John “Rocky” Barrett
Tribal Chairman
Bozho nikan, (Hello, my friend),
There has been a lot going on with our Aviary this year — from the hatching of two Golden Eagles to being featured in an award-winning episode of a docuseries.
Jennifer Randell and Bree Dunham first approached me about the Aviary after their mother walked on in 2008. The presentation of an eagle feather in her honor led them on a series of eagle watches and eventually a presentation at Kaw Lake Eagle Watch about Native American eagle aviaries.
When they heard about how many eagles were being lost simply because there were not enough placements for injured and non-releasable birds, they knew they needed to get CPN involved, and so they approached me about the idea of starting an Aviary. I asked them to research more about how to open a Tribal aviary, and after years of planning and construction, the Aviary opened in 2012.
Since then, many eagles have come to make the Aviary their permanent home. Some have walked on. We have been privileged to release some back into the wild. Though the Aviary wasn’t originally permitted to rehabilitate and release birds, its role has changed with the needs of the eagles. In 2013, Wadasé Zhabwé (Brave Breakthrough) recovered from a wingtip fracture and was released. In 2017, Mko Kno (Bear Eagle), a chick fostered by two of the Aviary’s bald eagles, was also released.
This spring, Kishko was one of two Golden Eagles to hatch at the Aviary. We hoped to release Kishko and his sister into the wild, but after his health started to fail and it became necessary to intervene to save him, we are now honored to offer him a home for life, as we do so many eagles.
It is a great honor to have Kishko with us, and he is currently being glove trained so he will be able to make appearances at events like our Family Reunion Festival, but also smaller ceremonies or to help Tribal members in need of healing.
Much of this is highlighted in Protecting the Messengers — Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Eagle Aviary, which is part of a For Our People docuseries produced by Self-Governance Communication & Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC). SGCETC did a wonderful job of telling the story of our Aviary, and the episode won a People’s Telly Gold award as well.
Perhaps other tribes will see our story and be inspired to also take steps to care for our eagles.
After more than 10 years, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished with our CPN Aviary and the eagles we have been able to help. This is especially important because we regard eagles as our messengers, and they are an important part of our culture and the story of our people.
If you have never been to the Aviary, consider scheduling a tour. You can also learn more about the Aviary and the eagles who live there by visiting cpn.news/aviary.
Remember to vote in November
Tuesday, Nov. 5, is an important election, and I encourage all of you to get out and vote. We must all do our part and make our voices heard to influence the direction we want our country to take. According to an article at cpn.news/voterturnout, Oklahoma is ranked last in the nation in voter participation and registration. Native Americans are among the lowest voter turnout rates, and yet we make up 13% of the population in Oklahoma. Wherever you live, don’t forget to vote.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. It is an honor to be your Tribal Chairman.
Migwetch (Thank you)
John “Rocky” Barrett | Geweoge (He Leads Them Home) | Tribal Chairman
Linda Capps
Vice-Chairman
Bozho (Hello),
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is Aug. 9; however, many Native Americans celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October. Native Americans celebrate their histories and cultures on that day. It is celebrated across the United States and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. Although it is not a federal holiday, 17 states — including Washington, South Dakota and Maine — as well as Washington, D.C., have holidays honoring Native Americans, some of which are on the second Monday in October, according to the Pew Research Center. This is not to be confused with November, which is designated as the Native American Heritage Month. President George H. W. Bush in 1990 signed a joint congressional resolution to officially establish November as National American Indian Heritage Month.
The World’s Indigenous Peoples are the descendants of the peoples who inhabited the Americas, the Pacific, and parts of Asia and Africa prior to European colonization. Indigenous peoples continue to thrive throughout the world today. Generally, Indigenous refers to those peoples with pre-existing sovereignty who were living together as a community prior to contact with settler populations, most often, though not exclusively, Europeans. Indigenous is the most inclusive term, as there are Indigenous peoples on every continent throughout the world. Native American and American Indian are terms used to refer to peoples living within what is now the United States prior to European contact.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres gave the following speech on Aug: 9, 2024:
“Indigenous Peoples represent around 6 percent of the world’s population. Yet their stewardship signifies an outsized contribution to our global community. They are the keepers of knowledge and traditions that help safeguard some of the most biodiverse areas of our planet. As guardians of the environment, their survival is our survival. Their unique way of life is a testament to the rich tapestry of humanity. But they also face serious challenges that threaten their very existence. Indigenous Peoples are often the victims of threats and violence. Extractive and productive sectors, like mining, agriculture and transport have accelerated deforestation and land degradation. Ancestral homelands and natural resources that they depend on for survival are coming under siege. And their rights to self-determination and agency—enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—are yet to be fulfilled. This year’s theme reminds us of their right to protect themselves from unwanted contact. Contact that can have a devastating impact. Exposure to infectious diseases, forced assimilation, and the disruption of culture, language and livelihoods. Today and every day, the world must stand behind the right of Indigenous Peoples to chart their own futures. Together, let us safeguard their rights to live in peace and dignity.”
The information contained in this article about the World’s Indigenous Peoples is just the tip of the iceberg of the hundreds of accounts pertaining to the topic. U.N. Secretary-General Guterres’ speech is very insightful. I love his last sentence about safeguarding the rights of Indigenous peoples. I realize that the Indigenous peoples around the world must constantly fight for their rights. Native Americans are not exempt from this fact. We fight every day for our rights locally, statewide and nationally. We plan to win the fight because we are a resilient people, the salt of the earth, the ambassadors of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love.
Some of the content of this article is taken from UCLA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion publication. Thank you for allowing me to share this timely information with you. I cherish my role in serving you as vice chairman. May you have a great fall season!
Migwetch (Thank you),
Linda Capps | Segenakwe (Black Bird Woman) | Vice-Chairman | Work: 405-275-3121 | Cell: 405-650-1238 | lcapps@potawatomi.org
Eva Marie Carney
District 2
Bozho, nikanek (Hello, friends),
District 2 Outing to New Exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian?
“Sublime Light: Tapestry Art of DY Begay” (cpn.news/sublimelight) opened at the NMAI on Sept. 20, 2024, and will be viewable through July 13, 2025. In what may become a District 2 tradition, I would like to meet up with interested folks to see the exhibit and have coffee and visit together after. (We did this last year, when several of us visited the National Gallery’s exhibit “The Land Carries Our Ancestors — Contemporary Art by Native Americans.”)
I am thinking of January or February. Please contact me if you are interested and we can plan. The NMAI promotional card mailed to me notes that DY Begay’s “tapestry art is at once fundamentally modern and essentially Diné. This exhibition is the first retrospective of Begay’s career, showcasing 48 of her most remarkable tapestries.”
Reminder to RSVP for Our Fall Feast; Get Ready to Rock Your Mocs
Closer in time, please RSVP today for our District 2 Fall Feast planned for Nov. 9, 2024. All details are in the invitation shown here and on the calendar page of my website (cpn.news/d2calendar). Please know that you are most welcome, even if you did not receive the postcard — I do need your RSVPs before the Feast date, however!
I hope you will wear your mkesinen (moccasins) to the Feast. The “official” Rock Your Mocs 2024 is Nov. 10 through Nov. 16, 2024. You can, of course, choose one day or the whole week of Nov. 10 or the whole month of November or every day of the year, for that matter, to wear your mkesinen — the idea is to celebrate with and to honor our ancestors and Indigenous peoples worldwide. To participate, wear your mkesinen, take a photo or video, add the hashtag #RockYourMocs and upload to social media. You will be helping to create an online photo album for the world to see and enjoy, and that will underscore that #WeAreStillHere.
TreeSnap: Mobile App By Which You Can Report Resilient Trees
I’ve followed the work of the Nature Conservancy ever since our family enjoyed summers in Cape May Point, New Jersey, exploring South Cape May Meadows (cpn.news/capemay), a Nature Conservancy-protected place. The most recent issue of its magazine reports on its collaborations with the USDA Forest Service and experts from academia, research organizations and other partners to develop ways to monitor and breed trees that are resistant to pests and diseases. It notes that “Forest pests have huge implications for forest health, wildlife, culture and local economies,” and highlights that, as some of you may know, the emerald ash borer “has been killing ash trees throughout forests and cities since at least 2002, disrupting many ecosystems and communities.”
Want to assist these efforts? You can download Tree Snap (cpn.news/treesnap) to help identify and locate “tree survivors” — resilient North American iconic trees that are growing strong despite pests and diseases. Collaborators then can use that information to identify lingering and surviving trees to create the next generation of healthy forests. Want to learn more about the project? Visit cpn.news/treesinperil.
Keep in Touch
Our District 2 Facebook page (District #2 Citizens of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation) grows by a member or two each month. You are welcome to request “admission” to our group if you are CPN and living in one of the states within District 2. I moderate the group and will add you promptly. If you aren’t on my email list, please write to me and I will add you to receive timely updates and announcements.
Migwetch (Thank you),
Eva Marie Carney | Ojindiskwe (Bluebird Woman) | ecarney@potawatomi.org | evamariecarney@gmail.com | evamariecarney.com | PO Box 5595 | Arlington, VA 22205 | Toll Free: 866-849-1484 (voicemail)
Bob Whistler
District 3
Bozho ginwa (Hello, everyone)
Nov. 16, 2024
My next district meeting will be on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Texas Native Health care facility in Dallas, Texas at 1283 Record Crossing Road. A post card with details is being mailed out. Please RSVP by the deadline noted on the post card.
Four Quarter Circle
The circle seen frequently in our culture many times reflects four areas that are earmarked with the colors: yellow, red, black and white. Sometimes it is referencing the four directions or the four natural elements we use, which are tobacco, cedar, sage and sweetgrass. For the circle today I plan to cover areas of learning and/or responsibility. For yellow, since it tends to be the start of the day, it reminds us of being a baby. Red or south would be your life as an adolescent. Black I am calling adult. And white is assigned to elder.
As a baby and for the first three or four years of school, we are expected to learn how to read and communicate. After that, it is our responsibility to simply learn language, basics in many areas and grow.
As an adolescent we are expected to continue learning, be respectful and, where the opportunity surfaces, to teach others or help them in challenges they may face.
As an adult, we are now in the role of teacher and learner. As a teacher we are the one who has the responsibility to guide the baby and adolescent. As a learner, we need to be listening to the elder to learn more about our history, culture and look for what we will next be expected to teach and follow.
As an elder we need to be teaching the three earlier generations about not only our culture and history, but about planning for their role in handling family matters when they become elders.
One important area is what our heirs will have to deal with when we walk on! We need to plan for this and maintain control. You need to avoid probate law taking responsibility for whatever assets you have left behind.
The first thing you need is a will. There are online downloadable programs to complete a simple will. However, for best results, an attorney is recommended and you can expect to pay between $200 and $500. Depending upon the complexity of your estate, it may be more.
A second option would be to setup a trust. It may be either a non-revocable or revocable living trust. Each has its advantages. The cost here starts around $2,000 or more, depending upon what is needed.
You also need to make sure a spouse or the person you delegate as an executor is briefed on what you have, what you owe and where to find all necessary information. Creating a simple spreadsheet with that information would be a great help. Check all financial documents, like IRAs, insurance policies, bank accounts, your home, etc., and verify they have the beneficiary designated that you wish that item to go to.
In summary, in life we need to learn, teach, guide, and then take control, plan for the future, and cover our wishes after we have walked on. And finally, make any transitions easy for our heirs without getting into probate court and the associated expenses, which may cost thousands.
I thank my District 3 constituents for electing me to represent them and be their voice in the legislative branch of our government.
Nagech (Later),
Bob Whistler | Bmashi (He Soars) | rwhistler@potawatomi.org | cpn3legislator@yahoo.com | 1516 Wimberly Ct. | Bedford, TX 76021 | 817-229-6271 | cpndistrict3.com
Jon Boursaw
District 4
Young Burnett Descendant Visits Local Sites
A few weeks ago, I received an email from Caroline Gombas, a young Burnett descendant, asking if it would be possible for her to visit Abram Burnett’s burial site in Topeka, Kansas. I told her of course she could visit the site and offered to escort her to the site as there is no public access to the site. Before visiting the burial site, I took Caroline to see the three-panel exhibit located at the entrance to the Shawnee County Park located on Burnett’s Mound in Topeka. This exhibit gives a brief historical account of how Burnett and the other Potawatomi settled in Topeka. Caroline was a member of this year’s PLP class and is a student at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. She is pursuing a Liberal Arts degree, combining environmental science and Indigenous studies.
Upcoming District 4 Meetings
Wichita: Sunday, Nov. 3 at 12:30 p.m. at the Mid-America All-Indian Center located at 650 N. Seneca St. in Wichita. Lunch will be served. Kelli Mosteller, Ph.D., will speak about the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, where she is now the Chief Executive Officer. Kelli was the Executive Director of the CPN Cultural Heritage Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, for 12 years before her most recent position on the faculty at Havard University. Please RSVP no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29 by calling me at 785-608-1982, or email me at jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org. Please identify which meeting you plan to attend. For those KC Chiefs fans, not to worry, their game is Monday night, Nov. 4.
Rossville: Saturday, Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. in the CPN Community Center in Rossville. Lunch will be served. The speakers will be:
Doug and Melissa Brunner Brown from WIBW-TV in Topeka, who will describe what is involved in preparing for a newscast. Doug is a member of the Boursaw/Ogee families.
Tom Hoffman, Managing Partner of the MODUS Group, which is located in that large building at entrance to Nishnabe Trail in Rossville, who will tell us about their operation.
Please RSVP no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19 by calling me at 785-608-1982, or by email at jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org. Please identify which meeting you plan to attend.
Upcoming CPN Elders’ Potlucks
Dates for the next Elder Potlucks held in Rossville at noon are:
Nov. 8, 2024 | Traditional Thanksgiving Feast (Turkey and mashed potatoes) | RSVP by the 5th
Bring your favorite side dish or dessert. Please RSVP to Tracy at 785-584-6171.
Permanent art exhibit near Olathe, Kansas
I have been informed that the two selected artists for the Potawatomi Public Art project, Fire Keepers Circle, Leah Yellowbird and Aaron Squadroni, want to connect with CPN members directly to explore outreach opportunities for community engagement aspect in the art exhibit. They are looking for ways to connect to the CPN and engage members in creating images that can be “pressed” into the metal and become part of the design. Leah is the lead on this particular exhibit so feel free to email directly to Leah. Her email is: ogimakwee@gmail.com.
Contact Information
If you are not receiving emails from me, it is because I do not have your current email address or what I have is incorrect. All you need to do is email me your email address.
Megwetch (Thank you),
Jon Boursaw | Wetase Mkoh (Brave Bear) | jon.boursaw@potawatomi.org | 785-608-1982 | 2007 SW Gage Blvd. | Topeka, KS 66604 | Office Hours: Tuesday 9-11 a.m. | Thursdays 3-5 p.m. | Other times as requested
Gene Lambert
District 5
Bozho (Hello),
We have taken a few trips here and tried to bring new awareness of our Native history to your attention. Wondering what to write about this time and having covered the largest totem pole, sun dial, astronauts, etc., I wondered what in the world I could tell you about today.
Just as I wondered I received a call from Ray Strange, whom I had the honor of naming several years ago, a Tribal member in Texas telling me about a military ship in WWII, The USS POTAWATOMI (ATF-65). Wow! I had no idea. Might be of interest to our veterans and honor wall.
Thanks to Ray, as he had been researching and sent me a lot of photos along with information, we will start our journey together.
According to military records, the Potawatomi (ATF-65) ship was laid down on Oct. 19, 1942, commissioned Feb. 12, 1944, launched on April 3, 1943, and decommissioned on April 28, 1948. According to these records, the ship was reclassified Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-109) on May 15, 1944.
The life of the Tug was then sold to the Chilean navy, where they renamed her Janequeo. The ship sunk on Aug. 14, 1965, during a life-threatening storm in the Bay of Manquermapu, during her last rescue of the ship Leucoton, which was aground, and 51 men lost their lives.
Seeing the USS Potawatomi (ATF-65) ship coming to your rescue during a time of war when the ship you are on is inoperable had to be an OMG moment. Reading some of the rescue records and thinking of the unstable world, much less an inoperable ship at sea during war time, is frightening.
I would have had moments envisioning myself being eaten by sharks or blown to bits by the enemy. (Maybe a little exaggerated.)
There were several records located and not all agreed with Google, Wikipedia or some of the military records. I have included some of the addresses where you can examine the information for yourself: cpn.news/Janequeo, cpn.news/Janequeo2 and cpn.news/Janequeo3.
There are three different addresses here if you are as excited about this being discovered as I am.
It appears she was a successful rescue ship at a time when the world was at war and lives threatened.
At the end of her service, the USS Potawatomi (ATF-65) was awarded Navy Unit Commendation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (2), WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupational Service Medal (with Asia clasp) Presidential Unit Citation, Philippines Liberation MEDAL (2).
In addition to her military contribution, she participated in several campaigns for the Atlantic-Pacific after the war ended.
Some records say she was retired, sold or used for scrap metal or laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Had that been the case she couldn’t have sunk rescuing her last ship where so many lost their lives.
If you are a Navy veteran reading this article and some of my terminology is misused due to a personal lack of experience, that does not change the extraordinary service of this rescue ship nor lessen the pride in learning it served in our name.
When you look at history and the more years you examine our participation in the generations past and present, the sense of pride explodes. That’s why the first thing I do in all the District 5 meetings is ask, “Are you proud to be Potawatomi?”
You definitely should be, and if you aren’t, you just don’t get it. I know that isn’t any of our people.
Love you all and thank you for allowing me to serve.
Gene Lambert (Eunice Imogene Lambert) | Butterfly Woman | glambert@potawatomi.org | 270 E Hunt Highway Ste 229 | San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 | Cell: 480-228-6569 | Office: 480-668-0509
Rande K. Payne
District 6
Bozho Nikanek (Hello friends),
Let me preface that this month’s column comes from a Christian perspective. I feel the topic is relevant not only to government elections outside of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation but to our elections as well. Most of the concepts apply to any voter whether Christian or not. None of this is intended to endorse or steer anyone in the direction of any political candidate or political party.
Voter participation in Tribal elections is dismal at best. As a people with dual citizenship, we are doubly blessed with the privilege, the right and the duty to vote. My goal is to help people understand why it’s important to participate in the process and help voters work through the process. The same principles apply for deciding on judges, ballot propositions, etc. My deepest desire is that God is pleased with what I have to say and that someday my great-grandchildren and their children will read this and think fondly of me. This is for the next seven generations.
I believe that God created and reigns over the entire world. I also believe that we were created in his image. Therefore, I believe his desire is that we seek him, know him, learn his ways, follow his ways and teach his ways. The Seven Grandfather Teachings are very clear about this.
God created these three institutions. Each with its own unique purpose.
FAMILY is the foundation of society (See Genisis 2, 9). Children are the fruit of the love a man has for his wife and the love a woman has for her husband. This sacred bond is what God uses to populate the earth from generation to generation.
GOVERNMENT is established by God (See Romans 13) to help restrain evil and protect the citizens (see Daniel 2).
THE CHURCH was created to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ (See Acts 2).
In a letter Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay wrote on Oct. 12, 1816: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
While we are a nation guided by Christian principles, selecting leaders based on their faith makes about as much sense as selecting a leader based on their race or sex. In my opinion, most people would rather have a competent non-believer than an incompetent Christian leader. That proved to be the case with the election of Ronald Reagan over Jimmy Carter. Carter was a fine and decent Christian man but his inability to successfully lead the nation in his first term ended his presidency.
Whether a Christian or not, the candidate’s policies should align with the Bible. Not all political issues are biblical issues, such as immigration and the economy. But what does the Bible say about the sanctity of life and sexual perversion? It’s important to remember the government’s primary function when considering this. Proverbs 29:2 says this: “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
Commentator Chuck Colson says this: “The popular idea that ’you can’t legislate morality‘ is a myth. Morality is legislated every day from the vantage point of one value system or another. The question isn’t whether we will legislate morality, but rather whose morality we will legislate.”
When our opinions may differ, there is debate. There is never room for hate. See you at the polls!
Jagenagenan. Migwetch. Nagech (All our relations. Thank you. Later),
Rande K. Payne | Mnedo Gabo | rande.payne@potawatomi.org | 31150 Road 180 | Visalia, CA 93292-9585 | 559-999-5411
Dave Carney
District 8
Bozho nikan, (Hello friend),
I hope this edition of the Hownikan finds all in District 8 healthy and doing well. It was a pleasure to meet and connect with almost 100 Tribal citizens over the course of two days in August at our District 8 events. The first event was Aug. 17 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the second was Aug. 18 in Missoula, Montana.
At both events we had presentations, prizes, a taco bar, Potawatomi storytelling and a Naming ceremony afterwards. In Coeur d’Alene we recognized four veterans with Citizen Potawatomi Veteran coins. These were awarded by veteran “Ndobwakawzet” (Robert White), who with his partner, “Nawgishgok” (Julie Jackson), attended both gatherings. I am very grateful for their help, support and assistance during the weekend.
I am very happy to say that there were several citizens who had never attended a CPN gathering of any kind before, so it was very special to meet them and share a little information.
We had arranged to have a Potawatomi Native art contest at both venues, but only had entries at the Idaho event. The two winners of the contest were “Penmot” (Delbert Reisenauer) for some amazing beadwork he entered and “Jetkekwe” (Karen Davis) for a lovely, beaded bracelet.
Topics for presentations were varied. I provided an overview of benefits available for citizens outside of Oklahoma and learned that many in attendance were accessing several programs. We discussed the cultural and spiritual meaning of eagle feathers as well as their care and acquisition. Additionally, we talked about smudging and the sacred medicines, the medicine wheel, the Seven Grandfather teachings, the history of the Citizen Potawatomi and the current enterprises the Nation is operating.
As is our tradition, we recognized the Wisest Potawatomi at both gatherings: Norma O’Reilly of Greenacres, Washington, (Idaho event) and John Loehr of Ronnan, Montana (Missoula event). Both were presented with a full-size Pendleton blanket.
Our youngest member in Idaho was 2-year-old Odette Lee Rose Gilbert and Adalind Peterson in Montana. These children were awarded children’s size (saddle blanket) Pendleton blankets.
Kathy Notter drove from Belfair, Washington, to Idaho and received the farthest traveled award on day one, while Fred Clark of Condon, Montana, received the farthest traveled award on day two.
We had quite a few citizens receive their Potawatomi name after the Idaho meeting, many from the Darling family. After the Montana meeting, it was my pleasure to assist “Ndobwakawzet” (Robert White) with the Naming of his three great nieces and one great nephew. Chi migwetch (Many thanks) to Justin Neely for all his help.
In closing, I’d like to say it is my honor to serve as your Legislator,
Dave Carney | Kagashgi (Raven) | dcarney@potawatomi.org | 360-259-4027
Paul Wesselhöft
District 9
Bozho, nikan (Hello, friend),
UBI
A Look into the Future
UBI or Universal Basic Income is a governmental stated amount of guaranteed income for all.
It may take several or many years from now, but America will inevitably institute UBI. Why? When the haves and the have-nots are dramatically and critically divided, revolution or total societal breakdown will occur. When the unemployment rate reaches a critical mass, revolution will occur. And Native American and African American unemployment is always much higher than the general population. Historians postulate that a revolution can occur with only 10 percent of the population determining it.
UBI is inevitable. Why? With massive automation, quantum computing, and advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), jobs will continue to disappear. This is happening now but will accelerate in the next few years. There will simply not be enough jobs, and unemployment will skyrocket.
UBI is inevitable. Why? Those of us with food, money and property want to keep our food, money and property. And we don’t want revolution, massive theft, crime and total societal breakdown especially in our city, neighborhood and home.
UBI is inevitable. Why? When a person gets hungry, their stomachs shrinks, they have no food, job, prospects, and money, then they will take food, money or property from you. They will not go hungry long, nor will they allow their family to go hungry. It’s basic human nature and survival. Revolution would be conducted not with historical clubs and pitchforks, but with modern firearms, which are plentiful. This must be avoided at all costs, therefore UBI.
My prediction is that there will be a modified UBI, that is BI. Some will voluntarily forfeit federal and state government payouts because they don’t need it. Those who have jobs or on Social Security or with a retirement income would be exempted. Unlike welfare, UBI would provide citizens and probably non-citizens with recurring cash payments with no strings attached.
It’s also possible or probable that more Native American tribes will have to institute per capita payments, which would be detrimental to their growth, infrastructure and enterprises but necessary. It will be incumbent for all of us in this future scenario to help those who are no longer able to help themselves.
UBI is in our future. Please understand that I’m not calling for UBI just predicting it. Yes, I know UBI is socialism and violates meritocracy, but it will happen, and those on the political left and right will support it out of self-interest, and out physical and material survival.
Migwetch (Thank you),
Paul Wesselhöft | Naganit (Leader) | reppaul@gmail.com | pwesselhoft@potawatomi.org