To Our Native Brethren:

[Mythsaje]

On the heels of the announcement of the Lakota to withdraw from the United States, and upon their declaration of due sovereignty, I'd like to raise a hand in salute. It may be a difficult stance to maintain, but there are those among the descendents of immigrants who understand and applaud your motivations.

It's almost ironic that those who were fleeing oppression and tyranny in their own countries came here and had very little problem doing the same thing to others. Some people excuse a lot of it by saying "to the winner go the spoils," but this statement has no merit in the context of a civilized conversation. Our ancestors had no right to do what they did. "Manifest Destiny," like "White Man's Burden" was a disgusting, self-congratulatory display of cultural hubris.

And on top of it all, the habit the U.S. government had of violating the treaties it made with the Native tribes and nations, sometimes even before the ink was dry, made a bad thing even worse.

Many find themselves marginalized, and in possession of land good for little more than scenery, and not even good scenery at that. To make matters worse, discovery of natural resources on land given over to the various tribes seemed to automatically negate any treaties signed.

If the U.S. government sees fit to discard treaties whenever it's convenient, there's no good reason that various Native nations shouldn't see fit to negate them at will. It's obvious that few people in power have any respect for these agreements in the first place.


I do not personally know what role my own ancestors may have played in the original crime against the Native peoples, especially since the ancestors I can identify came over from Ireland and Scotland long after the Indian Wars were over, and themselves probably had a history of oppression and tyranny to look back upon. But I was raised to respect the ways of the people who were here first, and it is in the spirit of that respect that I apologize for what was done, and what is still being done, in my name, to your people.

I offer my heartfelt support in your battle, and hope that it may be resolved not only peaceably, but to the greatest effect for the future of your people.

You have not been forgotten entirely. Some of us stand with you, in spirit, if not in flesh.



Saje Williams

[donsu]

1. kick

nt

[helderheid]

2. 3rd rec

Solidarity!

[pscot]

3. I worry that by abrogating the treaties

the tribes also surrender their rights under those treaties. This could really open a legal can of worms, with the Lakota losing everything.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. I have participated in Lakota ceremony for about 18 years

It is sad to note that, until the 1970s, Lakota ways were not allowed to be practiced openly. Yes, the Lakota were not allowed freedom of religion. There are some Lakota who say that whites like me should not be allowed to participate in ceremony, while others say it is fine; to some extent, the involvement of whites, blacks, and mixed blood people have kept ceremony going; and some tribes which have totally lost their ceremony due to oppression, Lakota ways are a way to honor Native culture.

Just as there in controversy over ceremony, there is political controversy amongst the Lakota people as well. It will be interesting to see if the ones declaring independence gain a majority amongst the people.

Interesting side note: the Mohawk people who reside in Canada recently allowed Greenpeace to fly their flag on their ships. Japan had forced Canada to stop allowing Greenpeace to fly under The Maple Leaf. From the article I read, it is clear that Native people in Canada have more rights and the tribes more sovereignty than the Lakota and other tribes do here. I hope that the tribes here can learn from tribes in Canada, and that the US can follow the Canadian model of dealing with the tribes.

[Mythsaje]

5. Good for the Mohawks!

I like hearing stuff like that.

[loudsue]

7. ayeshahaqqiqa....check your mailbox

:hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. thank you

for the messages!

[loudsue]

14. .....

:hug:

[uppityperson]

6. Me too. It is a step in breaking away and working toward more true positive self

sovereignty. As other Indian Nations have done, time to get on with it in a positive way. The elder generation there now (over 60ish) were the last ones taken way to boarding schools. This means the older adults have been raised in a flailing way, the old way gone, the new way not here yet. They have been working toward positive self sovereignty, reclaiming their culture, tying to figure out how to make it all work positively. Best wishes to them in their endeavors.

[BonnieJW]

9. I wonder

if these good people will let any of us into their land should another repuke be elected. Because if one is, I'm so out of here. American will not be the best country to live in ever again.

[roguevalley]

10. I admire anyone who will save themselves and their families from

tyranny. This is such a good moment. I salute them too.

[Joe Fields]

11. I, too, salute their just cause, and pray that their effort results in positive

change for all Native American people.

[JuniperLea]

12. They have been patient long enough...

My people met my people at Plymouth Rock... you have no idea how torn I am on this one... I'd love to know what went down through the centuries, and how my family was involved.

I wish my Lakota brethren all the best. This is long overdue.

[Leopolds Ghost]

13. Not long ago, Federal Courts ruled Miami Indians still own 1/3 of Illinois

Which was recognized to be "their" land by treaty and never ceded to the US Gov't.

Of course, it offered the tribe large sums of money in return for
permanently relinquishing their right to tribal land,

most of which is owned by Monsanto and Archer Daniels-Midland

(who trotted out hundreds of tenant farmers to protest that Injuns had lost their land fair and square and to get over it, and also ask what possible use the tribe would have for the land today... sort of like
asking poor people what possible reason they could have for wanting
to return to New Orleans again when their homes are being put to
"better use" by others with the "wherewithal to want to live there".)

[undergroundpanther]

15. About time

After all, as far as I am concerned The Lakota nation IS a sovereign nation.As well as all the other tribal nations. Let the truth be declared,and recognized.respected. honored..

I am happy for you all.
My heart goes out to you.