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.”