{"id":33375,"date":"2023-11-01T12:00:55","date_gmt":"2023-11-01T16:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=33375"},"modified":"2023-11-01T12:05:29","modified_gmt":"2023-11-01T16:05:29","slug":"republican-lawmaker-criticized-for-deriding-gop-colleagues-as-wild-indians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/11\/01\/republican-lawmaker-criticized-for-deriding-gop-colleagues-as-wild-indians\/","title":{"rendered":"Republican lawmaker criticized for deriding GOP colleagues as ‘wild Indians’"},"content":{"rendered":" \"John<\/a>
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Photo: Staff Sgt. Michelle Gonzalez \/ U.S. Army National Guard<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
Republican lawmaker criticized for deriding GOP colleagues as ‘wild Indians’<\/div>\r\n
Wednesday, November 1, 2023<\/div>\r\n
By Acee Agoyo<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — \r\nThe National Congress of American Indians<\/a>, the largest inter-tribal advocacy organization in the United States, is speaking out after a Republican lawmaker made derogatory remarks about Native people.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nIn a statement on Tuesday<\/a>, NCAI President Fawn Sharp condemned the remarks by Sen. John Cornyn<\/a> (R-Texas). The lawmaker had derided some of his Republican colleagues as “wild Indians” during a call with reporters from his home state of Texas.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cSenator Cornyn’s recent derogatory remarks, referring to his colleagues as a ‘bunch of wild Indians,’ is more than just disappointing; but deeply disrespectful,” said Sharp, who also serves as vice president of the Quinault Nation<\/a>, a federally recognized tribe headquartered in Washington state. “It perpetuates damaging stereotypes about our diverse and vibrant American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”\r\n

<\/p>\r\n“This is especially disconcerting as we approach Native American Heritage Month, a time meant to celebrate and honor these communities,” Sharp said, highlighting how the derogatory remarks come close to the official U.S. holiday<\/a> highlighting American Indians and Alaska Natives and their contributions to society. “NCAI strongly disapproves of the Senator\u2019s comments and encourages the Senator to seize this moment as an opportunity to educate himself about the rich history, struggles, accomplishments, and dignity of Native peoples.”\r\n

<\/P>\r\n“Our nation’s commitment to understanding and respect should be a standard held high by all our public servants,” Sharp concluded.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

NCAI condemns Senator Cornyn\u2019s recent comments referring to his colleagues as a \u201cbunch of wild Indians.\u201d Read more in NCAI President Fawn Sharp\u2019s full statement.

\ud83d\udd17 https:\/\/t.co\/HWxWGky4XT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kNs0zHD0o5<\/a><\/p>— National Congress of American Indians (@NCAI1944) October 31, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>