Monday, January 28, 2008

Waiting for Wardo

Tim Giago on fake Indians in the Huffpo:

There is a recurring problem in Indian country that has been a bother for many years. I hear Native Americans discussing it oftentimes with a lot of anger. It's a very touchy issue and some would even find it offensive, but it is not a problem that should not be addressed.

The problem involves those people claiming to be Native American although they are not enrolled with any particular tribe.The problem that seems to be the biggest in Indian country is that of individuals claiming tribal status in order to secure highly desirable jobs. Ward Churchill, a man who held key job positions at the University of Colorado, has never been able to prove tribal membership and yet he was given jobs that could have, and probably should have, gone to legitimate members of a state or federally recognized tribe.

Hold on there, Giago. Ward is an enrolled member of the Keetoowah band of Cherokee. He says so (or used to say so) all the time, and one of these days he's going to post that video to prove it.

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