Treat people like relatives, not strangers  

By TY BEAVER 

H&N Staff Writer

January 17, 2010

   The token was used in relations with tribal groups and has the word “freedom” on one side and the word “friendship” on the other. It shows two clasped hands, one of a military officer and the other a tribal individual.

   “It symbolizes us finally reaching a collective agreement that’s best for both nations,” Chocktoot said.

   The medal doesn’t always represent reality, though, he said. He is the Klamath Tribes’ cultural and heritage director and is on their council.

   Since termination of the Tribes in 1954, there has been ongoing hostility, Chocktoot said, and tribal members in the Klamath Basin continue to face prejudice.

   But Chocktoot said he sees progress, and if people can discard petty differences, then the Klamath Basin will become a stronger community.

   “I’ve got a lot of hope for us,” he said. “Really, I’ve got a lot of hope.”

   Q: What’s the greatest  advancement in relations with the Tribes?

   A: Chocktoot said the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement was a great step toward improving the relationship between tribal and nontribal people.

   The root cause of the Basin’s troubles with racism come from people not wanting to promote community cohesion, he said. A recent example of that came during the 2001 water crisis when he said elected leaders did little to address anger and malice directed at the Tribes for the water shortage.  

   The KBRA, though, brings together four tribes living along the Klamath River as well as fishermen, irrigators and ranchers. “It is just a great thing when we can get together and agree on something,” he said.

   Q: What’s the greatest problem regarding relations with the Tribes?

   A: There is still a continued lack of understanding of the Tribes on traditional, spiritual and political levels, Chocktoot said.

   The Tribes want to maintain their traditions, but also help the area grow as a cohesive community.

   “Not just Klamath Falls or Chiloquin, all of Southern Oregon,” he said.  

   That cohesion requires that those in the region be respectful of others and there be an aggressive plan to educate people about the Tribes.

   Q: What’s the latest poignant thing you’ve experienced regarding racial issues in the Klamath Basin?  

   A: The 2001 water crisis triggered racial incidents targeted at tribal members.

   In one example, someone put a sign on the Tribes’ billboard for Kla-Mo-Ya Casino that said “Today’s Special: Sucker Sandwiches $1.99,” referencing one of the endangered fish species the Tribes hold in high regard.

   “It was all done in spray paint on 4x8 plywood nailed to our billboard,” he said.

   About that same time, a truck with a few men in it drove through Chiloquin shooting a gun at random. The men got probation, Chocktoot said.  

   Q: What needs to happen next?

   A: “I feel we need to sit down and eat dinner,” Chocktoot said. Tribal and non-tribal people need to treat each other like relatives instead of strangers. Doing so would also help to break down social walls and stereotypes.

   “We’re not evil, wildeyed, drunken Indians,” he said.