Lawrenceburg Now

Friday, August 20, 2010

Local Native American Group Seeks Independent Audit Of Petition For Recognition

   In response to a finding issued, indicating that they should not be recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the local Native American group is requesting an independent audit of their Petition for Recognition as well as a complete investigation.

   Lawrence County’s Central Band of Cherokee received notification June 19 from the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs (TCIA) that they were among six tribes that had gained official state legal recognition. The announcement was immediately followed by controversy when a group of ten former TCIA commissioners raised opposition to the decision and requested that it be reviewed.

   As a result of the review, Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs for the State of Tennessee, Larry Echo Hawk, issued a statement August 6, outlining a proposed finding. Hawk proposed, “not to acknowledge the petitioner known as the Central Band of Cherokee (CBC) as an Indian tribe.” In the statement issued Hawk asserted the group was not qualified to receive the recognition granted, and indicated that their claims of being descendents of Native Americans appeared to be invalid.

   Principal Chief Joe White issued a press release on Friday in order to respond to this latest development. He explains, “We, the Central Band of Cherokee, are of great sorrow and grieved at heart that our American Indian Brother, Chief Echo Hawk…has been blinded to the truth about the findings of the BIA Office of Acknowledgement concerning our petition.”

   White states, “We are asking for an independent audit of our Petition for Recognition…We also request a complete investigation by the Unites States Attorney General to expose the fraud perpetuated by Cherokee that are in control of the BIA Office of Acknowledgement…and request prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

   White asserts, “The leak to the press in this case is irregular in that the findings have not been published in the National Register by law.”

   Officials are uncertain at this point when or if the review/investigation will be undertaken.

 

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