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West Virginia State Intertribal Tribe / Organization

Appalachian American Indians of W.V.   Adopted: March 01, 1996, March 03, 1998
West Virginia state intertribal tribe
West Virginia State Intertribal Tribe:
Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia
Graphic: AAIWV

Is there a difference between a tribe and an organization?

The Appalachian American Indians of West Virginian (AAIWV) were named the official intertribal tribe of the State of West Virginia when the State Senate approved Senate Resolution No. 25 on March 01, 1996.

Typically, official designations for the State of West Virginia are initiated in the Senate or House of Delegates as concurrent resolutions that must receive approval from both houses to become effective.

In this case, the measure was initiated, not as a concurrent resolution but as a unique Senate resolution. The designation was initiated in and approved by the West Virginia State Senate. The Senate Resolution was not considered by the West Virginia House of Delegates.

Senate Resolution No. 25 was introduced on March 01, 1996 and adopted by a voice vote on the same day.

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

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.

Further developments...

Two years after the Senate approved Senate Resolution No. 25, the West Virginia House of Delegates approved House Resolution No. 23. The House resolution though claimed to be identical to the Senate resolution was not.

Provided below is the text of House Resolution No. 23, as introduced on February 20, 1998, and the House Committee on Rules' substitute, approved by the House of Delegates on March 03, 1998. Read them carefully to discern the differences.

Listed below is House Resolution No. 23 as introduced on February 20, 1998.

House Resolution No. 23

(By Delegates Staton, Kominar and Mahan)

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, American Indians have contributed vastly to the knowledge of botanical medicines and pharmacopoeia 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, Monongahela 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 House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates 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.

The following is the House Rules Committee substitute that was approved on March 03, 1998.

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR

RESOLUTION NO. 23

(By Delegates Staton, Kominar and Mahan)

(Originating in the Committee on Rules)
[date]

Recognizing Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal organization in 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, American Indians have contributed vastly to the knowledge of botanical medicines and pharmacopoeia 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, Monongahela 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 organization; 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 House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia as an official intertribal organization in 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.

Freedom of speech, government separation of powers, and the tribe becomes and organization

Major differences between the 1996 Senate resolution and the finally adopted 1998 House resolution include a deleted paragraph and an added paragraph.

Not included in the 1998 House resolution, as introduced, or the Rules Committee substitute, as approved, was the following paragraph that was present in the 1996 Senate resolution.

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

Added to the approved 1998 Rules Committee substitute and not found in either the 1996 Senate resolution or the 1998 House resolution, as introduced, was a paragraph disclaiming the Indians' intention regarding establishment of a reservation and participation in any gambling ventures within the State of West Virginia."

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

Another big difference is that the 1998 Senate resolution designates the Appalachian American Indians as West Virginia as an official intertribal "tribe" of the state of West Virginia, while the 1998 approved House Committee on Rules' substitute designates the Appalachian American Indians as an official intertribal "organization" of West Virginia. In this regard, the 1998 House resolution is more accurate than the 1996 Senate resolution.

Indeed, the Senate and House resolutions are not the same. Most pointedly, the Senate has adopted the Appalachian American Indians as an official intertribal tribe, while the House has adopted the Appalachian American Indians as an official intertribal organization.


Sources...

"House Resolution 23, Legislative Session: 1998(RS)." West Virginia Legislature. West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information, 03 Mar 1998. Web. 13 Mar 2014.

"Senate Resolution 25, Legislative Session: 1996(RS)." West Virginia Legislature. West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information, 01 Mar 1996. Web. 13 Mar 2014.

Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.


Additional Information

AAIWV: Official website of the Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia, Inc.

Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia: Mailbag: Native Languages of the Americas website.

Native American Communities in West Virginia: West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

Appalachian American Indians of West Virginia: Appalachian Landscape Conservation Project.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official West Virginia state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.