A Commonwealth (State) For Native Americans
By Ken Hughes
How does that sound?
Not bad on the surface. The treaties of the 1800’s all suggest Native people had Nation status. Therefore they should be able to unite into one group and demand Commonwealth status. Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa, The Virgin Islands all have Commonwealth status. Why not the American Indian, probably the largest group of those mentioned?
Creating a Commonwealth would have many advantages. Representation in Congress, Recognition “ We Are The People”, pays attention to our sovereignty.
This would be a monumental undertaking. It could take years to accomplish. The benefits would be worth the efforts. How many more Indian children will be allowed to grow up uneducated, unemployed with nothing to look foreword to but alcoholism and despair?
Many issues would need to be resolved.
Tribal bickering, ]years of disagreements between tribes would need to set aside.
Corruption of tribal powers and funds would need to be dealt with.
A unified Government representing all the people, A Constitution fair to all would need to be drafted.
The best and brightest of the Tribes, young men and women could study all the governments and their rules and create a government minus the errors of the ages.
Funding could come from a Casino tax, tax on grazing rights, tax on business operating on the reservations. By creating an environment acceptable to outside business to come to the reservations creating jobs for the people.
The reservations could provide limited recreational sites for tourists. Most Western reservations are unencumbered open spaces.
I’ve been told this is an impossible task. They told the founding fathers the same thing in 1775. Through the ages , people have been given a thousand reasons things can't change. Yet things do change when the will is strong enough. The American Indian is the last of our citizens who not only can’t sit in the front of the bus; they can’t even get on the bus. It’s time all that changed. If the American Indian thinks any one in Washington is going to improve their lot they are badly mistaken. Only the Indian can make things change.
American Indians rise up go to war with the Whiteman. A war of words spoken in American Courts. Shout the message from the highest Mesas. Let the message ring through every valley. Fight for the rights of all Indian people.
to any young Brave with motivation and the energy who wishes to accept this challenge,
I am available as an up-paid advisor. I am an advocate not an Attorney.
Contact Ken Hughes at: uncleken@sbcglobal.net
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
How does that sound?
Not bad on the surface. The treaties of the 1800’s all suggest Native people had Nation status. Therefore they should be able to unite into one group and demand Commonwealth status. Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa, The Virgin Islands all have Commonwealth status. Why not the American Indian, probably the largest group of those mentioned?
Creating a Commonwealth would have many advantages. Representation in Congress, Recognition “ We Are The People”, pays attention to our sovereignty.
This would be a monumental undertaking. It could take years to accomplish. The benefits would be worth the efforts. How many more Indian children will be allowed to grow up uneducated, unemployed with nothing to look foreword to but alcoholism and despair?
Many issues would need to be resolved.
Tribal bickering, ]years of disagreements between tribes would need to set aside.
Corruption of tribal powers and funds would need to be dealt with.
A unified Government representing all the people, A Constitution fair to all would need to be drafted.
The best and brightest of the Tribes, young men and women could study all the governments and their rules and create a government minus the errors of the ages.
Funding could come from a Casino tax, tax on grazing rights, tax on business operating on the reservations. By creating an environment acceptable to outside business to come to the reservations creating jobs for the people.
The reservations could provide limited recreational sites for tourists. Most Western reservations are unencumbered open spaces.
I’ve been told this is an impossible task. They told the founding fathers the same thing in 1775. Through the ages , people have been given a thousand reasons things can't change. Yet things do change when the will is strong enough. The American Indian is the last of our citizens who not only can’t sit in the front of the bus; they can’t even get on the bus. It’s time all that changed. If the American Indian thinks any one in Washington is going to improve their lot they are badly mistaken. Only the Indian can make things change.
American Indians rise up go to war with the Whiteman. A war of words spoken in American Courts. Shout the message from the highest Mesas. Let the message ring through every valley. Fight for the rights of all Indian people.
to any young Brave with motivation and the energy who wishes to accept this challenge,
I am available as an up-paid advisor. I am an advocate not an Attorney.
Contact Ken Hughes at: uncleken@sbcglobal.net
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
posted by Bobbie Hart O'Neill @ 4:41 PM
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