Chase Iron Eyes is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Photo from Facebook
Gyasi Ross, the editor at large for Indian Country Today, doesn't know whether Chase Iron Eyes, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, will make a good member of Congress. But he questions the attacks against the Democratic candidate that are coming from some segments of Indian Country:
I don’t know if Chase will become an incredible leader. I’m not sure; I do not know him and I cannot predict the future. This isn’t an endorsement but it is an acknowledgement of a big moment for Native people. For those of you who do not know, Chase declared his intention to run for Congress out of North Dakota—that’s historic. However, upon his announcement, a series of stories immediately ran about his distant criminal past and also a peen pic. Fair game in a sensationalist media, I suppose, but I’m not sure those things are the most salient things when a Native announces her/his intention to run for Congress. If this was something that had to do with job qualifications? Absolutely—comes with the territory, Chase. But honestly, this is just tabloid stuff. Plus, it was a few Native people who took the initiative to immediately condemn him without looking for a more complete story. Either way, I know that expecting our leaders to have a completely spotless past is unrealistic and ahistorical. I also know that for Native people to personally attack other Natives who want to do something exceptional is unhealthy and says a lot about our condition. It’s easy to hurt other Natives when we don’t think much of Native people generally. Now absolutely, Native communities have always held a place for public correction and even shaming; people within Native communities who understood the context facilitated those conversations. There is a danger, however, when outsiders create those conversations with no accountability and who are simply trying to make sensationalist headlines or social media noise.Get the Story:
Gyasi Ross: Lateral Violence Amongst Native People: Elouise Cobell, Billy Frank Jr. and Chase Iron Eyes (Indian Country Today 4/12)
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