1. 1. NATIVE AMERICANS: RACISM Business Ethics at the University of Utah, April 30, 2015 Presented by: Natalie Vavrasek, Jonathan Hamelin, Leslie Morrill, Ben Child & Steve Raguskus
2. 2. QUOTES Racism is a refuge for the ignorant. It seeks to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom, and deserves to be met head-on and stamped out. - Pierre Berton A Native American grandfather talking to his young grandson tells the boy he has two wolves inside him struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love and kindness. The other wolf is fear, greed and hatred. Which wolf will win, grandfather? asks the young boy. Whichever one I feed, is the reply. - Native American Proverb
3. 3. QUIZ True or False The U.S. Government imprisoned Native Americans wearing and using sacred tribal objects; the same religious objects sports teams used in mockery. True In 2011, the median wealth of Native Americans was equal to 8.7% of the median wealth of all remaining U.S. citizens? True Despite all the efforts to educate our young people on the importance of diversity, they are being socialized in a system that has normalized racism against Native peoples? True
4. 4. RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION
5. 5. RELIGIOUS HISTORY - AIRFA American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) Passed August 11, 1978 Prior to passing, the federal government frequently violated Native American rights to three main necessities in relation to their religion: 1. Access to and use of sacred religious sites, 2. The use and possession of sacred objects such as eagle feathers, bones, peyote, etc., 3. The freedom to worship through their own ceremonial and traditional beliefs. In order for a tribe to be covered under the AIRFA they must be federally recognized. Currently 565 recognized tribes, and 460 unrecognized
6. 6. RELIGIOUS HISTORY BLOOD QUANTUM LAWS Law states that in order for someone to be a legal member of a tribe, they must possess some degree of blood relation to the tribe or must be able to provide document of descent from original tribal members. Came into existence in 1700s Not truly enforced until the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 Many tribes use their own methods for determining tribal membership through traditional adoption methods, trust in someones lineage claims, and through spiritual prompting and guidance.
7. 7. RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION United States v. Wilgus Samuel R. Wilgus Jr., a Caucasian by birth, is adopted by Paiute spiritual leader into the Paiute Tribe in accordance with tribal tradition. Wilgus is recognized as a spiritual leader by the Native American Church Given right to possess and use eagle feathers 1998 Wilgus is arrested and charged with illegal possession of eagle feathers under the Eagle Act. 2009 A U.S. District judge reverses conviction 2009 The Federal Government appeals to 10th District Court 2011 The 10th District Court overturns reinstating charges
8. 8. UNITED STATES V. WILGUS The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act), 16 U.S.C. 668, prohibits possession of the feathers or parts of eagles, but contains an exception to the ban when the feathers are possessed for the religious purposes of Indian tribes. Id. 668a. The regulations implementing the exception limit its scope to members of federally-recognized tribes only, who are allowed to apply to the government for permits. 50 C.F.R. 22.22. The Federal Government determines which tribe is or is not federally-recognized. The Paiute Tribe IS Federally recognized Federal Government does not recognize Wilgus adoption Wilgus does not have a blood relation to the tribe
9. 9. ROBERT SOTO Lipan Apache religious leader and Native American by blood lineage Member of tribe not recognized by Federal Government 2006: Eagle feathers seized during pow-wow 2014: Court ruled confiscation was violation of his religious rights, even though the tribe is not approved 2015: Eagle feathers returned to Mr. Soto
10. 10. SPORTS & RACISM Oh, you think Redskins isnt racist. Tell me again how big of a supporter you are of the Spics and Crackers Condescending Wonka
11. 11. SPORTS & RACISM: THEN & NOW Name the Organization
12. 12. EDUCATION Push aside the defensive and dismissive feelings, and realize that its not totally your fault. Youve been socialized in a system that has normalized racism against Native people. Youve been raised in a society that sugar-coats its colonial and genocidal past, and ignores the modern presence of Native peoples. Adrienne K.
13. 13. CHANGE NCAA: 2005 Ruling 8 teams received exemption
14. 14. COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION University of Utah - Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ute Indian Tribe and the University of Utah
15. 15. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS 2006: Oregon Board of Education Issued Ban 92% of the 2,129 Sports Teams in the U.S. with Native American Mascots are High School Teams
16. 16. Proud To Be https://youtu.be/mR-tbOxlhvE
17. 17. DISCRIMINATION & ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
18. 18. DISCRIMINATION (Varies by state with South Dakota being the worst) 33% of elementary students but only 5% of high school students Graduation Rate < 25% Dropout Rate up to 65% Arrest Rate 300% higher than white counterparts 1 in 10 victim of violence 70% of violence resulted from other races American Indian employment rate 64.7%, Whites: 78.1% With all things being equal, odds of being employed is 31% lower than whites 12% achieve Bachelor's Degree; White-22.4% Living on or near reservations decreases chances of employment by 7%
19. 19. DISCRIMINATION Kill the Indian, and Save the Man. Carlisle Indian Industrial School 1900 I blame the Indians for much of what happens to them; they refuse to blend in. They insist on keeping to their old ways. After all, they are a conquered people. Birdie Ward
20. 20. DISCRIMINATION
21. 21. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY In 2011, one out of every four Native American Indians lived in povertycompared to the national average of one in ten non-Hispanic whites. Homeownership is a key source of wealth for the average American. Homeownership among Native Americans is significantly lower than the ownership rates of non- Hispanic whites, and the homes they do own are valued significantly less. Native American Indian economic growth is stunted by an extreme employment crisis. This crisis coincides with the disparity in educational advancement among Native American tribes.
22. 22. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY Government regulation and subsidization of Native American reservations has been more of a cause than a cure for economic inequality. Reservations covering millions of acres, hold vast natural resources such as: timber, mineral deposits, natural gas, and oil. Current laws and regulations restrict tribes from developing these resources and using them for commercial purposes. Rather than focusing on subsidies, the government should focus on constructing an economic environment that will enable Native American Indians to prosper on their own.
23. 23. Q & A