Victoria Schenandoah
30 Oneida Nation Territory
Oneida, N.Y. 13421
April 7, 2005
An Open Letter to the Community:
I am writing to share my opinion regarding the trading on the land claims for more Indian Casinos. The Supreme Court ruled in 1985 that land was wrongfully taken from the Oneida Indians by N.Y.S. and must be compensated.
To agree to trade the land claim for Indian Casinos with a percentage going to the State of New York is like selling the future of the Oneida People and other Native People into slavery in order to pay off the debt that New York still owes.
Legitimate tribal leaders of the Haudenosaunee must settle the land claim issue as they today stand, where the original signatories to the treaty of Canandaigua did in their day. This issue effects the entire Confederacy and should not be negotiated by tribal businessmen who answer to no one.
Where are the voices of the indigenous women of the important matter? According to our tribal laws the women are guardians of the land. This is just one of many responsibilities including lineage that is passed on through the women.
The land claim issue is totally a separate matter from that of the casino and taxation. The land claims were in place long before Indian Casinos. Taxations and Casino issues must be just that and not get tied into the land claim.
Think about this: suppose a court orders that one must compensate another for a past wrongdoing. The debtor then says I will only agree to compensate you if you agree to give me your treasures that I covet. I want a percentage of your car, your home, your land, and other family possessions.
Only then I will agree. This seems like quite a shady deal and immoral. But it is similar to the above mentioned: most people would be outraged.
If our land is a trade off for casinos and the U.S. and N.Y.S. governments either out law or attempt to extinguish Indigenous sovereignty, we will lose our land. Eventually our identity and all that is sacred to us. Our children who are yet to be born will have nothing, who will speak for them?
Please Pray for peace and that the parties involved will do the right thing. Speak up and join others in saying no to trading the land claims for more Indian Casinos. If this happens I CASINO (can see no) future.
V. Schenandoah
Oneida Wolf Clan
Oneida Territory
April Reports
Last updated on April 08, 2005