ADOPTED - OCTOBER 12, 1999

Agenda Item No. 8



Introduced by Commissioner Mary Stid of the:



INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS



RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF THE

MICHIGAN COMMISSION ON INDIAN AFFAIRS



RESOLUTION #99-238



WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs was created by statute in 1964, to investigate problems common to Indian residents of this state; and



WHEREAS, the primary duty of the Commission is to assist tribal governments, Indian organizations and individuals with problems of education, employment, civil rights, health, housing, treaty rights and any other right or service due Indians of this state; and



WHEREAS, Michigan's Indian population is approximately 65,000 and 87% live off reservation, according to the 1990 census, most of the population is in urban areas, such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing; and



WHEREAS, the Commission on Indian Affairs provides leadership to the off-reservation Indians, unity for Indian people of the state, and aids the tribes with facilitating services to their members; and



WHEREAS, the Commission advocates for all Indians of the State of Michigan and respects the government to government relationship that the tribes have with the State of Michigan; and



WHEREAS, the Commission of Indian Affairs promotes the unique values of the Indian people and preserves the Indian culture, history and traditions; and



WHEREAS, Governor Engler signed an Executive Order on Friday, August 20, 1999, abolishing the Commission on Indian Affairs; and



WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners recognizes the significant Indian population it serves and supports the Commission on Indian Affairs and promotes the services that the Commission provides to all Indian people within the State of Michigan.



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urge Governor Engler to withdraw Executive Order 1999-9 which abolishes the Commission on Indian Affairs.



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Board of Commissioners forward this resolution to the members of the Michigan Senate and the House of Representatives to urge their support of Michigan's Indian population and vote to override Executive Order 1999-9.



YEAS: Bernero, Grebner, Lynch, McDonald, Pratt, Smiley, Stid ... 7

NAYS: Czarnecki, Juall, Minter, Schafer, Schmidt, Severino ... 6