Native American Representation in the US Government

Written by: Emily Feltner

Helpful Back Information:

            In 1830 congress passed the Indian Removal Act. This act was directed the executive branch to negotiate for Indian lands. With the discovery of gold and the combination of the act promoted the Cherokee tribes to take a stand against the US Government (Supreme Court). The tribe attempted to file independently so that in which case the laws that were governing Georgia could not apply to them. However, according to Chief Justice John Marshall the tribe was considered a “Domestic Independent”, therefore, the laws of Georgia do. In fact, apply to them.  

            In the following year, the decision was entertained again. This revision required all white residents in Cherokee country to secure a license from the Governor to take an oath and pledge his allegiance to the state. Two Missionaries, refused and were convicted and imprisoned (Samuel A. Worcester and Elizur Butler). In 1835, the state of Georgia still pressed the Cherokee for lands. The treaty of New Echota was established, which allowed Principal Chief John Ross to delegate the land be sold for $4.5 million and the tribes would move beyond the Mississippi River into the “Indian Territory” which they would always remain.

Government Interactions Now:

            With the voice of Native Americans being silenced more and more often in today’s governing issues, tribes, like the Cherokee, are taking matters into their own hands. Claims of government displacing, removing and the acting of erasure the tribe is now attempting to run and have a place in the congress.

            How are they doing it? They are referring back to the treaties and signed in the 18^th and 19^th century, like the Treaty of New Echota. “The treaties are sacred, they mean something, there’s no expiration date on them” (Chuck Hoskin Jr. 2019 [Chief of the Cherokee Nation]). He claims, “What I’m asking for is the Government of the United States to keep it’s word”.  With the treaties being in place within the government this allows a small part of the government to be in concern with policies.

            According to Charles Gourd, director of the Cherokee National Historic Society, He, as well as other, have often wondered why there were no Cherokee Nation delegates seated on congress in spite the treaties.

            Hoskin elects the Ms. Kimberly Teehee as the representative for tribe… “I don’t want to get ahead of myself” (Hoskin).  Ms. Teehee already has a place in the tribal council as VP of Government relations, and was the advisor for Native American Affairs during the height of the Obama administration. She was active for more than a decade. Ms. Teehee would like to see more rights and privilege given to the Native Americans throughout the United States, not only just the people of the Cherokee. 

          

To the left is Maggie Blackhawk, a native of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She is a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and her claim is that there are many different ways for tribes to work with the Government. This is not limited to being on the committee for Native American affairs in the Senate as well as the being involved in the House of Representatives. She states, “Those have been crucial vehicles for acting on concerns of native communities.  

            She has also made the link between the recent history if American presidents and receiving native delegations throughout the election process.

            On the other hand, there is some backlash for a fear of unfair representation for the different tribes. But the people agree that having a tribe member on congress would be a great increase and one step towards more visibility of the people. This should be celebrated across tribes. “The treaties don’t say anything about Cherokee being a ‘stand-in for other tribes. The treaty affords them a right and they choose to exercise it, which is great” (Dan Lewerens).

Any News Yet?

            While this article was posted in 2019, and so far there are no recent updates that I could locate on the internet, but I think that this is a great concept that the Native American are wanting to be more involved in the government and the law making processes. Native Americans, for the longest time, have had their voices silenced and have had their issues put on the back burners. This is a step in the right direction when it comes to proper representation of the tribes across America. Hopefully if Ms. Teehee is successful in her running, she would be able to shed light on some sensitive topics and issues. One that comes to mind is the violence towards native women and young ladies. This issue is developing more and more each day and is beginning to start a movement similar to the “me too” movement. Teehee tells the NYT, “I’ve seen the power og tribes collaborating and standing on solidarity on the issues. I will be mindful of the broader issues in all of Indian Country.”

Sources

“Cherokee Relations with US Government Before Removal.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2017, www.nps.gov/fosm/learn/historyculture/cherokee-relations-with-us-government-before-removal.htm.

Del, Jose A. “Cherokee Nation Seeks to Send First Delegate to Congress.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 27 Aug. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/us/cherokee-nation-delegate-congress.html.