Governor signs Tribal bill

Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben traveled to Jackson last Thursday to Gov. Tate Reeves’ Capitol office to witness the ceremonial signing of House Bill 277, which allows for the state to recognize Tribal identification cards as a legal means of personal identification, and House Bill 1230, which is a bill that allows businesses located on Tribal lands to be eligible for certain discretionary Mississippi Development Authority programs. Following the signing, Chief Ben attended the 70th Mississippi National Day of Prayer ceremony at the Mississippi Coliseum.

During the ceremony, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson, on behalf of the state, read Senate Joint Resolution 14, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2009.

The resolution served as an apology to Native Americans on the wrongs and injustices carried out by the federal government over the past few centuries and also honored the stewardship of the land by Native Americans before the arrival of the settlers.

Commissioner Gipson then personally turned to Chief Ben, representing the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and apologized to the Tribe and closed his remarks with a prayer.

Following Commissioner Gipson's prayer, Chief Ben had the distinct honor of praying for the State of Mississippi.