As a member of an Indian tribe, we often hear words such as sovereignty, culture, and assimilation as opposed to also being a citizen of the United States. Some believe we should make a choice to be either a member of a tribe or a U.S. citizen. They are entitled to their opinon, as we all are.
What does it mean not to assimilate? Allard Teeple says if we vote in the United States election that we have become assimilated and do not deserve the right to be a Sault Tribe member. He is not alone in his beliefs because he is not the first person I have heard that from.
But there also seem to be varying degrees of assimilation. Another member feels that technology has destroyed our culture while typing those words on a computer. Others have criticized members for not being traditional.
What does that mean? When I have asked that question, I have heard answers that are questions instead, such as "do you smudge, have you ever been in a sweat lodge, do you speak the language, etc...?" At times, those questions have been more of an accusation. To assume whether one does or does not is a mere guess but we all make assumptions every day of our lives.
While many were raised within the culture and they followed many of the traditions, (as they knew them) others learned and became participants when they decided to become 'more Indian' then they were before. They read, attended culture classes, and began to practice the traditions to become more cultural.
Being Indian is a beautiful thing. To some, the traditions are somewhat of a religion practiced by Indians. For others, it is a way of life and the word religion does not enter into it. For those that understand it fully, the traditions of Native Americans is also their government with Elders making the decisions based on tradition and cultural beliefs.
This can all be very confusing though since some, such as Allard Teeple, will have you believe you can't be a member of the Sault Tribe and a U.S. citizen. He believes that to follow and respect the U.S. Constitution takes away our right to vote in the Sault Tribe elections, that we should have no say in the way our tribe is run. I am not 100% Indian. How many Sault Tribe members who have similar beliefs to Mr. Teeple are full blooded Indians and how many of the full bloods have assimilated? How many full bloods are in the Sault Tribe?
At the same time, Teeple wants me to stop bashing Bouschor. Bouschor is not a traditional person. Even if he follows some of the traditions he is assimilated in every form. Since when are casinos traditional? Since when is conspiring with Greeks to whisk away a large portion of our assets, from the tribal members, to places unknown, traditional? Since when is it traditional to threaten your own people that you will destroy them?
If you want to know what non-assimilation means watch the National Geographic channel for a view of what is true non-assimilation. There are tribes still living with zero modern conveniences including medical care, clothing. junk food, etc...who still share with each other what they have.
Modern tribes, such as those in Native America, have their own constitutions, bylaws, judicial systems and police force. This is assimilation. Wearing a seat belt is assimilation. Anytime we follow laws written by non-Indians we are assimilating/conforming. Everytime we turn on the TV to watch the news or a favorite show or attend a hockey game we are conforming since none of the above was ever a part of Indian traditions.
As a tribe who sued the U.S. government for land claims, we utilized the court system of the U.S. government for our benefit and we did that as U.S. citizens. We did it because the U.S. government violated treaties and took our land. Tribes won that battle and then built schools and medical facilities to help our people.
But we also built CASINOS and in doing so, worked with non-Indians to build these games of chance to rip off people in order to bring more revenue to the tribe. Is this tradition? Is that what being an Indian is all about? To build a casino required the assistance of those who were in the business of taking from others to achieve maximum personal gain. This is what Bouschor and other tribal leaders have done and this is assimilation.
There is no difference between one tribal leader and another when it comes to assimilation. It is too late and we have assimilated/conformed into the culture of the U. S. Those that wish to can still practice the traditional ways. They do not need to conform unless they step outside their front door because even on tribal lands, there is assimilation. We still have to wear a seatbelt, we still can't drink and drive or do drugs without being arrested. If you accept all of these laws then you have assimilated because you accepted the laws of the non-natives and adopted them as your own.
There is one more thing I would like to mention to Mr. Teeple. I often hear of all I have gained by being a Payment supporter. First of all, everything I had was lost because of Bouschor and his team of beasts. I gained nothing by supporting Payment. Has my life improved because Payment is chairman of the Sault Tribe? No. I am my own person and a survivor and I don't expect anyone to save me except myself.
None of us should expect anyone else to keep us afloat even though there are times when we all need a lift or a helping hand. That is all I ever expected from being a Sault Tribe member. There will never be a job for me in the Sault Tribe because of my strong opinons and if the history books are correct, then that is 'traditional' according to the white man. That is assimilation because we have accepted non-Indian politics as a weapon against a difference in opinion by using employment or lack of, as a means to destroy another.
My ancestors were not able to enjoy their share of what was taken away so I am humbled by the fact that their loss was my gain in the form of health care or a helping hand when things seem bleak. But, I have never taken without giving back in some way. That helping hand may not be returned to the person that gave it but it will be given to another that needs it. That is what being Indian means to me.
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