Lakota Man Calls for Succession from the U.S.
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
December 28, 2007 5:20am CST
Russell Means means business. He has informed the U.S. State Department that the Lakota Tribe has no interest in remaining part of the United States. 17 Dec, 2007, Means and his group went to Washington DC to deliver a letter stating their intentions to dissolve the Treaty of Mendota and Traverse De Sioux (1851), and Treaty of Fort Laramie (1861).
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us,"
It's the right of any US citizen to give up their citizenship, and the Lakota is a Nation, but there's one major problem with this "succession"... Russell Means is not a tribal leader, nor does he have any authority to speak for the Lakota. He can deliver all the letters he wants, but since he has no authority to speak for the Lakota, he has no claim on the parts of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota or Nebraska he plans to take with him.
Sorry Mr. Means, you lost the election. That means you only speak for yourself.
2 people like this
2 responses
@sojournseeker (1244)
• United States
31 Dec 07
Just because he has no authority does not mean he should be discounted in meaningful voice. Why the hell can't he deliver letters for the nation of lakota and speak for them without being appointed to do so? If they do not want to adopt some of our stupid cultural hats to be part of our culture than fine, but if they do, choose a size that fits and wear it proud !!!!!!!
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
31 Dec 07
He has every right to speak his mind, for himself and for the group of Lakota people who are for secession. However, he's not limiting himself to just that, he is trying to say that the Lakota Nation wants out of the U.S.
Since he has no authority to speak for the whole Lakota nation, the State Department has no reason to recognize him... nor do the leaders of the Lakota.
If I sent a letter to the state of Ohio, saying that Warrensville Heights is no longer interested in being part of Ohio, would you, your city, or the state of Ohio have any reason to take what I say seriously?
Russell Means has as much authority to speak for the Lakota Nation as I have to speak for Warrensville Heights.
1 person likes this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
31 Dec 07
I'm sure there are many who would say his "plan" has merit, especially the natives who live in the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations where the poverty is so widespread that it is like a third-world nation.
We drove through Pine Ridge this fall and the rez is truly depressing. Our country has demoralized the once proud and independent natives and left them paupers.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
31 Dec 07
I wonder what all the money made through Indian Casinoes is doing to help the people on those reservations.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
31 Dec 07
Ah, ok.
The only Lakota I've known were in the U.S. Army. They wanted nothing to do with the reservations. Reservations, government projects, or anywhere else where people aren't expected to provide for themselves. It's all very sad and orchestrated to keep them right where they are.
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
31 Dec 07
The casinos on these two reservations are very small and plain - nothing like the ones we've seen in the southwest. They are primarily slot machines in a storefront building. We even saw filling stations with signs they were casinos, but looked pretty much like any other filling station that has a little store. No big money there.
In fact, the one on Rosebud is more problem than solution, as the natives get hooked on gambling what little they have and losing it.
It was a very sad trip through that part of our country.
