Indian Country Today
In every life there is always some misery - enough to harden the edges
- but when a disaster of the magnitude of the Asian tsunami strikes,
the world must necessarily pause and see what it can do to help. Most
human beings will be touched by the momentous tragedy of whole
villages, tens of thousands of families, smashed or washed out to sea.
Surprised and overwhelmed by the sudden power of the ocean, upward of
150,000 deaths are likely and five million survivors are in great need
of attention.
The mayhem spreads out to five or more countries. Among those affected
are several indigenous peoples including the Great Andamanese,
Sentinelese, Onge, Nicobarese, Jarawa and the Shompen tribes. These
tribes of the southern Indian archipelago retain very ancient cultures,
dating back some 70,000 years in their areas. Among these, mostly small
tribes, the Jarawas have remained uncontacted and the Shompens nearly
so. The latest census report counts 266 to 270 Jarawas, 98 to 100
Onges, 150 to 200 Shompen, 200 to 250 Sentinelese, 20,000 Nicobarese
and 40 to 50 Great Andamanese. The tribes from the islands of Andaman
and Nicobar, situated far from mainland India in the Bay of Bengal and
devastated by the tsunami, were thought to have perished - but at least
the Great Andamanese were all saved when a shrewd elder ordered his
50-member group uphill quickly enough ahead of the wave. Perhaps the
most feared for of the indigenous tribes are the Sentinelese, who live
on the flat North Sentinel Island. Satellite pictures show large parts
of their island completely wiped out.
The world has in fact been sincerely moved by the disaster. Japan, as
befitting its stature in the region, followed by other Asian countries,
has been the most generous contributor. The United States, after some
initial hesitation, has now mobilized with more commensurate assistance
- $350 million from the government and about as much from private
sources with the efforts of American relief and humanitarian
groups.
Among the early donors to charitable organizations the Rumsey Band of
Wintun Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community made a combined
donation of $1 million to Save The Children and Habitat For Humanity
International. The two organizations are providing shelter, food,
medical care and other basic necessities for children and for
replacement construction. Nationally, the National Indian Gaming
Association has set up an ''Indian Nations UNISEF Tsunami Relief Fund''
to gather other contributions.
Other Indian communities and organizations pitched in as well. The
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay
Nation, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Cherokee Nation of
Oklahoma, and the National Indian Gaming Association all contributed to
a UNICEF fund dedicated to aiding the relief effort. Once again the
traditional compassion and generosity of American Indians is on
display.
In the form of three good-hearted individuals, Indian country is also
now directly involved. Led by Dr. Robert Lame Bull McDonald, a team of
three co-coordinators is trouble shooting a relief and rescue operation
from the heart of Indian country and, we believe, with the heart of
Indian country.
Lame Bull McDonald, Blackfeet and member of the Grand Traverse Band of
Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is organizing the emergency response team
along with Potawatomi attorney Brock Albin, and with Seattle Indian
activist Robert Free. Albin and Free were already near or familiar with
the affected region as the doctor was being recruited by the World
Health Organization to assist with its relief operation. Lame Bull
McDonald called out to the other two men and the American Indian
operation was on. The trio has worked since the tsunami hit on Dec. 26,
2004 to put together teams under the heading Native American EAGLES
(Emergency Air to Ground Lift and Evacuation Service).
Lame Bull McDonald is signaling an ongoing commitment to channel
assistance in the affected region. For the immediate moment, he is
organizing the EAGLES team, whose non-paid volunteer members should
plan to spend at least a week working as needed to assist in
identifying and processing bodies and delivering supplies. Albin said
the team will need ''a strong gut, an insensitive nose, and a lot of
hope, a bit of prayer,'' while the good Blackfeet doctor from Montana
is asking: ''Can Native America band together as one and support the
EAGLES as we provide emergency medical and social relief for the
victims of tsunami country?''
While some supplies can be transported, cash donations are most
encouraged. Many supplies can be purchased in the region for less cost
than shipping from North America. Nevertheless, these supplies are
needed: Medications, ointments, anti-anxiety medicine, school
materials, building tools, mosquito tents, malaria pills, typhoid and
other injections, a way to purify water, materials to entertain kids
and dry food. Native American EAGLES will also take bandages, shovels,
rugged mini-DVD video camera and tripod, extra batteries, mosquito
repellant, sunscreen, hats, backpacks, gloves and rubber boots.
Albin, an attorney, was a founder in 1995 of Youth Imperative, Inc., an
organization that focuses on international human rights and aid to
youth, families and their communities. The Native American EAGLES
project can receive donations via this non-profit organization.
Donations should be earmarked for the Native American Disaster Relief
Fund. (For information on how to donate to the Native American EAGLES
project, e-mail Dr. Robert Lame Bull McDonald at indianrobert@msn.com
or Brock Albin at albinlaw@justice.com.)
We commend the whole range of rescue and relief work that American
Indian tribes may be able to provide to the people so devastated by
this international catastrophe. We applaud the generosity of the Rumsey
Band of Wintun Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community, as well
as the timely response of the NIGA leadership. And we encourage all
tribes, organizations and businesses in Indian country to donate and
support the courageous gesture of the EAGLES team, which joins us to
the many people in the world responding in human empathy and generosity
to the victims of this tragedy, including some three million
children.
For many reasons, but particularly for its courage and directness, we
surely like the Indian hands-on project led by Lame Bull McDonald and
assisted by Albin and Free. We wish these three intrepid and responsive
brothers good and safe journeys and positive results in their endeavor
to help alleviate the human suffering. For historic and
contemporary documentation purposes, we strongly encourage Native
American EAGLE Project leaders to videotape and photograph their work
and its consequences. Help Indian America join the global family of
nations to always as much as possible provide our own best example of
humanitarian empathy.
To support the National Indian Gaming Association relief effort,
donations can be sent to: Indian Nations UNICEF Tsunami Relief Fund,
Borrego Springs Bank, 5005 Willows Rd., Alpine, CA 91901.
For more information on making contributions by credit card, contact Jo
Gregg at (619) 659-9770, ext. 223.
