Supporting Continued Sovereignty and Federal Recognition of the Shinnecock Tribal Nation and the Unkechaung Tribal Nation

WHEREAS, Native Americans with African American ancestry have faced great difficulty in receiving federal recognition; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans in general and the Shinnecock nation and Unkechaug Nation specifically are under attack from outside political forces; and

WHEREAS, these two nations are recognized by the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, on three previous occasions the NAACP voted to support the federal recognition of Native Americans across the country in 1993, 2003 and 2005; and

WHEREAS, indigenous sacred burial sites have not received equal protection from destruction due to historic prejudice.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP will continue to support and advocate for all legitimate claims for Native American federal recognition in general, including the Shinnecock and Unkechaug Nations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP in partnership with other organizations advocate the protection of our deceased and their respective resting places; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP reaffirms its support of federal recognition of Native Americans given at the 1993, 2003 and 2005 Conventions and urges all States to grant sovereignty and support federal recognition; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all NAACP branches and state conferences continue to work with the Native Americans as they seek federal recognition through administrative and legal processes.