2006 -- H 7236

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LC00067

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2006

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

GIVING STATE RECOGNITION FOR THE POKANOKET TRIBE OF THE WAMPANOAG

NATION

     Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Anguilla, Malik, Pacheco, and San Bento

     Date Introduced: February 14, 2006

     Referred To: House Corporations

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     WHEREAS, An identifiable Pokanoket Indian community has existed in the vicinity of

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their ancestral lands in North-Central and Eastern Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

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since prior to the first European contact as evidenced by the fact that this area was known as

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Pokanoket Country/King Philips Country documented in colonial times; and

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     WHEREAS, The Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation has continuously lived,

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married and intermarried amongst themselves and intermarried with the Wampanoag Nation

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Community; and

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     WHEREAS, The Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation entered into treaties and

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warred with the colonial governments in particular the Great New England War of 1675-1676

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a.k.a. the "King Philips War"; and

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     WHEREAS, It is the policy of the State of Rhode Island to recognize the indigenous

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people within the borders of the state, and to support the aspirations for the preservation of their

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cultural heritage and to assist them in achieving their just rights; and

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     WHEREAS, This act will insure the prevention of other individuals misrepresenting

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themselves by "representing" to be members of the Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation;

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and

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     WHEREAS, The towns of Bristol County in the State of Rhode Island (Bristol,

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Barrington and Warren) recognize the Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation as the

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aboriginal people throughout Eastern Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts and further

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support their Petition #145 in the Bureau of Indian Affairs to obtain federal recognition. The

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Pokanoket tribe is also supported by a National Resolution from the General Society of

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Mayflower Descendants, endorsed by the Pilgrim Society and the Pilgrim Hall Museum in

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Plymouth, Massachusetts & etc.; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations hereby formally recognizes the Pokanoket Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation and

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supports Petition #145, submitted within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior,

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Washington, D.C.; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the presiding

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officers in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States, and

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the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior.

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LC00067

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