The Lakota are declaring their independence.

"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," long-time Indian rights activist Russell Means told a handful of reporters and a delegation from the Bolivian embassy, gathered in a church in a run-down neighborhood of Washington for a news conference.

A delegation of Lakota leaders delivered a message to the State Department on Monday, announcing they were unilaterally withdrawing from treaties they signed with the federal government of the United States, some of them more than 150 years old.

They also visited the Bolivian, Chilean, South African and Venezuelan embassies, and will continue on their diplomatic mission and take it overseas in the coming weeks and months, they told the news conference.

Lakota country includes parts of the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

The new country would issue its own passports and driving licences, and living there would be tax-free -- provided residents renounce their US citizenship, Means said.

They have really gotten a raw deal, having had socialism imposed on them by the Great White Father back east for all these decades.

It will be interesting to see how many countries recognize them (Venezuela and other America haters are a sure bet).

It also will be interesting to see what they actually do, and what Washington's response will be. Will they implement border controls?

Means's choice of countries to talk to causes me to doubt his anti-socialist talk. Those are the prime examples of "Global South" leftism.

Maybe something like this will finally make us deal with the farcical situation that exists in this country with respect to Indian tribes. I'm not positive what is the best solution. But I suspect it's something close to abolishing all of the "independent nations" contained within the US and just making everyone therein subject to US jurisdiction.

If you asked the average American Indian what the worst part of European domination was, I somehow doubt that "having had socialism imposed on them" would be the answer. I think the wholesale slaughter and deprivation of human rights might be a little closer to the top of the list.

Border controls? Why start now?

If you asked the average American Indian what the worst part of European domination was, I somehow doubt that "having had socialism imposed on them" would be the answer.

I didn't say that it was the worst part. But it's the most recent part, and it's the only part that can realistically be undone.

I saw this a few weeks ago, and I'm surprised it hasn't gotten any previous attention in the Blogosphere. What I can't figure out is whether these guys constitute any kind of actual tribal authority, or if it's just a bunch of self-appointed "activists" that AFP is taking seriously for the purpose of the story. Given the involvement of Russel Means and their itinerary, I kind of lean towards the latter. Look for Ward Churchill to attach himself to this group soon.

I would be a little careful to read in to this anything other than Means grandstanding with no backing from the Lakota.

In before the obligatory "Dances with Wolves" reference.

I'm sure the Lakota Tribe is not behind Means at all. Based on previous examples of tribes doing things like this, the tribal land reverts to state control, and all enterprises that are allowed on tribal land and are illegal in the state are shut down. This will include gambling, non-taxed booze, and (horror of horrors) non-taxed cigarettes. The loss of income would be staggering.

Means is grandstanding; IIRC he has been involved in things on tribal lands before. If he doesn't watch it, tribal police will arrest him and his band of lunatics. And then he'll find that tribal law is not the same as US Civil Law.

The Lakota Sioux and all other tribes have been royally screwed over countless times. While I don't know if Means has the authority to speak and act on behalf of the Sioux but he might want to be careful what he asks for. He just might get it. One of the tragedies of reservation life is that a high percentage of the people are dependent on government handouts. If they declare their independence (and get it), then I suspect those handouts would cease. What then, Mr. Means?

I don't think this is the real deal, but it would be interesting to have some more regulatory competition in North America. Having only three choices (inept, socialist or lobbyist) kind of sucks.

FWIW. the Wikipedia page on the separatists says that none of the official tribal governments support these guys and at least one has explicitly said they are not interested.

Lakota country includes parts of the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

I wonder what their policy will be on commercial space launches? Would ITAR allow exporting rockets to North Dakota?

I would certainly expect that anyone involved in this, whether individuals or tribal governments, will immediately cease accepting any and all payments of whatever kind from the federal government.

Don't be surprised that the Lakota would refuse money on principle. They've done it before. Back in the 30s when Mt. Rushmore was built, the Lakota sued the government. It went alll the way to the US Supreme Court. They court offered the Lakota a settlement of $100 Million. They refused. The money is still in escrow and is worth $500 million which the Lakota still refuse. There are some things money can't buy. I guess the Lakota's self-respect is one of them.

If you asked the average American Indian what the worst part of European domination was, I somehow doubt that "having had socialism imposed on them" would be the answer.

Meaning what .. that you've never talked to any Indians? Shame on you - they're all over the place. Go right ahead and ask them, buddy.

One gal I know in Green Bay just loves loves loves the socialized aspect of being a member of the Oneida tribe. She gets to live off the Res and take her kids back to the res to pick up food and get medical care, gratis.

By the by, they prefer (at least the kids in my neck of the woods) the term 'Natives over 'Indians'.

Back in the 30s when Mt. Rushmore was built, the Lakota sued the government.

Sort of.

The lawsuit was filed in 1922 for monetary compensation for the loss (by act of congress) over the Black Hills.

When it was settled in 1980 the attitude of the plaintiffs had changed - this will happen when the people who filed the suit are mostly dead.

Me - I'd take the cash. You can do a lot with capital that you can't do with land; pride is worth a lot but seeing your people poor and your children hungry when you have money sitting in the bank is just damned sad.