Globalization&Governance

HOOPA NATION: THE RESILIENCE, RESISTANCE AND REVIVIFICATION OF A PEOPLE

Marcellene Norton
(Education Director, Hoopa Valley Tribe,
Hupa, the United States of America)

I. Life and Culture of the Hupa People
	A. Who are the Hupa People?
	a.	Explanation of the terms Hupa/Hoopa
	b.	We call ourselves Na:tini-xwe, meaning “both sides-the-trail-people”
	c.	According to our Creation Story, we originated from our aboriginal land
	d.	Location: Northern California, USA
	B. Culture and Custom
	a.	Our World View
	b.	Perception of our “Center of the World”
	c.	Prior to the encounter with the Whiteman, Na:tini-xwe were peaceful, communal, governed by autonomous political and religious systems
	d.	Maintained a balance and interrelationship of all living beings
		1.	foods, flora, fauna, land
		2.	Ceremonies (belief system)

II. Historical Overview
	A. In existence over 10 thousand years
	B. Encounter with first white men
	C. Conflict with miners and soldiers
		a.	Comparison of conflict within the United States
		b.	Establishment of the Hoopa Indian Reservation
	D. Treaty of Peace and Friendship
	E. Educational system

III. Sovereignty and Governmental Structure
	A. The Supreme power from which all specific political powers are derived
		a.	Sovereignty is inherent- originates from within a people or culture
		b.	Hoopa Nation's inherent right to select its own system of government, define its membership, and regulate activities within its territory and among its citizenship
	B. How the Hoopa Nation has exercised their sovereign powers
		a.	Management of Natural Resources and the Environment
		b.	Regulation of Economic Development
	C. Threat to tribal sovereignty
		a.	Water issues
		b.	Legislation that erodes tribal sovereignty.

IV. Preservation and Revivification of the Na:tini-xwe
	A. Our Culture, Language, Spiritual Beliefs
	B. Exercise of our inherent sovereign rights as a Nation
	C. Group presentations that reflect a strong cultural heritage.

SUMMARY of the HOOPA NATION: THE RESILIENCE, RESISTANCE AND
REVIVIFICATION OF A PEOPLE

You will be introduced to the life and culture of the Hupa People from California, USA, and how we have preserved and maintained our identity as an aboriginal people. A historical overview will describe how a well-ordered and balanced life of the Hupa People was assaulted by the westward movement of the early Americans, the attempts of complete assimilation and destruction of our spiritual belief system, and the strong resistance and endurance that have perpetuated the survival and revivification of the Hupa People. The presentation will focus on the Hoopa Nation's inherent sovereign rights of a governing power to regulate the political, social, and cultural aspects for its people. Examples of current problems, such as water rights and environmental protection violations represent a constant threat to the sovereign rights of self-government. Lastly, the Presenter will discuss how the Hupa People have been able to survive and maintain their identity as the Na:tini-xwe.

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