Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Re: Spiritual leader felt 'warrior' title was an honor - [Village News, 10/18/07]

Unfortunately, it is a “battle” sometimes, Mr. Hayward. But I am not fighting. I am simply stating fact.

I know of the good things Mr. Rodriguez did for his people, and I respect him for that, but I cannot agree with him or you expressing the “warrior” title is honoring Native people when the attitudes that accompany Americans at their “games” trivializes and mocks our culture.

Of course Mr. Rodriguez probably felt it was an “honor” for Americans to use the name “warrior.” He was going to school at a time when the “Indian” got no real respect. He had to take whatever he could get. And just because a person the community looks up to says something is right doesn’t always make it so. People are fallible, even spiritual leaders.

I’ve had to explain this time and again so I’ll word it for all to read. It’s not the “Warrior” name that offends me, it’s the huge mural of the war bonnet painted on FUHS and the signs with stereotypical “red men” wearing headdresses that does. Those eagle feathers are sacred to some Natives and this negative portrayal demeans us and our traditional beliefs. You should know that, being a member of NAC.

That mural is a Northern Plains Indian war bonnet. No other Native nation around here has that kind of regalia in their traditions. And since I am Lakota Sioux that is my heritage being disrespected, not yours. Any indigenous nation that doesn’t have this in their own people’s distinct culture has no right to say they support this or they “have expressed complete acceptance” because it does not belong to them.

And how can you say “to educate people about our sad past, we can’t get caught up in irrelevant, unimportant skirmishes of the present” when by supporting this misconception of your people you are assisting mainstream society in their continuing ignorance?

I recommend, to you and all, reading the book “American Indians: Stereotypes & Realities” by Devon Mihesuah and then reevaluating your stance on this issue.

Anson Black Calf

 

Reader Comments(0)