HLS 17RS-306 ENGROSSED
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 15
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
INDIAN AFFAIRS: Recognizes the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as an Indian tribe of
the state
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To recognize the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as an Indian tribe.
3 WHEREAS, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced many Indians living east of the
4Mississippi River to sell their lands and move to less fertile lands on a Western reservation
5that would not be taken from them; and
6 WHEREAS, the five tribes most affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 through
7the loss of lives, homes, and land were the Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw, Seminole, and
8Cherokee; and
9 WHEREAS, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 caused Indians living in the South to
10embark on what became known as the "Trail of Tears" from 1830 to 1842; and
11 WHEREAS, as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, many small groups of
12the five tribes escaped and crossed the Mississippi River into Louisiana and settled near the
13central and western part of Louisiana in the present-day parishes of Rapides, Vernon,
14Natchitoches, and Calcasieu, which was referred to as "No Man's Land" or "Rio Hondo"; and
15 WHEREAS, the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana exists today, and the tribe has full
16documentation of bloodlines of all tribal members, as well as many documented sources
17regarding the activities of the tribe; and
18 WHEREAS, it is imperative that the state of Louisiana recognize Indian tribes within
19its borders, to support their tribal aspirations, to preserve their cultural heritage and improve
20their economic conditions, and to assist them in the achievement of their just rights.
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HCR NO. 15
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
2recognize the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as an Indian tribe of the state.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Congress of the United States and the United
4States Bureau of Indian Affairs are hereby memorialized, requested, and urged to take such
5steps as are necessary to effect the formal recognition of the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana
6as an Indian tribe, and to acknowledge that the rights of the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana
7are no less than those of other Indian tribes in the United States, and, accordingly, to take
8such executive or congressional action as may be appropriate.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
10president of the United States, the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of
11Representatives of the Congress of the United States, each member of the Louisiana
12congressional delegation, and the director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States
13Department of the Interior.
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)]
HCR 15 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Cox
Recognizes the Natchitoches Tribe of La. as an Indian tribe.
Memorializes congress to take necessary steps to effect formal recognition of the
Natchitoches Tribe of La. as an Indian tribe, and to acknowledge that the rights of the
Natchitoches Tribe of La. are no less than other Indian tribes in the U.S.
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