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COAIM BLOG CO AIM LATEST NEWS MEDIA
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Editor Rocky Mountain News Dear Editor: It is little wonder that in 1986, nearly one hundred and ten years after the defeat of Custer at Greasy Grass (Little Big Horn), relations between Indians and non-Indians continue to fester. I assume that Mr. Ben Blackburn is a well-read and intelligent man. In fact, I am prepared to assume that he is among the best and the brightest of non-Indian America. That is why it is particularly disturbing to me that a person of his caliber would write a column (RMN.5/28/86) which is so historically flawed. One of the major points of the column was that the battle at Greasy Grass was part of a civil war, conducted by contending factions of "Americans," Indians and Whites. The war between the United States and the Lakota/Dakota (Sioux) and the Tsistsista (Cheyenne) nations was in no way a civil one. The war was one of resistance waged by Indian nations seeking to protect their territories from an invading foreign power, namely the United States. As the treaties between the U.S. and these Indian nations attest, the U.S. considered the Indians to be sovereign and independent nations, with their own governments, their own territories, and a right to defend themselves against foreign aggression. The defeat of Custer was the culmination of a long period of resistance of these Indian nations against the invasion of a foreign nation into their territories. The Indian combatants were citizens of their own Indian nations, and not citizens of the United States. Even today, Indian people remain citizens both of their Indian nations and of the United States, this status being the result of the unilateral imposition of citizenship upon Indian peoples by the United States in 1924. While Mr. Blackburn's lack of understanding of the past and present status of Indian peoples and nations is not uncommon the general American ignorance of Indian sovereignty remains a major obstacle in the construction of mutual respect between Indians and non-Indians. Until the United States (both its people and government), and others in the Western Hemisphere, understand the rights and aspirations of Indians as indigenous peoples, there will be cultural conflict. For decades, the dominant culture has painted an historical picture of its policies which have ultimately condoned or excused its actions. In the long-run, it is argued, everyone has benefited, so there was no real harm done. After all, as Mr. Blackburn's column suggests, we are all Americans. The main point of this letter is to inform Mr. Blackburn, and other historical amnesiacs, that many of us remember that we were Native long before we were American. Many Indian people remain proud of their sovereign status, and are proud of the resistance of their ancestors to their invasion of their territories To some, this may ring of a lack of gratitude. Such a conclusion would be correct. It is difficult to be grateful for the fact that, in 1986, Indian people continue to be plagued with the highest incidence of poverty, the highest infant mortality rate, the shortest life expectancy , and the highest unemployment of any group in this country. It is difficult to be grateful to European invaders after they strip you of ninety-eight percent of your land-base, continue to violate hundreds of treaties which were to guarantee land and water and mineral rights, and then take you to the brink of environmental suicide. It is difficult to be ingratiated to a society which destroys its own youth with drugs and junk food and television, and then relegates its senior citizens to warehouses of loneliness and death. Such a society is not long for this world. As the Duwamish leader Sealth (Seattle) said, "Continue to contaminate your bed, and one night you will suffocate in your own waste." So, Mr. Blackburn, you write of romantic myths of the Little Big Horn, but I caution that you not be too short-sighted. I remind you that Indians are a patient people, and as far as many of us are concerned, that particular battle may be over, but the war continues. From the Black Hills to the resistance against forced relocation at Big Mountain in Arizona, to the jungles of Central America and the Amazon, to the mountains of Peru, the Indian peoples continue their quest for sovereignty and justice. The struggle continues. Glenn T. Morris, Co-Director
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