Quantum Physics

As I'm sure you've all heard by now, Ward Churchill won his case against the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Jodi Rave discusses that Ward is not considered Indian by many. Oddly, this case wasn't about whether or not Ward was Indian or not. It was a case about being wrongly fired when the staff scrutinized his work and found some possiblities of plagarism after Ward received much publicity around his "Little Eichmans" statement.

Still, I have heard of no scrutiny being taken up against the lying Carlos Castaneda and his falsities about the Yaqui and Don Juan, but then again, Carlos doesn't challenge the status quo.

There is an article in the Rocky Mountain News stating that they did the research and proved Ward isn't Indian. They didn't prove that Ward's work was lies, so they, too, go after the messenger. However, I also don't put too much weight in this. Newspapers lie at times, and often. They have an agenda of bringing down Ward, again, because he challenges the status quo. And since it is often proven that scientists can be liars and that DNA isn't necessarily the science that folks like to think it is, I question that, too. Scientists can have an agenda as well. But, personally, I don't care about Ward's pedegree. When interviewed by "Mitakuye Oyasin" several times, the question doesn't come up.

James Craven, Blackfoot Solicitor General to the Traditional Government, indicter of the U.S. and Canada for the crimes of genocide on behalf of the Blackfoot, and Business Head at Clark College, is a good friend and supporter of Ward Churchill. He advised him not to play the "blood-quantum game."

That said, recently a neighbor went to a Native American teaching, that she paid money for, that was given by a group of white women. From what Shusli was told about this ceremony and relayed to me, we agreed that it sounded more like a new age scam for someone to make money. Any outrage? Any comments? Rocky Mountain News...are you out there?

Then there are all the assholes Shusli and I have exposed on our blogs whose names I forget who are NOT Indians but are passing on "Indian teachings" because they have some sort of self-perceived authority. They also charge a lot of money for "teachings." Oregonian, KATU News, would you like to talk with these folks? Find out the truth?

Oh, wait, these non-Indian Indians are not challenge the status quo, like Carlos Castaneda, and thus, need no scrutiny. You won't see Lynn Andrews, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Carlos Castaneda, or Forrest (Asa) Carter challenged in the media or their work scrutinized.

Then there are the pedigree certified BIA card carrying easily identifed for the round ups Indians that folks don't talk about much either. Folk like:

How's about Stan Spotted Wolf. Stan, a Blackfoot in Montana, was head of social services on the reservation there. Stan is also alleged to have raped hundreds, HUNDREDS!, of Indian children. Mike Weinman, FBI agent during some of the accusations of this time, is alleged to have helped cover it up. I read some of the testimony of Stan's victims. Oregonian? Post-Intellgencer?

lb is a self-proclaimed spiritual leader. He is alleged to be mixing medicines in his spiritual path that he passes on to others. Many who know of this agree that he should not be doing this. His experimental works have already done some damage. It is only a matter of time before that damage becomes serious. Any news on this?

Then there are Indians like Sun Bear, who portrayed a false message to make money. Scrutiny anyone?

What about the racism against pedegree Indians that don't have dark skin by Indians and non-Indians alike? Any news on that?

And why aren't the academics so scrutinizing of the works of many anthros who mis-represent their works in order to sell books? You know, like Sam Gill. In the alleged science of anthropology, many folks tell us Indians what it is like to be Indian and how wrong we are when we try to explain ourselves, but since they have academic degrees, they are better experts on us than we are. The lies that are portrayed throughout these issues, like with the Kennewick Man case (don't get me started on those pieces of shit Jamie Chatters or Bonnichsen), are no where near the research gone in to bringing down Ward Churchill and his works. Why is that? That's right! You get an A+! It's because these works don't challenge the status quo and often support it. Thus, there is no need for the challenge.

Same with lb, Stan, Brooke, Lynn, Carlos, Sam, and others. Their works don't challege the status quo. Their works don't bring up legal issues of genocide and other crimes. Their works don't make the masses of non-Indians stir uncomfortably in their seats. Ward's work does, and since they can't destroy the message...

One thing I have heard from many Indian folks is that Ward's work has made them proud to be Indians. They are glad (layperson and academic alike) for the work he has done in clarifying many issues around Indian country.

I certainly don't feel proud to be Indian because of lb, or Stan Spotted Wolf, real pedegree injuns with BIA cards and everything. Nor do I feel proud to be Indian through the works of Brooke Medicine Eagle, Sun Bear, Lynn Andrews, Sam Gill, nor anthropologists in general.

Ward's work, along with Vine Deloria, Jr.'s and Winona Laduke's, have definitely influence my pride as an Indian. What makes me proudest, however, is being married to Shusli.