Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:27:51 -0700, Patrick Elliott wrote:
> 
> Well, it's shrinking, but I don't know how rapdily, particularly here in 
> the intermountain west.  But to solve the "problem" of past conquest 
> today isn't an easy one to answer, because you can't make things like 
> they were in the 1400's - and I don't think current tribe members would 
> think that was a solution.
> 
> I think there's a fine line between acknowledging the past and exploiting 
> the sins of the past.  Is it appropriate to continue to pay reparations 
> to the Native Americans today for something that started 700 years ago?  
700?
> I honestly can't say I know the answer to that question.  My instinct is 
> to say "you have the same opportunities today as everyone else here", 
That only applies if they want to live the same rat race as non native 
americans (if that is the negation of native americans).
If they want to live more or less like they did a millenium ago you 
might argue that the non natives should not make that impossible.
> but 
> at the same time, it doesn't feel right to not acknowledge the past and 
> to do *something* that isn't pure tokenism but at the same time isn't an 
> ongoing thing through the rest of time.  Is it enough just to ensure that 
> the traditions and history doesn't die?  I don't know.
> 
> Jim

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