President-elect Obama outlined a number of steps to give the issues facing the Indian community some attention. He has pledged to appoint an American Indian Policy advisor to his senior White House staff.
He has proposed an annual "Tribal G8" meeting of national Tribal leaders to develop an Indian policy agenda. Obama has continuously upheld Tribal sovereignty through support of policies for self-determination and self-governance, and has indicated support for legal protection of sacred places and cultural traditions.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Mark Warner
Senator Jim Webb endorsed a bill to grant federal recognition to six Indian tribes in Virginia. The Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2007 was approved in May and never voted upon. A new bill must be reintroduced in the new session of Congress.
New hope is on the horizon with a new minority President-elect all things are possible.
On-board to support the Virginia tribes is Jim Moran, Jim Webb, and Tim Kane. Senator-elect Mark Warner has been support in the past. In 1999 he help to support both Houses of the Virginia General Assembly adopt resolutions embracing federal recognition.
If the Virginia tribes are to be successful addressing senators Byron Dorgan and Lisa Murkowski, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, a consorted effort on the part of Virginia leaders will be needed.
New hope is on the horizon with a new minority President-elect all things are possible.
On-board to support the Virginia tribes is Jim Moran, Jim Webb, and Tim Kane. Senator-elect Mark Warner has been support in the past. In 1999 he help to support both Houses of the Virginia General Assembly adopt resolutions embracing federal recognition.
If the Virginia tribes are to be successful addressing senators Byron Dorgan and Lisa Murkowski, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, a consorted effort on the part of Virginia leaders will be needed.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Alaska Tribal Sovereignty
Governor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty. Given past court rulings affirming the federally recognized tribal status of Alaska Native villages, Palin does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues that Alaska Tribes have no authority to act as sovereigns, despite their recognition.
Regarding tribal sovereignty issues Palin has sought to block tribes from exercising any authority even over the welfare of Native children, adhering to a 2004 legal opinion issued by the former Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists (except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal court).
Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck down Palin's policy of refusing to recognize the sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues involving Alaska Native children. Native Village of Tanana v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered Aug. 26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Native Kaltag Tribal Council v. DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211- TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No 08-35343 (9th Cir.)).
Palin's policy of refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains unchanged.
Regarding tribal sovereignty issues Palin has sought to block tribes from exercising any authority even over the welfare of Native children, adhering to a 2004 legal opinion issued by the former Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists (except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal court).
Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck down Palin's policy of refusing to recognize the sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues involving Alaska Native children. Native Village of Tanana v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered Aug. 26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Native Kaltag Tribal Council v. DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211- TMB (D. Ak.), pending on appeal No 08-35343 (9th Cir.)).
Palin's policy of refusing to recognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains unchanged.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Federal Sovereignty - Virginia Indian Tribes
Read article on Federal Sovereignty for Virginia Indians I published in NALA magazine.
Reprinted with permission of NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals. The article originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of Facts & Findings, NALA’s quarterly magazine for paralegals. The article is reprinted here in its entirety. For further information, contact NALA at www.nala.org or phone (918) 587-6828.
Reprinted with permission of NALA, The Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals. The article originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of Facts & Findings, NALA’s quarterly magazine for paralegals. The article is reprinted here in its entirety. For further information, contact NALA at www.nala.org or phone (918) 587-6828.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chickahominy Pow Wow
Powwow is how the English settlers pronounced the word "pauwau", which referred to a religious ritual among Indians in New England. As the settlers moved west, they called similar gatherings "powwows."
An example of a modern pow wow is the Chickahominy Indians' 57th annual Fall Festival and Powwow held at their tribal grounds in northwestern Charles City County. This powwow is a religious ceremony, picnic, reunion, craft show and festival. The Indian announcer explains to the crowd that this is not for show but a sharing of their culture with everyone there and that this is the way they respect and keep alive their Indian traditions.
The one main theme you come away with is that there is no "I" or "me", it is always "us" or "our" people in reference to everything. I was immensely impressed when the Chief of the Chickahominy, Stephen Adkins, read aloud a letter of congratulations from Virginia Governor Kane regarding the completion of a doctoral degree by one of the tribe members. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Mayflower, is also a member of the Homeland Security Team. Her mother and grandmother were there to look on and comment about her accomplishes and related it to their own education.
An example of a modern pow wow is the Chickahominy Indians' 57th annual Fall Festival and Powwow held at their tribal grounds in northwestern Charles City County. This powwow is a religious ceremony, picnic, reunion, craft show and festival. The Indian announcer explains to the crowd that this is not for show but a sharing of their culture with everyone there and that this is the way they respect and keep alive their Indian traditions.
The one main theme you come away with is that there is no "I" or "me", it is always "us" or "our" people in reference to everything. I was immensely impressed when the Chief of the Chickahominy, Stephen Adkins, read aloud a letter of congratulations from Virginia Governor Kane regarding the completion of a doctoral degree by one of the tribe members. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Mayflower, is also a member of the Homeland Security Team. Her mother and grandmother were there to look on and comment about her accomplishes and related it to their own education.
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