Native Americans and Mexicans- Why the controversy?

Seems like wherever I go in this state I hear the same things over and over again. We recently (Running Waters & ADRIT) were asked to go bless a park for a event that was upcoming in the near future, and were given the details of what was to be done. The next statement rang in my ears like a bad note from a out of tune piano, as the person requesting our help said they didn't want "any Azteca or Mejican drumming" at the event. I was not surprised by this statement, but I was disappointed in this particular relation as to their attitude against those of the southern land.

First of all, Native American is a misnomer (America was a name given to this land by a demented mapmaker named Amerigo Vespucci, because those who "found" the "New World" failed to name it.) given to the people of Turtle Island (both North AND South) by the United States. Because of this, most Indigenous people have a warped definition of Native, thinking being Native American means being from the United States. Native Americans encompass all Indigenous people of North America and South America, as well as the Caribbean Island area. This attitude toward our brothers to the South could be likened to the movies seen in Hollywood- when we talk about Mejicans (pronounced meh-shee-kan, not meh-hee-can) it is almost like the line by Charlton Heston in Planet of the Apes where he says "Damn you dirty apes, damn you all to hell." We need to rethink the way we perceive Aztecan/Mejican culture, because immigration is not just affecting the Mexican Nationals, it is affecting Native Peoples who enjoy the Dual citizenship of both countries- like the Tohonom O'ahdam, the Kickapoo, Lipan Apaches, etc. The Aztecan culture has survived its share of atrocities just like every other Nation here today, and they must be shown the same respect in order for our people to live in harmony and strength when the time come for the 5th world to manifest. I for one embrace our brothers to the South, and I see their culture just as important to my learning as my own Lipan heritage. We are all related by our actions to Earth Mother and the Creator, only division is the teaching of the EuroAmerican social order which is out of balance of what we are taught by our elders. Respect is the most important quality we have, and we must respect all Indigenous peoples- Mejican or not.

Keep Him In Your Prayers

Our brother, Rey Rios, is still recovering from an aneurism he suffered last week. We are so relieved that he is still here with us. Everyone needs to continue to pray for his recovery. I believe that so many prayers went out for him, it has helped him to survive and continue to gain strength.

Rey is one of the Council Members of Apache del Rio Intertribal Organization and he is also the Head Dancer for Danza Azteca de Yanaguana Tejatzlan. I know that we are all missing his company and looking forward to his return home.