Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Olympian and U.S. Hockey Legend, Henry Boucha, Ojibway, Launches Kickstarter to Fund

Henry Boucha is a 1972 silver medalist in men’s hockey, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Member, former Minnesota North Star, Detroit Red Wing and Ojibwa. Boucha has launched a Kickstarter, through his nonprofit Kah-Bay-Kah-Nong, Inc., to fund the development of a documentary series that details the lives and accomplishments of Native American Olympians.

The story of Henry Boucha, Ojibwa Native American from Warroad, Minnesota is one of struggle, tragedy and triumph. From humble beginnings, Henry was able to break free from the inequality that has plagued Native Americans for centuries. His gifts as a hockey player led him to a silver medal in the 1972 Olympics. Following the Olympics, Henry enjoyed a professional hockey career for six seasons. He joined the Minnesota North Stars in 1974 until an incident during a North Star game against the Boston Bruins. An opposing team member struck Henry in the eye resulting in an injury that forced him to hang up his skates at the age of 25. This incident forever changed the course of Henry’s life in both predictable and surprising ways.

This story and those of other Native American Olympian Heroes will be used as motivators and empowerment for native and non native youth. In the United States, Native Americans have always struggled to receive recognition and appreciation that they deserve. As a group, Native Americans have been characterized as alcoholics, lazy, living in poverty on reservations, and receiving handouts from the government. These unfortunate stereotypes have gained momentum over the years and it is time to put a stop to these stereotypes. Native Americans are some of the most influential people in our nation’s history, yet they are not given proper recognition and accolades. Many have accomplished amazing feats and soared to the highest levels of success; including such sports icons as Jim Thorpe, who is one of the greatest athletes of all time; and T.J. Oshie, who single-handedly beat the Russians in a Olympic hockey shootout.

You view and contribute to the Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/henryboucha/the-stories-of-native-american-olympians

California Makes Civil Rights History by Banning R-word Mascots Statewide in Public Schools

Oneida Nation Homelands – October 11, 2015: The state of California made civil rights history today when Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that eliminates the dictionary-defined R-word slur as a mascot from all of the state’s public schools. Assembly Bill 30 (AB 30) - The California Racial Mascots Act, will prohibit public schools from using the term R*dskins as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname beginning January 1, 2017. California, the most populous state in the nation, is the first to pass legislation restricting the use of the epithet in its schools statewide.

The grassroots Change the Mascot campaign, which has been a strong supporter of the legislation, today praised California for its landmark stand against the R-word. Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter, who testified at a key hearing on the bill in the Senate Education Committee on June 17, and fellow Change the Mascot leader National Congress of American Indians Executive Director Jackie Pata, said in a joint statement:

“We applaud and extend our deepest gratitude to AB-30 author Assemblyman Luis Alejo, Governor Jerry Brown, and California’s lawmakers for standing on the right side of history by bringing an end to the use of the demeaning and damaging R-word slur in the state’s schools. They have set a shining example for other states across the country, and for the next generation, by demonstrating a commitment to the American ideals of inclusion and mutual respect.”

“Their historic step to build a better future stands in stark contrast to the dogged inaction of Washington’s NFL team, which in the face of all the evidence that this term degrades and offends Native Americans, continues to defend and promote the slur for its own financial gain.”

“The most populous state in the country has now taken a stand against the use of this insidious slur in its schools, and Change the Mascot expects more states to follow. This landmark legislation eliminating the R-word in California schools clearly demonstrates that this issue is not going away, and that opposition to the Washington team on this issue is only intensifying. The NFL should act immediately to press the team to change the name.”

All across the country, school boards, administrators and students themselves are also making the decision to give up this offensive term. Students at Cooperstown High School in New York voted to drop the R-word slur as their school’s nickname in 2013. They served as an inspiration to the Change the Mascot campaign and also led the way for many others who have taken steps to remove the R-word from their schools, including Northern Indiana’s Goshen Community School Board, the Lancaster Central School District of New York, the Oregon Board of Education, Madison (WI) School Board, Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma, The Houston Independent School District and Conrad Schools of Science in Delaware.

Alaska Renames Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples Day

Governor Bill Walker’s Proclamation:

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

Effective Date: Monday, October 12th, 2015

WHEREAS, the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as Alaska have occupied these lands since time immemorial, and Alaska is built upon the homelands and communities of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the state would not be possible; and

WHEREAS, we value the many contributions made to our communities through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of Alaska; and

WHEREAS, the State recognizes the fact that Alaska is one “big village,” with over 16 percent of the State population having indigenous heritage – the highest percentage among all the United States; and

WHEREAS, the State opposes systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples of Alaska or any Alaskans of any origin and promotes policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, in 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing 59 Tribes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana, and some Alaskan Tribes, passed resolution #11-57 to “Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October) to Indigenous Peoples’ Day;” and

WHEREAS, the State of Alaska joins a growing number of cities that have recognized the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day, creating an opportunity to promote appreciation, tolerance, understanding, friendship, and partnerships among Indigenous Peoples and all Alaskans.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Walker, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2015 as:

Indigenous Peoples Day

in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of our region and to continue efforts to promote the well-being and growth of Alaska’s Indigenous community.

Dated: October 9, 2015