Tuba City High School students voice views on tribal banishment<br>

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Students in Trina Hubbell’s Government Class at Tuba City High School have been exploring the ramifications of tribal banishment as a form of punishment for serious violations of tribal law. Below are listed several students’ responses to questions related to this topic.)

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

I feel that the banishment law would be fair to certain causes. It is hard trying to keep drugs and gangs off the streets anywhere else let alone off any Native American reservation. I think it would be fair to banish anyone Native American off the reservation, not only Native Americans on the rez, but non-Native Americans as well. So many laws are broken every day and our own justice system allows it, I would like to see a banishment law be effective and enforced.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

I see a lot of problems because any tribal member would disagree, because tribes are supposed to be a unit and it would cause issues among tribal members. Some tribes would not allow it because they use marijuana (peyote) for ceremonial reasons and state considers it a drug.

Dezbah Begay, Navajo

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

What I think is banishment, long regarded as the ultimate punishment among Native Americans Indians, is making a come back among tribes trying to find more effective way to deal with gangs and drugs.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

The modern version means ordering troublemakers off the reservation but can also include stripping them of their tribal membership, a painful penalty in tribes that share casino profits with members.

Kelly Bennett

Tuba City High Student

Do you think that banishment is an unfair punishment?

Natives are born to be who they are, and no one but no one can take that away from them. Sure they should be punished but not stripping them of their tribe and told to live elsewhere. People have the right to live where they want; and if they weren’t meant to be native, then they would have been born of a different race.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

By banishing members of a tribe and sending them away, officials just send their problems to a different area to bother people. I think people who are animals aren’t close to their culture even if they think so, culture is not about being in gangs, selling and doing drugs.

Marcus Clark, Diné

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

My opinion on banishment would be is it should only be used against people who are putting some else’s life in danger. Then you can give them the boot.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

The only problem I see with this situation is if the person who is being banished from a tribe is going to hang around town causing trouble. They should go elsewhere to enjoy trouble causing or they are the ones who cannot live in peace.

Jefferson Foster, Navajo

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

It really depends on what sort of crime has been committed. It’s fair to banish people for committing crimes like murder, activities involving drugs and other extreme acts that may affect the rest of the tribe. At the same time, a tribe should try to resolve the problem first.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

It wouldn’t be a problem in the first place is a person were truly deeply into his or her culture. If a person were deeply involved in his or her culture, I’d think that they’d have morals and be a person who wants to be on the right path. I don’t see how a person who is committing acts of crime could be deeply involved in with his or her culture.

Joni Franklin, Navajo

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is fair and just punishment?

No, I don’t think that banishment is a fair and just punishment.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

The problems that I feel will result because of banishment will not be few. It will help decrease the presence of drugs/alcohol, violence and gangs, but they will never go away, just temporarily. Even as a last resort, banishment will still cause pain and a sense of cultural loss, identity among Native Americans that is of utmost importance.

Like other Indian leaders, I agree that banishment just simply pushes a tribe’s problems elsewhere. It may even cause resentment and anger, causing the problems to rise instead of fall. Imagine not being able to see or visit your own family, who are very important to especially Native Americans, that kinship. Those are some reasons why I feel banishment is not a good solution to any problem.

Amanda Huskon, Navajo

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

I think it is a good punishment to those troublemakers. But the parents of those troublemakers would be hurt and sad. So there are two sides, a good and a bad to this banishment.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

I think some tribal members would be mad and make matters worse. Then again some would take it as a good thing and live about their lives in a city in and make the best of it. For some people, there is nothing for them on the reservation. They have to move into a city to make a living. So some people would see it as a good thing; others won’t.

Rowina Keams

Tuba City High Student

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

Banishment is fair when people do wrong, but when used freely then it’s not fair at all! It’s a law the tribes keep adopting for use to bad people… They use it in Minnesota and Washington State. The practice is gaining popularity again as tribes seek a better way to handle members involved with gangs and drugs. Other than that I think it is fair to use.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

Well, the person who is being banished should know that if you disrespect the Creators and your culture you have no honor. I really don’t see any problems, but the part that you are not allowed to see your family and friends is not cool! But the tribe has to come up with something to stop the gangs and drugs from coming into the reservations.

Lynndella King

Tuba City High Senior

Do you think that banishment is a fair and just punishment?

I do not think that banishment is the only way to ensure the safety of our communities. It would not solve anything. It would just send another criminal free into the world to do more harmful crimes.

What problems do you see with banishing tribal members, especially ones that are deeply into their culture?

I understand that it is a last resort for the tribal members, but there are better ways to resolve problems such as that.

Kimberly Lane, Navajo

Tuba City High Senior

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