Historic photo of Mattaponi students at the original Sharon Indian School in Virginia. Photo from Upper Mattaponi Tribe
Newspaper calls on Congress to pass S.1074 and H.R.2190, the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act to benefit six tribes in Virginia:
The purpose of the legislation is simple and straightforward: extend federal recognition to the Chickahominy Tribe, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe — Eastern Division, the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, the Rappahannock Tribe Inc., the Monacan Indian Nation and the Nansemond Indian Tribe. Members of the recognized tribes would become eligible for federal benefits, programs and services the U.S. government provides to American Indians. Noticeably, the tribes have voluntarily given up their rights to conduct such businesses as a casino on their lands and the right of eminent domain to expand their holdings. In short, the Monacans and their fellow Virginia tribes want nothing more from Washington and Congress than recognition and acknowledgment of their history and their heritage and access to small business services to enhance their own economic and social self-sufficiency. Why Congress can’t bring itself to enact this simple piece of legislation continues to baffle us.Get the Story:
Editorial: A New Path for Amherst's Monacans? (The Lynchburg News & Advance 9/16) Also Today:
Monacan Indian Nation seeking economic boost (The Lynchburg News & Advance 9/15)
Related Stories
Opinion: Federal
recognition for Virginia tribes long overdue (04/17) Senate Indian Affairs Committee approves tribal recognition bills (4/3)
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