Winona LaDuke Called Indigenous Oil Workers Kapos – And We Want An Apology

As indigenous rights activists, it is vital that we educate ourselves not only in our own struggle for self-determination but in that of other indigenous peoples across the globe. When we discuss the issues in our communities it is important to be clear that we are not a political or ideological monolith and that in our communities there is often dissent. I also believe it is of paramount importance for us to consider our words carefully.

We do not need to exaggerate the issues our communities face while marginalising those of other communities, in fact unless calling out someone for doing that to us, we should avoid even mentioning the experiences of others to avoid marginalising what were very real and horrific experiences through comparison.

Recently an indigenous woman named Winona Laduke broke a lot of unwritten rules, first by pretending to speak for all indigenous peoples and second by making an abjectly ridiculous statement comparing all indigenous people who work in the resource field as being comparable to Jews who helped the Nazis during the Holocaust. Specifically “Kapos” who were Jews and generally given the most horrible jobs in the death camps.

Personally I would never judge such people because I have never been in a situation where I must choose between doing truly disgusting, odious horrific things or watching my loved ones perish before being killed myself. I cannot fathom the immense pressure of being in such a situation. Now Winona herself may carry Jewish blood, as well as Lakota, but that does not excuse saying something so absolutely tone deaf. Not only does what she said have an impact on Jews who may have heard it and been offended but other indigenous people who are guilty of nothing more than being gainfully employed in a region where employment is scarce.