Dynamics change

The dynamics of the game have changed. Senator Byron Dorgan has replaced Senator John McCain as chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee. Dorgan also chairs the Democratic Policy Committee (DPC) providing research and legislative support, publishing reports on important legislation and policy issues, tracking roll call votes.

Virginia Senator George Allen who introduced S.480 lost his seat in the November election.

In a letter I received from Virginia Senator John Warner (who is not a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs) wrote:

“As you may know no further action on S.480 before Congress adjourned in 2006. For this bill to be considered again, it will have to be reintroduced next year. Please be assured that I will continue to fight for Virginia’s Native Americans, and I hope that they will ultimately receive the federal recognition they deserve.”

The 110^th Congress will begin January 4, 2007 and last through 2008.

Who will champion another bill?

Native America, Discovered and Conquered

“Native America, Discovered and Conquered” will be featured as the ”Book of the Month” on Native America Calling on December 27, 2006. The show will air at 10 a.m. PST and 1 p.m. EST. Please visit www.nativeamericacalling.com to find out how you can listen to the show on your local radio station or on the internet.

Mind the Gap

“MIND THE GAP”, how does the pursuit of federal recognition for Virginia Indian tribes differentiate from the efforts of other American Indian tribes in the past? Where’s the gap and why is this situation different? What tribal challenges do the Virginia Indians face?

Federal Recognition

The purpose of this blog is to instigate a dialogue on the subject of federal recognition among the legal and Indian community. Six Virginia Indian Tribes collectively known as the “Thomasina Jordan” Indian tribes are seeking federal recognition. The sovereignty gained would provide any number of benefits from the federal government. The tribes already have recognition by the Commonwealth of Virginia that afford them certain benefits.

In an objective quest I plan to explore the both the pros and cons related to this issue. It is my intent by open dialogue to explore facts, rules, precedent, regulations, processes, and concepts that can be applied to the rule of law for a fair conclusion.

Statement

Cultivating conversation lies at the centre of civilized people. Dialogue is simple but never the less defines complex purposes of conversation. Through the art of conversation we test prejudices, search for meaning to define critical issues. Formal expression is structured language for the sake of the community to define our ideas. The concept of expression through these mechanics collects and conveys a basis to name our feelings and thoughts, and place ourselves in the world.

Whether our ideas are wise, efficient, or prudent are never sufficient reason for thinking they become the law, nor the fact that some ideas are unjust, unwise, inefficient or imprudent is never sufficient reason for doubting them.

Whether a society has a legal system depends on the presence of certain structures of governance, not on the extent to which it satisfies ideals of justice, democracy, or the rule of law.