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SmylesLee77 t1_j17v023 wrote

Unfortunately this is a problem with Native Americans in every State. Look at the disappearing girls on various Reservations and how zero investigation occurs!

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SunCloud-777 OP t1_j17wm0a wrote

it is true that it also affects many of the Native American/Alaskan Native women across the States. there is a systemic disparity

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Jeremycycles t1_j189ks2 wrote

Not just the states, it’s arguably even a bigger issue in Canada and the cover up is crazy

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[deleted] t1_j19ktko wrote

it's way worse in canada. sex offenders flock to quebec because of laws there designed specifically to protect them. they are allowed to live with children and continue using the internet in many cases and do not have to regularly report or notify any of their neighbors. they've all but decriminalized child molestation there, and the same goes for rapists who went for people of age.

also, due to how easy it is to cross the us/canada border, and how rural it becomes up there once you hit canada, it's a big hotspot for kidnapping and trafficking even if the end destination is nowhere near canada, since they can catch a small plane or get on a boat from there to anywhere in many cases.

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SmylesLee77 t1_j17wqau wrote

I wish we could just all admit this and show empathy and help the Nations solve this in a respectful cooperative manner to everyone's satisfaction.

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SunCloud-777 OP t1_j17xq0r wrote

Yes, it needs to be acknowledged, not just by individuals but also by the federal government, for healing to happen.

something similar to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the past and present hurts and crimes committed against all indigenous groups.

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boxer_dogs_dance t1_j18ixmu wrote

California just instituted what they call a feather alert system for missing indigenous people. Modeled on the Amber alert system. I'm not thrilled with the name of the program but they are making an effort to respond to the problem.

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eimichan t1_j19fxpz wrote

I mean, Assemblyman James Ramos sponsored the law and he's a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe (https://a45.asmdc.org/biography). He's actually California's first indigenous Assemblyman. He's responsible for a lot of initiatives that benefit indigenous peoples.

I haven't seen any indigenous groups come out against the name. https://ethnicmediaservices.org/domestic-violence/tribal-leaders-law-enforcement-discuss-implementation-of-feather-alert-system/

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boxer_dogs_dance t1_j19k6oo wrote

I am not indigenous and he is certainly qualified to approve the name, so that is good to hear about. My first reaction to the name was cringe. But my first reaction to the iPad name was cringe also and that became popular. I didn't see how people would get past menstruation jokes, but they did and now use the name unironically. Bottom line, it's a well intentioned program that may do some good.

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RandomAngeleno t1_j18vqt3 wrote

Yeah, that name is really something else.

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jpterodactyl t1_j19ywli wrote

Some of The alert names are strange to me.

Like, The “silver” alert is interesting. It makes it sound like silver fox. I feel like “gray would’ve been more appropriate.

It reads like: “Everyone be on the lookout for someone who looks like Pierce Brosnan”

But I think that might be on purpose. More memorable or something.

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Raalf t1_j19l6fp wrote

Feather - as in dot not feather? How is that not considered offensive in CA?

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boxer_dogs_dance t1_j19m7lh wrote

I'm just a random person on the internet who had a hot take on a word.

What is dot not feather? I would love to learn more.

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softwhiteclouds t1_j1a3iuw wrote

It comes from a joke.

"OH, you're Indian? Feather (meaning First Nations) or dot?" (meaning South Asian, as in a bindhi forehead mark).

That said, I don't see a problem with the name Feather Alert. The Eagle Feather is almost universally seen as important in nearly every North American First Nations community/culture.

It seems like a very respectful way to denote the importance of addressing missing FN women, especially given the bill was introduced by a FN person.

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Raalf t1_j19mu87 wrote

So when I lived in Texas the vernacular slang to distinguish between native American and individuals native to the country of India was "indian. Dot not feather" - indicating native Americans were thought to wear feathers on their head and Indians are known to have a red dot on their forehead called a 'bindi' as part of a religious practice. While effective at clarification of race/origin, it was never meant as a compliment.

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softwhiteclouds t1_j1a3wio wrote

Having been married to a South Asian woman and we both worked at s place with lots of First Nations colleagues, I assure you most don't care, and they often use the term amongst themselves.

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Hey-GetToWork t1_j19u6bk wrote

'They're indian'
'Indian? Dot or feather indian?'

Dot stereotyping people from the country of India (the Bindi).
Feather stereotyping native american peoples.

(Source my grandmother from South Dakota talking to her older friends)

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SmylesLee77 t1_j19pu67 wrote

I heard that joke in New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation. It is a joke told by natives. In a way it shows White ignorance. You cannot discover a new place last. Chinese and Vikings discovered it before Columbus!

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Fredthefree t1_j18yqd9 wrote

It's easy enough to bribe a local tribesman on a reservation to look the other way. And who investigates? Usually, tribes hate police on the reserve.

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02Alien t1_j196yu2 wrote

> Usually, tribes hate police on the reserve.

To be fair, most people hate police being anywhere near them.

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SmylesLee77 t1_j19r4cr wrote

No they hate arrogant oppressive police. The FBI can train locals. The Feds just need to figure out how to appoint a Sheriff on the Reservation like they forgot.

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