House considers Native American commission
By Travis Coleman Journal Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, February 22, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- The proposed creation of a Commission on Native American Affairs has gone to the Iowa House of Representatives after being unanimously approved by the House State Government Committee this week.
The commission aims to work with tribal governments, groups and members in the areas of human rights, access to justice, economic equality and the elimination of discrimination.
The governor will appoint an 11-person committee with four people representing the tribes holding land in Iowa: Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
Of seven other appointed members, at least one must be a tribal member living on a tribal settlement or reservation in Iowa. Five members will serve two-year terms and six will serve four-year terms.
"There are over 115,000 Native Americans in Iowa and they deserve the same respect and protections that other Iowans enjoy every day," said Rep. Wes Whitead of Sioux City.
Whitead serves on the State Government Committee and supported the measure. The commission would be under the Department of Human Rights along with the commissions on African Americans, Latino Affairs and Asian and Pacific Islanders.
Appointment of members is set for completion by Sept. 1, 2008.
The commission aims to work with tribal governments, groups and members in the areas of human rights, access to justice, economic equality and the elimination of discrimination.
The governor will appoint an 11-person committee with four people representing the tribes holding land in Iowa: Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
Of seven other appointed members, at least one must be a tribal member living on a tribal settlement or reservation in Iowa. Five members will serve two-year terms and six will serve four-year terms.
"There are over 115,000 Native Americans in Iowa and they deserve the same respect and protections that other Iowans enjoy every day," said Rep. Wes Whitead of Sioux City.
Whitead serves on the State Government Committee and supported the measure. The commission would be under the Department of Human Rights along with the commissions on African Americans, Latino Affairs and Asian and Pacific Islanders.
Appointment of members is set for completion by Sept. 1, 2008.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
