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THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, JANuARy 20, 2022
OPINION
editor@dailyastorian.com
KARI BORGEN
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Editor
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OUR VIEW
We need more like him
C
lyde Bellecourt’s death
on Jan. 11 is a reminder
of one of the most trans-
formative periods in the second
half of the 20th century.
The American Indian Move-
ment of the 1970s followed the
Black Power movement of the
1960s. Each of those cultur-
al-political events confronted the
nation with a profound change in
the self regard of African Ameri-
cans and Native Americans.
Here around the mouth of
the Columbia River, this strug-
gle remains particularly rele-
vant today as members of the
Chinook Indian Nation and the
Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated
Tribes pursue formal federal rec-
ognition of their existence. Such
status would bring a variety of
economic and social benefits —
including to nontribal neighbors.
But it would be most important
as a form of tangible acknowl-
edgement of the continuity of this
ancient civilization in our midst.
Bellecourt, a founder of AIM,
led a life that was at times vio-
lent. It was full of confrontation.
And it concluded with a personal
transformation toward education
and spiritual healing.
Consider this: It was not
until 1924 under President Cal-
vin Coolidge that Native Amer-
icans were granted U.S. citizen-
ship. Less than a century ago, the
people who originally settled in
America more than 10,000 years
before the Egyptian pyramids
were built weren’t considered to
be true Americans. They weren’t
even “second-class citizens.”
Astounding and infuriating.
Like other leaders of oppressed
minorities, Bellecourt had a way
of summing up the moment with
piercing prose. In its obituary, the
New York Times quoted Belle-
Jim Mone/AP Photo
Clyde Bellecourt, second from right, at Wounded Knee in South Dakota in 1973 before the signing of a statement ending the standoff
between federal forces and the American Indian Movement.
court saying: “We are the land-
lords of the country, it is the end
of the month, the rent is due, and
AIM is going to collect.”
Bellecourt pushed athletic
teams to change their names —
notably the Washington Redskins
and the Cleveland Indians. Mak-
ing the argument for that, he said:
“We’re trying to convince peo-
ple we’re human beings and not
mascots. They’re making fools
of themselves and of us in the
process.”
In the Pacific Northwest,
empowerment of Native Amer-
icans has been key to advanc-
ing priorities that benefit every-
one. For example, expertise and
advocacy on behalf of salmon
restoration helps not only tribal
fishermen but everyone who
cares about these iconic species.
The high-quality environment
required by salmon may also be
what humans need to prosper
during the troubled century that
lies ahead.
Whenever the cultural ground
shifts in America, there is discom-
fort among the white majority.
But just as Martin Luther King Jr.
liberated the South from a debili-
tating way of life, Bellecourt was
instrumental in giving one of our
nation’s most oppressed minori-
ties a revival of their culture and
ancient values.
Today, far too many Native
American people remain mired in
poverty. The woefully neglected
tragedy of murdered and miss-
ing Indigenous women deserves
to spark a national crisis of con-
science. We should all seek
out native voices for potential
answers for what ails the world,
but too often they go unheard.
Bellecourt was a sharp thorn.
We need more like him.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Refreshing
I
t is refreshing to see a former mayor still
taking an active interest in their city.
Kudos to Arline LaMear for her thoughtful
and insightful guest column in Saturday’s
paper headlined “Heritage Square project
is critical.”
I took two thoughts away after reading
it. One: Please, City Council, vote “yes”
on the amendments approved by the Plan-
ning Commission.
Two: Where is our current mayor? I’m
trying to remember the last time I read
anything from Bruce Jones in The Asto-
rian. It’s been ages. He continues to be
one of the most silent mayors this city has
surely ever seen.
TROY HILL
Astoria
Real solutions
I
was so impressed with former Mayor
Arline LaMear’s guest column “Heri-
tage Square project is critical” in Satur-
day’s edition of The Astorian.
I have not seen any real evidence that
the City Council or any group has pro-
vided solutions to our homeless problem.
Certain individuals have done what they
could, but obviously no solution has been
found.
I do hope a good group of people will
have read LaMear’s article and will show
up to support the homeless, and insist the
City Council seek real solutions.
JEAN HOOGE
Astoria
As important
R
egarding housing in our county: We
agree there is a need for affordable
housing. The focus seems to be on the
homeless living on the streets, then for the
low-income earners.
In the months I’ve been following this
concern in our local paper, not once have
I read about appropriate housing for our
elderly population. Yes, there are assisted
living facilities. They are expensive, and
not all older people require that level of
care.
With so many retired people in our
area, why hasn’t any new construction
been dedicated to our senior citizens?
They should be seen as important as the
other priorities.
BERNADINE THOMAS
Warrenton
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