ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997 TAG: 9702240115
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG
SOURCE: Associated Press
The Monacan Indians of Amherst County say legislation to correct the legacy of the state's outdated racial integrity law and allow tribal members to more easily change their birth records will help reflect their ancestry accurately.
The bill, which amends Virginia law concerning copies of vital records, sailed through the House and Senate and is awaiting the signature of Gov. George Allen.
``This doesn't only benefit the Monacans, it benefits all the Indians of Virginia,'' said Diane Shields, a Monacan Indian in Amherst County who began pushing for the change more than a year ago.
The amendment states any American Indian or Native American whose certified copy of a birth record was filed before July 1, 1960, and contains an incorrect racial designation may obtain a corrected copy without charge.
``It was the state's problem, so they should be the ones who correct it,'' said Mary Wade, secretary for the Virginia Council on Indians, which represents Indians around the state.
Wade said the problem originated with Walter Plecker, a former state registrar of vital records.
Plecker sponsored a Racial Integrity Law in 1924 that resulted in inaccurate birth records for many Indians, listing them as ``colored'' or ``white.''
The U.S. Supreme Court repealed that law in 1967, leaving thousands of Virginia Indians with inaccurate records.
``The whole identity was taken from our people,'' Shields said.
Kenneth Branham, the Monacan tribal chief, said the proposed law is another step forward for all Indians in Virginia in gaining recognition.
In 1989, the Monacans were granted official state recognition. There are now eight tribes in Virginia with that designation.
Del. Harvey Morgan, R-Gloucester, was a co-sponsor of the bill.
``We want them to know that we recognize them as American Indians,'' Morgan said, adding it will affect about 1,000 people.
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997by CNB