I am in Washington D.C. The walk is now over. It is a sweet sadness that has come over me. It was quite a moment in my life. To ask what I have learned from it would take five months. I have changes in mind and I feel that I would be good in making that happen. I have plans in the future that are formulating in my mind. There is poetry lingering within my mind from the experience. My heart is in flux with all the emotion rushing through my veins. There is so much more to do and think of, I want to change the world. I don't want to rely on a politician or a boss to do it for me. I want to charge forward in every thing I do. Today I will retire a little strip of red cloth that was given to me to identify my vehicle as one of the people on the walk. I had put it on in California at the very beginning of the walk. It has faded to a light red or pink, weathered by the sun and time. I will put it where I can use it as motivation to carry on the work of the moment. Now, I prepare myself for what is to come. Life surges in me, It is time to repair the money situation and think. There is great energy within me and I want to use it wisely. The next thing I do must be something that no one can deny would be something that is good. It should be something that anyone can do. An example for all. Life is good, things are clear and the experience of the walk are in me. It gave me heart and strength and it broke my heart at times. When we sang the A.I.M. song, life surged and bursts fourth as all gathered to sing. I loved the way the song filled out and became whole as the women entered in the singing of it. Then there was the sadness I felt in my heart when people were force to leave, at these times the walk took strength form me. All I know is "if I must have a leader" they better be one that motivates and inspires me to do the things they have done. One who would lead with understanding, compassion, mercy and forgiveness as well as strength, endurance, honesty and trust. I can not tell about it all now, it will come out in poetry. The walk itself is a poem. love and peace to you and all you love.

This is sent out to all that I know.

A walker form S.F. To D.C.
Shanawa C. Littlebow

These are all very good points. To clarify that using a common metaphor ;Everything happens for a reason".
One person may identify that statement by the reasoning of a Religious point of view: The Gods have willed it...as in the Greek phrase.
Others, say those of the Metaphysical point of view would refer to the science of "cause and effect".
Of all of the postings those of Native Son have been the closest to having been accurate, since I have been involved with the same movement of the story for over 40 years.
Native Son could be a bit more gentle in his approach, and it would be more helpful to follow his own advice and lead the readers to more study. In the day of the Internet and the easily available information that would be impossible to list here, there is no excuse for anyone to labor under false delusions for lack of factual information.
Native Son is correct when revealing the truth about the treaties with our Nations.

And no one can deny that the world is watching.

What Doom n Gloom said...

You have to be brave to travel this road where the new world touches the old world...so don't argue if it is the road or the touch.

Maybe the next time there is an long walk we should all travel along, that way we could speak directly to the source and not have such limited opinions.

zzz....errors, twisted logic, and disrespect are clear in your words. It's important to note that when you ask questions or make statements you do so with disrespect and then try to twist your response suggesting that you are not allowed to disagree. Trash! You act like a common troll.

But the issue is not you or me. The nice thing about Common Dreams is that an article is presented to begin a topic. Once again I commend those who suffered hardship to walk across this continent with little money or support to bring attention to the destruction of the Earth Mother and Sacred Places.

As for you zzz, your act is over and I'm done with you. You now have the last word so spew your disrespect.

About disrespect,

If I am "disrespectful" it is to ideas and not individuals. You can't shut me up by telling me to respect your ideas. I did call sacred land dirt. If you find my opinion disrespectful to you personally, then perhaps you should examine what I mean when I say that. I mean that land is land, it isn't magic, it isn't holy, it isn't sacred. It might be to you, but does the fact that we hold opposing viewpoints mean that I have disrespected you by merely disagreeing? I can't see how.

I say this cautiously, with no disrespect intended, but seriously, as a suggestion, stop being so sanctimonious.

When you accuse me of being disrespectful, I'd like to point out that I received no response when I asked drift:

"where in my any of my comments is the evidence for your assertion of my "greed, hatred and delusion"? Or was just an ad hominem attack to avoid a rebuttal?"

Is it disrespectful to call someone greedy, hateful, and delusional? I think so.

Now Doom n Gloom,
you have degenerated to implying that I am a white supremacist troll? Yet you have the gall to lecture me on respect. Show some decency. If I was not the target of your ire then who was? I see no white supremacists on this thread.

Disagreement is not disrespect. Do you comprehend that?

But even so, if you want to use the word "disrespect", then how have I have disrespected anything but your religion? To be clear, I have no respect for any religion, and why should I? What is sacred to some is not sacred to others (we agree on that, right?). So tell me I'm disrespectful all you want, but what you are really saying (obviously) is that I must respect whatever your religion is, or at least refrain from criticizing it. This is rather hypocritical coming from someone who clearly doesn't have much respect for Christianity.

I invite you to consider that your attacks against me are not only personal attacks, but are utterly baseless. I am not a white supremacist.

I challenge you to either apologize, or support your assertion that I, or for that matter, that anyone else on this thread is a white supremacist.

Kenman,
"The denegration of personal beliefs is a topic unworthy of intelligent people."

My personal beliefs have also been denigrated, but so what? We are willing participants in a discussion. I could just as easily say that you telling us this discussion is a waste of time, is just that, a waste of time. I feel history and religion are worthy topics of discussion. I'm sorry if you disagree.
But the whole notion of not being able to challenge "personal beliefs" is vague, extreme, and places an unnecessary limit on intellectual exchanges.

When you say, "The denegration of personal beliefs is a topic unworthy of intelligent people." You appear to neglect that the topics you have deemed worthy for discussion "the environment, the atrocities of the war in Iraq (and possibly soon, Iran), the unequal distribution of wealth, the continued suppression of many of our citizens" are all informed by one's personal beliefs.

Christianity had a long history of dealing with "disrespectful" people like myself by burning us at the stake. So I take pride in openly speaking my disdain for superstition or religion in any guise it takes.

For example,
When Bush says he talked to God and God told him to invade Iraq, can I not say things which are "disrespectful" to his religion? Can I not be "disrespectful" to the status of women in Islam? I am free to disagree the "holiness" of the Dali Lama? Or is only criticism of American Tribal religions that are off limits?

Kenman it is not unusual for trolls and white supremacists to trash every American Indian topic that arises. What you see here is tame compared to most. Personally I have taken a lot of patience answering their questions and comments, however the disrespect continued. It is not my way to constrain my words forever. NativeSon is well aware of the meaning of my words. It is unfortunate that the topic cannot be discussed in a more respectful manner but that is just the way it is with Native topics. There is a lot of hatred and misunderstanding of Native Peoples today. That hatred is reflected in the negative comments. The same old tired arguments, tricks, and false information are presented by the haters. I have been at this so long that I can pick it out instantly.

I was compelled to read the entire list of posts on this subject, desparately seeking a ray of hope among the writers.
I am so sad that what should have been covered by the MSM as a positive event was overlooked. When ANY people stand for what is right it needs our support. Aside from the forst few posts, this has turned into an indictment of beliefs.
The environment, the atrocities of the war in Iraq (and possibly soon, Iran), the unequal distribution of wealth, the continued suppression of many of our citizens; these are worthy of discussion.
The denegration of personal beliefs is a topic unworthy of intelligent people.
How can we expect to be part of the solution to the myriad problems that threaten all of us, if we cannot show the respect to one another that is deserved by virtue of our human relationship.
zzz, though I respect your beliefs in this matter, you have been disrespectful to our brothers and sisters that belive differently from you. And, sadly, many of you have fallen into the trap of responding from an ego mentality.
Bringing attention to the abuse of the environment and the sovereign rights of our Indigenous Peoples should not have turned so ugly. Shame on you who have turned this into a circus.
There is a secion on Craig's List called Rants and Raves that is a more appropriate venue.
All My Relations

Good for these Native Americans, but I think they may be wasting their time like why can't we get Bush and his gang impeached, indicted? If only more folks could stop the rampant developers who continue to chop down trees and old forests, who build huge houses that have no yards, who continue to despoil our whole environment. At least they try.

Doom and Gloom,

You are just one more example of one of those "Indians" who is as poorly in formed as the Anglo Americans-----your lack of knowledge of Law, especially Treaty Law---and History ----as opposed to revisionist history, is almost as overwhelming as your assumptive projections of expertise.

To challenge your misinformation ,authors such as Vine DeLoria Jr, Dee Brown, Dale Van Every, just to name three who are all dead now, would be happy to do it, but you would need to READ those works and you obviously have not.

Where in the world did you get a number like 600 tribes and 100 million Native Americans?
Name the tribe or tribes where "women chose the war chiefs"---and please----use a reference/citation that is not fiction---such as James Fenimore Cooper, or the fool that invented the "Thanks Giving Story"------or some Hollywood script writer who makes a good living off making the Americans feel good about their history.

As for science ----if you have studied any of it----you would know that the DNA evidence proves that the Native American people share none with "Indians"-----but you just love to use that word "Indian" when referring to our people. It actually stems from Christopher Columbus, who named the "West Indies" and the inhabitants there "Indians" because he thought he was in "India" and the "name" stuck, where it is used now as a veiled insult---(incidentally, the Carib Tribe was totally wiped out by the Christian Spaniards---with the help of the other tribes in the vicinity.....you know----"Indians---like you"

You sound like an "Apple"----or if they could speak a "Cigar Store Indian". Those are very important for the Americans to have around----rather like a puppy, or a Parrot in a cage----a pet, to show they can dominate other creatures---as well as other humans----.

Speaking of science, are you aware that "lip prints" are just as distinctive as finger prints and DNA?

How many Anglo American Buttocks have your Lip Prints upon them?

Walking in a sacred way means different things to different people. It is good to see it and feel connected to the old world that goes unnoticed until someone says hello.

tofu July 13th, 2008 12:09 am
"Science (the world's science,not just Western) is based upon empirical data submitted for peer review. "

The western world view is based upon Science. Nowhere have I ever said that it was exclusive to the West, I have merely contrasted it with the Indian world view of Spirit.

"If I mention Indian Gaming Casinos am I being disrespectful?"

Of the over 600 American Indian Tribes only a small number have Casino's. Of the number that do, not all are profitable. Also don't forget that most American Indians today are assimilated and christianized. Only about one quarter million remain Traditional in their beliefs. Christians, especially Baptists, remain relentless in their efforts to convert those Traditional Indians which of course is Cultural Genocide.

"What about torture and treatment of women in your history? Are your people any different from any others?"

American Indian women always were and still are treated with great respect among our Peoples. The Clan Mothers hold great sway among my People. Historically it was they who chose the War Chiefs. It would be good to take some time to learn more before making such a strong statement of error.

"The history of humankind is plagued with war and destruction, Indians or otherwise."

Yes and no.... The concept of war is complex and bears much more examination. Most but not all Indian wars were skirmishes for hunting land, or land to accommodate an expanding population. The numbers of Indians killed in such wars were relatively small compared to the Euro concept of War. It's also important to distinguish between a War and a Genocide. Genocide is an organized and systematic effort to eliminate a People or Peoples. The American Genocide eliminated over one hundred million American Indians.

"As for science and spiritualaity being in opposition to each other, I could not disagree more."
"Nowhere in my words or thoughts did I ever indicate that Spirit and science were opposites. They are different approaches to understanding and living life."

Science (the world's science,not just Western) is based upon empirical data submitted for peer review. Religions and Spirituality are based upon faith and beliefs.

"Our ways have always been to respect the Earth Mother and all things as one"
If I mention Indian Gaming Casinos am I being disrespectful?
What about torture and treatment of women in your history? Are your people any different from any others?

The history of humankind is plagued with war and destruction, Indians or otherwise.

The commons folks suffer by the will of elites throughout the world, throughout history. Whether by poverty or war we are all indians.
Everyone's ancestors had abuse.

etphonehome July 12th, 2008 5:24 pm
"Making a personal judgment that someone is disrespectful to lifeways of American Indian Peoples, because you don't agree with their perspective sounds rather ignorant to me."

The words zzz used are these, "I am really tired of hearing about sacred land. It's dirt." Or, " Do men compare the size of their spirits?" Or, "Are these "magic feathers" really necessary or even helpful? " Clearly these are not respectful words.

"When abuse is fresh(as it is with the tribes of the America's), the first step to healing is to unify and bond, create solidarity against the oppressive force, a nesessary step to self determination and cultural identity, a good thing. But allowing it to dwell, and stagnate in that spot and not move to broaden justice and respect for the whole planet and all two leggeds and four legs and fish and birds and all that is a living planet,is not good. It divides and conquers."

It isn't abuse, it's genocide. One Hundred Million American Indians died during this genocide. A quiet genocide continues to this day. Land is still being stolen. Resources are being stolen. Indian money from the lease of Indian land has not been paid. Every treaty, over 350, has been broken by the United States. How can you broaden justice when there is no justice or even a serious recognition of the genocide and an apology. We are survivors not victims. Our ways have always been to respect the Earth Mother and all things as one. We are today, in large part, who we always were. It is not Indians who are doing the disrespecting.

"As for science and spiritualaity being in opposition to each other, I could not disagree more."

Nowhere in my words or thoughts did I ever indicate that Spirit and science were opposites. They are different approaches to understanding and living life.

zzz July 12th, 2008 6:40 pm

"Sacred, what a vague term. When someone decides something is sacred, must we all submit? What is sacred to you, might not be sacred to me. Am I not entitled to my beliefs?"

You are entitled to your beliefs. Unity, comes from respect for differing beliefs. When you say things like, "I am really tired of hearing about sacred land. It's dirt." Or, " Do men compare the size of their spirits?" Or, "Are these "magic feathers" really necessary or even helpful? " None of these questions are easily answered because of the cultural differences between Indians and non-Indians. Elders often take lifetimes to impart understandings
of what it is to be Indian to our People. How can you hope to understand without the benefit of such committed teaching?

"Stewardship of the environment does not require that we deem certain locations sacred and others not, simply for the sake of protecting them. Especially for a person like me, who sees all religion and spirituality as superstition. Why should we kowtow to those who proclaim their own holiness?"

Our sacred places are mostly on Indian land. When the U.S. Government violates it's treaty with an Indian Nation and imposes it's will to mine Indian land against the wishes of the Indian Nation it is violation of the Treaty and according to International Law it's considered Genocide.

"As for American Indians having the world view of spirituality, and the view of the entire Western world being rooted in science, I can only say that you have made my point for me. That is racism. Why have you chosen to exclude to world's most populous religions from the realm of spirituality? Why have you chosen to exclude science from the view of American Indians?"

In fact the American Indian world view is Spirit and the Western world view is based upon Science. It is the Western World's attempted imposition of it's values on American Indians that is racist and considered Genocide.
Your supposition that I have chosen to make exclusions is just that, supposition.

"When you mention that American Indians come from diverse tribes yet share a common culture, you contradict yourself."

The above words are your words, not my words. They are your understandings not my understandings. I will say however that there many important common beliefs among Indigenous Cultures across the globe but that does not make their Cultures identical. Common values such as respect, cooperation, reciprocity, are common to most Indigenous Peoples. Your cursory understanding of Spirit and the lifeways engendered by it will not bring you to better understanding of Indigenous cultures. Indigenous cultures cannot be interpreted and properly understood by Western methods. In my Indian belief system it takes seven lifetimes to understand Spirit. The Western understanding of Indigenous Cultures is shallow and often in error.

"Why not go all the way back? Let's say, "we are all the original Africans"."

Your statement above is the Western scientific view but not the view of Spirit. Every Tribe has it's creation stories and it is their right to believe as they choose.

This is a complex and dynamic subject zzz. If one disagrees it's fine but those who disrespect offer only disharmony.

Doom n Gloom,
"We are the original Americans."

And good day to you, Mr. Buchanan.
Why not go all the way back? Let's say, "we are all the original Africans".

Drift,
Stating that Newton and Darwin are the same as Jesus and Moses demonstrates your reliance on a form of relativism which is not in any way grounded to reality. The results are clearly not the same.

"Your mouth is full of ash and your words are barren."

You deserve a prize! You guessed right, due to wildfires, my mouth is full of ash. However, I'm still writing, and others are still responding, so my words are not yet barren.

Anyhow, where in my any of my comments is the evidence for your assertion of my "greed, hatred and delusion"? Or was just an ad hominem attack to avoid a rebuttal?

NativeSon July 12th, 2008 6:09 pm
"The complacency and the complicity of the Native American people will most likely lead to their extinction—–unless they make major changes in the attitudes and the approaches they have to the Americans."

I know many American Indians who refuse to live on the rez or territories and refuse to accept a cdib card. They choose instead to live free and unconstrained as their ancestors did. We are traditional people and not christianized. We continue our old ceremonies, have our people, our blood, our place, and our sacred sites. We take nothing from the Federal Government that any other citizen is not entitled to. We have what we need and are not dependent upon the Government. We are not Powwow Indians. There are others like us. We existed prior to the Constitution and by international law cannot be made subject to the falsely imposed plenary power of the United States. Those Indian Nations who accept the idea of Domestic Dependent Nationhood will not survive. Nor will those Indians who accept christianity because they will be fully acculturated. Only Traditional People who continue to live their culture, speak their language, practice their sacred ceremonies, and recognize their historic and legal independence will survive. We are who we are irrespective of the Federal Government and that is how we will remain and pass on our culture to the next generation. We are the original Americans.

zzz,

Your mouth is full of ash and your words are barren.

Just dirt? This is the desolate world view which has given this land 500 years of genocide and ecocide.

So what if you worship Darwin and Newton instead of Moses and Jesus? The results are the same, and we've all had quite enough of your greed, hatred and delusion.

Stop.

A-ho! All My Relations!

jclientelle,

I agree with what you've written, and with your assessment of why people turn to religion or ethnic identity. But I would still reject that it a good way of dealing with aftermath of a great trauma. Especially, since I very much agree with your comments on the diaspora, which echo the words of Eugene Debs:

"Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free."

It does seem, however, that most people will gravitate towards religion and ethnic identity regardless of the history of their people and even if there was no great calamity in the past. Although, some might argue that every religious and ethnic group has suffered some major transgression in the past.

"My son tells me about a kid who stepped out of a Mercedes Benz wearing a loincloth." That's absolutely hysterical. Thank you, the image will stick with me.

Doom n Gloom,

Sacred, what a vague term. When someone decides something is sacred, must we all submit? What is sacred to you, might not be sacred to me. Am I not entitled to my beliefs?
Stewardship of the environment does not require that we deem certain locations sacred and others not, simply for the sake of protecting them. Especially for a person like me, who sees all religion and spirituality as superstition. Why should we kowtow to those who proclaim their own holiness? Remember when "Manifest Destiny" determined that our sacred duty was land acquisition? It's easy to see how useless the concept of sacred land is when claims overlap. There is no better illustration of this than the violent disagreements over the shared space of the al-Aqsa mosque and the Temple Mount. Is this the path we should head down? What is sacred is that which humans call sacred, and nothing more, it's a human invention. Land is finite, and in spite of our artificial borders and claims, it belongs to no one. It is indeed dirt, to call it that is not disrespectful, it is to call it by name.

American Indian seems a fine term, and I agree that using the tribal names is better. Although, as a person of mixed ancestry (including American Indian) I hate to trot out my entire lineage just to describe what I am. When people ask, I say I'm a mutt.

As for American Indians having the world view of spirituality, and the view of the entire Western world being rooted in science, I can only say that you have made my point for me. That is racism. Why have you chosen to exclude to world's most populous religions from the realm of spirituality? Why have you chosen to exclude science from the view of American Indians?

When you mention that American Indians come from diverse tribes yet share a common culture, you contradict yourself. For many years, I would attend the Pow Wow at Stanford University which bills itself as the largest tribal gathering in North America. Let me say, there is no common culture other than the concept of Native American identity (except maybe dancing and the use of feathers). What more, is that these people aren't the Indians that existed hundreds of years ago. They are their descendants, many of whom eat fast food and shop at Walmart, the common bond is that have the strong ethnic identity. Many groups have this even when there is no common culture.

"Let me remind you that American Indians lived culturally intact on this continent for over 13,000 years."

Actually, there was no common culture and hundreds of years of inter-Indian wars in which many tribes became extinct, lest you forget. I would also imagine that their so-called "stewardship of the environment" would have changed drastically if they had discovered the technology of Europe or had to deal with it's overcrowded population. In fact, when these were issues of contention, they often ended in disaster, look at how the Aztecs over-hunted and then conquered their neighbors. Look at how various tribes joined forces with the Europeans to fight each other, such as during the French and Iroquois Wars or the Tuscarora War. The concept that American Indians peacefully co-existed is largely a myth.

"Our left brain is the scientific brain. Our right brain is the spiritual brain."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Our spirit needs our right brain, and yet our left brain isn't spiritual? Setting aside how you managed to discover this, I have to ask, are lobotomy patients spiritual dead? Are the mentally handicapped less spiritual? Again, I don't understand the hierarchy (or biology) of your spirituality. What is a spirit, again? A ghost? I understand spirit as a adjective, but not as a noun.

And let me clarify, I don't mean to disrespect any Peoples or person, but rather their ideas. Ideas are fair game, are they not?

"The USA has existed for 230 years and is already facing collapse."

Really? Here I had thought we were in the process of taking over the entire world for the sake of global hegemony.

Robert E. Lee once said "Hard words presented in a gentle manner, are the most effective".

To my many brothers and sisters who marched, or supported the march either with your contributions or moral support, thank you for your thoughts' but with the exception of in the "spiritual manner", they are as "smoke in the wind"....and the US Gov. and most Americans care little, if any at all. Do not expect the American people but for a few exceptions to even be empathetic with the causes you support, much less sympathetic.
Most of the Americans who are in power care little for anyone but themselves first, then their families---sometime. They care little that they never truly have even a "decent " reputation with their fellow human beings in other nations, the fact that they are mostly considered to be a rouge nation, populated with rouge people means little to them. They are blind drunk with their power, arrogant with their past success, and they believe themselves to be invincible---therefore above reproach. But like the Cyclops in the Iliad, they do have a weakness that should be exploited, and if done so with enough force, the Americans will change their behavior---they must be blinded, in that one eye first.
You must realize that the Hollywood image that so many of you aspire to fulfill, is holding you back from gaining what you won in the 19th century. When the Americans came to us with treaties, they capitulated; they surrendered to us. Their own Constitution states that "all treaties are supreme law", and in the Case decided by the Supreme Court of 1832, upheld this tenet of law for the Cherokee and all of the other tribes and treaties. Those Treaties were broken, in 1883 with the first piece of legislation , the Seven Major Crimes Act, and the establishment of US Code, Title 25 (sub- titled Indians*). Accordingly, and by authority of the Geneva Accords, as well as many other international laws, we are at war as a people, through our tribes with the United States of America. All of us born after 1883 are technically and most importantly legally, "prisoners of war", and AT war as a result. This is a legal fact that is common knowledge, but sadly, is ignored; by the Tribes as well as the US Gov.
Those of us who expect the American people as a whole to "do the right thing" are fooling only ourselves---the American people as a whole care little for our future, and for many, the sooner we become extinct the better.
They prefer to take the "Hollywood Imagery" of an "Indian" and think of us as "noble people"
Those of you who put significance in your "regalia" and dress up to go and "Dance at the Rodeo", or drive hundreds of miles to your "Pow Wows" are doing exactly what the Americans want you to do--------------
They want you to be grateful for "what you have"---what they have given you------go do your "Indian Stuff" ----shut up----and don't make any noise. Above all else---do not speak the truth and remind the Americans they are a rouge dangerous and untrustworthy Nation. That will be your friend today and make war on you tomorrow. They will not keep their word. But they will scream the loudest when they think you are not keeping yours. They will hold on to the most powerful weapons ever known to human kind, after using them on the innocent (Nagasaki and Hiroshima were not military targets, any more than Wounded Knee was)-------and make war on anyone they do not want to have those same weapons. They will use any means to justify their treachery and deceit at the same time as hold themselves up to the world as a positive example-----and they often use the Native Americans as part of that example-----"look how good we have been to "those people"---"we let them exist here among us"---for now anyway. Never forget that they are a dangerous nation because they can justify anything they do, while at the same time condemn others for even lesser acts.
The complacency and the complicity of the Native American people will most likely lead to their extinction-----unless they make major changes in the attitudes and the approaches they have to the Americans.

You are at war with the United States of America-------stop dancing around in those costumes and war bonnets-------and make war in whatever is the most effective manner.
Petition the UN and remind them that while the US invaded Iraq for Violating UN Resolution 1441, they were in violation of 234 treaties with the tribes, in possession of more than sixty percent of their territory illegally as a result of those violations----and the USA will not "do the right thing"---unless they are "forced"----------and with a heavy hand.
These very words I write here today may condemn me to "surveillance" by the Homeland Security goons, the FBI goons, or even the local police, so be careful how YOU tread----The Americans are afraid of the truth when it is applied to them. They are a dangerous, treacherous and untrustworthy nation----and YOU may be existing on borrowed time----with no collateral except your future.
See to it that your future belongs to you---the United States of America does not want you to have one---even though they may say they do----do not believe them----for they have proven their words are "like smoke in the wind"---------

Doom and Gloom,
"It is clear from your words zzz that you are disrespectful of the lifeways of American Indian Peoples."
Making a personal judgment that someone is disrespectful to lifeways of American Indian Peoples, because you don't agree with their perspective sounds rather ignorant to me.
What zzz is trying to say, in my opinion, is actually a broader more just and more respectful view of all people.
When abuse is fresh(as it is with the tribes of the America's), the first step to healing is to unify and bond, create solidarity against the oppressive force, a nesessary step to self determination and cultural identity, a good thing. But allowing it to dwell, and stagnate in that spot and not move to broaden justice and respect for the whole planet and all two leggeds and four legs and fish and birds and all that is a living planet,is not good. It divides and conquers. If we want to save our planet, (I am an optimist)we must see every piece of land, and every breath of air and every drink of water and every ones freedom, as sacred. Or as zzz puts it Nothing is sacred. Same thing.
As for science and spiritualaity being in opposition to each other, I could not disagree more. If the ways cells divide to form new cells and combine to create life and continue to evolve and respond to an ever shifting set of realities and enivronments isnt a total mysery and miracle, I dont know what is. Again, I have to say, science, god, same thing.

zzz July 11th, 2008 10:51 pm
"BTW "Native American" does mean someone born in America, right? It's not just some incredibly racist and xenophobic term to lump all American tribes into one imaginary race, is it? Regardless of the rudimentary fact that race is an unscientific and outdated concept."

American Indian is the better term to describe Indigenous Americans than is Native American. It serves to identify all American Indigenous Peoples.

American Indian's prefer to be known by their Tribal names, Cherokee, Dakota, Crow, Mowhawk, Creek, Chickasaw, etc...

Although blood is an element of Indian identity it is not the most important element. CULTURE is the most important element. Culture, family and ancestry, location, and sacred places all create the unique identities embodied in the various Tribes.

Finally the WORLD VIEW of SPIRIT is that of the American Indian. The Western WORLD VIEW of SCIENCE is that of the non-Indian in America.

As for your comments, "I am really tired of hearing about sacred land. It's dirt. I would hope that nothing is sacred. Are these "magic feathers" really necessary or even helpful? "

It is clear from your words zzz that you are disrespectful of the lifeways of American Indian Peoples. Let me remind you that American Indians lived culturally intact on this continent for over 13,000 years. The USA has existed for 230 years and is already facing collapse. Science by itself is not the answer. Those of us who have lived long lives with a foot in both worlds know respect, balance, and cooperation are the primary sustaining values of long lived Nations.

Our left brain is the scientific brain. Our right brain is the spiritual brain. We have them both for a reason.

The Longest Walk traveled through Missouri. Indian Peoples in St. Louis did what they could to raise money for them and to honor them. Although the Corporate and Public Media were notified, no one covered the event. America is still in denial regarding the American Indian Genocide and anything having to do with Indian causes is consciously suppressed.

Love and respect for the Earth Mother is badly needed today and those who sacrificed so much to walk deserve our deepest respect and thanks.

zzz – I know other people who feel as you do so it is worth discussing.

You are ignoring history and psychology. Groups that have been attacked over the years form an identity as a way to preserve something and fight back Religion is not logical, but it can be a way to deal with wonder and sorrow too deep and mysterious for us to grasp. It is a way to share emotional experience. Native Americans from very different tribes and ways of life have become a group, to some extent, because they all share the experience of genocide at the hands of the European invaders. Genocide is often enough to coalesce diverse people.

Taking your side, it is really annoying when white people fawn over religions and cultures they hardly understand and make assumptions about what it means to be some other romanticized group. At a camp my sons attended (on scholarship) there was a fetish of that kind, with suburban kids calling themselves Running Elk and such. My son tells me about a kid who stepped out of a Mercedes Benz wearing a loincloth.

Same thing applies to Palestinians. They are a group formed and unified by geographic location and adversity. We have to stand up for their human rights without requiring them to be extra noble or pretending to be them.

I have a problem when classless identity becomes a fetish, a platform to stand above others and sometimes an industry. James Joyce mocked Irish upper class identity movement, which always featured cultural tours to the isle of Aran and learning Gaelic. The recent developments in Russia lay to rest the myth of the great and enduring Russian soul.

When you hear the word "diaspora" it is a signal that something has been concretized and probably over-simplified. There is a big difference between someone who was kidnapped from Africa several hundred years ago for slavery and a Nigerian prince who comes here to go to Yale. Recently I heard Chinua Achebe respond to an expensively dressed Africanist woman speaking of the diaspora saying that his diaspora was wherever there are poor and hungry children. I melted.

The concept of the diapora and a created identity has been most over-used regarding Israel. All people have been moving around for millenia – sometimes to escape oppression, sometimes to go to places with better opportunity. The diaspora concept implies forcible expulsion of a distinct group and leaves out all the other reasons that human groups migrate, mingle and inter-marry.

drift,

Never mind that they are marching to deliver 30-page manifesto to a Democratic Congressman (which sounds a little political to me). You say this is really more of a "spiritual exercise"? Do spirits need exercise? Are some spirits muscular and others flabby? Do men compare the size of their spirits? I don't understand the hierarchy of this spirit thing. Count me out.

I am really tired of hearing about sacred land. It's dirt. I would hope that nothing is sacred. I would be happy if Mecca and Jerusalem were just cities. The people babbling the loudest about what is sacred and what isn't tend to be the ones causing trouble for the rest of us. Which is not to say that there aren't many superstitious people who are kind, peaceful and intelligent people. It's just that, for some reason or another, they have cordoned off a portion of their consciousness and resigned it to the practice of accepting answers for questions that have no answers. I'd say that is a dangerously delusional mindset for people to use in formulating political beliefs or any beliefs at all, for that matter. Could we please move beyond superstition, spirituality, and religion, leave behind our fantasy worlds, and congregate in reality for a change? Are these "magic feathers" really necessary or even helpful? It might serve us well to exercise our humility rather than our spirituality when it comes to explaining the (imaginary) meaning life.

""Native American" is a term used to describe the indigenous peoples of North America ("Turtle Island"), and is neither rascist nor xenophobic in connotation."

Right. So when a Pakistani immigrant gives birth to a child in the USA, it is every bit the "Native American" that a descendant from any of the tribes of North America would be. It only becomes racist when you declare that some are native and others (despite being indigenous) for some reason aren't "native". It becomes especially racist when you try to give this segregated group of "natives" special status as the rightful owners or stewards of North America (or casinos).

Also, my own experience is that anyone who has let their ethnic identity infect their personality invariably becomes incredibly obnoxious to be around. We are just people. You're a different breed than I am? I'm not impressed and I really don't care.

If their goal is to protect the environment, what is gained by segregating themselves into a group of "Native Americans" trying to protect the environment? Why be so exclusive? The logic of "this is our rightful land because our relatives were here first" is best left for Pat Buchanan.

A path of many steps...

meets lots of people.

Greetings to my brothers and sisters of Turtle Island!

It is not the destination that is the journey.

The journey creates the destination.

We are all related.

zzz,

The Longest Walk is a spiritual exercise more than a political one. One of the first levels this works at is to nullify sarcasm and cynicism. So if you can get past that in your own heart, then maybe you'll be interested in this link to The Sacred Lands Film Institute that is working to preserve sacred and ceremonial sites here on Turtle Island: http://www.sacredland.org/

"Native American" is a term used to describe the indigenous peoples of North America ("Turtle Island"), and is neither rascist nor xenophobic in connotation.

Hope that clears things up for you, relative.

Yes, I'm sure the corporations who pollute the environment will see this and have a change of heart. After all, these people are walking and carrying signs. Nothing frightens the Establishment like people walking.

I can only hope someone will protect their "sacred" sites. Remember, not all geographic locations are equally spiritual. We must preserve these ancient superstitions at any cost.

I'm sure Conyers will meet their demands. He has been, after all, so very responsive to grass roots movements in the past, like the demand for impeachment.

BTW "Native American" does mean someone born in America, right? It's not just some incredibly racist and xenophobic term to lump all American tribes into one imaginary race, is it? Regardless of the rudimentary fact that race is an unscientific and outdated concept.

Great success to all Natives everywhere!

Article says: Some sceptics have questioned the impact a group of people on foot can have. Shanawa Littlebow, has no doubts. "To say it doesn't work, it's to say a wheel doesn't work when it's turning. We're turning. We're walking. It's working," he said.

May this action grow until it can not be ignored by the US mainstream TV and press. In any case I hope that people on the march were able to contact others along the road.

Yesterday we had a successful action in Grand Central Station. About 200 demonstrators with signs and t-shirts opposing any attack on Iran milled and mingled with the commuters until exactly 5:40. Then we froze in place for 5 minutes while the crowds streamed by. Several people told me afterwards that they had no idea the US was gearing up for war with Iran and were grateful for the information. It was a good action with a diverse group of photogenic people, old, young, all races who got a good response from the commuters.

The connection here is that there has been NO press coverage that I have detected, despite the presence of CBS and many other news sources at the action.

I have sadly concluded that our actions, large or small, are not likely to get fair coverage in the US mainstream press. The aim has to be person-to-person influence and information. Bit by bit, step by step, person by person. That's the way I see it. As Shanawa Littlefoot says - "We're walking. It's working."

It is really sad that this wonderful group of dedicated citizens have the fortitude and determination to accomplish this incredible feat. I have tried to follow their journey, but only from information I found on the internet. They have a lot to teach us about reverence for the earth, the water and the air and their group needs national attention. Mr. Conyers has folded up his tent and moved to K Street. If the goals of the Longest Walk 2 are not in the best interests of the corporate world they will not get much satifaction in their pursuits. May the Good Spirits be with them.

Way to go sisters and brothers. We will always support you. I love you all, and Crazy Horse too. And Geronimo, and Sitting Bull...and every Native Person.

TARA

yes, this is the first i've heard about the walk. and to be reported by a u.k. source is doubly insulting................i wish them success in their endeavours.

Respect and appreciation for the commitment of the walkers, their supporters, and the messages they carry. You walk and speak for many of us who could not be with you physically.

I hope Conyers pays more attention to you all than he does to the rest of us or to his Constitutional duties. Having tried to contact him I was informed that he only represented his district in Michigan.......my reply was while that may be true in general, when he sits upon a committee he represents us all. And he is always to represent the Constitution....I heard no reply.
Therefore my best wishes to all the Native Americans and what they represent.

And why doesn't this get reported more?

"Americans" are so busy war mongering

A-ho, Longest Walkers! Good one.

We were singing, dancing and praying for all of you last week at Big Mountain Sundance.

Thank you, and have a good rest now.

Matakuyasin.
All My Relations.