Bill Text: NJ A1406 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Provides official State recognition of Powhatan Renape Nation, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for certain purposes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [A1406 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2012-A1406-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 1406

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

Assemblyman  HERB CONAWAY, JR.

District 7 (Burlington)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Provides official State recognition of Powhatan Renape Nation, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for certain purposes.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

  

An Act providing that the State recognizes the Powhatan Renape Nation, Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for certain purposes and supplementing Chapter 16A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  The State of New Jersey officially recognizes the Powhatan Renape Nation, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of New Jersey, Inc., and the Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for the limited purpose of assisting these tribes in establishing eligibility for federal education, job training, and housing benefits and federal protection for the sale of artwork and of the right to engage in traditional religious practices and ceremonies.

 

     2.  This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill provides that the State of New Jersey will recognize the Powhatan Renape Nation, the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape of New Jersey, Inc., and the Ramapough Mountain Indians as American Indian Tribes for the limited purpose of assisting these tribes in establishing eligibility for federal education, job training, and housing benefits and federal protection for the sale of artwork and of the right to engage in traditional religious practices and ceremonies.

     These three tribes, through tribal councils and the American Indian Affairs Commission, represent more than 19,000 American Indians residing in New Jersey.  They have been advocates for the rights of American Indians on such issues as employment practices, foster care, and health care. They also sponsor programs to educate young people about the traditions of indigenous peoples and to dispel negative stereotypes about Native Americans.  The three tribes have been documented as having historical tribal ties in New Jersey since 1900.