Natives know about apologies pretty well, especially from the U.S. government. But I have come to learn that receiving an apology doesn't always make amends, especially when it involves the U.S. government.

An apology doesn't fix the crippled IHS system that reflects a neglect by the U.S. government of their trust and treaty responsibilities.

An apology doesn't fix the over reach of state jurisdiction into sovereign tribal lands caused by Public Law 280

An apology doesn't fix continuous fights over children under the clear laws and intentions behind the Indian Child Welfare Act.

An apology doesn't fix ongoing racism against native all across Indian Country and other native lands.

An apology doesn't fix further degradation of the environment and nature that negatively impacts native communities, which was ruled to be a violation of the treaties.

An apology doesn't fix the wrongful political imprisonment of Leonard Peltier.

And an apology certainly doesn't fix all of the land theft that has continued down to our day, including examples such as the theft of about 1/8 of the land comprising the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota which has never been returned.

So with the DNC and Bernie Sanders... An apology doesn't mean a whole lot when they refuse to fix their corrupt and broken system.

I don't have many more words for the current U.S. election going on, I would hope that who ever gets into office works toward preserving tribal sovereignty. With both the current candidates, I am unsure of our future with regard to the actions of the United States. But what I do know is that my feelings are summed up by my chief:

"Good words do not last long unless they amount to something. Words do not pay for my dead people. They do not pay for my country, now overrun by white men. They do not protect my father’s grave. They do not pay for all my horses and cattle.

Good words cannot give me back my children. Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk."

--Chief Joseph