Conservation = Native value

Lecturer:  Indian culture teaches energy sustainabilityWinona LaDuke ran as Ralph Nader’s running mate in the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections, but yesterday she spoke to a crowded Montana Theatre about something other than politics.

“I just want to let you know I’m not running for vice president,” she said, alluding to Nader’s Sunday announcement that he would run for president again. “In case you’re wondering and don’t want to wait till the end to ask.”Good to know LaDuke isn't going to help Republicans win the presidency and thus ruin the nation, as she did in 2000. If Nader wants to hand another victory to the invaders, torturers, and war criminals, he'll have to do it by himself.

On to the issue of energy sustainability:Indians believe the Creator’s law is the highest and for that reason they honor the lake and the land. But America doesn’t follow this principle, she said.

“We believe we are able to outsmart the oceans and winds,” she said. “We are foolish.”

During this and other moments, the crowd abruptly broke into applause and repeatedly uttered agreeing “uh-huh”s in accordance with LaDuke’s criticisms of America’s unquenchable appetite for resources and energy, an appetite that must be suppressed, she said.

America allocates water rights until the river is gone, relies on oil like an addict, and makes a business of waste management, she said.

“They’re not landfills,” she said. “They’re land mountains.”Comment:  For more on the subject, see Ecological Indian Talk.