However, for the majority of North American's as well as the rest of the planet, there is little understanding or even knowledge of Indigenous Sovereignty let alone histories.
Why does that concern me? Because outside of the 20 percentile population that is considered the "free world," the rest of the population 80 percent are indigenous. Many are considered within third world countries. It still does not equate for me how the two are considered within the contextual conversation as "free" and "third" do not clearly compute. Or rather "free" and "not free" might, but, free has a huge price tag and the not free have been violated and stolen from.
Back to the podcast conversation ...
Michael touched on a few topics regarding the Longest Walk prayer walk. I'd like to dive a little deeper to help with clarity. The first three out of 11 topics are:
1. Support Indian Children
2. Honor Indigenous Women
3. Strengthen Inherent Indigenous Sovereignty
1. Walking Prayer to support Indian Children.
Even though the Indian Child Welfare Act was enacted on November 8, 1978, Indigenous peoples in America have been working to rectify the law because Indigenous sovereignty over their own children's rights is still hampered in many states due to the state by state jurisdiction over Indigenous communities. In simple terms, children can still be taken out of their homes even though the Indigenous community may have determined what would be best for the child. In many instances, it is about the adoption industry's influence over the state legislature.
It is well understood within the social service agencies that the children in many rulings are for the most part kept in their family unit or with relatives unless it is life detrimental for the child. Just because the family is poor does not warrant authorities to remove the child to keep them "safe and well". The ICWA focus is to keep the family together for the benefit of the child, to promote stability and security within Indian families, to establish minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and if the child must be placed in another home that it reflects the values of Indian culture, and to recognize and strengthen the Tribal government's role in determining child custody issues over their own children.
The adoption industry is well noted for taking children out of their homes in the third world countries to be placed in "safe and well-defined" environments that are well paid for. Indian country has been treated like third world environments within their own lands. The actions of the free world have given the impression that this is a racial issue.
2. Walking Prayer Honoring Indigenous Women.
Taken from the Indian Law Resource Center:
Federal and state official having authority to protect Native women and girls are failing to do so at alarming rates. By their own account, between 2005 and 2009, U.S. attorneys declined to prosecute 67% of the Indian country matters referred to them involving sexual abuse and related matters. Even
grimmer, due to the lack of law enforcement ...
On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013* into law, an historic step forward that reflects not only the United States’ commitment to protect Native women from domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protective orders, but also its restoration and reaffirmation of inherent tribal sovereignty to protect their citizens from violence.
The clincher here is that many Federal Native communities do not have tribal courts and therefore do not have the ability to prosecute non-Indigenous perpetrators. It was not until March 2013 that the tribal courts could prosecute by law. Even if they have a legal system in place they first must make a request to participate in the process and then wait for the Department of Justice to determine a starting date, that can take years.
As our traditions recognize the seen and the unseen worlds, the act of the Longest Walk Prayer Warriors is another aspect of keeping the intentions for human rights justice attentive within universal law. Those who join the warriors are as Michael states, honoring the women and returning to the traditional reality that all women as valuable life givers, are a most important aspect of the human race and must be honored for their strength, endurance, stability and beautiful example of the human experience.
3. Walking Prayer to Strengthen Inherent Indigenous Sovereignty.
Understanding the various aspects of Indigenous sovereignty along with Tribal sovereignty is very confusing and unless you have taken law courses and studied Indigenous law specifically, will there be a grasp on the matrix of what is specific to Indigenous peoples in the world and specifically on the North American continent. However, the importance of what the Longest Walk is addressing is Indigenous sovereignty. From Censored News:
Indigenous ideals relating to sovereignty are not just about power and control but are also about responsibility and respect. This places obligations on Indigenous Nations citizens to practice traditional and customary responsibilities, rooted in Indigenous Knowledge, including the protection with our relationships with our respective lands, waters, plants, and animals. This concept of Indigenous Sovereignty has been severely challenged by a long history of Manifest Destiny, genocide and land loss.
This topic asks all Indigenous peoples to assert their responsibilities as well as continue to be educated on the legal and political issues that continue to challenge all life.
I pray this light touch on 3 of the 11 topics with the walk has helped in your understanding of some Indigenous Sovereignty concerns. Please stay in touch with us at Flicker's Drum Beat and also follow the Longest Walk WSC Community Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/2138724666419367/ If you would like to support the walk with a donation please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/donate/306323100033889/427190864760278/ as well as follow LUTEA's facebook for Indigenous wellness practices and support at www.facebook.com/lutea.org.
We hope to offer Michael next month on his journey and additional topics of concern.
Blessings and Walli Ka Molis!
Blessings and Walli Ka Molis!
Note:
*(VAWA 1994 in which President Clinton enacted Pub.L.103-322)
References:
News, Censored. “Longest Walk 2019 -- 11 Point Plan.” Longest Walk 2019 -- 11 Point Plan, 7 Feb. 2019, bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2019/02/longest-walk-2019-11-point-plan.html.
Indian Law Resource Center. "Ending Violence Against Native Women." 15 April 2019,
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