April 20, 2000

Mr. Clyde Mayer
Order of the Arrow Director Boy Scouts of America
National Office
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079


Dear Sir,
I'm in receipt of your letter of April 14th in response to mine, regarding usage of American Indian Themes. The letter was to say the least, disappointing! My letter was intended to address these issues at the National level of BSA and not just with the OA. My letter outlined problems not only within the OA but other areas in the BSA national structure. I knew that the pamphlet was not written by the OA. And I also knew that the young man was not representing the OA but an Explorer Post (Koshare Dancers). For these reasons I feel a further response is necessary.
In your letter you respond in defense of the OA by saying that with the proper portrayal of Native American Culture that " This message has been and continues to be strongly communicated to all our OA lodges." I have been an Advisor for 3 years and the only information I've been given is by word of mouth. And by that method I've heard 3 different versions of that policy. When trying to verify this policy from my council I've been referred to the binders of National and OA polices and operational updates. Even the people trying to help me were unsure where to look. I was even told by one person, who no longer works for BSA, that information was just "minutia." Additionally I've been in contact with volunteers in other councils via the internet who were unaware of this policy until I made them aware of it! I would like to obtain a set of polices and operational updates related to Native American topics so I can share them with the people who are advising and chairing "ceremonies" etc. for our lodge as well as other people involved in issues related to Native American Culture within my council.
You also stated in your letter That you find that "American Indian people from different parts of our country have different interpretations on cultural issues" I agree with your statement, but with regards to the young man with face paint, in this part of the country it would be considered offensive based on what I explained in my previous letter. That is why the people responsible for Boys Life should be more cautious with cultural issues. In some areas it would be ok in others not.
Elsewhere in your letter you stated that "the great majority of American Indian issues need to be addressed in the local Scout Council area." I disagree! The National Office writes policy which is disseminated down to the local councils for implementation. The National Office needs to take a pro active approach and adopt a strict policy, to include all aspects of the scouting program that might be affected, which then needs to be "fine tuned within the local councils service area with the guidance of the local American Indian communities indigenous to the council area. Basically it means with some minor cultural distinctions all the councils have similar guidelines. Then this information needs to be communicated to the "professional" staff, volunteers, and scouts on a regular and frequent manner and not just in written form.
All publications containing information about American Indian culture need to be verified before publication. Editors should go and talk to the people and obtain the information first hand. It's cheaper to get the information right the first time than to try and do damage control after release of information.
Again sir, I encourage the National BSA to be pro-active in this area. In many areas of the country our Native peoples are taking back what is rightfully theirs. Many levels of our government are assisting them to try and right the wrongs they endured by so many past generations. In Minnesota for example the state board of education has required all schools with "Indian" names, mascots, etc. to change them. In Illinois the local Indian communities and American Indian student associations are working to eliminate "Chief Illiniwek" at the U of Illinois. In Michigan its the Michigamua Society at the U of Michigan. The governor of the state of Maine just signed into law a bill which requires all public sites were the term "squaw" is used to be re named. At the federal level the Native American Graves Repatriation Act and the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to name a few. I think that it is only a matter of time before someone makes an issue of some of the things BSA does in "preserving the culture" many of which are preserving the stereotype and not the culture!
Thank you again for your time in considering this matter.

Respectfully,

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