The Feather and the Gavel

Native American communities suffer from an array of issues, but one of the most unknown is within the law enforcement agencies and the states within which they live. This blog will discuss some of the main issues of the problem with a unique inside perspective of Akwesasne, a Mohawk territory with 5 borders.

Feb 08 2012	Blotchy Jurisdiction

Jan 16 2012	Can an Indian steal LAND?!
Native American people have been fighting hard for hundreds of years, since contact basically, to reclaim their traditional lands that were taken from them by force and extermination. Much more in recent decades, we are beginning to see a stronger fight to reclaim those territories that once belonged to our ancestors. Many tribes across the country (and perhaps all of them) can safely say that they do not reside on the lands that once traditionally belonged to their people.

Jan 16 2012

Can an Indian steal LAND?!

Native American people have been fighting hard for hundreds of years, since contact basically, to reclaim their traditional lands that were taken from them by force and extermination. Much more in recent decades, we are beginning to see a stronger fight to reclaim those territories that once belonged to our ancestors. Many tribes across the country (and perhaps all of them) can safely say that they do not reside on the lands that once traditionally belonged to their people.

Dec 09 2011	Should you have to sue for justice?
Do you think that after a murder, or a murder for your loved one to be exact, there should be a full out investigation on what happened? I would think, but what if the FBI failed to adequately investigate, or if they just flat out failed to investigate entirely? How would you, as an American citizen, respond?

Dec 09 2011

Should you have to sue for justice?

Do you think that after a murder, or a murder for your loved one to be exact, there should be a full out investigation on what happened? I would think, but what if the FBI failed to adequately investigate, or if they just flat out failed to investigate entirely? How would you, as an American citizen, respond?

Nov 30 2011	I think we have an answer… Part II
As the second part to my second series of blogs, I am going to continue on with my attempt at reporting an answer as to why Indian Country is so fragmented in its law enforcement agencies. In my last post I discussed an article that brought into light the many pieces of legislature and Supreme Court cases that have caused much head spinning, mainly within tribal communities.

Nov 24 2011	“They made us many promises…”
As I sit in my kitchen after baking 14 (literally) pies for Thanksgiving, I begin to wonder what other Native families are doing in preparation for the holiday.

Nov 15 2011	I think we have an answer… Part I
Tribal law enforcement agencies, well, law enforcement agencies in general are fragmented when it comes to dealing with issues on Tribal lands. As my blog was created to finding out why, I think I’ve come to the answer (or at least something close to why).

Nov 15 2011

I think we have an answer… Part I

Tribal law enforcement agencies, well, law enforcement agencies in general are fragmented when it comes to dealing with issues on Tribal lands. As my blog was created to finding out why, I think I’ve come to the answer (or at least something close to why).

Nov 11 2011	Veterans Day: Honoring those who served
On this day, millions of American’s are sending their thanks to all those men and women who have served this country. We send our prayers to the families who have Yellow Ribbon of Hope lost their loved ones at war, and to those who are still awaiting their return home. Today across Indian Country, we are also sending our prayers to the many warriors that we have seen fall over the many decades because of wars we did not start.

Nov 11 2011

Veterans Day: Honoring those who served

On this day, millions of American’s are sending their thanks to all those men and women who have served this country. We send our prayers to the families who have Yellow Ribbon of Hope lost their loved ones at war, and to those who are still awaiting their return home. Today across Indian Country, we are also sending our prayers to the many warriors that we have seen fall over the many decades because of wars we did not start.

Nov 07 2011	High School Drama: Mace optional
Law enforcement agencies have almost always posed as a problem within Tribal communities and for their members. In Roosevelt, Utah this was prevalent after a high school football game ended between two rival schools.

Nov 01 2011	Bordering Injustice: Part II
In June of 2009, an issue arose about arming the Canadian Border officers who were posted on the Cornwall Island portion of Akwesasne. The arming of the officers was not taken lightly as more than 400 residents protested the attempted arming on Native land.

Oct 27 2011	Bordering Injustice: Part I
One thing that has always bothered me is stereotypes, and I don’t just mean about anything, specifically about Native American people. But even more specifically, about Akwesasne and the people that live there. There is a film that was released in 2008 about a white woman who lives is the North Country near a small reservation located near Massena, NY. Being students here at St. Lawrence, it’s easy to name the only reservation near Massena.

Oct 27 2011

Bordering Injustice: Part I

One thing that has always bothered me is stereotypes, and I don’t just mean about anything, specifically about Native American people. But even more specifically, about Akwesasne and the people that live there. There is a film that was released in 2008 about a white woman who lives is the North Country near a small reservation located near Massena, NY. Being students here at St. Lawrence, it’s easy to name the only reservation near Massena.