Cherokee Times No Indian tribe in exercising powers of self-government shall make
or enforce any law prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble and to petition for a redress of
grievances.
By Joseph Martin
Cherokee Times
NASHVILLE - One June 19 the last act of an outgoing
commission in the
state of Tennessee was to recognize six groups claiming to be Native
American tribes as tribes. The act has drawn criticism from
federally-recognized Cherokee tribes in Oklahoma and North Carolina.
The commission granted recognition to United Eastern Lenape Nation,
Cherokee Wolf Clan, Chickamauga Band, Central Band of Cherokee also
known as Cherokee of Lawrence County, Remnant Yuchi Nation and Tanasi
Council of Far Away Cherokee. While the federal government
doesn't recognize any of these organizations as tribes, state
recognition can qualify them for grants, housing, health care and
education assistance.
Federally recognized Cherokee tribes like the Cherokee
Nation of Oklahoma and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North
Carolina, have both expressed opposition to state recognition of
tribes. Critics of the commission's action have stated that the move
was motivated by money. The Cherokee Nation may launch a legal
challenge given that the move may have violated Tennessee law.
Cherokee Nation spokesman Mike Miller told the
Cherokee Phoenix newspaper that it's ridiculous that tribes would "pop
up overnight." The act was passed outside of Tennessee's sunshine laws.
The tribe's lobbyist was even threatened physically at the commission's
meetings as he expressed opposition.
The Eastern Band, who's run afoul with Georgia over its
recognition of "Cherokee" tribes there, also expressed opposition.
Principal Chief Michell Hicks told the One Feather that he will work to
see that the legislation is invalidated.