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You know, it occurs to me that if Virginia’s six state recognized tribes (the Chickahominy, East Chickahominy, Monacan, Nansemond, Rappahannock, and the Upper Mattaponi) achieve federal recognition (and they’ve nearly accomplished just that this last week with their success in the House Committee on Natural Resources), then there’s no reason at all that North Carolina’s six smaller Indian tribes can’t achieve federal recognition as well. If the High Plains Sappony (formerly Person County Indians), Haliwa-Sapponi, Meherrin, Coharie, Occaneechi-Saponi, and the Waccamaw-Siouan cooperate in the same way as Virginia’s tribes then we can achieve federal recognition too.
Of course the Virginia tribes had Dr. Helen Rountree as their champion. And the Lumbee had Dr. Jack Campisi as theirs. Who would be our champion? Forrest, Linda Carter, others; Any ideas? What are the chances?
That sounds like a wonderful idea indeed. I think with our Eastern Siouan cousins we would probably need the combined efforts of all people listed above as well as Dr. Richard Carlson, Dr. Heriberto Airy Dixon, Richard Haithcock, Pat Spurlock Elder, Prof. Christopher Scott Everett, and I could probably come up with a few more to boot.
I wonder if it would be asking to much if ALL the state recognized tribes could work together towords the common goal of federal recognition. But I like the idea of the smaller tribes in North Carolina working together. Strength in numbers! Perhaps the tribes in other states like South Carolina or Alabama could come together like the virginia tribes did as well.
Well you folks now where I am at with this in regards to card holders, but for the good of all I think that it would be invaluable to achieve recognition or something very close to it.
In Canada we can achieve recognition as people of first nations descent just based on our family histories.
I have done just that, but in the USA they have made it that you have to belong to a group of people and achieve this through a groups setting. I believe that there should be other ways to do this, by using a Canadian model, ie, the Metis Nation and Federation, by proving who you are and then being accepted by a larger group of people individuals can “get back into the fold” and perhaps bring family with them.
I have voiced the opinion that there needs to be and “Eastern Siouan Cultural conference” that would be either hosted on a university campass or similar setting; because the setting attracts attention.
Aswell, speakers would be from every setting and then the re-building process can begin, it’s a long row to hoe but well worth it.
Imagine a badge etc, “Members of the Eastern Siouan Confederation”.
It can happen as long as people don’t get left out and all members have a equal voice even if they only represent but a few families, and even if they are not Siouan.
I don’t think everything about federal recognition is a good thing; but for those who feel a need for it, you might be interested in the fact that our Monacan relatives mentioned us (sort of as a subset of Monacans) in the “Findings” part of the bill (H.R. 1294) that’s being voted on today. If this link works, look at 1722 in the chronology they cite:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c110:2:./temp/~c1109agvJi:e53921:
Anyway, if they do get recognized, they’re already on record as recognizing Saponi and Tutelo, etc. as their group. I’m not sure if that’s true of the Catawbas — they already have federal recognition, don’t they? I admit I’m not very well informed on this issue.
But be careful what you wish for. The BIA is not always the most pleasant of bedfellows. There is no federal money without strings attached, and some of the strings are really annoying.
Hey, Pappy, the link did not work. Your search timed out. What link did you use to search and what search terms?
Techteach
Try this one:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.01294:
Google searched on “H.R. 1294” +Thomas (I think). The Thomas part gets you the Library of Congress research about this bill. Then look at “Text of the Legislation,” I think, and under that the “Findings” are different for each of the six tribes applying under this bill. Monacans are the only Eastern Siouans in the group (and the only ones with VA state recognition).
Sorry the other link failed.
PappyDick wrote:
But be careful what you wish for. The BIA is not always the most pleasant of bedfellows. There is no federal money without strings attached, and some of the strings are really annoying.
Well said. Not to mention the funding woes of Indian Health Service (IHS). Any nation gaining Federal recognition would be well served obtaining its own group medical insurance rather than relying on the underfunded IHS and its accompanying strings.
Tom wrote:
I have voiced the opinion that there needs to be and “Eastern Siouan Cultural conference” that would be either hosted on a university campass or similar setting; because the setting attracts attention.
Aswell, speakers would be from every setting and then the re-building process can begin, it’s a long row to hoe but well worth it.
Imagine a badge etc, “Members of the Eastern Siouan Confederation”.
It can happen as long as people don’t get left out and all members have a equal voice even if they only represent but a few families, and even if they are not Siouan.
I agree a conference what be a good idea, it wouldn’t have to be big, just a day could get a lot of knowledge shared.
I’m part of a small group of people that speak a certain northwest native langugae, and almost every year we get together for an informal conference. Its a mix of hard core academics and more informal presentations, as well as culturaly relevant stuff. We have shared songs, played games, and had barbeques as well.
Some years its bigger than others, and we usaully move around from indian reservations to universities. Anyone can present something if they want. Usually theres about a dozan or two core participants, then about a dozen more locals that hear about it and come to check it out. Natives and non-natives alike join in.
I can easily see this happening with eastern siouan issues.
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