After much thought, and a few other personal experiences, I have decided it is time to open the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians. We were never dissolved in a legal sense, operations and member services were terminated. However, we will not have any desire to achieve any formal State Recognition as an Indian Tribe as we simply want to return to our root mission. That mission being; to help our youth, to help our elderly and to explore our real heritage. We have changed our position on formal State Recognition for the simple reason that there is no need, at this time, and Kentucky is inherently ignorant of the real history of Kentucky's native peoples. The pre-state history is established, and even most of this history is incorrect. What is needed is the true examination of Kentucky post-state history. Namely, the Commonwealth must first recognize the history of Kentucky's early mixed-race Native American settlers who migrated to the extreme portions of Southeastern Kentucky. Once that history has been recognized, then, maybe, State Recognition can be established. Plus, the Commonwealth must first educate themselves as to what State Recognition really is, what it can achieve and the damage it can cause.
One point to make up front, so there is no discussion afterward, is the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians is a Christian organization, we follow the Holy teachings of Jesus Christ without any intermingling of any ancient pagan theology. So if any one of Native Heritage is interested in exploring the religious practices of the ancients the Ridgetop Shawnee is not the place for you. We welcome everyone and all religious beliefs but the core of this Tribe's religious identity is Christian, period.
Now to answer the question that will most certainly be asked; what is the enrollment policy and are past enrollment approvals still valid? We will continue with our previously established enrollment policy and that being; you must prove your Native heritage, simply proclaiming to be of Native heritage will not afford you full membership. To answer the second part of the question; we will reexamine past enrollment approvals and make a decision. At this time the enrollment of the Ridgetop Shawnee is 2, that's it. Even previous enrollees will have to reaffirm their desire to be a member of the Ridgetop Shawnee. All previous enrollment packages are null and viod, if you still have the original you can download a new enrollment packet at www.ridgetopshawnee.org (Website currently under construction)
The organizational structure of the Tribe will be based on a simple organization. We are not, nor will we claim to be, a government. We are a simple non-profit who have organized as a Tribe of people. Our immediate ambition is to celebrate Southeastern Kentucky's Native American history through education and awareness. The old organizational structure of the Tribal Council, and those who served in those positions, is terminated, the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians has started, completely, a new...
