To begin with I wouldn’t Facebook if I could data mine and sell all of Zukerberg’s info-I don’t do the twit thing either, and yes I know it’s twitter, but somehow twit seems more appropriate to me-so often times when something is posted on the Annie page I click on it and FB rears it’s ugly head to inform me I need to become a “member”-that to me is like asking if I want hemorrhoids-but to each their own.
Fortunately goodhearted friends, sisters, and clan members come to the rescue and will send a copy/paste they obtain through their account-that’s right Zuckerberg, you’re circumvented.
One such copy/paste has made it’s circuitous candlestine way to me-it is a compelling and well thought out contribution to the Annie page by one Tammy Barlow-a credit not only to her people but to all the nations in this entire hemisphere.
I have taken the liberty to post it here in what I assume is it’s entirety and hope there is no offense in doing so-it is as follows:
Since before
contact and through all the assimilation
policies and the Indian Act and all the
residential schools, Mi’kmaq women have
always had this vision of keeping our Nation
alive. We are always thinking about the future
generations of our people.
– Patricia Doyle-Bedwell
Losing Your Religion – Dispelling AIM’s Dogma
“Oh life, it’s bigger
It’s bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I set it up”
R.E.M. (Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)
I find myself continually wondering how it is that people can continue
to blindly remain members and supporters of the American Indian
Movement’s hierarchy.
I’m not specifically talking about either faction here. National and
Autonomous AIM both have a hierarchy with the blood of an indigenous
woman on their hands due to their choice to remain quiet and protect
the killer(s) of one of their own and to protect themselves.
These people, these so called activists who want justice for
indigenous peoples boldly ignore the fact that there is somebody who
has been waiting for justice since 1975.
Who orchestrated the murder of not only an activist who would and did
die for her people but of a Mother, a Daughter, a Sister. What if this
had happened to one of your loved ones?
Would you honestly just sit by and allow those responsible to
continue to live life with no accountability just because they had
somehow become iconic?
Either they are aware of precisely what occurred and the steps leading
up to the murder or they are complete morons.
Either way the cult-like status they have come to enjoy is unworthy.
You are worshiping cunning murderers or bumbling idiots steeped in complicity.
I wish somebody could explain to me how it could possibly be
unacceptable to question the venerable hierarchy.
I myself would have a lot more respect for an individual if they were
honest about their involvement.
If they were honest about their participation in the violence
committed against one of their own. Against one of MY own.
I also wish that somebody would explain to me that if they were not
calculating murderers but instead were bumbling idiots, why they never
took the time to contact Annie Mae’s family?
Why didn’t they make sure that her mother and children were provided for?
How can they call themselves Traditional when the proper Traditional
actions were never even taken into consideration?
How can current members call themselves Traditional and support these people?
I was taught from an early age to believe in the natural course of
justice. As a child I never questioned this.
As a young person I questioned this and everything else I was taught.
As a young adult I am beginning to see the truth in that teaching.
Individuals actions or lack there of have a certain way of
manifesting. It’s an interesting time.
It would be beneficial to everyone, including themselves, if those of
certain action or lack there of were able to see this too and make
things right before it’s too late.
Imagine if they admitted their culpability, if they walked the talk
and warriored up.
If they not only freed themselves from their dirty little secrets but
freed the movement so it would have a future unsullied by the
transgressions of a few.
If they were to show themselves as individuals truly capable of honour
instead of being cowards, hiding behind the vestments of braids and
shades and meaningless patches.
The vestments aren’t what’s important anyway.
When we as Indian people ask for truth, openness and accountability we
are not badmouthing AIM.
We are not making a statement that AIM is without necessity or purpose
or that they have not made much needed change.
What we are doing is exercising our right as indigenous people. We are
doing what our people have done since the beginning.
We are asking that leaders conduct themselves as such.
If we allow warrior societies, our tribal governments, even the heads
of our own families to keep secrets that effect everyone in a manner
that is not conducive to the healing and greater good as Indian people
we have lost our autonomy.
We have become what the colonizers have wanted for centuries. We are
nothing but sheep blindly being led to slaughter.
If people are not willing to stand up for a woman who worked
selflessly for our autonomy and traditional values and was silenced
then we have all become silenced.
I refuse to be silent.