Indigenous Peoples and Our Governments
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), a federal law, was passed in 1978 to keep Indian children with Indian families in their own culture. At that time as many as 25-35% of Indian children were being removed from their families by public and private agencies and placed in non-Indian families.
There has been a lot of attention on the boarding schools separating native children from their families. But boarding schools are only a part of this historic problem. Some boarding schools were open as late as the 60s and 70s. The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA) tried to address abuses which occurred after the boarding school era. While ICWA is not perfect, it has been an important way for indigenous nations and peoples to be able to keep Indigenous children in our communities learning their languages and culture.
A pending Supreme Court of the United States case, Haaland v. Brackeen was brought by the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana, and individual plaintiffs. It seeks to declare the Indian Child Welfare Act unconstitutional. Their argument is that ICWA is a “race-based” law that discriminates against white people who are seeking to adopt. However, ICWA is based on the unique political relationships between Indian tribes and the U.S. government. This case would not only undermine Indian families but also Indigenous sovereignty by not seeing nations as separate cultural and political entitles from the United States. Calling into question sovereignty would effect various current environmental struggles. Therefore, extractive industries executives are watching this case closely.
Please research and inform yourself about ICWA. Bring attention to this issue by share information with friends and family. While we can not effect the decision of the Supreme Court, we may need to challenge it in the future. If the court overturns ICWA, write to your legislators asking them to insure that native children continue to be kept in their homes and their culture. Ask them to respect Indigenous sovereignty.
On a state level, in early June, the New York state legislature passed legislation that, if signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would protect unmarked burial sites from excavation. It has been a decades-long effort in New York State to pass legislation to protect unmarked graves. The Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act would require that construction be stopped on private property if human remains are encountered. A Native American burial-site review committee would be created. It would allow tribes or individuals to seek injunctions against violators.
In just the last two years, the Inter-Tribal Historic Preservation Task Force has reclaimed more than 150 human remains that had been unearthed by archeologists and museums in Suffolk County, Long Island’s easternmost county, in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Governor Hochul has until December 31st for the bill to be signed. If she does not sign, the bill will be considered vetoed.
Only 4 states, New York, New Jersey, Wyoming, and Ohio do not have laws to protecting unmarked graves, The discovery of an unmarked grave site in states having protection laws generally requite notifying a local coroner, who would then call the state archaeologist if the remains were more than 50 years old. There can be an attempt to establish a link to a present-day Native American tribe and entrust the remains to that affiliated group. There can be criminal penalties for those who don’t comply.
If you live in one of the states that does not protect unmarked burial sites, let your legislators know that you want to see grave sites protected.
An additional concern related to unmarked butial sites is the collection and sale of native artifacts. It is illegal and unethical to collect artifacts on public lands. Federal laws prohibit the theft and destruction of Native American cultural items on federal and Indian lands. However, there remains an unregulated market for artifacts most of which were acquired before the federal government began to act or were found on privately owned land.
We must look not only at the legal issues but also at the political, moral, social and spiritual issues, as well. Because a crime against humanity happened a long time ago doesn’t mean its legacy of hurt isn’t very much alive in the present. It is this respect for native ceremonial and cultural objects that will bring healing between our communities.
We live among many places where burial grounds or sacred sites are located. If you come across evidence of past habitation or Indian graves, report it to authorities. If you know of Indian artifacts held privately or publicly, let the owner or institution know about your concerns on this subject. Support efforts to heal from our exploitative past.
ICWA
Who should get priority when adopting Indigenous children? The SCOTUS case that has tribes worried
Funerary objects and artifacts
Colgate University returning 1,500 artifacts to Oneidas
Two views on native sovereignty and US laws
Omdahl: Has tribal sovereignty become a myth?
Letter: Federal Indian law is a myth
NOON acknowledges that we are on the territory of the Onondaga Nation, council fire of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
We are thankful for their stewardship of our environment.
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EVENTS:
Onondaga Crafts Show and Food Sale. Sat., Dec. 17 from 3-8 pm at the Fire Hall, 11A, south of Nedrow, NY.
MMIW Trailing Ella Mae Fund Raiser – Walk for missing and murdered Indigenous relatives
Skä•noñh – Great Law of Peace Center After a period of being open only to scheduled group tours, the Center has reopened its doors to the public for walk-ins! Skä•noñh is now open from 10am-4pm Wednesday-Friday, and 11am-4pm on Saturday.
Ganondagan Gift Shop, Special Holiday Hours for December, Friday & Saturdays, 11 AM- 3 PM, (12/1 – 12/23, 11 AM – 2 PM on 12/24), Ganondagan | 7000 County Road 41, Victor, NY 14564
“Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowledgment to LANDBACK” webinar recording
Mohawk Cultural Tours – Immersive, Indigenous Cultural Tours Hosted by Experts
Virtual Programming- Ten Minute Teachings – Ganondagan
Virtual Tours – Iroquois Indian Museum
Virtual Tours and Educational videos – Seneca Iroquois National Museum
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MONTHLY:
NOON Steering Committee Open Meeting, Next meeting December 20th, 7-8:30 PM, virtual. Since new people often have a lot of questions and you will need contact info for the virtual meeting, we recommend contacting Lee Cridland, Peace Council Staff, or Sue Eiholzer, NOON Volunteer, before the meeting.
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FYI:
To aid you in focusing, articles are arranged by topic and coded for length (S – short, M – Medium, L – Long) with a designation for Video and/or Audio.
History
228th Canandaigua Treaty 2022 at the Rock – 9 min video
Stomping Grounds — Ep11: Faith Keeper Oren Lyons aka Joagquisho — Onondaga Nation part 4 – video, 1 of several available on You Tube
Government
Biden pledges new commitments, respect for tribal nations – L
New York tells schools to drop Native American mascots – S
Culture
These Native Americans focus on family amid Thanksgiving’s dark history – L
Mohican Sugar Bush Traditions Endure – S article plus many pictures
Onondaga Nation, People of the Hills
Onondaga Nation Newsletter
Anyone interested in subscribing to the Onondaga Nation’s monthly e-newsletter can email nonewsletter@gmail.com with your first and last name. One request per email address please.
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NOON RESOURCES:
Because the Syracuse Peace Council office is closed during the pandemic, contact Lee Cridland so she can arrange to get them to you.
The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code film is premised on Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery, a book based on two decades of research by Shawnee, Lenape scholar Steven T. Newcomb. Available to borrow. Contact Lee Cridland via email or phone 315-472-5478
Standing on Sacred Ground Videos. Each of the 4 episodes is 60 min. Pilgrims and Tourists, Profit and Loss, Fire and Ice and Islands of Sanctuary. If you have a group of friends or know an organization that would like to view any of these films, please contact Lee Cridland phone 315-472-5478.
In addition NOON has organized dozens of educational programs over the past 20 years which are available on line at SPC’s You Tube Channel. Fifteen years ago we coordinated the historic series Onondaga Land Rights and Our Common Future. Check out the videos here.
WITNESS TO INJUSTICE: UNRAVELING HISTORIC NATIVE & U.S. RELATIONS. This inter-active group exercise is a 2 hour teaching tool that uses participatory education to raise awareness of the history of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the part of the world now known as the United States. Through the use of meaningful quotes, and blankets that represent part of Turtle Island (the Western Hemisphere), we explore this shared history that most people rarely learn in traditional settings. We engage in a conversation about the European colonization of Turtle Island in order to deepen our understanding of the denial of Indigenous peoples’ nationhood throughout U.S. History. NOON is offering this exercise to groups, organizations, schools and churches. A good will offering to support NOON’s work is appreciated. If you would like additional information or to schedule a time for a presentation, contact Cecelia Elm.
