In apology to American Indians, Chicago pol references ‘peace pipe’
Offering to ‘smoke a peace pipe’ with the tribe you just offended is no way to mend a bridge, as one Chicago politician learned on Tuesday.
He started by angering local American Indians with his resolution proposing a “Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation” to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Dearborn in Chicago.
Joseph Podlasek, executive director of Chicago’s American Indian Center, told the Chicago Tribune that Burke’s resolution failed to include the Native American point of view, particularly that of Potawatomi tribe members who not only were killed in the fighting, but also tried to warn U.S. soldiers.
So, Burke reached out to Podlasek to find some common ground—and suggested they smoke a peace pipe.
What was Burke puffing on?
Podlasek told the Tribune:
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