HR0805 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0805 LRB097 13490 GRL 65347 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Our commemoration of Illinois history and the War of 1812 should be guided by a universal belief that all persons have inherent worth and dignity; human relations should be based on justice, equity, and compassion; this world should be a community of peace, liberty, and justice for all; and our communities should seek to live in peace with our fellow human beings, both as individuals and as peoples; and

WHEREAS, The Doctrine of Discovery was a principle of law developed in a series of 15th century papal bulls and royal charters by European monarchs by which the Americas were first explored, and was the legal authority used by those who colonized the Americas, appropriated lands and resources, and dealt with the tribes and nations of Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, After the United States Revolutionary War, the tenets of the Doctrine of Discovery were continued by the new states and courts, controlling all purchase of lands and any foreign, personal, or commercial interactions with tribes of Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, Prior to and during the War of 1812, the principles of the Doctrine of Discovery were practiced by both the British and the United States in relations and transactions with the Native American tribes; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Territory was on the border of this conflict between Great Britain and the United States and used by the British to conduct raids on American settlements during the War of 1812; and

WHEREAS, Following the War of 1812, Native American peoples who had supported either the United States or Great Britain during the war continued to be subjected to the policies of the Doctrine of Discovery resulting in their displacement as tribal units from within the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, As Illinois moves forward in the 21st century, many citizens of Native American ancestry have found a place within Illinois to live their lives, celebrate their unique identity, and lead all Americans in our enjoyment of our common heritage; and

WHEREAS, From April 26-28, 2012, the 2012 Illinois History Symposium's "Contested Lands: 1763-1840" will discuss the enduring impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on the land and culture of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Symposium will convene in East Peoria, thereby paying homage to one of the most contested sites of the Illinois theatre of the War of 1812 and joining in the observance of the bicentennial of the outbreak of the war; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we welcome the 2012 Illinois History Symposium and its commemoration of our State in the War of 1812; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we assert that all Native American peoples whose ancestors once lived on, temporarily resided in, or traveled through the great State of Illinois, shall henceforth be fully recognized for their rich cultural contributions to Illinois and the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois State Historical Society, the American Indian Center in Chicago, the American Indian Museum at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the D'Arcy McNickel Center for the History of the American Indian, Newberry Library, in Chicago.