The following exceprt is from an article posted in the February 26, 2013 edition of cherokeephoenix.org.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Citing the need for a new evaluation process, the Virginia Senate Rules Committee on Feb. 12 tabled resolutions calling for state tribal recognition of two groups identifying themselves as Cherokees.
Sens. Steve Newman, Jill Vogel and Kenny Alexander presented the resolutions for the United Cherokee Indian Tribe of Virginia, also known as the Buffalo Ridge Band of Cherokee, and the Appalachian Cherokee Nation Inc. However, the committee tabled them until an evaluation process is created.
Previously, the Virginia Council on Indians oversaw the process for state tribal recognition. However, it was discontinued in 2010. The former process required applicants to provide documentation proving their groups existed in Virginia at the time of Europeans contact, that they had existed in some form ever since and that they are distinct groups, among other requirements.
