Kanowakeron
20th July 2007, 22:50
Shekon, all. Me: Member of the sovereign Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) Nation whose community is based in Canada. Reside in Upstate NY, 'live' and participate in both Canada and the States, proudly left-leaning for 35+ years, pretty much a pacifist - but understand where revolution can take place when evolution becomes ineffective. Here to learn.
It's been said that God, guns and whiskey led to the weakening of the First Nations of North America, but to what extent has non-indigenous political dogma contributed to this malaise? True enough, attacking the process which has historically controlled the Aboriginal people makes sense, but does the end justify the means?
Revolutionary action has a way of waking up the status quo and while militant Native factions account for a fraction of the general Aboriginal population, they've served as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they've raised desperately needed awareness in the sensationalist-hungry media; on the other, they've galvanised public opinion against the Native position and perpetuate the idiotic stereotyping that the rest of us Onkweoweh have to endure.
I've lived in both the Native and non-Native societies for 53 years (one makes more sense to me than the other) and I'm still trying to figure out why/how/when one society was able to subjugate the other. Am I a 'citizen' of Canada? The United States? Technically, I'm a 'dual-citizen', but is this simply the ultimate manifestation of assimilation?
I'm curious as to how the Revolutionary Left sees itself with respect to the First Nations of North America? Fighting for a cause - or becoming the cause? Using the proper tools to accomplish a task makes sense when clearly, the alternative isn't working.
But as the Indigenous People of this colonised continent, what culturally appropriate and workable options for change are available to us?
I'm respectfully curious to hear opinions...
It's been said that God, guns and whiskey led to the weakening of the First Nations of North America, but to what extent has non-indigenous political dogma contributed to this malaise? True enough, attacking the process which has historically controlled the Aboriginal people makes sense, but does the end justify the means?
Revolutionary action has a way of waking up the status quo and while militant Native factions account for a fraction of the general Aboriginal population, they've served as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they've raised desperately needed awareness in the sensationalist-hungry media; on the other, they've galvanised public opinion against the Native position and perpetuate the idiotic stereotyping that the rest of us Onkweoweh have to endure.
I've lived in both the Native and non-Native societies for 53 years (one makes more sense to me than the other) and I'm still trying to figure out why/how/when one society was able to subjugate the other. Am I a 'citizen' of Canada? The United States? Technically, I'm a 'dual-citizen', but is this simply the ultimate manifestation of assimilation?
I'm curious as to how the Revolutionary Left sees itself with respect to the First Nations of North America? Fighting for a cause - or becoming the cause? Using the proper tools to accomplish a task makes sense when clearly, the alternative isn't working.
But as the Indigenous People of this colonised continent, what culturally appropriate and workable options for change are available to us?
I'm respectfully curious to hear opinions...