On the Year Anniversary of the Lakota Freedom Delegation
A Message From Naomi Archer on Lakota Oyate and the Republic of Lakotah
Since December07/January08 much has happened with the Lakota Freedom Movement. As the original Media Liaison of the Lakota Freedom Delegation who traveled to Washington DC to withdrawal the Lakota Nation from their treaties with the United States Government, I was present both in Washington DC and traveled to Lakota immediately after to assist with the formation of Lakota Oyate.
Because of all that has happened and been said since then, I would like to take a moment to share a few words about these experiences – my truth.
First, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in the position of assisting an Indigenous nation with reclaiming sovereign status. I am grateful to my Ancestors, Amalur, and the Animal Nations who have guided me to traditional understandings of my people, and the unique place I find myself in today.
I am also grateful for working with all the members of the Delegation, Russell Means, Gary Rowland, Phyllis Young, and Duane Martin Sr. – all who should be recognized for efforts on behalf of their people. I hold nothing but well wishes for them.
I am most grateful to my brother, Canupa Gluha Mani (Duane Martin Sr.) who knew my good heart, traditional focus, and activist skills, and at the request of Russell Means, invited me to be involved.
While the Delegation was in Washington DC, I organized dinners and gatherings for the Freedom Delegation, corresponded with foreign embassies and their officials to schedule meetings, and handled nearly all aspects of our media communications and outreach including our press conference and the development and management of the website. I was an integral part of both Delegation strategy and doings.
Though few have indicated that I just “showed up” to take advantage of the situation, nothing could be further from the truth. But as they have not known me before, I can see how a misunderstanding like that could occur.
Following the Delegation’s work in Washingon DC, a split occurred. Russell Means and those that supported him formed the Republic of Lakotah. Owning the website domain, he took control of the Lakota Freedom website unexpectedly without approval of the entire Lakota Delegation.
Canupa Gluha Mani, the sole Delegation member to cut up his Treaty driver’s license, felt that the voices of the Oyate- the people – should be honored and so he created Lakota Oyate to serve as a placeholder until there was more organization among the traditional Elders and the people. Cante Tenza, the Strongheart Warrior Society could then serve as the stewards of this effort while it was forming.
As a member of Cante Tenza and little sister to my brother, I supported his actions and at his request created the Lakota Oyate website (http://www.lakotaoyate.net) and continued media relations and liaison on this behalf.
Some of these interviews and things that were said were taken out of context by the interviewer or put in ways that were inflammatory to the existing division. We feel strongly the US Government played a hand in this, but have no hard evidence. Regardless, I offer my apologies to the Lakota people that the media was not handled better.
I think the division of the Delegation caused many hard feelings, and others not directly associated with the Delegation chose one side or another for whatever reason. And in the pain and frustration of this division, tempers rose and things began to be said.
Both Canupa Gluha Mani and I tried to calm the waters and made multiple public statements in support of unity and respect including the following:
http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Canupa_Gluha_Mani_speaks_about_Lakota_Oyate,_Lakota_freedom
http://www.capjournal.com/articles/2008/01/09/news/doc478435b3aa269307801383.txt
Though Indigenous to my own people and lifeway, as the sole white-skinned person in the group, I became easy target for frustrations and anger which resulted not just from the division of the Delegation, but also for the actions of Colonial forces which have caused so much misery for native people.
While I accept the circumstances that make me the outlet for this kind of anger, unfortunately much of what has been said and posted on the internet in early 2008 was simply untrue. An example of these comments can be found here:
http://www.dlncoalition.org/lakotahfreedom.htm
After these untrue things were said about me, I felt much hurt. I talked to my brother about it. I even contacted some of the authors and respectfully asked them to withdraw their statements. I gave much deep thought to how/if I should respond. While I could empathize with the conditions which led to these accusations, I was always taught that untrue things should be challenged.
Canupa Gluha Mani chose not to respond publicly, even though there were ridiculous attacks on him like saying he isn’t even Lakota despite the fact he leads Cante Tenza – the traditional Strongheart Warrior Society of the Lakota (who has included Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and many other proud warriors among their ranks), and was present during Wounded Knee 73.
After asking my Ancestors and Amalur (Earth Mother) for guidance, I chose not to lash out or respond and simply let the words lie. It is only now after a year has past and there is renewed force behind a free Lakota that I felt it may be beneficial to speak of my experiences so that healing may be possible among those who do not know the full story.
I also continue Indigenous rights and human rights work with Four Directions Network (http://www.eswn.org), and I do feel concern those who don’t know me personally may get the wrong impression. Wrong impressions like these only favor those who wish to see oppression and subjugation of people continue. I don’t feel like its to anyone’s benefit to let those wrong impressions persist without at least a small effort at expressing my truth.
I have also offered to go before any Elders or councils and explain my actions in support of my brother and Lakota Oyate. I have nothing to hide.
The Republic of Lakotah still exists. I do not know what they do. I wish Russell and those that support his effort well. Lakota Oyate, a free and independent Lakota people, with the backing and encouragement of Grandmothers and traditional Treaty Councils is moving forward.
I support the work of Lakota Oyate and I have given Canupa Gluha Mani my word that I will do what I can to support his people’s movement for sovereignty. In the coming weeks and months I believe many things will happen among the Lakota people. Some will be easy to see and others will be hard to understand. I believe there will be a few false starts and dead ends – but with each effort at finding cultural, economic, social and spiritual sovereignty – lessons can be learned and strength can be found.
As has been often been said, “liberation is called a struggle for a reason.” I think its especially true in this case.
I would humbly ask patience from those who are not familiar with Indigenous people, the conditions they prevail over, and the many processes they go through to reach their own decisions and actions. I have heard hundreds of comments from well meaning people that attempts to understand or frame Lakota Freedom from a modern white understanding.
I can only say that this freedom movement may not look like your expectations – it will look like exactly what it is – an Indigenous people’s continued struggle for sovereignty and independence in the face of ongoing colonization and genocide. We all benefit from setting aside our expectations and letting this work itself out the Lakota way.
With the Great Mystery’s blessing, the Lakota and all First Nation’s people will ride this movement of freedom out of the bonds of this colonial government and into their own renewed beginnings. And perhaps the wounds that exist between Red Nations and White Nations can begin to be healed from a fair and balanced place.
I offer my prayers and support for this.
Ana Oya Ametz (Naomi Archer)
Iladurarrak Herria
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