Note by Hunterbear:

This, which certainly warrants a comment or two from me, is a strikingly
profound and massively erroneous misreading of American racial minorities --
and of the effects of deadly racism -- and ethnocentrism [of which he is a
prime example] -- by a frequent University of North Dakota [Grand Forks]
professor and former [Democratic] Lt Gov whose UND "company man" career has
consistently been one of Big Administrative Pet. He knows absolutely
nothing about Indians -- tribal nations and cultures and Indian lands and
the primary Native commitment thereto; or the enduring and colossal
challenges faced and frequently -- against great odds -- transcended by
Indian people who remain true to tribe and culture. Native Americans abound
in North Dakota but he's never bothered to listen to them during his
multitudinous decades. He certainly hasn't gotten along with any Native
tribes or people -- Ever. And he also knows Zero about other racial and
ethnic minority groups.

In 1989, I was given three major awards for historical and contemporary
social justice activities: one, presented by the good Governor George
Sinner [Democrat], was the annual Martin Luther King, Jr award. The second,
given by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Wayne Sanstead, was the
annual Indian Education/Equity Award, And the third, somewhat unexpected,
was given by Grand Forks Air Force Base and presented by Commanding General
Pederson. Each [a very nice plaque -- no money] was very graciously
given -- and very graciously received -- at very well attended ceremonies at
which I spoke. Lloyd Omdahl came to none of these -- not surprising since,
among his other limitations, he'd been -- as Lt Gov -- the one member of the
nine person state King Commission who voted against giving that award to me.

Always a veiled enemy of our social justice efforts -- and certainly a foe
of mine at University of North Dakota, Omdahl has been and is just plain
devoid of sensitivity to the concerns of minority people and others of the
fewest alternatives -- but his riches-of-ignorance constitute one of North
Dakota's biggest and most spectacular mountains.

Hunter [Hunterbear] Micmac / St Francis Abenaki / St Regis Mohawk

Natives to blame for their own poverty


http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforksherald/news/opinion/5521679.htm

Grand Forks Herald 3/31/03

COLUMNIST LLOYD OMDAHL: Time for a Native billionaire

In business, Oprah Winfrey was the first black person to become a
billionaire. In government, Colin Powell was the first black secretary
of
state. In sports, black players are rapidly taking over basketball,
football and baseball. As we see the successes of blacks, it is time
to ask
the question: Where are the Native Americans?

There are Native Americans who have as much stamina, imagination and
genius
as blacks. They, too, could excel in business, government and sports -
or
any other endeavor in society. As each year passes, they are depriving
themselves, their tribes, the state and the nation of their talent.

Many Native Americans point to the past as the reason for their
non-participation in the success of other Americans. But blacks
experienced
the same oppression at the hands of the Anglos. While struggling with
the
disadvantages of the same history, Native Americans and blacks chose
different paths to the present.

Instead of focusing on grievances of the past, blacks have chosen to
join
the Anglos, the Hispanics, the Asian-Americans and other minorities in
the
battle up the ladder of success. Instead of looking back, they have
been
looking ahead. Meanwhile, Native Americans have denied themselves
opportunities by isolating themselves attitudinally and
geographically.

In the Old Testament is the memorable story of Abraham's servant who
went
to Nahor to find a wife for Isaac. When he discovered the right woman,
he
attributed his success to "being in the way," an expression that meant
he
was successful because he had placed himself strategically where
something
good could happen. When it comes to gifted Native Americans who are
going
nowhere, their problem is that they are not "in the way" where they
can
grab success.

Some Native Americans are hanging their economic dreams on casinos.
Casinos
may provide jobs for today's adults but they have nothing to offer
young
people who have the skills to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and
professionals in business, government and sports.

The growing number of successful blacks attests to the fact that race
is no
longer an excuse for opting out of opportunity. Every day, they are
demonstrating that they can break through the remnants of racism.
Asian-Americans, Hispanics and other people of color are doing the
same.
They are succeeding because they are "in the way" where success is
possible.

To their credit, more and more Native Americans are escaping the
confines
of reservations and taking up challenges in numerous fields of
endeavor.
But too many are still isolated where they miss the opportunities
being
seized by other minorities. To capture success, they must take a fresh
look
at themselves and the world that is passing them by.

Their first challenge is to shake off the shackles of paranoia that
have
hounded them since the dark days of their victimization. While their
feelings are justified, reliving old grievances will not lead to
building
new futures. Dwelling on old wrongs produces nothing but debilitating
anger
and no progress.

Then Native American children ought to be encouraged to aspire to
excellence. They ought to be convinced of their worth and their
attention
should be directed toward the future. Hopefully, they will realize
that as
society becomes more multi-colored, the opportunities for all races
will be
expanded.

Reservation leaders would do well to acknowledge that they have
youngsters
with skills beyond those than can be fully utilized in the geographic
confines of reservations. Not only should they let go of their youth
but
they should also encourage them to rise to new levels of achievement,
on or
off the reservation.

The time has come for Native Americans to honor themselves by
providing
more secretaries of state, legislators, business executives and civic
leaders. They can do it. And its time that some aspiring entrepreneur
joined Oprah as the first Native American billionaire.

Omdahl is a former North Dakota lieutenant governor and UND professor
of
political science.


Hunter Gray [Hunterbear]
www.hunterbear.org
Protected by NaŽshdoŽiŽbaŽiŽ
and Ohkwari'

In our Gray Hole, the ghosts often dance in the junipers and
sage, on the
game trails, in the tributary canyons with the thick red maples,
and on the
high windy ridges -- and they dance from within the very essence
of our own
inner being. They do this especially when the bright night moon
shines down
on the clean white snow that covers the valley and its
surroundings. Then
it is as bright as day -- but in an always soft and mysterious
and
remembering way. [Hunterbear]