I don't think so! It's very much a "land acknowledgments are nothing, here's what you really need to acknowledge" prose poem.
Sample lines: "This acknowledges that Land Back means languages back, means medicine back, means ceremony back, means culture back, means reparations. Means *all* people depend on the land."
"The only opinions that matter in this issue are those of the Indigenous people united to protect Bears Ears. It's not your land to have any say in it. It's their land." So many truths spoken from the heart of generations coming from a hellish experience that continues to this day. Will be ordering a copy of Becoming Little Shell when it is available.
After reading this, I feel sucker punched. That's not your fault. Americans (myself included) are so innocent about the history of what made this country and what continues to make this country, which is greed, power grabs, and getting away with murder and gold (sometimes of the black liquid variety.) Everywhere I turn, I see people being taken advantage of. It's never the wealthy ones who get taken advantage of. It's the ones who've stolen (or inherited stolen) assets from those who can't defend themselves. The rape continues. And I'm convinced will continue. I admire the firebrands who continue to fight, like you and Samuel Strong.
I would acknowledge that many "Americans" are ignorant about our nation's bloody colonialist history, but not innocent. Ignorance may not be bliss, but it allows us to ignore the horrors committed against the innocent. Such failure to acknowledge past wrongs allows our government to continue committing them in our name. Unless and until we stand with our indigenous people and demand that our government honor its treaties, we are complicit.
Ironic that honorific holidays invariably serve the mythology, not the reality - all the more odious in this case with the latter serving to further validate the former. Looking forward to the book, Chris.
This is a powerful piece, Chris. And I appreciate your thoughts on Indigenous Peoples Day. I’ve wondered about that. So many of these things feel like pandering or too little too late. If Biden is sincere, then he should forgo the public appearance for the “holiday” in favor of showing up to stop line 3. But it’s so much easier to do a feel good photo op, right? Oof.
You've probably seen this -- my mom sent it to me: https://www.inlander.com/spokane/a-poem-to-acknowledge-that-the-land-itself-along-with-the-people-whose-language-culture-and-religion-were-born-of-it-is-rarely-acknowledg/Content?oid=22469536
I haven't ... is it going to piss me off?
I don't think so! It's very much a "land acknowledgments are nothing, here's what you really need to acknowledge" prose poem.
Sample lines: "This acknowledges that Land Back means languages back, means medicine back, means ceremony back, means culture back, means reparations. Means *all* people depend on the land."
Thank you. That's friggin' great.
Isn't it? I just want to read it over and over.
Love CMarie. Read her piece last night. And Chris, wonderful—can’t wait for the book. ❤️
I'm so excited for Chris's book. I have a place on my bookshelf I'm keeping open for it!
"The only opinions that matter in this issue are those of the Indigenous people united to protect Bears Ears. It's not your land to have any say in it. It's their land." So many truths spoken from the heart of generations coming from a hellish experience that continues to this day. Will be ordering a copy of Becoming Little Shell when it is available.
Thank you!
After reading this, I feel sucker punched. That's not your fault. Americans (myself included) are so innocent about the history of what made this country and what continues to make this country, which is greed, power grabs, and getting away with murder and gold (sometimes of the black liquid variety.) Everywhere I turn, I see people being taken advantage of. It's never the wealthy ones who get taken advantage of. It's the ones who've stolen (or inherited stolen) assets from those who can't defend themselves. The rape continues. And I'm convinced will continue. I admire the firebrands who continue to fight, like you and Samuel Strong.
I would acknowledge that many "Americans" are ignorant about our nation's bloody colonialist history, but not innocent. Ignorance may not be bliss, but it allows us to ignore the horrors committed against the innocent. Such failure to acknowledge past wrongs allows our government to continue committing them in our name. Unless and until we stand with our indigenous people and demand that our government honor its treaties, we are complicit.
Thank you for the history lesson. When I lived in Minnesota the legacy of the evil was still visible. I just didn't know the details.
It's everywhere, man. And no one wants us to know the details.
thank you for writing this and including the length of detail. It's sorely needed that these histories are told, remembered, and find justice.
Thank you, Freya.
I am very excited to read that book. And I really enjoyed Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel. Thank you Chris!
Thanks, Rebekah. And thanks for giving time to Descended!
Ironic that honorific holidays invariably serve the mythology, not the reality - all the more odious in this case with the latter serving to further validate the former. Looking forward to the book, Chris.
This is a powerful piece, Chris. And I appreciate your thoughts on Indigenous Peoples Day. I’ve wondered about that. So many of these things feel like pandering or too little too late. If Biden is sincere, then he should forgo the public appearance for the “holiday” in favor of showing up to stop line 3. But it’s so much easier to do a feel good photo op, right? Oof.