#3: FEATURED POST: (snap draft) What is Next? An Open Letter

May 2009

What is Next?
A Proposal to Create an Intertribal Forum that Promotes an Intelligent Community-Based Strategy for the Self-Determination Movement

An Open Letter to

• American Indian College Fund (AICF)
• American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
• American Indian Studies Consortium (AISC)
• Indian Affairs (BIA/BIE)
• International Indigenous Treaty Council (IITC)
• National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
• National Indian Education Association (NIEA)
• National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)
• Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
• Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

cc:

• All Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples
• All Tribal popular movements
• All Self-Determination Tribal-Based Groups and Organizations

“WE had decided what we needed was a movement. Not an organization, but a movement.” So said Mel Thom in 1968 when he was describing the flurry of pro-Indigenous doings at that time, including those activities that were aggressively resisting the U.S. policy of termination, relocation, and other forms of colonization and genocide.

Yet as the list above shows, which is an incomplete list, there are plenty more organizations today in Indian Country than were present forty years ago when the NCAI and the National Indian Youth Council were at the forefront of formalized groups involved in the politics of self-determination—including in the struggles against the BIA.

As the decades have passed since that time, it may be an opportune moment to ask ourselves if it is possible that the organizations have become more important than the intertribal movement for self-determination? If so, what can bring the movement back to the forefront of our attention, investment, resources, and activities? In what ways are the older people in Native-based groups mentoring and sharing experiences with the younger men and women, and demonstrating through their actions that caring for the people and undertaking stewardship of the land and reinvesting in good ways back to our tribes and communities remain the ethical foundation of the self-determination movement?

The self-determination movement does not happen by itself; it requires that the Nations and Tribes periodically meet so as to assess and evaluate where we are in the process to liberate our lands. At these meetings, we can determine our successes, share lessons-learned and best-practices, and ask ourselves, necessarily, the difficult questions that need to be asked. Such questions can include: what advances have we made with our land bases in the past 30 years? 10 years? How effective have we been in resisting assimilation, including in the realm of education? What is the state of the nation and tribes regarding politics, economics, environment, health, and in other areas? How can we better foster alliances with each other (and internationally) and to ensure that the Bureau (or any other organization) does not attempt to undermine, usurp, co-op, or contain sovereignty activities?

This appears to be an ideal time in which to meet and to discuss and move forward on these questions, and to earnestly begin working on articulating the strategy of self-determination. To begin to coordinate activities which will result in strengthened and stabilized land bases, and perhaps even to envision independent tribal nations on our liberated lands. We know that we have the people and we have the political and social theories to assist us with moving beyond colonization which is the only kind of existence offered by the United States to the Nations and Tribes. And we have the physical and material resources necessary to move forward on this endeavor.

We know that the opposition to our struggle for liberation, a struggle that is implicit in the mission statements of many of the organizations to whom this letter is addressed, is, as Mel Thom described, a monstrosity. We also know that there will be Natives, and maybe entire Tribes, that do not support this movement.

We also understand that there is absolutely no reason why Tribal Nations cannot reclaim and live self-determination.

To do so requires coordination and the willingness to work together, and to do so through the disagreements and conflicts that will occur. One such way to support the skill-building and networking needed for this movement is through convening an intertribal forum. This forum is, ideally, centered upon the Indigenous-based strategy of self-determination. In fact, such a forum could meet bi-annually, with the initial meeting taking place in the middle of Indian Country at one of the tribal colleges. This forum does not have to be underwritten by the Ford Foundation or the Bureau. Perhaps the NIGA, the NCAI, and selected Tribal Nations could underwrite the event, and to do so without charging attendees outrageous registration fees. For the remainder of this open letter, let us refer to this event as the “Intertribal Forum” (ITF).

The ITF can take many forms, and its only limitations are our collective imagination or our failure to believe in the liberation of our lands or our unwillingness to live as Tribal Peoples. Unlike many Native-organizations and IRA governments that mimic non-Native methods of leadership and governing (and thus are unable to truly contribute to self-determination), the ITF will operate from an Indigenous-based framework that fosters a system of connections; it will be a community forum that encourages conversation and debate, solutions, conflict transformation, proficiency in political action, knowledge of uses of media and power, critical inquiry and consciousness, the exchange of lessons-learned and best-practices, and alliance-formation among Native movements and organizations. ITF participants are those peoples, groups, and tribes that engage in pro-Native self-determination-based concrete actions, actions that contribute toward base-building, networking, participatory political engagement, and allegiance to our respective Tribal Nations and solidarity with other Indigenous Nations. No matter where it is held, the ITF is an intertribal location that facilitates the process to intelligently build and maintain self-determination. The ITF can be organized by individuals from the above listed groups, but most importantly, from people working at the community and grassroots levels. No matter their professional affiliations (or lack of these credentials), the organizers of the ITF understand that they work primarily for Native Peoples and in support of self-determination. They have experience in coordinating and collaborating in campaign development, in sharing and refining as necessary the tactics involved in strategy, and in sharing with others, including their tribal communities, about international Indigenous self-determination and social justice movements.

I am a little hesitant to address this letter to the organizations listed because I cannot help but wonder if they will appropriate the forum instead of sharing their vast resources and to demonstrate their willingness to work side-by-side with the grassroots and community peoples in this movement. Yet if self-determination is to ever be realized, it is only possible with as many of us as possible, with all our different skills and talents and training, working in this coordinated effort. It seems appropriate that this forum be underwritten by Native organizations. And, really, would it not be something, to see the grassroots working with all of the organizations listed above?

In closing this letter, I offer a few tasks that might be helpful in thinking about the ITF Forum. The following can be a checklist of objectives:
1. Follow intertribal Indigenous high principles, values, and beliefs in the struggle for self-determination.
2. Development of an intelligent and incisive strategy for self-determination. Self-determination involves not only the liberation of our homelands but also the strengthening and stabilizing of these lands.

a. This strategy rests upon envisioning the formation of independent homelands.
b. This strategy involves a transition or transformation phase.

c. This strategy involves a brokering process with the United States and key international supporters.

3. During the transition or transformation era, it will be necessary to form an inter-tribal treaty-rights political party. The platform of such a party will be centered around representing our interests well in D.C. while the party also facilitates the development of leaders who can represent our interests persuasively at those sites of political power, nationally and internationally. These individuals understand that the Tribes are depending on them to not become co-opted into the mainstream anti-Native system or who will not use this political party as a lever to gain status or high positions.
4. Review the 20 points from the “Trail of Broken Treaties” and move forward on these items.
5. Concentrate on the Tribal College movement and its role in self-determination.
6. Develop a survey to determine how well the groups listed in this open letter (and others if relevant) are contributing to Indian Country and the movement for self-determination.
7. Work with each other, not again each other.
8. Offer opportunity for the young people to network with each other.

Indian Country is not a gravy train nor should it be seen as a business by the opportunistic (be they in the Bureau or in lobbyist groups or in other places). Nor should the cynical or the greedy become associated with the self-determination movement. In keeping with our shared philosophies of radical connectedness (all my relations), then self-determination is our relative to whom we have responsibilities of kinship and stewardship.

Perhaps we shall see each other soon.

Respectfully, julia

Appendix:
Mission and Purpose Statements

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
NCAI serves to secure for ourselves and our descendants the rights and benefits to which we are entitled; to enlighten the public toward the better understanding of the Indian people; to preserve rights under Indian treaties or agreements with the United States; and to promote the common welfare of the American Indians and Alaska Natives.
(source: http://www.ncai.org/About.8.0.html )

National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA)
The mission of NIGA is to protect and preserve the general welfare of tribes striving for self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises in Indian Country. To fulfill its mission, NIGA works with the Federal government and Congress to develop sound policies and practices and to provide technical assistance and advocacy on gaming-related issues. In addition, NIGA seeks to maintain and protect Indian sovereign governmental authority in Indian Country.
(source: http://www.indiangaming.org/info/about.shtml )

Native American Indian Rights Fund (NARF)
Preservation of tribal existence
The future existence of the remaining Indian tribes in this country depends ultimately upon secure and permanent land bases, and the rights of self- determination necessary to preserve traditional customs and ways of life.

Protection of tribal natural resources
The natural resources found on Indian lands vary greatly. NARF concentrates its efforts in asserting tribal resource rights and protecting them from loss and exploitation by non-Indians. Major resource protection includes land rights; water rights; hunting, fishing and gathering rights; environmental protection; timber rights; and prudent development of mineral resources.

Promotion of Native American human rights
The Native American Rights Fund is concerned with securing basic human rights for Native Americans in such areas as education, health, housing and religious freedom rights.

Accountability of governments to Native Americans
NARF focuses much of its efforts on guaranteeing that the federal and state governments are accountable for the proper recognition and enforcement of the many laws and regulations which govern the lives of Indian people.
Development of Indian law and educating the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues
This involves not only the establishment of favorable court precedents in major areas of Indian law, but also the compilation and distribution of Indian law resources to everyone working on behalf of Indian rights.
(source: http://www.narf.org/about/mission.html )

National Indian Education Association (NIEA)
The Mission of the National Indian Education Association is to support traditional Native cultures and values, to enable Native learners to become contributing members of their communities, to promote Native control of educational institutions, and to improve educational opportunities and resources for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians throughout the United States.
(source: http://www.niea.org/welcome/mission.php )

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian tribes and Alaska Natives.
(source: http://www.doi.gov/bia/bia.html )

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)
BIE is to provide quality education opportunities from early childhood through life in accordance with the tribe’s needs for cultural and economic well-being in keeping with the wide diversity of Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages as distinct cultural and governmental entities. The BIE also shall manifest consideration of the whole person by taking into account the spiritual, mental, physical, and cultural aspects of the person within his or her family and tribal or village context.
(source: http://www.doi.gov/bia/ia_faqs.html )

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
AIHEC’s mission is to support the work of the tribal colleges and universities and the national movement for tribal self-determination. AIHEC’s mission statement, adopted in 1973, identifies four objectives: maintain commonly held standards of quality in American Indian education; support the development of new tribally controlled colleges; promote and assist in the development of legislation to support American Indian higher education; and encourage greater participation by American Indians in the development of higher education policy.
(source: http://www.aihec.org/about/historyMission.cfm )

Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
NOTE: This is a newly established group. At this time, there is a debate “in the academy” on the definition and scope of AIS. There are those of us who understand that AIS emerged as an academic discipline devoted to nation-building as based upon two fundamental concepts: Indigenousness and sovereignty (as identified by Elizabeth Cook-Lynn). As such, it has a great responsibility back to Tribal communities. On the other hand, there are those who disagree with this and seek to situate AIS as a field of study that has absolutely no relevance for Indian Country, but only serves to explore their own identity issues or otherwise assist them in their career objectives (as compared to truly working for the Tribes while at the university.) It will be interesting to see where the NAISA sees its role in the movement for self-determination, and whether or not they will finally choose to invite tribal college faculty into their committees.

The object of the Association shall be to promote Native American and Indigenous studies through the encouragement of academic freedom, research, teaching, publication, the recognition of Indigenous knowledges and methodologies, the strengthening of relations among persons and institutions devoted to such studies, and the broadening of knowledge among the general public about Native American and Indigenous studies in all its diversity and complexity.
(source: http://www.naisa.msu.edu/NAISA_ConstitutionBylaws.pdf )

American Indian College Fund (AICF)
The American Indian College Fund transforms Indian higher education by funding and creating awareness of the unique, community-based accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities, offering students access to knowledge, skills, and cultural values which enhance their communities and the country as a whole.
(source: http://www.collegefund.org/about/history.html )

International Indigenous Treaty Council (IITC)
The IITC supports grassroots Indigenous struggles through information dissemination, networking, coalition building, technical assistance, organizing and facilitating the effective participation of traditional Peoples in local, regional, national and international forums, events and gatherings.
(source: http://www.treatycouncil.org/about.htm )