How 'bout we take all the different ethnic and religious people, find a law that interferes with what we want and seek a permit to flip it. We are all Americans and the law governs all, no matter who was here first. Once again a case of not equal rights but special rights. This is what causes divisions among a nation of people. MY RIGHTS AND HERITAGE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUS. Gimme a break.
Whoa now back up. I have been watching this thread and now am going to speak my piece...
First and foremost, let's be honest right off the bat. This country expects everyone to bend to religious sensitivity yet when it comes to the beliefs and traditions of my people (or other tribes) everyone has a fit. Our soldiers can be sent to war, die and fight in a desert somewhere BUT they cannot take a bible, cross, star of david or etcetera with them BUT they must learn the proper way to handle a Koran. Do not preach what you do not know and do not have correct fact for.
Our religious practices were around long before my ancestors decided to be stupid and help the pilgrims, keep them from dying and show them how to live off of this land that eventually was repaid by the slaughter of our people, lies, disease and treaties that meant absolutely nothing. Our beliefs and traditions will still be here long after you and I are gone. It is not about special rights or the need to file lawsuits in order to perform our religious ceremonies would not be necessary now would it? Do indians harrass the Christians who play with poisonous snakes in church? No Does anyone else? No But let an indian try to uphold their traditions and the white man and tree huggers start yelling. So you gimme a break.
As for the other topics and posts:
On the topic of the whale hunts...the choice of power boats and rifles were decreed by the white man's law not the Indians because the "traditional" method and way was thought to be too cruel and not efficient and fast enough to suit the whiners. So blame that one on the white man not the native. Funny how it was an OLD whale they said the indians could kill and funny how white men liined up just to taste it prepared. LOL But they were quick to complain and try to stop it.
As to the right of the Wind River people to take the Eagle(s). Note that they may take up to two...why two? Because Indians know they mate for life and therefore should a pair be found without young to care for or a young pair without a nest yet, the pair will be taken. That is more honorable than the poachers do everytime they kill an eagle. Secondly, the entire bird will be prepared and honored according to tradition in preparation for the Sundance (I am assuming that is the ceremony because of the time of year being discussed). If you are not an indian, there is no need for an explanation to you on what that ceremony is about or what it entails or anything else aside from the fact it is a religious ceremony. Why should we need to explain it?
But again, the use of a rifle is mandated by the white man NOT the indian. The old ones would prefer to do it the old way...by use of an eagle catcher. One man would capture and kill the pair BY HAND which could take weeks or longer, barring the hope that he was not killed or maimed in the process. So try not to get all up in arms towards the Indian and OUR rights when, if left alone, we would do just fine.
Trust me...this is a topic best left off of BYC because it will open a can of worms that is best left in the Courtroom. But come with facts not theory. My PM is open if you want to debate fact and theory but best pack dinner and breakfast because it could go on forever because you see the facts are numerous sadly the myths are fewer, just reach for and read any history book printed in this Country and used in schools for all the myths.
