Iroquois passport denied!
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In 1990 the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team (ranked 4th in standings) quite remarkably became the only aboriginal nation to compete internationally in any sport. (If there is another, speak-up) The Iroquois Nations have been denied entry into the UK even as Hillary Clinton stepped in to issue a one-time waiver to allow the team to travel on their Six Nation passport.
Like many governments lacking sovereignty, in 1977 the Iroquois (Six Nation) League began issuing passports as a way of declaring some independence as a nation, or as some say the passport is a statement to show they are the original inhabitants of the country and are not subjects of the Crown. It is a matter of dignity, pride and distinction that non-sovereign territories produce passports, just as they would postage stamps and even currency.
For a document to have any value it must be recognized by the recipient as valid. The precedent of postage stamps being issued by non-nation/non-sovereign states, and recognized as valid has long historical record. Currency not so much (Confederate dollars) although there are exceptions like Bermuda and even smaller scale exceptions.
"July 17, 2010 PM Update
Lyons Statement
We have been informed that the United Kingdom will not permit the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team to travel to England for the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships, already under way in Manchester.
While we are deeply disappointed we could not bring our talented team to the world championships, there simply was no way we could accede to the recommendation that we accept either American or Canadian passports to travel. The Haudenosaunee passports we travel on – like the game of lacrosse itself which our ancestors invented – are essential to our identity as a sovereign people making our way in the world community.
We are grateful to the United States and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the cooperative and respectful talks that led to their agreement to let us travel in and out of the United States on our passports for this event. We are disappointed the United Kingdom could not see its way clear to join the United States in this gesture of respect.
But let it be known that we did not withdraw from the tournament, and believe we won without ever playing by demonstrating to the world the continuing relevance of indigenous sovereignty in the 21st century. And we salute our team, who endured this struggle with dignity and the understanding that they were standing up for something that will benefit seven generations into the future, as true representations of the living Iroquois spirit.
We continue to work to upgrade our documentation to a level of security consistent with the requirements of an increasingly security-conscious world. Though we are unable to travel to the United Kingdom to participate in the world lacrosse championships, the team and the Haudenosaunee nations will continue to pursue solutions so that we may continue with our global development in many respects.
The FIL World Indoor Box Lacrosse Championships are scheduled for the Czech Republic in 2011, and we stand second in the world in that competition. The Under-19 Men’s Field Lacrosse Championships are scheduled for Finland in 2012, and we intend to be there as well, as we hold the bronze medal in the 2008 games.
Joagquisho - Oren R. Lyons
Honorary Chairman
Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse"
Understand that most Six Nations are dual citizens of both Canada and USA. All NDN's are dual citizens with their tribe and their country. Unlike Canada USA acknowledges but does not recognize dual citizenship
But according to the Bloc Quebecois the courtesy of allowing such entity-issued passports is illegal and wrong. But consider this perspective's motivation for saying so. Quebec is formally a nation within our nation, just as all native tribes are, yet if the BQ havn't the support to declare autonomous independence and sovereignty (still) then nobody should exercise similar rights they can't themselves declare. The BQ has long been desiring a seat at the UN, the G-20, and it's own team in the Olympics.
Still I think the BQ have offered a valid point. If Six Nations can issue passports recognized internationally it does indeed open Pandora's box. Why wouldn't Bermuda issue Bermuda passports as it does it's own cash? Why not any large corporation, like Walmart being huge employer could make a fortune off issuing passports at cheaper rate then federal counterpart? Why should passport issuing be limited to the feds anyways? Are we not in a free capitalist market economy? And if we are, why is the passport excepted from this economy?
But we know what has really happened here, don't we? They opted to act a practice outside accepted rules of conduct and have been called on it. The result is a battle of wills. Either the lacrosse team gets passports issued by recognize state (James Cameron donated $50k for this purpose) or the UK will eventually accept SixNation passports as valid.
In 1990 the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team (ranked 4th in standings) quite remarkably became the only aboriginal nation to compete internationally in any sport. (If there is another, speak-up) The Iroquois Nations have been denied entry into the UK even as Hillary Clinton stepped in to issue a one-time waiver to allow the team to travel on their Six Nation passport.
Like many governments lacking sovereignty, in 1977 the Iroquois (Six Nation) League began issuing passports as a way of declaring some independence as a nation, or as some say the passport is a statement to show they are the original inhabitants of the country and are not subjects of the Crown. It is a matter of dignity, pride and distinction that non-sovereign territories produce passports, just as they would postage stamps and even currency.
For a document to have any value it must be recognized by the recipient as valid. The precedent of postage stamps being issued by non-nation/non-sovereign states, and recognized as valid has long historical record. Currency not so much (Confederate dollars) although there are exceptions like Bermuda and even smaller scale exceptions.
"July 17, 2010 PM Update
Lyons Statement
We have been informed that the United Kingdom will not permit the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team to travel to England for the 2010 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships, already under way in Manchester.
While we are deeply disappointed we could not bring our talented team to the world championships, there simply was no way we could accede to the recommendation that we accept either American or Canadian passports to travel. The Haudenosaunee passports we travel on – like the game of lacrosse itself which our ancestors invented – are essential to our identity as a sovereign people making our way in the world community.
We are grateful to the United States and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the cooperative and respectful talks that led to their agreement to let us travel in and out of the United States on our passports for this event. We are disappointed the United Kingdom could not see its way clear to join the United States in this gesture of respect.
But let it be known that we did not withdraw from the tournament, and believe we won without ever playing by demonstrating to the world the continuing relevance of indigenous sovereignty in the 21st century. And we salute our team, who endured this struggle with dignity and the understanding that they were standing up for something that will benefit seven generations into the future, as true representations of the living Iroquois spirit.
We continue to work to upgrade our documentation to a level of security consistent with the requirements of an increasingly security-conscious world. Though we are unable to travel to the United Kingdom to participate in the world lacrosse championships, the team and the Haudenosaunee nations will continue to pursue solutions so that we may continue with our global development in many respects.
The FIL World Indoor Box Lacrosse Championships are scheduled for the Czech Republic in 2011, and we stand second in the world in that competition. The Under-19 Men’s Field Lacrosse Championships are scheduled for Finland in 2012, and we intend to be there as well, as we hold the bronze medal in the 2008 games.
Joagquisho - Oren R. Lyons
Honorary Chairman
Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse"
Understand that most Six Nations are dual citizens of both Canada and USA. All NDN's are dual citizens with their tribe and their country. Unlike Canada USA acknowledges but does not recognize dual citizenship
But according to the Bloc Quebecois the courtesy of allowing such entity-issued passports is illegal and wrong. But consider this perspective's motivation for saying so. Quebec is formally a nation within our nation, just as all native tribes are, yet if the BQ havn't the support to declare autonomous independence and sovereignty (still) then nobody should exercise similar rights they can't themselves declare. The BQ has long been desiring a seat at the UN, the G-20, and it's own team in the Olympics.
Still I think the BQ have offered a valid point. If Six Nations can issue passports recognized internationally it does indeed open Pandora's box. Why wouldn't Bermuda issue Bermuda passports as it does it's own cash? Why not any large corporation, like Walmart being huge employer could make a fortune off issuing passports at cheaper rate then federal counterpart? Why should passport issuing be limited to the feds anyways? Are we not in a free capitalist market economy? And if we are, why is the passport excepted from this economy?
But we know what has really happened here, don't we? They opted to act a practice outside accepted rules of conduct and have been called on it. The result is a battle of wills. Either the lacrosse team gets passports issued by recognize state (James Cameron donated $50k for this purpose) or the UK will eventually accept SixNation passports as valid.
