There’s a bright side to the follow-up of a story I wrote a few weeks ago about a proposed Congressional apology to tribes. First the dark side – that story spawned a rash of negative comments, many of them pointedly insulting to Indian people. We were so taken aback that the Missoulian wrote an editorial decrying those comments.

The editorial has spurred a number of responses calling for some sort of action to combat those attitudes.

Here’s one I especially liked, from Missoula resident Patrick Weasel Head. He makes several good points, and he calls for more people to speak out. I hope they do:

Patrick Weasel Head: “It disheartening to still see this kind of community response in light of our advances made in educational achievement and holding community positions with responsibility. And, as I think about the process of addressing this racism head on, I often wonder what could be done to make it more palatable for our children who live in this environment only to hear comments like those posted on line as a result of the article by Missoulian writer Gwen Florio on formally apologizing for the way the U.S. government has treated Native Americans. And, when Jodi Rave, who had some racist com-ments on her blog, when she was a reporter with the Missoulian.

“The question I ask, is there something we can do to present a better picture of our indigenous folks in the region? Can Native American Studies do anything to dispel these racist feelings in any of their class offerings? Can the University Indigenous Strategic plan look at the underlying concept of racism in the community and on campus to dispel some of these feelings felt by the community. Can the University Diversity Advisory Council present something, in conjunction with the community, to address this racism head on? Can the Missoula Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, which promotes “…to connect and em-power people to build a socially just, non-violent and sustainable community and world” address this head on as well, or in conjunction with a town and gown effort? Or the YWCA, where they believe that “…racism is a women’s issue” can push this agenda some more to educate the community. Or better yet, the city of Missoula, to come to terms with its indigenous population and the simple fact that this area use to be Indian country, and how Indigenous peoples feel uncomfortable in their own land when racial statements are being made. Or the state itself, with at least 6 percent of its residence composed of American Indians, both off and on the reservation, react to racism in the state, and do this head on with some resolve.

“More than anything, I would hope that we as indigenous folks who live and work and pay taxes in Montana would not have to face this kind of injustice and racial improprieties. We look at “Indian Education for All” as a means to “educate” folks to understand indigenous peoples and their contributions to society yet, we are not sure how effective this is in changing minds and perceptions. When my grandson, while recently riding his bike in the community, was yelled at by a passing car, to “go back to the reservation” for which he asked, “why would anyone say that to me?” and for me to think that this insensitivity is probably going unchecked. Only recently in a high school gathering of parents and high school football coaches, where questions were being sought out, I asked if there was any diversity on the high school football team coaching staff, and the result was dis-heartening when the response was that one was Lithuanian and laughter followed from the whole group. That gave me a true sense of where inclusion was valued and the insensitivity to diversity within the community.

“There are sensitive individuals that bridge the cultural gap between indigenous peoples and the community, and I applaud them for their effort and true feelings of diversity and inclusion. They are truly the kind of people I want to interact with and to grow a sense of community for all. Yet, I feel that society expects, and tolerates, this insensitivity toward indigenous peoples and that it is so easy to “pick on” the Indian community (or individuals) without any reaction from their statements. I think this has to end. Too often I hear that indigenous peoples are seen as the easiest to disparage, to make fun of and to chastise without any level of sensitivity or compassion or better yet, repercussions. That too has to stop.

“I challenge all to make a difference, to see what they can do to dispel this insensitivity to the indigenous populations and remember, that respect goes in both directions. Are these few comments as listed in the Missoulian article representative of the community and that rampant racism exists? If not, speak out.”

Gwen Florio

Tags: buffalo post, Native American news, racism