Monday, June 21, 2010
Local Native American Group Gains Official Recognition
A group of local residents of Native American lineage received word late last week that their efforts have proven fruitful; the Central Band of Cherokee has gained official recognition as a “Tennessee State Recognized American Indian Tribe.”
On Friday the Central Band received word from the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs (TCIA) that six tribes have been officially recognized, including: Cherokee
Wolf Clan, Chikamaka Band, Central Band of Cherokee, United Eastern Lenape Nation of Winfield, TN, Tanasi Council, and Remnant Yuchi Nation. The local group issued a statement that reads as follows:
“After the passing of more than two decades the Tennessee Council of Indian Affairs fulfilled its state mandated duty specified in T.C.A. 4-34-103 [6] by providing official state legal recognition to Tennessee’s existing indigenous Indian tribes, long disenfranchised by centuries of government Indian policies and politics.”
Principal Chief Joe White issued a statement Monday, saying, “After eleven years of intense research and documentation our petition for recognition was accepted as meeting and exceeding all of the required recognition criteria; the same Required Criteria as required by the (U.S.) Bureau of Indian Affairs.
“We are very thankful for all of the assistance and support of the New TCIA Commissioners, the Governor of the State of Tennessee, Ron Ramsey, Vice Governor, and Speaker of the House, State Representative Dr. Joey Hensley, Senator Doug Jackson, and many other senators and State of Tennessee Representatives.
“The Central Band of Cherokee gives all of the praise and glory to ‘The Great White Seat Above,’ his Holy Son and the Holy Spirit.”
The announcement came at an apt time, as The History Channel aired a special feature including a segment on the local Cherokee Museum on Tuesday. The feature, entitled “Who Really Discovered America” had its first airing at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. Check listings for additional airings.
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