"Some people in Washington, D.C., fight for Indian rights as hard as anyone has done in the past century.

I know you're laughing, faithful reader, and saying: Tell another joke. Here's the funny part - I'm not kidding.

There really are some dedicated advocates who actually look out for Native interests. Right here, in Potomac River city, amid the swamp things: sycophants, self-servers, slackers, sell-outs and scoundrels.

Observe the sibilance. A hissing sound is always a warning. In this case, it comes from the chorus of united snakes - the forked-tongued ones in the morality play of Washington policy-making.

Most folks in this town are scared off by their first warning - sssssss.

Many come to town in search of someone to surrender to. As soon as they can, they join the chorus: SSSSSSS. Sometimes they hiss so loudly, they're startled by the sound of their own voice and retreat in obsequious silence.

But here's the thing. Good people really are being taken out, one by one, dragged just below the water line."

Get the Story:
Suzan Shown Harjo: What if there's nothing left? (Indian Country Today 7/20)

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