1/12
I am standing today on the ancestral lands of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, meaning “Seven Council Fires.” That is the proper name for the people referred to as the Sioux. #velshi
I am standing today on the ancestral lands of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, meaning “Seven Council Fires.” That is the proper name for the people referred to as the Sioux. #velshi
2/12
Most of Western South Dakota, and portions of neighboring North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming were part of what was once known as the Great Sioux Nation. #velshi
Most of Western South Dakota, and portions of neighboring North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming were part of what was once known as the Great Sioux Nation. #velshi
3/12
Here in South Dakota there are 9 federally recognized Native Nations: Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Flandreau Santee, Lower Brule, Oglala, Rosebud, Sisseton-Wahpeton, Standing Rock and Yankton Sioux. #velshi
Here in South Dakota there are 9 federally recognized Native Nations: Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Flandreau Santee, Lower Brule, Oglala, Rosebud, Sisseton-Wahpeton, Standing Rock and Yankton Sioux. #velshi
4/12
What I just did there was a “land acknowledgment.” In Canada, we’ve started doing them at the beginning of most gatherings. #velshi
What I just did there was a “land acknowledgment.” In Canada, we’ve started doing them at the beginning of most gatherings. #velshi
5/12
Land is central to the identity of indigenous peoples. Offering a “land acknowledgment” is a sign of respect and a step toward reconciliation. But these words don’t change the fact that the U.S. has broken virtually every treaty it has ever made with tribal nations. #velshi
Land is central to the identity of indigenous peoples. Offering a “land acknowledgment” is a sign of respect and a step toward reconciliation. But these words don’t change the fact that the U.S. has broken virtually every treaty it has ever made with tribal nations. #velshi
6/12
The conflict over America’s land ownership began with colonization. When colonizers weren’t outright killing Native peoples, they were making grossly unfair treaties with them, drastically reducing their access to the land they hunted and fished. #velshi
The conflict over America’s land ownership began with colonization. When colonizers weren’t outright killing Native peoples, they were making grossly unfair treaties with them, drastically reducing their access to the land they hunted and fished. #velshi
7/12
Ultimately, Native Americans sued. In 1980, the Supreme Court upheld a claim by the Lakota Sioux that the U.S. broke its treaty obligations with respect to land on which Mount Rushmore sits—the Black Hills—and that the land rightfully belonged to the Sioux. #velshi
Ultimately, Native Americans sued. In 1980, the Supreme Court upheld a claim by the Lakota Sioux that the U.S. broke its treaty obligations with respect to land on which Mount Rushmore sits—the Black Hills—and that the land rightfully belonged to the Sioux. #velshi
8/12
At the time, a settlement of $105 million was put in a trust. It’s grown to about $1 billion today. The Lakota, most of whom now live on the Pine Ridge Reservation, maintain they don't want the money: they want their land back. #velshi
At the time, a settlement of $105 million was put in a trust. It’s grown to about $1 billion today. The Lakota, most of whom now live on the Pine Ridge Reservation, maintain they don't want the money: they want their land back. #velshi
9/12
Land was both sustenance and identity for Native Americans, but that came into conflict with the needs of colonizers to occupy this country from sea to shining sea, to access gold and silver, to build rail lines and telegraph lines and mail routes. #velshi
Land was both sustenance and identity for Native Americans, but that came into conflict with the needs of colonizers to occupy this country from sea to shining sea, to access gold and silver, to build rail lines and telegraph lines and mail routes. #velshi
10/12
Our wealth WOULD have been their wealth, or maybe they’d have done something else with the land and the water. What we know is that Native Americans have little representation and few allies in state and federal governments. #velshi
Our wealth WOULD have been their wealth, or maybe they’d have done something else with the land and the water. What we know is that Native Americans have little representation and few allies in state and federal governments. #velshi
11/12
Indigenous peoples among the worst-off in America, with poor access to healthcare and some of the lowest life-expectancies, highest unemployment and highest school drop-out rates in the country. Many reservations, including Pine Ridge, have unreliable internet. #velshi
Indigenous peoples among the worst-off in America, with poor access to healthcare and some of the lowest life-expectancies, highest unemployment and highest school drop-out rates in the country. Many reservations, including Pine Ridge, have unreliable internet. #velshi
12/12
Land acknowledgements won’t change the living conditions of Native Americans. But finding out who lived off the land on which YOU now live is a start. And once we start, who knows what justice and equity may follow for our indigenous brothers and sisters. #velshi
Land acknowledgements won’t change the living conditions of Native Americans. But finding out who lived off the land on which YOU now live is a start. And once we start, who knows what justice and equity may follow for our indigenous brothers and sisters. #velshi
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