My plan is to depart Syracuse, where I have been mired since graduating from the SU MFA film program since 2007. With family and well to be honest, a limited amount of friends in the area (not as many as while I was in school--they were bright enough to leave quickly after graduating) I didn't think my life would be as uneventful as it is. So with this tentative plan in motion, or conceptually in motion, I intend to move back out west, the southwest to be specific. I figured I'll be able to move out there with or without a job, but I think my age and the caution that comes with being older is keeping me from making such a risky move. I no longer throw caution to the wind, don't take as many chances as I used to . . . now, chances are well calculated to have minimal risk.
I have a fellowship application in at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, NM, which begins in the fall. I am applying to IAIA for a position as a New Media instructor. And then there's a possibility to teach film and video this fall at my old Art School (Munson Williams Proctor at Pratt), where I received my foundational training. So, three possibilities, not too bad, but the waiting and not knowing is uncomfortable, but I have to endure. So, depending on what comes of these possibilities moving may or may not be in the cards.
I was hoping to get back to the Denver/Boulder Indian Community, or become a part of the Santa Fe/Albuquerque Indian Community. As a displaced Mescalero Apache in Haudenosaunee country I am not an active member, though I am part of the community. Since my lineage isn't matrilineal, I cannot take part in Longhouse ceremonies, which I respect because that is the way of the Haudenosaunee (there was limited discussion on this aspect, but since I believe in traditionalism as does my brother, I decided that it was really a moot point to even think about it regardless if no one else knew where my lineage lay). I am fortunate and grateful to be able to take part in other events that occur. I was honored to be able to meet and photograph Tadodaho, Leon Shenandoah, my brother's grandfather before his passing in 1996 as well as photographing Oren Lyons in the same year. After talking with Oren for some time, he gave me some advice: not to dip my cup upstream. Apparently, our short conversation gave him great insight into my rather confrontational and radical personality, at least when coping with fairness. Although, to this day I still seem to disrupt the flow of things for those people downstream, it is an intentional choice and not one of desire for confrontation, anger or animosity but one of perspective. My time spent with the Onondaga and Mohawk (specifically Tom Porter at Kanatsiohareke) has taught me a lot about myself, my identity, my family and my desire to be an active member within the community, no matter what that entails. I know I will miss my brother and his family most, since wherever the possibilities take me will take me away from them. I've enjoyed helping my family out when needed, taking my niece or nephew to Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa' (the Onondaga Nation Arena) for hockey and lacrosse practice. It's been a great privilege watching my nieces grow up and turn into beautiful young ladies, as well as watching my nephew and my youngest niece develop personalities that sparkle and shine. I've been fortunate to be able to get to know my sister-in-law better and see what a wonderful mother she is and how she juggles motherhood and teaching, to this day she will always amaze me how women are capable of doing this while being so tender and strong. This is why the Haudenosaunee are so wonderful, the women are truly the foundation of this amazing culture.
I just had lunch with my brother, something we used to do once a week until he began his new job (it's his fourth anniversary there, but it's the job I call new). He's been busy and with four kids, his constant traveling for his job limits our time together, but a weekend soon here will bring me back to their home to help my family finish my nephew's new bedroom (an expansion to their home) in hanging sheet rock and mudding. This will give me more time to spend with them and for that I am grateful. My brother told me at lunch yesterday, after having filled him in on the possibilities, that he sees me teaching, more of a prophetic announcement than an opinion, my brother's been very accurate on issues of importance like this. He helped to set my mood at ease, because that which I cannot control I often dwell over.
I am excited and nervous for the possibilities to show themselves and look forward to finding out which ones poke their little heads out for me to see.
Oneh.
Showing posts with label Haudenosaunee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Haudenosaunee. Show all posts
2.04.2011
9.02.2010
Taxation without Representation - the Haudenosaunee vs. New York State
Sovereignty. Well, it's hard to believe that the word holds any water anymore within the city-state confluence of border towns that are reservations within America. Harder to believe still, when state governments insist on imposing taxation on sovereign Nations from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. One of the issues in which America came to be was taxation without representation, and ironic again, various Haudenosaunee Nations sided with the colonials in their fight against the crown as taxation without representation was one of the issues for their dissenting view toward the crown. All the history and signed (Treaty of 1748, 1789, the Trade and Intercourse Act of 1790, and the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794, also know as the Pickering Treaty and the George Washington Covenant) treaties also seem to be incapable of holding any water in New York State. It's either that or the memories of the NYS citizenry and governing bodies are the most myopic memories in history.
In late August, the Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Chief Sidney Hill, sent out a letter to the President of the U.S.A. concerning the issue of taxation and the utilization of force past and possibly in the present to enforce New York state's misplaced concepts of sovereignty in imposing their laws upon the Haudenosaunee. It's a sad time when NYC Mayor Bloomberg urges NYS Governor Patterson to take a "shoot-em up stance" toward untaxed Native cigarette sales. Racism and ignorance seem to be par for the course in American politics, not just today, but everyday.
Will Native sovereignty hold? Will it be respected? Will State governments recognize the countless treaties that are considered law of the land between the Native Nations and the U.S. federal government? It's a pretty dreary day when you see state agencies imposing a rule of law upon a sovereign nation considering the historical facts behind how "America" came to be . . . but like I mentioned, government and the American citizenry seem to be myopic when it comes to history and Others.
In late August, the Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Chief Sidney Hill, sent out a letter to the President of the U.S.A. concerning the issue of taxation and the utilization of force past and possibly in the present to enforce New York state's misplaced concepts of sovereignty in imposing their laws upon the Haudenosaunee. It's a sad time when NYC Mayor Bloomberg urges NYS Governor Patterson to take a "shoot-em up stance" toward untaxed Native cigarette sales. Racism and ignorance seem to be par for the course in American politics, not just today, but everyday.
Will Native sovereignty hold? Will it be respected? Will State governments recognize the countless treaties that are considered law of the land between the Native Nations and the U.S. federal government? It's a pretty dreary day when you see state agencies imposing a rule of law upon a sovereign nation considering the historical facts behind how "America" came to be . . . but like I mentioned, government and the American citizenry seem to be myopic when it comes to history and Others.
7.18.2010
Access Denied--The Iroquois Nationals
The saga is over for the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team this 2010 tourney, while maintaining sovereignty and their identity as individuals from sovereign nations as Indigenous people living within a colonized state (read as country) on their own territory or within the greater U.S., they bowed out of the games with dignity, grace and power.
After having received verification that the team would be granted reentry back into the U.S. by Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, the English government denied them entry into the UK in the end, going back on their word. It started with the English government's seeming concern that Our team wouldn't be allowed to gain reentry back into the U.S. while traveling on their own passports, the Haudenosaunee passport, which was apparently being denied by the U.S. government due to "security measures" and possibly a new stance against tribal sovereignty--as well as the team not being in possession of a reentry visa that is a U.S. document--which conflicts with the entire concept of sovereignty as well as their own passport. This has never stopped individuals from traversing borders utilizing the Haudenosaunee passport before, although that is not to say no one has had difficulty in the past.
What was clearly evident during this entire debacle was a lack of support from other federation member teams and an absence of any official stance from the FIL (Federation of International Lacrosse, the games global governing body). Maybe it was befitting that the U.S. lost to Canada and England lost to Australia on day 3, both countries responsible for the delay and ultimate forfeiture of the Iroquois Nationals.
Although this is only a sport, what was and is at stake goes much deeper than a lacrosse stick, cleats, pads and a helmet. Sovereignty and identity are at the root of this international incident that the U.S. and British deemed an issue of importance and a battle to be fought in keeping the Iroquois Nationals from participating in these global games. An issue that the U.S. claims is one of security, on a national level that is definitely debatable given past events that have allowed two individuals to have gotten close enough to the President of the U.S. at a State dinner to have posed more of a threat than the reentry of a sporting team back into the borders of the U.S. on their own passport (contemporary security measures in place on said passport or not).
This is the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team, which was recognized by the FIL and invited to participate as a team back in 1990, if I remember my lacrosse history. This is why I think the silence of FIL may have jeopardized Our team from attending in the long run. They could have threatened to revoke England's membership or the U.S.'s for that matter simply as a sign of solidarity with the struggle the Iroquois had to endure to eventually not attend. Not only that, but team members of the U.S. could have spoken out themselves, many have been teammates of individual Iroquois members at the collegiate level and within the U.S. professional arena of lacrosse (MLL and NLL). It seems we have entered an era where there is no apparent political or moral conscience by the individual athlete.
A great article out of Alaska:
http://www.adn.com/2010/07/15/1368823_iroquois-nationals-stopped-by.html
After having received verification that the team would be granted reentry back into the U.S. by Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, the English government denied them entry into the UK in the end, going back on their word. It started with the English government's seeming concern that Our team wouldn't be allowed to gain reentry back into the U.S. while traveling on their own passports, the Haudenosaunee passport, which was apparently being denied by the U.S. government due to "security measures" and possibly a new stance against tribal sovereignty--as well as the team not being in possession of a reentry visa that is a U.S. document--which conflicts with the entire concept of sovereignty as well as their own passport. This has never stopped individuals from traversing borders utilizing the Haudenosaunee passport before, although that is not to say no one has had difficulty in the past.
What was clearly evident during this entire debacle was a lack of support from other federation member teams and an absence of any official stance from the FIL (Federation of International Lacrosse, the games global governing body). Maybe it was befitting that the U.S. lost to Canada and England lost to Australia on day 3, both countries responsible for the delay and ultimate forfeiture of the Iroquois Nationals.
Although this is only a sport, what was and is at stake goes much deeper than a lacrosse stick, cleats, pads and a helmet. Sovereignty and identity are at the root of this international incident that the U.S. and British deemed an issue of importance and a battle to be fought in keeping the Iroquois Nationals from participating in these global games. An issue that the U.S. claims is one of security, on a national level that is definitely debatable given past events that have allowed two individuals to have gotten close enough to the President of the U.S. at a State dinner to have posed more of a threat than the reentry of a sporting team back into the borders of the U.S. on their own passport (contemporary security measures in place on said passport or not).
This is the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team, which was recognized by the FIL and invited to participate as a team back in 1990, if I remember my lacrosse history. This is why I think the silence of FIL may have jeopardized Our team from attending in the long run. They could have threatened to revoke England's membership or the U.S.'s for that matter simply as a sign of solidarity with the struggle the Iroquois had to endure to eventually not attend. Not only that, but team members of the U.S. could have spoken out themselves, many have been teammates of individual Iroquois members at the collegiate level and within the U.S. professional arena of lacrosse (MLL and NLL). It seems we have entered an era where there is no apparent political or moral conscience by the individual athlete.
A great article out of Alaska:
http://www.adn.com/2010/07/15/1368823_iroquois-nationals-stopped-by.html
7.15.2010
Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse
This is bigger than just lacrosse. If anyone out there has been following the news recently this is the year that the World Lacrosse Championships are being held in England, which only happens every four years. Well, the Iroquois Nationals are ranked fourth in the world and are being refused entry or reentry, however you want to look at it because they are traveling on their own passports, which they have been doing for some time now. I know faithkeeper Oren Lyons travels internationally with his Haudenosaunee passport, and the countries he visits honors that document. The last time I knew he traveled on that passport was back in 2006/07 (if memory serves) when I was responsible for recording, editing, and the DVD authoring of a yearlong educational lecture series entitled, The Onondaga Land Rights and Our Common Future, part I. Oren said so in his own words that he just made it back in time for the lecture having flown back to the US and going through customs, the customs agent said he hadn't seen, "one of these passports" in a long time. Now, this happened five or six years after the infamous 9/11 that got the U.S. all diligent about homeland security, if he could reenter the U.S. with the Haudenosaunee passport why can't Our lacrosse team exit and enter? Maybe Oren had a reentry visa? I'm not sure of that detail. I digress.
Whether the Iroquois Nationals make it to England to play in the World Lacrosse Championships is really only part of the issue. I haven't heard word one of any other country standing in solidarity with the Haudenosaunee and not attending the games. It would seem at least Ireland would be supportive given their plight with colonization. What's at stake here are the issues of sovereignty and identity. The U.S. says the team can travel to England on a U.S. passport that the U.S. would be more than happy to supply, but in doing so they negate the nationality of the individual players, which was protected by the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 allowing Native Americans the right to vote in effect making them citizens of three sovereigns (tribal, federal, state), that wasn't granted in the fourteenth amendment, and the Indian Reorganization Act 1934 reestablished or appears to have reestablished tribal governments. These are U.S. laws that maintain Indigenous identity and sovereignty, which at this point in time are being challenged and reinterpreted by the U.S. to block a group of world class athletes from competing. They definitely are very menacing individuals and prove threatening to the international security of the U.S., which, let's not forget, allowed Tareq and Michaele Salahi entry into a Presidential State dinner in 2009. I'm all for secure borders, whatever that lofty and intangible concept may be, but denying access to the Iroquois Nationals to compete in England is not a battle one would think the U.S. would have chosen to fight, given the true asinine aspect of the entire issue. The Iroquois Nationals want to maintain their identity and sovereignty by not falling victim to colonization once again. Most people probably don't even realize that colonization exists, given the term post-colonial, but in effect it does exist, this recent issue is proof positive that colonization is working strong in America. Post-colonialism is a fallacy in the U.S.
Even with the assistance of Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton intervening with a letter previously requested by England for the reentry of the team back into the U.S. England has now changed its mind pertaining to that specific stipulation. Thank you England for not keeping your word.
Let Our players traverse the borders so they can compete, they aren't a national security threat, they will never end up on a terrorist watch list, nor do they want anything to do with harming the U.S., many of these players' relatives were here helping the colonialists battle against the crown, some may have fought with the French, some with the crown its self, but their relations have also fought in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, protecting the very same borders these wars were waged to protect and the very same borders they are being denied travel.
News Articles pertaining to this specific situation:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/iroquois_nationals_our_plan_is.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/07/14/sport.iroquois.passport.controversy/index.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/12/2010-07-12_iroquois_lacrosse_team_banned_from_flying_overseas_us_refuses_to_recognize_tribe.html
http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/07/14/iroquois-nationals-lacrosse-team-vsiroquois-nationals-lacrosse-team-vs-america/
http://iroquoisnationals.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94:nationals-media-re-&catid=35:statistics
Whether the Iroquois Nationals make it to England to play in the World Lacrosse Championships is really only part of the issue. I haven't heard word one of any other country standing in solidarity with the Haudenosaunee and not attending the games. It would seem at least Ireland would be supportive given their plight with colonization. What's at stake here are the issues of sovereignty and identity. The U.S. says the team can travel to England on a U.S. passport that the U.S. would be more than happy to supply, but in doing so they negate the nationality of the individual players, which was protected by the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 allowing Native Americans the right to vote in effect making them citizens of three sovereigns (tribal, federal, state), that wasn't granted in the fourteenth amendment, and the Indian Reorganization Act 1934 reestablished or appears to have reestablished tribal governments. These are U.S. laws that maintain Indigenous identity and sovereignty, which at this point in time are being challenged and reinterpreted by the U.S. to block a group of world class athletes from competing. They definitely are very menacing individuals and prove threatening to the international security of the U.S., which, let's not forget, allowed Tareq and Michaele Salahi entry into a Presidential State dinner in 2009. I'm all for secure borders, whatever that lofty and intangible concept may be, but denying access to the Iroquois Nationals to compete in England is not a battle one would think the U.S. would have chosen to fight, given the true asinine aspect of the entire issue. The Iroquois Nationals want to maintain their identity and sovereignty by not falling victim to colonization once again. Most people probably don't even realize that colonization exists, given the term post-colonial, but in effect it does exist, this recent issue is proof positive that colonization is working strong in America. Post-colonialism is a fallacy in the U.S.
Even with the assistance of Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton intervening with a letter previously requested by England for the reentry of the team back into the U.S. England has now changed its mind pertaining to that specific stipulation. Thank you England for not keeping your word.
Let Our players traverse the borders so they can compete, they aren't a national security threat, they will never end up on a terrorist watch list, nor do they want anything to do with harming the U.S., many of these players' relatives were here helping the colonialists battle against the crown, some may have fought with the French, some with the crown its self, but their relations have also fought in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, protecting the very same borders these wars were waged to protect and the very same borders they are being denied travel.
News Articles pertaining to this specific situation:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/iroquois_nationals_our_plan_is.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/07/14/sport.iroquois.passport.controversy/index.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/12/2010-07-12_iroquois_lacrosse_team_banned_from_flying_overseas_us_refuses_to_recognize_tribe.html
http://www.longislandpress.com/2010/07/14/iroquois-nationals-lacrosse-team-vsiroquois-nationals-lacrosse-team-vs-america/
http://iroquoisnationals.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94:nationals-media-re-&catid=35:statistics
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