Lessons from our discussion on Afro-Indigeneity, Freedmen, and Political Activism
This week we had the privilege of engaging with Sache D. Primeaux-Shaw, MPA, an influential community activist with a rich background in both Afro-Indigenous and Freedmen experiences. Sache, an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma with Seminole and Chickasaw descent, shared invaluable insights into the complexities of identity, heritage, and political activism.
Sache's dedication to her community is evident through her extensive involvement in various initiatives. A co-founder of the Ralph Ellison Foundation Reading Clinic and the Queens Club, Sache has continuously worked to empower young girls of color in Northeast Oklahoma City. Her background in political science and public administration, coupled with her active roles in organizations like the Urban League of Greater OKC Young Professionals and the Young Democrats of America, positions her as a formidable advocate for both Black and Indigenous communities.
Sache’s presentation centered on the unique challenges faced by descendants of the Oklahoma Freedmen—formerly enslaved individuals once owned by Native tribes—highlighting the ongoing struggles for recognition and inclusion. This reveals an important intersection between Afro-Indigeneity and Freedmen Issues and their shared roots under settler colonialism. In Oklahoma, tribal erasure and political disenfranchisement remain pressing issues, even with the citys first ever Indigenous Mayor David Holt (Osage Nation) at the helm. The historical and present-day complexities faced by these communities call for a nuanced understanding of where the fight for liberation originates and calls for a robust approach to advocacy and support that is inclusive of these complex identities.
Sache’s activism spans across community education, political campaigns, and progressive initiatives. She has worked tirelessly to engage BIPOC communities, educate them on history, and political processes, and advocate for their rights. Despite stepping back from direct political roles, her focus remains on supporting her communities and allies like the Taino Nation of Boriken, reflecting the importance of working both within and outside systems to effect change and create new pathways forward.
Our discussion also touched on the significant work of people like Damario Solomon-Simmons, a lawyer dedicated to the cause of Freedmen descendants and Black Creek Indians. His efforts to secure recognition and rights for these groups offer a blueprint for similar advocacy within the Taino community. As we navigate our path to legitimacy and recognition, building alliances with such advocates will be crucial.
Our meeting exposed the challenges within the Taino community, particularly concerning legitimacy and transparent processes. Early leaders in the Taino Movement often leveraged connections with tribes for personal gain, leading to skepticism and distrust between one another. To move forward, we believe we must establish a legitimate enrollment process, differentiate our approach, and ensure transparency. This involves recognizing our matriarchal and matrilineal heritage, addressing the colonial lens that has distorted our history, and engaging in genuine connections based on shared cultural practices, mutual respect, and mutual support.
We thank Sache for her time and for helping us maintain a multifaceted, intersectional approach to achieving recognition and sovereignty. By learning from the experiences of Afro-Indigenous communities and Freedmen, and by addressing our internal challenges transparently and inclusively, we can build a resilient and self-determined future for the Taino Nation of Boriken.
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