The At-sik-hata Nation of Yamassee Moors identifies itself as an Indigenous and sovereign tribal nation with ancestral ties to regions that include present-day Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. The Nation asserts that it possesses inherent rights of self-determination, self-identification, and tribal sovereignty under domestic and international legal principles.
According to the submission, historical events such as the 1715 Yamassee Uprising and the Trail of Tears resulted in the forced displacement of numerous Indigenous peoples, including the Yamassee, Choctaw, Cherokee, Seminole, Yuchi, and others from their ancestral territories. The report argues that these removals caused lasting harm to Indigenous communities and contributed to the loss of land, culture, and political autonomy.
The submission further contends that descendants of Africans and Indigenous peoples in the United States have faced historical barriers to recognition, citizenship, and cultural identity. It asserts that many individuals of African descent possess Indigenous ancestry through historical relationships, intermarriage, adoption, and shared community ties with Native nations throughout North America.
Historical Context
The report references historical records and congressional acknowledgments concerning slavery, forced assimilation, and the removal of Indigenous peoples. It argues that African Americans were often stripped of their names, languages, cultural identities, and ancestral connections during slavery and subsequent discriminatory periods. The submission maintains that these actions contributed to the loss of knowledge regarding Indigenous heritage among many descendants.
The report also highlights historical accounts suggesting the presence of diverse populations in the Americas prior to European colonization and argues that conventional narratives concerning Indigenous identity should be reexamined through a broader historical lens.
Alleged Human Rights Concerns
The At-sik-hata Nation of Yamassee Moors alleges that the United States has failed to fully recognize and protect the rights of individuals and communities who identify as Indigenous descendants outside of federally recognized tribal structures. The submission asserts that individuals who claim Indigenous heritage may face discrimination, skepticism, social exclusion, and legal obstacles when attempting to exercise rights associated with self-identification and self-determination.
The report further alleges that government institutions have not consistently honored commitments relating to Indigenous rights, tribal sovereignty, and international human rights standards. It argues that these shortcomings have contributed to ongoing social, cultural, and political disadvantages for affected communities.
According to the submission, the failure to adequately recognize Indigenous identity, cultural heritage, and self-governance rights has resulted in conditions that the authors characterize as continuing forms of discrimination and marginalization.
Legal and International Framework
The submission references various domestic and international instruments, including executive orders, congressional resolutions, human rights treaties, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It argues that these authorities support the rights of Indigenous peoples to determine their own identity, maintain their cultural traditions, exercise self-government, and preserve their ancestral heritage.
The report maintains that Indigenous identity should not be defined exclusively by government institutions and that communities possess the inherent right to identify, organize, and govern themselves in accordance with their traditions, history, and cultural heritage.
Conclusions
The At-sik-hata Nation of Yamassee Moors concludes that Indigenous peoples and their descendants continue to face significant challenges in obtaining recognition, protection of cultural rights, and meaningful implementation of self-determination principles. The submission argues that greater compliance with international human rights standards is necessary to address historical injustices and ongoing concerns.
Recommendations
- Fully implement the principles contained within the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in domestic law and policy.
- Strengthen protections for tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and Indigenous cultural identity.
- Promote accurate and comprehensive education regarding the history, diversity, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in North America.
- Review historical grievances and claims involving Indigenous communities and establish mechanisms for accountability, dialogue, and reconciliation.
- Ensure that individuals and communities who identify as Indigenous are afforded equal protection, respect, and access to human rights guaranteed under domestic and international law.
The submission respectfully requests that relevant human rights bodies examine these concerns and encourage measures that advance Indigenous rights, cultural preservation, self-determination, and equal treatment under the law.
