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The Transportation Security Administration is requiring cultural sensitivity training for agents at selected airports. That comes after the TSA settled a lawsuit with the Native American Church over agents mishandling sacred items. The lawsuit articulates the persistent problem of non-Native people undermining Native culture and belief by reaching out to touch Native regalia, eagle feathers, hair or sacred items without permission. In this case the traveler asked the agent to avoid desecrating the items. We’ll hear from people about how they protect sacred and sensitive items.
Guests:
Sandor Iron Rope (Lakota from the Pine Ridge agency) – chairperson for the NAC of South Dakota and former chairperson for the NAC of North American
Forrest Tahdooahnippah (Comanche Nation of Oklahoma) – lawyer with Dorsey & Whitney LLC, lead council for the TSA case
Lawrence Baker (Mandan, Hidatsa, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians) – emcee for the Denver March Powwow
Robert “Tree” Cody (Maricopa and Dakota) – award-winning Native American flutist, actor and powwow dancer
Break Music: Encouragement Song (song) Joseph Shields, Jr. (artist)Wahancanka [Remember Me Grandfather] (album)
Need to have this shared with more non natives to keep from the ignorance of mishandling or even damaging of sacred items. These items have great value and need to be protected. Even some of our native people don’t know how to handle sacred item.
Peyote comes from Mexico. How traditional is it? Its fairly new compared to native America. Why take those items with you. Don’t take it with you. What do you expect from America? Nothing new. Eagle Feathers are not needed in Pow Wows. How sacred is it when it commercial based? Winning money is not sacred. Competing dilutes the meaning of eagle feathers. And everyone should be warned, this misuse of certain items from Indins will negatively effect people around them. I do not expect non natives to know. They sometimes do not need to know. Indins put themselves in that situation. Their ignorance but them on that path. And that medicine becomes dangerous. Indins are lost, desperately finding anything native, even if its not their own traditions. traditional things are broken and can be made again. And some traditional steps include a breakdown of items. Indins lost the name of impermanence. Why? Because all they want people to see, they want to feel special, they like to play token.