The Miami Tribe of Indianas Fight For Federal

. The Miami Tribe of Indiana’s Fight For Federal Recognition By: Melissa Ashley Keim , Chippewa Valley Tech. College , ABA Accredited, Paralegal Program Student Mentored by : Attorney Mark Barker, Chippewa Valley Tech. College Paralegal and Dr. Wendy Makoons Geniusz, Director of American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Abstract Federal Recognition Criteria Miami Cultural Background MNI and the Seven requirements: Currently, there are two separate tribal Miami entities in the United States; the federally recognized Miami of Oklahoma (Western Miami) and the non-federally recognized Miami of Indiana (Eastern Miami). Without federal recognition, the Miami of Indiana continue to face economic and social burdens because they are not eligible for federal benefits. This research project researches the federal recognition issue from a general perspective with an independent study of the Miami Tribe of Indiana, hereafter “MNI”. The MNI have not been federally recognized since 1897 and currently are fighting to be federally recognized by the United States government. This project focuses on the issue from a legal and historical perspective. The researcher is using various resources including: legal cases from Westlaw, Treaties, the Code of Federal Regulations, government reports, scholarly articles and historical documents. This project encompasses three areas of law; Federal Indian, Constitutional, and International Policy law with a broader focus on Federal Indian law. Descend from the Mississippian culture What the Miami could prove to the United States Government : Image 3 Woodland nation That the tribe has existed since the 1900’s. Speaks a central Algonquian family language called, Myaamia. Image 4 The petitioning community is distinctly Native American Has lived in IL, OH, OK, KA, WI The MNI has a governing constitution, created in 1937. The French met the Miami around 1654 at the tip of the Green Bay River by Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. Had government relations with France, England, and the United throughout history. Image 5 That the petitioners descend from the Miami tribe. States Congressional legislation did not forbid or terminate tribal status. Image 2 What the Miami could not prove: Consists of two different tribal nations now. Miami Tribe of Indiana: non-recognized That they had a consistent governing body over their people since 1900’s. Miami Tribe of Oklahoma: recognized Live in a distinctly Miami community. Image 1 Image 6 Historical Recognition Timeline Image 7 Indian Removal Act 1897 January 1, 1872 1854 1830 The MNI started the federal recognition petition process Meshingomesia Allotment Act Treaty with Miami 1854 MNI stripped of Recognition 1881 October 6, 1846 Meshingomesia Allotment Miami Removal to KA Proposed determination by D. O. I. 1979 July 12, 1990 Sept. 30 th, 1937 Final determination by D. O. I. Legislation in both Congressional houses failed to recognize the MNI. Willis Van Devanter, the Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Interior stated that the MNI had no legal standing, as a tribe for two reasons. 1993 -2002 9 year Judicial appeal ending with a denial of Writ of Certiorari in 2002. What Now? The 1881 allotting of land The final payment of annuities to the MNI for those allotments of land. ? June 9, 1992 1990 -2005 MNI Constitution approved by Secretary of State Recognition MNI gets recognized The MNI are trying to seek their recognition through political means. The case is stalled in the judicial system because the Supreme Court will not hear it. Image 8 Image 9 Another thing that the MNI have been advocating for in their tribe is State recognition in Indiana. On April 14, 2011 the MNI hosted an informational rally as an advocacy effort to promote the awareness of the tribe’s right to State recognition. Willis Van Devanter Special Thanks Image 10 Chippewa Valley Technical College Staff: Attorney Mark Barker, CVTC Paralegal Program Director Alisa Hoepner Schley, CVTC Student Life Supervisor Michael Ojibway, CVTC Diversity Student Services Coordinator-Red Cliff Ojibwe Legal Appeal Timeline The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 979 F. Supp. 711 (N. D. Ind. 1996) The Miami Nation of Indiana’s of Indiana, Inc. (hereinafter MNI, Inc. ) v. Lujan, 832 F. Supp. 253 (N. D. Ind. 1993) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 887 F. Supp. 1158 (N. D. Ind. 1995) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 112 F. Supp. 2 d 742 (N. D. Ind. 2000) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 55 F. Supp. 2 d 921 (N. D. Ind. 1999) The MNI Inc. v. Norton, 534 U. S. 1129 (2002) Images Bibliography BOOKS • Law Articles 82 N. D. L. Rev. 490 (2006) Elizabeth Glenn and Stewart Rafert, The Native Americans (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press, 2009) 65 -102. • D. O. I. Opinions Eitelorg Museum of American Indians and Western art. Mihtohseenionki (A People’s Place). (Indianapolis: Indiana. Eitelorg Museum of 25 L. D. 426 (1897) American Indians and Western Art. 2002) 16. Rafert, Stewart. The Miami Indians of Indiana. A Persistent People: 1654 -1994. ( Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press. 1996. ) 1 -149. • MNI Legal Determination LEGAL REFERENCES • Code of Regulations 25 C. F. R. § 83. 7 The MNI, Inc v. U. S. D. O. I, 255 F. 3 d 342 ( N. D. Ind. 2001) Proposed Finding Against Federal Acknowledgement of Miami Nation of Indians, Inc. 55 Fed. Reg. 29, 423 -29, 425 (July 19, 1990) Final Determination That the MNI, Inc. Does Not Exist as an Indian Tribe. 57 Fed. Reg. 27312 -27, 313 (June 18, 1992) • Case Law The Miami Nation of Indiana’s of Indiana, Inc. (hereinafter MNI, Inc. ) v. Lujan, 832 F. Supp. 253 (N. D. Ind. 1993) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 887 F. Supp. 1158 (N. D. Ind. 1995) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 979 F. Supp. 711 (N. D. Ind. 1996) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 55 F. Supp. 2 d 921 (N. D. Ind. 1999) The MNI Inc. v. Babbit, 112 F. Supp. 2 d 742 (N. D. Ind. 2000) The MNI, Inc v. U. S. Dept. of the Interior, 255 F. 3 d 342 ( N. D. Ind. 2000) The MNI Inc. v. Norton, 534 U. S. 1129 (2002) 1. http: myaamiafoundation. org/images/photos/harvest. jpg 2. Courtesy of Diana Evans New Beginnings March 2011 Powwow Collection 3. http: //images. cdn. fotopedia. com/dn 8 rivrvsocjj-ylvq 670 Gcro-hd. jpg 4. http: //www. ohiohistorycentral. org/images/151. jpg 5. http: //myaamiahistory. files. wordpress. com/2011/03/mahkisina. jpg 6. http: //www. miamination. com/mto/thpo. html 7. http: //www. lloydspitalnikphotos. com/d/1295 -4/whip-poor-will_F 5 R 3450. jpg 8. Courtesy of Diana Evans, from her April 14, 2011 photos. 9. Courtesy of Diana Evans, from her April 14, 2011 photos. 10. oyez. org University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Staff: Dr. Wendy Makoons Geniusz, AIS Program Director-Cree Dr. Lawrence T. Martin, AIS Program Professor and Ex-AIS Program Director-Lac Courtes Oreilles Ojibwe Odawa White, Multicultural Affairs Office Counselor Director-Lac Courtes Oreilles Ojibwe MNI Tribal Members: Akima (Chief) Brian Buchanan Vice Chief John Dunnagan, Tribal Historian Sarah Siders, MNI Secretary Erin Dunnagan Oliver, MNI member and 3 rd yr. Michigan State Indigenous Law student George Ironstruck, Myaamia Project Faculty Scott Shoemaker, Minnesota State University PHD student and MNI community member Diana Evans, MNI community member Scholars: Steward Rafert, Miami tribal scholar Anton Treuer, Bemidji State University Professor-Leech Lake Ojibwe Other Members of the Community: Alan Donald Keim and Loretta Gail Jerousek Keim Special thanks to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Learning and Technologies Services for printing this poster.