Let's Talk Native with John Kane

Federal recognition (Fed Wreck)for Native people is defined as "a tribe, band or nation of Indians subordinate to the laws of the United States and under US jurisdiction." So who's signing up? Far too many but most of the 573 recognized "tribes" have never agreed to this definition and most of the others ignore it. But none of that changes how they view us and how far too many of our own people id...

Some say our existence is our resistance. Well, I say it depends on our existence. What are we existing as? Shadows of who we once were? Assimilated versions of those people? Or as Onkwehohnwe? How do we define ourselves? What is our identity?

Yesterday was Orange Shirt Day to honor the children of residential school, those that survived, those who suffered and those who perished. So tonight we talk about those schools; the deaths, the genocide and the legacy.

What's with the obsession with where Native people come from and when we got here. There is a motive to these questions and it's not about a quest for knowledge. We'll start with the ever changing Bering "land bridge" myth and go from there.

The climate wars came to NYC and the UN. Kids walked out of school all over the world in protest and one girl spoke to the world. Greta Thunberg grabbed headlines and plenty of unwanted attention from critics on the right and some just plain jealous of her success. In the meantime, the moron in chief continues to Tweet his ignorance and will finally face a formal impeachment inquiry.

The school board for the City of Buffalo Public Schools passed an absurd resolution making the case for "Indigenous Peoples' Day" but then just jammed "Italian-Heritage Day" into the same space. The resolution gets the same failing grade the Buffalo schools do. It fails in grammar, spelling, content and courage. Shame on the entire board for your incompetence.

The CDC says the suicide rate for Native women has increased 139% since 1999; Native men 71%. This is our discussion tonight. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK(8255).

The refusal to acknowledge our distinction is racist! Sameness and conformity is subjugation. Failure to respect our identity is to say it doesn't exist; that we don't exist. Of course, that was/is the plan but let's not help them.

Who owns the land? The future! The unborn! We are merely temporary occupants. The land is like the future: forever. This is tied directly to the "Seven Generations" philosophy and defining ourselves as Onkwehohnwe.

School is back in session! So it's time for us to step up as parents, grandparents and community members to be educators ourselves. We need to correct what our kids are being taught. Expose those "Little White Lies." And that goes for history, global studies, science and literature; not to mention language. Schools are institutions of indoctrination! It's on us to give our kids the information to...

NYS Governor Cuomo is refusing to repair and maintain the section of NYS Thruway where it crosses Seneca land. He seems to think this is a way to punish Senecas for not sharing gaming revenue. Hey Andrew! We don't use that section of Thruway! It can go to Hell for all we care. Anyone gets hurt on your mess of a highway and it's on you!

We talk a lot about sustainability but what about sustainable communities? What products and services do our communities need from within to be sustainable?

Damn! I said don't vote in their crappy elections. I didn't say do nothing. Stand up! Resist! Support your people!

Court uphold North Dakota stripping the vote from Native people! So what? We shouldn't be voting in their elections anyway!

What's the difference between Native and non-Native people? Land? Do we live up to our distinction? What is true and what is assumed?

Tonight marks 9 years of "Let's Talk Native..." August 10th of 2010 was our first show. We are a story more of perseverance than success but that was really the goal from the start. This was not about stardom but of service. We have the tough conversations and voice opinions that defy the conventional thoughts. And we just keep doing it! Tonight I ask, are we supporting white supremacy?

So the coward from the El Paso shooting says the genocide that white people inflicted against Native people is proof of what unsecured borders can create. He says he will not make the same mistake we did in allowing people in. Moron!

Matt Hill joins me in studio and Paul Delaronde by phone. We discuss the "Dish One Spoon" Gathering that took place in Kahnawake last weekend.

The Senecas aren't the only ones being squeezed for their gaming revenue. Other states want what New York has: Native casinos paying 25% of their slot revenue for NOTHING!

An update on some of the protests we talked about a few shows back. The protests in Puerto Rico have forced the resignation of the Governor and the battle to protect Mauna Kea has suddenly gained momentum and star power. Jason Momoa, Duane " The Rock" Johnson, the ladies of the "View" have all thrown support to the cause. Better late than never, I hope!

Our word for peace is not a noun. It's not the absence of conflict but rather a process of restoring balance and harmony to our place in an ever changing world. It's not a one-man game. It involves community. Ed Schindler joins us one last time before he leaves us for awhile to offer his thoughts on the subject.

Protests in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and NYC! Ed Schindler joins John Kane to talk about what these protests are all about.

Columbus's ships brought racism and slavery to our world by taking slaves back to his. He brought atrocities and genocide all in the name of God and greed; not necessarily in that order.

A replica of the Santa Maria has been docked at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo for over a week. We paid a visit ourselves today. Join Ed Schindler and I as we discuss Columbus and the American perception of him and his legacy as well as my exchange with the Santa Maria crew.

So when does a practice become a custom? Church, alcohol, patriarchy, patriotism? None of these were ours before white men brought them. They are with us now. But are they our traditions? Is this now a part of our culture? Is this our identity?