"We, the human children of this Earth, all have our own cultures and traditions, languages, and we all like to keep them, as they identify us as one of the many kinds of peoples of the Earth. Our Mother, the earth (land) gives us all the necessities of life: it feeds us, gives us clothes, shelter and cradles us. The US Government is acting like a dictator in just taking our land. I have voiced again and again, Western Shoshone land - our Mother Earth - is not for sale."
-Carrie Dann
-Carrie Dann
Mary and Carrie Dann were great inspirational native females and till this day continue to inspire many. These two traditional Western Shoshone women have been great leaders and have been involved in many political battles and have struggled for cultural, land and spiritual rights. They where victims of the US government trying to take their land and since then have led a 40-year battle in order for them to keep their ancestral land. Not only have they fought their own land yet all Western Shoshone land. Their battle began 1973 when asked for a grazing permit by the US government, yet these native females did not have one since they were in their own land. As quoted in Every Day is a Good Day, "Today we so too many of our young people who have lost respect for the Earth, the water, the air. All they want is to go out and make money." And that is exactly what the government wanted, therefore the Dann sisters were sued by the Bureau of Land Management because of their cattle. The battle continued and by 1979 Mary and Carrie Dann were offered $26 million for their land yet they did not accept. It is valuable property it is their home, their land, their culture, their childhood, they understand where they come from and who they are. Yet the United States cant seem to respect that towards the native population. Their land is more than just 2o grand and the Dann sisters were very strong in not accepting the money because its just a payout. The Dann sisters were able to engage in a battle for many years in order protect their lands. The violation towards their land was for greed and both Mary and Carrie Dann are greatly admired for the great work towards defending their rights and were recognized as recipients for the Right Livelihood award in 1993.
1 comment:
Today in class you did a really good job with you presentation. Even though I didn’t get a handout, I followed along anyway. Your Midterm topic is a great one. Mary and Carrie Dann seem like they were much respected from your brief summary of their struggle. It blew my mind when I read that they turned down 26 million for their land. Not living a money hungry life will make you a better person, because now day’s people will do anything for money. What made you choice these two women? Also how do you think your Mid-Term will transition into your final?
Post a Comment