Editor, Daily Press:
In “Cowan’s ‘Indian wars,’” Murv Jacob is angry because his books and artwork were removed from the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center and the gift shop. His anger is misdirected.
Cara Cowan Watts and the other speakers at the State of Sequoyah Commission’s annual conference (see “Indian Identity Remains in Question,” Sept. 3) cannot fix Murv’s problem, and no amount of railing against them is going to help.
At the heart of Murv’s problem is the Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 and subsequent passage of the Cherokee Nation’s Truth in Advertising for Native Art Act of 2008.
Both pieces of legislation define a native artist as a citizen or member of a federally recognized tribe. Although Murv says he has “a good bit of Kentucky Cherokee blood,” it must be documented to meet the legislative guidelines of a “native artist.”
Lots of people say they have American Indian blood. Not all can prove it. The fact that Murv cannot meet the citizenship requirement is not Cara Cowan Watts’ fault.
Murv stated in his letter that he had never said he was a member of any tribe. He is wise in doing so because, according to the above federal law, to identify himself as an “Indian artist” without documentation could put him at risk of facing a federal fine of $250,000.
Likewise, any business who markets his work as by an “Indian artist” could be fined $1 million.
Anyone can write a book or create artwork about Indians. Tony Hillerman is one of my favorite authors, and he writes about Navajo and Hopi people. Tony is not American Indian and he is quick to say so. Therefore, his books are not eligible to be sold at the CN under tribal law.
Murv is a great artist and has awards to show for it. He is published by reputable publishers and is well-known in Oklahoma.
Like Tony Hillerman’s, Murv’s books can be sold in any store where the bookseller is not bound by tribal law and the work is not marketed as by an “Indian artist.”
But also like Hillerman, Murv’s books do not meet the guidelines to be sold at the CN.
The constitution of the Cherokee Nation stipulates the guidelines to be a Cherokee citizen. All it takes is one American Indian ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls. The fraction of blood is irrelevant.
Personally attacking councilors or others will not change the constitution that the Cherokee people passed into law, nor will it change legislation enacted by Congress about American Indian artists.
Sara Hoklotubbe
Monkey Island
Letters to editor
'Native artist' defined
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Make sure you vote
It’s that time of the year again – time for the school board to extend a two-year contract to three years. It seems the board is much more interested in the job security of [Superintendent] Shannon Goodsell than for the teachers and staff.
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Ego influencing justice
Last year’s incident in the jail where inmate Daniel Bosh received significant injuries from what appears to be an attack by a jail employee serves as a reminder that we have flaws in our justice system.
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Harnessing talents
Women met Tuesday, Jan. 17, who believe in the values of a strong U.S. Constitutional government, with more power in the state and local government; women who believe our federal government is spending out of control, to the point of pushing our nation into the poor house. We call ourselves conservatives.
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Flip-flopping on issues
Shannon Goodsell, superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools, apparently can’t make up his mind when it comes to giving taxpayer money to private organizations.
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Thieves target cross
I am writing you regarding my cousin’s memorial cross on State Highway 51. He has been gone for four years now. The week before the four-year anniversary of his passing, someone stole his cross.
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Kudos to the City Council
Editor, Daily Press:
Our elected officials showed wise judgment at [last] Monday’s City Council meeting. They chose individualism over collectivism. -
Scare tactics on aliens?
Editor, Daily Press:
I just finished watching scare tactics on a new channel called the Curiosity Channel, on satellite television. It was about, “What would we do if we were attacked by beings from outer space?” It was, in my opinion, designed and produced by the big corporations who are now running the world. -
Think twice about testing
Editor, Daily Press:
I do not condone the use of drugs by welfare recipients and I do not believe that many can afford to use drugs. I also do not condone government intrusion into the private lives of citizens. -
No tax for B&GC
Reader Everett Childers argues there are better ways to fund the program.
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Many are seeing ‘red’
Oct. 26, 2011
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