Comments for wyofile.com

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Jon R Horton

Jon R Horton — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:34:05 +0000

The Eastern Shoshone were traditional “enemies” of the Arapahoes’ first cousins, the Northern Cheyenne, in the competition for the buffalo commons and there has been some degree of enmity ever since the re-location of the Arapahoe to Wind River. Now it is both nations against the “Whites” again. Sadly, thinking that our beautiful home state should be the one place in the world free from racism is completely unrealistic. We are almost all racists to some degree, whether we admit it or not. Perhaps putting it into a larger perspective would help us to take the personal edge off the problem. We are just people, not The People. None of us are God’s Chosen, the Lord knows.

Comment on Wild Horse Roundup by Warren Murphy

Warren Murphy — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:34:12 +0000

Sounds like the “sage” missed his calling as he talks about WILD horses. He sounds like an advocate for excessive cattle grazing which really devastates the BLM lands and for the “roundup” industry that keeps lots of federal money going to the helicopter companies. Wild horse groups have already come up with an answer which is to vaccinate the horses for birth control while letting them roam as nature intended. There is very little left in BLM country that is wild thanks to grazing and energy development. Its only the horses that remind us wf what is truly wild out there.

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Sonja Reagle

Sonja Reagle — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:25:23 +0000

I read your article for the second time and find it very thourough in that you are able to bring to light, all, or many of the variables involved in telling the story of Riverton, Wyoming and the racial problems existing there. For many years, I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, surrounded by the Pueblo Indians, Navajos and oher area tribes. For the most part the Native Americans were treated like national treasures and treated with respect. They were the artists, writers, and story tellers, and a joy to be around — a priceless piece of American History.

On another subject — why, with all your background in things nuclear (the A. Q. Khan Nuclear Scandal) did you not explore the issue of radiation contamination in Riverton, an area that has never been totally cleaned up from previous uranium activities, and an area that has recently been acquired by a company whose home office is in Canada. This company is in the process of beginning new operations on the original site. Has anyone given any attention to the human health issues resulting from existing contamination?

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by John Martin

John Martin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:26:35 +0000

Those of us who grew up in Riverton recognize this article as an all-too-accurate account of differences that have festered for generations. (Geoff O’Gara’s book, What You See in Clear Water, is a remarkable description of some of this history.) But among us non-Indians, it’s easiest to ignore differences.

That’s what makes John Vincent’s courage so striking. John didn’t need this fight; he could have sat back and enjoyed a placid and profitable legal practice. Instead, he did his best to reconcile differences between folks in Riverton and the residents of the Reservation. John worked very hard to find a middle ground. And, to be sure, it’s not made him popular. While he may not have been successful this time, the effort is well worth it.

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Debbie RE-H

Debbie RE-H — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:36:42 +0000

Albsolutely one of the best written articles I have read in a very long time. I have traveled through the state and vacationed there, just recently in Jackson Hole for a wedding of friends. And I have held my breath many times in every situation or business I have frequented. I love the natural beauty of the state and the wonderful parks…but the blatent “unfriendliness” is alittle hard to take. I always travel with my daughter( who favors her german side) or a dear friend (that happens to non-native) and I always let them speak for me when staying at a motel or ordering food. I try to be very careful where I stop and am very very friendly when I do, why? Because I have experianced fear on more than one occassion. Bravo Mr Vincent! Please stay there and continue to share your influence with the people of your county and the state. Lets hope that people will cast out their ignorant predujices and move forward!

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Robert Martinez

Robert Martinez — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:08:53 +0000

Mr. Lancaster & Mr, Durrel,

I just read your story about racism on my home reservation. I was surprised to see pictures of a Mural that I created depicting all the races and historical elements that make Riverton and the surrounding area what it is today. On the end of the mural is a message that dedicates it to the community and is signed by me as the artist.

My first thought is “Good Article…the writer and photographer even underlined the theme by not giving credit or understanding of the Mural they used as a photo reference. As a Mixed Northern Arapaho/Latino/Anglo artist I created that Mural (and retouched it) to give pride and illustrate ALL THE PEOPLE that made/make Fremont County what it is today. It seems you missed your own point.

Racism takes myriad forms…up to and including not giving credit to those who deserve it.

Robert Martinez
Artist

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Louis Stanley Schoen

Louis Stanley Schoen — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:35:54 +0000

This is a painful story but, sadly, expresses ideological and emotional realities still prevalent among many of my fellow so-called “white Americans.” Co-facilitating three anti-racism workshops for Wyoming Episcopalians in the Wind River region, in recent years, I heard fears and, in a very few instances, resistance that are more fully explained by Mr. Lancaster’s excellent journalism.

An irony in the story is in the county’s name. Like the Nebraska town that recently voted, in a referendum, to prohibit retail services to illegal immigrants, Riverton’s county is named for explorer and general John C. Fremont, a Georgia Republican who declared opposition to slavery a generation before the Civil War. Yet, he was a complex man with a record of mixed principles, perhaps not too unlike some of the characters Lancaster interviewed.

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by April

April — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:58:17 +0000

This artical really does shed light on the ongoing issues in Riverton. I would have like to have more positive views between the “White’s and the natives. I work on the reservation. I am also “white”. I love working with the families and learning the culture. I have had my eyes opened from what I was taught as a child. I have seen all the issues first hand. I have to defend the native community, not because I feel obligated but because I know the truth about thier culture and most of the comments are made out of ignorance. It makes me sad that it is 2010 and people are still living in the past. Every culture has a precived negitivity. I worry that the native people I work with will have a peconcived notion about me because of the color of my skin. Luckly I have found that if you treat people with respect you get it in retun, no matter what your culture is!

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by JT Trosper

JT Trosper — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:37:37 +0000

it is a sad tale for those just opening their eyes to it, or realizing it is happening. But for us natives, it is something we grew up with, and far from a occasional happening. Although outright racism sadly does happen still in wyoming, the veiled tones of predudice are far more common. one only needs to listen to tales from the players on our reservation high school teams to know that racism is alive and well not only in fremont county, but state wide.

the veiled or hidden racism is far more common and just as hurtful, that type happens nearly every day around riverton. we are followed in stores, cause all indians steal you know…we dont but thats the mentality. once long ago my wife worked for Woodwards deli…she had people daily that refused to accept her service and would rather wait for her white coworkers to get free…they didnt want a indian woman to touch their food. The really sad part is this veiled racism is in the elected leaders. former commisner Cosby Allen the guy who stated he hated indians…he and his family have a outfitting business, they cross miles of tribal land to operate it, in fact he was the biggest crier when the tribal landowners and councils closed down the mocc lake road…maybe he should not cross indian land if he hates us so much?

this story needed to be told.

Comment on A Legacy of Prejudice: Lawsuits, Failed Pacts Tell Ugly Story by Louis

Louis — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:35:31 +0000

Helsha Acuña should have called the sheriff on these misfits, they belong in prison. This isn’t the old west, you can’t threaten someone with a shotgun and expect to get away with it. Law enforcement dropped the ball on this one.