Mike__M
Mike__M's JournalJustice Scalia on Indian Law: "We're just making it up"
April Youpee-Roll, Missoula Independent
Just making it up:
On Justice Scalia, Indian law and the Supreme Court's future
The Indian law cases that land before the Supreme Court have broad implications for real human beings subject to an inordinate amount of federal discretion. So far this term, the court has already taken four. The implications of these decisions will determine, for example, if a tribe has civil jurisdiction over a non-Indian who sexually assaulted a teenager on tribal land, and whether or not Congress' efforts to confront epidemic levels of domestic violence in Indian Country will be thwarted by a lack of respect for the decisions of tribal courts. If the court is truly making anything up, it's the increasing limitations on the breadth and reach of tribal sovereignty, which includes the ability of a tribe to ensure the health and safety of its people. And that's important enough that even a fifth grader could understand.
(Emphasis added)
http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/just-making-it-up/Content?oid=2688497
That was Clyde Bellecourt, cofounder of AIM
The angry native man who started speaking at the end of the Black America Community Forum was Clyde Bellecourt, cofounder of the American Indian Movement.
DU has gotten all riled up lately about respect for prominent civil rights activists. Geez, Bernie, don't disrespect Clyde Bellecourt. Meet with him. Soon. He was angry--damn right he was angry--he was arrested just a couple years ago, for sitting on a bench in a mall, listening to the drums of a Round Dance Revolution event in support of Idle No More. So he was angry--listen to him. Damn it. Listen. Answer his question.
OK, I know, Bernie had to get to another event. He's busy; he's on a tight schedule. I know that. But Clyde Bellecourt is not just some angry dude. Cofounder of the most controversial, notorious and influential Indian organization of the 20th century--he deserves to be heard and answered. And he's Native--understand this: when a Native, especially an elder, has something important to say, white man's time is irrelevant to him; if you're going to listen, you'd better be patient. And you really should listen.
I'm in for Bernie, and I'll stay in, but please, Bernie, do the right thing, again.
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