Subject: nanews02.032 From: gars@netcom.com (Gary Night Owl) To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Message-ID: _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 02, ISSUE 032 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 6 August 1994 O o O O o O K A N O H E D A A N I Y V W I Y A O ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N N E W S ) This issue contains articles from FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference, PeaceNet PNEWS, Usenet alt.native and soc.culture.native Newsgroups, NATIVE-L and NATCHAT Mailing Lists, and by members of the Invisible Band. <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters 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. "Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best of men. Death will come, always out of season. It is the command of the Great Spirit, and all nations and people must obey. What is past and what cannot be prevented should not be grieved for.... Misfortunes do not flourish particularly in our lives -- they grow everywhere." __ Chief Big Elk, Omaha +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Many have reason to be happy. It is the time of year for many very special gatherings. Remember the gift you receive is only good if you share it in the best way you know with your family, your community - and with those you don't count in your circle. 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 - Keetoowahs Relocating - Conferences and Powwows - online - Native-American Activism - Foundation to Preserve Sacred Site /F.B.I. Misconduct - Wounded Knee Veteran - Self-Determined Nations - Panel Reviewing Military Aircraft - Western Shoshone Land Dispute - Mohawks' Struggle for Land Rights - Mount Graham Victory - Mascots - We Are Whole - Poem: Standing Still - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days - Conferences and Powwows - offline ------------------ clip here for news feature -- 8< ------------ --------- "RE: Keetoowahs Relocating" --------- Date: Jul-30-94 02:43:00 From: Mark Mullins (mark.mullins@f16.n3821.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: Keetoowahs Relocating FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference I haven't noticed the following story on this echo. My apologies in advance if this is old news, but it's certainly newsworthy for here, and for Arkansans in particular as the first Indian land base in the state's history (to my understanding) is being established.. From: The Waldron News - newspaper dated Wednesday July 20, 1994: By Marty Backus, In an exclusive interview with the Waldron News, John Ross, The chief of the Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, announced yesterday that the Council of the Keetoowah tribe has elected Scott County to be their place of relocation, since the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved the group's proposed move from Oklahoma to Arkansas. "This is a historic event for our people and the State of Arkansas" said Ross. Last week Ross met with members of the Waldron Lion's Club and recognized that Scott County was a strong possibility to where the tribe was considering to relocate. "Scott County was the tribe's preference because of the local support not expressed elsewhere," explained Ross. He also said that the group's relocation would benefit the county since more than 70 percent of the proposed tribal land is national forest land on which no property taxes are paid. "We will be land owners and will be paying taxes like any other individual in the community." said Ross. "It will not be necessary for us to seek federal land," he said. Ross emphasized that his people have no interest in gaming or tax-exempt status. But, he did say his people would be interested in other ventures, such as operating theme parks. "Our long terms plans would include a theme park with an indoor arena for tractor pulls, rodeos, basketball and amphitheaters for plays and folk tales," Ross said. The main reason the tribe wanted to relocate is they wanted to establish it's own identity separate from the Cherokee Nation. Tribal members live on federal land in Tahlequah that was given to the Cherokee Nation. Ross said that administrative people from his tribe will be coming to the area to take care of all the necessary particulars that have to be dealt with before moving any of his people. He also said that they have not yet chosen a particular site, but felt they would have a decision made in the near future. *** and that's the article.. If you desire specific information as it becomes available, you may desire to contact Wanda Gray in Waldron, AR. I've personally met with her recently. I didn't know she was the mother of a friend of mine until my phone call on 7-28-94 (a small world this is!) Wanda is a former mayor of Waldron and a local historian who has spend much time researching and keeping current with this development. She is aware of this message being posted, so if you make contact with her, please mentioned where you've learned it from. Regards, Mark Mullins - Russellville, AR SLMR 2.1a * Drive nail here [] for new monitor. --- WM v3.11/93-0244 Origin: Environment Arkansas! Little Rock, AR (501) 562-7969 (1:3821/16.0) --------- "RE: Native-American Activism/F.B.I. Misconduct" --------- Date: 12:22 PM Jul 30, 1994 From: DEB Wild-womyn ZACCONE Subj: Native-American Activism/F.B.I. Misconduct [*******PNEWS CONFERENCES*********] Indian Activist's Lawyer Recounts Trial, F.B.I. Misconduct Although well-known authors have written about him, public figures from the Rev. Jesse Jackson to Marlon Brando have declared their support and congressmen have submitted amicus briefs on his behalf, Native American Leonard Peltier remains in prison convicted of murdering two F.B.I. agents on a South Dakota Indian reservation 18 years ago, awaiting yet another appeal decision. A recent U.Va. conference for K through 12 teachers on Native Americans, past and present, included a talk by law school alumnus John C. Lowe, who was part of the defense team for Mr. Peltier. Mr. Lowe also represented Robert Robideau, one of two other Indians acquitted for the killings. In addition to hearing Native American artists and scholars speak, conference participants watched a documentary on the case of the reservation murders called "Incident at Oglala," produced by Robert Redford. It has never been clear who fired first on June 26, 1975, at the Jumping Bull residence on Pine Ridge Reservation or why special agents Ronald Williams and Jack R. Coler pursued a red pickup onto the property. What is clear is that the agents, wounded after a shootout started, were then finished off at close range. Although there were no eye witnesses to the execution, according to Mr. Lowe, the F.B.I. brought the full weight and power of governmental resources to the prosecutions of Robert Robideau, Dino Butler and Leonard Peltier, all of whom were leaders in the American Indian Movement (AIM), a civil rights group active during the 1970s that stressed getting back to traditional Indian culture. During the shooting, a number of women, children and older folks managed to leave the area unharmed. About 15 others, including the three men later charged, escaped on foot despite dozens of F.B.I. agents, state law enforcement and Bureau of Indian Affairs police scouting for them and shooting, five roadblocks set up around the property and at least one plane trying to locate them. In the documentary, several Indians in the party said one of them spotted an eagle and the group followed its flight, which led to safety -- at least temporarily. Mr. Robideau and Mr. Butler faced trial for aiding and abetting in the deaths of the two agents a year later. Although he fled to Canada, Mr. Peltier was extradited in December 1976 and found guilty of first-degree murder in April 1977. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark is currently representing him in another appeal, for which Mr. Lowe wrote the brief, that he did not receive a fair trial, and the decision could come any day now. "I want to believe that they're working on an opinion that will bring some justice to his case," said Mr. Lowe of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. No one was ever charged with the death of one of the Native Americans during the shootout. Having made his reputation as a civil rights lawyer in the South (and perhaps better known for filing suit against U.Va. in 1969 for not admitting women), John Lowe was urged to put his name in the volunteer pool and was picked as Mr. Robideau's lawyer. A flashy personality named William Kunstler represented Mr. Butler. "No South Dakota lawyer would take any of the Indians' cases," said Mr. Lowe, hinting at the anti-Indian sentiment of many whites in the area at the time. Moving the trial to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, didn't seem much better, but he said Judge Edward McManus "bent over backwards to be fair." One of the most distressing things about working on the case was the F.B.I.'s misconduct. "I had been raised that the F.B.I. could do no wrong. It was inconceivable to me that an agent would lie on the witness stand or tamper with evidence," said Mr. Lowe. "We one-two punched the government's case. We convinced the jury there was reasonable doubt that Robideau and Butler were responsible for the killings." Some agents were openly weeping in the courtroom, they were so surprised by the verdict, he said. "After the other two got off, the F.B.I. wasn't going to let Peltier live peacefully in Canada." Mr. Peltier's extradition was based on fraudulent affidavits, according to Mr. Lowe. FBI agents pressured false statements out of a mentally incompetent woman named Myrtle Poor Bear, in which she claimed to be Leonard's girlfriend and to have seen him kill the agents. Not only did the two not know each other, but it was later found that she was not at the scene that day. The trial was mysteriously moved to Fargo, North Dakota, "an extremely conservative community," added Mr. Lowe. The new lawyer serving as lead counsel, Elliott Taikeff, did not follow Mr. Lowe's advice or the same strategy that had worked in the previous trial. "By the second or third day, I saw the handwriting on the wall," sighed Mr. Lowe. "Every ruling went against us." With ballistics evidence, the FBI tried to prove that Mr. Peltier was the only one using a semi-automatic weapon called an AR-15, and therefore, the shell found in the trunk of one of the agent's cars must have been fired by him, even though the shell couldn't be definitely matched to the gun. Mr. Lowe said that years later FBI documents made available under the Freedom of Information Act showed the FBI knew that more than one AR-15 had been fired at the scene. "I'm satisfied that the answer [of who really killed the agents] lies with that red pickup truck," he said. "That hurt the FBI, because they had a record of an agent seeing that truck leave right after the time of the murders," but at Mr. Peltier's trial the prosecutors did their best to confuse the identification of this vehicle. Another tactic the prosecution used was making AIM seem like a dangerous terrorist group. The jury was escorted by a S.W.A.T. team and rumours were spread that AIM members were planning violent activities, none of which occurred, for example. "What I observed firsthand was AIM trying to do the right thing. Nowadays these people are too busy surviving to be political anymore, but a lot of them have been motivated to go back to traditional ways," said Mr. Lowe. He emphasized how bad life on the Pine Ridge Reservation had become, due to violence as well as "the worst poverty I have ever seen." Adult unemployment was a staggering 70 percent. Only one in 50 families had a telephone, and the reservation was so vast, police could easily be two hours away. "You heard about the goons in the movie -- they were killers. When an unfamiliar car came on your property, you grabbed your gun and turned out the lights," Mr. Lowe explained. The goons, ("Guardians of the Oglala Nation,") were a private police force hired by the corrupt president of the tribal council, Richard Wilson, and paid with federal highway funds. "Wilson and the goons kept things going the way the bureaucrats wanted," he added. A good view of the terror they created can be seen in the commercial film, "Thunderheart," directed by Michael Apted who also did the documentary, said Mr. Lowe. This case shows the importance of police authority, he said, when a teacher asked him to suggest what students could learn from it. "When a police officer is dishonest in court, the whole system breaks down. We have to prosecute them to let them know that's not acceptable. We have to maintain high standards." He also pointed to the reality of the devastating poverty as an important lesson. On a more positive note, the case could serve as "an inspiration to do what's right," he said. "Some things are wrong, some things are right -- that's the way I was raised." --------- "RE: Self-Determined Nations" --------- Date: Jul-29-94 11:40:36 From: Ait-Dau-Been-Gau (ait-dau-been-gau@f147.n59.z1.fidonet.org) Subj: SELF-DETERMINED NATIONS FidoNet Indian Affairs Conference Regarding: Self-Determined Nations (in Message to Clyde Burdette) èèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèè -=ð} ®® Your Comments Were..¯¯ {ð=- èèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèè It just goes to show ya, I may NEVER understand NA culture as YOU experience. Your perspective seems like a distortion of reality to me. I do not want or try to offend you or others, but the manner in which you express yourselves, its almost as though we live on different planets! Our cultural differences are such that it seems to be an arbitrary barrier to complete understanding, peace and cooperation. What is this fight for independence you speak of? Just what does the NA's of North America want? Their lands back? Money? Casinos? For all non-natives to leave? Back-due rent.. Or to secede from the "dominant" government and become a separate sovereignty? Maybe the goals need clarifying to ALL concerned!!!!!!! I for one was born here, my family has been here 200+ years. I ain't leaving! Does that make me an enemy of Native Americans????????????????? èèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèè -=ð} ¯¯ I Replied With..®® {ð=- èèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèèè There are many different worlds on this planet. You are in one, we are in another. Independence? Yes, we are sovereign nations like any other nation, with our own governments, laws, culture, language, etc... We do not want all the land back, just OUR land. When our tribe first met the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the first representatives of the U.S. Government, we treated them kindly. (We could have killed them right off the bat without blinking an eye;) This set the tone for further relations with the U.S. Government. The first treaty with the United States Government was May 26, 1837, the TREATY WITH THE KIOWA NATION - Ft. Gibson, Indian Territory. In it, the Kiowa Tribe and the U.S. Government agreed to: - Peace and friendship between the Kiowa and the U.S., Creek & Osage - Old hostilities between us and the Creek & Osage forgotten - injuries to property of whites or indians to be paid for by U.S. or Kiowas - hunting rights recognized to western limits of the United States (then the Mississippi River) - treaty will not affect Texas or Mexico trade. The next treaty was in July 27, 1853, TREATY WITH KIOWA, COMANCHE & APACHE - Ft. Atkinson, Indian Territory. The agreement contained: - peace and friendship between Kiowa, Comanche, & Apache and the U.S. - U.S. authorized to make roads, posts and forts, and Congress authorized to pass laws to protect rights of persons & property - safe passage for U.S. citizens & payment for damages made - cease raids into Mexico and return captives - $18,000 a year for ten years in goods & merchandise - U.S. agrees to protect tribe from U.S. citizens & reimburse members for damages to Indian property - President may withhold payments for treaty violation - farms may be established instead of payment in goods The next treaty was in October 18, 1865, TREATY WITH KIOWA AND COMANCHE (LITTLE ARKANSAS TREATY) - Little Arkansas River, Kansas It contained: - peace forever between Kiowa & Comanche and the U.S. - for hostile acts by U.S. citizens or other tribes against Kiowas & Comanches, the agent will settle disputes - tribal members committing crimes to be surrendered to U.S. - Reservation of 43 million acres created in western OK & Texas in exchange for giving up land claims - tribes can't leave reservation or camp near roads - U.S. may build roads & posts, but tribe must be compensated for damage to lands - $10 ( and $15 after removing to reservation) for each tribal member, per year for 30 years. (Note: The treaties were never violated, except when Texas became a part of the U.S. This caused confusion among the tribes, who had always fought Texans when they were an independent nation. So we had another treaty where it was clarified that Texas was now part of the U.S.) This lead to the: The main Treaty in October 21, 1867, TREATY WITH THE KIOWA & COMANCHE (THE MEDICINE LODGE TREATY) - Medicine Lodge, Kansas THIS IS THE TREATY THAT IS STILL IN EFFECT!!!!!! In it contains: - all war to cease between Kiowa & Comanche and the U.S. - person harming Indians or their property will be punished - Indians harming whites to be delivered to agent for punishment under U.S. law, U.s. citizens harmed by Indians to be paid out of annuities if Indian fails to pay. - Oklahoma Reservation established - 3 million acres - U.S. will build: agency, hospital, warehouse, quarters for - carpenter, blacksmith, miller & engineer to assist the Indians building houses, towns and other infrastructures such as roads, bridges, etc.. - Head of family can select 320 acre allotment from land - U.S. authorized to pass probate laws & establish police - Children between 6 and 16 required to be schooled and U.S. will provide schools for such - for every 30 children in school, 1 house will be built - provision for framing (seeds & tools of up to $25) available - U.S> to issue pants, socks, coats, hats, calico fabric and other clothing such as blankets, etc... - $25,000 a year for 30 years to purchase other goods - tribes to give up all land outside reservation - tribes to avoid U.S. citizens and permit no harm to them - no part of the reservation can be sold or taken away again unless 3/4 of adult males agree - preference in hiring Indians and trading with Indians - Indians to make reservation permanent home. The next treaty was just an amendment to add on the Apaches to the original Medicine Lodge Treaty Oct 21, 1867 TREATY WITH THE KIOWA, COMANCHE & APACHE (SECOND MEDICINE LODGE TREATY) - Medicine Lodge, Kansas In it: - Apaches agree to confederate with Kiowas and Comanches - KIowas and Comanches agree to share treaty annuities with the Apache - annual annuity increased to $30,000 a year per tribe - Apaches give up their rights with Cheyenne- Arapaho OK, we all lived on a 3 million acres reservation with each family having 320 acres. This was just fine with us, and this what we want today. THIS IS THE LAND THAT WE WANT BACK!!!! ALL WE WANT IS OUR PREVIOUSLY AGREED TO RESERVATION. There were some raiding, but those came to an end in 1975. We were forced to stay on the Reservation because the buffalo were all gone, and we were dependant on this Treaty for our very survival. OK, Kiowas, Comanches & Apaches are becoming all "Civilized". We have productive farms, cattle herds, horse herd are everything is OK. Then this is when THE REAL TROUBLE STARTED BETWEEN US AND U.S. BEGAN!!!! In October 6, 1892 began the great U.S. Land Swindle!!! THE JERMOME "AGREEMENT" - to divide reservation into allotments - remaining unallotted land to be opened to homesteaders - Kiowas, Comanches, & Apaches to paid $2 millions - fraud & mistranslations lead to protest by tribes - Agreement failed to have required 3/4 vote of approval OK! WE DID NOT AGREE TO THIS! BUT THE U.S. CONGRESS GOES AHEAD AND DOES IT ANYWAY! IT WAS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT THAT VIOLATED THE MEDICINE LODGE TREATY, NOT THE KIOWA, COMANCHES & APACHES!!!!! THE INDIANS WARS HAD BEEN OVER FOR 15 YEARS!!!! June 6, 1900 JEROME "AGREEMENT" RATIFIED BY CONGRESS - reservation allotted (approximately 500,000 of 3 million acres) to Indians - 160 acres allotted to head of each household - remaining 2,500,000 acres declared surplus - reservation boundary remains intact OK, we were leasing grassland to the big Texas Cattle Ranches, like the Goodnight Ranch. The Chisolm Trail went right through the middle of our reservation!! So the Rancher did NOT want settlers in the area gumming up the works! So the Cowboys and Indians joined together to fight a legal battle for 10 years against opening up the reservation for settlement! (Strange, but true, the Texas Cattlemen put up the money for the best lawyers that could be found, It was battled all the way up to the Supreme Court! BUT THE COWBOYS AND INDIANS LOST!!! CORRUPT U.S. GOVERNMENT SOLD US DOWN THE RIVER!!!! THE SOONERS WON THE DAY!! July 4, 1901 PROCLAMATION TO OPEN RESERVATION LANDS - president authorizes opening of reservation to settlers - land run, common elsewhere in Oklahoma, changed to lottery system - August 6, 1901 - land opened to homesteaders BUT THE RESERVATION BORDERS WERE NEVER ABOLISHED! Its like if a Japanese buys land in here in America, that land DOES NOT BECOME APART OF JAPAN!! Same thing here, all white settlers on our reservation land are STILL UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE KIOWAS, COMANCHES & APACHES. The problem is further compounded because each tribe is a SOVEREIGN NATION ITSELF! So we have filed suits that are STILL ON THE DOCKET TO THIS VERY DAY, STILL BEING FOUGHT IN COURT!!!! The surplus grassland claim was finally settled in 1975, with the tribes being paid for the grassland formerly leased to the Texas Ranchers, but that still LEAVES THE REST!!! On May 23, 1970 the KIOWA CONSTITUTION APPROVED - tribal government formally re-vitalized in constitutional form separate and apart from Comanches & Apaches - power divided between Business Committee & Tribal Council EACH TRIBE IN THE U.S. HAS A DIFFERENT STORY, DIFFERENT TREATIES AND DIFFERENT PROBLEM!!! THE DAKOTA WANT THE BLACK HILLS BACK BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF THEIR LAST TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES. No, we don't want ALL of it back (You guys have fouled it all up anyway, we DON"T WANT it back!) ALL WE WANT BACK IS WHAT EVERYBODY AGREED TOO! IS THAT ASKING TOO MUCH????? The Navajo and Hopi have their Reservation intact, but they are in disagreement with each other about which part is which tribes! So we all have different problems, but it is with the U.S. Government. The only problem I have with White People is they way we are treated. We are the ORIGINAL AMERICANS, just treat us like one of you! Don't treat us bad because we have dark skin. WE ARE NOT FOREIGNERS, DON'T TREAT US AS SUCH! YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PART OF AMERICA, JUST GIVE US OUR PART BACK!!!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=- [CyberZone]: ALL OF OUR LAWYERS HAVE BEEN INDIANS AND COWBOYS! --- VFIDO 6.20.00 Gamma Candidate 10 Origin: -=} CyberZone {=- (1:147/59) --------- "RE: Western Shoshone Land Dispute w/U.S." --------- Date: 12:58 AM Jul 31, 1994 From: DEB Wild-womyn ZACCONE Subj: Western Shoshone Land Dispute w/U.S. [*******PNEWS CONFERENCES*********] Western Shoshone land dispute with the UNITED STATES In 1863 the U.S. government entered into the Treaty of Ruby Valley with the Western Shoshone Nation. That treaty granted safe passage and basic rights to white settlers moving into Western Shoshone lands. The treaty guaranteed the sovereignty of the Shoshone people over their traditional homeland,Newe Segobia. It was a treaty of friendship and peace. Between the signing of the treaty and the turn of the century, hundreds of Western Shoshone were killed by white settlers. In spite of the persecution, the Western Shoshone maintained a largely peaceful relationship with their neighbors. At no time did the Western Shoshone wage war with the United States. THE INDIAN CLAIMS COMMISSION In the early part of the Twentieth Century, the U.S. began referring to Western Shoshone territory as "U.S. public domain." In the 1930's the Western Shoshone hired a law firm to assist in proving their case: Wilkinson, Cragen, and Barker of Washington,D.C. In 1946 the Indian Claims Commission (ICC) Act was passed into law. Presented as a liberal reform, the ICC Act created a mechanism for settling U.S legal obligations to indigenous peoples. The goal of the ICC was to financially compensate indigenous peoples for lands that had been unlawfully claimed by the U.S. Native Americans were not well-informed as to the purpose of the ICC. Many believed that the ICC would mediate land disputes. Few were told that the ICC's only form of grievance resolution was monetary compensation. The ICC assumed that lands taken illegally were the property of the United States, and no consideration was given to returning lands to the indigenous peoples. In 1951, a claim was filed with the ICC on behalf of the Western Shoshone's lawyer, Robert W. Barker. Many Shoshone were not interested in gaining compensation, and most distrusted the U.S. court system. Barker found a small group of Shoshone, mostly from the Temoak band, who were interested in pursuing the ICC case. Barker appears to have arbitrarily chosen the year 1872 as the time when Western Shoshone lands were taken by the U.S. Barker also included lands in the claim that had never been in dispute. The Western Shoshone realized that they had been misled by Barker and that he had no intention of fighting for their ownership claim. Instead, Barker was doggedly pursuing a case in which the Shoshone were assumed to have already lost the land. Beginning in 1974, the Western Shoshone attempted to stop the ICC process. In 1976, the Temoak band fired Barker and hired a new attorney who accused Barker of collusion with the U.S. government. The ICC refused to acknowledge that Barker was no longer counsel for the Western Shoshone, and the process continued over the strong objections of the people who were supposedly being represented. On August 15, 1977, the ICC ruled that the U.S. owed $26 million to the Western Shoshone, based on an 1872 price of $1.05 an acre and more than $2.5 million by the ICC for their assistance in resolving the land claim. In 1979, the compensation money was deposited in a Bureau of Indian Affairs trust account for disbursement to the Western Shoshone. The Western Shoshone refused the money, maintaining that their religion prevented them from selling land. In the view of the United States, the ICC decision automatically proved its claim to ownership of Western Shoshone land. The Shoshone were stunned by the U.S. position, for they had never sold their land to anyone. Most Shoshone had refused to participate in the ICC process. Others were led to believe that the ICC would compensate them for damages, but that title to the land would remain in Western Shoshone hands. The supporters of the ICC process had assumed that their lawyers would support their claim of ownership by virtue of the Treaty of Ruby Valley. Now they were faced with an ICC declaration that the land belonged to the United States. FURTHER DUPLICITY When U.S. settlers moved into Newe Segobia, they destroyed the basis for the Western Shoshone livelihood. Pinon trees, whose nuts were an important source of food, were ripped from the ground to make room for cattle. Deer and antelope were killed as food for the settlers or to eliminate competition for grazing range. And the U.S. used the railroad right-of-way (granted by treaty) to grant land to white settlers and displace many Western Shoshone from their homes. In the end, the Western Shoshone were forced to find new ways of surviving. Many turned to ranching for sustenance. The Dann family created a niche among the white settlers, working hard to build a small ranch. The ranch was too small to sustain the family, and the U.S. government had already allocated most of the public lands grazing permits to white settlers. Sisters Mary and Carrie Dann now graze cattle and horse on public lands that are unused by their neighbors. Starting in 1973, U.S. agencies began to confront the Dann sisters. A U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ranger charged the Dann sisters with trespassing, since they did not have a permit for grazing cattle on what BLM considered to be U.S. public lands . The Dann sisters maintained that they did not need permits to operate on lands that are part of the Western Shoshone Nation. The trespassing case was taken to U.S. District Court in Reno, Nevada, where the judge requested proof from the government that the land was no longer owned by the Western Shoshone. While the U.S. government could not provide a single piece of evidence that title to the land had been transferred, they cited the 1977 ICC decision as proof that the transfer had been occurred. The U.S. government simply stated that the land had been transferred because the U.S. government said it had been. The judge in Reno accepted the U.S.arguments, fined the Danns $500, and ordered them to leave the land. The Danns appealed the decision. Finally, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in 1978 agreed with the Western Shoshone that the land had never been transferred to the U.S. The case was returned to the District Court in Reno for a trial to determine the ownership of the land. After a year-and-a-half of delays, presiding District Judge Thompson ruled that the Western Shoshone had title to the land until 1979. The BIA's acceptance, on behalf of the Western Shoshone, of the ICC compensation award had erased the native title to the land. In effect, the U.S. government paid itself for land that had not been sold, claiming the land from the Western Shoshone people - people who had never wanted or accepted payment for their homeland. The Danns appealed the case to the Supreme Court, which affirmed the lower court rulings against the Western Shoshone in 1985. The Danns continue their struggle to prove that their land was never sold or given to the U.S. CURRENT EVENTS In 1991, BLM began conducting raids to round-up Dann-owned livestock. The Western Shoshone National Council (WSNC) decided to act as a sovereign nation to protect the property of its citizens from the external threat posed by U.S. agents. The WSNC nationalized the disputed Dann animals in March of 1992. A raid by BLM in April 1992 was thwarted by the peaceful resistance of the Danns and their supporters. On November 19, 1992, BLM attempted another round-up, this time capturing more than 150 horses. Forty-four of these horses were Dann property, and the rest were wild animals. Two horses were killed when driven into fences. In court, BLM agent Joe Morris admitted under oath that the November round-up violated BLM's own regulations governing the Wild Horse and Burro program. Clifford Dann, brother of Carrie and Mary, was injured and arrested when he attempted to stop BLM agents from taking the captured horses. Blocking the road with his truck, Dann stood in the bed, doused himself with gasoline, and announced that he would set himself on fire if BLM agents did not release the horses. Dann declared "By taking away our livelihood and our lands you are taking away our lives." After speaking with Dann's sister Carrie, agents convinced Dann to leave his vehicle. When Dann approached officers, still carrying the plastic container of gasoline and a lighter, the officers assaulted him with fire extinguisher and wrestled him to the ground. Dann decided to use his trial as a venue for arguing Western Shoshone jurisdiction over their lands. At an evidentiary hearing on March 2, 1993, Dr. Bruce Clark argued that the U.S. claim to ownership did not translate into jurisdiction. Clark, who is a well-known and respected expert on indigenous sovereignty issues, stated that the Western Shoshone National Court had jurisdiction and ruled that ownership implies jurisdiction, and the trial of Clifford Dann proceeded. On March 4, 1993, Clifford Dann was convicted in U.S. Circuit Court on a charge of assaulting a federal officer during a raid by U.S. land management authorities. Dann faces a 35-month minimum sentence on the charge. He is being held without bail at the Washoe County Detention Facility, until his sentencing on May 17. An appeal has been filed in Dann's case. CONCLUSIONS The fight continues, with the U.S. government throwing its financial and legal might behind its theft of Western Shoshone lands. The Western Shoshone continue to maintain and believe that their land was never taken, sold, or given to the U.S. - by Scott Robert Ladd, Coyote Gulch Productions For more information or to help: Western Shoshone Defense Project General Delivery Crescent Valley, Nevada 89821 (702) 468-0230 Voice (702) 468-0237 Fax --------- "RE: Mount Graham Victory" --------- Date: Thu, 28 Jul 1994 12:46:29 From: seac-sw@indirect.com (The Lorax) Subj: Mount Graham Victory!! Newsgroup: soc.culture.native JUDGE RULES TO PERMANENTLY STOP FURTHER DESTRUCTION ON MOUNT GRAHAM UNTIL NEPA AND ESA ARE FULFILLED Judge Marquez has ruled, in favor of the 21 plaintiffs, to send the telescope project back for studies. He has enacted an injunction until the site, that was clear-cut on Dec. 7, 1993, has undergone studies required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA). Today was a clear victory for Mount Graham. Many environmental and cultural groups have been asking that the University of Arizona's unlawful Emerald Peak clearcut be subjected to scientific study. For the first time in the history of the project Emerald Peak will be studied to determine the real impacts that the telescope project will have on the ecologically isolated mountain top. The University of Arizona has stated that they will appeal the decision, further delaying the long sought after Environmental Impact Study of Emerald Peak. "If the University of Arizona were truly interested in scientific process why would they stand in the way of a court ordered study," said Eric Glitzenstein, the Mount Graham Coalition’s Lawyer. "It would seem to us that the University would want to get on with the process, rather than promote further delays." "We are very excited. It has been a long time coming, finally the University of Arizona will be held accountable for its environmentally destructive activities on Mount Graham," said Shane Jimerfield, of SEAC- Southwest. --------- "RE: We Are Whole" --------- Date: Fri, 29 Jul 1994 16:45:49 GMT From: Whitecoyote@jpl.nasa.gov (Charles White Coyote) Subj: We are whole. Always were. Newsgroup: soc.culture.native We are whole. We are all mixed blood. Check the rolls!! Call the tribal enrollment office(s). (Don't expect an answer (grin).) If you want to know what spiritual is... then go to the tribal elders homes. Look on their walls, on their shelves. What do you see? Pictures. Pictures of children. Pictures of their children's children. Pictures of their parents, and maybe their parents. Indian? Non-Indian? Check for labels under the pictures. You won't find any. There's your religion right there! There's the culture right there! Mixed bloods all. Someone comes with a book and pencil and starts asking questions. They write it down wrong and they can't even understand our concepts of life, creation, and spirit. Then they publish their book about our family, and all our friends. Outsiders read the book. The outsiders then give our family numbers "so we don't loose track." Then the outsiders read the book to us and tell us we are not living up to "being Indian." After awhile our family believes it all. So confused, battered, feeling like we are in pieces (1/2). Keep talking folks. I still say this "finding myself" is bunk! If you are lost go to the mall, there is a big monolith with an arrow that says, "you are here." You are now found. Start with yourself from the heart. Begin by telling yourself, "I am whole." We are whole. We are all mixed blood. Look for the pictures. --Charles Phillip Whitecoyote, born Ojibway... hopefully will die Ojibway! --------------------------------------------------------------- \|/ The comments above are mine alone. Do not / \ attribute my mad ravings with JPL, NASA, or / o \ CalTech, nor the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Red Lake or White Earth Bands of the Great and Sovereign Chippewa Tribe, my wife (for she maintains her own ravings), nor my dog "Pepsi", nor the New Politically Correct World Order. (Hi Mom!) Chippewa, Anishinabe, Ojibway, Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Otichape, Rabbit-choker, just don't call me late for dinner! --------- "RE: Poem: Standing Still" --------- Date: 2 Aug 1994 12:53:06 -0500 From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart) Subj: Standing Still Newsgroup: alt.native i have taken the stones which the the angry winds have thrown I have gathered them I have rolled them into the womb i have taken sparks from the thunder in the road i have taken water from the old woman's eyes I have crawled inside I have eaten myself I have grown strong 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: 94/07/31 16:03 From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of August 7-13. GE Electronic Mail A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of August 7-13 AUKAKE (August) (Mahoe-mua) 7 Take time to look at clouds and sunsets and the beauty of nature. 8 Make your mind a quiet place of peace and solitude. 9 No truth is ever absolute. 10 The orchid embodies the perfection of diversity. 11 Never be afraid to experience life. 12 The song of the ocean is captured forever in the tiniest shell. 13 Wherever I journey, this place of wonder walks by my side. (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, 4 August 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= We invite your active participation in a worldwide interactive conference (September 27-30, 1994) supported and endorsed by the United Nations International Year of the Family. Together for Tomorrow will bring together individuals from all sectors and ages in society on the Internet and in person to discuss how we can practically promote intergenerational respect, caring, and cooperation. The content of this conference is timely given the aging of the world's population. Internet participants will interact with 400 people gathered in Minneapolis. Together, we will produce a set of international intergenerational principles, develop a worldwide strategy for action, and help build a network of intergenerational thinkers and actors. Madame Jehan el Sadat will keynote the conference. She will be followed by host of presenters and participants who will offer practical recommendations on how to use the intergenerational perspective to give new insights on a wide variety of issues and worldwide concerns. These recommendations will be included in a final report which we will submit to the United Nations, and the upcoming, United States White House Conference on Aging in May, 1995. This conference should be of interest to you because Aboriginal participation is important to developing a more complete intergenerational perspective. It will also be important to explore the numerous contributions Aboriginal people could make to the development of intergenerational principles, actions and how to develop networks. To register for the conference: By Mail: Send mail to majordomo@commonweal.com. In the body of your message, type "send UN". You will receive a registration form via email. By World Wide Web (Mosaic, Cello etc.): Open http://commonweal.com/ From: mwilson@convex.csd.uwm.edu (Michael) From: Oneida Indian Nation of NY NEWS FROM THE ONEIDA INDIAN NATION OF NY, 8/1/94 ONEIDAS' CONTRIBUTIONS REMEMBERED - A two-day observance of the 217th anniversary of the Battle of Oriskany will be held this weekend (August 6,7) at the Oriskany Historic Site off Route 69 east of Rome. The Oneida Nation was the only one of the five original nations of the Iroquois Confederacy which sided with the Colonists during the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Oriskany was one of the bloodiest campaigns of the 8-year war, and where many Oneidas risked and lost their lives. Keller George, Special Assistant to Nation Representative Ray Halbritter, will offer words during Saturday's opening address at 10:05 a.m. This event is open to the public. Aug 11-14 Omak Stampede Ind. Encampment, Omak, Washington Info: 509-634-8869 Aug 11-14 Shoshone-Bannock, Ft. Hall, Idaho Info: 208-238-3700 Aug 12-14 Zuni Arts Cultural Expo '94', Zuni Pueblo, NM Info: 505-782-2869 Aug 12-14 Lower Brule Powwow, Lower Brule, SD Info: 605-473-5561 Aug 12-14 Ilcot Champions, Tulsa, OK Info: 918-836-1523 Aug 12-14 14th Bad River Powwow, Odanah, WI Info: 715-682-7102 Aug 12-14 Nesika Illakee Powwow, Siletz, OR Info: 800-922-1399 Aug 12-14 Annual Red Lake Nation, Red Lake, MN Info: 218-679-3341 Aug 12-14 Ermineskin Powwow, Hobbema, Alberta Info: 403-585-3741 Aug 12-14 11th Lac Vieux Desert Powwow Watersmeet, MI Info: 906-358-4227 Aug 13-14 4th Trinity Farms Powwow, Pataskala, OH Info: 614-228-9479 Aug 13-14 Grand Portage Rendezvous, Grand Portage, MI Info: 218-475-2277 Aug 13-14 7th Annual Tyendinaga Powwow, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Info: 1-613-396-3194 Aug 13-14 Mohawk Trail Powwow, Charlemont, MA Info: 413-339-4096 Aug 13-14 18th Leonard J. Pamp Powwow Burlington, MI Info: 616-729-9434 Aug 13-14 3rd Annual Thousand Island Powwow, Clayton, NY Info: 1-315-434-9236 (9-5), 1-315-446-9128 (night) Aug 13-14 14th Annual Paumanaukee Powwow and Native American Living Arts Festival, Copiague, LI Info: 1-516-661-7558 Aug 12-13 10th Annual Eno-Occaneechi Powwow, Mebane, NC Info: 1-919-563-4640 Aug 13-14 3rd Annual Virginia Native American Cultural Center Powwow Ashland, VA Info: 1-804-769-4839 Aug 13-14 National Native American Festival and Powwow, Macon, GA Info: 1-404-215-0604 Aug 13-14 "Who will mourn for Logan" Powwow, Wellsburg, VA Info: 1-717-955-5177 Aug 15-20 American Indian Expo, Anadarko, OK Info: 404-247-6651 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, 4 August 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 listserv groups= Original Sender: Colorado.EDU!Karen.Leeson Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Deadline for abstracts for the SfAA March meeting is October 1, 1994. SOCIETY FOR APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY 1995 Annual Meeting, March 29 - April 2, 1995 Albuquerque Hilton Hotel, Albuquerque, NM "Environment, Development, and Health" Questions about papers and sessions should be submitted to: Deward E. Walker, Jr. 1995 SfAA Program Chair University of Colorado at Boulder Department of Anthropology Campus Box 233 Boulder, CO 80309 (303) 492-6719 or (303) 492-8984, Fax (303) 492-7970 e-mail: walkerde@spot.colorado.edu Original Sender: Pablo Bellon Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) 5th ANNUAL SYCUAN POW-WOW, September 9, 10, 11 Sponsored by the Sycuan Band of Mission Indians. Motel reservations call (800) 423-3992, (800) 225-7698, (619) 588-8808, (619) 442-2576. For pow-wow info call: (619) 442-2576. Original Sender: Queens Library Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) This announcement is being posted to several lists for a group without net access. Please contact them at the address given. ! VIVA ZAPATA ! A Benefit for Humanitarian Aid for Zapatista-Held Territory in Chiapas, Mexico Concert, performances, speakers, Zapatista art and photography, featuring: Sweet Lizard Illtet, Agent 99, Screaming Venus, Latin American Folk Music When: Friday, August 5, 1994, 6:00 p.m. Where: THE KOOP, 36 Cooper Square (between 5th & 6th Streets) New York City Admission: $10.00 ($5.00 for unemployed) --------- "RE: Foundation to Preserve Sacred Site" --------- Date: Fri, 29 Jul 1994 13:38:04 GMT From: Colorado.EDU!Karen.Leeson Subj: Running Horse Foundation Seek Assistance Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) FOUNDATION CREATED TO PRESERVE SACRED SITE Arkansas Mountain located in Boulder County has not been forgotten by the people who have been fighting to preserve this sacred place and protect it from destruction by the development of homes and roads. If construction is permitted the use of its environs by Native Americans for religious purposes will be terminated. There have been many meetings over the past year with the Forest Service and the developers. It has been a long battle, but has reached the point where the land can now be purchased. The Running Horse Foundation, a non-profit corporation, was created to preserve this site and with much needed financial backing extend its services to other sacred sites that are endangered by development. The Running Horse Foundation is dedicated to the protection of Indian spirituality by the purchase of this land to provide a place for present and future generations to practice traditional ways. Bruce Woodhull, Omaha Indian, president of the foundation says, " Although we do not believe the land can be owned, this is the only way to preserve and protect it." As much as $50,000 is needed to accomplish the goal of purchasing the land. Your help is greatly needed, and will be greatly appreciated. Make your contribution payable to: The Running Horse Foundation c/o Greene, Meyer & McElroy, P.C. 1007 Pearl Street, Suite 220 Boulder, CO 80302 For further information on the foundation and its goals, contact Bruce Woodhull at (303) 421-6384. --------- "RE: Wounded Knee Veteran" --------- Date: Sun, 31 Jul 1994 22:40:08 EDT From: Joe Quickle Subj: Wounded Knee Veteran Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Wanted to forward some relevant things (with permission) from private e-mail with a Wounded Knee veteran. The quoted text is from a Natchat post by me, while the rest is his... Mitakuye Oyasin, Joe Q. Two Crows ----------------Forwarded text starts here---------------- >Jordan, >You voiced your opinion that you didn't think that the FBI would have >fired first in the Oglala firefight. While I agree that out of context >it doesn't seem likely, it seems much more so when considered in relation >to the environment in which the incident took place. Yes, they DEFINITELY would fire first. HISTORY PROVES THAT. During Wounded Knee, EVERY FIREFIGHT EXCEPT FOR ONE was started by the Feds, principally the FBI. And that one exception was at a point when negotiations had broken down, things were at an absolute standstill in terms of trying to come to some sort of agreement or whatever and tensions were running very high. One brother took a shotgun and fired it into the ground while INSIDE one of our bunkers. All hell broke loose immediately. And remember, THEY had .50 cal machine guns, M-16s, APCs, unlimited supplies, ammunition. We had hunting rifles - and frequently very little food and even less ammo. Or I can give the example of one of the air drops. They opened up immediately, including on a family with small children who were pulling a little toy wagon so they could get some food. (We weren't exactly eating prime ribs and caviar at that point. It was more like beans, if we had any, with nothing to season them.) The family - kids and all - had to take cover in a ditch. Or what about when one of the brothers took a cow out into an open field - IN PLAIN SIGHT, no obstructions. He took a pistol, shot it in the head so we could butcher and eat it. Before the cow hit the ground, they opened up, continuing all day. AND THEY COULD EASILY SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. Our estimate was that they fired at least 20,000 rounds that day. We returned 46. (No, I didn't forget to put any zeros there. That's forty-six. We had to count our rounds. They didn't.) Another point here is that, as I remember it, the FBI were much more provocative than the US Marshalls (and I don't have any particular love for the Marshalls - but the FBIs, well, it's not polite to use obscenities here ...) FBIs would sometimes run their APCs toward our lines, making it look like they were coming in. I always figured they were trying to draw fire so they could say WE started the firefights, but, then again, it didn't matter if that didn't work. They controlled the press. (Remember: after about the third week, the press was banned from the res and ALL news briefs were given by the FBI.) >First, the FBI was actively gearing its agents up for a confrontation. >They were putting out all sorts of misinformation to their own agents, >about bunkers being built and AIM's intentions. They set up a climate >for their own agents in which they were expecting to be attacked at any >time. Again, all of this is reminiscent of Wounded Knee. (I'm not trying to move this from a discussion about Leonard Peltier to one about Wounded Knee, but I think there are parallels and they show us that what happened at Oglala was part of a pattern, not a freak accident. In other words, IT WAS BUSINESS AS USUAL - except that it backfired and Leonard, among others, is paying for that.) According to the FBI, we were armed to the teeth with automatics, heavy machine guns, had abundant supplies. Like somebody else said back then, "APCs - against .22s and shotguns - who's pointing guns at who?" (Oh yeah, we did have ONE automatic, an AK-47, but I guess that just proved to them that we were communists, didn't it? A couple of years later, I got into an argument about this with somebody else. He kept insisting that there were at least 3 AK-47s, because that's what the press had reported. My opinion didn't count because I obviously wasn't going to tell the truth since we'd broken the law. Funny, I didn't/don't see it that way. The truth is the best thing we've got going for us - if people only knew it.) And for those who don't think they meant business, don't forget that about two years later, the Feds ADMITTED during congressional hearing to firing in at least 500,000 rounds. And that's THEIR figures, not ours. Enough said. Mitakuye Oyasin --------- "RE: Panel Reviewing Military Aircraft" --------- Date: Thu, 28 Jul 1994 07:33:00 PDT From: chernos@web.apc.org Subj: FEARO process re Innu of Nitassinan Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) | Date: Wed, 27 Jul 94 15:37 EDT | From: cppnw (Canadian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) Sylvia Keet has asked me to forward this to you. Regards, Debbie Grisdale CPPNW ###################################################### TO: The Editors The Halifax Chronicle-Herald and MailStar The Halifax Daily News. Press and Media Release FROM: Dr. Sylvia Keet President - Nova Scotia Health Professionals for the Prevention of Nuclear War.(NS - HPPNW) Nova Scotia chapter of CPPNW. (Canadian Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.) DATE: July 26, 1994 RE: ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PANEL REVIEWING MILITARY FLYING ACTIVITIES IN LABRADOR AND QUEBEC. A 90 day public review period began on April 27, 1994 to review and comment on the Department of National Defence's revised environmental impact statement (EIS) of low level flying activities in Labrador and Quebec. The review period ended today on July 26 and enclosed please find the submission by our local chapter NS - HPPNW and HPNR (Quebec chapter of CPPNW) We would like to draw your attention to our independent review which confines itself to the Health Issues and reflects the organization's expertise in this area. Our review document has identified certain deficiencies in the Revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), enough to impede meaningful discussions at the upcoming public hearings. Our submission found the Revised EIS has 'sufficiently addressed the issues relating to noise and Public Health and with a few glaring exceptions the material can be found within the Revised Reports' (Technical and Main). However, the Conclusions in the Executive Summary do not reflect the material cited in the main reports. In addition to several inconsistencies found in the Revised EIS with regard to noise and public health there are misquotations, omissions and several incomprehensible conclusions which do not reflect the material cited so that the final conclusion is misleading. We therefore have serious concerns that meaningful public discussion would be impeded as a result. Report submitted to FEARO by: Nancy Covington M.D.(Halifax) 479-3953 Susan Studdard,audiologist (Halifax) Jeannie Rosenberg M.D.(Huntingdon,Quebec) Sylvia Keet M.D. . P.O. Box 462 RR# 1 Tantallon B0J 3J0 (902) 823 1790 --------- "RE: Mohawks' Struggle for Land Rights" --------- Date: Fri, 29 Jul 1994 14:31:00 PDT From: hrdesk@igc.apc.org Subj: Mohawks' Struggle for Land Rights Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) /* Written 9:05 AM Jun 30, 1994 by jdav in igc:gen.newsletter */ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ People's Tribune (Online Edition) Vol. 21 No. 27 / July 4, 1994 P.O. Box 3524, Chicago, IL 60654 Email: jdav@igc.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 6. MOHAWK LEADER RECALLS SIEGE IN QUEBEC: WALTER DAVID, SR. LOOKS AHEAD By Anthony D. Prince OKA, Quebec -- It was on July 11, 1990 that heavily armed provincial police officers fired on a handful of Mohawks in this tiny corner of Quebec. That brutal, unprovoked attack drew both blood and international attention; support for the embattled warriors poured in. For 79 days, the long struggle of the Mohawks for land rights and freedom came down to a few acres: a sacred Mohawk burial ground designated by Oka village officials to become part of the expansion of a golf course. It was the final insult for a people who had been systematically robbed of their land and subjected to second-class citizenship for centuries. In the end, the armed struggle stopped the golf course expansion, but the larger issues in "the Pines" remain unsettled. Walter David Sr. was there. One of the most respected members of the Longhouse, the traditional leading body of the Mohawks, David summed up his feelings four years after the bitter stand-off. "They have not settled anything in good faith," says David. "We're being totally ignored by the government of Canada. You have agreements made many years ago that the government is refusing to be answerable to even now. They want to control us; we're being oppressed from every side." As David speaks, he pulls a length of beaded cloth from a small bag. It is a replica of the 300-year-old "Two Row Wampum" treaty with the Dutch giving the Mohawks the very land later claimed by Oka officials. "The significance of the wampum is that it shows two parallel lines, one representing a European ship and the other, the canoe of the Iroquois Confederacy," he explains. "Parallel lines never meet. The two sets of laws -- political, religious -- do not interfere. It was meant to depict peaceful co-existence, mutual non-interference. They have not lived up to this treaty." That's putting it mildly. By the time of the Oka occupation in 1990, virtually every agreement safeguarding the Mohawks had been systematically abrogated by the Canadian and U.S. governments. History had set the stage for the 79-day battle for "the Pines." "It's amazing, because [Oka] is a small, little place, one of the few last remaining not in the government's legal possession," continues David, recalling the 22,000 Canadian troops and the armored personnel carriers, tanks, helicopter gunships and other heavy armaments used against the insurgent Mohawks. Four years later, according to David, the Canadian government has now supplemented brute force with political bribery, drugs and alcohol in order to deny the Mohawks their rights. "At the time of the conflict, everybody listened to us," he says, referring to the traditional Longhouse elders. "Now, they've turned everything over to the Indian Act Band Councils under Canadian law. In 1990, we [the Longhouse] had a hell of a lot of support. Over 85-90 percent of the community and other parts of the Mohawk nation. Now, we've been totally ignored by the Canadian government." But David knows that when another confrontation breaks out, the true leaders of the people will once again emerge. "If anything were to happen, we would certainly get that support right back." On July 9 and 10, events will be held in Oka to commemorate the 79-day siege of 1990. For more information about these events, call 1-514-479-8321. For background on the struggle in Oka, we suggest _People of the Pines_. To obtain a copy, call Little, Brown and Company (Canada) at 1-416-967-3888. +----------------------------------------------------------------+ 'THE FATE OF OUR PEOPLES IS INTERTWINED' -- NOC The following statement was issued by the International Committee of the National Organizing Committee to mark the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the 79-day siege in Oka, Quebec in 1990. the Pines: On the fourth anniversary of the bitter siege of Oka, the National Organizing Committee sends you revolutionary greetings. We have grown close in the years since the tense summer of 1990; our support remains unqualified. At this time, the criminal governments of both Canada and the United States are turning to unchecked police repression against their respective populations. In both countries, the growth of poverty and unemployment have created growing numbers of people who cannot be fed, clothed and housed within the constraints of the existing capitalist system. Consequently, the ruling class turns to force. Governments that do not derive their just powers from the consent of the people are not fit to rule. This is the legacy of the American Revolution of 1776, inspired, in part, by the broad democracy embodied in the Iroquois Confederacy of that time. Today, the steadfastness, heroism and keen political sense that marked the 1990 uprising at Oka provide essential lessons for the battles that lie ahead. Confronting the armed brutality of our common enemies -- be it in the tall pines of Kanesatake or in the streets of South Central Los Angeles -- the fate of our peoples is intertwined. With unity, victory is certain. It is with that confidence that we march with you today. +----------------------------------------------------------------+ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This article originated in the PEOPLE'S TRIBUNE (Online Edition), Vol. 21 No. 27 / July 4, 1994; P.O. Box 3524, Chicago, IL 60654; Email: jdav@igc.org. Feel free to reproduce and use unless marked as copyrighted. Please include this message with reproductions of this article. The PEOPLE'S TRIBUNE depends on donations from its readers -- your generosity is appreciated. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --------- "RE: Mascots" --------- Date: Fri, 15 Jul 1994 14:11:23 PST From: "Tami Wasson" Subj: Mascots Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) I'm sending this message out for a friend who would like to solicit opinions from others. You can send thoughts to me at tlw@dev.urel.berkeley.edu and I'll make sure she receives them. _________________________________________________ THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS WRITTEN THIS SUMMER BY MY "SIGNIFICANT OTHER" TO HIS SON (WHO IS ABOUT 23). THIS IS SUCH A GOOD LETTER ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT, I ASKED HIM IF I COULD SEND IT OUT TO READERS ON NATIVENET...SO HERE IT IS. --D. GEDNEY, UC BERKELEY. Hi Kev, When you and Wes were down to visit for your birthday, we touched on a subject that I feel you need to look at differently, and thereby maybe changing your way of thinking about the situation! How many times as a child were you teased by non-Indians for being Indian? How many times did they ask you to do a raindance or they would jump around the room whooping the "Hollywood War Cry," clapping their hand over their mouths? How often are you seriously asked some dumb question like "Do Indians still live in teepees?" or they seem surprised you don't "act" Indian? I'm sure there were times when you felt embarrassed or even ashamed to be Indian. I know I used to feel that way sometimes, and as a matter of fact I think most young Indians - especially urban Indians - go through a phase like that. That's why I feel that we as minorities in this white controlled society have to be very much aware of every subtle and not so subtle put down of the American Indian, and in response make this feeling known to those who see "nothing wrong" with a particular remark or title applied to whatever, such as a professional football team. Since the advent of radio and television (and we know what majority controls these medias), Indians have suffered from false or exaggerated images based on a lifestyle lived hundreds of years ago! Program after program, movie after movie was produced and never did they fail to exploit the "savage redman," even now into the 1990's. Even the history books were written to tell all but the positive side of the indigenous people of this country. It's really no wonder that the non-Indian has such a warped idea of what today's native people are like! Names like "the Braves", "the Chiefs", "the Indians", "the Warriors", etc. are innocent enough as words in the English language, but when applied to school and professional teams, all the negative images of Hollywood are exploited in the hype surrounding that particular sport. Some people tell me "I don't see why you're against it. You should be proud and honored that we are recognizing Native Americans!" Immediately the Atlanta Braves baseball team springs to mind: they and their fans doing that stupid tomahawk chop, dressed in ludicrously colored feathers, screaming that so-called war cry as they stomp around their stadium. Now, I should be honored by this despicable demonstration? Come on Ted Turner! "The Fighting Seminoles." What's wrong with that, some might ask. It portrays a positive image doesn't it? Indians are strong fighters aren't they? Well, yes, but that's not all they do! But what the non-Indian conjures up in his mind is that stereotype, that "fighting Indian" in buckskin and breechcloth, face all painted up as he loses valiantly in battle to John Wayne. Stereotypes, Kevin, it's the stereotyping we've got to fight! The stereotypical Jew - what would you call his sports team - "the Money Grubbing Jews"? How about the stereotypical black person? "The Stealing Negroes" would be a great name for their baseball team, don't you think? They should feel honored, shouldn't they, when some non-black person tap dances out onto the field, face all painted black and wearing a brightly colored Afro? Stereotyping - we've got to get rid of it! Now what about the Washington Redskins? Why all the hoopla from Indians around the country? You didn't seem to understand. The word is offensive, Kevin, plain and simple. From the very conception of the name "redskin", it has been used to blaspheme the Indian, usually used in conjunction with some other vile or derogatory adjective. Never has it been used in compliment! Only the most uninformed or the most bigoted will use that word when speaking of Native Americans. It is as powerful a word as the "N" word is in speaking about a black person. Look up "redskin" in a major dictionary sometime. Even there it will tell you that it is "usually taken to be offensive." Now hopefully you will understand the position that I and many of our people take when naive and mistaken individuals challenge us over "a few harmless words." If we as a people ever hope to be treated as equals in the dominant society, we have to expel the stereotype from the minds of the those who don't know, and enlighten them to the fact that we are here now, living side by side with them, participating individuals in today's society, and that we are contributing members of the human race. Oh, and it just happens that our skin is a little darker and that our ancestors didn't come over on the shuttle boats that theirs did! At the very least Son, caring people should respect the wishes of others even though they might not understand. If someone said to you, "I find that particular word offensive" you may not understand why, but out of respect for that person you'll try not to use that word again. To do so would be just plain uncaring and disrespectful. We have enough of that in this world without people doing it unknowingly! So hopefully you'll give this topic some serious thought and maybe you'll realize the importance of ethnic awareness and the necessity of change. Most important is the need to do away with stereotyping, and the fight against ethnic team names is as good a place to start as any. Take care. (Been nice talking with you!) Love, Dad