Will
this be a 'hot' summer
by
Jim Uttley
This
summer is going to be hot, dry, and fiery. That's the
prediction. Weather forecasters predicted summer temperatures
higher than normal, drought, and massive forest fires
throughout the West. Already, we've seen turbulent weather
in the Midwest with severe thunderstorms, devastating
tornadoes, and flooding. Wildfires scorched millions of
acres, destroying many homes in California and Florida.
It's
also been predicted that the summer months will be hot
politically. While Washington and much of the United States
is caught up in the battle over immigration reform, Canada
is poised for a summer of potential protests by First
Nations upset over the failure of the federal government
to deal with the long overdue issue of land claims.
Tribal
leaders have threatened to block rail lines and cause
work slowdowns across the country.
In
recent days there's been a calming of threats as the Canadian
government announced the creation of an independent tribunal
to deal with land claim treaties. However, it remains
to be seen if this was merely a ploy to get First Nations
communities to back down from their demands and threatened
blockades.
All
this brings up the issue of how Canada and the United
States deal with issues of justice when it comes to Aboriginal
issues.
A
study of our nations' dealing with indigenous peoples
reveals a long history of injustices. Here's a brief summary
of some of those failures.
Last
April, when a lone, disturbed gunman wreaked havoc on
the campus of Virginia Tech, killing 32 students and faculty,
this horrendous act was referred to as “the worst
mass shooting in American history.”
While
not to disregard the utter cruelty of this event, it should
be pointed out that also in April, a memorial to commemorate
what was truly the worst mass shooting in U.S. history—the
Sand Creek Massacre—was dedicated.
On
November 29, 1864, the Colorado Territory Militia, under
the command of Col. John Chivington, attacked the camp
of
Southern
Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle. Although Black Kettle raised
an American flag and a white flag of peace, the militia
were instructed to “kill and scalp all, big and
little, nits make lice.” Nearly 240 Cheyenne and
Arapaho people were murdered, mostly women and children.
Women were raped, the dead mutilated. Body parts were
paraded through Denver in celebration of the massacre.
When
the national historic site was dedicated on April 28,
there was hardly a mention of it in American media.
At
the dedication ceremony, Senator Sam Brownback, made a
formal apology of the atrocities committed by the United
States.
“ I acknowledge and admit the wrongs that were done
and tolerated by the federal government here and across
the nation. They were wrong and they were deadly. As a
senator from a Plains state, I deeply apologize and I'll
work to right this wrong,” Brownback said.
Northern
Cheyenne Tribal Councilman Jace Killsback stated that
the United States and the state of Colorado were “taking
responsibility and recognizing their past acts of genocide
and policies of oppression against American Indians….”
This is a major step to right a major injustice. Unfortunately,
most of America wasn't even paying attention.
A
current injustice that can't continue to be ignored is
the U.S. government's attempt to defraud Native landowners
of money they are owed for earnings from land leases and
royalties. It's better known as the Cobell class-action
lawsuit named after Elouise Cobell, a Native banker who
helped found the country's first Indian-owned bank on
the Blackfeet Reservation (Indian Life reported on this
in our May-June 2007 issue).
For
almost eleven years, the government has repeatedly blocked
efforts to provide a half-million Native landowners with
a historical accounting of these trust funds. Treasury
Department employees destroyed court records and senior-level
Cabinet members were held in contempt of court going all
the way back to the administration of former President
Bill Clinton. The government has repeatedly delayed efforts
to resolve this issue.
Cobell has spent over ten years of her life seeking government
accountability, pleading with government leaders to make
moral and ethical decisions. She remains committed to
seeking restitution for Native landowners.
It's
time for the American leaders to do the just thing and
give Native people the accounting they deserve. It's time
to settle accounts.
In
Canada, it's been 60 years since the government has settled
any Native land treaties. This serious lack of action
has caused much frustration among First Nations.
Indian
Affairs Minister Jim Prentice recently admitted that Native
leaders have met repeatedly with government officials
but were given the runaround.
Prentice
indicated he's “excited about the future”
promising to help clear a backlog of more than 800 land
claims. Hopefully, Canada will act on these promises.
Our
Creator gave us clear instructions for dealing with matters
of justice. The Bible clearly states that we are to do
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God (Micah
6:8).
The
alternative isn't pretty. “He that oppresses the
poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the
rich, shall surely come to want” (Proverbs 22:16).
There's
not much we can do about the weather. However, when it
comes to issues of justice and mercy, there is something
we can do. May our leaders be willing to do the right
thing—do justly and love mercy.
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