Opinions

June 11, 2011
BY:
Peter d'Errico
Words are sometimes slippery, especially in law and politics. This is not always a bad thing, because ambiguous language sometimes resolves conflict, by allowing people to maintain face while they compromise. Henry Adams, the famous American writer...
June 10, 2011
BY:
Ron Rowell
It will no doubt surprise some people that there actually are individual Native Americans who own significant material assets. They belong to an invisible group, along with African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and others of color...
June 08, 2011
BY:
David E. Wilkins
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, visited Egypt.  As part of her visit, a number of Egyptian youth were encouraged to submit written questions to Clinton for her consideration.  Nearly 6,000 were sent in by inquisitive...
June 06, 2011
BY:
Mark Trahant
Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics started a frenzy when it released its latest job report, showing that only 54,000 jobs were added to the economy in May. The White House says don’t worry too much about those numbers; it only represents one...
June 05, 2011
BY:
Charlotte Hofer
It begins with three chilling words, "You have cancer." And then, your life forever changes. Annie Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota was a young college student when she was told she had cancer—and that it was terminal. She was given 2 months...
June 04, 2011
BY:
Jerilyn DeCoteau
Ten Cent Treaty, Le Pay, allotments in Montana, lease checks the neighbors received, Grandpa saying, "I am still waiting for my allotment." These are words I grew up with. They were full of import and mystery, and stood for things eternal. I heard...
June 03, 2011
BY:
Ruth Hopkins
In this day and age, it can be easy to slide into apathy. Globally, we’re wrestling with enormous problems, and there are no simple answers. Furthermore, a sense of powerlessness is often magnified in tribal communities—where the long term effects...
June 03, 2011
BY:
Billy Frank Jr.
The pictures don't lie. Climate change combined with the continued loss of salmon habitat caused by human development is taking a toll on natural resources. The damage to salmon and the people who have always depended on salmon is significant. A...
June 02, 2011
BY:
Steve Newcomb
In March 2011, the U.S. government filed a response brief to two appeals by two Guantanamo Bay detainees. They had been convicted of "providing material support for terrorism" and their defense contended that the charge was not a war crime subject...
June 01, 2011
BY:
Russell Means
Two weeks ago, I went to New York with a delegation from the Republic of Lakotah, to utilize the annual meeting of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII, May 16-27). The primary purpose of the trip was to utilize past and...
May 29, 2011
BY:
Rosita Worl
Over-regulation and anti-Native bias seem to touch every aspect of life for Native peoples in Southeast Alaska, from how our people make teddy bears to whether the U.S. will keep its pledge to restore85,000 acres of our homelands to us. Bills now...
May 27, 2011
BY:
Ruth Hopkins
Whether recognized in ceremony by cap and gown alone, or punctuated with eagle feathers, honor songs or star quilts lovingly sown by aunties and grandmothers, graduations are public acknowledgements that students have met academic and professional...
May 27, 2011
BY:
Valarie Tom
Thousands of Navajo, Hopi and Zuni students will graduate this month from high school. When a Native American student graduates from any educational institution, the entire family and community gets involved. It is a testament to the bounty of love...
May 25, 2011
BY:
Bonnie Jane Maracle
Our Language is a Gift from the Creator In the beginning, the different entities in Creation were given their own languages for communication—birds, animals, fish, for example. The Human Beings too were given their own languages to communicate...

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