Yuchi Bill Stuck In Summer Study
Summer study sounds like a diligent examination over vacation months, but it’s actually political Siberia.
The Tennessee House of Representatives sent a bill that could have given state recognition to local Yuchi Indians to “summer study” on Tuesday, effectively killing the measure for another year. We’re glad to see this bill stalled, since tribal leaders from other states expressed doubt about the validity of the Yuchi claims.
For bill supporters, like Chief Lee Vest, it’s another year to convince lawmakers that his claims are legitimate. Vest wants state recognition for the Yuchi and asked Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, to carry the bill in the House and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, to support the measure in the state Senate.
On Sunday we urged the Legislature to turn this question back to the Tennessee Indian Commission, even though the Tennessee attorney general in 2007 issued an opinion that state lawmakers have the authority to recognize Indian tribes. We don’t believe the AG’s opinion gives state lawmakers expert understanding of Indian affairs and history. We fear there is a chance that groups that are not aligned with recognized, established tribes could gain state recognition. That would pave the way for federal recognition and associated scholarships, business loans and other funds.
Mumpower said such a mistake easily could be reversed, but we know American Indians do not want to see recognition granted to any group that is not proven to be legitimate. State legislators agreed and dumped this bill, at least for a year.
But sending the bill to an actual study committee, particularly if it was aligned with the Tennessee Indian Commission, would be the better step. Vest wants a chance to prove his claims, while critics believe his tribe is not legitimate.
Lawmakers are not experts in this field and won’t become experts by next session. The Tennessee Indian Commission knows the most about how to handle these claims and properly answer any concerns. Legislators should send tribal recognition requests to the commission so these important decisions rest with experts.
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Reader Reactions
Since it has apparently became standard policy for the remnant Yuchi to blame me for causing their failure to gain recognition, I wanted to post this statement before I receive any more silent phone calls and third party cussings by your leaders and so called scholars!
My opposition was based on being a citizen and taxpayer in this state, not because I am a Native American.
My opposition was only against the Remnant Yuchi and not the Cherokee groups in the state.
My reason for opposing this group is simple. Knowing that most of these Yuchi members had always before claimed to be Cherokee(but couldn’t prove it), the point is made. Why did you decide to “become” Yuchi?
Knowing that Vest himself was not Yuchi but has claimed to be many things over the past few years, none of which were Yuchi, my point is again made.
History, both prehistoric and historically, this tribal entity is impossible and the mere claim should challenge the intelligence of every Tennessean. Prove history wrong, we are listening!
Lastly, everyone who ever claimed to have the thought that they might be of Native ancestry would have been enrolled in this tribe. Even your online flyer invites the multitude to “join” you.
The legislation did nothing to verify the INDIVIDUAL member of this tribe as to his or her ancestry, leaving that to the already proven bad judgement of the Yuchi leaders. That flaw in the bill kinda speaks for itsself.
So you Yuchis have until next session to provide that proof of legitimacy we have asked for so many times and recieved nothing but silence, rhetoric or angry responses.
Not just the proof you have existed as a YUCHIAN tribe since 1900 but that each individual, single one of you is genuinely decended from a documented Yuchi Indian person. I suspect that this will be quite difficult for you.
If you can do that, I am sure that this paper, voters and myself would support your recognition.
This is only fair. You want something from us and it is up to you remnant Yuchi people to prove to us that you deserve it. We are waiting and listening. I am most sure if you wanted to publish your proof in this paper, it would likely accomodate you if only you would ask.
Kim “Tali” Shaffer
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