

The Cherokee originally hailed from the south-eastern US but were forced to migrate to Oklahoma in the early 1800s.

Chad Smith, chief of the Cherokee Nation, said most tribes had not asked for an apology but the gesture was appreciated.