Lakota Declare Independence!
 

This is absolutely the most interesting story i've heard all year. The Lakota People have unanimously declared their independence from the United States. They are apparently going to be a completely sovreign nation now, issuing their own drivers licenses and passports. I wonder if they'll print money or coin gold? That would be incredible, to be able to go out to Indian Country and buy brand new gold coins... this is just incredible. If it goes down it could pave the way for other secessionist groups as well, like the Vermont Secessionists and the Free State Wyoming group.

freaking radical!

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline...-withdraw.html

haven't seen it yet on the mass media...i guess the White House must be furious.

I read about another group that tried to succeed from the Union once. I think they called themselves the "Confederacy". Didn't work too well for them.

yeah, well, better luck next time, eh?

I don't know if this will work, but it likely won't result in Civil War. I doubt that most Americans want to go back to the "killin' injuns" days, although i ALSO doubt that the government will be happy with losing land.

Still, interesting - wouldn't they at least have to pay money for the land they're seceding with?

i guess they're seceeding onto Reservation lands, although nullifying treaties would automatically turn that land back over to the Federal government, IMo, so i've got NO idea what they're doing.

I really hope this doesn't go Indian vs. White. I'd hate to have to pick sides.

ETA my bet is peaceful secession with resentment by the Fed Gov...if they buddy up with Mexico we could have an even bigger Immigration mess than we do now. And i really have to wonder what type of government they'd impliment, the "no taxes" bit sounds hardcore Libertarian/Anarchist (true to traditional American Indian government) but if the Casino fat cats are leading things (and i'm gonna bet they are) then its totally up in the air.

Native Canadians have made some big protests and fought for land, hunting, and traditional rights. Plus Quebec is always fighting to separate from Canada and become its own country. Canada may look happy on the outside, but we have a lot of infighting too.
I don't think the Lakota would be able to suceed in the truest sense of the word. They could end up being a sovereign territory but still a part of the U.S. government.

i doubt our government would let them. Nobody would support this, from the sound of it, most Lakota don't even support this. Its really quite strange. Will find out more today and keep you guys updated.

As an American citizen of Black, Native and Anglo descent I'm of many minds about this. Part of me is cheering them on for putting the spurs in the belly of a complacent and neglectful government, but there are other parts of me who think that that they protest a litle too much. They weren't the only culture to be removed from their homes and given the short end of the stick, and they're far from the last. Not to mention that they themselves in the Pre-Columbian era have surely "removed" other tribes from the land they occupied 150 years ago.

However I can't begrudge them for wanting to make a go of this. It is their right. The laws of the land actually support their move. They won't be the first to attempt a secession. Some parts of New York are trying to get New York City declared its own state saying that its size allows it to get an ungodly amount of money compared to every other region. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been trying to seceed for as long as I can remember. There's a part of southern Oregon and northern California who'd very much like to be the 51st state admitted to the union. And who can forget the Conch Republic, known to everyone north of the Florida Keys as Key West.

I think I've made up my mind. I support this just to see how it turns out. It's their right and if it gets the attention all the aforemention attempted secessions have failed to receive than at least maybe a few more people will realize that change can occur if one gets off their ass.

personally i support nearly any dig in the ribs of the Federales, but i have to wonder about this thing. The Sioux i talked to were caught pretty much off guard. The whole thing might be a big publicity stunt or bluff on the part of Russel Means...who doesn't really have the authority to speak for the Lakota people :P

copy/pasted from another forum, this chap is American Indian but not Lakota:

"Russell Means speaks for very few. I am sure the tribal membership is wondering what the hell is going on and more than likely not very happy about HIS decision."

this is an interesting situation

This is a very interesting situation.

Generally claiming independence is irrelevant if no other 'seat' (referring to the UN general assembly) recognises it and establishes diplomatic and trading relations. We have an interesting situation developing in Kosovo relating to this over here in Europe.

It would be nice to imagine that the US would treat a fledgling nation within its territory with the care a parent should gives its progeny, protecting it and nuturing it especially given the dark history of the relationship between pre and post Columbian Americans. Chances are though this is some stunt from which someone stands to gain.