Talk:Russell Means

NATIVE AMERICAN

So as a Navajo of the four corners area, (AZ, UT, NM, CO.) RUSSELL MEANS never considered himself as a “native”, but as an AMERICAN INDIAN, Lloyd House Phd was the 1st U.S. American Indian Arizona state representative, also an Indian activist defined himself as a American Indian. Not this WOKE generation of young naive natives…Russell Means in his later years married into the Navajo tribe. Dr. House quoted Russell Means’ “American Indians”, not Native Indians, the older generation of Indians always referred to themselves as American Indians. Mateo-navaho (talk) 07:32, 18 November 2022 (UTC)

Mateo-navaho, I appreciate your perspective. I respect your position and agree with it concerning Russell Means. He, like many, considered himself an American Indian. What I will not do is isolate a portion of our Indigenous community here on Wikipedia or in life because they associate with other terms. How can we expect others who know nothing of the complex issues that various Tribes encounter to respect each of our Nations if we do not, first, respect each other? It starts with us. Young and old. In life, it begins with our storytellers and our teachers. From there it is passed to the younger generations. On Wikipedia it begins with experienced editors and new editors alike finding the accurate and verifiable sources to bring Wikipedia in line with all perspectives so that each one is represented and respected. Neither is always easy to do. That's why it takes many of us working together as a community of editors with our own unique viewpoints. Thank you for sharing yours. --ARoseWolf 16:12, 18 November 2022 (UTC)