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When Chief Jerry Summers was in office he did work towards
State Recognition for the
Western Cherokee with
2003 being the first attempt. With the
Work of Vice Chief John Watson and a anthropologist out of Arizona we were
able to get a resolution written and placed on the agenda. The last day of
Legislative work for the year, when it was time for it to be placed on the
floor, for some reason it was stopped by a department in the Missouri
government. All actions were discussed and approved by council,
see minutes
Dr. Jones wished to set up a Indian
Commission to work on a way to recognize any Native American group. Chief
Summers and Vice Chief Watson thought it was worth looking at and was a
fair way to work this out.
House Concurrent
Resolution
WHEREAS, many of
our state citizens are of American Indian heritage, and their
traditional ways have greatly contributed to the constitution and
foundation of
our nation, as well as the quality of our American way of life; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Missouri are indeed fortunate to be the
recipients of
American Indian cultural, educational, and historical values that have
helped
make this a great state and nation; and
WHEREAS, the American Indian entities and individuals are deserving of
being
hereinafter recognized for their ongoing educational programs to our youth
and
their continuous cultural and historical events throughout the State of
Missouri; and
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri wishes to honor those of American Indian
heritage
for the contributions of their culture to our citizens:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of
Representatives
of the Ninety-second General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate
concurring therein, hereby encourage and recommend the recognition of the
American Indian groups in Missouri; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the General Assemble urge the
Governor to form a commission comprised of eleven members, with seven
members
from existing American Indian groups in Missouri and four members who have
knowledge of Missouri American Indian culture and history and have a
relationship with existing Missouri American Indian groups. At least four
of
the American Indian members shall be from groups not presently recognized
by
the Federal government.
The commission should be charged with:
(1) Recording and documenting American Indian groups and individuals
historically and presently in the state of Missouri and any claims they
have to
the history, traditional lands and locations in the state. The
organization,
membership, and distribution of Missouri American Indians will also be
recorded. This information shall provide the foundation for American
Indian
groups and individuals to be officially recognized in Missouri.
(2) Providing special recognition to those American Indians native to
Missouri; and
(3) Determining and approving the appropriate manner and means of
honorably
recognizing the American Indians in this state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief clerk of the Missouri House of
Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this
resolution for Governor Bob Holden.
Offered by Representative Belinda Harris
Some conversation went on with
trying to get this together and one obstacle was:
I had the Governor's staff and the Department of Natural Resources talk
with me. Apparently the Sac and Fox Tribe has a lawsuit against the State
of Missouri which has been in the process since last year and they expect
to have some hearings this year. The lawsuit has to do with tribal lands
and casinos. The Govenor is examining anything that comes through the
legislature this year dealing with American Indians. I plan to still
submit the Resolution even if it gets vetoed by the governor. I waited
until they could have their meeting with me so they could let me know what
the complications are going to be.
This is some of Department of Natural Resources comments:
"We really need to know what the definition of "groups" is intended to
be. There are some very active not-for-profit groups, especially in urban
areas, such as the Heart of America Center and Visible Horizons, both in
Kansas City, that work in health, education and other social areas. These
"groups" are certainly worth of commendation. They would probably have
much to contribute to a commission on American Indian affairs."
"However, if "group" also means the self-proclaimed "tribes" such as
the Northern Cherokee, which is implied in the statement "not recognized
by the Federal government", the federally recognized tribes will react
negatively. If at all possible, "tribes" should continue to be defined as
those recognized by the federal government: "groups" could include social,
cultural, economic and other such interest groups."
"The charge to record and document "groups" in order to be officially
recognized in Missouri should be linked to federal recognition, or to be
clearly defined as historic documentation only."
"The proposed commission also raises a number of issues. Who is going
to be responsible for staffing the commission, conducting the research,
paying the bills, etc? We clearly do not have the resources to do so
without additional staffing and resources. What would the relationship of
this body to the Governor's Liaison be or to the Unmarked Human Burials
Consultation Committee?"
Suggested words by Department of Natural Resources: "Federally
recognized tribes that have a historical, cultural, connection, impact,
influence..."
So, how do we want to do this, postpone the commission to another year,
change wording. Let's not give up, we should be able to come up with
something to make headway this year. Each year something is submitted, is
each year there is some kind of attention American Indians are getting
statewide.
Belinda Harris
In the end the Indian Commission
never got worked out and the Introduced Resolution was:
John and Tim,
I submitted the Western Cherokee Resolution to legislative research and
they are making it official. Senator Frank Barnitz is offering the
resolution with me. Next step is to get others to sign. I will ask Rep.
Dan Ward, Rep. J.C. Kuessner, and Rep. Bob May. I know Rep. Vicki Walker
will sign on. Then it is assigned a committee, I will assign it to
Conservation and Natural Resources because I know the chairman of that
committee, Rep. Townley, and it is the same committee that I am a member.
When I said combine the two, I just meant promoting it. It is good to
promote it two ways, one because it is beneficial to the Western Cherokee
living now in Missouri and because we are celebrating the Lewis and Clark
Bicentinnel and Missouri Indians played an instrumental role it Lewis and
Clark's success.
Once the resolution gets a number you can track its action on the
internet. www.house.state.mo.us
Belinda
HR1126
Encourages and recommends the recognition of the Western
Cherokee.
Sponsor: Harris, Belinda (110) Proposed Effective Date:
08/28/2004
CoSponsor: Barnitz, Frank A. (150) LR Number:
4945L.01I
Last Action: 03/16/2004 - Offered (H)
HR1126
Next Hearing: Hearing not scheduled
Calendar: Bill currently not on calendar
Here is what was offered, it's not in perfection, I
believe.
WHEREAS, many of our state citizens are of Western Cherokee heritage, and
their Traditional Ways have greatly contributed to the Constitution and
Foundation of our Nation, as well as, the quality of our American way of
life; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Missouri are indeed fortunate to be the
recipients
of Western Cherokee Cultural, Educational and Historical values that has
helped make this a great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, the Western Cherokee entity and individuals are deserving of
being recognized for their ongoing Educational Programs to our youth and
their continuous Cultural & Historical events throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, the State of Missouri wishes to Honor the Western Cherokee for
the contributions of their culture to our citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the members of the House of
Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, Second Regular
Session, hereby encourage and recommend the recognition of the Western
Cherokee.
Hearing about testifying for committee:
Dear Tim and John,
I should know by Thursday morning, 4-15-04, if the Indian Resolution will
be assigned to a committee. I was told it was going to happen. I was told
by leadership that I should put it in Tourism and Cultural Affairs
Committee. Which is a pretty good place. I am not on that committee but
J.C. Kuessner is and he said he thought it might work out good.
What I need is some testimonies. John you might be able to make it to a
committee meeting but I know that Tim would not. They are so last minute.
Sometimes I have only 12 hours notice or less. I will try and stay on top
of things to check the dates. You have to check the listings constantly,
they don't find you and tell you.
Tim if you can send me a one page report on why this would be a good
resolution, what are the benefits, why do Cherokee support this. Tim, list
all your credentials and groups you are associated with.
John, if you can come to the committee meeting, that would be great. The
big questions will be what good would this bill do for Cherokee Indians,
why not name other tribes, are you going to get tax breaks, will you have
gambling. On the gambling, which some oppose big time as you know, I think
because you are not federally recognized then you don't fall under federal
quidelines for gambling. Stress you want only to be state recognized which
does not allow gambling. I quess I right on this? I am going to check on
tax credit, I don't know if you would qualify?
John, Keep all testimony short, there will not be much time, if there are
other witnesses it would be good. Keep it all short and each could take a
topic or two and so there is no repeating. Bring items to show what you
sell, make it more for economic development and tourism. That should be
the main reason for wanting recognition.
Sorry for jumping all around but I will get back with you after I know the
dates and we can organize the presentation better.
Belinda
We spoke to committee, it passed committee and was told:
The resolution passed out of the committee. I have made a request to
the Speaker of the House to place it on the Calendar so it can be hear on
the House Floor.
I was glad that it just slipped in, no one was there to oppose it.
I will have to do some talking to get it moving.
John you and Mr. Ellis did great, I was glad you both were there. I will
try and get back with you about the concerns of the members of the
committee. I didn't talk with you after you stayed and talked to different
ones. I would like to know how those conversations went.
Belinda
Present to Rep Harris was some Supporting
Information:
In the beginning of this attempt we
could tell there were other groups wanting to get placed on the resolution
also. This is something we only had input on, no control. Legislators
present and write legislation, the public does not. Chief Summers and
Vice Chief Watson contacted several groups to
see how they felt about being on the resolution if there were going to be
more groups than the Western Cherokee on it. Several agreed and some did
not. As usual, several groups fought the idea of us getting State
Recognition of any kind.
Since the 2004 session we were not able to get
anything past support to get something past Legislative support (nothing
officially on the agenda)
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