West Virginia State Intertribal Tribe / Organization

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25

(By Senators Love, Schoonover and Whitlow)

Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal tribe of the state of West Virginia.

Whereas, American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now comprise the United States of America and West Virginia; and

Whereas, The people of West Virginia should be reminded of the assistance given to the early European visitors to North America by the ancestors of today's American Indians, including knowledge and training provided to the pilgrims in survival, hunting and cultivation and fertilization of indigenous crops; and

Whereas, Citizens should be reminded that certain concepts such as the freedom of speech and the separation of powers in government, all of which were found in the political systems of various American Indian nations, influenced the formation of the government of the United States of America; and

Whereas, American Indians have contributed vastly to the knowledge of botanical medicines and pharmacopeia upon which medical science has relied heavily throughout American history and to which medical professionals are turning to discover cures and treatments for illnesses which afflict humanity in today's modern world; and

Whereas, American Indians have made a profound impact on West Virginia history, which has been enriched with American Indians who have contributed significantly to our heritage, our way of life and our love of nature as reflected in the place names of our rivers such as Ohio, Monogahela and Kanawha, our counties such as Logan and Mingo, and our state parks and forests such as Seneca Rocks and Watoga; and

Whereas, The state of West Virginia has a unique intertribal history as an area esteemed for its great natural resources depended upon by, and as a haven during troubled times for, American Indians of many woodlands and eastern tribes such as, but not limited to, Cherokee, Delaware, Mingo, Mohican, Seneca, Shawnee, Tuscaroras and Wyandot; and

Whereas, American Indians and the descendants of American Indians live throughout the state of West Virginia and contribute to all economic, cultural, political and social aspects of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia will continue to keep alive the oral history and traditions that have been handed down to them through their families for hundreds of years; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia perpetuate the ideas, cultures and traditions of American Indians in order to enlighten others to the American Indian way of life through serving as a focal point from which educational institutions, professional organizations and interested parties can obtain such information; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia raise public awareness of the history and the current life and conditions of American Indian peoples and cultures through activities which may include, but is not limited to, pow wows and educational programs; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia provide a "home" for American Indians, their descendants and those who come seeking an intertribal tribe; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia assists persons by providing information on genealogy research and accumulates notarized statements, vital statistics records and published historical data which substantiate oral family histories in an organized, comprehensive manner; and

Whereas, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia support, within the scope of its abilities, tribal members who suffer economic and emotional difficulties; and

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal tribe of the state of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia.

House Resolution No. 23

(By Delegates Staton, Kominar and Mahan)

Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal tribe of the State of West Virginia.

WHEREAS, American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now comprise the United States of America and West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The people of West Virginia should be reminded of the assistance given to the early European visitors to North America by the ancestors of today’s American Indians, including knowledge and training provided to the pilgrims in survival, hunting and cultivation and fertilization of indigenous crops; and

WHEREAS, American Indians have contributed vastly to the knowledge of botanical medicines and pharmacopoeia upon which medical science has relied heavily throughout American history and to which medical professionals are turning to discover cures and treatments for illnesses which afflict humanity in today’s modern world; and

WHEREAS, American Indians have made a profound impact on West Virginia history, which has been enriched with American Indians who have contributed significantly to our heritage, our way of life and our love of nature as reflected in the place names of our rivers such as Ohio, Monongahela and Kanawha, our counties such as Logan and Mingo, and our state parks and forests such as Seneca Rocks and Watoga; and

WHEREAS, The State of West Virginia has a unique intertribal history as an area esteemed for its great natural resources depended upon by, and as a haven during troubled times for, American Indians of many woodlands and eastern tribes such as, but not limited to, Cherokee, Delaware, Mingo, Mohican, Seneca, Shawnee, Tuscaroras and Wyandot; and

WHEREAS, American Indians and the descendants of American Indians live throughout the State of West Virginia and contribute to all economic, cultural, political and social aspects of West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia will continue to keep alive the oral history and traditions that have been handed down to them through their families for hundreds of years; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia perpetuate the ideas, cultures and traditions of American Indians in order to enlighten others to the American Indian way of life through serving as a focal point from which educational institutions, professional organizations and interested parties can obtain such information; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia raise public awareness of the history and the current life and conditions of American Indian peoples and cultures through activities which may include, but is not limited to, pow wows and educational programs; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia provide a "home" for American Indians, their descendants and those who come seeking an intertribal tribe; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia assists persons by providing information on genealogy research and accumulates notarized statements, vital statistics records and published historical data which substantiate oral family histories in an organized, comprehensive manner; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia support, within the scope of its abilities, tribal members who suffer economic and emotional difficulties; and

WHEREAS, The membership of Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia has declared no desire to establish a reservation or participate in any gambling ventures within the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal tribe of the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR

RESOLUTION NO. 23

(By Delegates Staton, Kominar and Mahan)

(Originating in the Committee on Rules)
[date]

Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal organization in the State of West Virginia.

WHEREAS, American Indians were the original inhabitants of the lands that now comprise the United States of America and West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The people of West Virginia should be reminded of the assistance given to the early European visitors to North America by the ancestors of today’s American Indians, including knowledge and training provided to the pilgrims in survival, hunting and cultivation and fertilization of indigenous crops; and

WHEREAS, American Indians have contributed vastly to the knowledge of botanical medicines and pharmacopoeia upon which medical science has relied heavily throughout American history and to which medical professionals are turning to discover cures and treatments for illnesses which afflict humanity in today’s modern world; and

WHEREAS, American Indians have made a profound impact on West Virginia history, which has been enriched with American Indians who have contributed significantly to our heritage, our way of life and our love of nature as reflected in the place names of our rivers such as Ohio, Monongahela and Kanawha, our counties such as Logan and Mingo, and our state parks and forests such as Seneca Rocks and Watoga; and

WHEREAS, The State of West Virginia has a unique intertribal history as an area esteemed for its great natural resources depended upon by, and as a haven during troubled times for, American Indians of many woodlands and eastern tribes such as, but not limited to, Cherokee, Delaware, Mingo, Mohican, Seneca, Shawnee, Tuscaroras and Wyandot; and

WHEREAS, American Indians and the descendants of American Indians live throughout the State of West Virginia and contribute to all economic, cultural, political and social aspects of West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia will continue to keep alive the oral history and traditions that have been handed down to them through their families for hundreds of years; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia perpetuate the ideas, cultures and traditions of American Indians in order to enlighten others to the American Indian way of life through serving as a focal point from which educational institutions, professional organizations and interested parties can obtain such information; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia raise public awareness of the history and the current life and conditions of American Indian peoples and cultures through activities which may include, but is not limited to, pow wows and educational programs; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia provide a "home" for American Indians, their descendants and those who come seeking an intertribal organization; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia assists persons by providing information on genealogy research and accumulates notarized statements, vital statistics records and published historical data which substantiate oral family histories in an organized, comprehensive manner; and

WHEREAS, Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia support, within the scope of its abilities, tribal members who suffer economic and emotional difficulties; and

WHEREAS, The membership of Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia has declared no desire to establish a reservation or participate in any gambling ventures within the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal organization in the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia.