"Leonard Peltier" is many allies and Indigenous peoples response to anything acknowledging the historic advancements made for NDN Country during the Biden administration.
My parents were contemporaries and knew many of the AIM leaders. My Akenistén:’a (Mother) was not a fan of their deeply patriarchal, misogynistic, toxically masculine, sexist, domestically abusive leadership. Despite being from matrilineal/matriarchal cultures, women in AIM were relegated to being caretakers and/or glorified sex toys unworthy of a voice or opinion or safety or justice.
I neither oppose nor support the freedom of Leonard Peltier. I simply do not comment on it. I didn’t forget to include him in this piece.
If you'd like to know why, watch the documentary series "Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae"—it's on HULU and Disney+—or Google "Annie Mae Pictou Aquash."
This piece is not about Leonard Peltier and as an Indigenous woman, I disagree with prioritizing one man over the many millions who are aided by these accomplishments. Philámayaye, Niawen'kó:wa, Thank you 💛🤍🖤❤️
What a wonderful summary of all Joe Biden has done for indigenous peoples, more than any previous president. Many os us are grateful. However, one more thing needs to be done before the week is up and that is to release Leonard Peltier from prison. He has already served 50 years and has always claimed his innocence. Now there is plenty of evidence to support that. And he is not well and needs to be allowed to go home and be with his family. I have written to President Biden about this, as have many others. It needs to happen soon!
Many good acts, but nothing about reparations and waiver of sovereign immunity. Sure, it could not pass with the current climate. But why not start the ball rolling?
Thank you so much for providing this comprehensive summary of all that President Biden has done for Indian Country. I only wish his legacy was going to be carried forward, but I fear the incoming regime won't. People who can't handle the full history of our country, warts and all, don't really love this country. They only love the sanitized Disney version of it. The history of Native Americans is the history of this country, and it should be honored and respected.
The appointment of Indigenous People to the Bench and the Cabinet is very welcome and long overdue. President Biden recognized that there is strength in diversity, something that MAGA can't even conceive. Unfortunately, Drumpf will probably try his best to undo this progress.
Thank you for incredibly informative article. I did not know about all of these appointments and accomplishments. Truly inspiring and a long time coming.
Exceptionalism is the perception or belief that a species, country, society, institution, movement, individual, or time period is "exceptional" (i.e., unusual or extraordinary). The term carries the implication, whether or not specified, that the referent is superior in some way.
The USA is currently setting a definition of exceptionalism but it appears that it is not superior in any moral or intellectual sense.
I'm so sorry that the next head of the Dept of Interior is likely to try and undo all Biden's good work. Thank you for writing this! I didn't know a lot of the things Biden did either. We need more native Americans involved in Gov not less and I hope we can flip the house and senate in 2026 before Trump gets a chance to make most of his changes. Plus, there is a concerted effort going on to challenge everything he tries to do in court which should help slow down the destruction. We need every single vote to be for a Democrat in 2026 so anything you can do to help would be appreciated!
"Leonard Peltier" is many allies and Indigenous peoples response to anything acknowledging the historic advancements made for NDN Country during the Biden administration.
My parents were contemporaries and knew many of the AIM leaders. My Akenistén:’a (Mother) was not a fan of their deeply patriarchal, misogynistic, toxically masculine, sexist, domestically abusive leadership. Despite being from matrilineal/matriarchal cultures, women in AIM were relegated to being caretakers and/or glorified sex toys unworthy of a voice or opinion or safety or justice.
I neither oppose nor support the freedom of Leonard Peltier. I simply do not comment on it. I didn’t forget to include him in this piece.
If you'd like to know why, watch the documentary series "Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae"—it's on HULU and Disney+—or Google "Annie Mae Pictou Aquash."
This piece is not about Leonard Peltier and as an Indigenous woman, I disagree with prioritizing one man over the many millions who are aided by these accomplishments. Philámayaye, Niawen'kó:wa, Thank you 💛🤍🖤❤️
What a wonderful summary of all Joe Biden has done for indigenous peoples, more than any previous president. Many os us are grateful. However, one more thing needs to be done before the week is up and that is to release Leonard Peltier from prison. He has already served 50 years and has always claimed his innocence. Now there is plenty of evidence to support that. And he is not well and needs to be allowed to go home and be with his family. I have written to President Biden about this, as have many others. It needs to happen soon!
Many say that he will not admit guilt which would be required for a pardon.
I've explained why Peltier isn't included in my piece in my pinned comment.
Many good acts, but nothing about reparations and waiver of sovereign immunity. Sure, it could not pass with the current climate. But why not start the ball rolling?
Where would the ball end up though. Why not pick your battles and be grateful for what Pres. Biden did do?
So grateful for all he and Deb H have done for our NDN community. Thank you thank you!
Thank you so much for providing this comprehensive summary of all that President Biden has done for Indian Country. I only wish his legacy was going to be carried forward, but I fear the incoming regime won't. People who can't handle the full history of our country, warts and all, don't really love this country. They only love the sanitized Disney version of it. The history of Native Americans is the history of this country, and it should be honored and respected.
The appointment of Indigenous People to the Bench and the Cabinet is very welcome and long overdue. President Biden recognized that there is strength in diversity, something that MAGA can't even conceive. Unfortunately, Drumpf will probably try his best to undo this progress.
Thank you for this. I will save it for the future.
Thank you for incredibly informative article. I did not know about all of these appointments and accomplishments. Truly inspiring and a long time coming.
Thank you for reading!
Exceptionalism is the perception or belief that a species, country, society, institution, movement, individual, or time period is "exceptional" (i.e., unusual or extraordinary). The term carries the implication, whether or not specified, that the referent is superior in some way.
The USA is currently setting a definition of exceptionalism but it appears that it is not superior in any moral or intellectual sense.
We call it colonialism, but same meaning.
I am very, very concerned what happens now. That all this amazing work will be destroyed by the Orange Turd.
Amazing. I didn't know much of this. Thank you.
Such an important side of the cowboy bootstrap mythology.
I'm so sorry that the next head of the Dept of Interior is likely to try and undo all Biden's good work. Thank you for writing this! I didn't know a lot of the things Biden did either. We need more native Americans involved in Gov not less and I hope we can flip the house and senate in 2026 before Trump gets a chance to make most of his changes. Plus, there is a concerted effort going on to challenge everything he tries to do in court which should help slow down the destruction. We need every single vote to be for a Democrat in 2026 so anything you can do to help would be appreciated!