Alleviating homelessness by making the housing of an individual the first step is federally sanctioned and backed by data from places as varied as Rockford, Illinois, and Abilene, Texas. But some Kansas legislators are skeptical of investing in housing homeless individuals without asking them to make other changes to their lives.

Federal recognition entails the United States acknowledging a tribe as a separate government entity — denoting their right to self-governance. Currently, the U.S. recognizes 574 tribal nations. For the Wyandot Nation of Kansas to join them, they'll need the support of non-natives like members of Congress.