Racism, hate crimes and discrimination. No one nationality has ever NOT felt the sting of hate and discrimination which is primarily based on fear, anger and ignorance. Native American's have and still today, fight and struggle to overcome this. This is one reason why many of Nations First People leave the reservation only to return. It is what they know. It is where the language is. It is where they are understood. It is where the culture is alive. It is home. For example, this may seem silly but it's true. A Native American living in the city can't just build a sweat lodge, erect a teepee and ride a horse to the store. On the Reservation we can. But most importantly, it's where our spirituality is. Our connection not just to our people but the land. It's just about the only place in this country that hasn't been destroyed by non Natives. Regardless of the terrible conditions they may be living in, we are free to be who we are. It is home.

 Below is a Native American rancher, Raymond Yellow Thunder. In 1972 he was attacked by racists, stripped from the waist down, and forced into an American Legion bar where people made fun of him, forced him to dance, and put cigarettes out on him. Raymond was then taken out back, beaten nearly to his death, and stuffed into the trunk of a car where he died. Before AIM became involved, two of the white murderers of Raymond Yellow Thunder, Melvin and Leslie Hare, were charged with assault and battery and released without even needing to pay bail.

 Racism against our people is still alive and breeding. But the worse racism, to me, is that of our own people against each other. Don't say it doesn't exist because it does. It thrives and it breeds. So many "you’re not native if" and I despise this. If you’re black, you’re not native. If your skin is too light, you’re not native. If you live off the, reservation you’re not native. If you’re not enrolled with a Nation, you’re not native etc. etc. I have said this before and I will say it again. The biggest enemy of our people is not off Native land. It's within.

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