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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of the Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan |
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Indians of Texas have provided cultural and educational programs |
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and presentations to the children of our state for almost 20 years; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Direct descendants of Zaragosa Garza, a cacique of |
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the Mier Band of the Garza Tribe, the members of the Miakan/Garza |
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Band incorporated the Indigenous Cultures Institute in 2006 to |
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promote and preserve the cultures of Native Americans indigenous to |
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Texas and Northern Mexico and to maintain their covenant with |
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sacred sites; and |
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WHEREAS, Through the institute, members offer elementary and |
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high school students numerous free cultural programs, including a |
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summer camp, in an effort to increase young people's awareness of |
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their rich indigenous history and culture and at the same time to |
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encourage in them a sense of pride; the institute also educates and |
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enlightens members of the Hispanic community about their indigenous |
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heritage through the online publication Nakum, a peer-reviewed |
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academic journal; and |
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WHEREAS, Each year, the Miakan/Garza Band produces the Sacred |
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Springs Powwow at Spring Lake by Aquarena Springs in San Marcos as a |
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celebration of indigenous heritage and culture; moreover, the band |
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has greatly benefited the international indigenous communities by |
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translating the required songs and other ancient intertribal songs |
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of the Native American Church, which has over 500,000 active |
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members in the United States and Canada; the band has further |
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recorded the first and only compact disc of traditional ceremonial |
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songs in the Coahuiltecan language; and |
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WHEREAS, The Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan Indians |
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has contributed immeasurably to the indigenous people of Central |
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and South Texas through its dedicated efforts to sustain and |
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preserve its spiritual and cultural traditions; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor the Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan |
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Indians of Texas for its outstanding accomplishments and extend to |
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its members sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Miakan/Garza Band as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |