Chippa wolf is also a SELL-OUT since he STOOD AGAINST Native Americans ans supported Non-Natives (Whites). Meeting took place 3/26/2011
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.