Indigenous People's Day Declaration
Are Native Americans getting the respect they deserve? No. Who is? Are you?
This is an old article I wrote back in 2019 about this Council resolution. Scroll down to see my commentary. First, the resolution text . . .
Indigenous People’s Day (IPD) - A Commentary
Joyce Uhlir, August 9, 2019
Things I am NOT going to say about IPD
I am NOT going to deny that Native Americans have contributed plenty to our city, country and continent. Certainly they have.
I am NOT going to say that Native Americans are not, at present, being persecuted in this city, country and continent. While I have not seen it happening, I do not walk in those shoes and I respect the fact that it may be something that is off my radar and does need addressing. This IPD proclamation will do little to nothing to take away any concrete persecution.
Are Native Americans getting the respect they deserve? No. Who is? Are you?
I am NOT going to say that the version of history that I subscribe to is more accurate and fair than the one being presented by those bringing forth this resolution. But there are two sides to the Columbus story. This is just “he said/she said,” one view against another. None of us were around in 1492. Who truly knows the motivation of all involved? People are complex. As a general rule for life, let us assume good will on the part of all, to the best of our ability.
I am NOT going to say that this particular proclamation by our elected city officials will directly impact my life or the lives of local Native Americans very much.
Origin of this City Council proclamation
The Indigenous People’s Day proclamation was brought to the Menomonie City Council at the June 3, 2019 meeting by Council President, Mary Solberg. It seems, from the following quote, that the driving force behind it was local organization, Menomonie Cares.
“A letter from Menomonie Cares, signed by the Committee for the Indigenous People’s Day and signed by 95 others is in your packets tonight.”
-- Marion Lang, Menomonie Cares at the 7/1/19 City Council meeting, speaking during “Public Comments”
The problem with the date
By setting out to replace Columbus Day instead of selecting another day on the calendar (Canada recognizes IPD on June 21, the summer solstice,) supporters of this proclamation show the true purpose of the resolution.
“The date has to be on Columbus Day, the same date, or otherwise we are still recognizing Columbus and we haven’t accomplished really what we want to do with this, you know. So it has to be the same date.”
-- Councilman Leland Schwebs at the 7/1/19 City Council meeting
“By continuing to acknowledge Columbus Day as a national holiday, we are constantly sending a message that we’re OK with that type of behavior he is infamous for.”
-- Ariana Bourdon during “Public Comments” at the 7/15/19 Council meeting
Columbus, who is not here to defend himself, is being scapegoated for every perceived evil done by (white) men and Western Civilization in this hemisphere for the last 527 years. Columbus would be amazed and perhaps honored at the amount of power those interpreting history are now assigning to him.
How can an organization called “Menomonie Cares,” that goes around town putting up signs about kindness and welcome, care so little about Christopher Columbus? How can an organization with “Cares” in it’s name take public pot shots at ANYONE living or dead? Why does Menomonie Cares think that in order to lift one group of people up, they have to push another down? Zero-sum game. Is there only so much respect to go around and Native Americans need to grab what they can from other people?
Instead of bringing this community together, this proclamation has divided us because it was decided that in order for there to be winners with this proclamation there had to be losers.
“All our religion is but a false religion, and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone - for the good, and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich, and for all those who do us harm as much as those who do us good.”
-- Saint John Vianney (1786 - 1859)
What is our red line in the sand?
At what point will we stand up for our culture, our Christian faith and Western Civilization as a whole? Is all patriotism completely gone that we now blame and accuse those who brought these things, one way or another, to this land? Western Civilization provides for us many, many freedoms and opportunities. People are flocking here from other countries because they want the benefits of Western Civilization. They come because whatever we’ve got here is better, in their eyes, than what they have there. Native Americans also benefit from this.
Are we afraid to speak a word against Menomonie Cares, the self-proclaimed purveyor of kindness in our community?
“Opposing something like this. . . I don’t think it would go well for whoever does.”
-- Councilman Eric Sutherland at the 7/1/19 Council meeting while providing the ONLY voice of challenge to this proclamation
Moving Forward
Citizens can speak at City Council meetings for up to three minutes on agenda items during “Public Comments.” If there is a “Public Hearing” one can speak for longer on that topic. Minutes of the meetings are online but sparse, however complete recordings of all meetings are online at the City Council website under the minutes links, where I got most of the quotes in this article.
In order to have a voice, you have to see something coming. You have to follow the agendas when they are posted in advance or trust someone else to follow it for you.
IPD was mentioned on THREE publicly available agendas before it happened. Eleven people made public comments at these meetings - all in favor of the proclamation. Only one councilperson, Eric Sutherland, expressed any concerns about the proclamation of IPD at all. He abstained from the preliminary vote and was not present during the second and final vote.
Where was the voice of objection from the community? We (myself included) were not paying attention. If we had seen it coming, though, what would we have done? Are we organized enough to make a unified response in defense of Western Civilization and our Christian Faith if necessary?
I call on the Menomonie City Council to stick to the business of Menomonie business. Liquor licenses, potholes, local ordinances. Please refrain in the future from getting involved in unnecessary, controversial agendas that divide the community.
". . . When you start erasing things, whether it is good history or bad history, is it the right thing to do?"
"Many of our so called leaders, or people that we look up to as a part of this country have done bad things in today’s culture. So it starts with Columbus and it will come up to our City Council 100 years from now. I am going to abstain."
"I would prefer if it didn’t replace Columbus Day, if it was a different day, that maybe would be appropriate to Native Americans. A date that is special or something that was more meaningful to them. I would agree to that, but erasing history and replacing it with something else, I don’t necessarily agree with.”
-- All quotes in this box are from Councilman Eric Sutherland, 7/1/2019
And vote “Joyce Uhlir” for City Council on April 5.
UhlirForCouncil@protonmail.com