Baashkaakodin-giizis / Gashkadino-giizis (Freezing Moon/ Freezing Over Moon) (December 13, 2024)
"A story-teller gives “power” to his/her listeners. Our ancestors shared, so must we. A liar can not sustain itself in a fresh water lake. A stick thrown on a lake will eventually sink. Truth be told. – Inino Elder Michel SutherlandAccording to US law, if a libel attacks someone in their professional or official capacity, the law presumes that they suffer pecuniary damage from it.
As far as I'm concerned, "Pretendian Hunters" like Cristal Semaganis, who libel and defame those who do not meet their own personal criteria of who is a 'real Indian' and who is not and seem to make it their life's work, by publicly spreading falsehoods, to destroy people's livelihoods and reputations, are federal offenders – or at least, should be regarded as such. Unfortunately, libeling is not a federal offense (at least, not in the US); I hate the fact that there is still criminal impunity for them ...so, in my stories, this is where Wenabozho comes in ...A People's hero, who, in spite of himself, is setting the record straight – making things RIGHT.
I wish spreading falsehoods were a federal offense...but alas, it isn't.. I do not know about Canada, but in the US, unfortunately, criminalized libel victims’ only course of action is a civil claim. In most states, libel is regarded as 'only' a civil wrongdoing. A state can not place individuals under arrest for libel charges – these claims are solely in the hands of the state's civil courts. However, in some US states, libel cases may involve both the criminal and civil courts depending on the circumstances. Libeling is against the law in those states. I think this should be the case nationwide.
>Next episode: Wenabozho and the Stepping Stones (link will be available soon).
Illustration: Wenabozho Defies the Ghost Warrior ©2024 Zhaawano Giizhik
Comments