Sharing One Skin

In the article, “Sharing One Skin,” by Jeannette Armstrong, she explains the four selves of the Okanagan people: physical, emotional, thinking-intellectual, and spiritual. She shares the stories of her people and the importance of these four selves, “As Okanagan, our most essential responsibility is to bond our whole individual and communal selves to the land.” This allows the Okanagan people to be more connected to their cultural identity, “We join with the larger self and with the land, and rejoice in all that we are.” The article establishes the significance of identity and finding your true self through cultural beliefs. 

Armstrong, Jeannette. 1996 “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community.” Pp. 460-470 in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds.), The Case Against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.

How place names impact the way we see landscape

Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by B. Toastie in the article, “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” They explain how indigenous history and stories connect us to our land, “The story can persist. It’ll always be there, it’ll be attached to the land as long as we remember that story. I don’t think those stories ever go away.” They provide examples and give advice on how we should respect our lands. These sacred names are a healing agent, and when those names are revoked, the connection is lost. Non-indigenous peoples try to change these stories and rename landscapes, but they become part of the history and stories that will exist forever. 

Toastie, B. 2022 “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” HighCountyNews. KNOW THE WEST. hen.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-landscape/print_view.

And Then I Went to School

In the article, “And Then I Went to School,” written by Joe Suina, he describes what he went through when he was first introduced to school. He remembers being taught the ways of pueblo life, specifically Cochiti, but being confused when he was punished for practicing his ways at school, “Speaking it accidentally or otherwise was punishable by a dirty look or a whack with a ruler.” The article focuses on how Suina felt proud of where he came from, but slowly became ashamed of it as he went to a white school, “My life was no longer just right. I was ashamed of  being who I was.” He was being stripped of his culture and forced to learn a completely different lifestyle. He lost his true self and had no idea what was right. 

Suina, Joe. “And Then I Went to School.” New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No. 2. rethinkingschools.org/article/and-then-i-went-to-school/.

National Indian leader says he never sought political role

One article that I researched, “National Indian leader says he never sought political role,” discusses why Joe Garcia never pursued a political role. He says, “Basically, I’m not a political person. I’ve never really been involved in tribal government up until ‘91.” The article also includes his political achievements and the plans he had while being a leader. These achievements include Lt. Governor in 1991 and 1993 and Governor in 1995, both of Ohkay Owingeh, NCAI's first vice president and eventually elected president, and he was an engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He helped to “strengthen communication between the organization and its 12 regions.” Overall, his goal was to improve Indian Country.

“National Indian Leader says he never sought political role.” Billings Gazette, The (MT), sec. News. 29 December 2005. NewsBank: America’s News Magazines, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.sfis.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AMNP&req_dat=10526AE2D6F7F28F&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/12C16CBE3974EC60. Accessed 19 October 2023.

TAKING THE REINS

The second article, “TAKING THE REINS - Ohkay Owingeh Gov. Joe Garcia says it’s time for a new era in Indian-federal relations,” by Leslie Linthicum provides background information about Joe Garcia and his plans for Ohkay Owingeh and Indian Country as a whole. He explains, “Number one is my passion for the well-being of Indian Country.” He advocated for better refinement, strategies, planning, and improvements on our issues. As NCAI president and Ohkay Owingeh governor, he has a lot to say. His main goal was to change the pueblo’s former Spaniard name, San Juan, to Ohkay Owingeh meaning “the place of the strong people.”

Journal Staff Writer, LESLIE LINTHICUM.”TAKING THE REINS - Ohkay Owingeh Gov. Joe Garcia says it’s time for a new era in Indian-federal relations.” Albuquerque Journal (NM) sec. New Mexico & Metro, 20 November 2005, p. B1. NewsBank: America’s News Magazines, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.sfis.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AMNP&req_dat=10526AE2D6F7F28F&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/10E0858ECE0DFDF0. Accessed 19 October 2023.

American Indian Nations

The final source, “American Indian Nations,” focuses on funding issues throughout Indian Country. Joe Garcia, the NCAI president at the time, talks about these issues and the cause. He feels that the funding is inadequate, “We haven’t been able to get the adequate funding to meet the basic needs of Indian Country,” (Garcia, 18:49). He also speaks on the issues of gambling in our communities and believes that it is bringing in some type of money. He wished to improve funding for education and healthcare to better the people in Indian Country.

“American Indian Nations.” 3 February 2006. C-Span.org. https://www.c-span.org/video/?190985-4/american-indian-nations#!

Former Governor Remembered

This article, "Former Ohkay Owingeh governor remembered as fierce champion with kind heart" by Daniel J. Chacon discusses some of Joe Garcia's accomplishments and how they impacted our people. He was recognized as a tribal and national leader, advocating for tribal sovereignty and native education. He was a two-time president of NCAI, three-time governor of Ohkay Owingeh, Chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council, and vice-president of the Santa Fe Indian School Board of Trustees. He has won multiple awards, showcasing his efforts and how he will be remembered, "a fierce champion with a kind heart." He passed away on May 11, 2023, at age 70 and was preceded in death by Nathan, his son, in 2020.

Chacon, Daniel. “Former Ohkay Owingeh governor remembered as fierce champion with kind heart.” Santa Fe New Mexican, The (NM), sec. Local News, 12 May 2023. NewsBank: New Mexico Newspapers, https://infoweb-newsbank-com.sfis.idm.oclc.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=10526AE2D6F7F28F&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews/1917DBD857C309D0. Accessed 20 November 2023.

Ada Deer

The article, "Ada Deer, tireless advocate for Native American rights, dies at 88" by Harrison Smith recognizes Ada Deer's achievements. In the 1970s, she campaigned to reverse the policy that forced natives into a mainstream society. She also launched an advocacy group that helped to prevent the sale of tribal land. She believed in persevering through hardships, "You don't have to collapse just because there's federal law in your way. Change it!" Deer was unsuccessful in certain aspects, but she did not give up and continued to help our people. She passed away on August 15, 2023, at age 88.

Smith, Harrison. "Ada Deer, tireless advocate for Native American rights, dies at 88." Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2023, p. NA. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A761630558/AONE?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=7967a0be. Accessed 20 November 2023.

Education Funding

This article, "Native education advocates seek more funds" by Robert Nott explores the New Mexico education lawsuit that boosts services for public school students. Advocates for native children believe "the state is not getting the job done." They want more money for these native students: tribal education trust funds and a workforce of native educators. It is unclear how they will reach their goal or know when, as well as if the tribes and organizations should step up. "Trying to meet the needs of the state's many tribes is difficult," but KatieAnn Juanico and Regis Pecos, members of education departments in the state, plan to invest more in education for the children.

Nott, Robert. "Native education advocates seek more funds." Santa Fe New Mexican [Santa Fe, NM], 19 Oct. 2023, p. 7. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A769515839/ITOF?u=nm_s_santafeis&sid=ebsco&xid=9d8342de. Accessed 27 November 2023.