Moving forward: learning from The Red Nation
This is the opinion of Marta Luiken, CSB senior
I would like to begin by stating that I am not a person of Indigenous ancestry, nor do I speak for the American Indigenous population.
There seems to be confusion on what needs to be done by CSB/SJU to reconcile their harmful history toward the Indigenous population of Minnesota. I would like to provide a resource that I believe may provide some helpful guidance.
The Red Nation Organization is an Indigenous organization based in New Mexico. Their mission statement reads: “The Red Nation is dedicated to the liberation of Native peoples from capitalism and colonialism. We center Native political agendas and struggles through direct action, advocacy, mobilization and education.”
On their website, The Red Nation provides a 10-point program outlining how they plan to end violence against native people. It is my intention by sharing this that CSB/SJU practice this 10-point program to the best of their ability and advocate for policy change that can make this program come to life.
Apologizes can be powerful, but action and policy change that can make an impact on the lives of persons and families hurt by the abuse can be even more powerful.
I would also like to advocate for the last part mentioned in The Red Nation’s mission statement: education. Minnesota has an amazing and inspirational Indigenous history.
The American Indian Movement (AIM) was started in Stillwater Prison. I didn’t know that until I learned it from The Red Nation.
To think that Native people have nothing to say or teach us is blasphemous. Because of the abuse CSB/SJU caused to the Native People of Minnesota, I am calling for the cancelation of classes on Indigenous People’s Day.
In replacement, I am asking for programs similar to those featured on MLK day. As a form of Benedictine hospitality, CSB/SJU should invite Minnesota’s Native population to campus to show us their culture and teach us.
I think we can all agree that we, as students, are sick of being taught the stories and needs of BIPOC people through our predominantly white faculty. No amount of literature or curriculum can replace this desperate need.