Not everyone feels that way. For more than 60 years I've studied American Indian history and culture. I'm in the process or writing a novel about various Northeastern Woodland Tribes. Now I'm stunned.
Are you saying the various tribes deserve MORE consideration than the rest of the citizens of the U.S.? Also, many tribes assert they're sovereignty. If those tribes are sovereign and independent states, do they deserve any U.S. benefits? Many will argue they do not. Yes, I agree the American Indians/First Nations were here first and were victims of organized genocide, but that isn't enough to assert favoritism 500 years later. We're a nation of minorities. I'm of Portuguese descent, but don't complain about the mistreatment of early Portuguese immigrants, or Irish, Italian, Swedish or any other group. All have made their way to this country in search of opportunity. They were "given" nothing regardless of sequester, government shutdown or anything else. Furthermore, we've heard for decades how the American Indian settled this continent before anyone else after crossing the Bering Strait. The only proof was in the form of occasional Clovis points and tools. Now, researchers are finding that Solutreans (Europeans from the areas of Southern France and Northern Spain) may have preceded the Beringean migrations by more than six-thousand years. Who's right? We may never know for sure, but the body of evidence is growing that makes many question if the tribes have any legitimate claim. I don't agree with that position, but it's an interesting assertion that will carry substantial weight in various parts of the country that have high percentages of Indians on reservations. LARRY MONIZ Multiple award-winning journalist, publicist and author Self-Promotion for Authors (2008 EPPIE Award Finalist) INSIDE STORY: Murder in the Pinelands ESCAPE Into HISTORY:The Rebellion INSIDE STORY: Dead Storage
