From: richard haden <richard_haden-AT-yahoo.com>
Date: 02 Jul 2009 18:58:52 UTC   (11:58:52 AM in author's locale)
To: Situationist <situationist-AT-lists.nothingness.org>

Mike,

I don't think Native Americans are in a pitiful state. I just recounted one example of a particular tribe (the Lummi tribe) who got swept up in the pacific North West Drug epidemic. The Lummi's seemed to fare worse than others in the Whatcom County, Washington State area. Further North the Native Americans living in Canada, for instance, don't consider themselves Canadian. They are a separate nation in Canada or on the coast of Canada.

The Lummi's have a lot going on even though the drug thing was a bad thing. For example the Lummi have greater fishing privileges that non natives in the area...which gives them better access to salmon and other season fisheries.

and on the rezz is a good thing--which means more than being on a reservation. It is not a derogatory thing--it is an outlook.

Richard Haden


________________________________
From: Mike Willey <wallmartyr-AT-gmail.com>
To: Situationist <situationist-AT-lists.nothingness.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 2, 2009 10:55:53 AM
Subject: Indian Country

Every year in Albuquerque we host the Gathering of Nations, the single
biggest pow wow in North America.

It is a beautiful event with proud Natives coming from all over the country
to share song and dance and drum.

www.gatheringofnations.com/

I get the impression that those Americans on this list that say Native
America is in a pitiful state, don't live near any indians.

Sure there's alcoholism. Sure there's drugs here and there. Sure there's
poverty. In the rez, in the city and in the suburbs.

There's also still a rich culture of pueblo indians in this state that
hasn't disappeared or been run into extinction. There's the Navajo's to the
west, and there's the Kiowa and Sioux to the north east.

It will never be what it was, but either will Aboriginal tribes in
Australia.

Now with Casinos being allowed on reservations, there's been a chance for
tribes to build new schools, houses, and provide college educations. I love
seeing the white and hispanic folks flood into the casino to lose money at
craps, blackjack, and slots. It's as close to reparations as it is ever
gonna get. And it has made for many incredible imporovements on the rez.

Wishing folks would stop using that stupid stereotype that indians are
drunkards,

-MIKE.
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