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December 22, 2007

Lakota Rising

I've watched with keen interest the unfolding assertion of sovereign nation status by the Lakota Sioux. So far the response from the federal government has been pretty much nonexistant.

Injustices done, past and present to Native Americans is a theme we've hit on before here at PK.

L. Frank Baum, editor of South Dakota's Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer newspaper (later to become famous as the author of "The Wizard of Oz"), advocated the extermination of all America's Indians just one week prior to the slaughter of Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee.

The nobility of the Redskin is extinquished and what few are left are a pack of whining curs who lick the hand that smites them. The whites by law of conquest, by justice of civilization, are masters of the American continent, and the best safety of the frontier settlements will be secured by the total annihilation of the few remaining Indians. Their glory has fled, their spirit broken, their manhood effaced, better they should die than live the miserable wretches that they are.

Becky pointed out a whole series of issues where Republicans in general and Bushies in particular have opposed Native Americans. Although in fairness it needs to be pointed out that Bureau of Indian Affairs administrations of both Clinton and Bush 43 governments have been hauled in front of courts to explain why monies owed to native tribes has apparently been "lost." It's really hard to blame Native Americans for being pissed and extremely distrustful.

One multi-faceted aspect of this whole thing is the fact that wars and domination by the strong was never limited to the caucasian/native dynamic. The Chippewa were as oppressive towards the Lakota as the caucasians were. Which brings into question the exact borders of the newly declared Lakota Sioux Nation. Local blog Rocket Poetry shows one map. But other maps show a significantly larger landmass under Sioux control. Only the westernmost Lakota nation has declared independence. But the Chippewa claim to have pushed the Sioux out of the eastern half of the claimed territory shown in that last map.

What happens next? Where will this lead? I don't know. For myself, I heartily echo the sentiment expressed by AC's Brant McLaughlin, "I, personally, am looking forward to the experiment."

Posted by Kevin at December 22, 2007 10:31 AM