HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 18
(By Delegates Craig, Stephens, Morgan, Hubbard and Leach)
[Introduced February 13, 2002; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Recognizing the Native American Indian Federation 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 the State
of 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, 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 founded in the political systems of
various American Indian nations, influenced by 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 Guyandotte, Kanawha, Monongahela and Ohio, 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 natural resources depended upon
by, and as a haven during troubled times for American Indians of
many woodland 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, The Native American Indian Federation will continue to
keep alive the oral history and traditions that have been handed
down to them through countless generations of their family; and
Whereas, The Native American Indian Federation perpetuates 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, The Native American Indian federation raises public
awareness of the history and current life and conditions of
American Indian peoples and cultures through activities which may
include Pow Wows and educational programs such as, but not limited
to, language, crafts, demonstrations and lectures; and
Whereas, The Native American Indian Federation provides a home
for American Indians, their descendants and those who come seeking
an intertribal tribe; and
Whereas, The Native American Indian Federation 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, The Native American Indian Federation supports, within
the scope of its ability, tribal members who suffer economical and
or emotional difficulties; and
Whereas, The membership of The Native American Indian
Federation 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 Native
American Indian Federation 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 The Native American Indian Federation.