indigenous artifacts and grave-robbing

Trafficing stolen Native American artifacts - yes it does happen. This case is going ahead even though the lead witness has committed suicide.

From kcsg.com via associated press 

"Prosecutors vowed Monday to move forward against 21 defendants, in spite of the stunning suicide of the chief witness against them. The cases stem from a two-year investigation into trafficking of stolen Native American artifacts.

Last week's suicide by FBI informant Ted Gardiner, the third connected with the case, raises question marks over upcoming trials. Gardiner killed himself March 1 complicating an already complex case. Some say Gardiner was haunted by the suicides of two suspects he fingered. Others say upcoming trials for 21 defendants overwhelmed him with pressure."

Now i am not a fan of FBI informants but i am even less of a fan of those who traffic stolen Native American artifacts. i hope the prosecution is successful.

And what has this to do with here? We not only have artifacts all over the place but we have even worse.

We have grave robbers in this country who descerate the ancient graves of maori.

Maps has exposed a particular individual Noel Hilliam who has posted photos of his disgusting activities and  yes he is part of the-pale-people-were-here-before-maori-and-taught-them-everything-they-know brigade.

As Maps notes

"In the aftermath of the controversy at Dargaville museum, the New Zealand Historic Places Trust decided to open an investigation into Hilliam's activities at Maori burial sites.

The dargaville saga is here and here for those that wish to have a read.

These destructive beliefs lead to shocking actions such as hilliam's - we must fight this at every step.

UPDATE there is something very wrong in dargaville. It was claimed that Noel Hilliam was awarded the Kiwibank Senior New Zealander of the year award. Kiwibank and the award organisers have said that is not true. The dargaville online is now saying that kiwibank and the award organisers are wrong and he did win - go here for the latest.

Hat tip The Buffalo Post and Reading the Maps

Interesting essay from last Woman Blog

very interesting essay - Reel Bad Indians: A Cinematic Reflection on History, Popular Culture, and Tribalism in Kevin Willmott’s “The Only Good Indian” (Snap Review) from Last Women Blog



We can't move forward until we know where we are.

key insults native americans

So whilst discussing the stadium in Dunedin, our Prime Minister key says, "we are not indian givers."

"When questioned whether the Government might ask for the money back if it was not finished in time, Mr Key said: "I don't think so.

"We're not Indian-givers."

This is an insulting term that denigrates native americans.

From phrases.org.uk

"Indian giver derives from the alleged practise of American Indians of taking back gifts from white settlers. It is more likely that the settlers wrongly interpreted the Indians' loans to them as gifts. This term, which is certainly American, may have been coined to denigrate of the native race. Historians would now agree that, where deceit was concerned, it was the settlers who were the front runners. It isn't uncommon, and it could be argued that it is customary, for the conquering race to attempt to justify their invasion by dismissing the conquered as dishonest and stupid."

And from the straight dope

"Indian" was once used by the white man as an all-purpose adjective signifying "bogus" or "false," owing to the supposedly low morals of the red man. Thus you had "Indian summer," false summer late in the year; "Indian corn" and "Indian tea," cheap substitutes for products the original colonists had known back in England; and "Indian giver," someone who gives you something and then takes it back.

But of course Europeans were the real Indian givers, repeatedly promising the Indians reservations by treaty and then stealing them back once valuable farmland or minerals were found."

Now we know key isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer but this insult is not acceptable. We all unconsciously use terms that once examined, we realise are inappropriate. This is one of those situations.

Apologise to native americans. Start thinking before you insult indigenous people.

The positive from this is that the term is now more known for the cheating of the native americans - not much different from the broken treaties and promises over here and the cheating of maori that occured and still occurs.