[PEN-L:11590] RE: Center for Columbia River History

["Craven, Jim" <jcraven@xxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Strahan, Elson
> Sent:	Wednesday, September 22, 1999 10:45 AM
> To:	'smitgm@xxxxxxxxxx'; Craven, Jim
> Cc:	Witte, Marjan
> Subject:	Center for Columbia River History
>
>
> Hello -
>
> Hope things are going well for you.  I received a call and a fax from the
> Center for Columbia River History, which is a group involving faculty from
> PSU and WSU.  They present/sponsor a number of programs dealing with
> Native Americans and they would like to get Clark involved.  Their
> proposal is to bring a showing of Lawrence Johnson's new film Hand Game to
> the campus on June 1st.  This is a historical examination of Hand Game and
> Native American gaming in general.  It will be the program that is
> featured in conjunction with the Center's Heritage Award.
>
> Other programs they are planning this year are Jeanne Eder's portrayal of
> Sacagawea.  You probably familiar with her.  She is a Dakota historian and
> performer.  They are also looking at a presentation from Elizabeth Vibert,
> who is a Professor of History at the University of Victoria and author of
> Trader Tales.
>
> Anyway, Marjan indicated that the students had not yet formed a club for
> this year, but I assume that we will again have an active group.  Is this
> something you would like to suggest to them?  The Center is at this point
> just finding out Clark's interest.  And, if you are interested, whether
> that date would be workable.  Could you touch base with me to let me know
> your initial thoughts and, if you are interested, how you want me to
> direct them?  Thanks.
>
> Elson Strahan
> x 2104
> estrahan@xxxxxxxxx
>
	Dear Elson:

	As Clark College is an Agency of the Government of the State of
Washington, despite repeated and ongoing attempts to privatize it--and shift
funds to accounts subject to less rigorous accounting and auditing protocols
than those of the State--through incestuous relationships between The Clark
Foundation and Clark College, nothing should be private and therefore I'll
share my comments and views with the whole campus.

	I can only speak for myself at this point as the reformation of the
Native American Student Council is in progress, but my personal feelings on
the above suggestions are as follows:

	1) I find the timing and content of this proposal personally
offensive. For the Totem Pole ceremony, sacred to Indians in meaning and
action, we invited Harriet Nahane, Dr. Robert Ward and Uva Jane Ankenbauer.
Harriet Nahane is a Pacheedaht Chief, a survivor of horrible Indian
Residential School abuses in Canada and a venerated Elder and freedom
fighter. Dr. Robert Ward is a hereditary Shaman of the Cherokee and one of
the most respected experts and practicioners in Aboriginal Law in all of
North America. Uva Jane Ankenbauer, a Cherokee is a highly respected
activist on issues dealing with Indian education. In all cases, these are
the real thing and not Hollywood Indians with white agents or people
hustling sales of their books or lectures.
	   I didn't see you or any of the "Executive Team" members at any of
the presentations. I saw some showing up for photo ops and then quickly
leaving and thus showing disrespect for these individuals--and the issues
they discussed-- who, in terms of integrity, contributions and courage, all
on the ET combined couldn't come anywhere close to. But in any case, this
disregard for real (not the safe ones) Indian issues and real Indian
activists is typical of the racism and hubris so rampant at Clark especially
by those on the ET who in terms of actual performance and capabilities, have
revealed absolutely nothing to be arrogant about.
	  So I find this newfound concern for Indians and Indian issues to
be entirely disingenuous, manuipulative ( a new PR moment is on the horizon
no doubt) and even racist in tone and approach.

	2. Once again, we have non-Indians or a few tokens setting up a
whole program on "Indian issues" and then dropping it on us. Now "they" want
Clark involved? And just who are "they"? I notice that the choice of topics
is a PR man's dream. Nice safe historical topics. Guaranteed not to offend
anyone, especially possible Foundation donors. How about "Sacagawea" [sic]
as an epidemiological vector for the introduction of syphillis and other
white man's diseases into Indian Country? How about the history, arrogance
and effects of Christian missionaries as agents of genocide, forced
assimilation, kidnapping/forced adoption, disease, broken treaties and
thefts of sacred lands in Indian Country? How about The Roles, Practices and
Consequences of Indian Residential/Boarding Schools in Indian Country? How
about the application and applicability of precedents of  International Law,
Nuremberg War Crimes Trials etc on genocide and crimes against humanity to
the history and experience of Indians in America? How about The role of the
US Government, Developers, Fishing/Hunting Lobbies and bought-and-paid-for
Congressmen/Senators in broken treaties, land thefts and promoting Tribal
Corruption? How about the uses and consequences of anti-Indian  racist
caricatures as "sports mascots"? How about the uses of Indian children by
twisted rich white and non-white pedophiles?
	How about the introductions and uses of alcohol and drugs in Indian
Country by non-Indians in order to control, divide-and-rule and loot Indians
and Indian resources? How about Lewis and Clark as front men for genocide?
How about the Grotesque Hypocrisy of the U.S. government and elements of the
population daring to lecture anyone anywhere about "respect for human
rights"? How about the increasing designation/use of Indian reservations as
toxic and radioactive waste dumps? How about the application of the 1948 UN
Convention on Genocide to the history and reality of treatment of Indians in
America? How about the BIA as an instrument of Tribal corruption and
genocide? These are but some of the topics I could suggest that bear on
real-world and present-day realities in Indian Country. Of course these
topics are not safe because some of your potential donors, the rich ones,
are some of the very types who are profiting very well from the ongoing
plunder and destruction of Indian Nations and Cultures.

	The Native American Student Council is being formed again and I will
of course bring your proposal to any and all interested Indian and
non-Indian students that we gather. Our focus will be mainly on developing
mechanisms for helping at-risk students, tutoring students in need of
remedial help to succeed at Clark, developing programs that aim at exposing
and correcting ugly caricatures and stereotypes about Indian cultures and
Peoples (even the supposedly "well-meaning" ones), exposing and discussing
burning issues of Indian Country, helping students to learn to effectively
compete for jobs after graduation (something you haven't had to do at Clark)
and building bridges of understanding between Indian and non-Indian Peoples.
But we will not be "dancing for the tourists." Nor will we be taking any
more beeds, trinkets and "infected blankets"--metaphorically speaking.

	These are my own opinions and not those of Gerry Smith or of other
members of the NASC necessarily. I will of course abide by the democratic
decisions of the members of the NASC and however and to whatever extent they
may wish to participate in your proposed programs I will assist them always,
however, retaining my own freedom of speech and opinion which I will never
surrender to anyone for any inducement.

	Since your proposal bears on Clark College as an institution, this
proposal should be shared and debated by all. This is not a country club or
a feudal estate--actually it is but shouldn't be--and I will only openly
discuss and debate the critical issues and proposals that bear on the
integrity, effectiveness and standing of Clark College where I work in a
position for which I competed freely and fairly--unlike you and some of your
cronies.

	I hope that makes my position clear. If you go ahead, which I fully
expect you will, I will be there to examine and comment on the topics of any
programs and standing/credentials of those purporting to speak on the
topics.

	Jim Craven
	NASC Advisor