OCR Text |
Show Monday, November 21, Native Americans hungry for growth By STEVE HAWKINS Editorial Page Editor The American Indian is awakening. After more than 100 years of dormancy and dependency on the federal Native government, Americans are uniting. Quietly, yet undeniably, they are organizing politically and economically to protect their land, natural resources and human dignity. Their new assertiveness may dismay or confuse some who had thought Native Americans would always remain under the direction of others. But for Howard Rainer, assistant director of BYUs American Indian Services, the change was inevitable. American Indians are now realizing they have capabilities, talents, genius and leadership and can forsake this feeling that they are a dependent entity in America, said Rainer. Now they are asserting political and economic power which until now has been held at bay. In many American states this causes frustration because when the Indian asserts his political and economic clout, people are confused. They thought he would always be controlled by others. There are 1.5 million Native Americans in the United States. With 50 percent of them younger than age 25, they are one of America's fastest growing minorities. It is the youth who seem to be taking the lead, said Rainer, who travels more than 200,000 miles a year for American Indian Services. In my work with young people I can personally witness the emergence of a new Indian, that is, young people who are articulate and educated. Education is power Like other Indian leaders, Rainer views education as the key to Indian success. Education is the power base for todays American Indian. It is providing them with the tool, skills and mechanism to deal with their own social, economic problems as well as meeting challenges outside the reservation. Education is also the key to political effectiveness. At the time I entered law school in 1970 there were only a dozen or so Native American attorneys, said Larry Echohawk, Pocatello, Idahos, prosecuting attorney. Now there are more than 500, which is an enormous surge of Indian people in have ever served in the United States Congress, according to a recent issue of Frontier magazine. However, the recent election of Colorado's Ben Nighthorse Campbell to Congress raised that number to eight. It is refreshing to see that it is the Native American people themselves who have inched nearer political reform," said Echohawk. When he was elected to the legislature in 1980, the only law' on Idahos books regarding Native Americans was negative. During his legislative terms he brought about tax incentives that reduced unemployment on the Fort Hall Reservation from 60 to 40 percent. He also helped establish Indian burial protection laws, the Tribal State Relations Act and the Indian Affairs Committee, which permitted negotiations between the Indian tribes and the state over the volatile issue of water rights. Such cooperation with governments and other organizations is crucial for Indian progress, according to the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA). The AAIA stated one of its major goals in a recent newsletter thusly: To work closely with other organizaions, especially those directly representing American Indians andor Native Alaskans, taking care not to duplicate efforts nor undermine their work. Economic development Native Americans are not only organizing on a national level, but are taking it upon themselves to economically develop their communities. Said Chief Phillip Martin of Mississippis Choctaw Indians in a recent article in Indian Affairs : "... I learned a long time ago was that nobody is going to promote you you have to promote yourself. In his article, Martin outlined his tribes success in providing jobs for his community. The Choctaw have relatively little land or natural resources, so they decided to capitalize on their human resouces. In 1979 they contracted with a major electric company to assemble wiring harnesses for automobiles. The venture proved highly successful (in part due to low labor costs) and jobs bugeoned from 25 to several hundred. Not only did this employ members of the Choctaw tribe, but it kept American firms doing business at home instead of transferring to Asia. Such success can and should be repeated by Native American communities throughout the United States, Martin said. And according to Rainer, BYUs American Inlaw. dian Services plays a key role in providing the Indian involvement in law is very positive be- services and workshops that foster community decause now Native Americans are serving in state velopment. He may be correct. During one brief interview legislatures and representing themselves in court, said Echohawk, who served two terms in Idahos period with The Daily Universe, Indian leaders legislature before being elected as prosecuting at- from across the nation called American Indian Sertorney in 1986. Despite American Indian advances vices seeking assistance. Floridas Seminole Indiin local elections, only seven Native Americans ans telephoned asking for help in designing a com- - munity development program. Tribal leaders from Oklahoma called to discuss a leadership workshop for Cherokee youth in five schools. Twice Native Americans from Alaska called requesting assistance in plans for tourism and economic and leadership development. Spiritually hungry But, in addition to a desire for education and community development, American Indians also hunger for spiritual growth, Rainer said. I have found Native Americans hungry and thirsty for spiritual nourishment and that to me is a great sign of the LDS prophecy that the Lamanite will come in in a day. I have participated in workshops and conferences where I have seen Indian people become submissive and humble to spiritual teachings. Rainer sees spiritual yearnings coupled with educational, political and economic as a clear manifestation of Elder Spencer W. Kimballs words regarding Lamanites. While in Mexico City in 1946, Elder Kimball had a dream which so impressed him that he arose from his bed and recorded it. It states in part: As I looked into the future, I saw the Lamanites from the isles of the sea and the Americas rise to a great destiny. ... In my dream I no longer saw you the servants of other people. I saw you the employers. I saw you the masters, owners of banks and businesses. ... I saw many of you as heads of government and of the counties and states and cities. I saw you in legislative positions where, as good Saint citizens, you were able to help Latter-da- y make the best laws for your brethren.... Some problems As with all cultures, Native Americans do have their social problems, but Rainer believes that they are distorted by mainstream America. Recently he was asked on a network television show by a reporter, Is it true that the American Indian cannot hold his liquor? Rainer replied, That may be true of a certain percentage of Native Americans, but I know hundreds across this land who abstain from the use of alcohol and drugs. I cannot speak for all American Indians, but let me ask you, is it true that there are 20 million alcoholics and many more Americans we know are addicted to drugs? The interviewer quickly changed his line of questioning. Whatever the challenges, Native Americans will continue to overcome them. Contrary to false belief, the American Indians are not a stoic, alcholoic, dependent people, but rather are slowly emerging into a powerful group of people who will have something to contribute to American society in greater proportion, said Rainer. Echohawk was more succinct. All the American Indian needed was an opportunity. The Daily I'niver&e 19Mi Page C&URTSIDE CONDOMINIUMS BYU Approved for Women If you couldnt get into Courtside this fall, nows your chance! We have six spaces available for winter!!! Hurry, they wont last long!!! T5Ttr COURTSIDE Also Available CONDOMINIUMS The Courtside House Comfortable Homestyle Atmosphere Only 1 Block From Campus Applications Now Being Accepted. non-Indi- Telephone: 801-- 3 ( 21 (Ask for Panda) I non-Indi- coO-- ofcsS .00 Activist Anti-Violen- Center for Teaching NCTV mo Researcn on & agstaff Lodging & $400 gression. publishing & lobbying against violence in TV, film war toys, sports, erotica, etc films Next to U Illinois Student loans deferable PO. Box 2157, Champaign IL 61820 uj Sb l TRUST 4 REASONS TO TRY BRAKES TO MASTER BRAKE: YOUR 1. Brakes are all we do! 2. Fast service - 90 mins. 3. Guaranteed Service 4. We wont try A sell you a muffler. 102 S. STATE OREM. 102 S. STATE OREM 225-168- 0 Sounds of Transcendence O ti o BYUs Lamanite Generation performs a colorful kaleidoscope of song and dance. New Age Music Lamanite Generation celebrates culture thentic red and blue costumes and a Peruvian folk flute. The American Indians celebrate their culture with many different types of dances, such as the hoop dance, In ancient language the term Lamanite refers to Warriors Dream, and songs which tell of their history. the native peoples of Latin America, Polynesia and Polynesian Lamanites bring to life the native cultures North America. To modern audiences the title of Hawaii, Samoa and New Zealand with music, song and Lamanite Generation means a kaleidoscope of song dance. The Lamanite Generation is a people building enand dance performed by the BYUs famous group. The Lamanite Generation is different than other tity, said Napia. Before coming to BYTU, he danced in was also performing groups. The dance instructors must have Hawaii at the Polynesian Culture Center. He an expertise in all the areas of their culture. sa id involved in the BYU Hawaii Polynesian Dance EnsemEdwin B. Napia, assistant director of BYUs Laman- ble. Dancing is very important in my life. When my family ite Generation. The Lamanite Generation represents nearly 20 dif- would gather together we would sing and dance songs of ferent Latin American, Polynesian and American In- our culture. Napia was recruited as a dancer for the Lamanite dian cultures and performs everything from a Polynesian Hana Chant, to an American Indian Spear and Generation in the winter of 1985. In the Fall of 1985 he was asked to be an instructor for the Polynesian section Shield Dance. The groups Latin Americans entertain audiences of their show. In 1987 the group will tour Jamaica, Puerto Rico, with many different dances from their culture. One of these, the Peruvian Dance, is complete with au Dominican Republic, Columbia, and Ecuador. l call (801)798-355- 9 By KENT KING Universe staff writer 375-884- 7 gUlV Home Office 374-884- 7 810 West Columbia Lane When it comes to clutch and manual transmission repairs ... nobody does it better. Since 1 963, more motorists have trusted Aamco than any other transmission specialist. So if you think you give us a may have transmission problems to but the car anyone call. Dont trust your New Program - Limited Time Only No Job Required Begin building credit for your future now! Just bring your banking information and college I.D. to: An American Express representative will be here 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Provo ,i Seniors, Graduate Students American Express' AutomaticApproval There is a good reason why more people trust their cars to Aamco. Quality! At 5 ic University Mall Monday, November 24 12:00-8:0- 0 p.m. |