Sioux Leader To Trump: ‘Leave The Office You Bought And Take Your Swamp Things With You’
A Cheyenne River Sioux
Tribe leader issued a damning response Wednesday to President Donald
Trump’s “Pocahontas” slur earlier this week during an event
meant to honor Navajo Code Talkers.
Harold Frazier, chairman
of the South Dakota-based tribe, said he was “deeply ashamed” of Trump’s
“disgusting” treatment of the World War II veterans and appeared to suggest
that the president should resign. “The President of the
United States had an opportunity to honor veterans and bridge gaps in the
relationship Tribes have with the Federal government,” Frazier said in a
statement sent to HuffPost. “Instead, he chose to disgrace himself, his
position and the nation he represents.” Frazier continued,
“The President of the United States wanted to utilize an opportunity to honor
native warriors who defended this land to make a political attack. I have one
for him, leave the office you bought and take your swamp things with you.”
For many Native
Americans, Trump’s racist remark was a reminder of the trauma they have faced
since European colonization began in the 1600s. “We have been forced
to learn the way of the American life,” Frazier said. “We have learned American
religions, language, economy, politics and society. ... The President’s
comments are another reminder that we are not allowed to participate.”
Frazier also pointed
out that sexual assault and abuse, much like the violence that the real
Pocahontas endured, affect Native American women at staggering rates.
“What happened to
Pocahontas is still happening today to our women,” Frazier said. “Native
American women continue to be victims of rape and exploitation by white men.
The President of the United States is practicing that by exploiting native
women as an insult for political machismo.”
Trump hasn’t addressed
the outpouring of condemnation he’s received from Native
American leaders and U.S.
lawmakers since Monday.
Read Frazier’s full
statement below: