Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council on American Indian Concerns: sworn records, court rulings underpin recommendation
Summary
The Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns told the committee it has produced a multi-decade study and sworn statements (including from a postmaster) that bear on which mailing address the legislature codified; council vice chair Donald Kirkland asked the committee to rely on the formal process for recognition and review its documentation.
Donald Kirkland, vice chair of the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, told the committee the council's role is advisory and that recognition is ultimately a legislative action. He said the council has produced documentary work — including a 130-page study requested by the governor and sworn testimony — that addresses the contested mailing address and recognition history.
"We have sworn testimony from the postmaster stating that the PO box in question here did not exist in 1993 when this was put into law," Kirkland said, and he cited a superior court ruling that appears in the council’s materials. He urged the committee to rely on the formal review process and on the council's records rather than making ad hoc changes.
Kirkland said the council had previously recommended recognition in 2015 for other petitioners and that the council is willing to work with lawmakers and tribal claimants to resolve the dispute. The committee asked for direct verification of post office records and for the council and parties to provide the documents requested by members before any bill moves forward.
