James Everett Meeks, Middle Tennessee

Archive for the ‘Notices’ Category

The current Commissioners of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs are:

Memphis Metro      Alice Henry
West Tennessee     Jimmie Thigpen
Middle Tennessee   James Everett Meeks
Nashville Metro    Charles A Lawson
Chattanooga Metro  Tammera Hicks
East Tennessee     Valerie Ohle
Knoxville Metro    Christine Goddard

The above information has been confirmed through documentation from the Governor, the Lt Governor and the Speaker of the House.

The latest news in regard to appointments of Commissioners for the Tennessee Commission of Indian affairs is thusly:

The Governor and the Lt. Governor have made their appointments. The speaker of the House has not yet made his appointment. He is, however, reviewing the associated material.

The current Commissioners of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs are:

Memphis Metro      Alice Henry
West Tennessee     Jimmie Thigpen
Middle Tennessee   James Everett Meeks
Nashville Metro    Clifford ‘Bill’ Wells
Chattanooga Metro  Tammera Hicks
East Tennessee     Valerie Ohle
Knoxville Metro    Christine Goddard

The above information has been confirmed by the TNNAC Secretary and by TDEC Counsel Attorney Mark James.

I’ve been reviewing the order of meeting that was presented for the 8 March 2008 Commission of Indian Affairs meeting.

I have a question (or two),

Since there is No statute or rule in the State of Tennessee,
What Constitutes a Native American Indian or a Native American Indian Organization in Tennessee?

3 things for further review after this email

1. Individuals who formerly received recognition via the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs, may no longer be recognized in the State of Tennessee
2. There are No Recognized Tennessee Native American Indian Tribes, Bands, Groups, Nations, Communities OR Organizations in the State of Tennessee
3. While some of the “Organizations” listed in the agenda appear to seek the best interest of the Tennessee Native American Indian, Why are they listed as such on the Commission’s Order of Meeting as an Organization since the Commission of Indian Affairs has repealed Recognition of such in Tennessee?

Now for a little review:

On 5 August 2006 in Knoxville, TN, The Commission of Indian Affairs withdrew the criteria which detailed recognition passed on June 10 2006 (Tribes, Individuals, Organizations)Commissioner Vaughn moved withdrawal of the Rules passed on June 10, 2006. Seconded by Commissioner Aseret.

Commissioner Vaughn Yes
Commissioner Aseret Yes
Commissioner Allen No
Commission Chair Doris Tate Trevino No tiebreaker vote needed
Commissioner Jimmy Reedy not present—working
Commissioner Jeanie Walkingstick King not present—prior commitment

Commissioner Vaughn moved that the TCIA adopt the Tribes, Nations and Communities Criteria submitted by ACTIA on August 5, 2006 and go forward as proposed as new Rules. Seconded by Commissioner Aseret.

Commissioner Vaughn Yes
Commissioner Aseret Yes
Commissioner Allen Yes
Commission Chair Doris Tate Trevino No tiebreaker vote needed
Commissioner Jimmy Reedy not present—working
Commissioner Jeanie Walkingstick King not present—prior commitment
Motion Carried

On 29 December 2007, in Memphis, TN, the Commission voted 5-2 to repeal the Tribes, nations and Communities Criteria submitted by ACTIA on August 5, 2006 (This was repealed because of the recommendation the Sunset Committee and on the advise of council by a vote of 5-2).

An email was recently sent by former commissioner Jimmy Reedy to commissioners and other interested parties. The email asked a question:

I’ve got a question for you good folks, if the state of Tennessee say’s it wants nothing to do with recognition and the state has no recognition criteria, what standard does the state use when awarding money for things such as money for minority students or contracts awarded to minority owned business, like Lojack working on road projects?

Order of Meeting for the 8 March 2008 Meeting. (link below)

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

---

Keep the people informed…It is their right!!!Respectfully Submitted

James Everett Meeks
Commissioner, Middle Tennessee
Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs

—–Original Message—–

From: tom kunesh [mailto:tpkunesh@chattanooga.net]
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 6:29 PM
To: Val Ohle; Jeanie Walkingstick King; Jimmie Thigpen; tom kunesh; Shelley Allen; James Meeks; Mark James
Cc: TN Indian Affairs list
Subject: TNCIA quarterly meeting – rescheduled: 29 march
Importance: High

TNCIA quarterly meeting – rescheduled 29 march

TN Commission of Indian Affairs meeting

Saturday, 29 March, 10 am – 3 pm CT

Nashville, TDOT Building, 6601 Centennial Blvd.
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/news/ppo/sunshine.shtml#tcia

Tentative Agenda: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/news/ppo/agenda/tcia_mar08.pdf

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/boards/tcia/

First off, I’d like to show my appreciation for canceling the Commission meeting which was scheduled for 8 March 2008. I’m not sure when/if I could have gotten to Nashville for the scheduled meeting. I believe that the well-being of the Tennessee Native American Indian is paramount so this was a good call.

I seem to have a lack of understanding of process. I would sure like to be schooled in this area, and I’m sure there are those who would like to take the opportunity to do so.

I refer you to the following

c) Prior to a commission meeting, at least ten (10) days’ notice shall be given in writing to all Native American organizations in Tennessee that have requested such notification. Notice shall be given by mail and by e-mail, if available. The commission shall also place notice of its meeting times and places on the website of the Tennessee commission of Indian affairs. (TCA 4-34-104)

There are 2 points I’d like to understand

1. ten (10) days’ notice
2. mail and by email, if available.

First, could someone please relate to me what constitutes ten (10) days?
Second, could someone please tell me what constitutes “mail?”

I believe that the Tennessee Native American Indian deserves representation.

At one point in time the Legislature of the State of Tennessee realized that there was a people group in Tennessee which was not being represented as well as they should be. To this end the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs was instituted.

I believe, based on this week’s vote, the legislature continues to believe this.

Send your cards and letters of encouragement to the Legislators who voted for the Tennessee Native American Indian in Tennessee.

I believe that the Tennessee Native American Indian deserves the opportunity of self-actualization.

The Tennessee Native American Indian has been told for years not to let anyone know they were Native American Indian for fear of losing their property. Since this was the case, whenever a Native American Indian activity was being held, they didn’t volunteer their information to be notified. This meant that the state had no means whereby to notify Native American Indians of what was occurring which impacted their lives.

This may continue to be the case in some communities, but there are those which have made themselves known to the General Public. They are no longer living in the shadows attempting to hide because the laws have changed and they don’t need to live in fear anymore.

The Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs is a State Agency

I have met with legislators and legal counsel to gain an understanding of what it means to be a State Agency. It appears that there is a set of laws which must be followed for all State Agencies, but, the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs is governed by an additional set of regulations: TCA 4-34

I Believe the Tennessee Native American Indian deserves the same favor as any other citizen.

The law seems to be clear. The Commission of Indian Affairs is to give ten (10) days notice via Mail to all Native American organizations in Tennessee which have requested the same. This is lawful and just the right thing to do.

I take the words of a fellow commissioner, Valerie Ohle in an email about the agenda for the 8 March 2008 meeting after a copy of the agenda was posted to message boards.

I put the post on Amisa’s board AND on my blog. I also e-mailed it to those confederation leaders who live in East TN Grand, to those individuals in the community I seek “counsel” with, and to those individuals in other parts of the state who have, for their own reasons, reached out to me as a commissioner.Isn’t communicating with our constituency what we’re supposed to do? I read Shelley’s message (below) and understood from that note that the agenda was DONE and subject to no further changes UNTIL the meeting!

While I doubt you’ll be interested in WHY I might have done that, let me explain anyway:

1) The majority of allegations about the Commission’s transparency appear on Amisa’s board, in confederation rhetoric, and on the confederation petition.

2) I wasn’t aware of a protocol for posting it once it was in final draft, and assumed that a final draft was final until approved at the relevant meeting, and ours to distribute to constituents and the public.

3) I put it there because I’m sick and tired of the crap on that board and the accusations there and being spread through the capitol that we work “in secret,” that we don’t show diligence in communicating, that we don’t accomplish anything, that we failed, and the list goes on.

I concur with Commissioner Ohle. It is time the Commission started following the same dictates which every other State Agency is forced to follow: The Law.

Keep the people informed…It is their right!!!

Respectfully Submitted

James Everett Meeks
Commissioner, Middle Tennessee
Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs