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Witnesses allege corporate takeover of tribal address; council says recognition is legislative
Summary
Witnesses told the committee a for‑profit company used an incorporated name to place a new PO box into statute; the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns replied that the council only recommends to the legislature and provided sworn statements about postal records.
Several witnesses testified that a for‑profit entity — identified in testimony as GTEC Federal Services Company — used an incorporated name and sought to change the mailing address that appears in statute for a state‑recognized tribe. Wallace Seabolt, a tribal council member, asked the committee, "How can a for profit corporation steal your address and work in as a state recognized tribe?" and offered documentary material he said would show incorporation records, officers and related filings.
Donald Kirkland, vice chair of the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, told the committee the council does not itself recognize or derecognize tribes: "The legislator recognizes and does not recognize state recognized tribes. That is not our responsibility," he said, and he offered sworn testimony and a 2007 study as documentary context. The council urged the committee to follow the formal review process established under OCGA 44‑12‑300 and to review postal and court documents before changing statutory text.
