By Santee Ross, University of Montana

There are imitation tepees all over this country that can usually be seen at gas stations and highway side shows, and now, in downtown Missoula.

A Bitterroot Salish tepee has been erected at the Occupy Missoula event. According to a story in the Missoulian, the tepee has become the centerpiece at the event.

It’s supposed to represent the history of oppression as well as the heritage of indigenous people.

Personally I find it insulting because they have taken an aspect from the Native American culture and exploited it for their own cause.

Although a respected member of the tribe gave his blessing for the tepee to be set up I feel it should not be left in the hands of non-Natives to represent Native people.

I did support Occupy Missoula because I admired how local and widespread the Occupy Wall Street Movement has become.

But Occupy Missoula lost my support the moment they wanted to play Indian.

Poverty and unemployment are a daily reality on many reservations.

The national average of unemployment is 9.1 percent.

Then there’s the 66 percent unemployment rate for the Montana reservations and the 36% that are employed but are still below the poverty line.

If Occupy Missoula really wanted to include indigenous people in the movement they would ask tribal representatives or even members of the tribe to take a stand with them.

Lord knows we have a lot of demands we could make. Our demands would entail better funding for schools, health care programs, housing and management of tribal lands.

Of course the list could keep going but there wouldn’t be room on this blog for them.

So why aren’t we fighting for these demands right now?

Oh yea, tribal committees seem to be busy planning annual powwows.

Santee Ross (Hopi/Lakota) is from Lander, Wyo.