RD1 - Report of the Commission on Indians
Executive Summary: The Commission on Indians was established by the 1983 General Assembly and became effective July I, 1983. Creation of the Commission was recommended by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Relations between the Commonwealth and Native Indian Tribes, established by the 1982 Session of the General Assembly. Statutory direction is given the Commission to gather information, make studies, and conduct research into the Indian tribes of the Commonwealth. The Commission also is to suggest ways to assist Virginia's Indian population in reaching its full economic and social potential. The Commission on Indians is composed of ten members, five of whom are Indian and five of whom are non-Indian. The State Coordinator of Native American Programs also serves as an ex-officio member. At its organizational meeting, the Commission elected The Honorable C. Hardaway Marks of Hopewell, Member of the House of Delegates, as its Chairman. Mr. Stephen R. Adkins of Charles City County, Assistant Chief of the Chickahominy Tribe, was elected Vice-Chairman. Since the Commission does not have a staff, Ms. Nokomis Fortune of the United Rappahannock Tribe has served as Secretary. Four meetings have been held by the Commission since July 1, 1983. These early meetings have been concerned with briefings on current activities affecting Virginia Indians, defining the role of the Commission, and tentatively identifying goals and strategies by which our statutory mandates may effectively be accomplished. From these discussions a preliminary list of needs which the Commission will seek to address have emerged. |
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