In this issue, we’ve explored the acts
of Ojibwe citizens who are exercising their treaty rights by
harvesting wild rice in off-reservation territory as well as the
impacts of other tribes asserting their authority in economic, land
and environmental concerns.
One of the more outstanding speeches
on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council floor while I served as the
managing editor of The Sicangu Eyapaha, was given by Rep.
Russell Eagle Bear (Black Pipe Community). When a tribal citizens
spoke on what the council should do to exercise sovereignty in his
name, Eagle Bear countered with, “Take out your wallet, look at
your ID, is that a South Dakota ID? When you receive a Social
Security check, do you cash it? Yes? Then you are not sovereign.”
It was one of the more bold statements
made about the state of tribal and individual sovereignty in America.
In two questions, Eagle Bear had reminded us all that we are
dependent on a foreign government that dictates our own powers to us
in our own territory and either we must accept what is given to us or
we must make sacrifices and do what’s best to ensure our collective
future.
In that spirit of sovereignty, we take
a moment to consider this newspaper. This newspaper has been the
paper of record for the Twin Cities and regional Native communities
for over 35 years. It is an independent body, free from tribal
government and private influences. In Western parlance, we consider a
newspaper and the journalists it employs members of the Fourth
Estate.
The Estates of the Realm are a largely
Christian European concept that outline the place of authorities in
society as the clergy (first estate), nobility (second estate) and
commoners (third estate.) The Fourth Estate is a societal or
political force or institution whose influence is not consistently or
officially recognized, generally recognized as the press.
While in America – having no
nobility and separation between church and state – we have placed
our faith in the third estate. The place of journalists – while
controversial and subjective at times – is still considered a
responsibility by its more reputable members. In a sense, we are
sovereign but in service to the people. That is a reputation I have
worked hard to preserve in my time as managing editor, sometimes to
the consternation of others.
It’s been my pleasure and privilege to
serve this community in that capacity. However, when one has a
responsibility to such a community, one has to recognize when one’s
efforts are no longer effective, appreciated nor satisfying the
mission of the newspaper. My failure to anticipate a drop in
advertising from the community as well as the personal loss of my
mother – observing the traditions of my tiospaye associated with
mourning – combined to paralyze my effectiveness at growing this
institution as I had set out to do in July of 2013.
While I was busy staying away from
society to honor the passing of my mother, opportunities to network,
raise money and sell advertising slipped through my grasp. In Lakota
culture, we take care of the spirit of the recently dead, we put them
first in death just as we had while they lived. Even so, the
traditional period of mourning should have given way to the economic
realities of the world around me, but it did not.
The only real and consistent decision
I’ve made this year was to ensure the traditions I grew up with were
observed, if for no other reason than that is what my parents did, as
did their parents. So while I honored my family, culture and
tradition, I was unable to honor my obligation to this newspaper and
organization.
The price of that choice has resulted
in the diminishing of revenue and the goodwill of community
investment. And so, my mistakes and faults before me, I am stepping
down at the end of the year. It is my hope that my successor is
equipped to anticipate changes, respond immediately and satisfy the
needs of the community and this news organization, however they may
express themselves.
On Aug. 24, I marked the one year
anniversary of my mother’s death. While professional obligations did
not allow me to return home for the ceremonies called for during this
time, being welcomed back into society, it does mark the formal end
of mourning. So in my remaining time at this newspaper, my primary
responsibility will be to rebuild trust and goodwill for the next
managing editor who will, undoubtedly, grow this organization to
serve this community with distinction and honor.
