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Peter: An indigenous vision to heal America

By Evon Peter

Story Published: Sep 18, 2008

Story Updated: Sep 19, 2008

There is only one path that I see for America to truly become a land of life, liberty and justice for all. That path is to heal itself through an uncompromisingly honest acknowledgment and thorough addressing of its atrocities and lies. Without this, our country will continue to act out of ignorance, fear, greed and an obsessive need to forcefully control human lives, both domestically and internationally.

Humanity has experienced time and again how a history rooted in dysfunction and unsustainability feeds the fire of self-destruction. As sure as the Roman Empire collapsed and a drug addict smiles as his last dose ushers him to death, the United States will continue to blindly and, in some cases, consciously inflict suffering at home and abroad if it does not acknowledge and address the truth of its past and current actions.

The Haudenosaunee
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Do we have the courage and the will to face truth and act from a place of humility, patience, compassion and conscience?

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 (the people of the Iroquois Confederacy) have said that those who aspire towards “a clean heart and a clean mind” will be able to live a balanced life and lead wisely. Without understanding and applying this knowledge, we will continue placing Band-Ai ds on a cancer that has been eating this country from within since its inception. Then, in the aftermath of each new atrocity, we will wonder how our country continues to send its children to face death in distant wars and why our prison cells fill to capacity. We will wonder why we are murdering each other in our own city streets and why both domestic and international terrorists choose to attack us, feeding the cycle of ignorant violence.

There is a path that can free us from this cycle and help to transform the world. It is not an easy path, but it is necessary if we hope to prevent the loss of millions of human lives. We have the resources, knowledge, technology and time to make a transition, but the question is: Do we have the courage and the will to face truth and act from a place of humility, patience, compassion and conscience? How successful do you think Jesus, Muhammad or Buddha would have been in sharing their teachings with a tainted heart and a distraught, fearful mind?

We must begin by acknowledging and addressing the foundation upon which America was built – stolen land and the genocide of American Indians. The United States has never apologized to American Indian people for these violations. This country has demonized Hitler and erected Jewish holocaust museums, yet refuses to acknowledge its own acts of genocide.

An apology or museum alone would not heal the wounded hearts and disempowered governments of indigenous peoples or the tainted heart of America. There is one great, critical lie that the U.S. government has effectively taught to Indigenous and non-indigenous Americans alike – that there is no way for the United States to honor its treaties with American Indians and pursue new treaties with those not yet afforded that opportunity, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian indigenous nations.

This great lie is only as true as we Americans accept it to be. There were similar lies told in our country’s history to women deprived of a voice and to African slaves. In the case of abolishing slavery it took a radical shift in human consciousness, a courage and will to overcome, and a changing national economy, as well as a forced acceptance upon many Americans who were not ready for the positive evolution of our country. As painful and challenging as it may be for many Americans, we must begin our healing by dispelling this great lie and moving through a process of reconciliation with American Indian nations.

Our inability to adequately address the many critical issues facing American people today are symptoms of a United States that harbors a tainted heart. Reconciling our relationship with American Indian nations is the first step to building a foundation upon which life, liberty and justice can be attained for all.

Evon Peter is a former chief of the Neetsaii Gwich’in from northeastern Alaska and the current executive director of Native Movement.

Friday, Sep 19 at 8:03 AM norm shaifer (normnyc@aol.com) wrote ...

A great article. Well written, but I dont think Americans can face the reality you make clear. Keep in mind the US federal government has hundreds of public relations people on their payroll to tell the story their way. Maybe we can start at the bottom and work up to the ideal.

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Friday, Sep 19 at 10:55 AM Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor, New Mexico Sun News wrote ...

This is a great insight; I hope to republish it in several different forums, because I believe what this chap is saying. How for the last 8 years the R's have been so oblivious to Native Peoples, so out of touch with overriding macroeconomic realities that have almost bankrupted the USA with one ill conceived war after another, instead of putting those monies into realms beneficial to people: EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNERCITIES, NATIVE PEOPLES. This will be changing soon, Great Spirit willing!!!!!!

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Friday, Sep 19 at 1:15 PM Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor, New Mexico Sun News wrote ...

EVON: As I recommended earlier on another article, please post it at opednews.com and if you set up a blog on mybarackobama.com, hundreds of thousands will read it...

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Friday, Sep 19 at 1:30 PM Tagnak wrote ...

A refreshing insight. Thanks.

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Friday, Sep 19 at 8:15 PM Michelle Woods wrote ...

Thank you Evon. I do believe in a clean spirit-clean mind. I have worked continuously on myself and I have been painfully honest with myself knowing with God's Great Wisdom that this was the only way. Thank you for voicing the lie. Zho Zhuu Michelle Woods, Alaskan Gwichin/Koyukun Athabascan.

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Friday, Sep 19 at 10:55 PM Martha Vlasoff wrote ...

Evon Quyana for speaking to our hearts. Its good to hear your voice again. Hope to see you soon in Alaska. What I have been thinking of lately is the fact that the nation has its eyes on Sarah Palin but the third world conditions in our Alaska villages are not even mentioned. This is part of what you speak about. Creating a postmodern feudal system america leaves behind a trail of tears anew. Its time to change our hearts to care for all. Take care

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Saturday, Sep 20 at 2:41 PM George B. Wasson, Ph.D (Coos/Coquelle Elder) wrote ...

Good article. Yet, very few US Citizens know what you're saying. US human atrocities and genocide are not taught in US schools. We only learn about the Jewish Holocaust in Europe, not the Holocaust of Native Americans, where Native peoples of S. Oregon and N. California were burned alive in their villages. Even the Natl. Museum of Americans Indians on the Mall in DC, ignores those horrors while the Holocaust Museum nearby Demonizes only Germans. COVER UP has become the standard in US Education.

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Sunday, Sep 21 at 11:13 PM Paula Peterson wrote ...

I truly feel what you've written will never be admitted by those who have always chosen to close their minds and eyes to the plight of the 1st People of this nation. I do continue to beleive that it is up to all 1st peoples to stand together; heads held high and fight for what is the truth and put it out there in American's face for not only our people to see but those who have kept their heads buried in the sands. If we don't stand toghether, we fill fall, one at a time, 1st people no more.

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Tuesday, Sep 23 at 2:01 PM Coach Rob wrote ...

Healing has to come from within (willingness to want to heal is the first step) as long as our people talk about (clean heart..clean mind...) and choose to do nothing from within our very own communities...no one will listen to us.(and why should they?) Our communities are filled with problems...our youth ..suicide..drug and alcohol addiction...obesity...crime...gangs....The fastest community growing activity is to join a GANG. Our children on reserves are getting sicker... We need to help them.

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Tuesday, Sep 23 at 7:32 PM Robert Brothers wrote ...

VOTE ! 91% of the people in the poll next to this article say this will vote in November. If this many of all people oppressed in this country go to the polls on election day, then we'll have a good start at making the changes needed to achieve the vision we all share.

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Wednesday, Sep 24 at 12:38 AM Polly H. from Northway, Alaska wrote ...

Great article. However, don't hold your breath waiting for anything from the U.S. Govt. The real healing comes from within. Forgiveness. When we stop carrying their fears, we can begin building a new world of love for one another and for ourselves. A world of truth.

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Wednesday, Sep 24 at 9:39 PM Kelly Myers wrote ...

There is this http://www.unitednativeamerica.com/issues/Native_apology.html I have contacted government officials and asked for action. I think people are scared. But I am not scared, I am frustrated often though at why people cannot see the obvious. Thank you Evon for your strong words.

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Friday, Sep 26 at 6:49 PM juniperpinon wrote ...

hello, from northern new mexico... thanks for all your participation during these challenging times. it seems that this is a time to hold the focus: where do we want to go as a nation(s)? how do we get there? how can we use this opportunity to unify our People? While all goals may not be reached, the minds of the community, the neighbors and above all,the children,can still be held together in a cohesive manner by remembering what is truely important and not giving power to those things.

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Sunday, Sep 28 at 1:21 PM Wambli wrote ...

Very Good! Don't worry about those comments by those of the IRA, BIA and USA colonized imperialist oppressors of our own, who are of no good use anylonger to their Red Nationalist nationhoods. This issue isn't about forgiveness, its about Justice, Truth and Freedom from the American Empire. That monkey isn't on our back but Empire. We don't have to forgive anyone unless they ask forgiveness and are ready to make real amends to all First Nations People of North and South America.

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Sunday, Sep 28 at 3:30 PM onefeather1 wrote ...

FIRST AMERICANS,WE LIVED THE FREEDOM THAT THE WHITE EYES WILL NEVER KNOW,TODAYS DATE WE LIVE IN EXILE,OUR VOICES NEVER HEARD,OUR PLEA TO STOP THE DISTRUCTIONS OF OUR LANDS,NO ONE HEARD THE PLEA.NOW OUR CHILDREN PLEA,MCAIN/PALIN HAS NOT YET SPOKE OF THIS MESS.ONLY TO INFLICK MORE,TALK TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ALASKA,SHE EATS PORT WHILE THEY LIVE IN HER SEWAGE,CHECK OUT ALL THE RESERVATIONS,GAMBLING MAY BE PAYING OFF SOME OF THEM,WHILE THE REST STARVE.KNOW YOUR HEART,GOD WILL NOT FORGET US.

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Monday, Sep 29 at 8:30 PM Jody wrote ...

I believe in what your saying is true. We all need healing, we have to start with ourselves and with our people. We have always been spirited peoples. What i have seen is that the government is sitting back watching us fight amongest ourselves and destroying what we have. Our own governing bodies are fighting against one another. Our councils are not paying attention to the peoples voices. We have casino's, which could be a good thing, but some allow greed to enter in.

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Thursday, Oct 2 at 7:07 PM roy mendenhall wrote ...

..some of you need to understand that, those of us who fight the battles for the people do not have the option of "forgiving" what has been done to the Native people....we just cannot let bygones be bygones....we cannot forgive like those who let the past be the past...for if we let it be as is...we no longer will have the compassion to help our own people..wounds always leave scars that remind us of what happened.....you just can't forgive and forget...it's not that easy...ramboy54@hotmail.com

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Wednesday, Oct 8 at 4:23 PM TIZOT wrote ...

GOOD ARTICLE! This cannot be said often enough; here in our Nation we struggle as Indigenous peoples under state rule, Canada! I say Indigenous nations must stand together; we all believe this way, obliterate the 49th and let us open our hearts and minds to one another.

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