 The Six Virginia Tribes, (Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Monacan, Nasemond, Rappahannock, Upper Mattaponi) are closer then ever before to Federal Recognition, but it may be short lived. The current status has bill S1178 out of committee but unable to reach the floor for a vote. One Senator, Senator Coburn of Oklahoma has placed a hold on the bill preventing it from reaching the floor. Senator Coburn is unyiedling in his opposition. The only way now to pass this legislation will be to attach it to another bill that can reach the floor. If this Congressional Session ends without action on this bill, the bill will die and so will the hopes and dreams for Federal Recognition for the six tribes in Virginia. The Virginia Council of Churches is calling on all Virginians to raise their voices in support of these tribes and S1178.
There is no need to contact our members other then to thank them for their support. For the first time the entire Virginia Congressional Delegation supports this bill. The Governor supports this bill as do all past living governors of the state. What we need is to raise our voices in the media in the public letting our leadership know this is important to all Virginians. That we support these tribes and we call on them not to let this bill die with the close of the session but to do what needs to be done to pass S1178. Now is the time to make it happen! click on Native American Outreach on the menu bar for more information |
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