Why hasn't the US made a formal apology to the Native Americans?

The government is supposed to be the same government we got back in those days, correct? If so, they should have the authority to apologize for what they did. As American citizens, they don't really have anything to apologize for. The average man wasn't around during this time and many Americans immigrated long after the massacres were committed.

I feel for the Native people. But unfortunately, their stories fall on deaf ears as the same thing is basically happening all over again world wide.

Originally posted by KilrathiLG
reply to post by TheForgottenOnes

 

yeah we messed with them pretty damn bad and even worse then them not complaining they helped us win ww2 by having one of the only Unbreakable codes at the time thanks to the nice Navajo code talkers some of the most decorated vets in the pac theater that werent white were indian but as for an apology i think that was attempted with the tax free stuff and the casinos not saying tis right but i think thats what we considred an apology at the time?

I think it makes me mad, this thread, I created a monster of hurt-feelings and alot of racisms, how many times have we heard about casinos on here? the Natives were only allowed to own and operate casinos if the State the Reservation is in, has laws supporting gambling, Sovereign Nation, my ass and not to mention, They don't have to pay State Tax, but Federal and Sales Tax, they do, Some Tribes, do not give cash to it's members, my husbands tribe does not along with a few others, some do, not every Tribe is the same

reply to post by TheForgottenOnes


No apology....you guys killed all the megafauna....when you snuck over here from asia.
We gave you free alchohol and blankets....

Apoligise? For what!

Modern day Americans have done nothing to you, Let the past BE the PAST! Its the 21st century for goodness sake, catch up like the rest of us.

Originally posted by 88solarman88
Apoligise? For what!

Modern day Americans have done nothing to you, Let the past BE the PAST! Its the 21st century for goodness sake, catch up like the rest of us.

if I have said it once, I will say it a million times...: I am not a Native, my husband is, I am not asking for an apology, I asked why won't the government, not joe schmoe down the road, why won't the GOVERNMENT apologize?

reply to post by superman2012


I don't believe I said a majority would. The "few" that did would be costly and would only set precedent for future litigation. All it would take is one activist judge handing out an obscene judgment setting the precedent for future obscene judgments.

reply to post by TheForgottenOnes

No one agrees more than me that the US Government completely and repeatedly **** all over Native Americans almost to the point of extinction.

I think that many feel that the sins of the fathers were of the fathers, and "I had nothing to do with it." After all, this US Government is made up of individuals.

Another reason may be they just don't want to bring up things that everyone feels terrible about. The logic being "if I ignore it, it can't bother me because I don't have to think about it."

There's no good answer.

There were atrocities on both sides, and often enough, it was fighting men against fighting men.

Just too bad that women and children had to get caught up in any of it from either side.

Originally posted by FarArcher
reply to post by TheForgottenOnes

 

No one agrees more than me that the US Government completely and repeatedly **** all over Native Americans almost to the point of extinction.

I think that many feel that the sins of the fathers were of the fathers, and "I had nothing to do with it." After all, this US Government is made up of individuals.

Another reason may be they just don't want to bring up things that everyone feels terrible about. The logic being "if I ignore it, it can't bother me because I don't have to think about it."

There's no good answer.

There were atrocities on both sides, and often enough, it was fighting men against fighting men.

Just too bad that women and children had to get caught up in any of it from either side.

you speak more truth than most... but after the pilgrims, which the Natives and them lived in harmony, that's when crap hit the fan, and I think the Natives started to see them as a people that were coming for their lands and blood, we see it everyday, Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, an army comes in, with the ideas of whats good for them, and after broken promises, and after tiny skirmishes between the attacker and defender, both sides will fight and kill indiscrimatley, I hope this makes some sense...lol I'm just a bit tired

Originally posted by Rockpuck
reply to post by TheForgottenOnes

 

Hmm funny I don't remember the US Gov mistreating Indians in living memory..

I find it pathetic when "minorities" demand apologies for events that happened in the PAST. Let's assume Obama gets up and makes some "formal apology" in a prepared statement to a half interested press court and drones on about how bad he feels our government some 100 years ago were mean to Indians.

Would that make you feel better?

As a wife of a 32nd Degree Mason, I am glad you replied, but its not from 100 years ago, it's more like 30 years ago

I live next to an indian reservation of the MI-Wuk tribe. before their huge multibillion dollar cassino they were drug addicted as to say beggars. now after the casino their all high and mighty buying all this stuff to look cool . one of the council leaders wouldnt shake my hand cuz the white man brought it over here... SOOO WHAT get over it!

Originally posted by Frontkjemper
The government is supposed to be the same government we got back in those days, correct? If so, they should have the authority to apologize for what they did. As American citizens, they don't really have anything to apologize for. The average man wasn't around during this time and many Americans immigrated long after the massacres were committed.

I feel for the Native people. But unfortunately, their stories fall on deaf ears as the same thing is basically happening all over again world wide.

Exactley what I have been trying to say all this time, I'm not going to apologize to a black guy for injustices to his ancestors, but I expect the government to do/say something, great post!!!

They don't deserve an apology; We(america) give them all jobs with the state(i live in SD) and they sit on there ass and get fat with there govt. benefits and an additional paycheck every month because we "took" there land. Its sad walking into some places on the west side of our state, highest poverty in the US because of there reservations.

HERE's YOUR APOLOGY....





Happy?

I am about 1/4 native American and totally agree that our people were severely mistreated in the past. Although there have been no "formal" apologies there has been MANY informal apologies that other minorities have no such pleasure. Things such as free collage tuition for native Americans and the numerous tax breaks for casinos owned and operated by native Americans. Also native American land reserves have their own government per say.

So yes they have apologized, but not "formally"

... But who hasn't America apologized "formally" to that were mistreated in the past?;
Irish Americans
Jewish Americans
Italian Americans
German Americans
Chinese Americans
Japanese Americans
Arab Americans

Being of mixed Cherokee descent, and knowing of what was done to my ancestors on the trail of tears, I think it was beyond unfathomable and disgusting.

But it is only a small part of a long list of disgusting things that man has done to his own brothers and sisters, and I won't hold my breath for any apologies, nor will I hold onto anger or resentment for it. I just try and do my part to be kind to all folks whose paths I cross, and educate all willing to learn on how to live peacefully with one another. I know that's what my ancestors would want---The evolution of peace with mankind.

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
reply to post by Wyn Hawks

 

what am I wrong about? I would sure love to know, thanks

...i've already explained in previous posts and i dont play the "explain forever game", sweetie... either you get it this time or you dont... totally your call...

...(1)... the premise of your op was false... formal apologies (worthless, imo) from the federal government (spit) have been made, which proves you did not research your topic...

...(2)... you made a hokey pokey crystal-wearing newager generalization about ndns...

...i dont believe you meant to be offensive or to misinform... you're just too eager and thats normal enough considering your age and lack of education on the subject...

...do a lot of research (especially on your husband's tribe)... it takes a long time to learn about a culture you were not raised in.... theres a lot more to it than going to powwows and social functions... learning the language and the nuances is an excellent road, especially since you have kids...

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
sterilisation happened to as much as 25-50% of Native women ages 14 to 40 in the late 60's and early 70's...

...then you posted this...

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
it is estimated that 42% of Native American women were involuntarily sterilized, without their knowledge... is that right?

...those are estimates based upon ndn women that lived on reservations and/or used IHS... there are many thousands of ndns who never lived on a reservation, never used IHS and dont have a CDIB card because they see it as a pigeon-hole...

...the eugenics programs were real, no doubt about it, but no one knows how many people were forcibly sterilized and it wasnt limited to just ndns or women... asians, blacks, poor whites, mentally ill (even if they really werent) and even the siblings of the mentally ill (even if they were totally sane)...

...i suspect the documentation is still around but its one of those national security secrets cuz its more important (to the mucky mucks) that folks believe hitler was the biggest monster in modern times...

...here - read this...
www.ratical.org...

...and this...
en.wikipedia.org...

...and this...
en.wikipedia.org...

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
they were trying to kill a race of people, and they have almost succeeded. physically, no, but mentally, yeah, Natives are gone

...thats nonsense and you just called your husband and his people mentally gone...

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
my husband has always said that 90% of Natives only want an apology

...your husband doesnt know 90% of all ndns...

Originally posted by TheForgottenOnes
I think it makes me mad, this thread, I created a monster of hurt-feelings and alot of racisms

...harsh lesson, huh?... o'well, welcome to the usofa, where prejudice and ignorance still runs amuck... not so different than aussieland, except yawl talk funny, lol... dont get upset about your thread... you have no control over how people respond... i did much worse on my one and only thread... only got two flags then it got lost in the abyss or folks figured it was just too dang boring to respond to, lol... thats how it goes...

What most who are posting don't seem to realize (and very few seem to have read my post that shows the ongoing genocidal policies that are being pursued by the US government to this day) is that nothing that the tribes receive is charity, a freebie, or a government handout. The medical services, food, and any monies received are contractual obligations incurred by the US through treaties. They are treaty rights between seperate nations.

We don't want to assimilate into US culture.

To demand we do is to commit genocide: look it up in what I posted about the 1948 treaty on genocide to which this nation is a signatory. Those who claim there are no purebloods left and that justifies dissolution of our nations are simply insultingly racist and have no clue about the vibrancy of our culture. Try attending a few powwows and stay after the tourists leave.

I follow the old ways of my people and teach them to the young when I can. My values are Apache values, my ways are Apache ways, I am first and foremost a Chiricahua Apache, as I have been my whole life.

And throughout my whole life I have not received a single penny from the government for being Apache, nor have I a reservation to call home.

The Chiricahua were the last tribe to bear arms against the US. Instead of the home promised and negotiated in the peace settlement that ended the last war, as soon as we surrendered our arms we where clapped in chains and deported to Florida. In the end, after nearly thirty years of exile, the Chiricahua were simply kicked out the gate and told to fend for themselves.

So don't think I've grown fat on your dime...the Chiricahua have gotten nothing from the US but the back of their hand.

www.worldlingo.com...

This book reveals the conflicting meanings of power held by the federal government and the Chiricahua Apaches throughout their history of interaction. When Geronimo and Naiche, son of Cochise, surrendered in 1886, their wartime exploits came to an end, but their real battle for survival was only beginning. Throughout their captivity in Florida, Alabama, and Oklahoma, Naiche kept alive Chiricahua spiritual power by embodying it in his beautiful hide paintings of the Girl’s Puberty Ceremony—a ritual at the very heart of tribal cultural life and spiritual strength.

This narrative is a tribute to the Chiricahua people, who survive today, despite military efforts to annihilate them, government efforts to subjugate them, and social efforts to destroy their language and culture. Although federal policy makers brought to bear all the power at their command, they failed to eradicate Chiricahua spirit and identity nor to convince them that their lower status was just part of the natural social order. Naiche, along with many other Chiricahuas, believed in another kind of power. Although not known to have Power of his own in the Apache sense, Naiche’s paintings show that he believed in a vital source of spiritual strength. In a very real sense, his paintings were visual prayers for the continuation of the Chiricahua people. Accessible to individuals for many purposes, Power helped the Chiricahuas survive throughout their history.

In this book, Griffin-Pierce explores Naiche’s artwork through the lens of current anthropological theory on power, hegemony, resistance, and subordination. As she retraces the Chiricahua odyssey during 27 years of incarceration and exile by visiting their internment sites, she reveals how the Power was with them throughout their dark period. As it was when the Chiricahua warriors and their families struggled to stay alive, Power remains the centering focus for contemporary Chiricahua Apaches. Although never allowed to return to their beloved homeland, not only are the Chiricahua Apaches surviving today, they are keeping their traditions alive and their culture strong and vital. Book News Annotation: Following the federal government's abolition of the Chiricahua Apache reservation, the Chiricahuas were declared "prisoners of war" and were forced into exile and imprisonment beginning in 1886 for some three decades. This volume is an ethnographic and historical study of how the Chiricahuas maintained and adapted their cultural identity during the years torn away from their homes. Major topics addressed include resistance to the institutionalized schooling forced on Chiricahua children, the cultural symbolism of the animal hide paintings of Naiche (the son of Cochise), and the maintenance and meaning of the Chiricahua Apache Girl's Puberty Ceremony.

www.powells.com...

The lands we want back are the lands that we held recognized titles to until the US unilaterally decided to ignore them. I might ask from where Americans derive legal title to the lands they claim. The Louisiana Purchase is not a legal sale, any more than buying a stolen car from a thief is legal: the French had no right to claim the land or to sell it, selling what doesn't belong to you doesn't protect the buyer or give the buyer any right to what he paid for.

reply to post by FarArcher


I try to speak the truth with patience.

If my words help, I am pleased, but not happy.

Until my people are free to choose their own destiny out from under the thumb of the US, happiness is an elusive thing.

reply to post by sonnny1


Thank you.

If they really wish to understand better I ask you and your family to join me in a custom I've practiced since I was old enough to understand things.

Every Thanksgiving, I fast, not feast.

I swore an oath many years ago not to break bread on that day with the conquerors and murderers of my people, for why should I, a Chiricahua, celebrate the survival on this continent of those who would eventually exterminate most of us with malice aforethought and great glee? Why should any Native American? Might just as well ask the Jews to celebrate Hitler's birthday.

When asked, I tell people that I will celebrate my Thanksgiving on the day I see a truly free and independent Indian Nation on this continent.

Originally posted by superman2012
I don't complain about paying taxes. I am proud of my country and how I live in it. I would be thoroughly ashamed if I had to live off of other peoples work. I don't mind some charity...but come on. When I see a new truck driven by an Indian and it has a bumper sticker that says, " work harder white man, I need a new truck next year" on it, sorry, I wouldn't dream of bragging that I am a sponge on society. Maybe that is our fault too! We made them this way. If an apology will stop them from being racist...and it is...then I AM SORRY.

Equality works both ways.

have you received compensation for the trillions of dollars land and oil that has been taken from you, or the lives lost because some racist idiot settler who couldn't read or write wanted more land for his 3 goats.

it's not sponging, and columbus is an idiot, he was lost and crashed landed on the east coast of the caribbean.