American Indian Sovereignty

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Sovereignty Symposium
The American Indian Symposium on Indian Sovereignty and Self Determination was a powerful collection of keynote speakers who touched on a number of issues revolving around the current status of Indian Sovereignty and their struggle to receive recognition as a separate nation within the United States. Prior to the Symposium I had many questions about how Indian Sovereignty had been restricted and how the numerous nations of Indians had been affected by the political limitations they have encountered. My initial questions were answered, yet I was left with more questions directed at our national and state governments. Through an evaluation of the keynote speakers major points these question will present themselves.
The first speaker was Dr. David Wilkins of the Lummie Nation in North Carolina. Dr. Wilkins was a genuine man whose words came from the heart. One of his first points asked of the audience to rephrase a famous quote. “I think therefore I am” Wilkins stated should be changed to “I think therefore I compare.” Wilkins suggested that society should compare Indian people and their struggle to past and present applications and relationships with sovereignty. Through numerous examples it is clear that the treatment of Indian people in this country has never been consistent or just. Wilkins also titled the Native Americans as “Vulnerable People.” There are 2.5 million Native Americans in this country who struggle for representation and political sovereignty of which a 100,000 are denied their citizenship due to their Native Indian heritage. Wilkins also outlined the lack of representation that the Indian people battle for in a number of arenas. As a powerful example Wilkins stated that the State Government considered him a Lummie but that the federal Government did not, this lack of national identity is one of many obstacles placed in front of Indians in their continued struggle for sov...