Thursday November 6, 2008, 8:10 pm
Noted.

Thursday November 6, 2008, 8:18 pm
An apology would be a start.... Noted, thank you Cal.

Thursday November 6, 2008, 8:26 pm
I agree exactly with what Kathy posted.

Friday November 7, 2008, 1:55 am
Actions speak louder than words; an apology coupled with actions to provide a better quality of life for ALL is the just way forward!
So very noted with Hope for a better future for ALL Americans! :D

Friday November 7, 2008, 2:22 am
Thanks Cal, help them live how they want to, I think.

Friday November 7, 2008, 6:12 am
An apology should be forthcoming along with direct action against the continuing assault on the Native American.

Friday November 7, 2008, 6:31 am
Definitely the U.S. should apologize and right the wrong done to the Indians over the years. After all, the Indians were in this country first, therefore it belongs to them!

Friday November 7, 2008, 7:08 am
Duh - it seems the very LEAST that should be done.

Friday November 7, 2008, 7:13 am
support this, 100%.. I would go further and give them all their land back.. See what they do with it.

If no one could own any land, as the Indians believe, what would happen?

Friday November 7, 2008, 8:32 am
I have an indian heritage. My grandmother was full blooded indian. I say we should forgive and Forget. No need to say I'm sorry for our forefathers just don't make the mistakes that would harm them anymore. Give to your local Indian tribe and help them with their money problems. WE DO!!

Friday November 7, 2008, 12:59 pm
GIVE US ALL THE LAND YOU WHITE TRASH CRACKERS HAVE AND ALL THE MONEY, AND WE MIGHT CALL IT EVEN. BUT; THIS IS NOT ABOUT MONEY.

Friday November 7, 2008, 2:09 pm
An apology can be canned. Maybe a better start would be to allow the Lakota Tribe have their land back because we didn't keep our end of the bargain when it came to treaties with Native Americans.

Friday November 7, 2008, 2:24 pm
Apologies are nice, but, as others have already said, actions speak louder than words:

-This Congress failed again to pass the Indian Health Care Improvement Act reauthorization which has been 'held up' for SEVEN YEARS !

-Mining interests continue to pollute & contaminate Native American land, water and homes, causing serious and terminal illness.
-Native Americans are still being pushed off parts of their lands to make room for more mining !

Why not call a halt to these practices ? Why not put the people's welfare before profits?
Why not initiate a serious clean-up of Navajo lands, for example, where uranium contamination has made land, homes and water toxic ?

People are still suffering from and coming down with 'Navajo neuropathy' : instead of apologizing, why not do something about it ?

Friday November 7, 2008, 2:40 pm
I concur with all except our random past member (impersonator?) Thanks Cal.

Friday November 7, 2008, 4:04 pm
I agree, this would be a start...

Friday November 7, 2008, 9:05 pm
Cal thank you for this truly important news item! President Elect Barack Obama as he said wants to offer a better life for the Native American peoples. His vision for change will bring a better life for people on the reservations in America with better housing,education and health care. He also stated that he would want to work with tribal councils on the official wording of an apology with the realization that African American's, Hispanic people and other minorities who were discriminated against suffered and that the tragic events in American history need to be " accounted for " . Yes in fact, the 'face' of American is Change !

Friday November 7, 2008, 10:36 pm
Here in Australia, all the Aborigines wanted was the word "Sorry", which the previous gutless federal Govt would not say. Thank heavens for good reason and kevin rudd, who made it a priority to say the word "Sorry". There is a lot to still do to fix problems with illness and poverty, but it's a start.

Saturday November 8, 2008, 2:35 am
Outrageously appropriate photograph and cutline to go with this story!! A formal apology seems like such a small retribution for all the generations of Native Americans who have suffered through the abusive policies and practices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a government agency which was originally established to represent them and make sure the federal government treaties were honored. As history has shown, they failed miserably, treaties were trashed or ignored, and Native Americans have suffered immense prejudice, racial hatred and outright abuse from the European settlers to whom they taught their survival ways of life, and the very agency designed to protect them and their rights, not to mention the fact that there are many narrow-minded, racially bigoted people who STILL consider Native Americans to be second-class citizens at best. It is one of the most enormous blots in our country's history, and I am personally embarassed and ashamed to be counted among those whose European ancestors immigrated to this nation and proceeded to take away everything the indigenous peoples of this country had, leaving them to eke out a miserable existence on marginal lands unfit for crops or hunting designated as theirs; forced their children and grandchildren into government-run boarding schools that took them away from their families, culture, religious beliefs and ways of life; and treated them as though THEY were the intruders and invaders of this great land!
I believe a formal Congressional apology, backed by sincere efforts to assist Native American nations in preserving their cultural beliefs, freeing them from self-medicating addictions to alcohol and drugs, and educating ALL Americans with increased awareness programs to change attitudes and beliefs on both sides towards each other. The time has come to mend our ways and show our immense gratitude to the tribal nations of America for all they have taught us and given up for us -- It is time for a change, and YES, we can, if we put our hearts and souls into it and work together as "one nation, indivisible, with freedom and liberty for us ALL."

Saturday November 8, 2008, 3:32 am
An apology would be a mere band-aid. Can we increase presure for pardoning Leonard Peltier?!? And, can we PLEASE improve lives & education and resevations.
Questions: I saw a stateline sign for Oklahoma saying "Entering Okalahoma, Native America", yet didn't that state go to McCain? WHY?

Saturday November 8, 2008, 4:41 am
what good is an apology if they will still be treated like unwanted animals, shoved in a hole to die?

Saturday November 8, 2008, 6:45 am
Sheila, Excellent point! I CANNOT STAND IT THAT ANIMAL STORIES GET MORE "NOTE IT"S THAN STORIES CONCERNING HUMANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE ARE SUFFERING IN SOME WAY~~~~

Saturday November 8, 2008, 8:10 am

At the same time that this post is receiving a lot of attention, notes and comments, there is another one that seeks to promote generosity towards South Dakota Oglala-Sioux children,"Pine Ridge Reservation: Help Their Children Have a Merry Christmas:"
Christmas is not a time of plenty. Help with gifts, utility bills, and warm coats would be so appreciated. Check each project link to see how you can help with donated items or cash.

On that post, in a comment, a friend has posted another non-profit, Changing Winds, now holding their 2008 Coat Drive, Changing Winds.org, with links to 5 different South Dakota reservations, telling us what much-needed aid is required for Lakota and Dakota children on each one, and how to get it to them. There is a lot of information on the page, most of which is heartbreaking :

The poverty on the reservations in South Dakota and the other reservations we serve cannot be compared to any other poverty in this country.
&
Five of the top seven poorest counties in the country are Indian reservations in South Dakota.
&
Native American children have comparatively worse well-being rates at the national level and in South Dakota, whereas New Mexico Native kids compare favorably to their non-Native peers.

&
WHAT DOES POVERTY FEEL LIKE? :

-Unemployment is 70-85% on most of the reservations we serve

-The nearest city offering employment is 100-200 miles away

-Some people sleep on floors Most homes were built in the 1970s and have had no repair since.

-Mobile homes are patched with cardboard and car parts

-Some people live in trucking containers and cars

-The temperatures are extreme both in the summer and winter.

-Many people heat their homes with their ovens

-Children come to school with their pants held up by ropes and their shoes held together with tape.

-As many as 40% of homes on Pine Ridge, Crow Creek, Cheyenne River and others do not have electricity and do not have heat throughout the winter.
&

WHAT DOES POVERTY DO? :

*SUICIDE is the LEADING cause of death among the youth, and on the Rosebud Reservation, there is a suicide almost every two weeks.

*On the Pine Ridge reservation, in 2006, close to 1000 children were removed from their homes and families, even from their culture and people at exorbitant rates. Many were removed solely due to poverty.

*70% Drop Out of High School due to inability to get to school, lack of inspiration in their daily life, inability to conceive of a better life, parental hopelessness breeds hopelessness in the children

*Causes astronomical health problems including alcoholism and diabetes, highest infant mortality rates in the country, average life span is 50 for men and 60 for women.


While our government (and we) debate whether or not an apology is a good idea, so many people are living in the direst of circumstances, with only NGOs and charity initiatives to alleviate it.

These people deserve better than charity - there are so many wrongs to be righted - but that is no reason not to give generously; the very minimum would be to help these children keep warm with a new winter coat!

Saturday November 8, 2008, 8:53 am
Yes

Thursday December 11, 2008, 6:00 pm
Forgiveness of historical trauma is part of our healing journey as Native American people. We call upon the President to join us. Visit: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Apology-For-Indian-School-Abuses