Subject: nanews02.027 From: gars@netcom.com (Gary Night Owl) To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Message-ID: _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' 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 02, ISSUE 027 O o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 2 July 1994 O o O ( N E W S ) O This issue contains articles from NATIVE-L and NATCHAT Mailing Lists, Usenet alt.native & soc.culture.native Newsgroups, FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference, and by members of the Invisible Band. <----<<<< >>>>----> 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 archived at the Native American FTP site ftp.cit.cornell.edu in the directory /pub/special/NativeProfs/newsletters; and is being sent to gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us (Gary S. Trujillo) should he wish to include it in his NATIVE-L or NATCHAT lists. " Children are our greatest treasure. The new generation coming up. We won't disappear. We shall live!" __ Pete Catches, Oglala +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! It is our way to repeat what is important. There are elders who need your help. Help them. There are children that need your love. Love them. Look about you. No matter where you are, unless you are also in prison, you have more freedom, more room, more to look forward to than those who languish in iron houses. Reach out to them. If you have not written letters on behalf of Leonard Peltier, Eddie Hatcher and others whose fate you can help determine, write those letters now. If you have written them, write them again, and again, and again. What is a few moments of your time that you would not enjoy more knowing you have made the time for others better? Mitakuye Oyasin! Night Owl , , (*,*) Gary Night Owl gars%owlstar.UUCP@mathcs.emory.edu (`-') P. O. Box 672168 gars@genie.geis.com ===w=w=== Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@netcom.com ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- Part A: FidoNet, Usenet and e-mail Part B: NATCHAT and NATIVE-L lists - Narragansett Indians - Conferences and Powwows - online - Naskapi - Cherokee Religion? - For Ontario First NAtions - Update on Peltier Freedom Rally - Canada News Briefs - Urban Indians - Mashentucket Pequot Casino - Indians, Wannabe's, and Others... - URGENT: Mt. Graham Action - Walk Across Europe 1995 - RED INK: Indian Student Publication - Detroit Urban Indians - Poetry: Carrying the Feather - Blood Thirsty Savages: - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days Poems by Adrian C. Louis - Conferences and Powwows - offline ------------------ clip here for news feature -- 8< ------------ --------- "RE: Narragansett Indians" --------- Date: Jun-17-94 06:17:10 From: Barbara Wallace (barbara.wallace@f235.n327.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: Narragansett Indians FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference FROM AN ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE, JUNE 9, 1994 RI SEEKS DELAY IN COURT RULING Providence--The state will ask an appellate court to hold off on having a decision take effect involving the proposed Narragansett Indian casino, officials said Tuesday. Last week, the 1st Circuit court of Appeals in Boston said it would not have its full court reconsider a decision made by a three-judge panel that said the tribe had the authority to run a casino in Charleston under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Attorney General Jeff Pine said the state will ask the appellate court to stay the effect of its decision to give the state time to consider whether to appeal to the US Supreme Court. The state has six months in which to negotiate an agreement with the tribe on the casino. The time clock would start when the decision takes effect. --- Maximus 2.00 Origin: Doc's BBS! (1:327/235) --------- "RE: Naskapi " --------- Date: Jun-23-94 23:05:00 From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: Naskapi FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference The Naskapi Nations reports that Hydro Quebec is over looking data that has to do with the construction of its Great Whale Projects. Seems as if Hydro has put out a 5,000 page report and the Naskapi feel that Hydro_Quebec have failed in pointing out its negative finding. They made this charge yesterday when the report was released to the public.. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Below is the report in today paper....Montreal Gazette. Written by GRAEME HAMILTON... Hydro-Quebec used only data favoring construction of its Great Whale hydro-electric project and overlooked negative results when putting together its 5,000-page study of the dams' impacts, Quebec's Naskapi Indians charge in a report made public yesterday. The Naskapi report focuses on the $ 13.3-billion project's effects on the George River Caribou herd, which migrates between the Naskapi community of Kawawachikamach near Schefferville and land to the west that would be flooded by Great Whale. A report, written by Universite Laval researchers Lucie Lavigueur and Cyrille Barrette, says Hydro's study shows a clear lack of objectivity. Hydro's conclusions at times contradict information provided earlier in the report, it says. "It leaves the impression that only elements in favor of the development of the Great Whale project were kept by the proponent." The Naskapi report says Hydro's impact study failed to take into account the large margin of error in population counts of the caribou herd, which could range between 436,000 and 930,000 animals. The study also lacks data on the herd's birth rate, despite signs that the rate declined 20 per cent between 1980 and 1987, it says. Raynald Marcoux, environment co-ordinator for the Naskapi Land holding Corp., said Hydro also came up short in assessing the project's impact on Naskapi outfitters. They will suffer, he said, because it will become cheaper for hunters to drive to the region when it is linked to the south by road. He also said Hydro made no effort to identify burial sites spread across the land to be flooded. A period for public comment on Hydro's study closes on Monday. Provincial and federal committees will then have to determine whether Hydro has supplied the information demanded of it. If the study is deemed complete, public hearings will be held. Otherwise, Hydro will be asked for more information. --- SLMAIL v4.0 (#1349) Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (1:167/502) --------- "RE: For Ontario First NAtions" --------- Date: Jun-23-94 19:20:00 From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: For Ontario First NAtions FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference "On behalf of all the non-Natives it governs, Govt of Ontario makes another rent payment to the First NAtions who choose to share the land with them..." (Which is a more truthful byline than the, "Ontario program to help natives" that some editor with no knowledge of history used in the original.) (By James Rusk, for the Globe & Mail, national edition, 21/06/94) Toronto - Ontario will spend $142.4-million over the next five years to address the health and social problems of aboriginal communities, the government announced today. The operating cost of the program will rise from $7.2-million this year to $33.5-million in the fifth year. Capital spending over the five years will be $15.9-million. The money for the program will come from existing spending within four ministries, according to Bud Wildman, the (provincial) minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. The program, intended to deal with problems such as family violence, youth suicide and substance abuse, was drawn up after extensive consultation with aboriginal peoples in Ontario. Among the proposed projects are traditional healing lodges, shelters and safe-homes for those leaving violent situations, crisis intervention teams to deal with suicides, primary health centres and birthing centres. Sylvia Maracle, executive director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, said the program "is different from all other strategies to date because it was designed by aboriginal people on and off reserve." In Br... --- SLMAIL v4.0 (#1349) Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (1:167/502) --------- "RE: Canada News Briefs" --------- Date: Jun-23-94 23:24:00 From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: News Brief FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference Ottawa.... Chief Phil Fontaine opts out of AFN Leadership race... Regina.... Gaming agreement table for Saskatchewan. A deal has been struck between the province and Saskatchewan native on building a casino B.C...... Irwin Minister of Indian Affairs has been slapped with a summons by B.C. Natives. He is being taken to court by Thomas Lindley and Raymond Derickson. According to them its a last resort as part of a four year battle to prevent a conspiracy to to extinguish Indian people. Montreal... Self-government talks heat up as elections grow near. Cree meeting, they believe its up to them and not a separate Quebec that is going to do it for them... B.C. A legal battle has left a band without fund as it fights Alcan Kemano 2 Project.. They have spent $235,000 but could only raise $91,000. Leaving them with a deficit of over $100,000.. They are asking for help.. Anyone that would like to help can send need cash to Royal Bank of Canada, Account #500249-8, Burns Lake Branch. If you do send anything, please contact Chief Marvin Charlie Cheslatta Carrier Nation. P.O. Box 909, Burns Lake, B.C. Vancouver.... Squamish First Nations are entering a deal to build a new bridge with a Montreal firm to upgrade the crossing from Vancouver to the North Shore. Plans were unveiled in Vancouver on May 25th. Arizona.... Derrick R Davis, a Hopi/Choctaw from Phoenix took first place in the adult division of the Tony White Cloud World Champion Hoop Dance Contest. <<<---------------->>> Well that is it for this time....Sorry I don't have the time to enter the 100's of Pow-wows across Canada but if you are near one please post the dates to share with others. I have posted some and will try to get in some more this weekend. But with the sun high in the sky, and the grass so green. Well golf is where you will find me... Save the trees and post messages on your local Native BBS...But if you have to, re-cycle those newspapers and help save a few trees. Peace --- SLMAIL v4.0 (#1349) Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (1:167/502) --------- "RE: Mashentucket Pequot Casino" --------- Date: Jun-22-94 08:34:52 From: Sysop Tiwa (tiwa@f999.n327.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: Mashentucket Pequot Casino FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference Hello to all, It has been long time since I have posted in this echo. I am Sysop Tiwa from the Reservation BBS. I am the creator and moderator of this echo and very proud of where it has gone. I would like to say thank you to all of you for carrying on the spirit of the Native American people across the world. I would now like to tell you a little about a tribe in Connecticut, the Mashentucket Pequot Tribe. I am not sure but most of you have heard about this tribe in the news. The Mashentucket Pequot Tribe is the tribe that runs and owns Foxwoods Casino. I work at Foxwoods and work directly for the tribe. At the Foxwoods I work for The Gaming Commission (TGC). What that means is as part of TGC my duties are to protect the tribes interest. What I actually do is oversee everything under the roof at the Casino. Let me tell you a little bit about the Casino to give you an idea of a tribe done good. Foxwoods is the largest Casino in the world as of today. Foxwoods opened 2 years ago in February. Since then we have added another Casino and 8 floor hotel, another hotel with 650 rooms as well as a third Casino which contains only slot machines I believe there are about 3000 machines in the last casino. All in all there are in excess of 350 table games, 6000 slot machines and I can't even tell you the square footage at this time. At the casino we have a kiddie arcade, turbo rides, cinnetropolis movie theater, Iwerks theater, as well as a brand new Bingo hall, a Concert theater three keno lounges, a horse race betting facility and a 360 degree bar. Every time we turn around we add something new. Foxwoods is the most beautiful place I think I have ever seen From marble floors to the decorative interior to the grounds its located on. The facility is located on 2000 acres in the country with lots of trees and what most would say in the woods. We employ in excess of 12,000 people. To get a job at Foxwoods unlike a lot of other places of work you don't need a college education to get in. Most people we employ are people who got laid off from there previous employer because of company closings. The only requirement we do have is a clean record. No arrests and that sort of thing. As an employee you get many benefits from free all you can eat cafeteria which serves everything from Prime Rib to grilled cheese sandwiches. A dessert bar, pizza bar, salad bar, grill, sandwich bar, and anything you can think of to drink. Another benefit you get is free medical insurance for you and your family, annual bonus based on the revenue from the Casino the list goes on. The benefits just go on. To give you an example June 27 & 28 the Casino has rented out Ocean Beach Park which is on the ocean has a pool, water slide as well as many rides for the children and adults also all the food you can eat from steaks to shrimp to lobster to hot dogs and salads and desserts and beer and wine for those who want to have drinks. This is the annual company picnic this costs us nothing as employees. These two days will cost the casino about $250,000.00 now thats a picnic. It is a great place to work for most. We do have our problems though the legal issues as part of a sovereign nation they can basically do what they want with you by making you work excess hours they could do this because they do not have to adhere to the laws of the state or federal employment laws. Although this has not posed a problem to the tribe it does not affect many. I have heard of maybe one or two cases but all in all they treat us all fairly and with respect. For the tribe this has helped them in so many ways. It has made sure that all tribal members get free medical, a clean place to live, money to make there life easier, free college tuition, and a safe environment. To be a recognized member of the tribe you must be at least 1/16. The physical features of the tribe range from blonde and blue eyes to being black with brown eyes. The Casino's profits are so great they have helped a lot of people. The help that they have given the community has been wonderful. Many small companies that would have closed by now are growing because of the amount of people that come into the area and spend their money. This tribe is a done good tribe. The Casino has not only helped their own tribal members but it has created a Foxwoods management company which goes out across the country to not only help set up other tribes with casinos but also helps in funding their projects. The tribe gave the federal government a deal of money to help with the health care reform bill. As far as tribes go this is the way tribes should work, -TOGETHER-! You see they help a lot of people out in this country they share their wealth with others. This is what being a Native American is all about if everyone did this this country would be a lot better off. Each day we have thousands of people come in from across the county and world. You meet different people from all over kinda like a melting pot. It is great. The tribal members are nice people also. You may work for them but the people at the very top still come in to see you to talk or even have coffee with you. Many of the tribal members work at the casino and go to school to learn the ropes to get into a management position. You see just because they are tribal members does not give you a job. It is something they must work toward which gives them more pride in their job and well as pride in oneself. They work so hard to help their members take pride in oneself it is sometimes hard to comprehend the reasoning. Foxwoods Casino is located on Rt. 2 in Ledyard Connecticut their phone number is (203)885-3000. I just wanted to let you know that some tribes are really doing good and are helping others out and not just themselves. They also help tribes out that need financial help by trying to get them to do something to help create jobs and financial security for them. If anyone has any questions please ask I will try to answer them. >> Tiwa << --- QuickBBS 2.75 Origin: Home of the Indian_Affairs echo (203)742-7205, FIDO (1:327/999) --------- "RE: URGENT: Mt. Graham Action" --------- Date: 28 Jun 1994 16:01:20 -0500 From: mpeters@envirolink.org (Matt Peters) Subj: URGENT: Mt. Graham Action Newsgroup: alt.native Forwarded Information: ~Date: Fri, 24 Jun 94 21:08:40 EDT >From: Josh Knauer (please redistribute this to ALL appropriate lists, groups, etc.) Univ. of Arizona to Begin Clearcutting Mt. Graham With No Money --------------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. Forest Service has granted the University of Arizona permission to begin cutting trees at the top of Mt. Graham on July 1, 1994. The U of A is expected to begin cutting very close to the beginning of the month. The main issue at hand is that the U of A doesn't have enough money to begin construction on the telescopes, but they still want to show potential investors that they are making some sort of progress. After losing 28 potential investors (leaving them no partners in all of North America), the U of A is financially strapped, and can not begin construction until several more partners sign on. (which, due to the track record, doesn't seem possible) The Mt. Graham Coalition is in court (as we speak) attempting to get an injunction on the cutting, because of the lack of viability for the project, as well as the fact that it is in violation of the ESA, NEPA, AIRFA and several other laws. We can't afford to wait for the courts, time is running out! Action is needed immediately! CALL TO ACTION *** This senseless waste of time and trees can NOT be allowed! Activists are needed IMMEDIATELY in Tucson, AZ to begin strategizing for how to stop the chainsaws from ripping apart this fragile and ecosystem. THIS IS VERY URGENT, as your attendance could make the difference in stopping this massacre. If you think that you can make it down and help out with the campaign (from June 25 - ?), then strap on your monkey wrench, pack a lot of tofu, and give us a call for directions! Mt. Graham Action Line: (602) 795-2527 -- If you can't make it: CALL U of A President Manuel Pacheco and let him know that you are one of the people that WILL NOT ALLOW these trees to be cut! Ask why he is cutting if he doesn't have the money to build the scopes! Things need to heat up A LOT on Mt. Graham, so take that summer vacation a few weeks early, blow off work and get yourself to the campaign of the summer! -jk --------- "RE: RED INK: Indian Student Publication" --------- Date: 23 Jun 1994 00:19:13 GMT From: arlen@helium.Gas.UUG.Arizona.EDU (RED INK Editorial Board) Subj: RED INK: new Indian student publication Newsgroup: soc.culture.native RED INK is an interdisciplinary journal of writing and art by, for, and about Native Americans. It is published out of the University of Arizona's American Indian Graduate Center by Native students and community members in Tucson, Arizona. We just finished Volume3 #1, and are starting work on V3#2 this summer. We can send copies of V3#1 free while supplies last. You can also subscribe to RED INK to make sure you get a copy of each issue! V3#1 includes articles on the Columbus Legacy, Colonization And Sexuality, IHS Sterilization Policy, Self-Determination, Indian Gaming, Intra-Tribal Conflict, and Western Movies, plus poetry, creative writing, book reviews, artwork and a side-splitting humor column. We can take requests for copies or subscriptions at this email address (reply in usenet or send email to arlen@gas.uug.arizona.edu) or by mail or phone: RED INK American Indian Graduate Center 1610 East Seventh Street Tucson AZ 85719 (602) 621-7989 Thanks! RED INK editorial board -- :-(-:-(-:-(-:-( arlen@gas.uug.arizona.edu )-:-)-:-)-:-)-: "Even now, we scarcely feel our hearts beat before they break in protest" -Stanley Diamond --------- "RE: Poetry: Carrying the Feather" --------- Date: Tue, 28 Jun 94 17:51:56 GMT From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart) Subj: Carrying the Feather Newsgroup: alt.native On this side a feather is carried it is carried on the other side when we are over there they put a feather on my heart and i was laid down there like a drum singing came down from the sky and pounded my skin i remembered who i was then i remembered where i had been (Tobacco Indian) Turtle Heart turtle@soft21.s21.com (Ahnishinabeg) American Indian Computer Art Project BBS 619-374-2100 Land of Kaw-ii-su ancestor: Land of Light --------- "RE: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days" --------- Date: 94/06/26 18:14 From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of July 3-9. GE Electronic Mail A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of July 3-9. IULAI (July) (Hinaiaeleele) 3 We were all born in the stars. 4 Rejoice with the storms of the earth; shout joy with the voice of the thunders! 5 The wonder of childhood is preserved within. 6 Choose the path taken by only a few, for it leads to wisdom. 7 Dance joyously in the memory of your ancestors, your kupuna. 8 Life is all around us, ... and within. 9 I weave a lei of maile leaves to celebrate the new day! (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - offline" --------- Date: Thu, 30 June 94 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (Evening Star) (jans@genie.geis.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows not previously posted to Mailing Lists NATCHAT or NATIVE-L GE Electronic Mail =POWWOWS= FIDONET POWWOW LISTS -------------------- From: Frosty Deere (frosty.deere@f502.n167.z1.fidonet.org) 16th Annual Spiritual Conference and Traditional Pow Wow Baraga, Michigan (U S A) Ojibway Campground July 22-23-24-25 Info Contact (906)35 3-6623 Buffalo Days Pow Wow and Tipi Village Competition Dancing Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Fort McLead, Alberta July 22-23-24 Info Contact: (403)553-2731 Milk River Indian Days Fort Belknap Pow Wow Grounds Fort Belknap Reservation July 22-23-24 Info Contact: (406)353-2295 lOth "Honouring our Heritage" Flint, Michigan, (U.S.A.) Clio's Fireman Park on Dixie Hwy. (Dorl. Hwy) July 23 - 24 Info Contact: (313)239-6621 Grand River's Champion of Champions Brantford, Ontario Six Nations's Chiefswood Park Hwy 54, 8 miles east of Brantford July 23 - 24 Info Contact: (519)446-4391 Eagle Lake No.27 Pow Wow Eagle River, Ontario (On the Res.) July 29-30-31 Info Contact: (807)755-5526 Naicatchewenin First Nation Pow Wow 20 miles north of Devlin. (On the Res.) July 29-30-31 Info Contact: (807)486-3515 (807)486-3407 Little Elk's Retreat Traditional Mi.Pleasant, Michigan, (U.S.A.) Saginaw Chippewa Campground Tomah Road August 6 - 7 Info Contact: (517)772-5709 Shoal Lake No.39 Pow Wow Shoal Lake On the Res. August 12-13-14 Info Contact: (807)733-2560 Rocky Bay Pow Wow Rocky Bay Res, Mac Diarmid, Ontario August 12-13-14 Info Contact: (807)885-3401 White River Cheyenne Pow Wow Busby, (Northern Cheyenne Res.) August 12-l3-14 Info Contact: (406)477-6284 Chippewa's Of Saugeen First Nation Saugeen (On the Res.) Southampton, Ontario. August 13 - 14 Info Contact: (519)797-2627 (519)797-2617 Sheshegwaning First Nation 2nd Annual Pow Wow August 13 - 14 Info Contact: (705)283-3292 Mohawks Of The Bay Of Quinte Bayshore Rd. Park Tyendinaga Deseronto, Ont R.R. #1 August 13 -14 Contact: (613)396-5862 Prince Edward Island 2nd Annual Abegweit Pow Wow Panmure Provincial Park August 19-20-21 Info Contact: (902)892-5314 Kamloops British Columbia P.W 315 Yellowhead Hwy, Kamloops, B. August 19-20-21 Algonquin Golden Lake Pow Wow Golden Lake, Ontario August 20 -21 Info Contact: (613)625-2256 12th Annual Traditional Pow Wow Lebanon, Indiana Boone County, 4-H Grounds August 20 - 21 Info Contact: (317)482-3315 (317)545 -5057 5th Annual Traditional Ahnishinabeg Mon-Weh Indian Centre Pow Wow Rapid River, Michigan, (U.S.A.) August 26-27-28 Info Contact: (906)786-0556 Oil Discovery Celebration Popular,(Fort Peck Reserve) August 26-27 -28 Info Contact: (406)768-5155 Windsor, Ontario 2nd Annual Competition Pow Wow Windsor, Ontario August 27 - 28 Info Contact: (519)948-8365 (519)973-9192 Mississaugas of the New Credit 8th Annual Three-Fires Pow Wow Traditional Gathering Hagersville, Ontario (Ball Park) August 27 - 28 Info Contact: (905)768-1133 After 5 p.m. (905)768-5147 2nd Annual Saginaw Valley Indian Association Pow Wow B ay City, Michigan, (U.S.A.) Bay County Fairgrounds July 30 - 31 Info Contact: (517)846-1399 Fort Erie Friendship Center "Rekindling our Tradition" Old Fort, Fort Erie, Ontario July 30 - 31 Info Contact: (905)871-8931 Pic Mobert Pow Wow 3 miles east off Mobert turnoff, (Ont.) July 29 - Aug - 1 Info Contact: (807)822-1215 34th Annual Wikwemikong Indian day Manitoulin Island, Ontario July 30 - Aug 1 Info Contact: (705)859-3122 (705)859-2385 "The Gathering", Sagkeeng First Nation Fort Alexander, Manitoba P.0. Box 8, ROE OPO July 30 - Until August 7 (SAT - SAT) Info Contact: (204)367-8740 Pays Plat Pow Wow Pays Plat, Ontario August 4 - 5 - 6 Contact (807)824-2190 Northern Cheyenne Pow Wow Lame Deer, (Northern Cheyenne Res.) July 1-2-3-4 Info Contact (4O6)477-6284 "International Year of the Family'"1st Annual Traditional Gathering London, Ontario Fanshawe Park July 2 - 3 Info Contact: (5 l 9)672-O131 Wild Horse Stampede Wolf Point, (Fort Peck Reservation) July 9 - 10 Info Contact: (4O6)477-5l55 Kahnawake Pow Wow, Echo of a Proud Nation lO miles south of Montreal Quebec, Canada Routes 132 & 138 Site Location Tekakwitha Island July 9 - 10 Social on the 8th. Info Contact: (5l4)632-8667 (514)638-O88O North American Indian Days Blackfeet Tribal fairgrounds, Browning (Blackfeet Reservation) July 9 - 10 Contact: (406)338-7276 Chippewas of Kettle First Nations Pow Wow Kettle Point, Ontario July 9 - 10 Contact (519)786-6689 Kanestake (OKA) Kanesatake, Quebec near the Pines July 9 - 10 Info Contact (514)479-8321 Peguis Pow Wow & Dance Competition Specials, invited drums include Assiniboine Jr. ,White Eagle(U.S.A.), Nakota Nation, High Rock Cree, Whitefish Bay. July l2-l3-14 Contact (204)645-2359 Karen Olson (204)372-6291 Linda Olson ------------------------- From: MIKE AUDLEMAN Subject: Indian Summer Festival September 9-11 "A Tribute to Survival - INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL POWWOW Milwaukee Wisconsin Lakefront Friday 5pm to Midnight, 7pm Grand Entry Saturday Noon to Midnight, 1pm & 7pm Grand Entry Sunday Noon to 10pm, 1pm Grand Entry Admission:$5 advance, $7 at gate Adult $2.50 advance, $3 at gate Children 6-12 & Seniors over 55 Friday Family Pac(2 adult, 2-4 kids) $15 Indian Summer Festival 7441 W. Greenfield Av. Suite 109 Milwaukee, Wi, 53214 Phone:414-774-7119, Fax:414-774-6810 Send notices of forthcoming powwows, conferences and gatherings to: jans@genie.geis.com gars@netcom.com ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ all items below this line have already been distributed by our brother, Gary Trujillo, via the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing lists. --------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - online" --------- Date: Thu, 30 June 94 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (Evening Star) (jans@genie.geis.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows already posted to Mailing Lists NATCHAT or NATIVE-L = Powwows and Gatherings From the Internet listserve groups= Original Sender: Walter Kawamoto Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The 56th Annual NCFR National Conf. will be held at the Minneapolis Hilton and Towers from November10-13, 1994. -There will be a Special Session called Moccasins and Tennis Shoes: Families, Social Justice, and the Native American Culture. Friday, Nov.11, 2pm - 3:30pm. "A panel discussion about Justice as a cultural value, and as it is institutionalized in the indigenous family behaviors and community structures from the viewpoint of American Indian cultures, specifically Minnesota. An official American Indian welcome to NCFR conference attendees will be extended." -There will be a symposium on "Schools on the Wind River Reservation:Unique Challenges" -Even I will give a poster "Parental Involvement and Marital Satisfaction in American Indian and Non-Indian families". From my Master's Thesis based on data conducted with the assistance of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. -There will be many other opportunities for information and networking with the movers and shakers in family policy, education, and research. I am the Ethnic Minority section student / new prof. representative. If you want to talk to me, write to kawamotw@ucs.orst.edu If you want to talk directly to the NCFR office, write to Kathy (ncfr3989@aol.com) -------------------------------------- Original Sender: "Uh...Hello???" Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) September 2,3, and 4 1994 34th annual Tecumseh Lodge Labor Day Pow Wow at: Tipton County Fairgrounds, St Rd. 19, Tipton Indiana. The chairman of the event is Mel Hoefling who can be reached at (812) 988-9070. No one is admitted to the grounds until Friday morning. the schedule is: Saturday activities from 1-8 Sunday Activities from 1-4:30 and 7-8:00 Participants over 12 yrs. old have a charge of 3.00 and under 12 are charged 1.00. Under 4 yrs. old are free. ______________________________________ Original Sender: Scott VanJacob Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The Annual Dickinson College Latin American Studies Symposium will be held Nov. 10th and 11th, 1994. The Symposium's topic will focus on current issues among the indigenous peoples of Latin America. We are particularly interested in current indigenous activism. If you are interested in presenting a paper at this symposium or know of someone who else who might be, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Travel and accommodations are provided. Scott Van Jacob Spahr Library Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 17013 vanjacob@dickinson.edu -------------------------------------- Original Sender: Pablo Bellon Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) July 1-4 SIXTH ANNUAL MT. TUM TUM NATIVE AMERICAN ENCAMPMENT Territorial Park, Amboy, Washington Camp Day and vendor set-up June 30 after 3:00 pm Native American vendors only. Reservations required. Call Barbara at (206) 247-5258. Traditional Salmon dinner July 1st 5:00 - 7:00 Presentations of story telling, legends, special dances & events, open stage, open drums. No unleashed pets. North of Vancouver Washington about twenty minutes. Take exit 21 off I-5 Southbound, or exit 16 to Amboy by highway 503. Sponsored by the North Clark Historical Museum. NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS -------------------------------------- Original Sender: Pablo Bellon Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) July 8-10 WESTERN IDAHO 4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL MONTOUR POW WOW Host Drum: Eagle Spirit Singers, Yakama Nation Master of Ceremonies: Nathin Jim, Warm Springs, Oregon ----------------------------------- |Friday: Grand Entry at 7 pm | |Saturday: Grand Entry 1 pm & 7 pm| |Sunday: 1 pm & 7 pm | ----------------------------------- -- Barbecue -- Arts -- Crafts -- Moccasin Run -- For info: 208/278-3981, 208/343-1528, 208/336-2655 NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS -------------------------------------- --------- "RE: Cherokee Religion?" --------- Date: Sat, 25 Jun 1994 12:05:11 -0700 (MST) From: samuel r cook Subj: Cherokee Religion? Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) To all Wannabes: Before you decide you want to "join" a native "religion" you had better learn about it. There is no such thing as religion in tribal societies per-se, but rather, a sacred lifeway. By the same token, all adherents to such a spiritual system must have the MEANINGS of their native culture ingrained in their own minds. This entails not a mere understanding of cultural etiquette, but also a kinship with a distinct people and their sacred homeland. You must literally have a spiritual umbilical cord linking you to the land of your people. You must also be related to those with whom you share such spiritual beliefs. Asking a native if you can join his or her "religion" is tantamount to a total stranger appearing out of the blue and asking if he can literally join your family. Sure, it is possible to be adopted into a tribal culture, but not always probable. Non-natives who are accepted as integral members of native communities have lived in those communities for years, and have in most cases endured years of isolation before being accepted. That's because tribal communities enjoy something that is lacking in mainstream America. Something called Peoplehood. If you would like to understand more about this concept I suggest you get a copy of a work entitled "Getting to the Heart of the Matter," by Robert K. Thomas, published by the Native Ministries Consortium, Canada. Sam --------- "RE: Update on Peltier Freedom Rally" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Jun 94 02:40:40 GMT From: wwivgw.ness.com!1-8408 (Deanna #1 @8408) Subj: Update on Leonard Peltier Freedom Rally!!!! Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Update on Leonard Peltier Freedom Rally! Please note that the benefit concert planned for Saturday night, June 25, has been cancelled. The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee wants to concentrate their efforts on the Sunday, June 26, ceremonies at Lafayette Park. The emphasis is to be on prayer and sharing of the spirit of the pipe. Caravans will be coming from all over the US, and even from Canada. Camping will be available at the Aquia Pines Camp Resort, south of D.C. on Interstate 95, in Stafford, Va. The address is 3071 Jefferson Davis Hwy, and the phone is 703-659-3447. It is suggested that you call the campground to make reservations. Tell them you are coming for the Leonard Peltier rally. The campground is just off Interstate 95 at exit 143A (Aquia). Go east at the exit ramp, and turn left (north) on US 1 (Jeff Davis Hwy). The campsite will be immediately on your left. Camping fees will be $5.00 per person per night (children 3 and under are free). Drumming will be permitted! Many of the rally's organizers and spiritual leaders will be staying at the campground. The schedule for Sunday June 26 is as follows: 8 AM: Assemble at Foggy Bottom 9 AM: March down Pennsylvania Avenue to Lafayette Park (led by elders and spiritual leaders) 10 AM: Ceremonies begin at Lafayette Park 5 PM: Event closes Speakers and/or Walk Leaders: Russell Means (AIM), Ramsey Clark (former Attorney General), Thelma Clark (mother of Eddie Hatcher), David Hill (AIM), Bob Robideau (AIM and co-defendent of Leonard Peltier), Joe Chasing Horse (Lakota), Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota, Buffalo Woman pipe carrier), Peter Matthiessen (author of In the Spirit of Crazy Horse), Steve Robideau (co-founder of LPDC), Ola Cassadore Davis (Apache Survival Coalition) and others. There will be drumming and indigenous music from North, Central and South America. This is a time to come together with our spiritual leaders to show the great power of our unity and support of Freedom for Leonard Peltier! To find out how to help or join a caravan in your area, call: 413-527-3716 ME, NH, RI, VT, CT, upper NY 804-790-0166 NYC, NJ, MD, PA, DE, VA, NC 813-353-2164 SC, GA, FL, AL 614-451-3023 OH, MI, IN, IL, KY, WI 501-945-1026 AK, TN, MS, LA 701-387-4794 ND, SD, MN, NE, MT 816-436-0782 KS, TX, MO, OK 801-272-9128 UT, CO, WY 505-988-3021 NM, AZ 206-471-1670 WA, OR, ID 415-552-1992 CA, NV 913-842-5774 Leonard Peltier Defense Committee Information provided by Renee DeGrasse, Executive Director, AIM (Autonomous Chapters) National Support Group. Posted by Deanna, 1-8408@wwivgw.ness.com --------- "RE: Urban Indians" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 09:54:17 -0400 From: tvo.org!shmohawk (Dan David) Subj: Urban Indians Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The question of who we - as Native peoples, Aboriginal peoples, Indians, Metis, Half-breeds, Inuit, Eskimos, Bill C-31s, "double-grandmother" (Canadian classifications) is more than just complicated - it's insane. We have our own problems of self-identification to deal with. However, how we identify ourselves is often buried under the many classifications and divisions imposed upon us by laws, such as the Canadian Indian Act. In the several Acts of Parliament relating to Aboriginal peoples (Indian, Inuit and Metis), there must be more than 40 legal categories that we fall under. The only place I've been to with more legal classifications based on race, the only country with more legal restrictions based on race, would have to be South Africa. There, they still have more than 70 legal classifications distinguishing every conceivable permutation between Blacks and Whites. What rights a person has - or does NOT have - depends upon where in this range of legal distinctions one happens to fall. The same applies to Aboriginal peoples here, on this continent. The sad thing in S Africa was that many people accepted the divisions. Some to survive. Others to gain benefits. Most because they had no choice. A few rejected such stupidities. Unfortunately, where I come from, many of these legal classifications are internalized and accepted by many. Many "Bill C-31s", people who regained their status under a section of the Indian Act rejected by the Supreme Court as sexist, are denied membership on the reserve because many band councils reject them. Many people who live "off-reserve" are denied voting privileges, access to services and education, housing, etc - BECAUSE they live off-reserve. It is as if they stop being Indian when they leave the reserve boundaries. More councils north of the border than I care to admit support these policies. They argue on the one hand that they can't afford to "take back" all these newly-reinstated people because they don't have the money to provide for all, which is true in most cases. Nor do they want "outsiders," people who live and work off-reserve to gobble up resources or tell THEM how they should live. Some councils cave in to fears that allowing insiders will "diminish the blood-stream," "allow criminals" back into the element, bring political upheaval. To do so, they invoke the same legal sections that Canadian governments have used to deny membership and citizenship to thousands of Indians in the past. At the same time, however, many of these councils argue that they are nations with the right to determine their own citizenship. They say they will no longer allow "foreign governments" to dictate to them who and who is not an Indian. So, many councils are looking at how they can re-write the Indian Act, with all of its legal classifications intact but using words that make it seem as though they dreamed up the whole thing. In other words, they seem to have internalized the classifications and now want to codify them in their own legal language. Yes, there is a resurgence of pride in who we are, as individuals and as nations of peoples, and there is a reclaiming of our heritages. But there is so much that is not being discussed or debated in a rational way BEFORE decisions are made, locking us into systems and the values they are based upon. Do those systems really reflect our values and philosophies? Or have we become so brainwashed over the centuries and lost the capacity to translate our own values into our own laws and reject the racism of the past? These, too, are questions I found the people of South Africa suddenly and dramatically confronted by and it'll be interesting to see how they deal with them. Then again, maybe I'm just having a bad hair day. Dan David (shmohawk@tvo.org) Toronto, Canada --------- "RE: Indians, Wannabe's, and Others..." --------- Date: Fri, 24 Jun 94 10:48:34 EDT From: iss1.com!owlmed (Sam Gentile) Subj: Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) All this talk is very interesting. I used to be one of the ones condemning the "New Agers" and the "Wanna-bes". I am still against those selling sacred things and exploiters like Lynn Andrews, Swift Deer and others. But as I listen to my elders they don't talk about wanna-bes. You don't hear that kind of talk from the spiritual elders. You only hear talk about human beings. We are ALL spiritual brothers and sisters. WE are all human beings. We ALL had the Sweat Lodge at one time and a way of worshipping the Creator at the level of the Original Instructions and close to the Earth. There are many of us that are feeling that call in our hearts to RETURN TO WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW TO BE TRUE. We know that the Judeo-Christian way has totally destroyed Earth Mother and has totally oppressed us in every way. My elders talk about the Native people's being oppressed in a big way and that's why they react the way that they do. But we must all come back into the sacred hoop, with respect for each other, the power of the circle if we are to have any chance. The Original Instructions are the ways, the original ways of living close to the Earth. What are people supposed to do? Ignore that and ignore what spirit is telling them? I don't think so. Remember Black Elk's Vision??? We must all walk in a sacred manner with respect for each other, living with all of our relations. It pains me to see all this fighting because that isn't traditional ways. Traditional people never argue about religion and put down others. We are all equal in the circle. That's what my elders emphasize. Mitakuye Oyasin, Young Owl Hatching --------- "RE: Walk Across Europe 1995" --------- Date: 20 Jun 94 17:05 PDT From: motherearth@gn.apc.org Subj: Walk Across Europe 1995 Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Please publish this release in your newsletter and spread it through your network. Photographs (Walk across America) available on request. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WALK ACROSS EUROPE FOR A NUCLEAR-FREE WORLD 1995 January 12th - October 12th 1995 to call attention on nuclear developments and Indigenous People FOR MOTHER EARTH organized the Walk across America for Mother Earth in 1992. An average of 100 people walked 5.500km from New York City to the Nevada Nuclear Test Site. This in a successful effort to halt nuclear testing on the land of the Western Shoshone Indians, and to raise awareness around 500 years of colonisation of the Americas. In 1995 FOR MOTHER EARTH organises a 5.500km walk which will visit five nuclear weapon states, the Wien headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), numerous civilian & military nuclear-facilities and sites ... and Chernobyl, the worst human-made accident ever. The Walk across Europe for a Nuclear-Free World 1995 will start January 12th in Brussels, and end in Moscow on October 12th 1995, the International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People. This to highlight the link between Indigenous People and nuclear developments worldwide. FOR MOTHER EARTH designs this walk with three demands dealing with critical nuclear issues in 1995, namely the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Charter Review of the IAEA. The walkers will call attention to the dramatic medical, social, environmental and economical consequences of the Atomic Age. They ask complete nuclear disarmament and closure of all nuclear power plants. They will give concrete examples of alternatives as their community will be provided electricity and hot water by use of solar power. A mobile exhibition from the Danish Folkecenter for Renewable Energy mounted on a truck will travel along with the walkers. The objective of a nuclear-free world will be met not only through walking but also with an international petition, work-shops, street-theatre, symbolic and non-violent actions. FOR MOTHER EARTH states that the present situation calls for us walking not only be on the streets, but trespassing nuclear site areas, into government official's offices and jail cells if necessary. Our route starts in Brussels, crosses France, England, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus and ends in Moscow. The organisers of the Walk across Europe hope on the participation of many Indigenous People who can testify on their ongoing struggle. Indigenous representatives are asked to contact FOR MOTHER EARTH as soon as possible as they hope to find funds to assist in their participation. Contact : FOR MOTHER EARTH Phone +32-9-2333268 International office Fax +32-9-2334924 Zilverhof 19, 9000 Gent - Belgium E-mail motherearth@gn.apc.org --------- "RE: Detroit Urban Indians" --------- Date: Wed, 22 Jun 1994 03:58:19 -0600 (MDT) From: catalina m reyes Subj: Detroit Urban Indians Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Just took myself off "nomail" on my return from Detroit, and find myself prompted to post the story I did there, on seeing postings yesterday on self-identification and identification by others when it comes to indigenous folk (particularly the post where someone wrote about rez indians' views of non-rez natives). Hope this will be of interest. It ran in Detroit and northern New Mexico Tues. June 21. WDET News tell me they're gonna send it on to Michigan public radio. And a further edit may run soon on National Native News (150 stations in AK, Hawaii, and the lower 48). cata KUNM: DETROIT NATIVES DATE TO AIR: Tues. 21 June 1994 By Catalina Reyes INTRO TIME: :34 SCRIPT: 4:38 FOR THE KUNM EVENING REPORT ANNOUNCER'S INTRO: SURROUNDED BY TRIBES LIKE THE NAVAJO AND PUEBLOS, NEW MEXICANS TEND TO THINK OF NATIVE AMERICANS AS PEOPLE WHOSE CULTURAL IDENTITY IS CLOSELY TIED TO RESERVATION LIFE. BUT OVER HALF OF ALL NATIVES LIVE IN CITIES. IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN, SOME SEVENTEEN THOUSAND INDIANS FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF TRIBES LIVE IN THE SIX-COUNTY METROPOLITAN AREA. CATALINA REYES VISITED THERE LAST WEEK, AND FOUND THAT WHILE SOME NATIVES FACE OBSTACLES WHEN IT COMES TO BEING IN TOUCH WITH THEIR HERITAGE, OTHERS SAY THEY'RE FAR FROM CULTURALLY ADRIFT: CATA 1: OJIBWAY/SHAWNEE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER THURMAN BEAR SAYS ITS A MISPERCEPTION HELD EVEN AMONG NATIVES THAT BY COMING TO THE CITY, TRIBAL PEOPLE NECESSARILY GIVE UP SOME OF THEIR INDIANNESS. A FEW WEEKS AGO HE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT A POW WOW IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN: ACT 1 THURMAN BEAR: One of the women came up and said, you know, said: "We're real glad you city indians came here." And, "Well, you know, they give you a chance to hear the songs, and hear the people dance, and get in touch with your culture." I mean, she was thinking that we don't have those kinda things down here. CATA 2: BUT THEY DO, THANKS TO A HALF-DOZEN ACTIVE NATIVE ORGANIZATIONS IN DETROIT AND NEIGHBORING WINDSOR, CANADA. CONGREGATING AT SOCIAL CENTERS LIKE MICHIGAN'S URBAN INDIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE AND SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN INDIANS INCORPORATED, PEOPLE BUILD FAMILIAL AND CEREMONIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER INDIANS OF DIVERSE HERITAGES. BEAR SAYS HE PREFERS THIS PAN-INDIAN URBAN EXPERIENCE: ACT 2 THURMAN BEAR: It gives us an advantage I think that a lot of people who live on reservations might not have the opportunity, is to be around other native people, but whose culture is composed of different flavorings. CATA 3: THAT MEANS SOME 80 DIFFERENT TRIBES, FROM AS FAR AWAY AS CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA. URBAN INDIANS FACE MANY OF THE SAME CRISES SUFFERED BY THEIR RESERVATION RELATIVES: POVERTY, LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS. BUT LIVING OFF- RESERVATION MEANS URBAN NATIVES CAN BE LEFT OUT OF NATIONAL DEBATES. LEADERS LIKE OJIBWAY/APACHE LUCY HARRISON ARE OUT TO CHANGE THAT. AS HEAD OF DETROIT'S AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH FAMILY SERVICES. SHE JUST RETURNED FROM A TRIBAL HEALTH CARE SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.: ACT 3 LUCY HARRISON: I thought, well gee, why shouldn't we be part of that. We're indian, we have unmet health needs, I just choose to live in a city. We have 34 indian health care programs [nationally] in the urban setting. So the real critical part of this recent health care summit that was held in D.C., was the fact that we were able to add, and guarantee some off-reservation language in the resolutions that came about from the tribal native americans. This is another stepping stone, and a mile stone in terms of the relationships. [AMBIANCE #1: SOUND OF BLUE LAKE DRUMMERS PRACTICING AT COMMUNITY GATHERING.] CATA 4: BACK IN DETROIT, CONNECTIONS ON A SMALLER SCALE GO ON AT THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN ASSOCIATION'S WEEKLY COMMUNITY MEETING. EVEN THOUGH IT'S SWELTERING AT THE DETROIT AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER, YOUNG MEN FROM FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT TRIBES TEACH EACH OTHER DRUM SONGS. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES HANG OUT IN SMALL GROUPS, DOING BEADWORK, MAKING GARLANDS OF SMALL TOBACCO POUCHES, OR JUST TALKING OJIBWAY/ODAWA ELDER FRANK ALBERTS TEACHES A YOUNG MAN HOW TO MAKE A FEATHER-DECORATED PEACE PIPE OUT OF GREEN SUMAC: ACT 4 CATA: Is that any special kind of feather? FRANK ALBERTS: This is K-Mart Bird feather. You know what birds hang around K-Marts? Seagulls. Thats what this is, seagull. CATA 5: FRANK HAS ADAPTED TO THE MATERIALS ON HAND IN THE CITY. FOR HIS OJIBWAY WIFE ANNETTE BREWER, ADAPTING HAS BEEN A TOUGHER PROBLEM. AFTER LOSING HER MOTHER AT THE AGE OF SIX, SHE WAS RAISED IN WHITE FAMILIES SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN DETROIT, AND DIDN'T BEGIN TO EXPLORE HER NATIVE HERITAGE UNTIL HER FORTIES. SHE SAYS IT WAS ALMOST AS PAINFUL AS THE RIDICULE SHE'D SUFFERED AT SIX FOR BEING INDIAN: ACT 5 ANNETTE BREWER: 'Til I actually found my family it was very hard for me to go into a situation and be accepted. It was just a shunning process. It's something the Ojibway people do do. I remember talking to older people one time and crying. And just saying, I was that six-year-old...[TRYING NOT TO CRY]...you know? CATA 6: BUT WITH THE SUPPORT OF OTHER DETROIT NATIVES, BREWER GOT THROUGH THOSE FIRST YEARS: ACT 6 ANNETTE BREWER: Now I've met a lot of people, they've given me a lot of things that I've been able to share with my children. And they'll continue to give this to their children. So we've got that next generation. Makes it all worth while. CATA 7: DETROIT'S URBAN INDIAN COMMUNITY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS GET ALL THE SUPPORT THEY NEED IN THE FUTURE. TOWARD THAT GOAL, THE MEDICINE BEAR ACADEMY WILL OPEN THIS SEPTEMBER. OPERATED BY THE CITY'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'LL OFFER A NATIVE CULTURE IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR INDIAN KIDS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO 3RD GRADE. FOR K-U-N-M, THIS IS CATALINA REYES REPORTING FROM DETROIT, MICHIGAN --------- "RE: Blood Thirsty Savages: Poems by Adrian C. Louis" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Jun 1994 13:08:03 -0500 (CDT) From: Michael Subj: BLOOD THIRSTY SAVAGES: Poems by Adrian C. Louis Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Adrian C. Louis one of the very best poets today. He is not incredibly well known because (like Vizenor, one expects) people find his poetry too brutally honest, which is even more terrifying when juxtaposed with the beauty of his language. I urge you to have a look at it. Now available: BLOOD THIRSTY SAVAGES Poems by Adrian Louis BLOOD THIRSTY SAVAGES is a collection that reaches to the core of contemporary Native American life. It is an equation of anger and survival, of acceptance and defiance brought into delicate balance. It is a work of profound honesty, and it ought to be read by everyone who cares to know the American heart. -- N. Scott Momaday BLOOD THIRSTY SAVAGES is pure American poetry at its most powerful. These poems don't bow to any authority -- white or Indian. Louis writes from the heart with a clarity and an honesty that is as terrifying as it is healing. Stories surge through these poems which strip away all the rationalizations we Americans use to blind ourselves to history. This is his best book yet. -- Leslie Marmon Silko Now available in paperback or hardcover in bookstores or directly from Time Being Books 10411 Clayton Road, Suites 201-203 St. Louis, Missouri 63131 Order toll free (800) 331-6605 Paperback price: 12.50 A PRAYER FOR THE LOST for Marilyn Nelson Waniek To escape marauding in-laws whose kids slosh Koool-Aid against the walls of my heart and moisten the dry-dirt memories of my own childhood, I slink outside carrying garbage in two green plastic sacks an armour them in steel drums to baffle the blood-eyed pack of coyotes that nightly sneaks up from the creek. The laundered April air and the effervescent stars make me forget for a moment that life as I know it is dying and I think I might live forever among the wild-ass Sioux. In a neighboring house, a dope dealer's wife holds a brown baby sprouting from her cantaloupe breasts. An enabling moon is rising and clattering cars racket and rupture any dreams of true love. In the purity of starlight, I ask Grandfather to salvage this battered Indian nation because my words may be no help. Should the coyotes burst the cold steel drums, pale white flowers would bloom. Upon countless crumpled pages variants of this prayer for the lost would be found. NOTES TO A CULTURE VULTURE "May you walk swiftly into a midgets with buck teeth." -- Scarecrow Some years ago in your infinite European boredom you finally concluded that maybe Indians _are_ really a noble race, yes, somewhat tragic but definitely tied to the earth. So, you decided to become one. Why not? Who would care? And who would know the difference? Your cheekbones _were_ a little high and you _were_ a little dark. Besides, everyone has an Indian passed out in the rotting branches of their family tree. Days sneaked into years while feathers took root in your brain and burst through your skull to air-dance dry. With your beaded words and researched knowledge you became well-known as a _Native American_ writer. I envied your university job and I used to say that you were just another fucking white thief stealing what little we have left but I just bought your new book and I liked it, a little. Adrian C. Louis is regarded as one of the leading American Indian poets. And enrolled member of the Lovelock Paiute Indian tribe, he was born and raised in northern Nevada. A former journalist, Adrian Louis has been the editor of four tribal newspapers including the _Lakota Times_. Since 1984, he has been teaching English at Oglala Lakota College on the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota. The author of seven books of poems, he has been awarded literary fellowships from the South Dakota Arts Council, the Nebraska Arts Council, the Bush Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. His 1989 collection of poems, _Fire Water World_, was a winner of the Book Award from the Poetry Center at San Francisco State University, and his first novel, _Skins_, will be published in 1995.