SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 23, 2022
Sullivan’s Salvos 6/28/22
In this edition:
*Happy Independence Day!
*Follow Up on What People are Called
*Land Acknowledgement
*Cognitive Dissonance
*Did You Know?
*Happy Independence Day!
Happy Birthday to the USA! 246 years old! I hope you and yours enjoy a great Independence Day!
Looking for ways to celebrate? The Jazz Festival is in downtown Iowa City, Fourth Fest in Coralville, and the 4th has parades in Coralville, Sharon Center, Oxford, and Hills.
*Follow Up on What People are Called
I got some very interesting feedback on my piece last week about calling people what they want to be called. Most of the comments centered around pronouns.
I should mention right up front that the vast majority of the people with whom I spoke were interested in being supportive. Literally nine out of ten. And if that meant adjusting to using pronouns differently, they would attempt to do so. Interestingly, a few expressed concerns about people “ganging up on them” if they got it wrong.
I say “interestingly,” because I think those same people may not recognize the fear that trans folks feel every day. People are literally “ganging up” on them every day, be it the schoolyard bullies or the Governor of our State!
I think it is up to those of us in the majority, or with the power, or both, to do the majority of the work, rather than expecting an underestimated minority to do so. You should not demand and probably shouldn’t expect grace from someone who gets bullied every day, at every level. Instead, offer some grace yourself.
I also had someone make an interesting comment – maybe we should all just go to the southern “y’all.” As long as that is the only thing we do to be more like the south, I approve!
Thanks to readers for some great conversations!
*Land Acknowledgement
A couple of weeks ago, I brought up the idea of Johnson County doing some sort of Land Acknowledgement. For those of you not familiar, a Land Acknowledgement is a way to recognize the people to whom this land belonged, and from whom it was taken. The idea is to raise awareness and take some responsibility.
I am not exactly sure what form this might take, but I was pleased to learn that my fellow Supervisors are willing to hear more. I have contacted some folks at the UI Native American Council; the UI has a statement that is read before certain events. It sounds as though different governmental units address the issue quite differently. I look forward to hearing what the Native American Council has to say.
Meanwhile, I found some good advice on the topic from the Native Governance Center. Their advice to governmental units follows:
Start with self-reflection. Before starting work on your land acknowledgment statement, reflect on the process:
Why am I doing this land acknowledgment? (If you’re hoping to inspire others to take action to support Indigenous communities, you’re on the right track. If you’re delivering a land acknowledgment out of guilt or because everyone else is doing it, more self-reflection is in order.)
What is my end goal? (What do you hope listeners will do after hearing the acknowledgment?)
When will I have the largest impact? (Think about your timing and audience, specifically.)
Do your homework. Put in the time necessary to research the following topics:
· The Indigenous people to whom the land belongs.
· The history of the land and any related treaties.
· Names of living Indigenous people from these communities. If you’re presenting on behalf of your work in a certain field, highlight Indigenous people who currently work in that field.
Indigenous place names and language.
· Correct pronunciation for the names of the Tribes, places, and individuals that you’re including.
· Use appropriate language. Don’t sugarcoat the past. Use terms like genocide, ethnic cleansing, stolen land, and forced removal to reflect actions taken by colonizers.
· Use past, present, and future tenses. Indigenous people are still here, and they’re thriving. Don’t treat them as a relic of the past.
· Land acknowledgments shouldn’t be grim. They should function as living celebrations of Indigenous communities. Ask yourself, “How am I leaving Indigenous people in a stronger, more empowered place because of this land acknowledgment?” Focus on the positivity of who Indigenous people are today.
Additional factors to consider:
Don’t ask an Indigenous person to deliver a “welcome” statement for your organization. Build real, authentic relationships with Indigenous people. In addition to normal employment and family obligations, Indigenous people are working to heal their traumas, learn their languages, and support their nations. If you reach out for help, lead the conversation by asking an Indigenous person what you can do for them. Chances are, they’re likely overworked and could use your help.
Compensate Indigenous people for their emotional labor. If you do plan to reach out to an Indigenous person or community for help, compensate them fairly. Too often, Indigenous people are asked to perform emotional labor for free.
Understand displacement and how that plays into land acknowledgment. Land acknowledgment is complicated. Remember that the United States government displaced many Tribes from land before treaties were signed.
There are many types of land acknowledgments. Don’t expect to find a specific formula or template. Land acknowledgments that come from Indigenous people vs. non-Indigenous people look different, too.
Take action:
Land acknowledgment alone is not enough. It’s merely a starting point. Ask yourself: how do I plan to take action to support Indigenous communities? Some examples of ways to take action:
Support Indigenous organizations by donating your time and/or money.
Support Indigenous-led grassroots change movements and campaigns. Encourage others to do so.
Commit to returning land. Local, state, and federal governments around the world are currently returning land. Individuals are returning their land, too. Research your options to return your land.
At the end of the day, remember:
Starting somewhere is better than not trying at all. We need to share in Indigenous peoples’ discomfort. They’ve been uncomfortable for a long time. Dr. Kate Beane (Flandreau Santee Dakota and Muskogee Creek) says, “We have to try. Starting out with good intentions and a good heart is what matters most.”
Visit our resource page for more helpful land acknowledgment tools! And read our own land acknowledgment statement: The Land We’re On.
The UI Land Acknowledgement appears below:
The University of Iowa is located on the homelands of the Ojibwe/Anishinaabe (Chippewa), Báxoǰe (Iowa), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Omāēqnomenēwak (Menominee), Myaamiaki (Miami), Nutachi (Missouri), Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha), Wahzhazhe (Osage), Jiwere (Otoe), Odawaa (Ottawa), Póⁿka (Ponca), Bodéwadmi/Neshnabé (Potawatomi), Meskwaki/Nemahahaki/Sakiwaki (Sac and Fox), Dakota/Lakota/Nakoda, Sahnish/Nuxbaaga/Nuweta (Three Affiliated Tribes) and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nations. The following tribal nations, Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa), Póⁿka (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska), Meskwaki (Sac and Fox of the Mississippi in Iowa), and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) Nations continue to thrive in the State of Iowa and we continue to acknowledge them. As an academic institution, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the sovereignty and the traditional territories of these tribal nations, and the treaties that were used to remove these tribal nations, and the histories of dispossession that have allowed for the growth of this institution since 1847. Consistent with the University's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, understanding the historical and current experiences of Native peoples will help inform the work we do; collectively as a university to engage in building relationships through academic scholarship, collaborative partnerships, community service, enrollment and retention efforts acknowledging our past, our present and future Native Nations.
We here in Johnson County have a lot to learn, but I am looking forward to the process! I am not really certain what we will do, if anything. I’d like us to do something, but I have yet to speak to anyone with experience. I believe it is safe to say I do not even know what I do not know! If you have knowledge of this process and want to help, please contact me!
*Cognitive Dissonance
I find myself often experiencing cognitive dissonance when thinking about people I know. While this is a bit disconcerting (it is cognitive dissonance, after all!) it is really important that we do not always try to reconcile things. Because sometimes, two seemingly incongruous things can be true.
Here are some examples as to how this desire to reconcile things can cause decision-making problems at my job: I like this person, therefore they must be good at what they do. I like this person, therefore they must be honest. I agree with this person politically, therefore, they should hold public office. He is a real asshole at work; therefore he must be a terrible father. We disagree on everything else; why would I agree with her on this?
It seems as though these couplets should be true. And in some cases, they are. In other cases, they are not. We need to learn to live with the realization that two incongruous things can be true!
*DID YOU KNOW? Native people arrived in Iowa with the receding of the glaciers about 14,000 years ago.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 11:31 AM
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