SCHWAB SAYS INDIAN AFFIARS BILL IS DEAD

A House committee has buried legislation to establish an Indian affairs commission in Missouri.

"It's dead," said state Rep. David Schwab, the bill's sponsor.

The Jackson Republican said the bill was stuck in the House governmental organization committee and won't go anywhere this year.

Opposition from American Indian tribes outside of Missouri helped doom the measure.

"Actually, it is dollars and cents," said Schwab.

Federally recognized Indian tribes in other parts of the country didn't want Missouri to set up an Indian affairs commission that could have led to other tribes being recognized. Only recognized tribes can sell crafts that say "Native American made."

Schwab said some Indian groups don't view the Missouri Cherokee as Native Americans. "They were shopkeepers, cattlemen, whatever," said Schwab.

Many of the Cherokee came here during the forced march along the Trail of Tears. They ended up staying, adopting the ways of the settlers.

Schwab said his bill also raised concern among some lawmakers that establishing an Indian affairs commission could help the efforts of an Indian group in Oklahoma that wants to establish a casino in Missouri.

The state can keep out the casino because the Oklahoma group isn't recognized in Missouri, Schwab said.

He said he never intended for such a commission to allow Indian casinos and that he and Cherokee Indian groups in Southeast Missouri oppose those gambling ventures.

He said the issue needs further study. Schwab said some language would have to be added to the bill to block such gambling ventures before he would consider filing similar legislation next year.

Missouri is one of only five states that doesn't have some type of office for Indian affairs.

Officials with the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri had backed the bill, saying it could help their tribe gain official recognition and federal money.

Schwab proposed an 11-member commission that would have promoted recognition of Indian cultural and religious traditions.

The commission would have reviewed all proposed or pending state legislation affecting Indians. It would have made an annual, written report to the governor and the Legislature.