New Years Pow Wow, Rialto Park, Tucson, AZ
Showing posts with label indigenous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indigenous. Show all posts
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Worth Considering
By Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji)
© 2009 Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc.
When President Lyndon B. Johnson was about to sign the Immigration and Nationality Act on Oct. 3, 1965, he chose to do it at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. That day he said, "Our beautiful America was built by a nation of strangers. From a hundred different places or more they poured forth into an empty land, joining and blending in one mighty and irresistible tide."
Built by a nation of strangers? An empty land? Joining and blending? Every Native American worth his or her salt would bridle at those words of such monumental ignorance and for those paltry words to be spoken by the President of the United States makes it overwhelmingly appalling. Johnson was probably parroting the opinions of the majority of Americans about America's indigenous people: out of sight, out of mind, out of consideration. What in the hell are Native Americans: chopped liver?
Every human being that landed on the shores of America was an immigrant. They came to this land from Europe bringing along their baggage filled with religious strife and racial prejudice. They discovered that this was not an empty land, but a land filled with thousands upon thousands of industrious and spiritual people. They took from the Natives their industriousness in order to survive and crushed the spiritual because it was not only beyond their comprehension, but a challenge to the teachings of their Holy Bible.
... more from Tim Giago after the click.
© 2009 Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc.
When President Lyndon B. Johnson was about to sign the Immigration and Nationality Act on Oct. 3, 1965, he chose to do it at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. That day he said, "Our beautiful America was built by a nation of strangers. From a hundred different places or more they poured forth into an empty land, joining and blending in one mighty and irresistible tide."
Built by a nation of strangers? An empty land? Joining and blending? Every Native American worth his or her salt would bridle at those words of such monumental ignorance and for those paltry words to be spoken by the President of the United States makes it overwhelmingly appalling. Johnson was probably parroting the opinions of the majority of Americans about America's indigenous people: out of sight, out of mind, out of consideration. What in the hell are Native Americans: chopped liver?
Every human being that landed on the shores of America was an immigrant. They came to this land from Europe bringing along their baggage filled with religious strife and racial prejudice. They discovered that this was not an empty land, but a land filled with thousands upon thousands of industrious and spiritual people. They took from the Natives their industriousness in order to survive and crushed the spiritual because it was not only beyond their comprehension, but a challenge to the teachings of their Holy Bible.
... more from Tim Giago after the click.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Native American Day
By Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji)
© 2008 Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc.
An unprecedented event happened in South Dakota 18 years ago, an event that has not been equaled by any other state: South Dakota adopted October 12 as a state holiday to be called Native American Day.
By selecting October 12, South Dakota eliminated, for all intent and purpose, Columbus Day as a holiday. But the ensuing 18 years have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that old habits are hard to break.
... the rest after the click.
My comment: Not everyone sees Christopher Columbus as a hero. Some folks hold him responsible for the literally millions of deaths rained down on Native Americans by European invaders. Perhaps that might be a little much. His "discovery" of the New World was inevitable. If he hadn't stumbled upon Hispaniola when he did, someone else would have tripped over the North and South American continents eventually. However, he typified European attitudes toward people who were "other" and, as the first governor in the Americas he instituted a reign of terror and torture that shocked even the King of Spain. Columbus' tactics as governor made him 'persona non grata' in the Caribbean in 1500 ... by order of the King of Spain.
© 2008 Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc.
An unprecedented event happened in South Dakota 18 years ago, an event that has not been equaled by any other state: South Dakota adopted October 12 as a state holiday to be called Native American Day.
By selecting October 12, South Dakota eliminated, for all intent and purpose, Columbus Day as a holiday. But the ensuing 18 years have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that old habits are hard to break.
... the rest after the click.
My comment: Not everyone sees Christopher Columbus as a hero. Some folks hold him responsible for the literally millions of deaths rained down on Native Americans by European invaders. Perhaps that might be a little much. His "discovery" of the New World was inevitable. If he hadn't stumbled upon Hispaniola when he did, someone else would have tripped over the North and South American continents eventually. However, he typified European attitudes toward people who were "other" and, as the first governor in the Americas he instituted a reign of terror and torture that shocked even the King of Spain. Columbus' tactics as governor made him 'persona non grata' in the Caribbean in 1500 ... by order of the King of Spain.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Homeland Security?
from Jesus' General
It appears that Senator John McCain has been systematically engaged in a "genocide" of sorts against the Navajo (Di'neh) People in his home state of Arizona. In order to further the interest of mining companies (Peabody Western and others) he has sponsored and passed laws to forcibly relocate thousands of Di'neh from their ancestral lands on the reservation that was guaranteed to them by Treaty in the 1870's. In order to do this, he has had the assistance of BIA lawyers who have forged signatures of Di'neh elders (most of whom do not read, write or speak English) on documents supposedly giving permission for their lands and their civil rights to be given away. John McCain has also used the divisive tactic of claiming that the Hopi Tribal Council is empowered to make decisions for the Di'neh (they do not as they are a different tribe).
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has investigated this situation, found that the US is violating Article 10 of The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly be removed from their lands or territories. No relocation shall take place without the free and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement on just and fair compensation and, where possible, with the option of return.
The rest after the click ...
It appears that Senator John McCain has been systematically engaged in a "genocide" of sorts against the Navajo (Di'neh) People in his home state of Arizona. In order to further the interest of mining companies (Peabody Western and others) he has sponsored and passed laws to forcibly relocate thousands of Di'neh from their ancestral lands on the reservation that was guaranteed to them by Treaty in the 1870's. In order to do this, he has had the assistance of BIA lawyers who have forged signatures of Di'neh elders (most of whom do not read, write or speak English) on documents supposedly giving permission for their lands and their civil rights to be given away. John McCain has also used the divisive tactic of claiming that the Hopi Tribal Council is empowered to make decisions for the Di'neh (they do not as they are a different tribe).
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has investigated this situation, found that the US is violating Article 10 of The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly be removed from their lands or territories. No relocation shall take place without the free and informed consent of the indigenous peoples concerned and after agreement on just and fair compensation and, where possible, with the option of return.
The rest after the click ...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Catholic Indian Mission Pedophiles Must Not Go Unpunished
We've come to help you with those problems you never had before we came.
Tim Giago, commentator on Native American issues
Writing about lawsuits can be like going to the dentist; it can be numbing and very painful. With that I will try to be as brief (no pun intended) as possible.
Two lawsuits involving the physical, mental and sexual abuse of Indian children while living and studying at Indian mission boarding schools will be heard by the South Dakota Supreme Court to determine if the suits should be dismissed because they have exceeded the statute of limitations.
Attorney Greg Yates of Rapid City, SD is representing the plaintiffs. Yates also has a law office in California, and he is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law. He believes that some of the local news coverage has been inadequate and slanted toward the defendants.
The rest after the click ...
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Smoke Signals
I found myself in a conversation about the anger that it seems everyone feels toward their parents (or a parent) at one point or another during the course of their lives. It reminded me of a little movie I rented about a year ago called "Smoke Signals", based on a couple short stories by Sherman Alexie. Small though the movie was in terms of distribution and box office, it was a stunning coming of age story. The movie is also notable because it is the first feature film made by a Native American crew and creative team. The cover says it's a comedy ... but it's not. There are some very funny things that go by ... but there are very funny things in life too. That doesn't make life a comedy.
Beyond that, there is the sheer number of awards it has won:
- 1998 American Indian Film Festival: Best film
- Christopher Award
- 1998 First Americans in the Arts: Outstanding Achievement in Writing (Sherman Alexie), Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Film (Evan Adams), Outstanding Achievement in Directing (Chris Eyre)
- 1998 Gotham Awards: Nominations: Open Palm Award
- 1998 National Board of Review: Special Recognition For Excellence In Filmmaking
- 1998 San Diego World Film Festival: Best American Independent Feature; Best Screenplay (Sherman Alexie); Best Actor (Adam Beach); Best Director (Chris Eyre)
- 1998 Sundance Film Festival: Filmmaker's Trophy Chris Eyre); Audience Award. Nominations: Grand Jury Prize
- 1998 Taos Talking Picture Festival: Taos Land Grant Award (Chris Eyre)
- 1998 Tokyo International Film Festival: Best Artistic Contribution (Chris Eyre) (tie)
- 1999 Chlotrudis Awards: Nomination: Best Actor (Evan Adams)
- 1999 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Newcomer (Chris Eyre/Sherman Alexie)
- 1999 Independent Spirit Awards: Best Debut Performance (Evan Adams). Nominations: Best Supporting Male nomination (Gary Farmer), Best First Screenplay nomination (Sherman Alexie)
- 1999 Young Artist Awards: Nominations: Best Performance in a Feature Film-Supporting Young Actor (Cody Lightning)
Rather than outline the plot (you can find that by following the linked film title above), let me just leave you with the closing lines from the last scene of the movie:
How do we forgive our fathers?
Maybe in a dream?
Do we forgive our fathers for leaving us too often or forever when we were little?
Maybe for scarin' us with unexpected rage or for making us nervous because there never seemed to be any rage there at all.
Do we forgive our fathers for marryin' or not marryin' our mothers? Or divorcin' or not divorcin' our mothers?
And should we forgive them for their excesses of warmth or coldness?
Shall we forgive them for pushin' or meanin' or shuttin' doors or speakin' through walls or never speakin' or never bein' silent?
Do we forgive our fathers in our age or in theirs or in their deaths, saying it to them or not saying it.
If we forgive our fathers, what is left?
My take: In the end, no one does the right thing.
On another level, the movie has a wonderful subtext that shouldn't be missed. No matter how different we may seem culturally, we are all human beings first and the similarities between us are far more striking than any cultural differences we might pick out. There cannot be a better lesson in these troubled times.
Four Stars and Two Thumbs Up. It doesn't take a big Hollywood budget and a mainstream studio to make a picture that can move you, teach you, comfort you and help you to explain yourself to yourself. As a matter of fact, those things would probably get in the way.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Lost to the Cultural Steam-roller
WASHINGTON — When every known speaker of the language Amurdag gets together, there's still no one to talk to. Native Australian Charlie Mungulda is the only person alive known to speak that language, one of thousands around the world on the brink of extinction. From rural Australia to Siberia to Oklahoma, languages that embody the history and traditions of people are dying, researchers said Tuesday.
While there are an estimated 7,000 languages spoken around the world today, one of them dies out about every two weeks, according to linguistic experts struggling to save at least some of them.
Five hotspots where languages are most endangered were listed Tuesday in a briefing by the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages and the National Geographic Society.
In addition to northern Australia, eastern Siberia and Oklahoma and the U.S. Southwest, many native languages are endangered in South America _ Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia _ as well as the area including British Columbia, and the states of Washington and Oregon.
Losing languages means losing knowledge, says K. David Harrison, an assistant professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College.
"When we lose a language, we lose centuries of human thinking about time, seasons, sea creatures, reindeer, edible flowers, mathematics, landscapes, myths, music, the unknown and the everyday."
More here ...
While there are an estimated 7,000 languages spoken around the world today, one of them dies out about every two weeks, according to linguistic experts struggling to save at least some of them.
Five hotspots where languages are most endangered were listed Tuesday in a briefing by the Living Tongues Institute for Endangered Languages and the National Geographic Society.
In addition to northern Australia, eastern Siberia and Oklahoma and the U.S. Southwest, many native languages are endangered in South America _ Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia _ as well as the area including British Columbia, and the states of Washington and Oregon.
Losing languages means losing knowledge, says K. David Harrison, an assistant professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College.
"When we lose a language, we lose centuries of human thinking about time, seasons, sea creatures, reindeer, edible flowers, mathematics, landscapes, myths, music, the unknown and the everyday."
More here ...
Friday, September 14, 2007
Free Market doesn't work ...
when one side has all the guns.
UN General Assembly backs indigenous peoples' rights
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a non-binding declaration upholding the human, land and resources rights of the world's 370 million indigenous people, brushing off opposition from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.*
The vote in the assembly was 143 in favor and four against. Eleven countries, including Russia and Colombia, abstained.
The declaration, capping more than 20 years of debate at the United Nations, also recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and sets global human rights standards for them.
It states that native peoples have the right "to the recognition, observance and enforcement of treaties" concluded with states or their successors.
Indigenous peoples say their lands and territories are endangered by such threats as mineral extraction, logging, environmental contamination, privatization and development projects, classification of lands as protected areas or game reserves and use of genetically modified seeds and technology.
The rest of the story at Yahoo News ...
* That looks like a list of the countries that support democratic self determination. Right?
What's wrong with this picture. It sounds like those countries are saying, "We conquered you people, friggin' STAY CONQUERED!" I guess that support for HUMAN RIGHTS is what you might call "lip service"?
The arguments against protecting the rights of indigenous peoples?
"They said they could not support it because of their concerns over provisions on self-determination, land and resources rights and giving indigenous peoples a right of veto over national legislation and state mangement of resources."
"'Unfortunately, the provisions in the Declaration on lands, territories and resources are overly broad, unclear, and capable of a wide variety of interpretations, discounting the need to recognize a range of rights over land and possibly putting into question matters that have been settled by treaty,' Canada's UN Ambassador John McNee told the assembly."
UN General Assembly backs indigenous peoples' rights
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted a non-binding declaration upholding the human, land and resources rights of the world's 370 million indigenous people, brushing off opposition from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.*
The vote in the assembly was 143 in favor and four against. Eleven countries, including Russia and Colombia, abstained.
The declaration, capping more than 20 years of debate at the United Nations, also recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and sets global human rights standards for them.
It states that native peoples have the right "to the recognition, observance and enforcement of treaties" concluded with states or their successors.
Indigenous peoples say their lands and territories are endangered by such threats as mineral extraction, logging, environmental contamination, privatization and development projects, classification of lands as protected areas or game reserves and use of genetically modified seeds and technology.
The rest of the story at Yahoo News ...
* That looks like a list of the countries that support democratic self determination. Right?
What's wrong with this picture. It sounds like those countries are saying, "We conquered you people, friggin' STAY CONQUERED!" I guess that support for HUMAN RIGHTS is what you might call "lip service"?
The arguments against protecting the rights of indigenous peoples?
"They said they could not support it because of their concerns over provisions on self-determination, land and resources rights and giving indigenous peoples a right of veto over national legislation and state mangement of resources."
"'Unfortunately, the provisions in the Declaration on lands, territories and resources are overly broad, unclear, and capable of a wide variety of interpretations, discounting the need to recognize a range of rights over land and possibly putting into question matters that have been settled by treaty,' Canada's UN Ambassador John McNee told the assembly."
- Property is more important than people. Human rights are fine as long as they don't interfere with property rights and profit.
- Treaties, most of which were ignored by the conquerors, most of which were initiated at the point of a gun, have already settled many issues.
- The original treaties were ambiguous but when the shoe is on the other foot, it's a problem.
- Justice is not part of the equation. The maintenance of power is.
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