"It's time to review the year for the shameful and shameless, with a warning: there aren't a lot of yuks this year. The Mantle of Shame Awards are the written version of collections of stereotypical stuff I once kept on a fireplace mantle to represent the worst that society had to offer.

With appreciation to all who nominated noxious things, persons, ideas and activities, here are the winners of the Mantle of Shame Awards for 2006 (not necessarily in order of shamefulness):

You and me - For not doing all we can do to relieve poverty and suffering, reduce energy consumption and heal Mother Earth and all her children.

U.S. and us - For not doing all we can do to assure the future of Native peoples and cultures.

Meth carriers and other violent offenders - For infecting and enslaving Native peoples with this new plague. For jeopardizing Indian people, territory and rights with this invasion. For every Indian or non-Indian bully - pusher, profiteer, druggie, boozer or enabler - who causes the physical or emotional abuse of a child, elder or woman in Indian country or communities."

Get the Story:
Suzan Shown Harjo: 2006 Mantle of Shame Awards (Indian Country Today 12/22)

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