Indigenous Peoples News: Legal Scholar at Everybody Reads Bookstore

You can often catch interesting news and tidbits while hanging at Everybody Reads bookstore in Lansing. Tonight I caught news from proprietor-activist Scott Harris that author and indigenous legal scholar Matthew L.M. Fletcher will discuss his recent book at the bookstore on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Fletcher's book is American Indian Education: Counternarratives in Racism, Struggle, and the Law. It is summarized as the following:

America Indian culture and traditions have survived an unusual amount of oppressive federal and state educational policies intended to assimilate Indian people and destroy their cultures and languages. Yet, Indian culture, traditions, and people often continue to be treated as objects in the classroom and in the curriculum. Using a critical race theory framework and a unique "counternarrative" methodology, American Indian Education explores a host of modern educational issues facing American Indian peoples—from the impact of Indian sports mascots on students and communities, to the uses and abuses of law that often never reach a courtroom, and the intergenerational impacts of American Indian education policy on Indian children today. By interweaving empirical research with accessible composite narratives, Matthew Fletcher breaches the gap between solid educational policy and the on-the-ground reality of Indian students, highlighting the challenges faced by American Indian students and paving the way for an honest discussion about solutions.

I'm looking forward to the discussion. Hope to see you at the book store Saturday!

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

It was wonderful way to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, October 13th. It was a fascinating experience listening to the evening's main guest, Tlakaelel, the Tolteca-Chichimeka elder, teacher, and guardian of the oral tradition. He was generous in sharing his knowledge and wisdom with a group that gathered at Michigan State University's International Center to hear him talk and exchange information. The photo below was snapped after the event with some of the people in attendance. Tlakaelel is at the center-right in the green shirt.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

October 13th: Indigenous Peoples' Day

This coming Monday, October 13th, is Indigenous Peoples' Day across the land. In honor and celebration of the day, the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing (MI) will be hosting indigenous leader Maestro Tlakaelel on October 13, 2008. He will speak at Michigan State University's International Center at 7:30 p.m. in Room 303.

Tlakaelel returns to the Lansing area after having conducted the Four Color ceremony in Okemos last year. This time the community will get a chance hear Tlakaelel speak and to ask questions in an informal, intimate setting. It will be rare opportunity to spend time with one of the world's most honored indigenous leaders.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Short Bio of Maestro Tlakaelel

In 1947, Tlakaelel was commissioned by the Council of Anahuak with a spiritual mission and was given the name and spiritual title of "Tlakaelel" which means "Counselor to the Council". In each generation there is only one man who carries this name. Tlakaelel is the first indigenous leader in the history of Mexico to have achieved with the aid of his Kalpulli, or spiritual group, official governmental recognition of the Native Religious Tradition. This has taken more than 500 years to accomplish.

Maestro Tlakaelel in

Okemos, Michigan 2007