Amhran nam Bandia: Wounded Knee Aftermath

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Wounded Knee Aftermath - May Day 2010

Discussion continues among the Lakota who drove away the Seventh Cavalry yesterday, and among those who have helped get the word out and who stand in solidarity with these warriors.

We now have some video taken on the fly at the incident yesterday. It looks like the videographer was trying to keep the camera hidden. The sound quality is poor due to the wind, but you can see the choppers coming in, and the gunship that touched down. There's a very brief glimpse of the people running out onto the field, then more footage of people speaking to the police.

By all accounts, the confrontation yesterday was firm but peaceful. There has been some confusion and misinformation out there, so if you see quotes from people, I'd suggest checking your sources before running with them. In the heat of the moment there was a lot of speculation, and sometimes people's theories were reported as fact.

Wanbli Tate has posted, "The quote attributed to me saying that Theresa Two Bulls said she had only 24 hours notice of the helicopters coming is not a correct quote."

I'd also like to point out for those who missed it that Autumn Two Bulls, head of the women's warrior society, who we heard on the radio show yesterday, is not Theresa Two Bulls, the tribal president. Some people have confused the two of them, or don't seem to realize these are two different people.

What we know is that the Lakota people and the descendants only found out about the arrival of the Military at Wounded Knee about 18 hours before the attempted landing. How long members of the tribal council knew, and which members of the tribal council knew, is still a bit unclear. There has been no official statement from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council about the incident.

Brenda Norrell has posted about it here: Lakotas Prevent Blackhawk Helicopters from Landing at Wounded Knee

As has David Sugar: Three blackhawks down and 7th cavalry retreats defeated once again

And Sarah Johns, who was one of the first to post while we were listening to the calls live from the Knee: 7th Cavalry defile Lakota Burial Ground @ Wounded Knee, S.Dakota

A list of the unarmed women, children and men murdered by the Seventh Cavalry at Wounded Knee, December 29, 1890

ETA: Follow the Wounded Knee tag below for followup on this.

One of the posts with clarifications on who sent the choppers: Mystery Military Choppers = Intimidation, No Matter Who Sends Them

No comments:

Gaelic Polytheism, Cultural Preservation, Indigenous Solidarity

Occasional musings from one of the original troublemakers behind the contemporary Gaelic Polytheist (GP) (Gaelic: Ioma-Dhiadhachd Ghàidhealach; Irish: Ildiachas Gaelach) and Celtic Reconstructionist traditions. Allegedly the person to blame for that unwieldy, awkward, misinterpreted and misrepresented, umbrella tradition name (CR), and most definitely to blame for the Nigheanan nan Cailleach agus Ora nam Bandia branches of the community.

Clann Eóghainn na h-Oitrich, NicAoidh, agus Eóganachta. Tha mi a fuireach ann Wabanahkik. Co-còrdadh: Gä•sweñta’.

While my family culture growing up was predominantly diasporan Gael (Irish/Scottish-American), and my low BQ gives me white skin privilege / passing privilege, I also have Indigenous heritage from both Turtle Island (Yę Iswąre tatene utkéware hęwu) and Sápmi, as well as cherished African-American ancestors who survived the Middle Passage and the Underground Railroad. I am one of the people who has researched Cherokee blood myths to find the hidden truth that so many of us share - Black ancestors who made the excruciating choice to assimilate and pass in order to stay alive after escaping slavery.

As an unenrolled relative, reconnecting with the community we're pretty certain my ancestors are from, I'm a long-term member of several Indigenous-led collectives, active in Indian Country in largely a backup/support role since the 1980s, and in more recent years in interfaith and political work as both a collective member, extended family member, and as a representative of both our GP groups and the descendant crew. I don't presume to steer the canoe, even when I'm another grunt helping paddle one that my cousins, aunties, and adopted siblings have built and are helming. But except for my fellow Gaels and other diverse relatives, I jumped out of the ship over a decade ago. I'd much rather dive deep with the prop-fouling otters, be a shieldmaiden in the metaphorical jet ski clan, and continue my work with the side of the family I live with now, than get back into that rotting colonists' ship... unless it's to sabotage and change the course. Which I've been known to do sometimes.

It's one of multiple ways that my life is lived in liminal zones.

And if it's not abundantly clear, I fully support and unreservedly defend Indigenous Sovereignty: the right of Tribal Nations to determine their citizenship criteria, as well as their right to set the definition of who is and is not Indigenous. Descendants - those of us with documented ancestry but whose ancestors chose to separate from the tribe and live as non-Natives - need to abide by the criteria for Indigeneity set by the Nations we descend from. Even if it's complicated and not what you want to hear. And this applies exponentially if the documentation is iffy. To violate that boundary by trying to claim full Native status - by self-Indigenization - is dishonorable to the ancestors, as well as a violation of hospitality. Real descendants seeking to reconnect need to do so with profound respect, and on the terms set by the living relatives and Elders in that specific culture and community. And if the answer is "No," or "Not that way," to accept that.

I serve on the governing councils of CAORANN and Gaol Naofa; however, all opinions expressed on this blog, and posted elsewhere under my own name on social media, are my own.