Oh Indians...

dandelion

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Do you consider addicts to be "rational decision-makers," bar none, in terms of law and policymaking? I'm not arguing, but I like hearing people's thoughts on this issue.
Democracy has nothing to do with rationality. Its just asking people what they think and acting on it. Its the US which considers itself a democracy.
 

D_Miranda_Wrights

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Democracy has nothing to do with rationality. Its just asking people what they think and acting on it. Its the US which considers itself a democracy.

Are you saying that "government-shopping" is a form of democracy...? And you find it to be a good thing? It's not at all troubling to you?

Sorry, you're using "democracy" in an unusual sense, so I thought you were making a different argument than you might have been making.
 

1Cody

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As a Native, I do understand the denial of each individual to be just that an individual. The tribal expectation that is imposed on many people denies each member of the tribe the right to be an individual. I think it is referred to as tribalism. So we not only have to live up to others expectations, but also to live down to them. It is something about wanting to be accepted. It seems acceptance and recognition is paramount in a tribal community. I get reminded a lot of times that I am one of the tribe and not an individual member of the greater society. The native people define each other and themselves in relation to each other. I DON'T! I am lucky to have lived only 11 of my 46 yrs on my father's reservation. 4 yrs of that was as an employee of the tribe. The other 7 was as a child where I had no control over where I lived. It is not an answer but maybe part of the solution. This solution would be the exact same for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. That is to break the cycle the youth need to pursue their education and take advantage of opportunities. If the opportunity is the military, education, or internships elsewhere that is what is needed. To grow, develop and learn a life outside of the native community would be very beneficial. Many may ask, why should I leave my people? Is the goal to make the community more healthy? If that is the goal, new experiences and goals hold the promise of a better future than the present conditions. Does a person loose their Indianess? I don't think so. Look at Oklahoma, many Natives live and work in areas that are not strictly native. We can't all be chiefs, we got to have some braves and warriors. That being said, I haven't always strived for the top job, position, or ever resented taking orders. We need to begin to do things differently than the way they have always been done. That is a part of the answer. The tribe will always be there when you get back. Who knows, a person may serve as a more positive role model.

As far as personal responsibility goes, sure one would expect that there would be some. However, the dysfunctional culture is seeking to assign blame elsewhere. That is a part of the sick dynamic of tribalism. Someone correct me if I am wrong as I am sure that you will. Peace.
 

B_enzia35

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As a Native, I do understand the denial of each individual to be just that an individual. The tribal expectation that is imposed on many people denies each member of the tribe the right to be an individual. I think it is referred to as tribalism. So we not only have to live up to others expectations, but also to live down to them. It is something about wanting to be accepted. It seems acceptance and recognition is paramount in a tribal community. I get reminded a lot of times that I am one of the tribe and not an individual member of the greater society. The native people define each other and themselves in relation to each other. I DON'T! I am lucky to have lived only 11 of my 46 yrs on my father's reservation. 4 yrs of that was as an employee of the tribe. The other 7 was as a child where I had no control over where I lived. It is not an answer but maybe part of the solution. This solution would be the exact same for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. That is to break the cycle the youth need to pursue their education and take advantage of opportunities. If the opportunity is the military, education, or internships elsewhere that is what is needed. To grow, develop and learn a life outside of the native community would be very beneficial. Many may ask, why should I leave my people? Is the goal to make the community more healthy? If that is the goal, new experiences and goals hold the promise of a better future than the present conditions. Does a person loose their Indianess? I don't think so. Look at Oklahoma, many Natives live and work in areas that are not strictly native. We can't all be chiefs, we got to have some braves and warriors. That being said, I haven't always strived for the top job, position, or ever resented taking orders. We need to begin to do things differently than the way they have always been done. That is a part of the answer. The tribe will always be there when you get back. Who knows, a person may serve as a more positive role model.

As far as personal responsibility goes, sure one would expect that there would be some. However, the dysfunctional culture is seeking to assign blame elsewhere. That is a part of the sick dynamic of tribalism. Someone correct me if I am wrong as I am sure that you will. Peace.
Damn, much better than I could put it. I'm a man of few words.
 

helgaleena

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It's a dynamic I have observed among my in-laws. Some want there to be a tribal safety net and some want to get away and be successful in terms of the greater surrounding culture only.

Their tribe is pretty small, less than 7000 enrolled members, which makes it unrealistic to date only your cousins to keep the bloodlines 'pure'. Consequently there is marrying out and loss of community. So much depends on what individuals choose to value.

I have had in-laws ask me quite frankly what I did for fun, if I didn't drink or gamble. Then again, they also had trouble understanding my need to spend huge amounts of time alone. And I am really dumb about 'hints' and 'teasing'.

I believe that any ethnic culture is defined by 'tribalism' to the extent that there are patterns of interaction that are distinct to it. Maybe 'sick dynamic' is a harsh way of characterizing a legitimate human need to make groupings like that, but it has its advantages when it comes to keeping a minority on par with a majority.
 
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Not a clue. What do you find interesting about that tribe owning a casino?

Maybe one day they will be sued by gambling addicts and get a taste of their own peace pipe? They should be held responsible for all those blown paychecks.
 

1kmb1

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I'm not sure what your point is. The tribe's casinos are not especially profitable (consider the location) and only provide like 50 jobs.

Not a clue. What do you find interesting about that tribe owning a casino?


that theyre suing a neighboring city for providing their citizens an illegal addictive product, while theyre providing a neighboring countries citizens an illegal addictive product.
 

vince

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that theyre suing a neighboring city for providing their citizens an illegal addictive product, while theyre providing a neighboring countries citizens an illegal addictive product.
What are you talking about? The tribe is in South Dakota. The closest neighboring country is 500 miles away.

Plus, Saskatchewan has casinos and they they are not illegal. There is even a government owned website to promote them-Try your luck, all over Saskatchewan sasktourism.com
 
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1kmb1

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What are you talking about? The tribe is in South Dakota. The closest neighboring country is 500 miles away.

Plus, Saskatchewan has casinos and they they are not illegal. There is even a government owned website to promote them-Try your luck, all over Saskatchewan sasktourism.com

the united states is a neighboring country. Native American tribes are sovereign nations.

im sorry if that wasnt clear, but that was hardly the important detail from my post.