Justice
for all
As council chief of the Golden Hill Paugussett Indians, I think
it is important that you understand the heart, the mind and the history
of my people.
Since the
1970's we have been trying to achieve federal recognition.
To us, federal recognition means the salvation of our tribal members and
our culture via health care, education and housing, grants which are
available to federally recognized tribes. It was not until later
that "gaming" became an issue. Each time we have sought
what is legally ours we have been pushed away from our efforts.
What we are
doing today is neither a conspiracy nor an act of terrorism. It is
a step we were forced into in response to the same bureaucratic system
that denied our people their rights 350 years ago and has continued to
this very day.
We
understand that you bought property in good faith.
We understand that you sacrificed a lot for what you believe to
be your land – but so did we. Please
understand , we are not a bunch of people who sat idly by through the
years looking to have something handed to us.
We are human beings with goals and ambitions, just like you.
Our people work hard trying to achieve what you did – but we
did it without the benefit of the Constitution and political
representation that you enjoy. In
fact, it wasn’t until 1973 that the state of Connecticut even
considered us as citizens, although we were allowed to fight in wars on
behalf of the United States of America.
What needs
to be brought to light is that if we do not take a stand now and fight
for federal recognition, in approximately eight years my tribe will
assimilate into mainstream of society and the culture and heritage of my
people will die. That’s why these land claims are being brought.
This act that we do today in pursuing the land claims, has been
interpreted as hate and
malice on our part. Be
assured that it is not. I
love this country… the people and the land.
I do not hate you, nor wish harm to you.
I do not want to deny you or your children whatever benefits you
may derive from the hand, I
cannot stand by and let my heritage die.
You may ask, “how did things get so far out of hand?
What will it take for this to go away?”
To answer, I must first restate history.
Whether you want to understand it or not, I am fighting for this
country and the foundation of this country which was used to keep us
back. Without us, the
U.S.A. does not have a history. If
you deny the land claims, you deny your history … you deny yourself.
If you carefully and honestly read history books about our
country, you will know that the Indians were your salvation and
that your achievements to date only attest to the fact that the Europeans
were not smarter ... just crueler.
Maybe you do not
understand what the European settlers did and what historically
continues to happen. The settlers raped our ancestors and stole
our land. Our one salvation is that the federal government has a
vehicle in place to make restitution to Indian tribes, as exemplified in
recent settlement to the Navaho Tribe for 440,000 acres, as well as
compensation to other tribes throughout the United States. These
settlements were achieved through negotiations similar to the ones we
have sought from elected officials for more than a year. Unfortunately,
the attitude of Connecticut politicians today is much like that of the
European settlers, whose actions encouraged the genocide of my
people.
I love this country
too much to believe that its citizens are not willing to stand up for
what is right. I love my fellow countrymen so much that in
addition to preserving my heritage and despite the opposition that
we are facing, I want to contribute to the revitalizing of the city of
Bridgeport, its surrounding towns, and lessen the burden on taxpayers
statewide by contributing financially to the state of Connecticut.
Why then are the very politicians who are charged with the
responsibility of doing what is best for their constituents fighting to
delay a process that would resolve this issue and let us all
benefit? How can these same politicians, many of whom benefited
personally by supporting the Atlantic City type casinos, let us all
suffer?
As I stated before, I do not hate you, I do not want you to
suffer. However, I cannot stand by and let my heritage and my
people die. We have suffered enough. I have not asked for
anything that isn't provided for us under the law. I cannot accept
that my American brothers and sisters wish to continue to endorse the
savage treatment their forefathers bestowed upon my people. More
than that, I cannot sit idly by, knowing that my tribe, along with its
wonderful heritage, will be extinct in the not too distant future, I
must do whatever is necessary for their survival.
What you choose to do is totally up to you. I only hope
that your love for your country and ALL its people will encourage you to
write or call your city, state and national elected officials. Let
them know that like us you are tired of being used by them as pawns -
you are not happy about your land being threatened and that it is time
that this issue be resolved fairly - as dictated by law.
We believe that our heritage and the land you have worked so
hard for should not be used by politicians to help them win elections or
better their financial picture.
We simply seek justice for all.
May peace be with you
and your
family.
AURELIUS H. PIPER
