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“THE COWBOYS ALWAYS WIN” Thomas Builds-The-Fire

Posted on March 5, 2009 - Filed Under Political |

I am sure most Indians will remember the scene from the movie Smoke Signals when Thomas uttered those words to Victor upon getting evicted from their seats on the bus by two white guys. We laugh because as tribal members, we have experienced and witnessed that scene in our own lives. We know that it is still true today; the cowboys still take shots at us today. Like Victor and Thomas, we look for our spots to fight back, but most times we grudgingly pick up our things and find another seat. I’m tired of the cowboys still taking shots at us.

Recently a couple of highly respected and high achieving Indian men have been the targets of modern day cowboys. Larry Echohawk, Pawnee, and Tim Giago, Oglala, have recently been targeted by a couple of cowboys. Larry Echohawk was targeted by one cowboy as being unworthy of guiding Indian affairs because of his previous work as ATTORNEY GENERAL for the State of Idaho. This cowboy stated his “shock and dismay” to hear that Mr. Echohawk was being considered as Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. He expressed his “great respect” for the Echohawk name, but not for this “specific” Echohawk. This cowboy had the great audacity to urge Indian people to call upon President Obama to choose someone other than Larry Echohawk for this position.

As for Mr. Giago, a highly respected and nationally syndicated journalist, another cowboy felt the need to call him out and described Mr. Giago as a “have” who is fighting to “keep the have-nots in their place.”

Certainly, Mr. Echohawk and Mr. Giago do not need my pathetic and pitiful voice to defend them against the words of both of these cowboys. Their work and accomplishments speak for themselves. My intent is not to offer a “defense” for either of these extremely accomplished men. My complaint and I guess my question is one of process. Who are these cowboys and why do we let them win?

I am sure that these two cowboys have been gracious to some group of Indians and have done good things for Indians. However, why do they feel that they earned the right to gain national attention to call out such accomplished men as Larry Echohawk and Tim Giago? What have they done to merit such authority and influence over Indian people and affairs? Why do nationally read Indian websites and publications give them voice to do this?

We let them “win” by letting them think that their opinion should matter to us. I certainly have complaints about certain Obama nominees and could issue a press release stating my outrage and objections. I would be lucky to receive a one paragraph blurb in my local newspaper editorial page. However, we allow cowboys that I have never heard of take their shots at these two nationally respected men and give them the time and space to do it! Don’t let the cowboys win next time.