Native Unity: Happy Anniversary Native Unity

Native Unity

NATIVE UNITY DIGEST: The Native American people need to find a way to pull together to become more visible to the rest of the world. This concept is being promoted in the Digest through news articles, features, OP/ED pieces and contributor submissions on all aspects of Native life and tribal cultures throughout the U.S.and Canada. Bobbie Hart O'Neill, editor.

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Happy Anniversary Native Unity

August 31st, 2005 marks the beginning of the third year for the Native Unity Digest. The first of the “Sacred Instructions Given By The Creator To Native People At The time Of Creation: Treat the earth and all that dwell on it with respect.”

I’m not much of a believer in prophesies but the recent flooding of New Orleans (graphically illustrated on the front page of today’s edition of The Arizona Republic) reminded me that I saved a copy of a post submitted to me on March 30th of this year from Yonasda Muhammad, a Native American/Black Muslim.

‘KORAN SCHOLAR: US WILL CEASE TO EXIST IN 2007’

“A thorough analysis of the Koran reveals that the US will cease to exist in the year 2007, according to research published by Palestinian scholar Ziad Silwadi. This study, which has caught the attention of millions of Muslins worldwide, is based on in-depth interpretations of various verses in the Koran. It predicts that the US will be hit by a tsunami larger than that which recently struck Southeast Asia.

“The tsunami waves are a minor rehearsal in comparison with what awaits the US in 2007,” the researcher concluded in his study. “The Holy Koran warns against the Omnipotent Allah’s force. A great sin will cause a huge flood in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.”

Silwadi is not a world-renowned scholar. He said he decided to publish the findings of his research “ out of a sense of responsibility because what is about to happen is extremely shocking and frightening”. His fear is that the world economy, which relies heavily on the US dollar, would be deeply affected.”

Silwadi said his study of the Koran showed that the US would perish mainly because of its great sin against mankind, including the Native Americans and blacks which began “As soon as the Europeans started arriving ion the new world discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, they declared war on the so-called Red Indians, the legitimate owners of the land. They began enslaving and humiliating Africans after kidnapping them from their countries and bringing them to America.”

Explaining his theory about the approaching the extinction of the US, the scholar went on to analyze many numbers and letters mentioned in the Koran. He said a careful reading and analysis of words appearing in the Opening and Yusuf suras show that the US will only exist for 231 years. He added 231 and 1776 with the result – 2007.

This is not exactly what I had in mind for the anniversary edition – but this prophesy has been haunting me since the impact of hurricane Katrina on the Southeast portion of our country.

Now, to something more in tune with the concept of Native Unity.

DAMONICA DIXEY-SHELTON – THE INDIAN WARRIOR
By Ken Hughes

The Shoshone Bannock Indians have a long tradition of service to their White Nation, Indian Nation, and their Tribe. None has served with more distinction than Sergeant Damonicia Dixey-Sheton. She's an eighteen year Volunteer member of the United States Army.

Damonicia has served in Iraq [aka] Middle East in both Iraqi wars under both Bush Presidents, she also served in Panama, The Dixey family has a long history of military service going back to the Shoshone Bannock War Chief's. Targhee, Tyhee, Pocatello, Tendoy, and Washakie, all kin if not by blood in spirit. The Tribe are all family for the Shoshone Bannock Indians.

Sacajawea was the first Shoshone Indian to serve the US Military. The Image of Randy'l Teton is embossed into the latest US Dollar, Damonicia is a veteran of many combat engagements. Damonicia, Randy'l, and Sacajawea are all members of the same Lemhi Shoshone Indian Tribe. Three American Indian women who will forever be recognized in history books as having made major contributions to the good of this country.

Lori Piestewa, a Hopi Indian, was the first woman to sacrifice her life in the war in Iraq. The Military doesn't publish records of the heroes and heroines who sacrifice for their country. They leave it to the families to do what they chose. Many Indian families have sons and daughters who gave their lives defending this country. Many Indian families look skyward to the great silver bird flying overhead hoping it will bring their loved ones home alive, and whole.

The media will spend untold amounts of money publishing Cindy Sheehan the lady standing on a roadside in Crawford Texas protesting her sons sacrifice in Iraq. Her son who made the sacrifice never gets a mention. So it is with the Native Americans serving in the military When Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on a recent trip to Iraq singled Dominica Dixey out for a photo-op I didn't see it on NBC, ABC, CBS or CNN.

In the days of the Indian ancestors when a warrior distinguished himself in battle on his return to his village a song would be sung or a dance in his honor would be preformed, he would be awarded an eagle feather or a bear tooth, something to honor his performance. Since the days, reservations were established the heroes of the Indian Nations all to often returned to become impoverished alcoholics.

The Tribes are providing more for the new generation of Veterans to look forward too. Now they'll be less inclined to give up on life.Staff Sergeant Damonicia Dixey-Shelton isn't an exception, she's the norm that can be expected from Native American Indian serving in the military.

The performance of Indians is not only second to none it usually far exceeds the average from the Seminole Tribes in Florida to the Barrow Inuiat in Alaska they have always preformed with honor and dedication. Not enough attention's paid to the contributions Native Americans make. Damonicia is only one of hundreds perhaps thousands of Native American Indians serving, and protecting this country.

I apologize for not being able to name each of you personally. . Some of my friends don't understand why more Native Americans don't assimilate into the mainstream culture of America. I ask them if they expect Canadians or Mexicans to assimilate into the American culture. The answer is Canada and Mexico are sovereign nations. My answer is, Native American Indian Reservations are Sovereign Nations. That's when the arguments start. I usually end up asking why the Whiteman didn't assimilate into Indian culture when they came to Indian lands . You can guess who's always right and never wins the argument.

Congratulations for a successful 42nd annual Shoshone Bannock Tribal Festival, Fort Hall, Idaho. Research data from: http://www.shobannews.com/

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.

For news and information on Native American and First Nations actors, go to Annie's site at www.NativeCelebs.com and follow the threads.

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