NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS
Dr. DaShanne Stokes has been an advocate for Native American rights for nearly two decades. In 1997, he participated in his first march and rally in defense of Lakota rights and equality, held in response to community inipi lodges being run-over by racists in South Dakota. The following year, Dr. Stokes and other Lakota and Dakota students spoke out about the racism they experienced while smudging as university students at the 25th Anniversary of the Wounded Knee Occupation, in Kyle, South Dakota.
Since these early days of activism, DaShanne Stokes has drawn upon a lifetime of experience to fight for indigenous rights. He has published numerous articles and has spoken on many state and national media programs about issues as diverse as smudging, the ethnic team name and mascot controversy, Native American religious freedom, the eagle feather law, and more.
For journalist inquiries, or to inquire about booking Dr. Stokes for a television, radio, or other media program, please email media (at) dashannestokes (dot) com.
Articles About Native American Rights
The Huffington Post
We Need to Talk About Being #NativeOnCampus
"What Accidentally Discovering I Was Adopted Taught Me About Religious Freedom" by DaShanne Stokes**
**Featured on the Front Page of the Huffington Post. September 25, 2015.
A Life in America Without Religious Freedom**
**Featured on the Front Page of the Huffington Post. September 24, 2015.
Fighting Discrimination, Discovering Who We're Fighting For
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Sage, Sweetgrass, and the First Amendment
Indian Country Today Media Network
Anti-Indian Racism is Everywhere in America
Sovereign Means Sovereign! U.S. Must Stop Interfering With Tribal Nations
The Eagle Feather Law and State Recognized Tribes
Offensive Words Lead to Offensive Actions
R-Word Lies: Don't Confuse Free Speech With Hate Speech
A New Rallying Cry for the Red*kins
5 Studies That Prove Dan Snyder is Wrong About 'Redskins'
Time to Stop Playing Cowboys and Indians
Rights vs. Identity: Divisions Run Deep Over Hickory Ground
Time for New Eagle Feather Law
Eagle Feathers and the Imperialist Conquest of State Recognized Tribes**
**Cited as an authority in appellant brief and motion for summary judgment in McAllen Grace Brethren Church v. Salazar, 44 ELR 20194, No. 13-40326, (5th Cir., 08/20/2014)
Adoption Today
Discovering 'Who' in a Land of 'What'
Book Chapters and Quotes in Books
THE NATIVE AMERICAN MASCOT CONTROVERSY:
A HANDBOOK
Edited by C. Richard King. 2015. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
DaShanne's article, "5 Studies That Prove Dan Snyder is Wrong About 'Redskins'," originally published in Indian Country Today, was quoted extensively in C. Richard King's introduction (p. xii) to The Native American Mascot Controversy: A Handbook.
THE UNIVERSITY IN YOUR FUTURE
Edited by P. M. Lowentrout. 2001-2008. Long Beach, CA: California State University, Long Beach.
DaShanne's article, "Sage, Sweetgrass and the First Amendment," originally published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, was reprinted as a chapter featured in multiple volumes (2001: Pp. 61; 2002: Pp. 33; 2003: Pp. 28; 2004: Pp. 20; 2005: Pp. 40; 2006: Pp. 29; 2007: Pp. 72-73; 2008: Pp. 71-72) of this textbook published by California State University, Long Beach.
EATING FIRE, TASTING BLOOD: AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN HOLOCAUST
Edited by M. Moore. 2006. New York, NY: Thunders Mouth Press.
DaShanne's article, "Sage, Sweetgrass and the First Amendment," originally published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, was mentioned on page 76 of Laura Donaldson's book chapter, "Speaking Out: Religious Rights and Imprisoned American Indian Women." This chapter appears in MariJo Moore's book, Eating Fire, Tasting Blood: An Anthology of the American Indian Holocast.
Media Appearances About Native American Rights
This Show Is So Gay:
Fighting for Equality and Freedom on Multiple Fronts
June 4, 2015
The fight for equality and freedom is being fought on multiple fronts. In a decades-long controversy, the Boy Scouts of America continue kicking out some of their best and brightest for the "crime" of being lesbian, gay, and bisexual. Numerous people continue to support racist mascots and ethnic team names despite a growing body of research showing their detrimental effects. And many Native Americans continue to be denied their Constitutional right to religious freedom. DaShanne joined Dr. Ken Schneck, host of This Show Is So Gay, to discuss the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy, the Native American mascot controversy, the eagle feather law, and how now is the time for us to stand up, speak out, and fight for equality.
Native America Calling:
Fight Over Eagle Feathers
February 18, 2015
Under the "eagle feather law," state-recognized tribes are banned from obtaining or possessing eagle feathers and parts many need for their religious and spiritual purposes. DaShanne joined Native America Calling to discuss this controversial federal wildlife law, how it undermines the religious freedom of dozens of tribes, and how the law can be changed.
Uprising Radio, KPFK 90.7 FM:
Erasing the R-Word From Our Lexicon
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Heated controversy has surrounded the use of racial epithets like the N-word, but what about the R-word? Tune in as DaShanne speaks with Sonali Kolhatkar about the racist use of the R-word by the Washington football team.
The Beat of Sports, WYGM 740 AM:
Dan Snyder and the Discriminatory Washington Football Team Name
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Numerous politicians, civil rights leaders, and schools have spoken out against the continued use of a racial slur as the name of the Washington football team. DaShanne joined Marc Daniels to discuss Dan Snyder and his controversial team name.
First Voices Indigenous Radio, WBAI 99.5 FM:
The Eagle Feather Law: How Religious Freedom in America is Restricted for Native Americans
March 1, 2007
If you think your religious freedom is protected, think again. As many people across Indian country are aware, American Indians are the only ethnic group in the United States that require a federal permit for religious freedom, but many can't get them. Tune in as DaShanne Stokes talks about the problematic "eagle feather law" and what it means for religious freedom in the United States.
Native America Calling:
The Sanctity of Eagles
December 19, 2006
Under the "eagle feather law," only members of federally recognized tribes are allowed to obtain or possess eagle feathers and parts for religious or spiritual purposes. Those caught with eagle feathers without federal permits face imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000--for practicing their spirituality or religion. DaShanne joined Native America Calling to discuss this controversial federal wildlife law and why we need to change it.
South Dakota Public Radio, KUSD 89.7 FM:
Leonard Peltier and Contemporary Native American Issues
April 4, 2000
Millions of people across the world have heard about the controversial imprisonment of Leonard Peltier, a political prisoner recognized by Amnesty International. DaShanne joined Nick Swan and Brian Bull to discuss Peltier's imprisonment and the first staged performace of Peltier's book, Prison Writings: My Life is My Sun Dance.
Quotes About Native American Rights
"Privilege is when you contribute to the oppression of others and then claim that you are the one being discriminated against."
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"Reducing a group to a slur or stereotype reduces us all."
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"People often call fighting discrimination being "PC" because they don't want their own unearned privileges challenged."
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"Discrimination is discrimination, even when people claim it's 'tradition.' "
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"People often call fighting racism being 'PC' when they don't want to confront their own prejudice."
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"Racist legacy laws and modern racist practices are all part of the same system, and it needs to be changed now."
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"Racism hurts everyone, including racists themselves."
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"Racism is dead only to those who've closed their eyes and ears to the whole world around them."
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"Prejudice is learned. What will you teach others through your actions and words?"
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"Privilege is not knowing that you're hurting others and not listening when they tell you."
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