At least 102 Native American children died over 50 years at Nebraska boarding school – National & International News – TUE 16Nov2021

102 Native children died at Nebraska boarding school. Arbery case: Defense beside themselves as “more black pastors” turn up. Xi warns Biden over Taiwan support.

NATIONAL NEWS

Researchers: At least 102 Native American children died at Nebraska boarding school

Earlier this year, the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of Native children at government-run assimilation schools in Canada sparked outrage. From the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, Native children were forced into dozens of such schools in both the U.S. and Canada. In these schools, the children were forbidden from speaking their native languages and forced to adopt western Christian ideas. The conditions in these schools were generally poor and abuse of the children was rife. As a result, hundreds of children died, largely from communicable diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia and measles.

Following the discoveries in Canada, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, herself a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, launched an inquiry to uncover the legacy of assimilation schools in the U.S. This would include ground penetrating radar studies on the grounds of the now-defunct schools in search of unmarked graves.

The Genoa US Indian Industrial School operated in Genoa, NE, between 1884 and 1934 (click here for more background and pictures from the school). Ground penetrating radar studies at the grounds of the school have so far not yielded results. But fragmentary records assembled during the investigation revealed that at least 102 children Native American children died at the school during its 50 years in operation.

Since many of the school’s records were destroyed when the school was closed in 1934, investigators say it is likely that the true death toll was likely far higher than the 102 currently known.

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Arbery case: Defense beside themselves as “more black pastors” turn up, including Jesse Jackson

Last week, the defense attorney for one of three white men accused in the slaying of black man Ahmaud Arbery, 25, in Brunswick, GA, last year demanded that the judge not allow “any more black pastors” in the courtroom after the Rev. Al Sharpton came and sat quietly with Arbery’s family. The attorney, Kevin Gough, argued that Rev. Sharpton’s presence would unduly influence the nearly all-white jury. The judge disagreed and did not accede to Mr. Gough’s demand.

Yesterday, Rev. Jesse Jackson, another civil rights icon, decided to make an appearance, again seated quietly with Arbery’s family. This time, the attorneys for all three defendants protested. They also took issue with the fact that the victim’s mother’s weeping drew the jury’s attention to Jackson’s presence. The judge did not mince words, and said that the defense had only themselves to blame since their “reprehensible” remarks last week were likely to draw more attention.

In response, Rev. Sharpton said he would be returning to the courthouse. Activists say that another 100 black pastors will be joining him.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

China’s Xi warns Biden “playing with fire” over Taiwan

The U.S. and China recently agreed to hold virtual talks between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The talks have a dual purpose. The first objective was to improve cooperation between the world’s two superpowers and highest polluters on climate change objectives. The second was to pump the brakes on escalating political, diplomatic and economic tensions that both sides fear may lead to a new Cold War.

One of the items on the agenda was Taiwan. Taiwan considers itself an independent nation and has its own democratic government. China on the other hand considers Taiwan to be a renegade province which will inevitably be reunited with the Mainland. For decades, the U.S. was largely hands-off in the conflict. Officially, the U.S. respected the One China doctrine so long as reunification was achieved peacefully, but would help Taiwan defend itself in the event of a Chinese invasion.

Aiding in Taiwan’s defense has largely meant supplying the island with defensive weapons. But last month, Biden took it a step further by suggesting that the U.S. would intervene militarily if an invasion took place. In the new talks, Xi cautioned Biden against encouraging Taiwan’s aspirations for independence, comparing it to “playing with fire”. Xi’s remarks may have also been prompted by recent statements by Australia’s defense minister, who said it was “inconceivable” that Australia would not join the U.S. in defending Taiwan militarily.

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