Albert Bender

Albert Bender is a Cherokee activist, historian, political columnist, and freelance reporter. He is currently writing a legal treatise on Native American sovereignty and working on a book on the war crimes committed by the U.S. against the Maya people in the Guatemalan civil war He is a consulting attorney on Indigenous sovereignty, land restoration, and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) issues.

LATEST ARTICLES BY Albert Bender

Politics

Indigenous gather to protest birthday party for genocidal U.S. President Andrew Jackson
March 24, 2023 By Albert Bender
Jackson’s 256th birthday was no cause for celebration for Indigenous people in Nashville.
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Politics

Tennessee legislative committee hears bill to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day
March 14, 2023 By Albert Bender
Indigenous representatives were upset that the committee delayed outright approval.
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Environment

Water Protector and intrepid warrior Joye Braun passes on
January 6, 2023 By Albert Bender
She was the first to set up her lodge in the snow at Standing Rock to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
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Opinion

Thanksgiving’s genocidal history continues amid family gatherings and celebrations
November 23, 2022 By Albert Bender
Another Thanksgiving—called “Thankstaking” in many Indigenous circles—comes and goes, but its bloody background forever lingers on.
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Opinion

Overturning the Indian Child Welfare Act would renew genocide of Indigenous nations
November 22, 2022 By Albert Bender
The ICWA safeguards tribal sovereignty by recognizing a Tribal nation’s authority to care for its children. The Supreme Court could destroy that.
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Culture

Cherokee Indian Fair back after pandemic cancellations
October 20, 2022 By Albert Bender
Having attended the fair since I was a child made this a particularly joyous occasion.
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U.S.

Nashville’s Interstate 65 becomes a billboard gallery of ancient Indigenous history
September 19, 2022 By Albert Bender
The installation is informing the public about the magnificence of ancient Indigenous cultures in the Nashville area that were all part and parcel of the Mississippian civilizations.
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Opinion

Supreme Court anti-Native decision sets stage for Tribal-State conflict
September 6, 2022 By Albert Bender
The Court stated in its inflammatory decision that Indian Country is part of state territory. This is incredibly shocking and betrays an apparent complete ignorance of Federal Indian law.
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