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And Watson has the nerve to complain

Time Magazine Snubs Indians Again
Posted May 19, 2008 06:19 PM (EST)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-giago/emtimeem-magazine-snubs-i_b_102529.html


Every Native American can probably name 10 Indians that deserve to be on Time's list of most influential people. The problem is nobody asks them. Out of sight out of mind does not lead to a cohesive means of communications. White and black editors see who is around them in their own little world and Native Americans are not a part of their world. I could name a hundred influential Indians, but because of space I will name just a few.

For every century there comes a man or woman that is in the right place at the right time. Ernie Stevens, Jr., Wisconsin Oneida, is such a man. As head of the National Indian Gaming Association he has come along at a time when Indian gaming is bringing in billions of dollars in revenues to many once impoverished Indian tribes. As a strong willed and powerful spokesman for the interests of the gaming tribes, his voice was, and is, essential to the continued success of Indian gaming. Stevens has managed to pull the gaming tribes together in a coalition that has stood as one to protect their rights. I would say that his influence is much more consequential to a people than say that of a Miley Cyrus. ...

I would strongly advise the editors of Time and the production managers of CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and of all the major newspapers and magazines in America that the First Americans are here and are newsworthy and pushing them into the role of the "Forgotten Americans" should not be allowed or tolerated. Time editors, next year when you compile your list, look beyond the end of your nose to find and include one or two influential Native Americans. It's the fair thing to do.

Tim Giago, an Oglala Lakota, was born, raised and educated on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. He was the founder and first president of the Native American Journalists Association. He can be reached at najournalist@msn.com or by writing him at P.O. Box 818, Rapid City, SD 57709

(Amen! Amen!)

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