Tribal Membership in Washington State Regional Transportation Planning Organizations

Res #:	Committee:	Submitted by:	Title:         Pass →	Yes	No	Amended/Tabled	To NCAI
19-14	Transportation	Kirk Vinish	Tribal Membership in Washington State Regional Transportation Planning Organizations	X

 2019 Winter Convention 

Portland Oregon 

RESOLUTION #19 – 14 

“TRIBAL MEMBERSHIP IN WASHINGTON STATE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS” 

PREAMBLE 

We, the members of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants rights secured under Indian Treaties and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and constitution of the United States and several states, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) are representatives of and advocates for national, regional, and specific tribal concerns; and 

WHEREAS, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians is a regional organization comprised of American Indians in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Northern California, and Alaska; and 

WHEREAS, the health, safety, welfare, education, economic and employment opportunity, and preservation of cultural and natural resources are primary goals and objectives of Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; and 

WHEREAS, effective regional transportation planning requires participation from all affected governments; and 

WHEREAS, HB 1584 in the Washington State Legislature ensures that tribes shall be allowed to have voting membership in Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO’s); and 

WHEREAS, many tribal governments wish to participate in the RTPO’s; now 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that ATNI does hereby urge its members to make it known to the Washington State Legislature that all tribes should be allowed to become a voting member in Regional Transportation Planning Organizations. 

CERTIFICATION 

The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 2019 Winter Convention of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Portland, Oregon, on January 28-31, 2019, with a quorum present. 

______________________________ ______________________________ 

Leonard Forsman, President Norma Jean Louie, Secretary