Kristine,
Your inquiry on the changing or shortening of names by residential
schools is an important one as it touches on the history of oppression
directed at Native children. I want to add to this inquiry something
that must be considered by all of us when we address the personal and
cultural abuse of others and by the people who have suffered the abuse.
The acknowledgement of, collection and recording of these painful
incidences must be linked to information and avenues of action to defend
and protect the culture in the present. For cycles of abuse to be broken
solutions must be provided as well. That is how the People wil move into
the future.
I have never had my name shortened or changed but have a friend from
Rosebud/Pine Ridge who has told me about those who have. I am sure there
are others on the list who have or have contact with those who have
especially some of the older generation. It is difficult to get people
to relate experiences of hurt if they believe they will be presented as
pitiful victims without recourse. While it is interesting and shocking
to those who look in (that is how advertising that supports the
presentation of "news" is sold) it is real and painful to those who have
lived it. People who have been abused will only share their lives when
they are given a protected place to do it and if it is in the interest
of moving the people into the future. My friend I mentioned only told me
of his experiences when he saw that I was worthy of his trust.
The shortening or changing of some ones traditional name is an attack on
their culture, spirituality and what is more often called "religion" by
others. In todays world, religion and in this case the ceremony and
carrying of a name are protected under the constitution and under Title
25 Indian law.
The unfortunate problem is that most Native people are reluctant or
unable to take steps to protect themselves and their children in the
abuse of sacred matters. This is mostly because we haven't taught
ourselves how to do this and we are reluctant to become agressive even
when circumstances require it. It is because there has until lately been
little recognition of the "religion" of Native people. Agencies, schools
and businesses have relied on this to force their agenda but are
increasingly vulnerable to liable for mental suffering involved in
protecting our culture, our "religion", investigation by filing of
complaints with the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of
Investigation and US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.
Each of these agencies is required to fully cover their "jurisdiction"
and refer every person who inquires to the proper agency.
A recent example I can think of is the termination of a Native man's
Internet server access subscription justified in the provider's contract
by a stipulation that no nick names are to be used. His Indian name
seemed to them to be ficticious. When his service was cut off he pressed
the matter and settled for 3 months free service. Based on the amount of
trouble it caused him he most easily could have gotten a more
appropriate compensation for the problems caused by this company's
failure to acknowledge his name. His disinterest in the money was the
only real block to full compensation. His interest here was not to rake
in the cash but to make a point about his name, to tell those who are
required to provide equal treatment under the law that his name exists
exactly how he was given it.
In the larger historical picture you will find this particular incident
to be trivial compared to the broad oppression that the changing of
names encompassses.
As a teacher of a class room you will have the unique opportunity to
provide information about the problem and it's history along with
information about the opportunities to work toward solutions. This could
be framed in an informational manner with omnibudsman or neutral
approach if that is an issue.
An important point to consider in any class room that works with Native
culture is that all things being related so are all solutions. The
manner and methods involved with analyzing the history and defense of
naming will generalize to many other overlaping issues in Indian
country.