Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 02:44 PM Apr 2016

I'd like to thank DU for their sudden touching concern for Native Americans

But let me tell you what is offensive:

The appropriation of our various cultures, religions and rituals in the form of fake sweat lodges, fake vision quests, fake rituals performed by white folks who don't know what they are doing.

The idea that there is something called "Native American Spirituality" when there isn't. Each tribe has their own set of beliefs.

People who claim to be medicine men/women/healers who don't even know what that means.

Books written about Native Americans by white people who do know shit about Native Americans.

The 90% unemployment on reservations. The fact that many of our elders can't even afford to buy firewood to heat their homes in the winter.

The appropriation of our art work, bead work, jewelry making by white people.

The fact that white people believe that they can sit in a drumming circle and make noise so as to conjure up some old ancient elder.

The use and copyright of the term "Redskin" by a gawd damn football team.

The fact that where there is a large NA population in the cities, the kids are sectioned off in the school districts where they get the worst teachers.

The stealing of our water rights.

The fact that 99% of the "Indian Casinos" are owned by white corporations, run by white people who never support the tribe.

The high rate of alcoholism

The shitty health care.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (Boss Indians Around)

What is not offensive is some old saying said by some politician that has nothing to do with Native American Reservations or Native Americans. So, as a registered tribal member and daughter of a registered tribal member who is the daughter of an original Dawes Roll tribal member, thank you so much for coming out of the woodwork to our defense.



35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'd like to thank DU for their sudden touching concern for Native Americans (Original Post) leftofcool Apr 2016 OP
I agree. 2naSalit Apr 2016 #1
You sound like a few of my spirit sisters. leftofcool Apr 2016 #3
... 2naSalit Apr 2016 #29
Thank you, leftofcool! BlueMTexpat Apr 2016 #2
Here is another good one leftofcool Apr 2016 #4
That looks like a very worthwhile one! BlueMTexpat Apr 2016 #11
Thank you thank you thank you Hekate Apr 2016 #5
I want there to be some kind of consistency behind Hillary bashing. yallerdawg Apr 2016 #6
That is a lovely dream dawg. I am going think of your post when BootinUp Apr 2016 #8
And I am a big supporter of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians... yallerdawg Apr 2016 #13
I was just thinking of another hypocrisy... OKNancy Apr 2016 #18
Good one! wryter2000 Apr 2016 #20
... aaaaand they all voted for Kerry. Squinch Apr 2016 #26
Even better, many of these folks so verkempt and horrified over this were the same folks who Number23 May 2016 #31
K&R betsuni Apr 2016 #7
K&R! stonecutter357 Apr 2016 #9
Thank you for sharing your thoughts BootinUp Apr 2016 #10
Wado! okasha Apr 2016 #12
I love Vine. Recc'ed reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! leftofcool Apr 2016 #15
So well said mcar Apr 2016 #14
thank you so much. riversedge Apr 2016 #16
Here in Oklahoma the Indians do own the casinos OKNancy Apr 2016 #17
We often refer to ourselves and NDNs leftofcool Apr 2016 #25
I gather I missed the newest bit of Hillary Hate wryter2000 Apr 2016 #19
Hillary said Trump has gone "off the reservation" justiceischeap Apr 2016 #22
Thanks wryter2000 Apr 2016 #24
quote OKNancy Apr 2016 #28
Thanks wryter2000 May 2016 #32
Haudenosaunee here! wysi Apr 2016 #21
K&R!! Sparkly Apr 2016 #23
They are always swiftly concerned about sh*t Quayblue Apr 2016 #27
The stupid assed responses to you and okasha had me picking my jaw up off the floor Number23 May 2016 #30
Yup, 'splaining wryter2000 May 2016 #33
Thank you for setting the record straight from a Native American perspective. Surya Gayatri May 2016 #34
My son is half Cowachin--a band in BC ismnotwasm May 2016 #35

2naSalit

(86,833 posts)
1. I agree.
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:00 PM
Apr 2016

I am out in Indian Country and have many Indian friends and acquaintances who have invited me to ceremonies and accepted me. What I learned over the decades is that most white people have no respect for the original inhabitants of the continent, which infuriates me to no end.

I was taught to do bead work and weaving before I ever met any of my Indian friends and adopted (in both directions) family... I make certain that none of my work is misrepresented as Indian work, I won't use "cut beads" for instance and don't use traditional symbols out of respect. I look Indian but my heritage is mostly white, European. Many ask me what tribe I'm from and I respond with, "Couldn't tell you, I have no proof of being Indian and I was raised by white folks." But have enormous respect and that's why I am accepted, as well as the fact that I have made great effort to be helpful in my political work... and that is very rewarding for a number of reasons.

I am fully aware of how screwed up our social/political world discounts the value of our original inhabitants and treat this population, it's appalling.

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)
3. You sound like a few of my spirit sisters.
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:19 PM
Apr 2016

I have about 3 white friends I have know for years and have often with permission invited them to certain events. Hey, using cut beads is just fine for bead work. I use Delicas for most of mine and most NA women I know use Tohos or Delicas. Hey, we use what we can get, right? Good people like yourself are often adopted into tribes just because of who you are. It is an honor and I know they are proud to have you.

2naSalit

(86,833 posts)
29. ...
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 11:09 PM
Apr 2016

thank you, it's an honor to share the things that I do with that portion of my human family. I was once asked for access to one of my brothers who was, at the time, head of the business council on the rez he's at because I brought him and some of his fellow council members to a conference so they could meet certain people regarding a matter of great import to many. He had asked me to be the liaison and the white folks (ones who weren't all that important to our cause) who wanted access basically dissed me when I told them that he didn't want to talk to them.

I see it as an honor to be recognized by such a fine group of people and I would go to the mat to protect every one.

BlueMTexpat

(15,374 posts)
2. Thank you, leftofcool!
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:19 PM
Apr 2016

I am not NA but was born and raised in northern MT on land sold by the Blackfeet for a pittance to Great Northern RR. http://www.manataka.org/page255.html

The continuing discrimination and racism against NAs in the US is every bit as ingrained as it is against all minorities. The incidents you mention are but some of the daily tragedies. Any persons who wave their so-called "progressive" PC label to use this particular "saying" to bludgeon Hillary REALLY need to get a grip.

If they truly want to do anything other than to show "poutrage," they could send some money to NAs like Denise Juneau (D-MT) who are running for political office. They can contribute to Denise at https://denisejuneau.com/

Or they could support some non-profits that stretch limited resources as far as they can, like St. Labre Indian School, that serves Crow and Northern Cheyenne children: http://www.stlabre.org/ There are lots of others, of course, but my late mother always contributed to St. Labre and, after she passed, I inherited that particular legacy.

An organization which you probably already know about, but I only discovered a couple years ago because one of my MT faves, Jack Gladstone, won there is the Native American Music Awards (NAMA) http://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/nama-15

NAMA does the NA musical culture proud. Jack, who is also known as "Montana's Troubadour," received a Songwriter of the Year Award for his album "Native Anthropology" and here's just a taste of his music: http://www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com/track/111644/jack-gladstone-native-anthropology-wolves?feature_id=27357

Thanks so much for your very righteous rant!

BlueMTexpat

(15,374 posts)
11. That looks like a very worthwhile one!
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:40 PM
Apr 2016

It is so important that the culture and traditions be preserved for those who never knew or experienced them.

There are many things to choose from, if people really want to make a difference instead of simply fulminating about a perceived slight. Sheesh.

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
6. I want there to be some kind of consistency behind Hillary bashing.
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:36 PM
Apr 2016

The "righteous indignation" trotted out in defense of Native American 'political correctness' - in light of everything else you point out in the OP - is in the service of the same old Hillary Hate.

It's like the monthly "righteous indignation" regarding Don Siegelman. Everyone knows he was "falsely prosecuted and convicted"" by a "rightwing conspiracy."

But "rightwing conspiracy" and their "false accusations" don't apply to Hillary! They are often the origin and the actual referenced source in most Hillary Hate accusations!

Let's just have a little more consistency and a lot less hypocrisy?

BootinUp

(47,200 posts)
8. That is a lovely dream dawg. I am going think of your post when
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:39 PM
Apr 2016

I close my eyes tonight, but I won't be holding my breath!

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
13. And I am a big supporter of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians...
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:57 PM
Apr 2016

here in Alabama.

Actually, a bigger supporter than I would prefer!

Here in Alabama where I voted for Don Siegelman every time he ran!

No - none of us should hold our breath.

OKNancy

(41,832 posts)
18. I was just thinking of another hypocrisy...
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 05:56 PM
Apr 2016

Some are so very concerned that Hillary may have passed on state secrets. LOL yet I bet most of them think Snowden and Manning are heroes. Their concern about Hillary is fake, fake, fake.

Number23

(24,544 posts)
31. Even better, many of these folks so verkempt and horrified over this were the same folks who
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:19 AM
May 2016

accused black people of "manufactured outrage" when many of us took RIGHTFUL issue with Sanders' "ghetto" comment.

Some are even going so far as to squawk "Warsaw ghettos!!!" at people in some brain breakingly pitiful attempt to try to pretend that when he said "when you talk about ghettos, typically you mean African American ones" that he could have been talking about ghettos ANYWHERE!11

okasha

(11,573 posts)
12. Wado!
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 03:51 PM
Apr 2016

That was an awesomely righteous post.

I'd like to add a couple things that make me grind my teeth.

Our "plight." Vine Deloria observed decades ago that every other ethnicity has "problems." We have a "plight," which makes us objects of pity and a saccharine faux concern.

Politicians who try to use us as weapons a. gsinst their opponents. Helllllllo, Bernie.. Where were you when the Pine Ridge warriors rose up against the Feds in 1973? What have you done to improve the Indian Health Service? Would you commit to appointing a First American as Secretary of the Department of the Interior? Have you done anything--are you aware at all--of the epidemic of rapes of Native women by white men on the reservation? Tribal justice institution can't prosecute and white ones won't. Are you doing anything at all to get jobs onto the reservations?

I think I'll stop there for my blood pressure's sake, except to add that "going off the reservation" has many more meanings than the one Bernie's trying to hang around Hillary's neck, one of which is "out of control." Like, say the Bro who threatened to cut Jim McDermott's tongue. Or the Donald himself.

My creds: Western Band Tsalagi, Panther Clan sept of Ani Sahoni. My grandmother's family werebTexas Old Settlers, who had forseen the Removal and gotten out before being forced out. My grandfather's family had gone into the hills with Tsali. His father fled to Texas a:ter his parents were lynched in Tennessee.




OKNancy

(41,832 posts)
17. Here in Oklahoma the Indians do own the casinos
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 05:52 PM
Apr 2016

and they are getting very wealthy. The tribes are doing some good with the money too.
FWIW, here in Oklahoma we have no problem with the term "Indian" in casual conversation.

( I'm a relative of John Ross)

wryter2000

(46,094 posts)
19. I gather I missed the newest bit of Hillary Hate
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 06:01 PM
Apr 2016

Are the Bernie bros now 'splaining to Native Americans how they ought to be voting the way they did to our AA members?

Righteous rant. I didn't know that about the casinos.

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
22. Hillary said Trump has gone "off the reservation"
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 06:25 PM
Apr 2016

and now Sanders supporters are up in arms about Clinton's insensitivity to Native Americans.

OKNancy

(41,832 posts)
28. quote
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 09:25 PM
Apr 2016

"I have a lot of experience dealing with men who sometimes get off the reservation in the way they behave and how they speak."
"I'm not going to deal with their temper tantrums or their bullying or their efforts to try to provoke me," "He can say whatever he wants to say about me. I could really care less."


Quayblue

(1,045 posts)
27. They are always swiftly concerned about sh*t
Sat Apr 30, 2016, 09:02 PM
Apr 2016

when it's appropriate for them.

Thank you for this beautiful post.

Number23

(24,544 posts)
30. The stupid assed responses to you and okasha had me picking my jaw up off the floor
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:06 AM
May 2016

A white person -- who goes out of their way to remind everyone that they are in CANADA -- actually TELLING you that you should be offended as Native Americans was about the most idiotic, paternalistic, dumb assed fucking thing I've seen all day.

Not one but two Native American posters tried to tell an individual that they were making a big deal out of nothing and, so entrenched in their regularly scheduled hate filled spiels and desire to slime Hillary at all costs, they basically told the two of you that you were too stupid to not realize that you had been insulted. And of course, in their benevolent and noble whiteness, they will be angry at Hillary FOR you because of course, they are smart enough to understand what was said and to be insulted even though they are not Native American.

It kind of reminds me of the Big Bang Theory when Sheldon would go on one of his endless tangents "explaining" Indian culture to Raj who would wind up screaming within seconds of the sermon, "dude, why do you keep telling me about my own culture??!" Except Sheldon's paternalistic fuckwittery had no racist intent and was just condescending claptrap. What you guys had to go through was something different indeed.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
34. Thank you for setting the record straight from a Native American perspective.
Sun May 1, 2016, 11:41 AM
May 2016

The BS BS "white-splainin'" has been shameful around here today.

ismnotwasm

(42,020 posts)
35. My son is half Cowachin--a band in BC
Sun May 1, 2016, 12:25 PM
May 2016

His father is long since dead--taken out by alcoholism. It's worth it to mention that of the man's brothers is dead by suicide, another still in prison for murder, (last I knew anyway)one is a social worker on the Rez. There was a period in my life--one that I never talk about because it's too sad-- when I was around enough the worst of what city Indians have to offer to stand witness to it. Then I moved close to the Yakima reservation, and again, stood witness to yes, some of the worst, but also the best of what reservation Indians had to offer.

My sons' Father fled to the Rez in BC, but--without going into detail-- he couldn't outrun years of abuse and damage. Neither could his brothers.

One thing I've noticed over my years at DU, is any thread about the plight of NA's drops after a few perfunctory replies. We tend to want the "glamour" of NA spirituality, without letting the people be human beings with a very heavy and difficult to bear, human burden.

I actually don't know what inspired this thread, I am in and out this days, but I want to stand in solidarity.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Hillary Clinton»I'd like to thank DU for ...