"State lawmakers today found themselves asked to determine exactly who should be considered Native American. Supporters of three “remnant” tribes say federal dollars and cultural identity are at stake.

Kingsport Republican Tony Shipley wants the state to recognize three “remnant” tribes as official Native Americans. He calls it a “civil-rights issue.”

But Julie Reed, a history professor at the University of Tennessee and a member of the Cherokee Nation argues otherwise. Reed says those groups’ ancestors abandoned their tribes two centuries ago, to avoid walking the trail of tears."

Get the Story:
Lawmakers Asking Once More: Who’s Native American? (WPLN 3/20)

Also Today:
Out-of-state Indian tribes opposing recognition for Tennessee groups (The Tennessean 3/20)