Photos courtesy Faith & Politics Institute During a May 19 ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery chapel, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., read the Native American Apology Resolution to representatives of five tribal nations. Brownback was the main sponsor of the Senate version of the resolution, which passed Congress last fall. He had been pushing for the measure since 2004. Native apology said out loudObama still silent By
Rob Capriccioso
|
 |
| Cherokee Chief Chad Smith (left) spoke with Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who read the Native American Apology Resolution during a ceremony at the Congressional Cemetery. |
Obama signed the resolution into law in December as part of another piece of legislation to no fanfare, perplexing many Native Americans regarding his sincerity, since the White House did not issue any announcements.
The president to date has not expressed intentions to say the apology out loud, as has been done for other disenfranchised groups on other contentious issues in U.S. history.
Brownback touched on the Obama issue in a January interview with Indian Country Today, saying he thought the president should hold an event with many tribal officials in attendance. He reiterated his desire in April, saying he’s been “pushing the administration to have a major public ceremony, but they aren’t taking it on yet.”
When asked again May 26 if Obama will make an out-loud apology, Shin Inouye, a spokesman for the White House, said he had “no updates on this issue.” The White House has been asked since January if Obama would consider such a move.
“For an apology to have any meaning at all, you do have to tell the people you’re apologizing to,” Robert T. Coulter, executive director of the Indian Law Resource Center, has said regarding the silence.
The resolution, as signed by Obama, provided no financial reparations for past wrongs. In written words, it apologized “on behalf of the people of the United States to all Native peoples for the many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native peoples by citizens of the United States.”
Besides Brownback and McDermott, two other Congress members were in attendance at the Congressional Cemetery ceremony, Lois Capps, D-Calif., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii.
Ed Shelleby, a spokesman for McDermott, said his office has “only heard positive responses” regarding the apology.
The event was organized by the Faith and Politics Institute as part of a larger ceremony honoring the 36 Indians who are buried in the Congressional Cemetery. The organization often works in a bipartisan manner with members of Congress on faith and spirituality matters.
“We wanted to do something via a congressional ceremony to honor Native heroes,” said Robin Fillmore, a program director with the organization.
Fillmore explained the institute worked with Cherokee Chief Chad Smith to help plan the event, though it was Brownback’s idea to attend and read the apology. Brownback has worked with the institute in the past.
The institute had long been wanting to work with tribal nations, but this was the first time it had done so, Fillmore said.
Fillmore said it was difficult to reach tribal nation officials to participate in the ceremony. Thirteen tribes have individuals buried in the cemetery; five nations had representatives at the ceremony. There are 564 federally-recognized tribes nationwide.
The National Congress of American Indians served as a co-sponsor of the event.
NCAI Deputy Director Robert Holden said at the ceremony that “dignity is taking a long step in being restored” through the federal apology.
“And from this day we all will do many important things together. It starts here with this (apology), this long process. This is a historic event in the history of this nation.”
Classifieds
On Demand
-
Digital Copy
Receive Indian Country Today in digital format Read more »
-
ICT Insider
Sign up to receive ICT Insider E-Newsletters Read more »
-
ICT audio
Listen to audio programs from ICT Read more »
-
Video
Watch ICT videos right in your browser Read more »
-
RSS Feeds
Stay up-to-date with ICT Read more »
-
Mobile
ICT on your cell phone or PDA Read more »
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
Shoshone.Boy said on Wednesday, Jun 9 at 2:44 AM
Words dont mean sheot! The Tribes that are prosperous due to casinos, etc need to help the unrecognized tribes, tribes struggling with State BS laws. Come on East Coast Tribes, one day you may need the help from the others not so well off in todays jacked up world.
44995014Wes said on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 9:26 PM
We need another Tecumseh to lead a new effort to unify all of us. I can't say anymore.
44982133susan said on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 8:39 PM
..go.. go''' ur the original,, i would like to meet a native american,, i am fr the philippines
44979839R.Tipton aka. Storm Dancer said on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 6:24 AM
Appology is meaningless until it is expressed out loud infront of the people. And in this case it is paramount that it include Financial repairations!
44920469Dion Shepherd said on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 2:36 AM
This apology to the Peoples is similar to the one recently given to the Indigenous people of Australia. There is a fear that it is legally binding and that causes the hesitation. Well it should be , how many died how many were murdered , how many treaties and agreements were thrown aside due to expedience and greed. If they wont say sorry for the actions of previous governments why should they be accountable for their present actions. I abhor the treatment of your kin and ancestors, I am ashamed of the way you are treated today.
44917308Lonely indian girl said on Monday, Jun 7 at 11:56 PM
Athough I am not enough of a native to be on the roles I am very proud of my heritage.My family were able to not have to go on the "Trail of Tears" but I was raised to know that it was the whites in that time and now in this time that need to learn that this was not the way to treat the People and the land that they were then and now distroying.The goverment think that pretty words and false promises will make it "All "Better" like we are two year olds that need to be placated and give a sucker to make use fell better. This is not about hurt feelings but about the systematic genocide of an entire race of people. Now that they realize we are not going to disapear they are trying to give us a bandage onthe probloem not a true answer to almost 3 hundred years of abuse.
44913258Vargric said on Monday, Jun 7 at 7:02 PM
Becareful...although you are correct in some ways that an apology cannot be made for all Americans, you are wrong in your understanding of how the history is still repeating itself today. The US governemnt, elected by the People, still deal falsely with the native Natiions.
44899343Two Eagles said on Monday, Jun 7 at 4:14 PM
1990 Indian Arts Act, Blood Quantum, Tribal Registration cutoffs... The Government is still regulation what we are... The Eastern Cherokee is doing a member census, and anyone that is not of 1/16th and have a direct ancestor on the 1924 Baker Rolls will be dismembered(And that came from the tribal registration office.) Allow any Native that can full document their heritage be able to get a cdib xard so we can sell our crafts as authentic, and get eagle feather permits for our ceremonies, but we don't need Gov. benefits anymore.. Some of us are self-sustaining... Aniyunwiya(I'm of the people)!!!!!!!!!
44889613For Our Children..Keep the Hope said on Sunday, Jun 6 at 4:50 PM
Thank you Sen. Brownback! Not for the apology because frankly...we don't want one, but for at least acknowledging the Government was wrong! Too much time has passed and although you have been trying for 6 years to get his through, it really doesn't hold any meaning to us. I believe you truly mean this, so again..thanks. I can't understand why it bothers so many non-Native people...it in no way involves them.. it isn't an individual who is apologizing, just the Government. I don't see any type of resolution that will ever change what is....if it could change some attitudes, if it could take away the racist actions by many, and if our Children and Grandchildren could be offered a better future to look forward to...then by all means..it could matter! but I am confident that nothing will ever change!
44833433MIM said on Friday, Jun 4 at 5:58 PM
What i can't understand is why did the black people of the south maybe it was georgia or some state got like 5 million from the govt because of their land! Excuse me I don't recall the black people dragging their land from Africa to here! What do they mean get 5 million dollars for their land! The natives should be getting that money the blacks stole or probably killed the natives for that land! No we don't need an apology if the president wanted to apologize the shouldn't have to be told to. Besides if he apologizes they think they owe us nothing and all we want back is our own land! Esp. here in montana where they adopted many whites into our enrollment. How did they do that by already enrolling white people on our enrollment. Whoever started up adoption was even a white peron so the adoption should be void. His name was Angus Mcdonald another white a-- that took us indians. Where was the Sec of Int and Bia that was suppose to be in place to protect us but sold us out!
44749103Indian Survival said on Friday, Jun 4 at 9:40 AM
What about the injustices still being done to American Indian people, sometimes by the US, and sometimes by other Indian tribes, even Chad Smith and the CNO. If the CNO wants to lead, rather than destroy State Recognized Tribes, the UKB, the Delaware, and the Freedmen; do this: [1] protect Cherokee sacred and historic sites [2] revitalize the Cherokee language in all Cherokee people [3] revitalize the cultural ceremonies on original Cherokee soil [4] protect Cherokee cultural property from fraud and abuse [5] return to the homeland from an exile in OK [6] reunify the all Cherokee people in one govt [7] help other fragmented INDN communities reunify
44710854Crow Warrior said on Friday, Jun 4 at 8:54 AM
/for example Roderick Who helped Crazy Horse and shot Sitting Bull, their Own people! Who hunted down Geronimo? Apache scouts.Who helped hunt down Chief Joseph , Sioux and Cheyenne scouts for the U.S. I rest My case!
44706979White Warrior said on Friday, Jun 4 at 8:50 AM
here is what i learned about apologies: they contain three parts. ONE: Acknowledgment. defining and owning the wrong and actually feeling remorseful about it (or about your personal responsibility in it). TWO: Remediation. offering some kind of mitigation or reparation that will compensate the wronged party. THREE: Promise of future behavior. agreeling to alter one's (or one's nation's, in this case) behavior in all future acts, specifically avoiding the behavior one is apologising about. i know that there is a wide variety of opinion here, but i think we might all be able to agree that an apology on these terms would be a healthy place to start in fixing what is currently wrong and in giving our people the right and power to protect themselves and their children AS THEY SEE FIT. then, all we need is some consensus between tribes and among tribal members, which i would wlecome.
44706642Crow Warrior said on Friday, Jun 4 at 1:34 AM
If Roderick T.would do a little research he would find that many Scouts who worked against their own people were members of the Sioux, Cheyenne, Apache, to name a few and did so much more than the Crow ever did. Get your history right before you put down Tribes as they certainly had their own survival in mind when they scouted!
44694897feather flight said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 11:18 PM
Eva Mae, Sister, you're the best. My heart to yours ...
44689882NikolausLegendre said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 7:39 PM
It all boils down to actions speaking louder than words. Can you say, rhetoric?
44678044C-gull said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 6:37 PM
When they learn to apologize to the passenger pigeon(now in the spirit world), the buffalo whos bones were piled like mountains,and the salmon which are now perishing-maybe we will get some justice. If there is enough time that is. Our local medicine person says the "comet" of destruction is on its way.
44674564Crow Warrior said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 5:19 PM
Whoop-te-Doo ,Now these "boat people" can give the land they stole back and cross the "Big Pond" back to the continent where they came from!Then they can apologize for the atrocities and the stinking mess (or Messes) they made!Good riddance, (hopefully)!
44669524Candace Colbert Odom said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 1:53 PM
I love a sincere apology. I think it is overdue... and it should include all the mismanagement of the IIM dispute!!!
44650759AIDEE MENDEZ CAÑEDO said on Thursday, Jun 3 at 1:47 PM
I'M A MEXICAN CONCERNED WITH BORDER OR BOUNDARIES ISSUES. I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH WHAT CHEROKEE NATION WROTE.
44650249shut up- some like it hot!! said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 10:17 PM
shut the h*** up.we're not indians,WE'RE NATIVES!Get it straight,we want what was OURS from the begining........
44600619Richie said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 7:06 PM
I think it is a step in the right direction - at least own up what you did, and are still doing to Indians, America. Maybe with an apology or an admission of guilt, Indians can accept our own responsibilities and move on our own path, one that distinct from the United States and all these Westerners.
44588969some like it hot said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 3:10 PM
exactly what does an apology mean anyway? so far, it looks like 'indians' don't want or care for an apology. 'indians' want something else. later, they will take it anyway.
44571714just a white girl said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 2:57 PM
We all need to apologize to Mother Earth. Let's face it humans of all color are hurting our planet now. Words are empty, while actions to treat our home and each other with respect is what matters now. Our government must start doing more for all children by protecting what is left on this earth. We could all be driving electric cars for what this latest oil spill is costing. We are All consumers and we owe the children who are inheriting this planet some positive help in the right direction. Even if it is too late to fix our creator will smile on us for trying. It is easy to blame the past and other people for our problems. It takes work to make things better. It would be simple for President Obama to opologize with words. I imagine he wants an active ammends rather than just empty words.
44570779CherokeeNation said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 12:06 PM
No apology is needed from Obama or anyone else- their words are all lies anyway. What is needed is for the tribes to come together in a collective economic unit and use our resources to build a force to be reckoned with. We Native Americans are clever, intuitive and hard working people and we have overcome many obstacles. We should not let the boundaries established with the white man limit our reach.
44554879Lakota..Justice !! said on Wednesday, Jun 2 at 1:14 AM
Addressed to.... 'Be careful of the Hand that Feeds You ' ..... "You OWE MORE than you're capable of Counting, (and Brother/Sister)..You're day IS COMING..Beware ! Addressed to Roderick T. YOU are Absolutely RIGHT, and NO One knew this better than SITTING BULL ! ! Just another "umpteenth Reason" that SITTING BULL was the Greatest Indian to Ever walk this Earth !
44525217Candace Colbert Odom said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 11:34 PM
I think alot of the hatred stems from people who are related to people from the past who were Judges or Doctors or Funeral Home Directors during ages past who felt they had been wronged by some person and want revenge on their people in some form or fashion. Take for instance, my ex-husband hired an attorney named James Dunn in OKlahoma City, Ok who represented him in OKLahoma County Court for a Custody hearing for my grandbaby after the death of my daughter who died 6 years ago. That attorney ran for Attorney General Drew Edmondson in o6. My ex-husband lied to the court saying my daughter did not own any land when his own house was in my daughters name on the OK Property Website and she had just purchased a rental property that was also, in my daughters name. He lied in his affidavit and she owned over $160,ooo in property at time of death - I have copies of them. He is an ex-felon in Banking Fraud and he is stealing my grandbabies in heritance. James Dunn is just as guilty...
44521747rezzie said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 5:14 PM
Now, pay up!
44500964stringbean78 said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 5:00 PM
I have to agree with some of you, an apology is just a start to all the pain that was caused to Native Americans' over the last few centuries, by the United States government. However, at least the current President has the balls to step forward and take the proper steps to do it. Could it be, that as a man of coming from a background of color, he understands where Native Americans are coming from in the trials and tribulations that were put forth to your ancestors'? Something to think about.
44499932geronimo said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 4:02 PM
TOO LILLTE TOO LATE...No pardon neither forgetfulness...revindication and want our continent back..no amnisty for genocide europeans..we want our dignity and history back
44495342Keath said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 3:58 PM
I agree with those who've indicated that an apology in not warranted. I am not saying that we should ignore and downplay what happened. What I am saying is that we need to pull up our pants, tie our shoes, dust off the dirt and BEGIN making changes we want to make in our communities, in our world, hell, in our selves! Having someone say 'sorry' is not going to fix that, it is up to us.
44494989CKin said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 3:39 PM
As a "Native American" I feel as though a apology from President Obama will never be enough, even if it is made. The sad thing is, it will never correct the wrong, it will never feed our hungry, it will never cloth and shelter our freezing, it will never bring back our loved ones, and it will never restore our people's lives. All that has happened in our past is not the fault of Obama, or the responsibility of the United States. It was our ancestor's (yours and mine) that made those sacrifices for us in the end. So shall we bring back our dead to apologize to us too? I think that is a whisper in the wind. But to have the voice in our hearts to say it was wrong what we have to live like now, due to the wrongs of the present, now that I will take the apology for. But to apologize for our past, then that is something that I will not accept, cuz I am greatful to be here today, and to have the leadership of our own to govern. The President has bigger and more important things to deal with.
44493349Alright said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 3:08 PM
If Obama does apologize, what is it going to fix? We currently have many issues that won't be addressed but new problems will arise out the public apology. What about our Fee to Trust Aquisitions? If Obama apologizes, are the State Governments still going to complain of the property taken off their tax rolls? How about enrollment issues? Or our right to Tribal Sovereignty? Everything and nothing will be changed at the matter of this public apology. It'll just be another document in our long line of empty promises.
4449095910th generation-settler said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 2:57 PM
I don't share several of the apology's assumptions. One assumption is that all the problems are behind us. Another assumption that words suffice to heal the wounds. Would accepting the apology relinquish an opportunity to seek a remedy for what's still wrong, or act as a sign-off on previous suffering? I don't know. It does not speak adequately for me, and I would not be embarrassed if the President avoided it as well. Hope y-all don't mind skipping what looks like some more empty words, but might have a catch to it.
44490144kinajin said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 2:34 PM
The history of native americans was written by white people. All this about indians did this to this other tribe is from a whiteman's perspective. There is no such thing as 'traditionl' enemies between tribes. he tribal nation always are growing, there is no such thing as tradition.
44488609indioheathen said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 1:39 PM
Why apologize for historical injustices when our Republican and Democrat masters continue to enforce a racist colonial master American Indian policy? Examples: They permit a certain amount of reservation tribal government autonomy, but not the option of sovereign nation statehood independent from U.S. jurisdiction. Forced state gaming compacts. Raids on rez tobacco shops and hemp farms. Refusal to return stolen traditional tribal territories to their original native landlords, including the Lakota Black Hills. Human migration is just as natural as bird and animal migration. Yet Republican/Democrat immigration policy prohibits the ancient natural exericse of Mesoamerican migration about the North American Indian continent for the purpose of better survival. Instead, neo-Cavalry, Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny Euro invader spawns accuse free-migrating Amerindian bloods from Mexico and Central America of being "illegal aliens" and "invaders" on their own native continent.
44484147Nicole said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 1:33 PM
An official apology is a start. But unless it leads to a process of tangible reconciliation, it's meaningless. Haven't we had enough of empty words from this government?
44483664Eva Mae said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 1:26 PM
The ignorant and hateful comments of ‘Be Careful …’ demonstrate clearly that the government at all levels has had no effective initiative to inform the American public of what ‘our history’ actually is. But I agree that the government should apologize for its own ill-conceived and destructive decisions, rather than those of its citizens. The original legislation was crafted to say just that. Just in case anyone doesn’t know, 97 ½ % of the Indian population in the boundaries called the United States were killed by war, disease, or deprivation between contact and 1905. And you dare say ‘grow up and get over it’? Really? Before you have even acknowledged this is what the government did and continues to do every time it allows corporate pollution of our lands and continued interference with our good health. Really? This is ok with you?
44483022Be Careful of the hand that.. said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 12:44 PM
Be careful of the hand that feeds you! We owe no apologies to anyone for our history. The government has no right to say I am sorry for the past and I resent the notion that all Americans feel the same. Grow up and get over it!!!!!!
44479104Roderick T said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 12:39 PM
Has anyone thought about other tribes that need to apologize? The tribes that scouted for United States army and civilian armies to kill other so-called hostiles. Theses tribes need to apologize first for their killings and scapling other Indians for the whites, for instants the Crows, Cherokees, Delawares, Utes, Shawnees, etc,etc. Just asking.
44478679White Cloud said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 9:36 AM
The National NAGPRA program manager refuses to use the amended definition of "Indian Tribe" as is clearly articulated in it's preamble. Thus refusing to repatriate human remains to deserving tribes. The Act requires that a list of tribes be created for the purpose of carrying out the act. They threw it out and substituted it with the already rejected narrower BIA list. And they say that they are sorry for "Past" wrongs but continue to violate their own laws to deprive us from exercising our religion by refusing us the right to bury our dead. Apology not accepted.
44463224WAMP1MASHPEE said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 8:42 AM
ONCE AGAIN NO ONE EVER KNOWS ABOUT ANYTHING NO TRIBES NO NATIVES WHATS THIS ANOTHER COVER UP ONLY READ HERE ??? LETS GET REAL MURDERS AND THIEVES ALWAYS LIKE TO STAY CLOSE TO THE GROUND BECAUSE THATS WHERE THEY BELONG
44459472chan said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 8:14 AM
Why did NCAI leave the planning of this event to a religious institute, and not contact every tribe itself?
44457854CurtJ said on Tuesday, Jun 1 at 4:15 AM
Where was the publicity and schedule for the apology? If NCAI was a co sponsor of the event, why didn't they notify all of their member tribes? Why is Obama trying to bury a token apology from the American government for the centuries of mistreatment and malfeasance out of sight I would suppose it's because the U.S. has stolen natural resources and lands from the Native Americans, and for that, they refuse to join the World Court. The assassinations, invasuions, manipulated coups, and setting up puppet governments. To ensure the profits from stolen resources goes to their corporate masters. Theft and Murder. The politicians receive money from their corporate masteres and refuse to admit their policies of Colonialism are nothing more than Theft and Murder and resulted in the murder of 3,000 Americans on 9/11. To do so, they'll be forced to admit they're guilty of theft and murder and are ultimately responsible for the terrorist attacks on the U.S.
44451524Add a comment
Most Popular