Student's comments upset forum participants

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

TOHATCHI — Remarks made by a Gallup High School senior at a leadership forum in Farmington left Tohatchi High School students and school officials appalled and upset.

Tuesday, students from the northwestern region of New Mexico gathered at San Juan College to attend a Student Leadership Institution with special guest Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Throughout the day, students attended seminars and workshops relating to issues in Washington, D.C. While Tohatchi students said the experience was educating and informational, their day ended on a sour note, when GHS senior Heather Gonzales stood up and made comments at the close of the event.

Thursday evening, Gonzales shared the same comments she made at the forum with The Independent.

"I don't understand why they're (Native Americans) always getting mad when they get free stuff," said Gonzales, in a phone interview. "We have to get jobs to pay for our shoes and jackets."

Gonzales said it's not fair that Native Americans get free medical care, free jackets, and their college education paid for when other people have to work for what they got. Gonzales was aware that students were not happy with her comments, but she does not feel that they were inappropriate.

"I think I was just telling the truth," said Gonzales. "A lot of people at my school feel the same way."

The comment caught Tohatchi students off guard, especially since the forum was for leaders who were chosen from each of the eight schools in attendance.

"She's supposed to be a leader," said Shundiin Holyan, senior at Tohatchi.

"I think she just spoke out of being ignorant and naive," said Holyan. "She doesn't understand why we get what we get."

Ten of the 15 Tohatchi students who were selected to attend the event shared their thoughts on Gonzales comments Thursday afternoon.

No 'treaty' talk
During the time she talked, Holyan said it was evident she didn't know what she was talking about, especially since not during one time, did the word "treaty" come up.

"She doesn't understand how our people suffered," said Holyan.

By going to GHS, which students said was a "melting pot," they were puzzled that Gonzales did not have any awareness of the legal relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes. According to GHS office staff, more than 75 percent of its students are Native American.

"The U.S. government promised that to us (in exchange for the land)," said Cody Johnson, junior, referring to such things as tribal clothing, which is included in an article in the Navajo peoples' Treaty of 1868.

During the phone interview, Gonzales shared her thoughts on concerns brought up by Tohatchi students.

"The land was exchanged a long time ago," said Gonzales. "By now, the (federal) government has paid it off."

"African Americans were our slaves, but we didn't give them anything for what we did to them," said Gonzales.

Outsider?
Students and officials also questioned whether she was not from the area, which would explain why she was not familiar with Native American issues.

"It would be interesting to find out how long she has lived in Gallup," said Ann Walker, instructional support teacher and peer leadership advisor.

With the exception of six months, Gonzales said she has spent her whole life living in Gallup.

The controversial comments came after Gonzales' fellow GHS senior, Brittany Garcia, 12, asked Bingaman a question regarding his feelings on the federal government rescinding reservations and Bush's unfamiliarity with what sovereignty means, Gonzales stood up and asked to comment on the question. Gonzales said Garcia wasn't wording the question right, and was repeating her question slowly to the Senator.

"What made me mad is that she (Garcia) started being rude to the Senator," said Gonzales.

Gonzales said Garcia was talking really slow, and was upsetting Bingaman with her question and being disrespectful for repeating her question to him slowly, which is why she decided to make the comments she did.

"She's supposed to be a leader for her peers," said Susan Moore, ANIY project leader, who attended the event with students. "It was taking advantage of an event privileged for leaders, and leaders don't talk like that."

While students said they all raised their hand to comment in response to Gonzales' outburst, they said Bingaman changed the subject.

"I think he was rather appalled," said Moore.

High fives
What students found especially appalling was that her fellow classmates were giving her high five's and commending her for what she did.

"She was pretty happy about it, like she was proud of what she said," said Latonja Armboy, ninth grader.

But Gonzales doesn't regret her comments.

"In the Constitution, it says we were all created equal," said Gonzales. "We all should be treated equal. Everyone should work for their share."

Though some Tohatchi students feel that her comments were racially fueled, Garcia disputes that.

"If they were (racial), I didn't intend for them to be," said Garcia, adding that one of her best friends is Native American.

"I don't think that was her intention," said Tim Knowles, GHS Head Counselor, who was attended the event with students.

Knowles, who has children who are half-Navajo, said he wouldn't characterize her words as inappropriate, but instead a matter of her opinion.

"I wouldn't agree with what she said, but there is free speech in this country," said Knowles. Knowles said there were "some ohs" among the crowd, but did not see students sharing "high fives."

And while it was a matter of discussion for quite a while when Tohatchi students made their way back on the bus, Knowles said it didn't come up as an issue when GHS students returned.

"They said there will always be that person who will try to ruin your highest moment," said Holyan. "She was it, and she ruined our day."