Updated 5 May '09
Tennessee Native American Convention - Election
Information
2009 ELECTION
(For Metro Areas Only)
Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville & Chattanooga
Candidates must
reside within one of the four metro areas:
Shelby (Memphis), Davidson (Nashville), Knox
(Knoxville) or Hamilton (Chattanooga),
or a county contiguous thereto.
(more)
View Map of TN Counties
Map Courtesy of Digital-Topo-Maps.com
The following TCIA Commissioners term will expire 31 October 2009
Bill Wells -
Nashville
Alice Henry -
Memphis
Jeanie King -
Knoxville
Tom Kunesh -Chattanooga
Important Dates
Applications
01 March '09
(Sun.)
Applications Open29 April '09 (Wed.)
Applications Close
(Extended)
20 May '09 (Wed.)
*Applications
Close
(*Applications
must be received
by TNNAC secretary NLT 5/20)
*
Applicants must
be 18 years of age at time of the
caucus. Other applicant
requirements are specified in TNNAC's 2007 SOP.
To become familiar with the election
process review the 2007 SOP.
Application submission period
for all 4 metro areas will remain open through 20 May ’09. All applications,
signatory sheets, etc., must be received by TNNAC secretary no later than 20
May. TNNAC will meet again on 31 May to review candidate
applications. Genealogy Committee members are
Doug
Kirby-chair,
Van
Lynch-secretary, Herstle Cross,
Chrisie Moore and
Sandi Perry. The decision
to extend the application period was due to TNNAC receiving less than 2 applicants per metro
area.
Caucus Information
Date: 13 June '09 (Sat.)
Time: Open
- 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern
Close
- 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern
Nashville.................................. Location TBA
(get directions)
Memphis.................................. Location TBA
(get directions)
Knoxville.................................. Location TBA
(get directions)
Chattanooga............................. State Building
540 McCallie Ave.
(get directions)
West TN................................... Woodmen of the World
Activity Center
(get
directions)
Middle TN.................................
Edgar Evins
State Park (East)
(get directions)
Buford McCord Park
East Hickman Community
Center
(West)
(get directions)
East TN.................................... Location TBA
(get directions)
Caucus Notice
to be given to all American Indian organizations in the state and to all
individuals who request to be notified.
Convention
Information
Location
Camp Clark Williamson
390 Mason Road
Humboldt, Tennessee 38343
Ph. (731) 784-3221
or (800) 655-8204
(get
directions)
11 September '09 (Fri.)
Gathering - 6pm
12 September '09 (Sat.)
Convention:
Presentation of Candidates - 9am
Candidate Forums - 10am
Convention - 2pm
Dinner & Entertainment - 7pm
Note: Times
are Central Time
2007 SOP
Approved by TNNAC 18 Oct. '08
Candidate Nomination Signatory Sheets
Metro Nashville
Metro Memphis
Metro Knoxville
Metro Chattanooga
Nominee
Application Form
(View and/or Print)
Return
application and supporting signatures to:
TNNAC . c/o Evangeline Lynch . 73 Baseline Road . Dyer TN 38330
Fill Out Nominee
Application Form
Now
(this link will
take you to the online application on TNNAC's website)
This form may also be used by individuals seeking TNNAC's recommendation to
serve on other state commissions.
Candidates as of 29
April '09
Nashville: Bill Wells
Memphis: Phillip Stevens
Knoxville: Christine Goddard
Chattanooga: Tammera Hicks
Tom Kunesh
What is the purpose of the Tennessee Native American
Convention?
TNNAC's purpose is to democratically elect representatives from the Native
American community to represent Native American interests in and to the
State of Tennessee.
Is TNNAC a state commissioned body?
No. TNNAC is a (non-profit) private organization.
Who is responsible for oversight of TNNAC?
Oversight responsibility for TNNAC falls to its members and members of
the public.
Is TNNAC recognized in state statutes
concerning appointments to the State Archaeological Advisory
Commission, State Historical Commission, State Human Rights Commission and
State Arts commission?
No. However, TNNAC does submit names of individuals it recommends to
hold select seats on each of these state commissions.
What is a caucus?
A caucus is a closed
meeting of a group of persons belonging to the same political party or
faction usually to select candidates or to decide on policy ; also
: a group
of people united to promote an agreed-upon cause.
What is a delegate?
A delegate is a person acting for another: as
a representative to a convention or conference.
What is a convention?
A
convention is
the summoning or
convening of an assembly; an assembly of
persons meeting for a common purpose ; especially
:
a meeting of the delegates of a political party/faction for the purpose of
formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office.
Can an individual run
for more than one position in TNNAC elections?
Yes. Individuals may run for as many
positions and offices as they choose. However, seats with regional or
other qualifications require such to be met by applicants.
What counties are contiguous to the
metro areas?
Nashville (Davidson): Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner,
Williamson and Wilson.
Memphis (Shelby): Fayette and Tipton.
Knoxville (Knox): Roane, Anderson, Union, Grainger, Jefferson,
Sevier, Blount and Loudon.
Chattanooga (Hamilton): Marion, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs and
Bradley.
How many supporting signatories must an applicant obtain?
Applicants must obtain at least 21 supporting signatories. It is
recommended to obtain more to ensure the minimum requirement is met at the
time signatures are verified.
What are the requirements for signatures to be considered valid?
All signatories must be registered voters within the applicants area or
a contiguous county thereto in order to qualify as a valid supporting
signatory. Additionally, all signatory information must be complete
and residential addresses must be listed, the use of post office boxes or
business addresses will cause the signature to be considered invalid.
NOTE: The following excerpt taken from
Attorney General Opinion 04-138
"The enabling statutes for the Tennessee Commission of Indian
Affairs do not
establish any legal relationship between the Commission and ACTIA or
TNNAC. Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-34-101 et seq. ACTIA is not mentioned
in any part of the statutes. The only mention of TNNAC is in
Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-34-104, which provides for the appointment of
the commissioners. Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-34-104(b) requires TNNAC to
submit a list of not less than two (2) names for each position on the
Commission to be appointed. The Speakers of the Senate and the
House and the Governor appoint the commissioners from the names that
TNNAC submits. The Commission has no oversight authority over
TNNAC, nor does it have any other relationship with TNNAC grounded in
the statutes."
(read
full opinion
)
View State Laws
governing the Tennessee Commission of Indian Affairs
TCA 4-34
