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Country: NZ
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@Sara -- I do hear you, but I think it's so important for people to stay aware of the powerful connections indigenous peoples have with their ancestral lands and how divisive and nefarious politicians and various corporations and interests can be when it comes to the rights and respect of native peoples and land issues. For many of us, our bond with the land and surrounding natural resources definitely isn't one of ownership in the ways of white colonialist oppression and "Manifest Destiny", but we've been forced into battles of "who-owns-what" because of the way we were forced from our lands and denied our ancestral/cultural/religious connection to them. I can't speak for brother Ati and his Maori sisters and brothers, but I can say as a mixed Chahta these kinds of issues remain complicated white-hot buttons for indigenous people on this side of the Pacific.
I'm sure you know from school so much of it is a huge, massive mess of broken treaties, political corruption, the spectacles of illegal land-grabs, the creation of "Indian Country"and forced removal/relocation from ancestral lands and so much more. It all runs so deep with so much racism, imperialism and inhumanity. Disputes over areas like the Black Hills of South Dakota have been an immense issue in Indian Country. And then there's all of the long battles and protests over mining, logging, mineral rights and the flat-out desecrations and contamination of many areas of land near numerous reservation communities. No matter what race, color, ethnicity, etc. we all need to keep communicating with each other and stay aware of the struggles around us in this strange world of ours -- particularly issues of indigenous peoples and the common threads that bind us around the world. There is still so much work to be done.
Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Native American Proverb.
I could care less about who owns what. Humans as a whole species need to care better for the land, and I hope that one day they realize that without it they would cease to live. The land does not belong to the people, but the people to the land. The message on the truck makes perfect sense to me, although I don't think that's the whole picture. kwim?
I hear you, brother Ati. The waters run endless depths on these kinds of issues. I'm here in the U.S. from a mixed Chahta (an American Indian nation mostly known as "Choctaws" -- white men called us that after we were "discovered") and African blood. Grew up hearing stories of my Chahta culture and history and watching inequities and racism felt by other nations across the country. So many greedy people try to make it about indigenous folks wanting the land as if it's some kind of child's toy to be fought over, when it's really more to do with reclaiming a "stewardship" and watchfulness over it. We belong to the great earth mother. She doesn't belong to us. Even looking at issues in the Black Hills where an immense monument to several presidents has long-sullied the side of the hills, most non-Indian people don't understand the anger and depth of the issue and how the Black Hills are a sacred place to the native people near it. Traditional medicines are up there. Family histories and cultural ways are up there. It's not just a bunch of trees and hills. It's so good to see you here and shining light on this issue in your homeland. All of us indigenous sisters and brothers are walking the same fractured roads our ancestors walked, watching the same greedy legacies take shape over and over. We have to keep fighting and teach the young ones about who they are. Your moko is so handsome and powerful -- and your dreads are lookin' mighty nice.
I agree, think that some pple just dnt apreciate also wer all frm the same plce so maybe i shud lax bak a bit, dnt mean it justifies whats been dun too all indigenous races all across the world tho not jist here in Aotearoa
seriously? fucking hell. Do people seriously got to bitch about giving shit back that they stole? Isn't visiting rights ideal? They are lucky to even get that considering the past.
interesting way of putting it man ,well it seems you've actually got a point good to see ,i'm from everywhere and anywhere aye moving down south to study so i havent found my place yet
What du umean by that??Ma ancestors kum frm the land its not the land blngs tu me but i blong tu the land and jon keyas aint got no rites on Tuhoe land mate that area belongz tu ma pple bkos there Tuhoe. Ino wea im frm wea u frm??
lol what a joke ,yeah john keys a fuck but the land aint just yours