Robby Soave staff editor Reason magazine, during the Fall/Winter of 2015 the American Indian Movement – Florida was informed of an event a Sweatlodge Ceremony was being booked as a “Native American” event and there was a charge of $100 associated with attending this event. The American Indian Movement – Florida did an investigation of the event and it was determined the event was exploiting Native American culture and traditions for money by a Non-Native American. Specifically Renee Bierbaum who has a business called Raven’s Nest Yoga located in Palmetto Florida. The American Indian Movement – Florida contacted Renee Birebaum to quietly resolve this matter but Renee Bierbaum refused to meet and discuss the matter. While investigating Renee Bierbaum and her business the American Indian Movement – Florida could not find any business license, insurance and/or permits for Renee Bierbaum’s business. Since Renee Bierbaum refused to negotiate and had threatened the use of 3 law enforcement officers, attorney and the fact that she was a black belt repeatedly. The American Indian Movement contacted Manatee County code enforcement to investigate whether or not Renee Bierbaum was running a legal business out of her home. Manatee County found Renee Bierbaum in violation of running an illegal business without the proper permitting and closed her business down until Renee Bierbaum was in compliance with the laws of Manatee County and running a business of a residential location.
The American Indian Movement – Florida was later contacted by Robby Soave staff editor of Reason magazine stating he was doing a story about why Renee Bierbaum’s business was shut down by Manatee County. Robby Soave’s questions were answered and an attempt was made to explain that the American Indian Movement – Florida will do whatever is necessary to preserve and protect the Native American culture, traditions and ways of life. Explaining that the ceremony Renee Bierbaum was hosting and charging an admission fee to attend was a Native American religious ceremony and I asked Robby Soave how he would feel if he went to church and a person at the door said it would be $100 to attend church that day. It was also explained to Robby Soave that this event was being promoted as a Native American event but NO Native Americans would be involved at all! Further, explaining that Renee Bierbaum or any Non-Native American cannot wake up one day and decide I want to hold Native American ceremony for money, Renee Bierbaum did not have the right to speak for or represent Native Americans. I tried to get the point across that Renee Bierbaum is essentially asserting White Privilege over the Native American culture and traditions. Finally, the point was made that if selling ceremonies was the proper thing to do all Native Americans would be out there selling ceremonies but it is NOT and Native American Ceremonies are Nor for Sale!
Robby Soave wrote the article attacking Native Americans for protecting our culture! Robby Soave showed his hatred and racism for Native Americans. Unfortunately Robby Soave wrote the story to make Renee Birebaum a victim instead of the criminal she was with her illegal business. When in fact she was the person responsible for this matter and could have quietly made everything go away but Renee Bierbaum decided to fight with the attitude she can do whatever she wants whenever she wants and Robby Soave was a willing supporter. Robby Soave started off the article with the fact Renee Bierbaum was a widow but did not include the information her husband died almost 4 years ago, using this fact to exploit her husband’s death and get people to pay her fine for her with a go fund me account. I am sorry Renee Bierbaum is a widow but there comes a time when you have to move on and accept responsibility for your actions and not say you did it because she was a widow. Robby Soave did mention that Renee Bierbaum had a friend Donella Favorite to precide over the ceremony and that she had been given rights to hold Native American ceremonies? Donella Favorite is not Native American and the people that “taught her do not have any right to Native American ceremonies as they are not Native American either.
It really was a shame that Robby Soave did not write his article in an effort to educate Non-Native Americans about the exploitations of the Native American culture by white people. But instead chose to completely side with a white nearly 4 year widowed woman that was running an illegal business that was taking money and customers away from every legitimate business in the area.
For Native Americans Racism is alive and well in America, Robby Soave and Reason magazine are 2 examples of this.
