I would really like to support #ElizabethWarren. Her platform and campaign match up with my values and interests, and I believe she can defeat Tr*mp, especially after her debate performance in Nevada. 1/
Which is why I am so frustrated that @ewarren has not engaged w/ Cherokee & other Indigenous writers, scholars, & activists who have clearly & repeatedly explained why her Cherokee ancestry claim and DNA stunt do continuing harm, & why her apology is insufficient. 2/
@ewarren Cherokee activist and writer @RebeccaNagle even went so far as to *script an apology for her*. 3/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle And yet when @RebeccaNagle tried to reach out to the Warren campaign? Crickets. 4/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle But let’s back up a little. If you’re not informed on this issue (and trust me, just having followed the headlines is not sufficient), I recommend spending some time with this syllabus by Nagle & Cherokee scholars @nativeapprops @pepepierce. 5/ criticalethnicstudiesjournal.org/blog/2018/12/1…
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce As a geneticist, I particularly affirm and support the writings of Professor and author of “Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science” @KimTallBear 6/ wakelet.com/wake/57e215e9-…
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear …and geneticist @kstsosie on the many scientific and ethical problems with trying to use DNA to “prove” Native ancestry much less identity. 7/ theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie To summarize, the idea that DNA testing can be used to establish Tribal membership, Native identity or even Native ancestry is unscientific, it undermines Tribal sovereignty, and opens the door to harmful applications of DNA testing in relation to Native identity. 8/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie One of these is the potential use of DNA testing to try and circumvent the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA).
The ICWA was enacted to curb the practice of Native children from being separated from their parents, families, and communities and placed in non-Native homes. 9/
The ICWA was enacted to curb the practice of Native children from being separated from their parents, families, and communities and placed in non-Native homes. 9/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie *This practice is cultural genocide.*
If you don't know about this, or don't know much, a good start is to watch @DawnlandMovie. 10/ dawnland.org
If you don't know about this, or don't know much, a good start is to watch @DawnlandMovie. 10/ dawnland.org
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie If people *believe* it’s possible to prove Native ancestry with DNA (even though it’s not possible!), then non-Natives can and will use that to try and separate Native children from their families and communities. 11/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie Moreover, the idea that “Nativeness” is something that could possibly be established with a DNA test, instead of through sovereign Tribal rules and laws, feeds into the flawed logic that was used to strike down the ICWA in Texas. 12/ washingtonpost.com/news/morning-m…
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie Let’s connect the dots: Warren raised the profile of DNA testing for Native ancestry, then failed to adequately apologize & denounce it. This misconception, now freshly popularized, will mean more Native children separated from their communities, a form of cultural genocide. 13/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie Another harm I’m concerned about is the inevitable surge in anti-Native racism that will result from a Warren v. Trump contest. How is #TeamWarren planning to mitigate this? 14/
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie I believe and hope that based on her ability to listen and adjust in relation to other constituent groups like @BlackWomxnFor, she may still do the right thing here. 15/ teenvogue.com/story/black-wo…
@ewarren @rebeccanagle @NativeApprops @PepePierce @KimTallBear @kstsosie @DawnlandMovie @BlackWomxnFor I look forward to getting out the vote for Elizabeth Warren at that time. 16/16
17/16 Follow-up: This thread unpacks the connection between DNA testing and the ICWA a bit more.
