SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 25
(By Senators Love, Schoonover and Whitlow)
Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia 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 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, Citizens should be reminded that certain concepts
such as the freedom of speech and the separation of powers in
government, all of which were found in the political systems of
various American Indian nations, 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 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, Monogahela 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 tribe; 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 Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the Appalachian American
Indians of West Virginia 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 Appalachian American Indians of West
Virginia.