Lesson Five – The Proclamation of Citizenship
As citizens we all have rights and responsibilities to uphold what is just. Just as we have responsibilities in the home, a brother is a care-taker of his younger sister, a father is the provider of his family and a grandfather teaches you ways of wisdom. These are examples of ways we take on responsibilities when we are a part of a family, or a group of people.
As citizens we also have rights. Our rights are written in the Declaration of Independence and within the Treaty of 1868. As citizens it is your obligation to learn, understand and abide by these rights. Nelson Etcitty a citizen of the Navajo Nation, used this knowledge to voice his rights as a citizen. Etcitty states in 1922 to Mr. Statcher,
"I HAVE as much rights to protect & defend my character as any one else & have lived up to the laws of the United States-I have & shall continue so on-I am courteous to every body-you included-The Indians you spake of you said did not like you because you disapproved of certain things like medicine men etc- That is not their reason at all. You do not understand the Indians or have their words interpreted correctly- its not two or three Indians but hundred who are dis-satisfied-They are all willing to learn & try to live & do right-If they have a chance." (Pg 131)
We all have rights, but it is through these rights that we must consider how we carry them out and live by them. The Treaty of 1868 may have ended many wars against the Dine but does not necessarily mean that the struggle to be Dine has ended. Each person, each ethnic group, every citizen has a right to be the unique individuals they are. Take what America has to offer you and build upon your knowledge, understand that you are a leader of today and that you too only need to be heard.
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