Disclaimer: This is the Unoficial website about the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
which has been providing más mejor información al público on the TNCIA since 2001.
tncia.org is not affiliated with nor approved nor endorsed by the TN Commission of Indian Affairs.
Here's a link to The Official TCIA website : www.state.tn.us/environment/tcia/.

TCA 4-34-101: the law governing the Commission of Indian Affairs
TNCIA Rule 0785-1: state tribal recognition criteria (repealed)
TNCIA Standing Rules
11,150 MNI
Working Group on
Culturally Unidentified Human Remains

you must not fight . do no harm to anyone . do right always

we are all related

next TN Commission of Indian Affairs meeting:
saturday, 21 june 2008, 10am
Knoxville -
Mountain View UMC Family Life Center, 3200 Maryville Pike
agenda tba


 background documents for the 29 march 2008 meeting in Nashville
C. Secretary's report
1. December 2007 meeting minutes, treasurer's report
2. Treasurer's report

II. OLD BUSINESS (tabled from 29dec07)
A. Resolution supporting the TNNAC democratic election process for nominees and repudiation of private lobbying efforts advocating specific nominee change. (kunesh)
B. Resolution requiring that all emails between 2 or more sitting Commissioners wherein there was review, deliberation of decisions or assessment of information in lieu of a called committee meeting or regular meeting of the Commission be placed into the Minutes/Records of the Tennessee Commission of Indian. With this inclusion all said emails should/would be posted to the website of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs for review by the public. (Meeks)
C. proposed Standing Rules amendment: On officers' election, transition and duties. (kunesh)
D. Project reports - 1. Research Initiative, 2. Tourism map, 3. Music education cd

III. NEW BUSINESS
A. Status of repeal of Rule 0785-1
B. Report to Legislative Review Committee/s and status of legislation to extend Commission:
        (1) SB 3123,     (2) SB 2477,     (3) SB 3450
C. Officer election: chairperson
D. Annual Report review
H. Recognition for departing Commissioners (Allen)


E. proposed Standing Rules amendment: Setting of meeting dates and places (Allen)
F. proposed Standing Rules amendment: Agenda Protocol (Ohle)
K. proposed Standing Rules amendment: Code of Ethics/Pledge (Ohle & Meeks)
    (see also TCA 45-1-114. Removal of commissioner from office - Causes - Procedure)
J. proposed Standing Rules amendment: Action Plan for TCIA (Ohle)
F. Tribal Ties Task Force (Ohle)
G. Standing Committees vs. Regional Coalitions (Ohle)
I. Citizens' Committee of Historic and Other Federally Recognized Nation (Ohle)
L. UELN AG Assessment (Meeks)

IV. ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTS - ACTIA, TNNAC, NAIA, ANAIR, CTNT

V. CLOSING
(1) Next Commission meeting proposed, 7 June, Chattanooga
(2) Other future meeting dates and places (6 September, Knoxville)
B. Public comments (4 mins. per person)

Updated and annotated for educational purposes only.
These notes and links are for planning and preparation purposes only.
NOT a true and accurate record.   get the official TCIA meeting agenda.

state Sunshine law: formation of public policy & decisions is public business and shall not be conducted in secret. TCA 8-44-101

Legislative
Watch

2008



Grants state Indian recognition to 6 groups;
appoints "Confederation of Tennessee
Native Tribes" to review other groups to
receive state Indian recognition. Vaughn

failed in Senate State & Local Gov't Cte
2-2-3; amendment never submitted.


Repeals commission of Indian affairs
& eliminates statutory authority.

amended to extend termination
date to 30 June 2009
. Harper
passed Senate & House, signed by Gov.


Extends commission on Indian affairs
termination date to 30 June 2009

Marrero SB2477 amended to same, passed.
taken off notice.

2007
search
this past year's
legislation


Urges the TNCIA and the BIA to
recognize the Cherokee Wolf Clan
as Native American Indians
. Jackson
Withdrawn.


Prohibits state agencies from
prohibiting use of American Indian
symbols, names, and mascots
. Bunch
Passed: Pub. Ch. 371.


Authorizes TDEC to issue recognition to
certain Indian tribes; grants recognition
to Cherokee Wolf Clan
. Herron
No House bill. Died in committee.


Exempts bona fide Indian organizations
from payment of $50 charitable
solicitations registration fee
. Haynes
Passed: Pub. Ch. 474.


Authorizes issuance of Native American
cultural license plates
. Watson
Held in House subcommittee.


extends TNCIA to 2011.
Harper, Kernell
Amended to 2008.
Passed: Pub. Ch. 516
.
2006

2004


HJR 877 28 feb 2006. Hensley
A RESOLUTION to urge the Tennessee Commission of
Indian Affairs and the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs
to take action regarding applications to be recognized as a
Native American tribe filed by the Cherokee of Lawrence County.
104th General Assembly

SJR 657 13 jan 2004. McLeary
A RESOLUTION to recognize the
Cherokee Wolf Clan as an
official Native American Indian body
in the State of Tennessee.
103rd General Assembly


TN Indian Affairs commissioners

     2005-2009     

Memphis
Shelley Allen, vice chair
*descendant, TN state-recognized
1541 Welsh Road, Memphis 38117
901. 685.8135

     2007-2011    

West Tennessee
Jimmie Thigpen
descendant, Cherokee
3416 Scenic Terrace, Memphis TN 38128
901. 251.1519

Nashville
Bill Wells
106 Lakewood Circle, Smyrna 37167
615. 556.1843
Middle Tennessee
James Everett Meeks
*descendant, Chickamauga Cherokee
box 1209, Tracy City 37387
423. 443.3468
Knoxville
Jeanie Walkingstick King
*member, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
110 Maple Oak Drive, Maryville 37801
865. 382.5911

Chattanooga
tom kunesh, secretary
*descendant, Standing Rock Lakota
box 1063, Chattanooga 37401
423. 624.3380

East Tennessee
Val Ohle, chair
descendant, Delaware
box 20592, Knoxville 37940
865. 609.0574


* Indian preference

officers
chair: Val Ohle (East TN)
vice chair: Shelley Allen (Memphis)
secretary: tom kunesh (Chattanooga)


    TN Archaeological Advisory Council - mandated 3 Native American representatives
    Michael Lynch, West Tennessee (2008-12)
    *member, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
    73 Baseline Road, Dyer 38330
    731. 643.6655

    Pat Cummins, Middle Tennessee (2004-08)
    descendant, Cherokee
    Hermitage 37076
    615. 874.1435

    Corky Allen, East Tennessee (2006-10)
    *member, Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma
    1055 Hillcrest Road, Chattanooga 37343
    423. 842.7960


    TN Historical Commission - mandated inclusion of person/s of Native American ancestry


    Brent Cox, teaches Native American history at UT-Martin (2008-12)
    *member, Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama
    444 Cades Atwood Road, Milan 38358
    o 731. 881.7539, h 731. 723.9994


    TN Title VI Compliance Commission
    John Hedgecoth, former TNCIA member
    descendant, Cherokee
    448 Deep Water Road, Crossville 38571
    931. 277.5452


meetings
1 : 31 january 2004 Nashville
2 : 10 july 2004 Chattanooga
3 : 18 september 2004 Knoxville
3a: 23 october 2004 Nashville: Committee of the Whole: Recognition Criteria
4 : 4 december 2004 Memphis

5 : 12 march 2005 Nashville
5a: 30 april 2005 Nashville: Committee of the Whole: Recognition Procedures
6 : 4 june 2005 Chattanooga
7 : 8 october 2005 Knoxville - only 3 commissioners, no quorum
8 : 3 december 2005 Memphis

9 : 4 march 2006 Nashville
9a: 20 may 2006 Nashville: Rulemaking Public Hearing on Rules for Recognition Criteria for Native American Indians
10: 10 june 2006 Chattanooga
11: 5 august 2006 Knoxville
11a: 21 october 2006 Nashville: Rulemaking Public Hearing on Rules for Recognition Criteria for Native American Indians
12: 2 december 2006 Memphis

13: 17 march 2007 Nashville
14: 9 june 2007 Chattanooga
15: 21 july 2007 Nashville: special: sunset questionnaire response only
16: 25 august 2007 Knoxville
16a: 17 november 2007 Nashville: Rulemaking Public Hearing on Rules for Recognition Criteria for Native American Indians
re. proposed repeal of TNCIA Rule 0785-1 vis-à-vis TCA 4-34-103 §6
17:1 december 2007 Memphis - no quorum due to Shelley Allen's walkout
17:29 december 2007 Memphis - rescheduled from 1 december

18: 29 march 2008 Nashville
19:±21 june 2008 Knoxville
20: ± 13 september 2008 Chattanooga
22 september 2008 Tennessee American Indian Day
october 2008 Tennessee American Indian Month
october 2008Tennessee Day of Healing
21: december 2008 Memphis

30 june 2009 current sunset date


                               Committees   (which have never ever met)                                
Agenda
officers ...
Teri Ellenwood
Jimmy Reedy

Doris Tate Trevino
Van Lynch, chair
Ruth Knight Allen
Kippy Vaughn
Rules & Procedures
Van Lynch, chair
Teri Ellenwood
Ruth Knight Allen
Kippy Vaughn

Education
Van Lynch, chair
Teri Ellenwood
Ruth Knight Allen

Brent Cox
Health Care
Mike Mangrum, chair
John Anderson
Ruth Knight Allen
Van Lynch
Funding
Mike Mangrum, chair
John Anderson
Kippy Vaughn
Van Lynch, chair
tom kunesh
Website
Mike Mangrum, chair
Ruth Knight Allen

TNCIA secretary
Repatriation
Mike Mangrum, chair
Teri Ellenwood
Jimmy Reedy
Niles Aseret

tom kunesh
Housing
Kippy Vaughn, chair
Jimmy Reedy
John Anderson
Indian Memorial Project
Ruth Knight Allen,
    liaison to ACTIA

TN Indian Affairs Commissioners' reports

Memphis Ruth Knight Allen, sec'y West TN Van Lynch, chair, vice chair
Nashville David Teat, Niles Aseret, Mike Mangrum Middle TN Jimmy Reedy, chair
Chattanooga tom kunesh, Doris Tate Trevino, John Anderson East TN Kippy Vaughn, John Hedgecoth
Knoxville Jeanie King, Teri Ellenwood


  highlights                                                                              

  • Chairwoman Van Lynch's response to SB 162, 17 april 2007 to prohibit state agencies from prohibiting use of American Indian symbols, names, and mascots.

  • approved Policy Statement regarding Display of Indian Remains 12 march 2005

  • Indian Mascot Removal - adopted (unanimous) 3 december 2005
  • Protection of Pinson Mounds site (1) NA-related state parks need NA-approved mgmt plans - adopted (unanimous), 3 december 2005
  • Protection of Pinson Mounds site (2) legislative proposal - adopted (unanimous) 3 december 2005
  • Protection of Little Cedar Mountain - recommend HJR 84 to legislature - adopted (unanimous) 3 december 2005

  • approved Recognition of the Historic Indian Tribes of Tennessee, 4 march 2006

  • approved Tribal Recognition Criteria rules, 17 march 2007
  • 2003 TCA 4-34-101: Commission of Indian Affairs

    "A Broader Commission"
    5-year, 10-committee plan for the new Proposed Commission
    including the creation of the TN Indian Affairs Advisory Council
    approved by the 2001 TNNAConvention (in .pdf format)


    Tennessee American Indian Heritage Day & Month
    september 27, october & november 2004

    TN Commission of Indian Affairs legislation - signed by governor, 13 june 2003
    Public Chapter 344 .pdf
    Public Chapter 344 .text
    HB1530-SB704 bill history



    TN Indian Affairs past commissioners 2003-
    • John Hedgecoth, East TN (Crossville) 2003-2004 resigned
    • Teri Rhoades Ellenwood, Knoxville 2003-2005 resigned
    • John Anderson, Chattanooga 2003-2005
    • Mike Mangrum, Nashville (Dickson) 2003-2005
    • Doris Tate Trevino, Chattanooga (Sewanee) 2005-2006 resigned
    • Niles Aseret, Nashville 2005-2007 resigned
    • Ruth Knight Allen, Memphis 2003-2007 resigned
    • Kippy Vaughn, East TN (Rockwood) 2004-2007 resigned
    • Jimmy Reedy, Middle TN (McMinnville) 2003-2007
    • Evangeline Lynch, West TN (Kenton) 2003-2008
    • David Teat, Nashville 2007-2008 resigned




    other useful sites:   the Advisory Council on Tenneessee Indian Affairs - ACTIA
    the Tennessee Native American Convention - TNNAC - Grand Division commissioner elections in 2007
    Issues Affecting American Indians in Tennessee - web message board



    tpkunesh©2001-2007