P.S.: Land

Check our Instagram, @AmericanIndianTreaties . We post alerting about blogs, and the most recent one is a picture of all of the American Indian Land. Take a look at it, it'll probably surprise you just how much is actually American Indian land. This is a prime example of why it's important to be educated all about American Indian treaties and what they do.

Session 4: What?

Mino gigizheb!

I hope the weekend treated you kindly. Here's your tidbit for the day. 

What is a treaty? A treaty is not a law, and it only pertains to those who have signed it and are a part of the party that signed it. Treaties are made between sovereign nations, and the United States has signed more than 300 treaties. Signing these treaties, in the beginning, was a way for the United States to show other countries that they too, are in agreeance with the people in their country. There are treaties still into effect to this day. Some of these treaties even let those that are not a part of a tribe, to live on the land that that tribe owns.

Remember that these treaties are apart of American Indian's history. Just as we would want people to respect our history, we need to be respectful of theirs. We all are deserving. 

Miigwech

P.S.: An Explanation

One more thing...

I'm making my blog posts a little shorter and sweeter, as to not overwhelm. I know that personally, when given an abundance of information, I can tend to get a little overstimulated and my mind wanders while reading. These short blog posts are easy and quick to read. Almost like a fun fact for every day.

More to come!

Miigwech!

Session 3: Who?

Mino gigizheb!

I've decided to make a breakdown of treaties to explain. I'm going to ask the five "W" questions. Who, what, when, where and why. This will help to create better understanding. Today we'll start with who. 

Who? Who do treaties affect? Treaties affect basically everyone. They affect American Indian Nations, specifically, and the U.S. congress. It affects the people surrounding the reservation as well. These people will need to be aware of what is and isn’t theirs. Some people don’t understand that the earth is American Indian’s relative, and their sanctuary.

All for now!

Miigwech

Sesson 2: Culture Shock

Mino gigizheb!

That means good morning in Ojibwe. Personally, I believe it is important to be aware of other people's cultures. Culture shock is real, even when you live around people who act differently than you. Why is that?

In today's society, we are stuck in our own world, surrounded by people who behave like us, we can't even try to reach out or see any one else's point of view. But somehow, we expect people to do the same. There are many cultures just outside your backdoor. Asians, African Americans, American Indians, and so many more. They share classes with us, they shop at the same grocery stores, they like the same restaurants. They are very similar to us in many ways.

I grew up in Bemidji, MN. We were surrounded by 3 reservations. Growing up, I remember in elementary and middle school, teachers trying to teach us the Ojibwe language. In middle school, there was even an American Indian class that was an elective available to take. Walking in to buildings, the door read, Anishinaabemowin. But as I grew older, the culture teaching started to fade. Up until my second year of my undergrad, I had lost total connection to anything American Indian related. That's sad. I knew very little. Taking American Indian studies, I was opened to a whole new world, and all new information, that I had never known. 

One of these things was treaties, and all about them.

As I leave you this morning, I hope you think about the different cultures in your community, and what you can do to understand more. 

Miigwech!

Session 1: beginners guide

Anishinaabemowin!

Here's a little bit why treaties are relevant:

 “An agreement or arrangement made by negotiation: (1) : a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (such as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usually ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state (2)” (Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary, 2018) This is the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary’s definition of a treaty. But what does that even mean? A treaty is not a law, and it only pertains to those who have signed it and are a part of the party that signed it. Treaties are made between sovereign nations, and the United States, together, they have signed more than 300 treaties. Signing these treaties, in the beginning, was a way for the United States to show other countries that they too, are in agreeance with the people in their country. There are treaties still into effect to this day. Some of these treaties even let those that are not a part of a tribe, to live on the land that that tribe owns. For example, I live in the Bemidji area, and where my boyfriend lives, is on Red Lake Nation land, but because of a treaty, he is able to live there without being in the tribe. This is very common to see in the Bemidji area, as we are surrounded by 3 tribes. The same applies to bodies of water. There is Upper and Lower Red Lake, but civilians that are not a part of a sovereign nation are only allowed to fish one third of Upper Red Lake and none of Lower Red Lake. The same goes for Leech Lake, there are beautiful cabins all along the lake, and just not long ago, a 100 year Treaty ended, which forced certain cabin owners to give up their cabins to the tribe.

            Many believe that treaties are no longer relevant and do not apply at all. They say that the treaties are a thing of the past and everyone should just forget about them. But this loses our respect for those that are a part of a sovereign nation. Just like we would respect those who wear hijabs or things along those lines, we need to respect the treaties for those whose ancestors brought them upon us. Just as we abide by the United States Constitution, we will to those of any Treaties to this day. If we were to just “forget” the treaties signed, we would lose an abundance of land that possibly hold business, and many people’s homes, who are not a part of a tribe. They were given this land many hundred years ago, and we will respect it and abide by the treaty. When these treaties were signed, it was a way of protecting the land and the lifestyle of American Indians for years to come. This protection of land was to protect a relative, the water was considered a relative, as was the land, the trees, the wind, and so on. That’s what some of the nations believed, that was practiced in their teachings, that the land and water and all that comes with them are relatives. The tribes were given an incentive for signing these treaties, “In exchange, the tribes were promised goods, services, cash payments, and reservations. At times, tribes retained access to resources on lands that were sold.” At times, this was the only way to keep tribal members alive.

            In conclusion, these treaties do not just affect the sovereign nations and their members, but also those who are not a part of the tribes. It is all about protecting what once was said and signed, and staying true to it. It is to protect the land and the hard work that the tribal member’s ancestors once put forth so that their generations to come would have something to live and work for. This is a part of their history and by respecting it, everyone can help live their ancestors legacy on.

I hope this gives you a little more insight as to what treaties really are, and their importance. 

Miigwetch!