Four Native Americans recently sides against Fellow Native Americans and sided with Non-Natives in a dispute over a parade float. Katrina Big Mountain a Powwow Organizer and performer, Chippa Wolf a Powwow organizer and performer, Duane White Horse a Powwow dancer, and a vendor who would only identify himself as Bear. Sided with non-Natives in a meeting to discuss the parade float. The Parade float is the Chasco Fiesta Krewe float that travels to 10 other parades throughout Florida to represent the Chasco Fiesta. For the last 10 years AIM-Fl has been protesting this float in an effort to change or stop this float from being used. This year a meeting was arranged and the 4 Natives mentioned above repeatedly said "there was nothing wrong with the float!', "they have no problem with non-Natives portraying or representing Native Americans!" Katrina Big Mountain, Chippa Wolf, Duane White Horse, and Bear do not live in Fla. Only coming to Florida for a week of two a year to make money! We are trying to clean up Florida! So when you go to a Native event you can actually see Native Americans. We need to let Everyone know about these Native American Sell-Outs! If you see them ask how much was your Culture, Traditions, and Ways of Life worth? Here is a link to see the 2011 Krewe Parade float:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Kxw38e-hYHere is a letter submitted to local newspapers on March 25th, included in the letter are the names of Every person at the meeting for and against the Krewe Parade Float. We are sick of Natives being paid to come to Florida and represent Non-Natives that are stealing and Exploiting Native America! From now on Names will be Named!!!
An open letter to Pasco County Chamber of Commerce, Chasco Fiesta Sponsors,
Participants, Vendors, and General Public.
For the last ten years the American Indian Movement-Florida Chapter (AIM) has
been protesting one parade float. The Pasco Chamber of Commerce created this
float to represent the Chasco Fiesta in various parades throughout Florida. The
float, known as the Chasco Krewe float, has non-Native Americans dressed as
Native Americans representing Native American culture, traditions, and ways of
life. This offends AIM and Native Americans such as myself that these people are
proud to participate in parades in red face! AIM is not looking for any special
treatment but they are fighting for the civil rights of Native Americans. The
Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. However, that
seems not to be true when minorities are involved. African Americans were given
their civil rights back in the 60's. AIM is fighting for equality and civil
rights for Native Americans in the 21st century.
A meeting was held this week to discuss the Krewe float. Joe Alpine Head of
Pasco County Chamber of Commerce, former Mayor Wendy Brenner, Native Americans
Katrina Big Mountain a Powwow organizer, Chippa Wolf an Entertainer and Powwow
organizer, Duane White Horse a Powwow dancer, and a vendor only known as Bear
all attended the meeting on the side of the Chasco Krewe float. AIM-Florida
Executive Director Ruby Beaulieu, Sal White Horse Serbin AIM member, co-chairman
of Fraudulent Indian Task Force- Florida, and non-native AIM supporter Ed were
in attendance against the Chasco Krewe Float. Joe Alpine refused to change the
Krewe float. AIM did offer alternatives but Joe Alpine stood firm that the float
will not change. The Native Americans that sided with the Pasco County Chamber
of Commerce suggested that AIM staff the float in full regalia. Ruby Beaulieu
declined, regalia is only to be worn in ceremonies. A parade float is not a
Native American ceremony.
Some threats were made that if AIM did not stop protesting the Krewe float that
they would no longer have a Powwow with the Fiesta. The Pasco County Chamber of
Commerce is attempting to blame the loss of the Powwow event on AIM but they are
the only people with the power to make the Powwow no longer exist. The complaint
AIM has is with one float the Chasco Fiesta Krewe float not with the Powwow. A
video of this years Chasco Krewe float is posted on YouTube. Please search
(Chasco Fiesta and AIM protest 2011) and judge for yourself whether you think
this is an accurate portrayal of Native American Culture, Traditions, and Ways
of Life. If you don't like what you see in the video, please support AIM-Florida
and ask the Pasco Chamber of Commerce to change the float. Call the sponsors and
ask that they no longer donate to the Chasco Fiesta until this one Krewe float
is changed.
I would also like to say shame on the Native Americans that sided with the
Chasco Krewe float! When asked they stated they have no problem with non-natives
portraying and representing Native Americans. Again shame on you! Our ancestors
fought and died to preserve and protect our culture, traditions, and ways of
life. Second, you do not live here. You are here for a week or two, strictly to
make money. I hope news of your representation of Native America exploiters
follows you home and around the country. After all, you made a choice whether or
not to support your fellow Native Americans and you chose to support a group of
non-natives portraying and representing Native Americans. I hope the money you
make at the Chasco Fiesta is worth this.
Sal White Horse Serbin
