83R21157 BPG-F
 
  By: Naishtat H.R. No. 1618
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Members of the Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan
  Indians of Texas have provided cultural and educational programs
  and presentations to the children of our state for almost 20 years;
  and
         WHEREAS, Direct descendants of Zaragosa Garza, a cacique of
  the Mier Band of the Garza Tribe, the members of the Miakan/Garza
  Band incorporated the Indigenous Cultures Institute in 2006 to
  promote and preserve the cultures of Native Americans indigenous to
  Texas and Northern Mexico and to maintain their covenant with
  sacred sites; and
         WHEREAS, Through the institute, members offer elementary and
  high school students numerous free cultural programs, including a
  summer camp, in an effort to increase young people's awareness of
  their rich indigenous history and culture and at the same time to
  encourage in them a sense of pride; the institute also educates and
  enlightens members of the Hispanic community about their indigenous
  heritage through the online publication Nakum, a peer-reviewed
  academic journal; and
         WHEREAS, Each year, the Miakan/Garza Band produces the Sacred
  Springs Powwow at Spring Lake by Aquarena Springs in San Marcos as a
  celebration of indigenous heritage and culture; moreover, the band
  has greatly benefited the international indigenous communities by
  translating the required songs and other ancient intertribal songs
  of the Native American Church, which has over 500,000 active
  members in the United States and Canada; the band has further
  recorded the first and only compact disc of traditional ceremonial
  songs in the Coahuiltecan language; and
         WHEREAS, The Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan Indians
  has contributed immeasurably to the indigenous people of Central
  and South Texas through its dedicated efforts to sustain and
  preserve its spiritual and cultural traditions; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
  Legislature hereby honor the Miakan/Garza Band of the Coahuiltecan
  Indians of Texas for its outstanding accomplishments and extend to
  its members sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Miakan/Garza Band as an expression of high regard
  by the Texas House of Representatives.