Congress passed legislation in 1924 which gave all American Indians citizenship. While citizenship should imply the right to vote, the states often imposed barriers to allowing Indians to vote. In some instances they ignored-or simply pled ignorance of-the fact that Indians were citizens. In 1937 the Solicitor General conducted a study to find out why Indians were denied the right to vote. Colorado's attorney general replied:
"It is our opinion that until Congress enfranchises the Indian, he will not have the right to vote."
While many American Indian histories point to court cases in 1948 as the point at which Indians were finally granted the right to vote, many states continued to interfere with this right. States interfere with Indian voting rights in several ways: (1) restricting voter registration and polling places, (2) discouraging Indians from voting, and (3) gerrymandering.
Smoke and RezHeadz are packed and ready to hit the road with the 2010 Rezolution "Back 2 School" Tour. here are a few confirmed dates:
September 13th - Hays/Lodge Pole High School, MT.
September 14th - 2 Eagle River High School, MT
September 15th - Harlem High School, MT
September 23rd - Alamo Navajo Reservation, NM
September 24th - Aneth, UT
October 4th - Browning, MT
October 5th - Warwick, ND
October 6th - Minnewaukan, ND
October 7th-8th - 4 Winds Middle School, ND
October 12th-13th - American Horse High School, SD
October 15th - Bullhead, SD
If you would like to see the tour come to your community contact Jason"Smoke" Nichols at RezHeadz Entertainment at 405-501-7359 or e-mail Smoke at jnichols.motivation@gmail.com.
Smoke's energetic presentations were created to inspire Leadership, Self esteem, Academic Achievement, Bonding to School, and the Importance of Education.
These programs were developed to increase self-worth, a positive sense of identity, moral character, and to improve your student's social and emotional growth.
This year we have implemented several new programs that not only inspire and motivate, but also challenge our youth to take action and become leaders. As many of you know Hip-Hop music has been looked upon with skepticism, not only in Native communities but abroad. Truth be told, many people often ignore the positive messages of hip-hop and only focus on the negative.
Fact: In the last 10 years hip-hop has cut across ethnic boundaries and now studies show that music with positive messages is a very effective tool in educating our youth.
We here at RezHeadz have found a way to tap into the core of the subculture and educate to a new tune! Featuring Award Winning Recording Artist and Motivational Speaker Jason "Smoke" Nichols.
In a recent interview with "Smoke" he unveils the man behind the music, "Hip Hop is a portal that bridges the gaps; it gives the youth an upbeat outlook on change. Academic achievement, entrepreneurship, dedication, perseverance and the importance of setting goals, all of these virtues if applied will set a standard in Native country and ultimately boost morale amongst our young people."
The Alamo Wellness Center Hosts the 2010 "Gathering of Native Youth"
Thursday September 23rd it's The Gathering of Native Youth at The Alamo Wellness Center. Host Drum group will be "Eyabay", with Workshops, Presentations, and Musical Performances by Award Winning Native American Recording Artist "Smoke" of RezHeadz Entertainment. With Comedy Performances by Dakota Black and Showtimes "Pow-Wow Comedy Jam", Award Winning Comedian Mark Yaffee. FREE to the Public Courtesy of Alamo Navajo Health Center. This will be a Drug and Alcohol Free Event. For more information Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health Department at 575-854-2626
Regarding life, conditions, and hope on the Pine Ridge Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Reservation of South Dakota
This is an article of facts about the lives of modern-day American Indians, a topic most mainstream American news organizations will not discuss. It is not a plea for charity. It is not a promotion for non-profit organizations. It is not aimed for pity. It is not even an effort to detail cause and effect. It is, however, an effort to dispel ignorance.... a massive, pervasive, societal ignorance filled with illusions and caricatures which, ultimately, serve only to corrupt the intelligence and decent intent of the average mainstream citizen. Only through knowledge and understanding can solutions be found. But facts must be known first. Then, it is the reader's choice what to do with those facts.
Thanks to navajo and a robust crew of volunteers and diarists, the snow emergency on the Indian Reservations in the Dakotas found its way to the TV (thanks, Keith!) and more donations have started to flow. (Navajo's excellent compilation of donation contact info and links here.) My intention is to add a little background to the story, because it's annoying as all get-out that this has ever become a situation for charity.
In the early days of the United States, Indian Affairs was an agency under the War (later Defense) Department. Not unlike the private contractors in Iraq, the Indian agents in the field typically did much better than the people they were charged with protecting and assisting. Often much better.
Via Deoliver47 on Daily Kos, Native Times is reporting that Billy Mills, a Lakota Sioux Olympic gold medalist born and raised on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation came out today in support of Barack Obama -- all the more notable because Mills is a Republican:
Mills, who won the 1964 Olympic gold in the 10,000-meter run in one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, said that he was a lifelong Republican, but that he had been inspired by Obama's track record of uniting Americans from all walks of life. He also noted Obama's background as the son of a single, working mom and his youth in Hawaii and Indonesia as predictive of his ability to understand and work for people in underserved communities.
Mills rose to prominence at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo where he came in as a virtual unknown and stunned the world by surging forward from third place in the final lap to capture the gold medal. He has since been inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
The 1983 film "Running Brave" starred Robby Benson as a young Mills.
Mills concluded his endorsement by saying, "Barack Obama is the right choice for Indian Country and all of South Dakota."
...the continuation and preservation of traditional Native American Religion is ensured only through the performance of ceremonies and rites by tribal members. These ceremonies and rites are often performed on specific sites...These sites may also be based on special geographic features...For most Native American religions, there may be no alternative places of worship since these ceremonies must be performed at certain places and times to be effective.
Such is the case at Pe Sla, "one of the five primary sacred sites in the Black Hills to the Lakota nation."
A British mining company is about to begin exploratory drilling for toxic, radioactive uranium in Kaibab National Forest just outside the eco-fragile boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park.
In honor of my mother, THE FLORA SOMBRERO LIND NAVAJO ENDOWMENT FUND has been set up to accept your donations.
This scholarship endowment has been established at the American Indian College Fund to honor Flora Sombrero Lind, as an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who was born at Inscription House, Arizona of the Many Goats clan circa 1925. This scholarship endowment is funded by Flora's family and friends who want to see Navajo students pursue higher education and carry on their great Navajo heritage.
Please leave a comment here if you donate.
Site Donations
- Please specify what your donation is for in the notes section of the PayPal window. Either propane for Pine Ridge or Rosebud or Hosting fees for this blog. --navajo
If you like to help Aji and Wings please mail a check to them at the address here:
wingssilverwork.com
Click the contact tab for address.
About
Native American Netroots
...a forum for the discussion of political, social and economic issues affecting the indigenous peoples of the United States, including their lack of political representation, economic deprivation, health care issues, and the on-going struggle for preservation of identity and cultural history
The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization that provides legal representation and technical assistance to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide - a constituency that often lacks access to the justice system. NARF focuses on applying existing laws and treaties to guarantee that national and state governments live up to their legal obligations.
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Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights News by Brenda Norrell
In honor of my mother, 
