Tulsa World: Cherokees united against legislation

MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 | WIRELESS

Home > News > Article

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Cherokees united against legislation

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
Published: 4/10/2008 1:22 AM
Last Modified: 4/10/2008 1:22 AM

Two Cherokee tribes meet to discuss state and federal measures.

CATOOSA -- The Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians had a joint tribal council meeting Wednesday at the Cherokee Nation Casino Resort to discuss issues facing both tribes.

The tribes were separated by the U.S. government's forced removal of Cherokees, resulting in the Trail of Tears. The joint council meetings have been held regularly since 1984, usually every two years.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is based in Cherokee, N.C.; the Cherokee Nation is based in Tahlequah.

The meeting represented about 294,000 Cherokee people throughout the U.S.

Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller addressed the councils, recalling the first meeting between the groups in 1984 in Red Clay, Tenn., and the emotion of seeing two young people carrying torches that were to be combined in a symbolic eternal flame.

"We acknowledged the past, the hardships of the past," Mankiller, moved to tears at the memory of the meeting, told the group.

"But what those young people meant as they came in with those two torches was our future. It was an honor to participate in the first meeting at Red Clay, and its an honor to be here with you today, 25 years later."

Mankiller; former Deputy Principal Chief John Ketcher; and Ross O. Swimmer, former Cherokee Nation principal chief and current Special Trustee for Indians at the U.S. Department of the Interior, were awarded the Friends of Sequoyah Award.

The joint council passed a resolution opposing a bill making its way through the Oklahoma Legislature that would make English the state's official language.

"Cherokees clearly understand the devastating effects of the policy of English as an official language by their treatment in Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools where they were punished for speaking Cherokee including having their mouths washed out with soap," the resolution states.

The proposal "brands Oklahoma as intolerant, closed-minded, hard-hearted, mean-spirited and oppressive to minority groups," it said.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, who was barred from speaking during legislative committee meetings on the bill, blasted the proposal, sponsored by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore.

"They may as well open an old wound and throw salt in it," Smith told the councils.

The legislation would end driver's license testing in Spanish and state agencies' multilingual phone menus.

The joint council meeting also addressed a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would sever government-to-government relations with the Cherokee Nation.

The bill, House Resolution 2824, was introduced by Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., in June amid a dispute with descendants of Cherokee freedmen and the tribe over citizenship.

"This alarming, inappropriate and unacceptable overreach could set a precedent that undermines sovereign tribal governments throughout Indian Country," the resolution states. "These proposed legislative actions threaten to turn back the clock on hard-won rights, and to cease a nation's right to exist."

Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer

Newspaper View Print this story

Comment

RSS

Bookmark

Reader Comments

Show: Most Recent Comment First

Add your comment

62 comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!

Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. -- Web Editor Jason Collington

	Report Comment Down with 1804 and this trash, too (4/10/2008 4:51:55 AM) The proposal "brands Oklahoma as intolerant, closed-minded, hard-hearted, mean-spirited and oppressive to minority groups," That about sums it up. Supporters of this piece of landfill think it will stop warnings, fine print, advertisements and conversations in other languages. As usual they're wrong. The passage above is all that will come of it.
	Report Comment Marvin Summerfield, Miami (4/10/2008 5:01:59 AM) 'Wilma Mankiller; former Deputy Principal Chief John Ketcher; and Ross O. Swimmer, former Cherokee Nation principal chief and current Special Trustee for Indians at the U.S. Department of the Interior, were awarded the Friends of Sequoyah Award.' It is ironic that these former leaders were in the forefront of banning the Cherokee Freedmen during the 1970's..now they are giving the Sequoyah award which is named after our greatest educator. Yet, none of them speak Cherokee except for Ketcher. Sequoyah is probably rolling over in his grave and laughing at them. Just like the rest of us Cherokees who support the Cherokee Freedmen...
	Report Comment HB 1804 ROCKS, TULSA (4/10/2008 6:30:25 AM) 1. 4/10/2008 4:51:55 AM, Down with 1804 and this trash, too The proposal "brands Oklahoma as intolerant, closed-minded, hard-hearted, mean-spirited and oppressive to minority groups, THAT IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT A LEFTIST COULD PAY US THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.ILLEGALS GO HOME!!!!!!!!! HB 1804 ROCKS"
	Report Comment Dover, (4/10/2008 7:18:46 AM) Why dont the Cherokees run their nation and stay out of our business. I really dont care what they want. They can officially claim and use any language they want. Besides whats the problem other that we want English as the official language. I dont ever here anyone not even the cherokees using their language!! Maybe they need to have a meeting about how to pay out more on their gambling casinos instead of worrying about something that doesnt involve them.
	Report Comment E T, tulsa (4/10/2008 7:30:23 AM) I would bet there are not even 1% of the indians that could even speak their native language.
	Report Comment 5 CIVILIZED TRIBES, TULSA (4/10/2008 8:14:08 AM) 5. 4/10/2008 7:30:23 AM, E T, tulsa I would bet there are not even 1% of the indians that could even speak their native language. tHEIRS NOT EVEN ONE PERCENT OF CHEROKEES THAT ARE INDIANS .THEY ARE ALL WHITE FOLK PLAYING INDIAN ESPECIALLY THE CHEROKEE CHIEF. HES A WHITE CASINO BOSS PLAYING DRESS UP INDIAN.
	Report Comment America first, (4/10/2008 8:17:23 AM) I think this legislation is BS. I hope it's laid aside before Okiehoma gets more bad press. Rocks, you suck!
	Report Comment CherokeeVote, Park Hill Cherokee Nation (4/10/2008 8:32:48 AM) Well looks like they had A big party for Chadez and his boss Ross Swimmer and Wilma Mankiller. They said. "This alarming, inappropriate and unacceptable overreach could set a precedent that undermines sovereign tribal governments throughout Indian Country," the resolution states. "These proposed legislative actions threaten to turn back the clock on hard-won rights, and to cease a nation's right to exist." Well the Chief Chad two wife Smith got old KKKetcher to start A petition to remove the Freedmen ? This is what there in trouble for braking the Treaty. I bet old Chad got real drunk last night with his Ho's.
	Report Comment gb, sapulpa (4/10/2008 8:39:48 AM) UPDATE: Athens Student Caused Injuries to Herself By ADAM RUSSELL Staff Writer ATHENS — A 13-year-old girl who claimed she was attacked by a group inside Athens Middle School was caught on a surveillance camera causing the injuries to herself. The girl now faces disciplinary action from the school and will be charged with filing a false police report, AISD superintendent Fred Hayes said during a news conference today. The parents of Melanie Bowers have since sent letters of apology to school and law enforcement investigators. Hayes said officials in investigating the matter saw the tape that caught her scratching herself on the arms and neck. Last week she had claimed the injuries were inflicted by a group of about 20 students who also threatened to sexually assault and kill her. The girl had participated in a history class project with a “protest” theme. She brought to school a protest sign reading “If you love your country stop illegal immigration.” She claimed she was attacked because of the sign. Hayes said Monday, a review of the allegations show that three students took the sign from her and that she reported the incident and was sent back to class. Later, the three students who took the sign were suspended.
	Report Comment mucus person, from the left (4/10/2008 9:15:51 AM) Mucus people? ROFLMAO! You're so cute when you're mad.
	Report Comment B. V., Tulsa (4/10/2008 9:46:43 AM) Maybe the reason there's not enough Cherokee speakers is because the dumb government tried to kill the language.
	Report Comment Charles, Tulsa (4/10/2008 10:24:21 AM) Chad Smith is a pompous donkey.He specializes in milking white guilt for everything he can extort.This pockmarked fool is a professional Indian--one who makes a living hustling whites.This legislation doesn't even apply to the tribes.
	Report Comment Anthony, Tulsa (4/10/2008 10:36:45 AM) The Chadster plays the victim card.He is as sick as Jesse Jackson.Most Indians probably like official English--after all it is the ONLY language they speak.The "chief" still lives in 1900.Chad, why don't you head down to the casino and have a few drinks.
	Report Comment Dover, (4/10/2008 11:07:14 AM) 7. 4/10/2008 8:17:23 AM, America first If we are making bad press then lets keep it coming.
	Report Comment Larry Still, (4/10/2008 11:26:53 AM) Tulsa World comment section is a bigot's playground. When I feel there is not enough hate in the world, I come here so I can feel worse about myself and society. This line of comments is exhibit A. For instance, this has nothing to do with 1804, but some people who don't take the time to think and only react to their gut instinct (an apparent aversion to brown people) want this sham proposal to be something it is not. It won't turn back the clock to the 1950s where everything was 'perfect' andpeople of color were rarely seen and never heard. Get over it. The time for bigoted behavior has passed in every place but this forum right here.
	Report Comment Joan, Tulsa (4/10/2008 11:55:45 AM) English Only is great. It will be approved by over 70%.It doesn't apply to the tribes.Randy Terrill for governor.
	Report Comment one problem, (4/10/2008 12:02:31 PM) Native Americans aren't fighting for immigrants' rights, they are fighting for human rights and common sense. How much more money can this state stand to lose at the hands of Randy Terrill and his cronies? One flaw with this plan of yours. You wouldn't get NONE of OUR tax money. What will you do without all that casino wampum, bud?
	Report Comment To Larry Still, (4/10/2008 12:13:22 PM) To #15, Larry, You're right. What cracks me up is how these same bigots scream and moan about the "illegal invasion" going on in the U.S. They say, "We've got to preserve our way of life, if we wanted to be Mexican, we would move to Mexico". But now watch the hypocrites when the Indians, the first Americans, want to preserve a part of their heritage. These near-sighted hypocrites better get on board with the Indians on this one. The way the population is changing, as far as race is concerned, it won't be long until someone will be introducing a bill making SPANISH THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF AMERICA. I think true Americans realize we have some very serious problems on the horizon and speaking english isn't one of them.
	Report Comment Cindy White, Broken Arrow (4/10/2008 12:33:35 PM) The time has come for Governor Henry and State Treasure Scott Meacham to begin fair dealings with the Oklahoma Tribes, specifically "Tobacco Tax Compacts". Why in the world does the current system favor one tribe over another? The Tribal Smoke Shops are all doing business in the same "State of Oklahoma". The tribal cigarette taxes paid by smoke shops to the state range from 58 cents per carton to $8.58 per carton. Wow, which shop should pay the high tax? This system is nonsense! Are there good Indians with the low tax and bad Indians with the high tax? It is time for the state to get fair and balanced! The solution is simple. I read in the Tulsa World Wednesday that Chief Chad Smith was invoking the favored nation clause in his compact with the state that sets the Cherokee tax rate at 25% of the regular state tax. This would be $2.58 per carton paid to the state on all Cherokee cigarette sales. The 25% rate worked very well for ten years with all Oklahoma Tribal Smoke Shops, and will work again if the state decides to negotiate fairly with all of the tribes. The fact is that all of the Tribes will accept this amount and state revenues will increase drastically if implemented. This will eliminate tribal cigarettes being transferred from the low tax rate stores to the high tax rate stores, which has become a problem for the state. No need to transfer if all tribal rates are the same. Fair negotiations need to take place now because it is the right thing to do for all concerned. A lot of jobs in this "Great State" hang in the balance and revenue is needed to fund state obligations for health care and the general fund. I am a concerned citizen for tribal sovereignty and state fairness.
	Report Comment Bill Jamison, Bartlesville (4/10/2008 12:38:11 PM) P.S> Larry, you brande me a bigot yet I have more Indian blood coursing through my body than most readers do. I'm a bigot because I think we should EARN what we have? you want a "sovereign nation"? Fine do NOT take another dime from the government, state or federal.
	Report Comment To Bill Jamison, (4/10/2008 12:45:44 PM) To #17, Bill Jamison, First, it sounds like you are jealous because someone has something you don't. Man, don't that just make your blood boil. How dare the Cherokee Tribe to be successful in a business adventure. Now the entitlements you speak of as being FREE, is for the payment for the taking of America from the Indians, and Bill, it was America, not 2 counties in Oklahoma. Our ancestors gave the Cherokees 14 counties in NE Oklahoma that didn't even belong to them, legally, in a swap for 8 eastern states. Good trade, wouldn't you say? Hmm, sounds like what you want to do in 2008. Take 12 of the Cherokee Nation Counties from the Cherokees leaving them with two. And these "free" entitlements stem from payment on the mortgage, so to speak. Our ancestors authored these deals and signed them and intimidated the Indians into signing. With your logic, I guess we can say you are getting "free" money from the government when you draw social security of medicaid. Don't tell me that's different because you paid in. The Indians paid their dues also. And where do people like you get "free tags". Last I heard, they cost money with taxes attached. "Free health care" is available to any American who can't afford it. You are in desparate need of some history teachings. It's at your fingertips, Bill, you can google all of this stuff.
	Report Comment KKM, (4/10/2008 1:34:50 PM) How dare the Cherokee Tribe to be successful in a business adventure. You need to read about the current CN's business adventures. Just about every business, with the exception of the casinos has went belly up.
	Report Comment To Bill Jamison, (4/10/2008 1:38:36 PM) To #25, Bill Jamison, Did the Russians or Chinese take Mexico or Canada? Accepting your reasoning, one would assume they would have taken those two countries since they are adjacent to the U.S, You know, "if" a frog had hips, he would wear pistols, know what I mean? And answer your own question, who did the Indians take this country from? Again, pure wishful thinking without one shread of scientific evidence to back it up. And you referring to "all those Indians" makes me wonder if you are an Indian. If you are, you are lacking significantly in your own history. Indians have survived everthing thrown at them by we, Europeans, over the past 300 years. I serously doubt they would be "running back" as you say. Look at Indian Health Services and Housing you said. I say, look at the United States Health Care and Housing. And I add, "Has that escaped you"? Drive through some of the housing additions of other races sometimes, obviously, you would be shocked. INDIANS DON'T GET A SINGLE THING THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN THE COUNTRY DOSEN'T GET. THAT IS A FACT. Indians get a lot of theirs from the tribal governments, other races get the same services from the United States Government. The main message your comments convey too me if you are truly an Indian - you are not proud of that fact. That's sad and just an observation.
	Report Comment New tax compacts, bartlesville (4/10/2008 1:55:20 PM) Oklahoman will soon sign new compacts with tribes. The compacts and payments will be in lieu of taxes to cover each Native American who shops in non-Indian businesses. The compacts level the playing field with the state of Okalhoma's tribal compacts and send money back to the tribes as do the current compacts that send money from tribal businesses to the state of Oklahoma in lieu of taxes for non-Indians who shop at tribally owned businesses.
	Report Comment SkyBrother, Aniwayha Clan, (4/10/2008 2:07:36 PM) One thing the white people cannot understand: From our point of view, you have the same status as the illegal immigrants pouring over the border, except they have yet to attempt to eradicate our people and culture.

25 of 62 comments displayed. | View All

Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.