The Native American Indian Association of Tennessee feels misled after the state legislature did not include a $735,000 appropriation proposed in the fiscal year’s budget to help build a new headquarters.

“I feel like I was lied to,” NAIA Director Ray Emanuel said after the amendment died in subcommittee despite written and verbal support from lawmakers and officials.

“They all talk about how it would be a wonderful project, but they just make you feel good while you’re in their office,” Emanuel said. “It’s important to the Indian community and it would be a benefit to the state.”

Why they need the building

The new cultural and education center would be built on about six acres the NAIA already owns on Bell Road with a projected cost of about $1.3 million. The NAIA has raised about $450,000, approximately $240,000 through a federal grant that must go toward the building and about $210,000 in an endowment account that can go toward the center, though it isn’t limited to that.

The cultural center would be used for the NAIA to operate job assistance and emergency service programs and as a historical museum for local educators to bring students all under one roof.

Workshops could also be held, Emanuel said. The center would increase jobs in the community and provide tourism dollars, Emanuel said.

“Maybe they’ll take a better look at it what Native Americans contribute to the tourism industry in this state … and next year we’ll be better prepared,” Native American tom kunesh said.

One request among hundreds

Emanuel spoke directly with a number of legislators in lobbying efforts and a number supporters who wrote letters included Sen. Steven Dickerson, State Rep. Darren Jernigan and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

“I am disappointed,” said State Rep. Glen Casada, a sponsor of the amendment. “This cultural center would be part of our history. There are hundreds and hundreds of amendments submitted and (legislators) like the idea until they compare it to something else.”

Casada hopes to facilitate a meeting with Emanuel and Gov. Bill Haslam about the cultural center and perhaps initiate talks about including the project directly into the governor’s budget.

The NAIA now operates out of a renovated home on Spence Lane with its job assistance program based in Smyrna.

What's next

The organization holds an annual powwow in the fall that is one of the largest Native American events in the region that has drawn approximately 10,000-14,000 in yearly attendance.

"We'll keep trying if I can keep them motivated," Emanuel said. "We've got to keep pushing."

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.