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Minutes for SB405 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Authorizing the state historical society to convey certain real property to the Shawnee Tribe.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 14, 2022
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on SB405. The revisor provided an overview of the bill.
Chairperson Barker recognized Representative Stephanie Byers as a proponent of SB405 (Attachment 1). She stated that she is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. Although she is not a member of the Shawnee Tribe, she stands with them and believes they should be the caretakers of the sacred piece of land where their ancestors lay in rest.
The Chairperson recognized Representative Cindy Neighbor as a proponent (Attachment 2). She stated this cemetery is in her district. The cemetery includes burial sites of Shawnee tribal leaders. Transfer of the cemetery to the Tribe will help ensure continued preservation of the shared history of both the Shawnee Tribe and the City of Shawnee.
Representative Ponka-We Victors testified as a proponent on SB405 (Attachment 3). She stated that this sacred site is of great historical and cultural significance to the tribe.
Chief Ben Barnes testified as a proponent on SB405 (Attachment 4). He is the Chief of the Shawnee Tribe. He gave the history of the Shawnee people. The Shawnee Tribe considers the cemetery a sacred place, a traditional cultural property. They are committed to protecting the grave sites of their ancestors and to the preservation and conservation of the historical, archeological character of the site. Chairperson Barker stated that he was told by the Chair of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee that they had requested a letter from him confirming that no casinos would be built on that site. To date they have not received that letter. He stated he would provide that letter. He stated that this is holy ground and they would not build a casino there.
Questions were asked of the proponents by Chairperson Barker and Representatives Haswood, Ruiz, Arnberger, Waggoner, and Miller.
Chairperson Barker noted that there was written proponent testimony from Michelle Distler, Mayor of Shawnee, Kansas (Attachment 5) and written neutral testimony from Steve Phillips, Assistant Attorney General (Attachment 6).
There being no further conferees, the hearing on SB405 was closed.
