By Steven Newcomb (Shawnee/Lenape) The Apache Stronghold case, regarding the Apache Sacred Site (Chi’ Chil Bildagoteel) called “Oak Flat,” is now before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case has created global publicity, and a number of Christian church groups have filed amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) briefs. Those briefs support the Apache
CategoryLegal
Tecumseh Speech As Recounted by Simon Pokagon
Tecumseh’s Speech: The following is a speech by the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh, as recounted by the Pottawatomie leader, Chief Simon Pokagon. Simon Pokagon wrote: “My father and many others who listened to the speeches of Tecumseh many times repeated to me his words when I was a boy, but it was impossible to give
Research of the Doctrine of Christian Discovery
As a young Shawnee, Lenape person trying to gain a better understanding of history, I first learned about the doctrine of discovery when I was living in Southern California. I decided to read Vine Deloria’s book God is Red when it was published in 1972. I was nineteen or twenty years years old when I
The Biblical Basis of federal Indian law & policy
I have often wondered why federal Indian law attorneys dare not mention the crusading tradition of the United States against “heathens” and “infidels,” namely, American Indian nations. The Western Shoshone Nation is directly challenging this tradition in court and in the U.S. Congress. Their challenge brings to light the strange and startling fact that U.S.