Six Nations

Tutoring Obama

The Obama Administration is the first presidency to deny the right of travel to members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. As the six nations that tutored the founders of the United States on democratic governance, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) have maintained their independence, including the right to issue their own passports. Now, it seems, as Obama drags his feet on abiding by international law when it comes to indigenous nations, the Haudenosaunee may have to look to international institutions to guarantee their human rights.

Update: After a five-day standoff with the State Department, they thought they were on their way, but due to power-tripping by the US and Britain, have now had to forfeit their game against England in the world championships. The Haudenosaunee dispute with Canada, home to half the team’s players, has a long involved history.