_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N ) O o O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o o o o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 01, ISSUE 007 O o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, O o O ( N E W S ) O <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters of the Invisible Band and those who share our spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. It is hoped that our presence will be rewarded with a Native American RoundTable on GEnie. Sitting together smoking the pipe, we form the circle without end, which contains within it every living thing upon this earth. -- John (Fire) Lame Deer O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! We have been given another article from our brother, Art Horovitch, and news from our sister, Ann Parsons, she is also feeding _Wotanging Ikche_ to Fidonet. I was going to include one of the artcles Ann had forwarded, but hesitate to do so. Repeating echos in a digest that will, itself, be forwarded tends to create infinite loops of the repeated articles. I try to find a way to avoid this problem while giving the Invisible Band benefit of Ann's fidonet echos. These are blessings of pledges from two of our Invisible Band. It is good we can share their gifts. For those awaiting news of the Tsalagi Fonts program being produced by Soaring Eagle, I have the following news item from Internet to share: From alt.native Tue May 4 16:21:34 1993 From: locicero-joe@yale.edu (Joe LoCicero) Subject: Tsalagi Font Release Delayed Hello world: I know that there are many of you out there looking forward to my release of the Tsalagi font (Cherokee) for Mac and Windows. Due to EXAMS (finals for Electrical Engineering, etc.), I have delayed the release of my font for two weeks (target date: May 15). Many of you have asked to "test drive" the font; I've even received diskettes from Gary Smith. However, as the font is not FINISHED yet, you would be test-driving only portions of the syllabary; there are no "bugs" as far as I can tell. I appreciate all of the interest, and I am sorry to keep you all waiting. Please "stay tuned" for more information. :] Do'dadago'hv, -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- -Joe LoCicero locicero@minerva.cis.yale.edu - --------------------------------------------------------------------- From this we know Soaring Eagle has the diskettes I sent him, and as soon as he can finish the program we will be included in his distribution. I have sent him wishes that he may do well in his finals. Mitaquye Oyasin! Night Owl ------------------ clip here for news feature -- 8< ----------- ---------- "Re: Medical Education of Native Americans" ---------- Subject: Medical Education of Native Americans From: bmbecker in igc:gen.nativeam I am interested in contacting native American activists or legal units with an interest in equal opportunity especially in education. I would like to know the number of native American graduates from medical schools in this country each year for the last 10 years and which schools they attended. I can be reached through internet my address is: bmbecker. If any reader is interested in a particular case and involovement in pursuing it please contact me as well. I feel that this is an overlooked area of education for native Americans. bmbecker ---------- "Re:MIA/POW connections" ---------- Subject: MIA/POW connections From: gars@genie.geis.com Anyone who has attended a Powwow knows that veterans are given a place of honor. Those who have served often proudly wear their uniform along with their beads and feathers. There are many who have served as warriors for their country who are still Missing In Action, and there is considerable reason to believe many are still held as Prisoners. The following information is provided for those who wish to honor the POW's/MIA's and keep their plight in the minds of those who represent us in congress. A POW/MIA Window Decal (for placing on the inside of a window) is available from: Mike McNeely, North Carolina State Coordinator Live POW Lobby of America 4345 N. C. 581 Highway Bailey, NC 27807 A $2.00 donation is suggested. A approximately 100 page "booklet" entitled _THE POW/MIA PROBLEM_ that is targeted toward Senators and Representatives is available for $4.00 from: Michael Van Atta P. O. Box 302 Chatham, NJ 07928 It is suggested you order one for forwarding to your own Congressional Delegate. ---------- "Re: Traffic Citations in Kahnewake Overturned" ---------- From: A.HOROVITCH Art Horovitch Subject: Traffic Citations in Kahnewake Overturned Traffic Citations in Kahnewake Overturned --------------------------------------------- Art Horovitch Montreal, Quebec April 3, 1993 A Quebec Superior Court judge last week overturned the convictions of 37 drivers who were given tickets in Kahnewake for traffic violations by the Mohawk Peacekeepers police force. The infractions occurred over the last year on one of several highways going through the reserve. Judge Henry Steinberg accepted the motorist's argument that they did not feel secure when entering the village of Kahnewake to challenge the tickets in the court on the reserve.Steinberg's judgement noted , "Everyone who is called before a court must not be prevented by fear for his safety in going there and defending himself." The judge concluded the fear must be reasonable, but based his decision in this regard largely on the testimony of two Surete de Quebec officers, who said the motorists questioned them about what to do regarding the tickets. The officers, Steve Lalande and Jean Roberge told them it was risky to enter the reserve. Roberge said he advises motorists to pay the tickets by mail, and if they wanted to contest the ticket, they would have to enter the reserve at their own peril. The motorists had asked for a halt to the proceedings, but judge Steinberg ordered a new trial in Longueil on the south shore of Montreal. Several of the motorists claimed that they were harassed or detained at the checkpoints to the village when they tried to go to the court on the reserve. According to testimony from several of the motorists, Guy Ouellete said that he was stopped by armed warriors at the checkpoint even when he showed them the court papers and he was told to get off the reserve. Another motorist, Jean Pierre Tougas testified that he was detained for an hour by six armed people when he he tried to present court documents at the checkpoint. On the other hand five of the motorists testified that they did not go to the reserve and had no personal knowledge of any threats made by armed Mohawks, but were afraid to go because of rumors and reports they had read in the newspapers. Lawrence Langevin, a Montreal motorist who received a $155 ticket from the Peacekeepers for speeding said that he has often visited Kahnewake and has had no problems. He claimed that everyone on the reserve had been very courteous, even allowing him to wait a month and then pay in installments since he was short of cash at the time. (A personal note: I have been to Kahnewake several times in the past year, usually to visit the bookstore. While the people at the checkpoint may appear intimidating, I have never seen weapons, and have always been allowed through after stating my business.) A recent article in the Montreal Gazette indicated that Claude Ryan, the Quebec minister of public security had said that the motorists had good reason to fear going to the reserve. He stated,"They (the motorists) were all the more justified because they had been advised to act in that way by the Surete du Quebec representatives in that area." One of the residents of Kahnewake, Robert Jacobs, quite upset at the decision, declared, "It's as if we are all gangsters in an Old West town. It's far from that. We are not lawless people." ---------- "Re: Native American Studies " ---------- From: Steven B. Denson Subject: Native American Studies Can anyone tell me which colleges and universities have Native American Studies programs? What are the ratings? Are there PhD. programs within these studies? Please post anything you may know regarding these programs. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Sincerely, Steven B. Denson Impsackta, Chickasaw Nation Subject: Re: Native American Studies From: ritchie@cs.uwp.edu (Mary Ritchie) There is a Native American studies program at Cornell University which is located in Ithaca, New York. You can get a Ph.D. from there, probably in combination with other disciplines. They have a newsletter which tells about their program. Cornell has had this program since 1924. University of New Mexico was planning to offer an undergraduate degree in Native American Studies as of 1990. Write to Director, Native American Studies Center, 1812 Las Lomas NE, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131. Or call 1-800-DIAL UNM for general information. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay offers a minor in Native American Studies. Penn State has a Native American Leadership program. Good luck, Mary Ritchie Subject: Re: Native American Studies From: bbs-comarow@jwt.oau.org (Bob Comarow) Black Hills State College - Subject: Re: Native American Studies From: demeler@selway.umt.edu (Borries Demeler/Biophysics) University of Montana has a well reputed Native American Studies program, however, it doesn't offer a Ph.D. As far as I know, Berkeley might offer the only Ph.D. program in Native American Studies in the country - but I may be wrong on this. To contact NAS at the University of Montana, you can write to NAS 600 University Ave. University of Montana Missoula, Montana 59812 Hope that helps, -Borries Subject: Re: Native American Studies From: eatkins@desire.wright.edu(Elizabeth) I just made a few inquiries myself and have it confirmed once again that the University of Montana at Missoula, has an excellent Native American Studies Program. However I don't know if they have a phd. program. You may want to check them out as they are already having fall re- gistration. Gollygeewillickers!:) If I knew how to retrieve some info that I have in mail while typing this I could give you the telephone number of who to contact there. Got it from a most nice person here on the news- group I did!:) I'll find it and mail it to you! Take care, Elizabeth:) Subject: Re: Native American Studies From: eatkins@desire.wright.edu (Elizabeth) Bettina Burke(secretary)or Bonnie Craig(Dir. of Native American Studies) 600 University Avenue Department of Native American Studies University of Montana Missoula, Montana 59812 I have heard nothing but good things about the program there. Though I have not been there personally to check it out, I trust the *word* of my sources. Hope to get started there soon myself!:) Take care, all the best Elizabeth:) ---------- "Re: All Our Relations Assembly" ---------- From: Roger Martindill, Project North "Circle" Subject: All Our Relations Assembly EZHl MAANWI NAWENDYING MAANPII KIING GGI WENSIINH All Our Relations AT Neyaashiinigmiing Anishnabek Park (Cape Croker Park) JUNE 26, 27, 1993 CHIPPEWAS OF NAWASH PROJECT NORTH "CIRCLE" For more information contact Roger Martindill (519) 794-3031 or Ethel Fuhr (519) 534-2144 ALL OUR RELATIONS The United Nations has designated 1993 as the Year of Indigenous People. The Project North Circle wishes to recognize this year as a time to celebrate the true beauty of life. It is a belief that within the Circle of Life, the very young and the very old are those which are closest to the Creator. Within the young, we see the exuberance, and innocence of new life and in the Old Ones, we see those who speak about harmony and respect for all living things. Indigenous people on a world scale are seeking a return to a more caring relationship with the Earth. Our Mother the Earth has always provided all living beings with the nurturing that is necessary for the sustainment of life. She does not discriminate between the winged in the air, the four- legged in the woods, or towards Man as two-legged beings. She gives freely to all. The circle of life teaches us that everything in life is our relation. The thunder, the owl, the oceans, and all mankind. We are all related. We are taught to respect one another, and to respect all life in the natural world. The combination of all possible sounds emanating from Nature over eons of time can be called the Song of Life of our planet. The meaning of that Song can be heard in the voices of our Wise Ones and in the innocence of children. The power of that Song can be felt in the wind, the rains, and the evening silence. The beauty of that Song can be seen in every glistening dew drop, in the rising and setting of the Sun, and in the riot of colours seen everywhere in Nature. That Song of Life teaches us that everything is our relation and we need to seek to find the balance in life through respect and wisdom. As human beings our own voices can add harmony to that Song ... or it can add disharmony. The Project North Circle invites you to participate in Ezhi maanwi nawendying maanpii kiing ggi wensiinh. "All Men were created Equal in the eyes of the Great Spirit Chief" Chief Joseph Nez Perce WHO WILL BE THERE? Come to hear "Voices for Mother Earth and Nature" with Local Elders, Educators, Healers, Historians, Women. "All My Relations" will help us understand Native spirituality, culture, and the vision for the future of all living creatures. Agenda: SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1993 Sunrise Ceremony Saturday A.M. 9:30 A.M. Opening Ceremony 9:30 - 12:00 Sessions Open Discussion Lunch 1:OO- 4:30 P.M. Sessions Open Discussion 5:00 P.M. Fish Fry Evening Entertainment: Drumming, Dancing SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993 Sunrise Ceremony 9:30 - 11:30 Sessions Open Discussion 11:30 A.M. Closing Ceremony PROJECT NORTH "CIRCLE" is using a new approach to this gathering with regards to funding and promotion. In the past assemblies have had large budgets, which resulted in long hours of paperwork, dependence on government agencies, and lack of flexibility. We are avoiding many of these pitfalls by keeping our budget small. It has also become apparent that people who attend these gatherings are willing to help and contribute in some way. It is our belief that if we are going to continue with these types of Assemblies, support and assistance needs to come from the grass roots level. To this effect we are enlisting your help in making this, and future gatherings a success. Here are some things you can do: 1. Distribute flyers - libraries, schools, churches, organizations. 2. Send your registration. Get others to send in registrations. 3. Bring own lawn chairs, plates, cutlery (avoid garbage). For your convenience in cooperation with Cape Croker Park we offer the opportunity to pre-register for camping Friday night June 25. and Saturday, June 26th. Any additional camping arrangement can be made at the Park. Camping is $14 1 night, $16 Hydro, $13 Rough Area, $3 Day Pass Send Name, address, phone #, number in party, number of nights stay and a cheque for $25 for registration and mail to: Project North Circle Box 705 Wiarton, Ont N0H 2T0 ---------- "Re: Oren Lyons, Speech to UN, 12/10/92" ---------- From: milo@scicom.alphacdc.com (Michele Lord) Subject: Oren Lyons, Speech to UN, 12/10/92 [This speech was transcribed from audio tape by: Craig Carpenter, P.O. Box 590, Hoopa, CA 95546. I wish to express my appreciation for his effort. -Michele] Haudenosaunee (People of the Long House), aka "Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy," Faithkeeper, Chief Oren Lyons addressed the delegates to the United Nations Organization by opening "The Year of the Indigenous Peoples" (1993) in the United Nations General Assembly Auditorium, United Nations Plaza, New York City, New York, December 10, 1992. This is (verbatim) that opening statement: CHIEF OREN LYONS: "For all of us. I am Oren Lyons, Haudenosaunee, and speaking on behalf of the Indigenous People of North America, this Great Turtle Island. Mr. President, distinguished delegates, Chiefs, Clan Mothers, Leaders and Members of the World's Indigenous Nations and Peoples, we thank you, The General Assembly, for the recognition and the proclamation of "1993, The International Year of the Indigenous Peoples," for the theme of, "Indigenous Peoples, a New Partnership." We thank Madam Chairman Repal Chur (sp?) of the Working Group for Indigenous Populations for consistent, enthusiastic support, and Diaz. And at this time, we recognize the inspiration and spiritual force of Augusto Williamson Diaz, for his vision of such a day as this, and our gratitude to those leaders of Indigenous Peoples and people who also had the vision of this day for our people, who put their blood, their sweat and their tears into this moment. And to those who are no longer here, our profound gratitude and appreciation. This proclamation brings home inspiration and renewed dedication to our quest for self-determination, justice, freedom and peace in our Homelands and our Territories. Indeed, the quest is a renewal of what we enjoyed before the coming of our White Brothers from across the sea. We lived contentedly under the Gai Eneshah Go' Nah, The Great Law of Peace. We were instructed to create societies based on the principles of Peace, Equity, Justice, and the Power of Good Minds. Our societies are based upon great democratic principles of the authority of the people and equal responsibilities for the men and the women. This was a great way of life across this Great Turtle Island and freedom with respect was everywhere. Our leaders were instructed to be men of vision and to make every decision on behalf of the seventh generation to come; to have compassion and love for those generations yet unborn. We were instructed to give thanks for All That Sustains Us. Thus, we created great ceremonies of Thanksgiving for the life-giving forces of the Natural World, as long as we carried out our ceremonies, life would continue. We were told that 'The Seed is the Law.' Indeed, it is The Law of Life. It is The Law of Regeneration. Within the seed is the mysterious force of life and creation. Our mothers nurture and guard that seed and we respect and love them for that. Just as we love I hi do' hah, our Mother Earth, for the same spiritual work and mystery. We were instructed to be generous and to share equally with our brothers and sisters so that all may be content. We were instructed to respect and love our Elders, to serve them in their declining years, to cherish one another. We were instructed to love our children, indeed, to love ALL children. We were told that there would come a time when parents would fail this obligation and we could judge the decline of humanity by how we treat our children. We were told that there would come a time when the world would be covered with smoke, and that it would take our elders and our children. It was difficult to comprehend at the time, but now all we have to do is but to walk outside to experience that statement. We were told that there would come a time when we could not find clean water to wash ourselves, to cook our foods, to make our medicines, and to drink. And there would be disease and great suffering. Today we can see this and we peer into the future with great apprehension. We were told there would come a time when, tending our gardens, we would pull up our plants and the vines would be empty. Our precious seed would begin to disappear. We were instructed that we would see a time when young men would pace back and forth in front of their chiefs and leaders in defiance and confusion. There are some specific issues I must bring forward on behalf of our Nations and Peoples. North America: The issue of nuclear and toxic waste dumps on our precious lands; the policy of finding a place for the waste with the poorest and most defenseless of peoples today. This bring the issue of the degradation of our environment by these waste dumps, over-fishing, over-cutting of timber, and toxic chemicals from mining processes throughout our lands. Treaty violations: We have with the United States and Canada 371 ratified Treaties and Agreements. The Ruby Valley Treaty of the Western Shoshone is a prime example of what the violation of treaties brings: human rights violations, forced removals, disenfranchisements of traditional people with confiscations of their property and livestock. The refusal to recognize and support religious freedoms of our people and the decisions by the (U.S.) Supreme Court which incorporates this attitude into Federal Law. This translates into the violation of Sacred Sites. Mt. Graham in the Apache Country is now a project site for an observatory, causing great stress to the Apache People who have depended upon the spiritual forces of this mountain for survival. Ironically, a partner in this project is the Vatican, and even further, it has proposed to name this project 'Columbus.' The appropriation of our intellectual properties is continuous and devastating. Land is the issue. Land has always been the issue with Indigenous Peoples. Original title is a problem for all of you. We must try to reach an agreement on a more level playing field that allows us to, at least, a chance for survival. Our brother, Leonard Peltier, has been too long in prison, In 1993, to signal a new attitude ---and what better than his release after 16 years --- symbolic of the exercise of dominion over our Peoples. All this has come from across the seas. The catastrophes that we have suffered at the hands of our brothers from across the seas has been unremitting and inexcusable. It has crushed our people, and our Nations, down through the centuries. You brought us disease and death, and the idea of Christian dominion over heathens, pagans, savages. Our lands were declared 'vacant' by Papal Bulls, which created law to justify the pillaging of our land. We were systematically stripped of our resources, religions and dignity. Indeed, we became resources of labor from goldmines and canefields. Life for us was unspeakable, cruel. Our black and dark-skinned brothers and sisters were brought here from distant lands to share our misery and suffering and death. Yet, we survived. I stand before you as a manifestation of the spirit of our people, and our will to survive. The Wolf, our Spiritual Brother, stands beside us and we are alike in the Western mind -- hated, admired, and still a mystery to you, and still undefeated. So then, what is the message I bring to you today? Is it our common future? It seems to me that we are living in a time of prophecy, a time of definitions and decisions. We are the generation with the responsibilities and the option to choose the The Path of Life for the future of our children , or, the life and path which defies the Laws of Regeneration. Even though you and I are in different boats, you in your boat and we in our canoe, we share the same River of Life -- what befalls me, befalls you. And downstream, downstream in this River of Life, our children will pay for our selfishness, for our greed, and for our lack of vision. 500 years ago, you came to our pristine lands of great forests, rolling plains, crystal clear lakes and streams and rivers. And we have suffered in your quest for God, for Glory, for Gold. But, we have survived. Can we survive another 500 years of "sustainable development?" I don't think so. Not in the definitions the put 'sustainable' in today. I don't think so. So, reality and the Natural Law will prevail: The Law of the Seed and Regeneration. We can still alter our course. It is NOT too late. We still have options. We need the courage to change our values to the regeneration of our families, the life that surrounds us. Given this opportunity, we can raise ourselves. We must join hands with the rest of Creation and speak of Common Sense, Responsibility, Brotherhood, and PEACE. We must understand that The Law *is* the Seed and only as True Partners can we survive. On behalf of the Indigenous People of the Great Turtle Island, I give my appreciation and thanks. Dah ney' to. Now I am finished. (Oren Lyons received a standing ovation and shouts of approval from Indian spectators.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Michele Lord + If you have come here to help me, + you are wasting your time..... Alpha Institute + But if you have come because + your liberation is bound up with mine, milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + then let us work together. Aboriginal Woman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~