Recognizes the Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri tribe
The recognition embodied in HR585 serves not only as a symbolic gesture but also has implications for the social and cultural landscape of Missouri. By officially acknowledging the Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri tribe, the resolution strengthens the tribe's identity and may facilitate discussions regarding heritage, rights, or reparations related to historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples during westward expansion and other federal policies. It signifies a step towards honoring the identities of tribes that have long been overlooked.
House Resolution 585 formally recognizes the Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri tribe, a significant acknowledgment of the tribe's historical presence and contributions in the region. The resolution outlines the historical context, noting the movement of the Chickamauga Cherokee Sac and White River Bands to southeastern Missouri in the late 1700s, primarily as a response to the violence associated with the Revolutionary War. It further highlights the Treaty of 1817 that granted land to the Cherokee west of the Mississippi River, underlining the deep-rooted history of the Cherokee in this territory.
While HR585 appears largely supportive and uncontroversial, underlying tensions may still exist regarding the formal recognition of tribes. Some stakeholders may argue about the extent of federal and state recognition afforded to tribes and the implications it has on governance, funding, and tribal sovereignty. Notably, the resolution does not account for any specific legal ramifications but aims primarily at establishing recognition, which can still evoke discussions on the role and rights of Native American tribes in contemporary state politics.