Birthright? To Native Americans, White Man is an Illegal Immigrant | Barbara Sehr - seattlepi.com

Right. These immigrants aren't committing acts of genocide against us.

And you choose the most extreme negative. Unsurprising really. Are you really going to claim that is the only aspect in which the situations differ?

Thought so. Thank you sir or ma'am.

Wasn't for the land - was for hunting and fishing "rights". When those changed, they moved to another area. Tribes conducted warfare for infringement on the hunting/fishing grounds, for blood feuds (where a member of another tribe killed a member of this tribe - the relative got first choice in the kill/punishment).

Read "Custer Died for Your Sins" by Vine DeLoria - you'll learn a lot more.

I am assuming you are black and if so, that is correct. So being your here first why aren't you getting all the perks the NA are?

Perks? What perks?

The tribes here receive compensation for their land, monthly payouts from casinos of which they are the only race allowed to have and run a casino, NA kids get $90,000 pay out from the government at age 18, college, tuition,books, and their dorm rooms are paid for. They get up tp $90,000 to purchase their first home, they get rights to catch more fish and hunt more game than any other race.....Why are you pretending they don't? Are you trying to say you yourself don't get perks?

It is proven that the Black race was the first race so why aren't the NA compensating them? It is a fair question.

No, I am not black. Humanity evolved in and spread out from Africa. How is a question correct? And you didn't in the least address my statement. Care to? It not. Please just stay silent.

WOW - when you rant, you rant. Perks? Sorry - in most cases those are payments for the millions of acres, mineral and oil leases, land leases, cattle grazing, timber leasing as a result of being pushed off of your land, having your hair cut, punished for speaking your language, taken from your family, called heathen and "Christianized". Treaty obligations for fishing and hunting for subsistence, not for sport or mass murder like the White guys do. No Tribe, I repeat or maybe I should type slower - but NO TRIBE receives $90K when they get 18 from the government. If they are a successful casino Tribe, such as the Oneida, yes, the Tribe may give the money as a share in the profits from the Casino - but - again - NO TRIBE receives money from the government when they turn 18.

So, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New York, Chicago, Miami are all reservations - they have casinos - not owned or operated by the Indians.

Next angry tirade please.

I don't know where you get this $80,000 gift when we turn 18. It is not true, period.

Perhaps you missed the Cobell decision. The BIA (U.S. Govt) settled this for 3.4 billion dollars, read the case for yourself. It was our money form leases for timber and mineral right that was ''lost'' by the BIA, money held in trust for Native Americans.

You seem to forget that the U.S. Government set all this up, not NA's. as for the hunting and fishing are you aware of the ''walleye'' wars of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Look at that decision before you rant on about it.

Actually you should do alot of research before you go on your rants.

Your the one lying about the $90,000. I have been told that by many NA families, one of which expressed concern about their son receiving it at such a young age because most of the kids blow it and they also said the drug abuse was rampant on the Rez. I guess these NA are delusional huh? Then there is Mystic Lake NA who get 6 figure incomes from the casino making them I believe the wealthiest tribe in MN.

The hunting and fishing rights are a joke...for subsistence? Would that be why they take over their limit and sell them on the side right? Dont even try to say it is not abused because it is and I have personally been offered fish and game for a price which is not at all what your ancestors did it for. I personally would enjoy watching a tribe build canoes like their ancestors did and spear fish a reasonable limit. I hardly think your ancestors had headlamps, 3 pronged steel forks, and boats with motors. Kind of loses the historical value dont you think? I also did not agree with the protests and fights at the lakes and rivers over spear fishing and there were plenty of them as you well know.

Your also avoiding the fact the NA get college tuiton, books, and dorm rooms free. I know many NA youth who are while every other race in this country is sunk under student loans. Dont even try to act so surprised when I use the term "perks" Your ancestors did not go to school and if as you state you were forced to adopt the white mans way and are trying to preserve your ancestors way of life, then do tell me how a white mans college fits into the scheme of preservation of the NA ways.

If you want to talk about racism, pick up a newspaper in MN and read the employment ads for the casinos that state "Indian Preference" man the s--t would hit the fan if I placed an ad stating "white preference" It is racism but I am sure you will find an excuse that makes it acceptable in your mind.

I think it is BS period. I do not disrespect any race including the NA and I believe that we are all important and deserve to have the same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. Don't you get it? This country will never be united until we all drop the finger pointing, blaming, and entitlements. I never had anything to do with what occurred in the past but my money is part of the pot paying for something I had nothing to do with. You are getting money for something you never had a part of or lived through, I mean seriously how much land do you believe your tribe actually occupied and settled on? You have laid claim to the entire country. So what is your take on the innocent settler that was murdered by a tribe, what is your take about the innocent black man taken from his country...what are they owed? Whose fault was that?

Indian preference??? sorry ma'am - that's part of the law. An Indian casino has to be managed and operated by Indians.

And what is your take on the 65,000,000 who were killed just so "dominant" society could have our land - 'cause we "weren't doing anything with it"? How much land????? Well, we once "owned" 100% and now we "own" 1.3% - how much is that for a loss? Innocent settler? The fella who was told this was Indian land, it is protected by a treaty, and no whites are allowed - but, he goes ahead anyway, hunts "our" game, takes our property, harasses our families - and he's innocent?

The Blacks? Talk to the whites about the blacks, not the Indians.

You really need to read "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee" - maybe you'll get over some of your anger.

You sure seem to have alot of anger about the subject. I guess that you feel that the Indians are taking advantage of you. Sorry lady, your barking up the wrong tree. Catch up on the legal cases currently in court, it might give you somewhat of a perspective on the situation.

that the so-called "Americans" are the illegals here.

You also seem to have forgotten that the Indians were illegal immigrants as well - or did you conveniently forget that part of history?

The tribes here receive compensation for their land, monthly payouts from casinos of which they are the only race allowed to have and run a casino, NA kids get $90,000 pay out from the government at age 18, college, tuition,books, and their dorm rooms are paid for. They get up tp $90,000 to purchase their first home, they get rights to catch more fish and hunt more game than any other race.....Why are you pretending they don't? Are you trying to say you yourself don't get perks?

I call BS w/o cited sources.

*Somebody told me this* is not a valid source.

Nobody gets $90K for coming of age, free college (unless they have a full scholarship), & a free house in the US.

W/o sources, you are merely blowing wind.

In brief....show me the money, honey.

And like I asked BD. Why is not the world claiming native rights to Africa? The land WE ALL came from when you get right down to it.

Why is not the world claiming native rights to Africa? Again.

"Indian" is a misnomer

Give it a rest. It's been the accepted reference for over 500 years.

Perhaps doing some research on Paleo-Indian history might open your eyes?

I think the article is a good perspective.

The article is a portrayal of a victim mentality that is crying for reparations.

they should return to their roots on a continent far, far away

demand a retroactive dismissal of the North American birthright

Too many of us, separated from our warrior spirits were left to swallow our pride and sink slowly in poverty and we drank ourselves into forget-fullness

I reckon MN American Mom doesn't have any proof to show us re: her $90K claims.

That'd probably be b/c it's not true!

The article is a portrayal of a victim mentality that is crying for reparations.

O, so genocide has no victims, then?

separated from our warrior spirits were left to swallow our pride and sink slowly in poverty and we drank ourselves into forget-fullness

miss the quote in my post?

That was and is the intent of the 14th Amendment. Anchor babies are not U. S. citizens.

Which is funny considering the vast majority of over 35,000,000 Americans (and this is those with Irish anscetory alone let alone any other group) are decedants of "anchor babies". Fact is, pretty much the only group that can complain about immigrants without bleeding hypocrisy is teh Native Americans. And funnily enough, they dont seem to mind half as much as the middle class white Americans of a certain political leaning.

I say make such things available for everyone.

And, if you'll continue doing your web searches, you'll find like links for Blacks, Asians, Hispanics and for low income for the grant programs.

That is exactly my point Wraith777. I think all races should have equal rights and opportunities.

My family is multi-racial including NA. I cannot support that my Asian grandchildren are not afforded the same opportunities as my NA grandchild. They are equally beautiful and important people and their future should not be defined by their race.

fstwarrior stop making futile excuses, its wrong- you know it and I know it. Your race and mine need to meld with respect and caring about each other as a people, not as seperate people who have seperate rights. That will be the only way that we as people in the US can stand together as one. I hope to see that some day with an abundance of equal opportunities for us all!

MN - if you have native roots then you know exactly where I am coming from and where I stand. Yes, we (NA's) believe in treating all with respect and honor - exactly as we expect to be treated. When that treatment is not returned, as do all humans, we put up a wall between us to avoid the occurrence.

Separate rights? OK, simple question - if you own a home, you have signed a contract with the bank/mortgage company to perform certain duties and they, in turn, are also signing up to perform certain duties. Then, one day, the bank decides to change its contract with you - without your input - and if you don't adhere to the new contract, the bank can and will take your property from you for non-compliance. The U. S. signed over 700 treaties with over 500 Indian tribes that said, in essence, if you give me all your land and promise not to fight us any more, we will give you these things in return for your land and those promises - as long as you adhere to the treaty. Well, the Indians have adherred to the treaties yet more and more is being taken.

Society, i.e. government, is bound and determined to make the Indians part of mainstream America without understanding that we are a separate people. Unlike the Irish, German, French, Italian, etc. immigrants who came over here to "meld" into the pot, we didn't. We were here, with our own cultures/traditions/beliefs/religions, and we were invaded. We do not want to "assimilate" like those immigrants coming into "our" country - we have our cultures and want to continue living them without interference/impedence from outside influences.

You only have equal rights and opportunities as the laws afford you. There are 318 laws specifically written covering the Indian - none for the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics - we are required to carry a card identifying that we are Indian - not so the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics. The U. S. government, through its laws/treaties have separated the peoples of Indian Country from the rest of the U. S. - in part, as payment for the atrocities they committed against the Indian in an attempt to "do right" but also as a legally binding tie between sovereign nations - the U. S. and the Indian tribes. We are not the same and do not want to be treated as though we are.

This has nothing to do with the article/discussion - you disagree with the Indian status and I disagree with your interpretation.

The 14th Amendment needs to be followed as written and intended, not as interpreted by the money crowd.

Part Native American *Cherokee* myself. Prefer to identify myself, proudly, as a human mutt. But, either way.

Well, the Indians have adhered to the treaties yet more and more is being taken.

To be fair, both sides have signed and broken treaties multiple times. To ignore this sounds like victim mentality. Stop being a victim.

You only have equal rights and opportunities as the laws afford you. There are 318 laws specifically written covering the Indian - none for the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics - we are required to carry a card identifying that we are Indian - not so the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics.

Well you want to be differientated. How exactly do you expect to achieve this otherwise?

Basically to allow us to continue with our traditions/culture/religions/heritage and quit "forcing" us into a melting pot we didn't ask for and don't want - simple.

quit "forcing" us into a melting pot we didn't ask for and don't want - simple

Take that up with the BIA.

I don't think you have to stop your traditions, culture, religion, or heritage. Nor has society asked you to.

My family celebrates those differences. Trust me, it took alot to get me to try fish oil that is used in Asian cooking. I love it and now own my own bottle. I didn't know wild rice is actually green after its whacked off the plant and falls into the canoe. I love wild rice to and think its cool the way its harvested. Those traditions need to be carried forward and no one is trying to stop it. Acknowledging the differences does not make someone fit into any melting pot. Your part of that pot just by being a citizen of the US and a member of society whether you like it or not. I enjoyed attending an Indian dance with the beautiful traditional dress and learning the drum is a heartbeat, I loved seeing my other grandchildren in tradtional Hmong outfits and think its cute when my daughter in law translates my conversation with her Mom who speaks little English. Funny, but somehow we can understand much of what each other is trying to say with gestures. We celebrate another grandchilds Mexican heritage and holidays. We also celebrate traditional white holidays and customs as well. Its awesome to have the entire experience.

You say you want to be differentiated yet you CHOOSE to assimilate yourself into a society that you primarily see as dictated by whites. Your driving your cars, buying homes with all the luxuries.

You say you want to live differently but I have not seen 1 Indian family living in a way other than what the rest of the melting pot is living like so maybe I am not understanding what you would do differently and what is stopping you?

And, based on all of the questions you've asked, I can only assume you haven't read the article because all I have seen are questions relating to comments submitted.

Thanks for visiting.

Again.

Well you want to be differientated. How exactly do you expect to achieve this otherwise?

You want them to judge purely on looks?

#13.6 - read into it what you will - but, it is very straight forward.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with the statement that elicted my question. In case you forget.

You only have equal rights and opportunities as the laws afford you. There are 318 laws specifically written covering the Indian - none for the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics - we are required to carry a card identifying that we are Indian - not so the Blacks, Asians, Hispanics.

I am not exactly sure why you are avoiding it I must confess.

And the basis of your comment on the article is what?

And your deflective tactic is that?