Hon. Governor Jerry Brown
State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear: Governor Brown,
I am a long-time resident of our state, and I am writing to express my concern about a recent article entitled “Pow Wow Wow Yippee Yo Yippee Yay” written by the California State University Long Beach “Union Weekly”. I have attached a copy for your review.
In this article, there were statements such as; “The gathering of tent-vendors and fry-bread ironically circled their wagons around the Native American performers, dressed in traditional garb and dancing around a large tree.”
“Many vendors were hocking their wares to anyone walking by but it really seemed like a large, Native American flea market.”
“Some of the food vendors just seemed to unceremoniously add the word “Indian” to whatever food they were peddling. Indian tacos? What the f*** are Indian tacos.”
“Another food staple called Fry-bread, which essentially is an overpriced fried dough platter with bargain brand food products splattered on top, like a Mexican pizza from Taco Bell but sh******!”
The article attached contains other disrespectful comments and insights that are a direct attack on sacred items, and a sacred environment to the culture of Native Americans.
I am not here to fight the “Words” of the article, but the “Effect” of the article.
I am all for 1st Amendment rights, but when a public paper, funded by public funds ($35,000 a year from Student fees) attacks a section of the public it is wrong. Historic indigenous Californians have been eradicated, and put into a state of colonization, and de-cultured. Our educational institutions need to support those who are restoring the culture.
Native American youth are fighting low self-esteem and self-loathing with alcohol and drugs. In some cases, to the death with suicide. The Center for Disease Control has stated that from 2002-2006, suicide rates for American Indian males were 26.18 per 100,000 and 6.70 per 100,000 for females. When articles such as this are written, it attacks the mental conscious of Native youth, and creates insurmountable damage. When our youth see one of their most respected elders, a war veteran, and notable Californian posted as a cover photo for this article, what does that say?
Governor Brown, please use your voice to make this “Wrong”, “Right”.
I ask you to put pressure on the California State University Long Beach administration to remove Mr. O’Brien (Editor) and Noah Kelly (Campus Editor) from the staff of the “Union Weekly”.
We ask you use your voice to institute oversight of the articles published by this publicly funded “Union Weekly” or have funding removed completely.
We also want an official written apology from the office of Dr. Alexander (California State Long Beach President) and from Dr. Reed (California State University President) to be sent to all Indigenous California Nations.
Governor Brown, I am a proud Californian, I respect and admire our fine educational institutions, but what message does this send about our great state to others watching? I ask you support us in this cause, we are a proud people, of a proud state, we are proud of our educational system, and its institutions. Please stand up for these proud people so we can show our youth that we respect our elders, respect our culture, and that we do have a voice that will be heard and not disrespected.
Sincerely,
Wakiyan Omani
Brian Ames Ricker-Alexander
Hunkpapa Lakota
4th Generation Grandson of Sitting Bull
Proud 1st Nations person and Native Californian
-------------
Lakota Turtle Heart Foundation
Brian Ames Ricker-Alexander
789 Ventura St. Altadena, CA 91001
626-394-2445