fyi: from what i understand of the old TCIA minutes, "individual" recognition was an after-thought of the TCIA's main concerns, (1) helping indian organizations obtain federal grants by validating their indian membership, and (2) preventing fraud on the public by false indian groups. these criteria were to be employed as guidelines -within- organizations in determining the indian qualifications of their board members and membership percentages (indian :: non-indian). earliest drafts of the recognition criteria focused on qualifications of "tribes/bands" and "associations", and only later was specification added of how those groups were to internally quantify and qualify their membership. TNIAAC did the same in Knoxville this past september: http://www.tncia.org/minutes14sep02.html. 19mar2003/tpk
Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs [page] 4.
... Mr. Shepard said he noticed that our criteria has provisions for other categories of membership and commended us for including this in our criteria. He stated that management of the information and ability to retrieve it in portions will be the key to success. He suggested that we determine why we are seeking recognition and firm up these convictions. He said that these quantums tend to become bound in concrete unless we are careful to allow for amendments. Mr. Shepard said that with effort those seeking recognition can come up with the customary standards of Family Bible, newspaper accounts, and other printed documents which can be acceptable ... almost anything can be used with good judgement. He reminded that the entire group do not have to be recognized; even the BIA makes these allowances; just a preponderance of the group need to be certified. The majority of Indian to others will need to be maintained and updated. Mr. Yahola asked Mr. Shepard if Congress could pass laws to make people non-Indian, could Congress also pass laws to restore them to Indian status. Mr. Shepard said we all know that Congress can do what it wants to do, but the Congressmen do yield to pressures from voting groups. He suggested that if we want such legislation, we should gather the numbers for support. Ms. Allen stated that her review of the revisions of the criteria showed that the basic intentions of the categories are still within the document. She recommended that the Commission plan to act on it and work toward implementation at the next meeting. -- 5. Chairman Grant asked Mr. Shepard that if we adopt a criteria, will the BIA accept our certification. Mr. Shepard said the BIA does not have anything to say about what the states do. It is alright with BIA for a state to set its criteria. If a state recognized group wishes to petition the Federal Government for recognition, the BIA will do its own research. The Commission meeting was adjourned. General Discussion by those attending followed. ---- Meeting, September 29, 1990, Millington TN Seven individual applications for Indian recognition were reviewed and approved. Those approved were Megan Elizabeth Burleson, Martha Helen Street, Margaret Ann Baker Street, Richard E. Jackson, Charline Martin, Jack Martin, and John Martin. --- Meeting, February 6, 1991, Knoxville TN Area Reports
John Martin - NCAI [National Congress of American Indians] Convention report is expected to be sent to the commission office; copies will be sent to everybody when it arrives. Mr. Martin asked NCAI members about our /p2/recognition criteria. They criticized that we should set it one year off, and that it was too lenient.
John Martin - Enrollment applications were passed around to TCIA members to review. Harley Grant motioned to form a committee to review applicants. Ray Emanuel, Harley Grant and Ron Golden volunteered to review applications and be on the committee. They will meet before the meetings. /p3/ Applications from Ruth Allen, Ramona Ijames, and Shelly and Gary Allen were approved. Ray Emanuel moved to accept them. Mary Solomon seconded the motion. The motion carried. ...
Harley Grant had concern about how people become recognized as Native Americans in Tennessee. John Martin suggested putting it on the agenda for the next meeting. --- Meeting, February 22, 1992, Cookeville TN
Director's [Luvenia Butler] Report: ... /p3/
Enrollment
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