1989 - American Indian Activist Russell Means testifies at Senate Hearing

Summary

The transcript features an impassioned speech by an Oglala Lakota representative addressing U.S. senators. The speaker highlights the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Native Americans, emphasizing the systemic issues of oppression, loss of sovereignty, and economic hardship caused by federal policies. They discuss the detrimental effects of laws like the Indian Reorganization Act, corruption within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the exploitation of resources on tribal lands. The speaker calls for American Indian self-determination, restoration of property rights, and the abolishment of the BIA to allow tribal nations to regain control over their destinies.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker introduces themselves with a traditional Lakota greeting, explaining their Oglala Lakota heritage and connection to the sacred Black Hills.
• 🗣️ American Indians face systemic challenges in the United States that prevent them from fully identifying as American Indians, despite being citizens and contributors to society.
• 📉 Historical injustices have consistently undermined Native American economic self-sufficiency, particularly through land allotments, livestock reductions, and forced reliance on flawed tribal governments.
• 🎰 The success of Native American-run gaming operations has been undermined by government intervention, despite proving highly successful for generating revenue for local and state governments.
• 💼 Corruption within the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and tribal governments has hindered economic development on reservations, with mismanagement and exploitation of land leases being common issues.
• 🏚️ The speaker highlights the BIA's failure to enforce trust responsibilities, leading to dangerous infrastructure and corruption on reservations.
• 🎓 Education systems on reservations fail to teach positive values from Native or non-Native cultures, contributing to widespread social issues like child abuse.
• ⚖️ Legal services for American Indians have been restricted, limiting the ability to hold tribal governments accountable and fight for individual rights.
• 🇺🇸 Dual citizenship for Native Americans (U.S. and tribal) complicates sovereignty and self-determination, creating obstacles for both individuals and tribes.
• 🚫 The speaker advocates for the abolition of the BIA and restoration of Native American property rights, emphasizing the need for self-determination and full sovereignty for Native American nations.

Q & A

What is the traditional greeting mentioned in the speech, and what is its significance?

The traditional greeting is a short version of the speaker's Oglala Lakota language greeting, which involves introducing oneself by stating their clan, family lineage, and sacred land without mentioning their name. It is an essential cultural practice to show respect to others and one’s heritage.

What issue does the speaker highlight about the identity of American Indians in the United States?

The speaker emphasizes that, despite being citizens of the United States, American Indians are often denied the ability to fully embrace their identity as American Indians due to laws and policies that were designed to marginalize them.

What historical event does the speaker reference regarding the economic recovery of American Indians after being confined to reservations?

The speaker refers to the period after American Indians were forcibly confined to reservations, explaining that they became economically viable within one generation, despite reductions in livestock and land allotments. However, successive government interventions, such as the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA), hindered their recovery.

How does the speaker describe the impact of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) on tribal governments?

The speaker criticizes the IRA for institutionalizing tribal governments that were foreign to American Indians and led to long-lasting economic difficulties. The IRA created a government structure that many American Indians did not identify with or benefit from.

What success have American Indian tribes experienced in the gaming industry, and how has the U.S. government responded?

The speaker points out that American Indian tribes achieved significant success in the gaming industry, particularly with bingo and casinos, with an 85% success rate. However, the U.S. government, through Congress, intervened to regulate the industry, despite its proven success.

What are some of the challenges the speaker identifies with government contracting on Indian reservations?

The speaker highlights corruption in government contracting on Indian reservations, where Indian front contractors receive contracts but deliver substandard infrastructure projects. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is blamed for perpetuating this corruption.

What problems does the speaker associate with dual citizenship for American Indians?

The speaker argues that dual citizenship (U.S. and tribal citizenship) hinders the self-determination of American Indians, likening it to policies under Hitler’s regime. This dual citizenship limits both individual and tribal sovereignty.

How does the speaker describe the state of traditional American Indian populations?

The speaker laments that the traditional American Indian population has been in decline since 1900, with fewer than 50,000 traditional people remaining. This decline is attributed to various policies and societal pressures, leading to the erosion of their cultural values.

What social issues does the speaker raise regarding American Indian communities?

The speaker raises concerns about the high rates of women and child abuse, particularly child sexual abuse, on Indian reservations. They link this issue to the failures of the educational systems on reservations and the denigration of traditional American Indian values.

What solutions does the speaker propose for improving the self-determination of American Indians?

The speaker proposes several solutions, including the right of American Indians to choose their citizenship, the restoration of property rights, the abolition of the BIA, and holding those responsible for damaging reservation lands accountable. They also advocate for sovereign rights and freedom from government interference in their self-determination.