On federal lawsuit

The issue on the federal lawsuit has viciously divided our people over the last year. Proponents seem ready to take every federal dictate lying down. Opponents wanted the federal government to live up to its commitment inherent under the Covenant agreement.

As a continuing student of government, I find it woefully difficult bowing to the whims of the powers-that-be in Washington. What the federal government has violated can be found in the agreement. That some staffer has created his own Zoo Theory of what’s good for the NMI isn’t a reason to ignore the sentiment of the silent majority in slam-dunk fashion. It is citizenry’s role to push for the strengthening of their democratic institutions. Isn’t local governance entitled to its participatory role in a democracy?

If you disagree, then it was just last month that the first African-American became the 44th president of our country after 233 years. It took this long for fellow countrymen to allow the complete assimilation of all Americans into a democratic system of government that fulfills the enduring promise of our country of equality and the right of citizens in their pursuit of happiness. May we ask to be extended similar assimilation?

The defense of indigenous rights to a “greater degree of self-government” didn’t spin out of thin air nor was it an accidental provision. A lot of thought and vision went into this provision fully aware that as more of our people are equipped with secondary education under their belt, the more capable we will be in the disposition of substantive issues under the umbrella of self-rule in a democracy.

In recent days, several of the states have adopted measures to guard their sovereign rights under the 10th Amendment. This was triggered by funds for all states under the stimulus package that included federal impositions beyond its enumerated powers. In the process, it permits the federal government to dictate even the formulation of policies. Our federal lawsuit is similar in fashion. We only wish to protect the rights of indigenous governance to a “greater degree of self-government” inherent under the Covenant.

This nouvelle indigenous struggle is best described in a nursery rhyme I learned in grammar school: “Many years ago our country wasn’t free, we belong to England the land across the sea; but England wasn’t kind to us and so we broke away; and that is how it happened that we form the USA.”

We’re not going to break away from our country nor must we allow our varied conquerors to divide us further. We must only seek real participation and assimilation into the principles or bedrock of American Democracy upon which it was founded. And this too, friends, is as American as American apple pie.