On almost every weekend in the US, the indigenous people of North America (Indians, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, etc.) hold gatherings called "pow wows." During these festive, colorful events, many vendors sell t-shirts that talk about the effects of the so-called "discovery of America." Bumper stickers deride those who would forget that the original inhabitants of the Americas were the first to face the perils of "illegal immigration." Now however, residents of many "border states," particularly California, are looking at the efforts of "Minuteman" groups that have been formed under the auspices of "border security." On the surface this seems honorable and to be working to stem the tide of illegal immigration. However, there are some fundamentals that only an "Indian" might be able to point out:

First, there is a saying taken from the bible: he, who is without sin, let him cast the first stone. Many of those who would promote Minuteman groups and the proposed California Border Patrol are the same types of individuals who would fight Native tribes over tribal lands. Note that many of the Minuteman's supporters also support restrictions on how Native tribes use their lands and in some cases, these "protests" have turned violent. (Witness the border clashes between Native and non-Native people in NYS for proof of this.) Additionally, EVERYONE not of pre-1492 decent in the US is an ancestor of an illegal immigrant, as the islands of the Caribbean, the Continental US, Alaska, Hawaii and other small but no less significant places were invaded then populated by people who were not "legally welcome."

Second, the methods used against the majority population (Mexicans) of illegal immigrants may not be openly violent, but they are inherently racist. Not because the vast majority of those coming across the Rio Grande, etc. are Mexican, but because of the lack of minority involvement in such endeavors as the Minuteman Project, the organization of the California Border Patrol, etc. If security, terrorism prevention, protection of the legal workforce, etc. is so important, then why haven't legal immigrants, minorities, etc. "jumped on the bandwagon" and supported border "protection" measures? The fact of the matter is that the majority of supporters of this new form of "border security" are white males in middle to upper middle class environments who have latched onto an agenda that permits open racism. Even those who are not racist among us still laugh at the occasional ethnic joke, and what better way to justify those jokes than to come up with an element of truth (weeding out “illegals”) to justify harassing a whole group of fellow human beings?

As a descendant of LEGAL immigrants (believe it or not, some Cherokee moved northward and were welcomed in the NY/NJ area by the local Indians, ultimately becoming part of the Sand Hill Band in New Jersey, New York and parts of Pennsylvania), it’s plain to see that there is strong evidence that the motives of those in these so-called border protectors are more than a little suspect. If illegal immigration and job protections are that important, protect them universally and in a way that respects the sacrifices many make in order to come to this country, and don’t forget that unless of indigenous lineage, YOU are an illegal immigrant.

NOTE: The author is a member of the NJ Sand Hill Tribe of Indians, a Native enclave encompassing NJ and parts of NY and PA. He is also a former military and tribal police officer and has been active in Native affairs for many years.

Ah so you're a Native American. We should meet some time and talk. Like I said, for the most part I'm not getting into the issue of "who was here first" and people who are here against US immigration laws. I've moved on to reading up on the Minuteman Project and its founders, starting with the Southern Poverty Law Center. I'll be contacting them. I took a Native American studies class in college, but didn't complete that one. But I've wanted to learn more about them in person since.

personally i am not an indian i just post the article from american chronicle.

just try to get a staight answer

from an "aztlaner".

their lies just don't wash,

and most especially to me

A TRUE NATIVE ABORIGINAL PERSON.

Me and my tribe have been actively patroling

the border for about 15 years now.

AND we are still seeking satisfaction

for all STOLEN LAND in mexiKKKo.

As you may or may not know,

no indigenous first nations peoples

have any rights accorded to them

regarding LAND, Culture, or history

or law.

it"s just a big shit sandwich down there for

any NATIVE, speaking for myself and others.

no mexiKKKan is a native.

although there are NATIVE TRIBES still

surviving there.

we will NEVER support the colonialist

mexiKKKan people or government.

study some history.........................

by this article, Joe Turner, Gilchirst, Simcox, and most of MMP are illegal. so y do u work for them canat.

"personally i am not an indian i just post the article from american chronicle. "

Oops, sorry ;)

on topic of " illegals"

i am not saying anthing in the above post

pertaining to who is legal or not.

meaning HERE dipshit,

in AMERICA

or do you not know how to read english?.

my bad, then.

history: Europeans came here , lots of shit happened.

America was born.

Natives fought for THIS great country in

EVERY single WAR.

whether it was the Original Revolution

or Iraq, you will hear of US.

We the Native Aboriginal Peoples kicked ass

all over the dang place

and believe you, me, that we will not

see it Attacked by outsiders.

Today you may hear of some

who are mislead and fed lies

about MY PEOPLE

we are not in any way : meixcans,

xicanos, etc. etc.

I think its great that

people of various ethnic backgrounds

would like to come to this country,

I will not judge anyone based

on race, religion, sex or creed.

As long as they come to MY country

LEGALLY.

big f'n whoop, get in line and do it right.

However, if you are here by any other means

you have got a problem buddy.

and if you even DARE to INSULT my

ancestors by your bullshit jump claims.

well, then, lets get it on.

I dont work for anyone, but my people

the ABORIGINAL FIRST NATIONS

which we happen to have Gods blessing

to be a part of ..

dont get me wrong, i make no excuses for anyone

but this is the REALITY

for my people , my(and yours, OUR American Families, all races, all creeds etc.)

children, elders and deceased relatives.

just get in f'n line, fill out the papers

and shut yer hole about

'this is azt-sham. evil gringos, blah blah blah"

I ain't buying it ,homes.

don't cry to me about "them evil gringos stole mexico"

JUST who in the hell do you think

you mexiKKKanss stole it from?????

the friggin tooth faires??.

gimme a break!

c/s

I thought 'c/s' was some kind of chicano thing to write.

" they will keep goats, they will grow corn in the front yard, they will hang their wash on the front fence. "

At last! a use for that fence!