"We have been told that a fight against “terrorism” is the reason why the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was passed by Congress, and signed by President Obama on December 31, 2011. The legislation authorizes the U.S. military, at the direction and discretion of the U.S. President, to indefinitely detain United States citizens and lawful residents, without charge or trial.

In one dire scenario, it is conceivable that any advocate for Indigenous nations and peoples could be detained indefinitely for “supporting the enemy” by merely advocating in favor of Indigenous peoples’ human rights. This is especially true if such Indigenous activism is deemed by “the state” to be advocating against the interests of “the state” by opposing “the state” being able to further “open” Indigenous lands, territories, and resources for purposes of “national security.”

Get the Story:
Steven Newcomb: On Territory and Terrorism (Indian Country Today 4/30)