Tennessee Indian Recognition The Last Word?
For those of you who have followed this long and bizarre issue, it seems that the issue of Indian recognition in this state is over and done. A tale that would make the best of books has came to a welcomed end.
For most who do not know, I offer this condensed version of events.
Back in 2007, we first heard of our state legislature squabbling over the issue of Indian recognition. It seems that there were 6 tribes in our state that no one knew existed and all of a sudden, want to be recognized.
One tribe from my area came as a complete shock to me, especially since I had lived here all my life, been a student of local history , especially where it came to the indigenous people who once lived here.
It is that tribe which drug me into the fight against recognition after their "chief " called me and asked me to join his "tribe"
A few local newspaper articles later, filled with lies, false legends and false history caused me to take up the club against them. I would think that anyone who cares about the integrity of Native American history would do the same?
As I became more outspoken about the lies , the personal attacks began. I had backed the dog into the corner and the dog began biting at those I cared most about. Unable to defend these folks and unwilling to have them drug into the fray, I backed off.
It was not long until the old Tennessee Indian commission (made up of real Indians) had been replaced with the people who were members of these Tennessee tribes. The reason for this was quite simple but as dirty , filthy as politics can get.
Our Lt. Governor, Ron Ramsey had told us all that this commission would sunset in June 2010. We took him at his word and most did not even take the effort to go vote in the caucuses in the Fall of 2009.
These tribes saw their chance and turned out in droves to vote in members of their own tribes.
There had been so many bills pushed thru the legislature and none were going to make it to a vote, we knew that and although it was troublesome, in the end it was all a waste of the state's time.
This new commission took off on a new path and they knew that they had only months to get it done.
At their last meeting before sunset they granted illegal recognition to six tribes in our state.
They violated our state sunshine law and likely several other rules that were not mentioned.
You see, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has money. They used their own lobbyist to file a lawsuit to have this whole mess declared null and void which it was. Our state attorney general saw fit to agree with the CNO lawyer, the entire process was done illegally.
As of today, there are NO recognized tribes in our state and if anyone tells you differently, they are lying.
Let us all say "good riddance" to those who would try to re-write a false history for their own selfish gain.
T
