SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 28
(By Senators Redd, Plymale, McCabe, Facemyer, Caldwell, Rowe,
Hunter, Craigo, Bowman, Chafin, Prezioso, Unger, Anderson,
Bailey, Helmick, Fanning, Edgell, Kessler, Minard, Sharpe, Ross,
Mitchell, Love, Oliverio, Burnette, Deem, Minear, Sprouse,
Jackson, Wooton and Tomblin, Mr. President)
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
land that now comprises West Virginia and the United States of
America; and
Whereas, The people of West Virginia should be reminded of the
assistance given to the early European settlers 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, It is important that citizens be reminded that
certain concepts, such as the freedom of speech and the separation
of powers in government, were present in those early political
systems of various American Indian nations and those concepts
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 still 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 by American Indians who
contributed significantly to our heritage, our way of life and our
love of nature, as reflected in the names of our rivers, such as
Guyandotte, Kanawha, Monogahela 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 great natural resources
depended upon by 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 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 through countless generations of families; 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 the current life and conditions of
American Indian peoples and cultures through activities which may
include, but are not limited to, pow wows and educational programs
such as 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 abilities, tribal members who suffer
economic and 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 Senate:
That the Senate 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.