HOUSE RESOLUTION 19
(By Delegates Mahan, Staton, Warner,
Kominar and Proudfoot)
[Introduced March 30, 2001; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an
official intertribal tribe 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 tribe 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.