From the moment European explorers and settlers set foot on the North American Continent, the Native People have been in a constant battle to fight off genocide and land theft.
It started with the diseases the Native Americans had no defense against brought from across the water. Entire villages, entire tribes were wiped out by smallpox, tuberculosis, measles and other maladies never seen on the North American Continent.
Andrew Jackson repaid Chief Junaluska who saved his life, by imprisoning him and setting his people, the Cherokee, on The Trail of Tears, force marching the People, old and young, from North Carolina to Oklahoma, causing large amounts of death and disease on the way.
The Cherokee Nation at that time occupied eight states in the Southeast. Gold had been found in Georgia and settlers wanted the Indian Land. Oklahoma was considered a wasteland that no one would want, therefore, fine for the Indian. At least, that worked for a while, until the People made the land produce and precious minerals and oil was discovered there. Then, the government wanted the land back.
A previous article here on Clash Daily reported on the current government and water troubles of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and the Navajo who live along the Colorado River.
Once again, the Big Money wants what the Indians have possession of and are willing to trample on sacred lands and the lives of the People to get it. All in the name of progress, but the true term is GREED!
The dispute is against Big Oil running a pipeline through the Missouri River, with the potential of endangering the water supply in the area, and disturbing sacred sites along the way.
The media is studiously ignoring this protest action by the Native American tribes from all over the United States.
Black Lives Matter has joined in solidarity with the Native American.
The biggest difference in the recent Black Lives Matter protests and the Standing Rock/Red Warrior Camp in North Dakota is the firepower and the law enforcement presence with arrests for the slightest infractions.
One protester posted a video on the Facebook sight, Love Native Americans, of what was happening as the people tried to walk down a PUBLIC road in a peaceful protest.
The police blocked the road and would not allow the people to walk down the road with their signs and protests. As they waited, two helicopter gunships, heavily armed, set down behind the police cars.
Why is so much firepower needed to deny these citizens’ First Amendment Rights?
Four people were arrested for sitting on the side of a public road.
Divergent actress, Shaleine Woodley, was arrested while participating in the PEACEFUL protest alongside the Standing Rock Sioux.
In another American media blackout, the Canadian edition of ET, broadcast an emotional Woodley speaking of the experience while attending the Environmental Media Association Awards. She burst into tears as she encouraged everyone to stand against the destruction of the water source in North Dakota.
The Facebook sight, Indigenous People of America posted another disturbing development about more land being taken and sold by the Federal government.
The US House Natural Resources Committee pushed through a bill to reform management of Federal land in Utah, even though it would trample on the rights of the Native American land, and the area tribes did not give their consent for such a move.
It still has to pass the Senate in order to become law, but the disregard for the rights of the tribes in the area is measured in governmental disdain of their wishes.
Seems the land grabbing from the Native Americans is just as healthy as it was over 200 years ago.
Anyone interested in assisting the Red Warrior Camp in North Dakota can call (605) 220 – 2531 or send supplies to:
Red Warrior Camp
BIE OONO2 Agency Ave.
Fort Yates, ND 58538
The best way to assist in the death of the bill from the US House on Native American Land in Utah is to call or write your state Senator to vote against the passage.
There is no excuse to continually rob and take advantage of all tribes of Native Americans who keep to themselves and cause no trouble, but have a wealth of knowledge to offer. As the government no longer gives financial aid to the Reservations, the Native Americans have found other ways to support themselves. They have their own commonwealth governments and many tribes have casinos for tribal revenue.
To quote Paul Revere and the Raiders’ “Lament of the Cherokee“,
“Maybe someday when they learn, Cherokee Nation will return.”
If the government continues to encroach on their rights, they may get more than peaceful protest.
[Editor: Updated information on this story: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/armed-police-begin-operation-to-clear-pipeline-protest-camp/ar-AAjrLL6?li=BBnb7Kz]
photo credit: WalterPro4755 DSC_4758_pp via photopin (license)
