Thursday, December 20, 2007

First Americans Declare Independence

Lakota withdraw from treaties, declare independence from U.S.

"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," said Russell Means, a longtime Indian rights activist. "This is according to the laws of the United States, specifically Article 6 of the Constitution," which states that treaties are the supreme law of the land.
"It is also within the laws on treaties passed at the Vienna Convention and put into effect by the U.S. and the rest of the international community in 1980. We are legally within our rights to be free and independent," he added during a press conference yesterday in Washingt
on."

This is going to be interesting in a number of ways.
First, if any tribe of Native Americans can lay claim to legitimate ownership of vast areas of land within the territory of the US, it's the Lakota. They signed a treaty in 1868 setting aside the Black Hills as tribal land forever. Later the federal government stole it. In 1980 the supreme court acknowledged this and awarded the tribe over a hundred million dollars. This is where the story gets impressive- the tribe hasn't touched the money and it sits in a bank, worth over a half billion after interest. The Sioux insist with fierce determination that the land belongs to them.

Turn to international news. The US and western entities are hot to recognize Kosovo, a province of Serbia, as independent.

"The ultra-right-wing forces now running Serbia’s Kosovo province plan to announce its secession from Serbia in 2008. The U.S. and most NATO powers support this reactionary move, continuing their strategy of “divide and conquer” in the Balkans. This strategy has pulled Yugoslavia into pieces, leaving the region unstable, divided and now facing new internecine wars."

The Balkans are a tinderbox and Kosovo could be the match that sets off a conflagration. Russia is Serbia's ally and has said in no uncertain terms that the province will remain a part of Serbia.

So then we get reports that since the US is set to recognize Kosovo as independent, Russia is threatening to recognize the Lakota nation as an independent state within the US:

"Reports circulating in the Kremlin today state that an enraged President Putin has ordered Russian Foreign Ministry Officials to begin the processes needed for Russia to recognize the Lakota Sioux Indian Tribe as an independent Nation..."

The Sioux have put out a welcome mat to anybody who wants to join them in a tax free country. The only qualification is that you have to renounce your US citizenship. With the way this country is headed over a cliff, I'll bet a lot of people might take them up on their offer.

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting development with the Lakota Sioux. And the reported reaction by Putin makes it doubly so, but the site that reported on Putin doesn't show a source for its info.

I think Putin is perfectly capable of mocking the Bush administration by claiming to support the Lakota nation in retaliation for Kosovo. But I can't Google up any info about it.

21/12/07 8:41 AM  
Blogger nolocontendere said...

It's interesting that the Sioux are shopping around for recognition. This country hasn't made any friends in the last several years and the Bushistas may find themselves in a quandry. Guess we'll have to wait and see how it turns out, although I wouldn't be surprised if it involves a lot of bullets.

21/12/07 6:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I posted on this as well and it is fascinating. Can you imagine a free nation completely within the borders of the US? Could you cross US or Canadian airspace to fly in and out? I for one am pretty close to giving up my citizenship anyway and am looking for a host country. Singapore is out I'm afraid but I'm gonna keep a close eye on this story.

21/12/07 10:13 PM  
Blogger nolocontendere said...

The Navajos have a semi autonomous nation in the 4 corners but I believe this push goes far beyond that. The Mrs and I actually said "Hey, hmmm"

22/12/07 6:16 AM  
Blogger Bpaul said...

Thanks for the Putin find. I'll be curious to see how that plays out, or if more information becomes available.

I posted about this on my blog and used ya'll as a reference, with full credits of course.

22/12/07 9:58 AM  
Blogger Frogspond said...

I wonder if they will take in a 1/16th blood Tsalagi (Cherokee) and her partner?

24/12/07 1:49 PM  
Blogger Bpaul said...

My understanding is they'll take anyone with decent intentions.

Blood quantum or no.

24/12/07 7:04 PM  

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