OPPOSE KENTUCKY’S STATE RECOGNITION BILLS
CONTACT YOUR KENTUCKY STATE LEGISLATOR TODAY!
 LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
 
 
 
FELLOW KENTUCKIANS AND TRIBAL CITIZENS
 
Contact your Kentucky State Legislators to oppose House Bill 44 and House Bill 50 and 51; State Recognition of American Indian Tribes.
 
Call Toll Free TODAY -   1-800-372-7181
HB 44 -definition of “American Indian”
HB 50- recognition of American Indian tribes by State
HB 51- pertaining to human remains and burial objects (historic preservation)
 
These bills will harm the sovereignty of all tribes.  The Cherokee Nation supports the existing federal recognition process and strongly opposes state recognition of any fake group.  Please take a few moments to learn about what is happening in Kentucky and actively join the fight to oppose state recognition.
 
What is federal recognition? Cherokee Nation and other federally recognized tribes have inherent sovereign powers recognized by the U.S. government, much like a separate country.  The federal government has a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized American Indian nations based on a long history of treaties, legislation, executive orders and the U.S. Constitution. 
 
Pursuant to federal law, the United States already has a legitimate process in place for granting official recognition to American Indian nations. The Federal Recognition Process requires extensive documentation, including verification of continuous existence as an Indian tribe since 1900, and generally takes considerable time to complete.
 
States do not have such a relationship.  Historically and legally, states have been excluded from dealing with Indian nations.  The foundation for state exclusion is rooted in the Constitution of the United States, effectively making state recognition unconstitutional.  

There are over 200 groups across the United States claiming to be Cherokee.  These groups cannot meet the requirements set forth by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Federal Acknowledgement and Research. 
 
There are only three legitimate, federally recognized Cherokee entities:  The Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (both headquartered in Tahlequah, Oklahoma), and the Eastern Band of Cherokees in Cherokee, North Carolina.
 
 
The Cherokee Nation does not question anyone’s claims of heritage or ancestry, but merely points out the significant difference between claiming heritage and having citizenship in a federally recognized Indian tribe. The Nation encourages people of Cherokee heritage to take pride in and become active in heritage and cultural organizations even if they are not eligible for citizenship.
 
Contact the Kentucky State Legislators at: 
 
1-800-372-7181

HB 44 -definition of “American Indian”

HB 50- recognition of American Indian tribes by State

HB 51- pertaining to human remains and burial objects (historic preservation)
 
For more information please contact , Tribal Relations Officer  Paula Ragsdale
paula-ragsdale@cherokee.org or  (918) 453-5676.