James Everett Meeks, Middle Tennessee

Commissioner Report
Middle Tennessee
20 March 2010
James Everett Meeks

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 20 February 2010
In February/March, I

• Worked on Literature to forward to Senators and Representatives regarding;
• Answered questions and requests for copies of Appliations and Rule 785
• Reviewed Census Information & American Indian Issues with the Following City Councils.
  o Tracy City
  o Palmer
  o Gruetli-Laager
• Contacted other local officials regarding Census and American Indian issues
• Attended a meeting of the Advisory Council to Tennessee Indian Affairs
• Reviewed Issues relating to Tennessee American Indians with American Indian leadership across the state.
• TT Legislators regarding current legislation.

Overall, I

• Interviewed Communities leaders for their assistance in matters of concern to Tennessee American Indians.
• Researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution
• Researched Historic locales and findings of Native American Indian Artifacts
• Attended Tribal Meetings
• Forwarded notice regarding Commission Business and information.

I believe the Purposes and Duties of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs may be more fully met with the engagement of Tennessee Indigenous American Indians as well as with all other Tennessee American Indians.

Commissioner Report
Middle Tennessee
20 February 2010
James Everett Meeks

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 23 January 2010
In January/February, I

• Wrote letters for forwarding to Senators and Representatives regarding:
  • SB1978/HB1692 State recognition to certain Indian tribes, bands, and groups
  • SB1078/HB1078 Sunset Laws – extend the commission on Indian affairs
  • HJR0078 Naming and Designating – “American Indian Heritage Month,” September 2010
  • Census 2010 Tribal Liaision
• Answered questions and requests for copies of Appliations and Rule 785
• On 26 January, I forwarded the Trail of Tears Resolution to Senator Eric Stewart and then, with community assistance, worked to remove the obstacles to its introduction and passage
• On 8 February, I presented the Census Position, responsibility and opportunity to the City Council of Tracy City, Tennessee
• On 10 February, I went to meet with and review issues with Legislators. I handed out a flier detailing benefits and opportunities with the 2010 Census.
• On 13 February I met with the Rules Commission of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
• On 16 February, I met with Senator Mike Faulk regarding his bill for Recognition Criteria.

Overall, I

• Interviewed Communities leaders for their assistance in matters of concern to Tennessee American Indians.
• Met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee,
• Reviewed American Indian Law in these United States of America
• Researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution
• Researched Historic locales and findings of Native American Indian Artifacts
• Attended Tribal Meetings

I believe the Purposes and Duties of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs may be more fully met with the engagement of Tennessee Indigenous American Indians as well as with all other Tennessee American Indians.

Commissioner Report

Middle Tennessee

23 January 2010

James Everett Meeks

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 10 October 2009
This last period has been extremely interesting. It seems that there has been much ado all over the state.
In October, I

• was not able to attend the TCIA meeting in Chattanooga but was able to view it on Tennessee Native Times
• attended the Pow Wow and Trail of Tears Remembrance Walk at Port Royal in Montgomery County maintained by the Native Cultural Circle;
• attended the TNNAC Meeting in review of the Convention
• attended and testified at the Sunset Hearing for the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs

In November, I

• met with legislators to review the possibilities of Tennessee Indigenous American Indian Recognition
• reviewed American Indian recognition and social status of Tennessee Indigenous American Indians

In December, I

• attended the TNNAC Convention in Memphis. It was a well attended event and fairly peaceable;
• met with American Indian leaders across the state in interest of reviewing their issues in regard to the activities of the TCIA and of the TNNAC Convention

In January, I

• met with legislators to review the possibilities for the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
• initiated a quorum call from Tennessee Commissioners of Indian affairs for a 23 January 2010 meeting in Memphis.

Overall, I

• traveled several thousand miles (Yes, again),
• met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee,
• Met with Historical Society representatives
• Reviewed American Indian Law in these United States of America
• Researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution
• Researched Historic locales and findings of Native American Indian Artifacts
• Attended Tribal Meetings

I believe the Purposes and Duties of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs may be more fully met with the engagement of Tennessee Indigenous American Indians as well as with all other Tennessee American Indians.

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.

Reference:

Cherokee Nation: What is a real Indian Nation? What is a fake tribe?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp7Z4eiEuaw
Fraudulent groups passing themselves off as tribes have become big business during the past two decades, with more than 200 that claim to be some sort of Cherokee tribe. However, there are only three federally-recognized Cherokee tribes: the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Many of the would-be Cherokee “tribes” are cultural societies or history clubs, whose members may or may not belong to nay of the federally-recognized tribes. Still others are harmful, and some are even created for criminal purposes.

Response

From the Constitution of These United States of America
Article I
Section 8.

The Congress shall have power
to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;

While I am sure that some will challenge the use of “words” in this review, the actual operative word in the litany above is

shall

or “have the ability to”
or “will have the” (have the necessary)

The ultimate challenge is that people today do not know or understand that there is _NO_ Such thing as “_The United States of America_”.  This misunderstanding did not start with but was perpetuated by, of all people, Andrew Jackson.

_It is amazing that any American Indian would adhere to a policy which Andrew Jackson championed!!_

The correct designation for this “entity” wherein there are 49 States resident upon the North American Continent, one State in the Pacific Ocean and other “territories” “managed”, “operated” by said entity IS

_These United States of America_

Plural “These” is the measure in which the Constitution of These United States was incorporated.  

Regardless of how one may feel about this _collection of entities_ known as _These United States_, the rights of the Central Government of _These United States_ rests solely on Interstate Commerce, Protection of the citizens of the _several states_ which comprise _These United States of America_ and the perpetuation of the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of _These United States of America_ to the “Citizens” of the _several states_ which comprise _These United States of America_.

That “certain” American Indian entities continue to decry any American Indian whom they have denied begs the question of “Who do they ‘allow’ to be on their rolls?” (Some of these “Federal Entities” seem to be genuinely interested in repatriating historic citizens, but these are few.)

That they continue to deny the heritage of those who are lineally bound to ancestors who were members of Historic North American Indian entities and who were listed on rolls prior to the “Dawes” roll (or limit to “some other roll”) for the sake of Money, establishes the idea that they would rather have a dollar than to embrace American Indians of Lineal descent from “other” rolls.

• If they are sovereign, where are their border crossings?
• If they are sovereign, where are their Tribal Passports?  (I have seen only one (1) American Indian Passport in my life, it was not from a Cherokee based “nation”.)
• If they are sovereign, why do they need a “foreign power” (These United States of American) to create laws to protect them?
• If they are sovereign, why do they take the Indian Child Welfare Act money (which they use as a stipend) instead of establishing Profitable means separate from taking a “dole” from the Central Government of _These United States of America_?
• If they are sovereign, why did they not continue to maintain a “Government” from time immemorial, instead of “re-creating” themselves every so many years to placate the Central Government of _These United States of America_?
• In 1924, Why did the individuals from these entities choose citizenship in the Central Government of _These United States of America_ instead of in their “Sovereign” nations?
• Would “Sovereign” entities become “BIA Indians” so that they could manage the funds of the “Indian Child Welfare Act Funds”? (where does this money go?)
• If they are sovereign, Well maybe you are getting the picture.  Each is, as written by a previous writer, a _Ward_ of the Central Government of _These United States of America_ and are, by definition, _wards_ of the Citizens of the _Several States_ of _These United States of America_.

Ward (as used in the text above)

Law.
a.   a person, esp. a minor, who has been legally placed under the care of a guardian or a court.
b.   the state of being under the care or control of a legal guardian.
c.   guardianship over a minor or some other person legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs.

So, do the _Several States_ have the “power” to manage interests of the native born Citizens of each State?

Well, the Constitution of _These United States of America_ addresses this as well:

 Amendment X (Ratified as a part of the Bill of Rights in 1791)

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

And, yes, a person not born in the State of Tennessee, by definition, is _Not_ a Citizen of the State of Tennessee unless he/she has renounced his/her citizenship in the State wherein he/she was born.

Tennessee has exercised its right of management of Intra-State Commerce as defined under the Tenth (10th) Amendment of the Constitution of _These United States of America_ with the most recent Fire-Arms manufacturing law.

California has exercised the same right with its management of Medical Marijuana (whether or not you agree with California, it is its right).

I pray that Tennessee exercise its Tenth (10th) amendment rights again to affect the Suffrage and Actualization of its Native Born Tennessee American Indian Citizens.

The following is an excerpt from an email I received from a friend (some changes for clarification):

It can be and is said that Foreign interests (American Indians who are not Native Born Citizens of Tennesseans) attempt to keep any of them (American Indians who are Tennessee Native Born Citizens) from receiving actualization and suffrage within the American Indian Community. Such was done prior to the Civil Rights act of 1964. Then as it is today there were those who had “privilege” did not wish to lose their “privilege” and sought to maintain their status quo.  Yet, the brave leaders of the Congress brought forward this legislation to further the cause of suffrage of our brothers and sisters in the African American Community as well as for American Women.

Shall it be said of Tennessee that Tennessee fell to the same strata as those who sought to derail the Civil Rights act of 1964.  We, Native Born Tennessee Citizen American Indians, pray not.

Peace

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 16 May 2009

The time since the last meeting has been interesting.  I’ve

• traveled several thousand miles (Yes, again), 
•  met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee, 
  •  Issues of which I am aware 
    •  Officer in Murfreesboro 
    •  Recognition of American Indians in Tennessee 
    •  Legislation regarding guidelines for holding office within the Commission 
    •  Whether the current form of the Commission should continue 
    •  Whether or not the Commission fulfilled its duties according to the Sunset Questionnaire 
    •  Whether or not the Commissioner members (non Chair) are liable for the legal decision rendered by the Chair of the Commission. 
    •  Whether or not the Legislature will do the “right thing” and establish a legislative process for recognition of American Indians in Tennessee 
•  Met with and contacted Legislators regarding American Indian Issues and Legislation in the state 
•  Met with Historical Society representatives 
•  Involved myself in Historic Preservation and Education Seminars 
•  Attended Pow Wows and American Indian Cultural festivals 
•  Researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution 
•  Researched Historic locales and findings of Native American Indian Artifacts  
•  Attended Tribal Meetings 
•  Reviewed Current Legislation in Place to determine efficacy of current status of organizations attempting to adhere to the same 
•  Attempted to find means whereby to continue the succession of American Indian Interests in Tennessee 
•  Annoyed at least 2 persons….probably more

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 21 February 2009

The time since the last meeting has been interesting.  I’ve  

• traveled several thousand miles,
• met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee,
• Met with and contacted Legislators regarding American Indian Issues and Legislation in the state
• Met with Historical Society representatives
• Reviewed Pow Wow Arrangements with the developers of the Martin Springs PowWow
• researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution
• Researched Historic locales and findings of Native American Indian Artifacts
• Attended Tribal Meetings
• Filed notification of intent to lobby for recognition of American Indian Tribes in Tennessee
• Attempted to find means whereby to continue the succession of American Indian Interests in Tennessee
• Annoyed at least 1 person….probably more

James Everett Meeks

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 17 January 2009

The time since the last meeting has been interesting.  I’ve

• traveled several thousand miles,
• met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee,
• Met with and contacted Legislators regarding American Indian Issues and Legislation in the state 
•  Sent fifty-eleven emails in regard to attempting to get opinions and clarify the desires of the American Indian in Tennessee 
•  researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution 
•  Attended the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Board Orientation
•   I’ve been extremely busy in my work (earning a living), 
•  Attended Tribal Meetings 
•  Met with a Lawyer regarding issues raised at the last meeting

I could really be verbose and go further into detail, but the bullet points do sufficient for the moment.

Commissioner Report Middle Tennessee 17 January 2009 James Everett Meeks

Period: Since Last Commission Meeting 13 September 2008

The time since the last meeting has been interesting.  I’ve  

• traveled several thousand miles, <!–[if !supportLists]–>
• met individuals in regard to the ongoing issues of the American Indian in Tennessee, 
• I’ve voted in an election wherein some of the people for whom I voted won and some lost 
• Sent fifty-eleven emails in regard to attempting to get opinions and clarify the desires of the American Indian in Tennessee 
• researched historical references to document the claims of the Acknowledgement Resolution 
• Reviewed the CarrierPigeons documents and responded  
• Attended the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Board Orientation 
• I’ve been extremely busy in my work (earning a living),
•  Attended TNNAC and ACTIA meetings 
• Attended Tribal Meetings 
• Contacted and  Congratulated Senators and Representatives on their success in the last elections 
• Contacted Legislators to schedule times to review the legislative agendas and schedules with them

The Lightening Rod of the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs is RECOGNITION.

The issue is so divisive that when an unknown entity attempts to gain an understanding of what the American Indians in Tennessee desire in regard to this issue, Most all the emails published deride the entity—even though it made no play of seeking approval from one side or the other. 

Sometimes I wish we were black/African Americans.  They at least seemed to be able to find a common thread whereby they could stand together and strive to achieve their goal…suffrage and actualization.  Yes, there are those that do not stand with the majority anymore, but they did not stop from marching with them on Selma and Birmingham.

It seems there are those who don’t understand the psyche of the Tennessean much less the American Indian in Tennessee.  They don’t realize the idea of Southern / Hill Law much less Clan Law or maybe they do.  Maybe they realize that as long as the people are stirred up about the Lighting Rod, Nothing will ever be accomplished in the State of Tennessee for the American Indian.

These who stir the pot of Indian against Indian play into the process which has been occurring since the Indian Removal Acts of the 19^th Century.  This ploy has been to get all the American Indians to melt into the populace of the United States…NO More Indians….This is the Cry and yet, the American Indian himself is making this possible. 

It seems that the American Indian in Tennessee would rather destroy themselves and the common voice setup to represent them; would rather destroy their friends who have stood for them; would rather seek their own private solution than to recover a solution which assists the American Indian in Tennessee as a whole.  The cry of “There are NO American Indians In Tennessee!!!” is given validity because the American Indians either will not work together for a common cause or are not able to do so because of some prejudice from a previous era /error.

Another side of the coin is that there are American Indians in Tennessee are not perpetuating the heritage.  They place themselves upon a foundation of sand because they are not willing to testify to their heritage/ culture /lore.  Instead of telling the world or one who seeks their best interest who they are, they attack with verbal abuse instead.

What is the future of the American Indian in Tennessee?

Will the American Indians in Tennessee use the Commission along with their own efforts to achieve the aims and goals which will render to the American Indian in Tennessee suffrage and actualization as has been achieved by the Black /African American.

Will the American Indians realize that their friends are still their friends even though they face the challenge of working with those they would rather practice Clan Law Against?

 There seems to be a lack of understanding as to what the Commission of Indian Affairs is.

• Some want to think it is the Supreme Indian Council of the State of Tennessee…a council of Elders per se

• Some want to say that the Commission is flawed because of 1 or 2 persons…so much so that they are not willing to take the actions necessary to be involved beyond complaining…The Voting Booth still exists

• The Commission of Indian Affairs is a Tennessee STATE agency and must comply with the same laws which regulate all the other STATE agencies.  We cannot sidestep those or the law which created the Commission, but the Commission can work within the framework.

• The Commission of Indian Affairs is an Entity which is composed of individuals from different walks of life, with different prejudices, with different world views and political views and with different cultural heritages.  

I believe the Commissioners and the Public should study and learn the duties and responsibilities of board and commission members who serve on a State Board or Commission.  To this end, I fully recommend that all Commissioners go to the next TDEC Orientation.  I have a copies of the last orientation booklet.  The booklet covers the Laws, procedures and contacts information of TDEC boards and commissions.  If we the Commissioners knew how to conduct ourselves, then maybe we could get more done.  If the Public knew how to interact with us, then maybe we could put to rest some of the issues which have dogged us since the re-institution of the Commission.

So my Challenges are:

• Commissioners, what will you do to equip yourself so that you can actually do your job?  Will you work for suffrage and actualization of the American Indian in Tennessee instead of trying to sunset the Commission and/or bastardize the people who claim American Indian heritage in Tennessee?

• Commissioners, What will you do to find a way to work with your fellow commissioners for American Indians in Tennessee?

• Public, What will you do so that you can know what the responsibilities of this Commission are and seek to work with this Commission or challenge this Commission to fulfill those directives (Other than harassing, slandering and libeling the Commission)….Will you Work with the Commission instead of seeking to sunset it?

• Will those of you who are already recognized mentor American Indians and American Indian entities or will you seek to destroy the cultures of Tennessee?

A Future for the American Indian in Tennessee is Possible….What part will you play?