2024 -- H 7477 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC004718/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CONFERRING LIMITED PURPOSE RECOGNITION TO THE NATIVE AMERICAN

SEACONKE WAMPANOAG TRIBE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Perez, Casimiro, Hull, Lima, Fellela,
J. Lombardi, Henries, O'Brien, and Donovan

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2024

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island hereby officially

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recognizes the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe as a Native American Indian tribe for the limited

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purpose of assisting this tribe in establishing eligibility for federal education, job training, and

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housing benefits and federal protection for the sale of artwork; qualifying for public and private

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grants for which Indian tribes or groups, or members thereof, may be eligible; protecting the

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ability of this tribe and their members to engage in traditional religious practices and ceremonies;

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preserving and protecting burial sites and artifacts; and ensuring that handicrafts made by tribal

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members may be sold as "Indian made"; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby further states that this resolution shall

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not confer recognition for any purpose except as expressly stated herein, and shall not be

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evidence that the tribe has a State compact or State approval for the purposes of the federal Indian

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Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. ch. 29 ยง 2701 et seq.; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby further states that the limited State

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recognition accorded to this tribe shall not be construed to affect in any way a tribe's or group's

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case for federal recognition, shall not confer the right of any tribe, group or individual to conduct

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gambling of any kind or to engage in the sale of motor fuels or tobacco and shall not constitute an

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acknowledgement of any claim by any tribe, group, or individual to any ancestral, tribal or other

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public or private lands; and be it further

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

 

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the

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State of Rhode Island.

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LC004718/SUB A

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