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=17229&TM=49882.9

10/3/2007 5:28:00 PM

Is opposing sovereignty racism?
Montana rights activist says it is

by Brett Larson
Editor

Travis McAdam of the Montana Human Rights Network said opposing tribal
sovereignty is racist because it "seeks to limit legally-established rights
of an ethnic group united by common history, tradition and culture."

"If we used that same definition and applied it to African-Americans, would
it be racist? Yes," McAdam said. "If a group wanted to remove African
Americans from the Civil Rights Act, people would say it's racist."

McAdam spoke about the history of Montana anti-sovereignty groups,
including the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, which has members in the
Mille Lacs area.

McAdam said, "We want our racism overt," explaining that people are
comfortable calling white hoods, burning crosses and shaved heads racist
but are less likely to use the "r" word for more subtle, institutionalized
forms of discrimination.

McAdam admitted there are legitimate issues that need to be worked out
regarding tribal sovereignty, but they need to be worked out "nation to
nation."

McAdam said the anti-sovereignty movement is diverse, with a variety of
individuals with different beliefs, but they are united by the broad themes
of opposing tribal government and federal Indian policy.