Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Dear Editor

Ignorance is the breeding ground of racism, and hostility, it is certainly not the creator of bliss. The Editorial board of the Orlando Sentinel revealed its vast ignorance of Indigenous issues and law in its September 4th editorial mistitled "Common Sense."

Instead of instilling common sense, the Sentinel pandered to anti-Indian sentiments by opposing Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. "Its only fair that the governor have a say in whether Native American tribes can be exempted from state and local laws" the Sentinel pronounces.

Self-determination and sovereignty are hallmarks of the struggles of Indigenous peoples from Canada to Argentina. It requires Indigenous Nations, which have existed since time immemorial be dealt with on a Nation-Nation, government to government basis. Such was acknowledged in treaty making and in the United States Constitution. No Indigenous Nation ever, in any treaty or agreement relinquished its sovereignty or right to self-determination. The Orlando Sentinel is calling for such by legislative fiat.

The Orlando Sentinel in this single sentence clearly is calling for the overturning of every single treaty the United States has signed with Indian Nations as a government to government relationship. After all, the state governors had no say, and what of the Mayors of Counties and municipalities located nearby? Further the Orlando Sentinel must also agree significant changes in the United States Constitution are required since Article I Section 8 gives the power to regulate commerce with Indian Nations to Congress-you posit it should be vested with State governors. Further Article VI of the United States Constitution mandating that treaties are on par with the constitution. This must be changed because treaties create a foundation of a government to government relationship between Indigenous Nations and the colonial settler governments (US). This is not to mention codified federal law within Title 25 and case law that must be ignored. Is the Orlando Sentinel calling further subjugation of Indigenous Nations common sense?

Common sense tells us that if the State of Florida is not regulating the economic development of Monaco, Andorra, or Estonia it has no business regulating the economic development of the Miccosukee or the Seminole. To act differently is hypocritical and simply a continuation of the 509 year relationship Indigenous peoples have had with the dominant society. Perhaps real common sense is what is needed, but what the Orlando Sentinel is calling for is simply more common and less sense.

Sincerely,

Sheridan Murphy
State Executive Director
American Indian Movement of Florida
136 4th Street N Suite 308
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
E-mail; AIMFL@aol.com