taskforce@cherokee.org

Sovereignty TheftUpdate

Presented by

Cara Cowan Watts

Presentation represents the personal opinions of the presenters and not necessarily the official position of

the Cherokee Nation

Original Actions Requested

• Federal Ban of ‘State’ Recognition of Groups Claiming to be Cherokee

• Eliminate Federal Tribal Set Asides to non-Federally Recognized Groups

• IRS 501(c)3 Regulations Preventing ‘Pseudo Tribes’

• GAO/OMB Report Accounting for Lost Federal Monies

Original Requests…

• Changes to NCAI’s Membership Policy – Not Allowing Groups Claiming to be Cherokee

• Ensure U.S. Fish & Wildlife Following Federal Guidelines

• Lobby for Federal Laws Making Impersonation of Tribes and Tribal Citizens a Felony (Identity Theft)

Original Requests…

• Public Relations Campaign – Educate Media and Public

• Actively Prosecute ‘Cherokee’ Frauds

• Exposure of ‘Cherokee’ Frauds in Academia

• Amend Federal Indian Arts & Crafts Act to Exclude ‘State’ Recognized Tribes

Additional Work Needed

• Joint Tribal Working Group Identified

• Planned Joint Lobbying Efforts

• Focused Effort in Tennessee

• Consistent Tribal Consultation Language

taskforce@cherokee.org