Council of the Cherokee Nation - File #: 17-017

• File #: 17-017
• Version: 1
• Name: N/A
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 2/9/2017
• In control: TRIBAL COUNCIL
• On agenda: 2/21/2017
• Final action: 2/23/2017
• Enactment date: 2/21/2017
• Enactment #: R-009-17
• Title: A RESOLUTION AGREEING TO ACCEPT THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE - SOUTHERN REGION'S APOLOGY FOR DAMAGES TO A TRAIL OF TEARS SITE IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST
• Sponsors: Jack D. Baker, Buel Anglen, Keith Austin, Harley Buzzard, Joe Byrd, Shawn Crittenden, Don Garvin, Frankie Hargis , Wanda Hatfield, Rex Jordan, Dick Lay, Curtis Snell, Janees Taylor, David Thornton, Sr. , Victoria Vazquez, David Walkingstick, Bryan Warner
• Indexes: Cherokee National Forest, Trail of Tears
• Code sections: N/A - Not Applicable

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
2/23/2017	1	OFFICE OF THE CHIEF	Signed
2/21/2017	1	TRIBAL COUNCIL	Approved	Pass
2/21/2017	1	RESOURCE COMMITTEE	Approved and Forwarded to Council	Pass

Title
A RESOLUTION AGREEING TO ACCEPT THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE - SOUTHERN REGION'S APOLOGY FOR DAMAGES TO A TRAIL OF TEARS SITE IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST
Body
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government in behalf of the Cherokee people;

WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;

WHEREAS, U.S. Forest Service-Southern Region construction activities in March-June 2014 precipitated adverse effects to a section of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail/ Unicoi Turnpike in the Cherokee National Forest;

WHEREAS, these adverse effects to this historic site resulted in damages to the physical integrity and spiritual integrity of one of the most important and most visible reminders of the post-European contact experience endured by the Cherokee Nation;

WHEREAS, all of the Trail of Tears Routes hold cultural and historic significance to the Cherokee Nation and serve as a constant focal point for the hardships and loss of life resulting from implementation of the Indian Removal Act;

WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation regards the forced removal of American Indian people from their native homelands through implementation of the Indian Removal Act as an assault on tribal sovereignty that disrupted and forever separated families; and sadly precipitated loss of lives, land and spiritual connection to sacred places of cultural significance;

WHEREAS, the United States Forest Service-Southern Region recognizes the cultural and historic significance held by the Cherokee Nation regarding the Trail of Tears historic Site and extends an apology for the unfortunate and adverse effects that have occurred;

WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation agrees to consult on a Government to Government basis with the United States Forest Service-Southern Region regarding the restoration and mitigati...