Peters long challenged America to protect Native American children. And he won.
Tribal nations received a major victory today when the US Supreme Court rejected
Slow Turtle’s vision for the future served Indian Country well.
all of the challenges to the Indian Child Welfare Act, “some on the merits and others for lack of standing,” Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in her majority opinion. The surprising but welcomed decision ensures that neglected or orphaned native children are placed in tribal homes.
Once again, a Mashpee Wampanoag is responsible for change that benefited Indian Country. Supreme Medicine Man John Peters, “Slow Turtle” spearheaded the federal law that passed in 1978. He also successfully advocated for the legal use of peyote and other indigenous herbs as traditional medicines for rituals. Repatriation of Native remains was another successful effort lead by Peters.
Indian Country beathed a sigh of relief on this decision.
As luck would have it, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visited the Tribe today. Her name is on the Supreme Court ICWA filling because as Interior Secretary she represents the US government on behalf of Native Americans, It is pretty remarkable that she’s visiting the Tribe whose Medicine Man is responsible for one of the most significant laws impacting Indian America.
The New York Tines did an excellent job of chronicling Peters’ life and work.
John Peters, Indian Advocate In Massachusetts, Dies at 67 – The New York Times (nytimes.com)T
The Haaland visit
But since we are talking about the Haaland visit, we have to say the purpose was a little foggy. But we have a pretty good idea, so do you. Allegedly, it was arranged by the Weedens and their new best friend, the cheeky TA David Greendeer and pal Alex….ahem, there were originally all kinds of silly restrictions for those attending.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland
We’ll get back to that weirdness. But it was so strange that the Elders did not have a place of prominence in this event. Bad optics for sure. The other foolishness was that they were not going to let anyone take pictures but “PR.” So were they taking everyone’s phones? As it turned out after the dinner with the Council, Haaland made remarks, graciously took selfies, group pictures and enjoyed herself. Tribal members enjoyed the social also. And you know Photo Op Wamps media mogul Paula Peters was the first one to take a picture with the Secretary. What an amateur. Another highlight was that Sherry prepared the meal for Haaland, Another star making us proud.
Thank God we had a bunch of REAL Wamps up in there.
