Ward Churchill, Ripoff Artist

Lawrence White at Division of Labour links to several pieces shooting down Ward Churchill's claim that he is of American Indian descent. Here's one link from the American Indian Movement and a quote:

The sorry part of this is Ward Churchill has fraudulently represented himself as an Indian, and a member of the American Indian Movement, a situation that has lifted him into the position of a lecturer on Indian activism. He has used the American Indian Movement’s chapter in Denver to attack the leadership of the official American Indian Movement with his misinformation and propaganda campaigns.

Ward Churchill has been masquerading as an Indian for years behind his dark glasses and beaded headband. He waves around an honorary membership card that at one time was issued to anyone by the Keetoowah Tribe of Oklahoma. Former President Bill Clinton and many others received these cards, but these cards do not qualify the holder a member of any tribe. He has deceitfully and treacherously fooled innocent and naïve Indian community members in Denver, Colorado, as well as many other people worldwide. Churchill does not represent, nor does he speak on behalf of the American Indian Movement.

This stuff about WC reminds me of a fellow in Missouri (back in 1993 or early 1994) who had branded himself "Chief Wannadoobee." He claimed that he was of American Indian descent and, therefore, his property was its own nation and he could legally grow marijuana on it. Just to spite officials, he painted a big target on top of his house, basically daring officials to shoot at him from the air.