Native Opinion an American Indian Perspective

First, there was an acknowledgement by the Catholic Church about sins it committed against Indigenous people dating back to the 13th century. Then, in July of 2022, a mere Two Thousand, Thirty Four years since the church blessed and approved the genocide of Indigenous people to colonize North American continent and beyond, Pope Francis, who represents the entire Catholic church, issued an apology (sort of) to first nations indigenous peoples on Canadian soil. Now, in 2023, the Church Presumably has repudiated colonization concepts of the past which has created the countries of Canada and the United States. But given the colonial history, well known throughout our tribal communities, is THAT enough? Dont' we already know it was and is currently wrong? In this episode, we deconstruct this new attempt by the Catholic church to alleviate its own guilt.

The question of whether Indian Country and the United States should be viewed as separate entities or as one unified country has been a topic of debate for decades. Given the history of colonization, genocide, and ongoing oppression faced by Indigenous peoples in the United States, tribes have argued that they should be recognized as true sovereign nations, separate and distinct from the U.S. On the other hand, some argue that the idea of a "united" America is paramount and that recognizing that separate individual "Nations within a Nation" would be a threat to national unity and security. In this podcast, we will offer perspective on how the complex history and ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous peoples in the United States are largely ignored by elected politicians who (in some cases) come from within our tribal communities. Also... Recently, the Keep America Beautiful organization announced the release of all rights to its "Crying Indian" ad campaign made famous in the 1970s. We ask... why now? And... The first Native American to command a space mission has returned from a six month trip to the International Space Station. We welcome her, and the space X Dragon crew back to earth. The Native Opinion Podcast is Hosted by Michael Kickingbear (Mashantucket Pequot) and David Grey Owl (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.) Learn more about the hosts here. Research and Website resources from this episode: One America? (1st Segment) Markwayne Mullin Goes Nuclear On Labor Leader In Fiery Hearing On Unions (VIDEO)Can UPS drivers make 100k?Ups Feeder Driver Salary (According to Zip Recruiter)What Does a UPS Feeder Driver Do?'Class War' Erupts at Hearing as Union Leader and GOP Senator Exchange Verbal BlowsTEAMSTER OFFICER SALARY REPORT (2019) Interview With Mark-Wayne Mullin (VIDEO: The Oklahoma News Report)Carol Tome, CEO, United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) Total Compensation for Fiscal Year Ending in 2021: $27,620,893. (Source: AFLCIO) UPS CEO addresses dangerous heat inside trucks and contentious weekend deliveries as a driver strike threatens to upend millions of deliveriesMarkwayne Mullin to replace Jim Inhofe in U.S. Senate (VIDEO)Mullin's and Hern's net worth jump with sale of businessesNative News Today's Jason Salsman visits with US Congressman and Cherokee citizen Markwayne Mullin VIDEO (Produced by Mvskoke Media)Report: Markwayne Mullin earned $600,000-plus in outside income against House rules Keep America Beautiful organization announced the release of all rights to its "Crying Indian" National Congress of American Indians Aquires Rights Retires “Crying Indian”National Congress of American Indians Press ReleaseExample of one of the "Crying Indian" ad spots. VIDEO Welcome home Commander Nicole Aunapu Mann, First Native American Woman in Space First Native American Woman in Space VIDEOFirst Native American woman to fly in space returns to Earth‘That was one heck of a ride,’ said NASA astronaut Nicole Mann after landing into the Gulf of Mexico

Are Non-Natives still that afraid of Native people? Non-Native people still do all they can to destroy Native cultures and ways of life.

"A corrupt act or practice."

The theft is appaling.

"We have seen bans on education and bans on the truth before. It never ends well."

"The misery inflicted on people of color because of hatred has to end. Tribes in the West are trapped, locked in during a deadly storm because of no infrastructure, (roads), problems created by hatred. People dumped on streets during the coldest Christmas night in DC history, because of hate. Accountability has to take place."

"As we approach 2023 it is anybody’s guess how this nation ends up. With the midterms out of the way, the Republican Party already has their new version of Trump in Representative-Elect Santos. He ran his entire campaign on a lie, and of course, there are right wing voters who are embracing him, and to be fair, some who want him gone."

This podcast is sponsored by The Mohegan Trading Post, selling Native American fine art, apparel, indigenous based foods, and craft supplies. Episode Description: Another "Christmas" holiday is here. How do you celebrate? How do Native People Celebrate? In this episode, we explore this question just a bit... Also, Climate change is contributing to severe droughts in the lower 48 states, but Glacial thaws in the state of Alaska has created large swaths of land once covered in ice and snow, and now thawed. The state of Alaska is now considering turning them into farmland. But is that what is really happeneing? Content Source list: Why We Need a War on Christmas: Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o6lJ7Tr63Y&ab_channel=OurChangingClimate Jesus Steals the Winter Solestus: Source: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianbliss Ndn 12 Days of Christmas: Source: https://www.youtube.com/@josihair Watch Expert Explain Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLq9pRoLvE0&ab_channel=CNETHighlights How Developments In Nuclear Fusion Change Everything | Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains... Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s2ynUAJ5ZU&ab_channel=StarTalk CBS News Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/climate-change-sparks-alaska-farm-boom/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

The lie about equality and equal rights is just that. They are just that, lies. When laws have to be created to create “equal rights and protections”, then there was never any intent to provide “equal rights and protections” for everyone without it being forced.

Americans celebrate a holiday they call Thanksgiving. It is a time where they share food and time with families, watch commercialized parades on TV, and then (some) finish their day by watching a professional football game. For indigenous people whose traditional territories are encroached upon each and every day, "Thanksgiving" is actually a day of Mourning. In this episode of Native Opinion, we take our listeners to the National Day of Mourning event hosted by the United American Indians Of New England. Listeners will hear indigenous perspectives on a wide variety of subjects at this event during the American lie of a holiday called "Thanksgiving." For myself, I do spend time with my family, and share a nice meal. However, I am NOT celebrating this day as a holiday. Instead, today is one of my national days of mourning. I am thinking about my Pequot ancestors who unwillingly gave their lives for this country. Not through a military war, but instead, they had their lives destroyed by this country through acts of genocide. Their deaths were literally celebrated by the first colonial settlers under the first established American colony in Massachusetts. That celebration in 1637 marked the first American thanksgiving.

It has always been said that rats will desert a sinking ship. Well, the nation is getting a good look at who the rats are and what ship is sinking. Native people have always been dragged on board sinking ships by the rats with no lifelines for Native people when things go wrong. Now, we are refusing to allow ourselves to be subjected.

"The question that begs to be asked is. Why?"

"Desperation will give way to crazy antics. The Republican party is full of antics and will pull out all the stops to see which version of crazy will top the next. What will they think of next!!!?"

Is the climate agenda all talk and not enough action? With storms becoming more intense and people suffering from the ravages, is there really a direction? We look at some of the tragic effects of hurricane Ian, Fiona, and Maria with critical thought surrounding how the United States is reacting to Climate Change.

"For decades, water was viewed as an infinite resource. Native people knew better, and water was a living relative we respected and cared for."

There has been an old belief among many voters for decades, generations, that old white men know what’s best for the nation and are the best choices to keep them in public office as lawmakers. That old myth could not be more wrong, and the myth needs to die.

Everyday, there is so much information out there available for those who want to find it, but how much of that information is really reliable?

The destruction of flora and fauna because of the lack of concern for the planet cannot be calculated at this point. Because of the quest for as much money that can be made at the expense of Mother Earth, many indigenous peoples are experiencing the damages first-hand. Threats to livelihoods and homes have left many asking the question; is it too late to save the planet?

All it takes is one match to destroy an entire forest. We are that forest, and the ideologies of those who want us gone are the match.