A big movement for Indian independence has recently occurred: On Dec. 19, a delegation of Lakota Sioux Indians arrived in Washington, D.C., and handed over documentation declaring that the Tribal Nation of the Lakotah is now an independent, sovereign nation.

For 150 years, the indigenous people of the Americas have fought, both on the battlefield and on the floor of the United Nations, for acknowledgement as free people. The U.S. government has not only denied all tribal nations their human rights, but they have allowed large corporations to strip mine Indian territory, stealing resources, water and land.

Under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, also known as the Snyder Act, the United States formally declared that all indigenous people living inside American borders were to be given express citizenship. This was without the consent of any native person, and is a rallying point for Indian rights advocates today. The funny thing about this treaty is the textual evidence showing its illegal violation by the U.S. government. There is a Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, which by implication means that they treat natives as subjugated people, not even "protectorates" like that of Puerto Rico, or the Marshall Islands. The U.S. government also gives the right to tribes that they may govern themselves, as long as it does not interfere with any laws of the United States.

The reason why I chose to use the phrase "A big movement for Indian independence has recently

Advertisement
occurred," and not "Indian independence has recently occurred," is because I don't think the legal documentation will be accepted in Washington. If you haven't heard that there is a literal Republic of Lakotah inside our borders, that is because the government refuses to see it as official. They do not believe that this declaration in any way constitutes the formation of a new republic. Without serious consideration given to this matter, I think that the United States will ultimately ignore this Indian treaty; it would not be the first time. I hope that some will recognize this as a step toward freedom for the conquered people of this nation.

As a final note, I would mention that the Lakotah Republic has started initiating liens toward real estate properties inside Lakotah borders. If the property is not returned to the Lakotah, and all corporate entities also removed, it will be in direct violation of United Nations Security Council laws that forbid the occupation of military troops, civilians or corporations without absolute consent of the nation in question. This would mean in effect that the United States would be violating its own treaty, and would therefore be subject to a combined coalition of a United Nations peace keeping battalion.

If you think that the freedom of native people should come before Congress and be recognized by our country, I urge you to contact your representative or senators. For years, many people in our country have worked to help those whose rights are oppressed in other countries. Now, never has the need of the people been so close to home.


Nick Hollis of Oxford is a sophomore at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury.