Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

“it also seems that this is the only time of year Indigenous people and cultures are thought of to any extent by a large part of the population.“

‘Tis The Season

Football; both local and National, INDIGENOUS people’s day – aka Columbus Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving and all the fall harvest festivals which often portray negative Indigenous imagery with the items that vendors sell.  These can all be difficult times for many Indigenous People.

It is always a hard time of year because of the factors I listed above, but it also seems that this is the only time of year Indigenous people and cultures are thought of to any extent by a large part of the population. 

This is the time of year I often cringe because of all the local and National sports team mascots that are everywhere, both in person, on the news and being broadcast over the airways and on social media.   

Negative Imagery has been an issue for Indigenous peoples since the 1940’s  White people dressed like “Tonto” or Black people wearing headdresses. The Tomahawk chop, or someone screaming Scalp them Braves.  To name but a few things you see at sporting events. This is all harmful to us and especially our youth.  When we tell you it is wrong or negative, please do not make excuses like “we are just honoring you.”  No, you are not,  and you are not listening to us when we tell you that you are not honoring us that you are harming us  and that is racism.  When we ask you not to portray us the way you do, it is not cancel culture, we are asking that you listen to us and use critical thinking.

I have sad feelings because of the “Columbus Day” parade that is a big event in the Pittsburgh area.  I do not have anything against Italians or Italian American heritage or beautiful culture; but I cannot understand why they would want to celebrate a Murdering, thieving rapist that never set forth on the North American continent.  Why can’t you just celebrate your culture as a heritage named after your ethnicity?

Moving through the fall then comes Halloween.  This is just the same if not worse than the sports mascots, because often times parents think it is just so cute to let their child dress up and mock us as a people and a culture.   You are just promoting racism.  There are 1000’s of other ways to dress you child (or yourself) up at Halloween and have fun.  You can create lasting negative stereo types by allowing this to happen and not talk to your children about it if they are the ones that suggest the idea of a “Indian” costume”. 

Then finally to end the season there is Thanksgiving.  I do not know any Indigenous people that celebrate Thanksgiving.  It is something that came to be from when Lincon was President.  Do some research and find out that the first celebration in New England was done by the Wampanoag people bringing the local food to the colonists as they were starving and showing them what to hunt and plant.  The following years ended in death and massacres for the Nation, that is not a celebration.   We consider it a day of mourning.  I am not saying you all should not be grateful for all you have but understand the true story. 

Recent Events

With all this said I wanted to address some even deeper  even more serious events that are happening to Indigenous people.

Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have raised the alarms for Tribes whose citizens are being unjustly detained and questioned. The Trump Administration claims raids target illegal immigrants with criminal histories, however, at least some agents are making judgments based on appearance, including the skin color and language of an individual rather than concrete information about immigration status or criminal record.

There have been reports of Native individuals being detained by ICE based upon their appearance and ICE officers limited or non-existent understanding of the status of Natives as U.S. citizens. Many Nations are reporting of Tribal members being detained and or placed under arrest.

To have Native people be harassed by immigration officials, have their citizenship status questioned, or be mocked by online trolls saying to “send them home” speaks to the lack of education about Indigenous peoples by a large portion of the population. Proposed plans to eliminate or overhaul the education system in ways that would ignore accurate history around Native Americans won’t help this situation.   Remember we are Sovereign people and Nations.  Please do the following when out and about.

·        Carry your Tribal ID. Tribes are urging the Trump Administration to direct ICE to accept tribal IDs as proof of U.S. citizenship. For some, especially elders who may have been born in remote homes and who struggle to obtain a birth certificate, this is the best option.

·        Carrying a state ID along with a Certificate of Indian Blood in addition to a Tribal ID is advised for those who have them.

·        Know you have the right to remain silent and refuse any search.

·        You do not have to open the door of your home to ICE agents unless they have a valid warrant signed by a judge.

·        Be sure to consistently check for updates from your Tribal government and organizations like the Native American Rights Fund to get updated information and tips to stay safe.

·        Share this post! Help spread this message, so it reaches as many people as possible.

Current issues in 2025 for Native Americans include threats to tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, significant cuts to federal funding for tribal programs, ongoing challenges with infrastructure and resource access on reservations, and persistent issues of violence and poverty impacting Indigenous communities. Efforts are underway to protect funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, preserve access to resources, address severe infrastructure needs in schools, and combat issues like the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

Federal Funding Cuts & Budgetary Concerns

Cuts to Tribal Programs:

Proposed budget cuts threaten essential programs, including those under the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the Indian Health Service (IHS), and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) with devastating impacts on community well-being.

Underfunding of Infrastructure:

Chronic underfunding has led to critical infrastructure issues in BIE schools, such as mold, gas leaks, and asbestos, requiring substantial investment to address deferred maintenance.

Tribal Sovereignty & Jurisdiction

Protecting Tribal Jurisdiction:

Legislation is being considered to expand tribal jurisdiction, particularly in drug cases, highlighting a push for greater autonomy over internal matters.

Federal Government’s Trust Responsibility:

Tribal leaders emphasize the importance of the U.S. government upholding its treaty and trust responsibility to tribal nations, especially regarding the interruption of federal grant programs.

Violence and Social Justice

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW):

The epidemic of violence against Indigenous women remains a critical issue, with high rates of trafficking, abduction, and murder.

Poverty and Inequality:

Tribes continue to face high rates of poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and low academic achievement, often exacerbated by a lack of access to basic resources like electricity and running water on reservations.

Resource Protection and Environmental Issues

Sacred Site Protection:

Tribes are actively opposing mining and other development projects, such as the proposed lithium mine near the Ha’Kwamwe’ sacred site in Arizona.

Climate Change Impacts:

Tribal Nations are particularly vulnerable to climate change, making the protection and sustainability of the natural environment a paramount concern.

Community Advocacy

Youth Engagement:

Young Native American leaders are actively involved in advocating for their communities, emphasizing the role of youth in driving change and ensuring their voices are heard.

Closing

In closing I just want to remind all that Indigenous people are everywhere on Turtle Island.  (The North American Continent).   We are alive and well in Western Pennsylvania and right here in Pittsburgh.  If you open up your eyes, hearts and minds, you might just find us.  

Lenora “Lee” Dingus – Seneca Nation

Lee’s previous contributions

Guest Post by Lenora Dingus: Haudenosaunee-Seneca Perspective on Resiliency and Persistence

November 8, 2024 by Guest Blogger

Guest Post: How to Survive and Thrive? Under Trump

November 13, 2024 by Guest Blogger

Why is Indigenous Peoples Day so important? 

October 9, 2023 by Guest Blogger

Guest Post: Ukrainian Kokum Scarf and Indigenous People

March 5, 2022 by Guest Blogger

Statement From Lenora “Lee” Dingus, Seneca and Co-founder of Echoes of the Four Directions

March 9, 2017 by Sue