Can you win or lose like a man ?

With Grace & Honor

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 Here we are. This is the last issue before the election. By this time next week, I will either be on the winning or losing side of the political process .

 I’ve always loved that scene from Any Given Sunday with coach D’Amato, when he says “you’re either gonna win or lose, but can you win or lose like a man.”

Yes I can. The younger me could have won like a man but definitely not lost like one.

 What did he mean by winning or losing like a man?

If I had to guess, I think he meant being proud of yourself and your team in victory or defeat. No bragging or boasting. No pouting or complaining. No rubbing it in the face of your opponents during a win, and no making excuses or saying the election was rigged during a loss. Accepting the results with grace and honor and moving on to the next step.

 Going into the final stretch I would give myself a 75 percent chance of winning. I am hoping that people who don’t personally like me, can put those feelings aside and think of what’s best for our Tribe. I’m not 100 percent sure that’s possible, hence the uncertain 75.

 Sometimes I have to remember that my Tribe isn’t going to become what I want it to become just because I believe it. I actually have to be on council, changing the expectations and ceiling standards. Talking to the youth. Meeting with the elders. Interacting with the adults. Building the culture.

 At this point in my life, I have come to an agreement with reality. Everything really is what it is. I’m going to do what’s in my control to show my Tribe what I have to offer, but if my Tribe isn’t interested then so be it.

 No hard feelings. Time to move on.

 However, I do not think that will happen. I believe in my people. I just hope the feeling is mutual.

I am a much different person now, than I was the last time I served on our council. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve read and studied a ton since then, mostly on philosophy and business. I’ve a had a few major wins and losses. I’ve learned to cope with this life’s ups and downs on healthy social level.

I’m excited to get back to my Tribe and really do some positive things to shift the trajectory for good. Create economic stability that spans for generations to come while teaching that next generation how to run it.

So, do I win?

 In less than a week, we shall see.

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

Native Mascot Ban proposed for schools in Illinois

Article via USA Today

Illinois lawmakers are looking to ban K-12 schools from using Native American mascots or logos. House bill 5617—sponsored by state Rep. Maurice West—would require schools to alter logos, mascots or names with Native American tribes or features of Native American culture.

 The bill would also prohibit schools from selling items with banned mascots and remove banned logos from school property. As of 2021, there were more than 50 high schools in the state with Native American names or imagery for their mascots, according to Illinois Public Media.

 In a press conference on Thursday, Dr. Megan Bang, Director of the Northwestern University Center for Native American and Indigenous Research, said such mascots create a hostile learning environment, WAND TV, a local news outlet in Illinois, reported.

"Their pervasive presence in schools has demonstrated time and time again to not only harm children, but they create a society that operates on inaccurate information and harmful perceptions," Bang told reporters. She continued saying research shows mascot names like Warriors, Indians and Braves hurt Native American kids.

 When would the bill take effect?

 The deadline for schools to change their mascot is Sept. 1, 2027, giving schools ample time to find a new logo, buy new uniforms or update athletics facilities with Native American mascots.

Rep. Maurice West filed the bill on February 9, but the proposal has yet to be assigned to a House committee.

 Banning Native American mascots in schools across the U.S.

In 2020, fivethirtyeight.com identified more than 1,200 high schools across the U.S. that continue to use Native American-themed mascots and logos.

 School districts across the country have already taken action to retire Native-themed mascots.

New York state voted to ban Native American-themed logos and mascots last year. The logos must be retired by 2025 unless schools get approval from a recognized Native American tribe to keep them, NPR reported. Fifty-five school districts and 12 high schools on Long Island have Native American-themed logos.

 And in Washington state, schools are required to get permission from the nearest federally recognized tribe to use a mascot.

The bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Laura Faver Dias told press that banning Native American mascots could create a more inclusive learning environment for all students and staff, as reported by WAND TV.

 "I'm a former public-school teacher and I taught in a school that had and still has a racist mascot today," Faver Dias said. "It was an offensive mascot and a caricature of an American Indian. I saw firsthand the divisiveness that it created among our students and within our larger school community.

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Anna Lambe - Inuit

 Anna Lambe, born in 1999, hails from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. She grew up deeply connected to her Inuit heritage, which has profoundly influenced her career path and advocacy work. From a young age, Lambe was drawn to the arts, finding in them a powerful medium for expression and storytelling.

 Her breakthrough in acting came with her role in the critically acclaimed film "The Grizzlies" in 2018. Her portrayal of Spring, a teenager in a small Arctic town, was widely praised for its authenticity and depth. This film, centered around the struggles of Inuit youth and the power of community and sport, brought significant attention to Lambe and highlighted her talent as an emerging actress.

 Her performance in "The Grizzlies" garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Canadian Screen Awards, marking her as one of the youngest nominees in the category. This achievement signaled her potential as a significant new talent in Canadian cinema.

 Beyond her acting, she is a passionate advocate for Inuit and Native rights. She utilizes her platform to bring attention to the challenges faced by her community, including mental health issues, cultural preservation, and climate change impacts on the Arctic. Her advocacy work aligns closely with the themes explored in her film projects, bridging her artistic pursuits with her commitment to social and environmental issues.

 Following her success in "The Grizzlies," she has continued to explore diverse roles in film and television. She seeks projects that resonate with her identity and values, aiming to bring more Inuit stories to mainstream media. Her career choices reflect a desire to challenge stereotypes and broaden the representation of Native peoples in the entertainment industry.

Her most recent role is in "True Detective: Night Country"  where she plays Kayla Prior. Kayla is Peter Prior's wife and the mother of his child. Her character navigates the complexities of balancing familial and professional responsibilities, which is made more challenging by Peter's demanding work schedule.

Anna Lambe's journey is a source of inspiration for many, especially young Native artists. Her dedication to her craft and her community reflects a new wave of actors who are not only talented performers but also advocates for meaningful change. As she continues to grow in her career, Lambe is poised to become a significant figure in both Canadian cinema and global Tribal representation.

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Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians

The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley Rancheria) is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. For several thousand years the Tribe’s ancestors lived along the West Fork of the Russian River, located north of Calpella, CA. The Tribe interacted with other Pomo tribes located within the Russian River watershed, the Eel River watershed, and tribes found along the coasts of the Clearlake and the Pacific Ocean.

 Much was lost with the advancement of European settlers before and after the California Goldrush.  In 1908 Redwood Valley Rancheria was established as a home for "Homeless Indians." However, In 1958 the United States Congress terminated Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other tribes by enacting the California Rancheria Termination Act. In 1983 this act was declared illegal as a result of the Tillie Hardwick, et al. v. United States of America, et al. Case. Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other rancherias had their tribal status restored.

 The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians is a sovereign indian tribe with the powers of self-governance. Its tribal members elect a Tribal Council which acts as the governing body. The Council is authorized to write and enact ordinances and resolutions, conduct tribal business, and perform other actions that are commonly delegated to local governments.

​Today, Redwood Valley Rancheria has 159 acres of land in trust. It manages a wide array of social, educational, environmental and infrastructure programs. Click on the menu above to find out more about these programs.

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