Lakota Nation secedes from the United States

wow. i want to read this UN declaration re: indigenous peoples now.

I think that's really fucking cool. Also, the statistics at the end of the article are beyond horrifying.

i'm not sure if those are higher than other native american tribes, but it's been pretty common knowledge that those kinds of stats are usually much higher in native american peoples than white americans. they also have huge problems with obesity and alcoholism. land/possibility to earn revenue/etc. stolen and replaced by mcdonalds.

Agh, it's so insane. I really wish from my heart that some major good would come of this. If this engendered a concentrated, worldwide movement of solidarity among indigenous peoples, then, wow.

Russell Means, classic or dud

I wanna use the phrase "earth people", but then I am reminded of the ridiculous (but hilarious) Dr. Octagon song. But, seriously, at the risk of sounding patronizing or stereotyping, these are people who have a deep connection w/the earth (the place that our food comes from, and goes back to, and so forth) that those of us who grew up outside such cultures may have a difficult time even conceiving of...Again, I don't wanna come off all "Dances With Wolves" here, but, I regard the idea of growing up in a culture that maintains such a deep connection with STUFF to be really moving.

Someone told me a story about a guy from some Amerindian nation'; scuse me, I've no idea which one, but, anyhow, the guy was invited into his college to give a talk. He talked for two hours straight about... water. I dunno; that sounds pretty amazing to me. I don't think that I and most people in my "culture" have very much connection with elemental stuff whatsoever.

Here's hoping some of the ducks they've been aligning involved a really comprehensive social-services system.

he said there'd be no tax; so i doubt it.

Go Lakotas!