The Piscataway-Conoy Family held a picnic at Piscataway State Park and invited me to update them on the progress of my bill HB691 – Native American Recognition. This bill passed the House of Delegates but ran out of time and did not have a hearing in the Senate. Native Americans have waited a long time for an official recognition of their place in our society and their contribution to our rich heritage.

Following any bill that I sponsor, I like to send thank you notes to all who have helped me with research on the bill or who testify on behalf of the bill.  A good part of today was spent in calls and letters to about 60 people who came to Annapolis to support HB691 – Maryland Native American Status – Standards of Recognition.

Before I began research on this bill, I had known that quite a few Charles County residents were descended from the Piscataway and I have visited the Indian burial site at the National Colonial Farm in Accokeek.  As I read more about them, I realized that this minority in our midst has been largely overlooked.

My thanks to Rico Newman of the Smithsonian Institution for explaining some of the federal provisions affecting Native American, including the Arts and Crafts regulations.  If you are not officially “recognized” as a Native American, it is against the federal law to sell arts and crafts that you make as Native American.

Another excellent source was Dr. Mathuram Santosham of Johns Hopkins School of Health who explained that little research had been done into health issues affecting Native Americans.  He has been involved in several research projects with Native Americans in the western United States and much should be done to better understand the health risk factors of this group.

Roz Racanello of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium was invaluable in explaining the possibilities for economic development in cultural sites and festivals which target the “Heritage Tourist.”

HB691 – Maryland Native American Status – Standards of Recognition will be presented today before the Health and Government Operations Committee.  This bill would change the date presently in Maryland law, 1790, to the current Federal guideline date for Native American recognition petitions – 1900.  This would enable the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs to use 1900 in deciding any future Maryland Native American petitions.

Eastern Shore Native Americans came to Annapolis to Support HB691

The 1790 date has proved to be a barrier for Native American communities across the United States; and as a result, in 1994, the U. S. Congress amended the federal regulations to use a 1900 date in an effort to acknowledge the history and heritage of American’s tribal communities.

What do we gain by doing this? The Native American population in Maryland is under-served and under-represented in services and programs across Maryland.  State recognition would allow State departments to apply for grants from the Federal government for education, health care, economic development, and cultural development.

Estimates are that approximately $17,000,000 could come to the state to improve programs to serve Maryland Native Americans.

It would also allow these Maryland tribes to join the National Congress of American Indians.  The Congress serves as a forum for tribal communities and governments and shares best practices on health, welfare, and economic development initiatives.

Our Maryland Native Americans deserve state recognition and this bill would make the process of recognition more equitable.

Eastern Shore Native American Leaders with Commissioners of Indian Affairs wait for bill hearing