I am writing this column, pretty much, the way I write many of my columns. I write from the first feeling of needing to respond, to give voice to some truth.
I read Tim Giago’s “Freedom of the press not exactly alive in Indian Country” with great interest. In fact, I waited for the right moment to read it, because for me, it rings true. A lot of what Tim writes is that way. He gives voice to those of us who are silenced.
A year ago, I asked Tim, if I could write for him again. It took that long to get over the censorship I faced at Indian Country Today, where I had been writing for Tim for a long time prior to his sale to the Oneida Nation of New York.
In fact, I kept my first check as a new newspaper columnist and when Tim sold ICT, I was asked if I ever intended to cash that check. I never did. For me, it is a memento, a piece of my own history that I want to keep because it makes me feel good when I look at it.
I was not only censored but lambasted by the then editor of Indian Country Today for writing a column for the Hartford Courant, called “These are not Indian.” In fact, I had my ten seconds of fame for writing that column.
I was in Rapid City at the time I was under attack from Indian Country Today. I called Tim, and he said, “Oh, so you’re getting your butt kicked over that column?” I realized that I had to suck it up if I wanted to be a journalist. But, it hurt. To be censored for something I wrote.
I was assigned a story to write about an Eastern tribe’s efforts to revitalize a language that had last been spoken over a hundred years ago. No one knew what the language sounded like, but the tribe had enough money to hire consultants to make up the sound of the language. I spent weeks on the story. I went on site to watch filming of the making of a language. In fact, I was asked to be a part of the film, because “I looked Indian.”
After spending weeks on the story, I went to the editor at the Hartford Courant Sunday magazine and I told the editor I couldn’t write the story. The editor asked why? And I said, “These are not Indian.” So, the editor said write on that then. I did.
It took me awhile to get over ICT’s censorship and attack. I soon tired of seeing my photo on the internet with duct tape pasted over my mouth.
It was devastating to a “new voice.” I grew up in Pine Ridge. Early on, I knew writing was what moved me and it was my strength and with it I could help the people. Those were the values our elders taught us then, “Get an education so you can come back and help the people.” I truly believed that.
Life after I was censored took me way out west. I immersed myself in real Indian Country in Arizona where I live on and off in between teaching the Lakota language. I never wanted to write for a newspaper again. Then, at a Language conference in Rapid City I saw Tim’s new newspaper and some of the fire came back. This time, I thought, I will stay away from politics and write about language. When I asked Tim, he gave me the go ahead.
Tim is the fairest man alive. I look forward to writing the column monthly and I am happy again for a chance to write about things that matter. Giving a voice to Lakota people: Freedom of the press is alive and well in Native Sun News.
(Contact Delphine Red Shirt dredshirt@aol.com)
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