Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Stacey Dash

Home
Politics and Religion
Native Tribe Blasts Oregon Takeover

Native Tribe Blasts Oregon Takeover

Last updated on: January 9, 2016 at 5:45 pm by Stacey Dash

Native Tribe Blasts Oregon Takeover 2016-01-09T17:45:11-07:00 Stacey Dash

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Embed from Getty Images

The past six days have consumed Oregon officials with the protest and occupation of buildings on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Led by Ammon Bundy, protesters originally gathered together in Burns, Oregon to support a local farmer who was facing jail time for arson (and doesn’t actuary want their help). Unsatisfied with the results of their rally, the gathering naturally led to the occupation of of a national refuge…

Their end goal? Forcing the government to restore “constitutional rights.” Armed ‘militiamen’ from across the country joined Bundy in the occupation. When asked about the purpose of the refuge occupation CNN, Bundy responded:

We are using the wildlife refuge as a place for individuals across the United States to come and assist in helping the people of Harney County claim back their lands and resources

Despite what this rag-tag ‘militia’ thinks — they have no right to be there. Only one group of people can claim ownership of this land.

The native Paiute tribe recently spoke out, rightly staking their claim to this land. CNN highlights the issue and interviews with leaders of the Burns Paiute tribe:

Burns, Oregon (CNN)The leaders of the Burns Paiute tribe have a message for the men and women who have taken over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside Burns, Oregon: “Go home. We don’t want you here.”

The message came from several tribe members whose ancestors fought and died over portions of that land long before the ranchers and farmers had it, long before the federal government even existed.

The tribe is still fighting over land use but now works with the federal government’s Bureau of Land Management to save its archaeological sites.

“We have good relations with the refuge. They protect our cultural rights there,” said tribal council Chairwoman Charlotte Rodrique.

The group occupying this reserve call themselves Citizens for Constitutional Freedom and believe the land belongs to them:

The Bureau of Land Management is the same agency that has riled up Nevada rancher Ammon Bundy and thearmed protesters who joined him from out of state. The men took over the wildlife refuge headquarters, saying they would stay until the land was returned to who they consider its owners, the 100 or so ranchers and farmers who worked the land as far back as 1900.

“We are exercising our constitutional rights. We won’t leave until these lands have been turned over to the their rightful owners,” Bundy said. “More than 100 ranchers and farmers used to work this land, which was taken illegally by the federal government.”

“Rightful owners” is an extremely subjective phrase. And the leaders of the the Paiute tribe agree:

“They just need to get the hell out of here,” tribal council member Jarvis Kennedy told a crowd of reporters and local residents who showed up to listen to what the tribe had to say on the matter….

“To me they are just a bunch of bullies and little criminals coming in here and trying to push us around over here and occupy our aboriginal territories out there where our ancestors are buried,” Kennedy said…

The tribe said it has never ceded its right to the land but received federal recognition in 1868 and signed a treaty with the federal government that requires it to protect the safety of the natives and promised to prosecute any crime or injury perpetrated by any white man upon them.

The federal government is not living up to their end of the bargain…surprise, surprise. This land lawfully belongs to Paiute people. And the hypocrisy of this whole situation — let’s not forget that:

The tribe members are quick to point out that they think things would be much different if it were them trying to take back the land the same way.

“We’d be already shot up, blown up or in jail. Just being honest; they are used to killing us,” Kennedy said. “They are white men. That is the difference. That is just how I see it.”

We as natives, if people are taking up arms, have to do the same. We can’t show up to a gun fight with a knife. The question is why has it come to this? We know what is right — but now it is time to do what is right!

This land is our land! We did not migrate here. We have been here since the beginning of time. Its time for these “Citizens for Constitutional Freedom” to get the heck out.

Watch the CNN interview and read the full story here.

Read more on the Patheos Faith and Family Channel, fan me onFacebook and follow me on Twitter!

Previous Post

January 7, 2016

Did You Know this Star Wars Star Is A U.S. Marine Vet? Wait Until You See What He's Doing Now!

Next Post

January 12, 2016 We’ve Never Needed Law Enforcement Appreciation Day More

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In which garden did Jesus pray before His arrest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Golgotha Gethsemane Eden Paradise