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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Long before Europeans arrived in the Americas, the |
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ancestors of the Yanaguana Bands of Mission Indians of Texas |
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dwelled on the land that would become the Lone Star State; and |
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WHEREAS, A confederacy of allied bands and tribes, often |
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generally referred to as Coahuiltecans, the Yanaguana Bands of |
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Mission Indians of Texas includes members of numerous indigenous |
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nations, among them the Chajuan, Chaguane, Ervipiame, Inocoplo, |
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Pajalat, Pastia, Pamajuan, Pamaque, Payaguan, Piojo, Pinto, |
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Siajuan, Siaguan, Sijame, Xarame, Ziaguan, and Tlaxcalan Indians, |
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among others; and |
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WHEREAS, The ancestral homelands of these bands and tribes |
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once spanned modern-day Central Texas and areas in northern and |
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even central Mexico, including the states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo |
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Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Tlaxcala; their nomadic lifestyle |
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was transformed by the arrival of Spanish missionaries, who built |
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settlements to advance conversions to Christianity and who confined |
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indigenous languages, customs, and cultures in order to transition |
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the local population as "gente de razon," or "people of reason"; and |
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WHEREAS, Despite challenges and obstacles, members of this |
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proud heritage made their mark in numerous professions, from |
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vaqueros, or cowboys, to craftspeople, soldiers, and public |
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officials; sometimes secretly, they retained many of their |
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traditional ways, including ancient religious rituals, linguistic |
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elements, music, and unique cuisine that can serve both nutritional |
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and medicinal purposes; and |
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WHEREAS, The Yanaguana Bands of Mission Indians of Texas |
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played a distinctive part in the development of the Lone Star State, |
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and those who can claim this rich heritage may indeed take pride in |
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a remarkable record of resilience and achievement; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby honor the history and |
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contributions of the Yanaguana Bands of Mission Indians of Texas |
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and encourage all Texans to learn more about this fascinating |
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legacy; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Yanaguana Bands of Mission Indians of Texas as an |
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expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |