By Mendrel Fauyant
The Tohono O’odham people have been living in the southwestern part of Arizona for as long as history is documented. But the Tohono O’odham Nation, which straddles the U.S.-Mexico border, is now at the center of a modern controversy: whether to allow a wall to be built between the two countries and through the middle of the Native American nation. The history of the area is often overlooked. In 1848 after Mexico had ceded to the United States, remnants of the Mexican government were forced into a cession, in which they gave up 827,000 square miles of their land, according to the U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian. A portion of this land was occupied by the O’odham people, which they handed off to the United States. A century later the O’odham continue with their ceremonies, with an official nod when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act was passed in 1974. Since then they have been allowed to continue their practices in peace. | Courtesy Creative Commons |
But some say that these practices are being put in jeopardy with the push for a border that is more structural and militarized
When former President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act in 2006, the Tohono O’odham people on one side of the “fence” essentially were cut off from family members on the other side, according to the George Bush White House archives.
The tribe made a deal with the United States government, and alternate vehicle barriers were installed along the border to allow easier travel between the U.S. and Mexico on the reservation.
After being issued tribal identification, tribe members are able also to travel more freely across the border. This has been beneficial in the ceremonies for which tribal members need to move to and from Mexico.
Two prime examples of ceremonies for the Tohono O’odham are the Salt Pilgrimage and the Magdalena Pilgrimage. People point to these ceremonies as examples of why a border wall through the Tohono O’odham Nation is a bad idea.
The sacred route that the salt runners have taken, in the past and present, cuts right across the border and is in peril due to a wall.
If a wall is built in the path, the traditional way the ceremony was conducted would have to go through drastic changes. The route has been used by past runners and is one of significant importance to the runner as they make this journey.
Jacelle E. Ramon-Sauberan, a Tohono O’odham member, a journalist and a doctoral candidate in American Indian studies at the University of Arizona, said tradition is important to her and there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t embrace who she is and her people’s traditions. While her pride in her heritage and spiritualism is strong, she listens to others’ opinions about a border wall.
“I’m open minded and see what everyone else has to say,” said Ramon-Sauberan, who is from the San Xavier community.
She said she chooses to keep her own views out of her reporting to avoid writing a biased article, believing she can have more of an effect by reporting others’ points of view thoroughly.
Sometimes it’s hard but she has to remain professional, said RamonSauberan who has worked with Native American students on the UA campus, including Native American Student Affairs and the Native American Journalists Association.
Ramon-Sauberan said she has long been passionate in her work about correcting misconceptions about her people. She wants to change the drunk, diabetic stereotype that society often has placed on Native Americans.
The tribe made a deal with the United States government, and alternate vehicle barriers were installed along the border to allow easier travel between the U.S. and Mexico on the reservation.
After being issued tribal identification, tribe members are able also to travel more freely across the border. This has been beneficial in the ceremonies for which tribal members need to move to and from Mexico.
Two prime examples of ceremonies for the Tohono O’odham are the Salt Pilgrimage and the Magdalena Pilgrimage. People point to these ceremonies as examples of why a border wall through the Tohono O’odham Nation is a bad idea.
The sacred route that the salt runners have taken, in the past and present, cuts right across the border and is in peril due to a wall.
If a wall is built in the path, the traditional way the ceremony was conducted would have to go through drastic changes. The route has been used by past runners and is one of significant importance to the runner as they make this journey.
Jacelle E. Ramon-Sauberan, a Tohono O’odham member, a journalist and a doctoral candidate in American Indian studies at the University of Arizona, said tradition is important to her and there isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t embrace who she is and her people’s traditions. While her pride in her heritage and spiritualism is strong, she listens to others’ opinions about a border wall.
“I’m open minded and see what everyone else has to say,” said Ramon-Sauberan, who is from the San Xavier community.
She said she chooses to keep her own views out of her reporting to avoid writing a biased article, believing she can have more of an effect by reporting others’ points of view thoroughly.
Sometimes it’s hard but she has to remain professional, said RamonSauberan who has worked with Native American students on the UA campus, including Native American Student Affairs and the Native American Journalists Association.
Ramon-Sauberan said she has long been passionate in her work about correcting misconceptions about her people. She wants to change the drunk, diabetic stereotype that society often has placed on Native Americans.