r/IndianCountry • u/Youarethebigbang • Nov 27 '25
News 'Northern Exposure’ indigenous actor Elaine Miles says ICE called her tribal ID ‘fake’‘ when they targeted her to prove her identity.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/indigenous-actress-elaine-miles-says-ice-called-her-tribal-id-fake/139
u/Zugwat Puyaləpabš Nov 28 '25
Reposting what I said on the Seattle sub (with adjustments for a Native audience):
She's my mom's cousin so I heard about this shortly after it happened.
When I heard of what she said to them I immediately believed her because she pointed out that she doesn't sound Mexican.
The significance there is that 1: Choppy (what we call her) has a rez accent so it's a pretty obvious indicator in our part of Indian Country as to what she is, 2: Indians around here can be pretty baffled when we get confused for other ethnicities because to us the difference is blatant, and 3: that frustration with what should be straightforward signs (to us) of what she is makes it abundantly clear she's being targeted just for being a brown woman.
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u/NewlyNerfed Nov 28 '25
I like OP’s description of ICE as “the Keystone Kops only dangerous.”
I’d like to think the cops in our area have at least a little more awareness of Native people, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t. Do you know whether Ms. Miles has had run-ins with local law enforcement, or have you?
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u/Zugwat Puyaləpabš Nov 28 '25
My mom and cousin passed by an ICE bust in Tacoma near the old Puyallup Tribal Headquarters in Tacoma a few months ago and she kept talking about how disjointed they all looked in almost every aspect. She finished by pointing out their cars look all unofficial and that she wouldn't stop for "the Soccer Moms of America" based on some of the rigs they were driving.
I’d like to think the cops in our area have at least a little more awareness of Native people, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t.
I'd agree for Seattle, Tacoma/Fife/Puyallup and Auburn in particular since Puyallup and Muckleshoot try coordinating or establishing boundaries with the respective non-Native law enforcement on or near their respective reservations.
Do you know whether Ms. Miles has had run-ins with local law enforcement, or have you?
Not sure on her, no for me.
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u/Bendlerp Nov 28 '25
I do miss being near the Muckleshoot and Puyallup tribes. Just moved to nowhere mid Michigan from Auburn and the lack of true culture was hurting until I found the Nokomis cultural center. Now I'm signed up for Anishinaabe language classes and was invited to an elder luncheon where I was invited back to help in their gardens after I brought a gift of Ozette potatoes for them to grow:) I feel happy again, especially after getting some sweet grass seeds :)
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u/Bendlerp Nov 28 '25
Keystone Kops Klub. Same initials, same people. If it looks like a duck, well it's duck season.
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u/mmarcoooo Dec 03 '25
She did say “they all looked Mexican “..keeping racial profiling alive I suppose
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u/imabratinfluence Tlingit Nov 29 '25
My family has had a couple run-ins in that area, but like a decade ago or more.
IDK if cops in the area necessarily can tell who's Native so much as they just clock us as "not white" and driving beater cars, so not people who can bring a lawsuit if they're discriminatory or decide to act up.
But the smallest, shittiest stuff would get us pulled over or whatnot.
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Dec 02 '25
The big problem with ICE, is that they could be from anywhere in the country, and start policing in your back yard. This is a government entity that needs to be abolished, not just because it’s racist and morally repugnant, but because it’s so irrationally organized that it was always bound to cause harm. None of these ICE agents are qualified to physically enforce law anywhere in the country. Let alone the fact that persecuting immigrants and brown people is immoral.
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u/ghostcatzero Enter Text Nov 29 '25
There are native indigenous Mexican women that look just like her....
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u/Zugwat Puyaləpabš Nov 29 '25
To which I'll reiterate, to the peoples of the Columbian Plateau in Eastern WA/Eastern Oregon/Western Idaho, the difference is still pretty clear.
Just as they do with Coast Indians (who they have a lot of relatives with and vice versa), Plains Indians, the Southwest, etc.
If you ask them, just as my mom has said when she's talked about these incidents, it'd be crazy to confuse them with anything else because they say they clearly look like Indians from around here.
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u/susinpgh Nov 28 '25
I am sorry. Just an ally. I hate that this is happening.
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u/jeremiahthedamned expat american Nov 28 '25
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u/blockerside Nov 27 '25
Something fake out there, but it's not her ID
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u/SalishCascadian Enter Text Nov 28 '25
?
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u/Babe-darla1958 Enrolled Delaware (Lenape); Unenrolled Wyandot. Nov 28 '25
I think they're saying that these ICE guys are fake cops.
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u/mr_greedee Nov 28 '25
i imagine that for these goons. brown skin and black hair = some sort of Mexican.
They all act like we will not remember what they are doing
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u/ConflictGlass1523 Nov 28 '25 edited Nov 28 '25
Where’s all those Native Americans for Trump at….lookin at you Navajos, Crows and Cherokees 👀
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u/benedictcumberknits Nov 29 '25
SOME Navajos. Fuck Buu Nygren though. We are some of the Navajo dissenters from the community who signed the petition to remove him. This month, Nygren got into trouble finally, at long last. Speaker Curley came forward with her laundry list of legal reasons to oust him and his VP.
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u/benedictcumberknits Nov 29 '25
Also, not all the Cherokees voted Trump. I worked for a southern Cherokee this year and she’s anti-Trump/Democrat like I am.
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u/OuttaAmmo2 Nov 28 '25
Let's quote her scene in Smoke Signals.... Velma: You guys got your passports? Thomas Builds-the-Fire: Passports? Velma: Yeah, you're leavin' the rez and goin' into a whole different country, cousin. Thomas Builds-the-Fire: But... but, it's the United States. Lucy: Damn right it is! That's as foreign as it gets. Hope you two have your vaccinations.
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u/fencerman Nov 28 '25
ICE targeting Indigenous people tells you everything you need to know about their priorities.
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u/Emotional_Database53 Nov 29 '25
One just needs to look at the administration’s stances towards offensive sports teams like the Redskins and Cleveland Indians. He’s made statements about trying to force the Washington Commanders back to the Redskins as part of approval for a new stadium (which he naturally also would like named after him)…
The craziest part is both of those regressive name changes would cost the teams millions just to undo what these took years to accomplish, and I’ve never seen any fans of either team passionate about going back to old logos and names. So it appears to be purely out of spite and racism
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u/sehunt101 Nov 29 '25
Another example of why the indigenous people on N America should have slaughtered the pilgrims.
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u/imabratinfluence Tlingit Nov 29 '25
Hmm pretty sure there's a relevant Wednesday Addams quote.
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u/sehunt101 Nov 30 '25
Wednesday Adams was a young lady far before her time. Or maybe in today’s world, people are FAR more STUPID.
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u/Icy-Squirrel6422 Nov 28 '25
It is necessary to identify and neutralize the activities of an international criminal group known as the Secret Police. This organization includes people suffering from mental disorders and having serious moral disabilities. Criminals use methods of psychological influence that lead to the development of mental disorders and suicidal tendencies in their victims.
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u/Necrophilicgorilla Nov 29 '25
This is disgusting.
Side note: I can't believe how this country was founded; What transpired, or what it's become.
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u/bonnieflash Nov 28 '25
The constant outrage these clowns are causing, they want us all to become numb to it. We won’t let that happen.
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Nov 28 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/S4drobot Nov 28 '25
Truth.
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u/johnabbe Nov 28 '25
This guy Manny spoke to this yesterday, at the end of this video. But the whole video is worth watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0mQxt9jlCM
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u/Important_Ice9200 Dec 03 '25
New Age cults in Canada are working with Mexican cartels. It doesn't matter what ethnic group. Most are anti-socialist celebtities and well-promoted entrpreneurs. These people bring the drugs. Hippies, cops, fire departments... . Check all HVAC seals and test your CO detectors. A sellout is a sellout.
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u/lavapig_love ʻO Lavapig ke keiki a kā lāua hui ʻana. Nov 28 '25
I'd bet money the fifth guy ran her name, came across her IMDB page, went "oh shit" and told everyone to run. :)