Native American tribes land buybacks start a commercial approach to social justice

Summary

This report highlights the growing movement among Native American tribes to reclaim ancestral land once lost to colonization. The Nez Perce tribe, among others, is actively buying back land to restore their cultural heritage and self-determination. At the Chief Looking Glass Powwow, tribe members reflect on their history and the painful loss of land during their conflict with the U.S. Army. Tribes nationwide are following suit, using commercial strategies to repurchase sacred sites. While the process is seen as a step toward healing, it also raises concerns about whether paying for land addresses historical wrongs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Native American tribes are increasingly reclaiming land that was historically taken from them, with consultations on land restoration planned by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
• 😀 The Nez Perce tribe's annual powwow, which includes intense dance competitions and cultural celebrations, also acknowledges the tribe's tragic history of being forcibly removed from their ancestral lands.
• 😀 The Nez Perce tribe once occupied 7.5 million acres of land, which was significantly reduced after the U.S. Army forcibly removed them due to the discovery of gold in their territory.
• 😀 The Nez Perce tribe's ancestral homeland includes parts of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington, which are now part of the U.S. states but were originally designated in their treaty with the U.S. government.
• 😀 The tribe is reconnecting with its lost land by purchasing properties, such as the Hayes family farm in Oregon, with the aim to restore cultural and historical ties to the land.
• 😀 Other Native American tribes across the U.S., like the Passamaquoddy in Maine and the Esselen tribe in California, are also purchasing back lost lands with the help of environmental organizations and conservancies.
• 😀 The process of buying back land is viewed as a reassertion of identity and a form of healing for the Nez Perce tribe, who are regaining control over sacred areas and important cultural sites.
• 😀 The purchase of land, however, raises the debate of whether paying for land that was historically taken from Native Americans can be considered a just resolution or if it perpetuates past wrongs.
• 😀 While some view land repurchases as a business transaction, the Nez Perce tribe sees it as part of a larger effort to regain autonomy and responsibility over their land and heritage.
• 😀 A recent ceremony marking the return of the Nez Perce to their ancestral lands was a significant emotional event, symbolizing the tribe's long history of struggle and their ongoing connection to their heritage.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the U.S. Department of the Interior's consultations with Native American tribes?

The primary focus is to discuss how to return more land to tribal management or ownership, particularly land that was once part of Native American ancestral territories.

How has the Nez Perce tribe expressed their cultural identity through the powwow?

The Nez Perce tribe's powwow serves as a cultural and social event where members compete in traditional dances, reconnect with family, and reflect on their history, including the tribe's expulsion from their homeland.

What significant historical event does the Nez Perce tribe remember during their powwow?

The Nez Perce tribe remembers the 1877 war with the U.S. Army and their forced expulsion from their homeland, which led to the deaths of many, including women and children.

Why is the Walawa Valley important to the Nez Perce tribe?

The Walawa Valley is sacred to the Nez Perce tribe because it is where many of their ancestors are buried, and it holds significant cultural and spiritual value to the tribe.

What role did the U.S. government play in the Nez Perce tribe's loss of land?

The U.S. government broke the terms of the 1855 treaty by forcibly removing the Nez Perce tribe from their land after the discovery of gold, leading to a significant reduction in their territory.

How much of the Nez Perce tribe's original land remains in their possession today?

Today, the Nez Perce tribe only possesses about 5% of their original land, much of which was lost due to government actions and displacement.

What was the significance of the Nez Perce tribe's purchase of the Haynes family farm?

The purchase of the Haynes family farm, costing $3.3 million, was a symbolic act of reclaiming ancestral land that had once been taken from them, asserting their identity and rights.

How are other Native American tribes also participating in the movement to reclaim land?

Other tribes, such as the Pasa Maquati in Maine, the Esselen tribe in California, and the Yurok tribe, have also bought back land through real estate deals, often with the support of environmental organizations.

What are the emotional and cultural impacts of these land purchases on Native American tribes?

The purchase of land is seen as a healing process, helping tribes reconnect with their history, assert their identity, and restore cultural practices. It also brings a sense of responsibility to care for and protect the land.

What ethical concerns are raised by the process of purchasing land that was originally taken from Native American tribes?

Some critics question whether paying for the land is an appropriate solution to historical wrongs, as it may not fully compensate for the trauma and displacement caused by past injustices. There are concerns about whether this sets a bad precedent for resolving such issues.