Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

After Learning that only twenty-five percent (25%) of the proceeds of the Native American Indian license plates may go to caring for the needs in their community of 16,000, Indiana's Native American Indians have [either] vowed not to purchase any of the plates [or] called for all citizens to boycott purchasing the plates.

Once again like so many years ago the Native American Indians tried to go through the system. They had first requested an application for the special license plates from the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles in 1994. In September 1996, they were sent an application, but later informed in writing that a moratorium had been set on all new Indiana Vanity plates. They were told to hold the application until such time when the moratorium was lifted and they would be notified and asked to submit the application.

In February, State Senator Michael Gery included the Native American Trust License Plate to the House Enrolled Act No. 1145, an act which amends the Indiana Code concerning motor vehicles. The license plate, which would bring in approximately $50,000 per year, was designed to assist today's Native American Indian population in Indiana with basic health, education and housing needs. Instead, all funds will be allocated to a museum about Native American Indians. Statistics from the 1990 Census Labor Force, Education and Income Data for the State of Indiana shows that over twenty-two percent (22.9%) of the Native American Indian population live in poverty. Thirty-five percent (35%) do not have a high school diploma or GED. The average income for the Native American Indian family ranges from $15,000 to $24,000. Sixty-five percent (65%) wait until they are serious ill before seeking medical treatment because of the lack of health benefits.

Native American Indians from around the state expressed shock that Senator Gery had not consulted with their communities in proposing this legislation. The Act was passed and signed without informing the major Indian organizations in the state which include the Miami Indians of Indiana, Pokagon Band Potawatomi Indians of Michigan, Indiana American Manpower Council and the Governor O'Bannon's Native American Indian Council. These four organizations work directly with today's Indian population on social and economic issues and concerns facing Native American Indians in Indiana.

At the most recent meeting of the Governor's Native American Indian Council, the director of the museum designated to receive the proceeds from the license plate offered to donate twenty-five percent (25%) of the proceeds to the Native American Indian community. The remaining seventy-five percent (75%) would then go to fund the museum. This museum does not directly benefit the Native American community in any way, except to tell the history of the Woodlands Indians.

Native American Indians in the state of Indiana have already vowed that they will not buy the license plate because the funds will not be managed by a Native American Indian agency, nor will the majority of the proceeds allow Native American Indians to help their own people. Joyce (Wesaw) Green from the Pokagon Band Potawatomi stated "I will tell my whole family not to buy the license plate".

Contact: Sally S. Tuttle
E-mail: tuttles@netusa1.net