Cherokee Tribal Termination Bill

Native American indian tribes are once again under attack. H.S. Bill 2824 is an attempt by Congressional members to terminate the Cherokee tribe. The reason? Tribal purging of non-documented Indian hopefulls. Under Federal Law the tribes have the authority to regulate it tribal members. This is done by requiring 25% tribal blood quantum. It was the federal goverment who required this.

In 2007, several people who had applied for tribal membership were denied. Further more those who did not have documented proof were dropped from tribal records. This made U.S. Rep Diane Watson introduce a bill to terminate the tribe. Apparently they are using the Indian Bill of Rights against the tribe. This bill protect tribal member from arbitrary actions by the tribe.

I have seen this in action once before in California. The California Human Waste Disposal industry realized that their companies did not have the capacity to process human waste. So they went shopping. The found a tribal member in a small tribe outside Indio. They offered him $50,00 to use his personal land to store this stuff til it could be processed. The tribe resisted and formed a road block. Using the Tribal Bill the Californis officials cited their authority to assist the member. California officials threatened to use federal officers to break down the barricade. Several environmental orgs were present as well as an internation film company. I was invited to be an observer and to document any action. There were health issues involved as well as environmental.

This shows the length that the federal government is willing to go to continue to threaten tribes. If you would like to add your voice in telling our Cogressional repesentative to stop this action, Contact: stoptribal termination.org

Indian Princesses

Today I met a man on the bus. In the course of our dicussion, I had mentioned my work as a Native American activist. I had told him of a few issues that I had gotten involved in. It was at this point that he told me that he also was Native American. Even though he had blond hair and obviously was a Anglo he proceed to tell me that his Indian name was Little Eagle and his father was Big Eagle. With a smile on my lips I recalled many others who had claimed Indian blood. Nowdays it is fashionable to be Indian. The problem I have is that these people are only Indian when it is convenient. For the rest of us it is a 24 hr. job. He said that his ancestor was a Indian Princess. It always amazes me to hear that. The Indian standing before me would rather think that his roots were lodged in royalty. People would rather believe that his ancestor wooed an Indian Princess instead of fathoming the idea that a savage warrior ravaged his maternal relative. The other idea is that they will not stand up and protect their people when the going gets tough. I wonder if they ever tell people inside their circle of their roots. What do you think?

U.S. cavalry Buffalo soldiers

One of the most misunderstood issues, is the naming of the Buffalo Soldier. History will tell you that they were named this because of the their valor, courage and fierceness. This is not so. I have talked to many elderly Comanche and Kiowa men whose ancesters told them the real reason. This the reason! The Native American warriors named their enemies for recognizable traits, such as Long Knives and White Eyes for the U.S. cavalry. The Afro-American solders were seen to resemble the buffalo. Their skin was dark like the buffalo, their hair resembled the mane of the buffalo and their nose was flat like the buffalo. This the real reason. Thia is just a bit of education. What I hope to do is teach the truth as opposed to written history. If you have any questions for me I will answer them truthfully.