proposed Action Plan for TCIA

Standing Rule Proposal - would establish a "schedule" or "calendar" to ensure the TCIA has time to address all its purposes and duties on an annual basis.

    To carry out the duties of the commission set forth in TCA 4.34 Part 1, the commission shall:
  1. Establish an order for addressing each of the duties annually that gives equal time to each duty, takes into consideration legislative, funding and other relevant deadlines and cycles, provides adequate time for completion of relevant projects, provides adequate time for general progress reflection and review, and provides time for annual goal-setting.
  2. Dissolve existing non-functioning "committees."
  3. Assign areas of responsibility based on each commissioner's skills, followed by each commissioner's interests.

    Order for Addressing Duties

  1. Fall meeting (Knoxville)
    1. Investigate relief needs of Indians of Tennessee and provide technical assistance in the preparation of plans for the alleviation of such needs;
    2. Confer with appropriate officials of local, state and federal governments and agencies of these governments, and with such congressional commissions that may be concerned with Indian affairs;
    3. Encourage and implement coordination of applicable resources to meet the needs of Indians in Tennessee;

  2. Winter meeting (Memphis)
    1. Cooperate with and secure the assistance of the local, state and federal governments or any agencies thereof in formulating any programs that the commission finds necessary or beneficial to Indians in Tennessee;
    2. Coordinate any programs regarding Indian affairs adopted or planned by the federal government to the end that the commission secure the full benefit of such programs;
    3. Review and comment on all proposed state legislation and amendments to existing state legislation directly affecting Indians in Tennessee;

  3. Spring meeting (Nashville)
    1. Study issues relevant to recognition status of Indians living in Tennessee, including but not limited to status-based programs and policies, and alternative programs and policies for unrecognized Indians;
    2. Establish appropriate procedures and programs to provide assistance for legal recognition of presently unrecognized tribes, nations, groups, communities or individuals;
    3. Review and comment on all pending state legislation and amendments to existing state legislation directly affecting Indians in Tennessee;

  4. Summer meeting (Chattanooga)
    1. Review year to date including projects, proposals, and commissioner or work group performances, determine any necessary corrective actions, develop annual report, set goals for next four meetings. Schedule for dissolution of current committees1 and assignment of areas of responsibility
    2. Commissioners will be assigned areas of responsibility at the Summer 08 meeting
    3. Committees will be officially dissolved at the Spring 08 meeting

    Footnote 1. Not to include functioning committees consisting of non-commissioners and/or established after December 2006.

Valerie Ohle, January 7, 2008