HLS 12RS-2073 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 91
BY REPRESENTATIVE DIXON
INDIAN AFFAIRS: Recognizes the La. Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee as
an Indian tribe of La.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To recognize the Louisiana Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of2
Webber Falls, Oklahoma, as an Indian tribe in Louisiana.3
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of4
Webber Falls, Oklahoma, has a tribal domicile in Allen Parish, Louisiana; and5
WHEREAS, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced many Indians living east of the6
Mississippi River to sell their land and move to less fertile lands on a Western reservation7
that would not be taken from them; and8
WHEREAS, the five tribes most affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 through9
the loss of lives, homes, and land were the Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw, Seminole, and10
Cherokee; and11
WHEREAS, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 caused Indians living in the South to12
embark on what became known as the "Trail of Tears" from 1830 to 1842; and13
WHEREAS, as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, many small groups of14
the five tribes escaped and crossed the Mississippi River into Louisiana and settled near the15
central and western part of Louisiana in the present-day parishes of Rapides, Vernon,16
Natchitoches, and Calcasieu, which was referred to as "No Man's Land" or "Rio Hondo"; and17
WHEREAS, descendants from these tribes exist today as the Louisiana Precinct of18
the Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma; and19 HLS 12RS-2073 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 91
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WHEREAS, the policy of the state of Louisiana provides for recognition of Indian1
tribes within its borders, to support their tribal aspirations, to preserve their cultural heritage2
and improve their economic condition, and to assist them in the achievement of their just3
rights.4
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of Louisiana that the state of5
Louisiana formally recognizes the Louisiana Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee6
Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, as an Indian tribe of the state.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress of the United States and the United8
States Bureau of Indian Affairs are hereby memorialized, requested, and urged to take such9
steps as are necessary to effect the formal recognition of the Louisiana Precinct of the10
Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, as an Indian tribe, and11
to acknowledge that the rights of the Louisiana Precinct of the Southern Band of the12
Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, are no less than those of other Indian tribes13
in the United States, and, accordingly, to take such executive or congressional action as may14
be appropriate.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the16
president of the United States, the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of17
Representatives of the Congress of the United States, each member of the Louisiana18
congressional delegation, and the director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States19
Department of the Interior.20
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Dixon HCR No. 91
Recognizes the La. Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls,
Oklahoma, as an Indian tribe.
Memorializes congress to take necessary steps to effect formal recognition of the La.
Precinct of the Southern Band of the Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, as an
Indian tribe, and to acknowledge that the rights of the La. Precinct of the Southern Band of
the Cherokee Nation of Webber Falls, Oklahoma, are no less than other Indian tribes in the
U.S. as an Indian tribe.