Subject: nanews03.006 From: gars@netcom.com (Gary Night Owl) To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Message-ID: _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 03, ISSUE 006 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 11 February 1995 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 NATIVE-L, NATCHAT & NATIVELIT Mailing Lists, Genie (General Electric) & UUCP email, UseNet newsgroup alt.native Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. <----<<<< >>>>----> 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 to include in the NATIVE-L lists.(part A) It is echoed on AISESnet, IND-NET, and EIRP listservers and archived by AISESnet. Thanks to Marc Becker, mbecker@uclink2.berkeley.edu, issues of Wotanging Ikche/Kanoheda Aniyvwiya are now being archived at a World-Wide-Web site. The URL is http://ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu/~marc/journals/nanews/ This is a test site, and at some point in the future the location of these files will change. Thanks to Phil Duran, duranp@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu, issues are now being archived at the Washington State University gopher in the following directory: gopher.wsu.edu /WSU Campuses Info /Public Services /Native Peoples " The earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough. We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us." __Chief Joseph - Nez Perce +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! This newsletter is the result of brothers and sisters who graciously grant me permission to share their words with others. I always offer thanks for these gifts, and for the gift of those who honor these words with their interest, their eyes and their hearts. It is one thing, these gifts of words. It is another thing when the words are a look into another's very soul. The first article in this issue is one of those looks. It is a thing that gave me great pause. Then, I took my thoughts to the drum. I have prayed for Thomas. I have prayed for his Grandmother and his family. More than anything I pray that the bitter anguish that is the legacy of those hateful boarding schools have soiled our People for the last time. I asked Thomas if he wanted these deep, inner feelings shared. He does. Thank you, my Brother. I pray this great cleansing will help mend your heart and help mend the Sacred Hoop. Peace! Night Owl , , Gary Night Owl gars@genie.geis.com (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@netcom.com (`-') Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@igc.apc.org ===w=w=== NativeNet Node 90:133/2501 FidoNet 1:133/2501 ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- Part A: Usenet and e-mail Part B: NATCHAT and NATIVE-L lists - I Didn't Know - Conferences and Powwows - online - Grandmother Doris Minkler - Interview with Rigoberta Menchu Tum - Looking Like an Indian - Nechako Still Dying; - Native American Communications Kemano 2 Must be Reduced Council - Decolonizing Anthropology - Mescalero Apaches Vote Down - Innu To Evict Mining Companies from Nuclear Waste Dump Voisey Bay - Poem: The Circle Of Life - Support Innu Resistance to USAF - Poem: Bowl Filled with Light - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days - Conferences and Powwows - offline --------- "RE: I Didn't Know" --------- Date: Sat, 4 Feb 1995 09:46:50 -0400 (EDT) From: "Thomas A. Ferguson" Subj: I Didn't Know UUCP email Kwey! Gary Night Owl: I thought, since I had a few minutes, I would send my inner thoughts (which are spiritual) and through medicine I manifested these thoughts onto the printed screen. These thoughts are of the day, December 26, 1994, over the winter break, I had the time to visit with my grandmother. She has since left with the raven to meet the Creator, I am sure she is now smiling down at us, I can see her, when I look to the heavens, at night, and see "all our relatives" smiling down upon us. I DIDN'T KNOW She laid, gasping for air. He said, she made them promise "No Tubes!" Her eyes closed, fist clenched. A small, STRONG, mean, BITTER women... my Grandmother. "IF SHE WAS CONSCIOUS, SHE WOULD BE INSULTING US!" My father, he seams different... No words of love... his motions expressed his affection - his affliction. I am moved... he seams approachable. I now have a new insight... a new perspective. I DIDN'T KNOW! she gasped... My father... his back to the hospital's fifth floor window... sun shining in, casting a mystic shadow over his dying mother. He LOVED her - I see it in his eyes and in his mannerism. His mother lying... dying - His eyes... In his eyes i can see he is worried... a nervousness, there, I never knew... He never let on... NOW i KNOW... i am crying... ALL THE ANGUISH, the suffering. it is unimaginable. Did I mention she is 84. She had many heart-attacks in the last 12 years... the doctor said "anyone else would not have survived the first... goes to show she is a strong women." his mother, my grandmother, my children's great-grandmother. she was forced into that indian boarding school... tormented... abused, abused, abused; then tormenter and abuser... now lying there helplessly gasping for oxygen. waiting for the raven - to show her the way to the Great Mystery ... and finally, peace. His sisters sent to similar schools - NO DOUBT suffered as she did. now i know they will have SIMILAR FATES... and I AM FURIOUS...! She gasps... her fist still clenched (i wonder, when will she release her hate?) as We stand, at the base of her bed. (only holidays and death).- .. we talk of her great, great grandchildren... Did I mention she was 84 - dylan 1.5... (only minutes ago i was with my grandson - Dylan the youngest in our extended family - now i stand here with two of six of his children... my siblings and her grand-children). we are nervous... but we step closer. we are at her side. I reached for her clenched fist... I want to yell... I need to let her know. within i yell... "NOW I KNOW!..., (it echoes) now i know now i know. i know now... it wasn't me... it wasn't me you HATED!" (i can't hold back my tears.) We unfold her hand, her knuckles... red... they look sore... she clenched her fist so tight. Our unfolding of her hand, was as to say, in our quiet: WE know your pain. it has been a long and difficult journey for you and we love you... Relax now (no one will hurt you... anymore), be calm... for you are safe... and among family. WE LOVE YOU! Please understand: I DIDN'T KNOW... I DIDN'T.. KNOW!...i didn't know... i didn't know -(i am crying for you... my GRANDMOTHER!) migwech. Thomas A. Ferguson 121 Birchwood Dr.,apt#1 taf3@Cornell.edu 607/266-0344 Floriculture/ Orn.Horticulture fax: 255-0185 American Indian Program (AIP) Ithaca, NY 14850 --------- "RE: Grandmother Doris Minkler" --------- Date: 95/02/06 07:19 From: James D. Audlin (j.audlin@genie.geis.com) Subj: Grandmother Doris Minkler GE Electronic Mail GRANDMOTHER DORIS MINKLER A three hour drive through blizzard conditions took two Abenaki friends wo are sister and brother, Willow and Little Wolf, and me up to visit Grandmother Doris Minkler (Mourning Dove), an elder of the Abenaki Nation in northern Vermont. She lives with her husband in a small rather poor home warmed by a kerosene heater, decorated with traditional Abenaki handmade items and Christmas lights on the wall. Grandmother Doris is both a devout Christian and a traditionalist according to the ways of her ancestors. She has been told by the doctors that she is terminally ill with cancer; she is also currently suffering from pneumonia. When we first arrived she could hardly talk, she was coughing so much. By the end of our three hour visit she was much stronger and coughing very little. During our visit we smudged and did what she calls a Heart Circle (a guided meditation such as I have previously experienced led by Grandmothers of other nations), and shared the Sacred Pipe. She did some healing (through "laying on of hands") for a young Abenaki woman who coincidentally came by while we were there. She also graced us three by telling us what she could see of our future personal lives. We later agreed that it was astonishing how accurate she was, especially considering she was meeting two of us for the first time, and knew nothing about us She talked a great deal about her concerns for the world, that things are soon going to come to a major time of ending/renewal (what is often referred to as the end of the Fourth Age). While she is concerned about how fewer and fewer people are walking the traditional ways of their ancestors, she is heartened by the strength and courage of those who remain and those who are coming back. She feels it is very important for us all to stay true to the Red Road, and to walk in harmony with all our relations. She reminds us to stay aware of what is our "heart's desire", and to follow that desire carefully and well. I have often in my life known Native American elders who have lived in ways which, according to the dominant society, are poor, and even shabby. Often these elders, according to the dominant society, are poorly educated if at all. But I have found every one of these elders to be rich and wise in ways that surpass all the wealth and knowledge of the dominant society. Such a one is Grandmother Doris. I remain joyfully overwhelmed by her wisdom and compassion, her strength and clear vision. Even though probably nearly all of you who read this note do not know her personally, I hope you join me in being glad for her and all the Grandmothers and Grandfathers who help us walk on the Red Road. Hau! Mitaquye oyasin! --Distant Eagle --------- "RE: Looking Like an Indian" --------- Date: Tue, 7 Feb 1995 12:27:09 -0500 From: "Carter C. Revard" Subj: Looking Like an Indian Mailing List: NATIVELIT [Editorial Note: Carter asked that I note these thoughts were neither the first nor last and that they were in response to a thread concerning the writings of Tony Hillerman.] A note on looking like an Indian: I have four half-brothers and sisters, each of whom is 7/16 Osage Indian, according to the usual blood-quantum count based on the Osage rolls. My youngest sister has seven children, their father being a tall blond cowboy. Of the seven, the youngest "looks Indian," but her next older brother is six five and reddish blond with ruddy complexion and blue eyes. No one would be likely to take them for brother and sister. So if Rendy were walking down the street with Danny, one of them would be taken as Indian, the other would not, but they have identical blood quanta of 7/32, and both have CDIB cards as grandchildren of enrolled Osage. Of the other five kids, the two older girls look like what they are, "almost a quarter," the three brothers differ considerably. One, David, has gone up to the Sun Dance with his Ponca cousins each year for a number of years now, and when younger was given a name by the Lakota there which is very like Custer's name, because his hair (worn long) and beard were reddish-gold. But they liked and let him be part of the Sundance because he is a good guy, is Indian, is cousin to Carter Camp (who is Ponca not Osage). So it is not an easy thing, this complex of Indian looking, Indian certified, Indian tribal background. I agree with those of the people on this list who say let's look at what Ward or anyone is saying, and not just at what color his skin is or what kind of card he is carrying. But the hard reality is of course that among Indian people that card now matters in any such argument, and skin color matters in any confrontation also. It was easier for full bloods among our Osage people to say a mixed-blood was not really Osage, in the days when full bloods could arrange marriages for their children. Nowadays anyone who wants to set blood quantum as the key to enrolling as member, is likely to face the fact that wherever that quantum is set may cut off a child or grandchild from membership. It is a mess, and the mess is part of the U.S. policy in historic setting, and there seems no recourse except for each Indian nation to set its own standards, and those standards are likely to change among a lot of the different nations. I sometimes wish we had the escape route of forming political parties so we could blame quarrels and fratricide on politics in the non-Indian sense, the sort of Newt vs. Bill stuff, Tory vs. Whig, rather than full vs. mixed, or pale vs. bronze. Seems to me the quarrels usually begin in other areas then get moved over into Who's the real Indian once the argument gets hot. --------- "RE: Native American Communications Council" --------- Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 10:31:34 -0500 From: NACC@aol.com Subj: FYI: Revised, revised tech release UUCP email Since posting the last revised release on 1/28/95, the National Science Foundation and Pathways has provided information that updates the information previously stated in the release. Thank you all for your continued feedback and support. Victoria Bracewell Short NACC +++++++++++ NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL, INC. Tempe, Arizona (602) 491-4493 Internet # NACC@aol.com _________________________________________________ Contact: Tamera Crites Shanker, Victoria Bracewell Short FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Tech rel) Tempe, Arizona January 13, 1995 - Native Americans establish the Native American Communications Council (NACC). The Native American Communications Council, Inc. ("NACC") was established for the purpose of developing a Native owned and operated electronic network hub. The development of a Native internet service will ensure that Native people will have full and easy access to computer based telecommunications, relevant to their specific needs. While there are a few Native American operated bulletin board systems and user groups offering on-line services, basic telecommunications infrastructure remains severely lacking in Native America. There are currently 550 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaskan Native villages in the United States; only two, however have any significant connection to or presence on the Internet. As of December 1994, only a few of the twenty-eight Native controlled colleges were connected to the Internet. The NACC intends to fill this void by providing its own interactive network service to offer real-time discussions, plus information and programs on legal, health, business development, employment, entertainment and educational issues of particular concern to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. In this way, the NACC will open the electronic door to greater communications between the numerous Native communities. It will also provide access for non-Native people to learn about Native American issues directly from the Native communities; which in turn will support and facilitate dialogue between Native and non-native peoples. Because there is not currently a unified Native American presence on the Internet nor the online services such as Delphi, Genie, or America Online, there is a lot of room for Native Americans to be misrepresented. The founding members came together in their shared concern for the potential and actual abuse that can and is occurring in these mediums. "The anonymity of on-line services allow for unscrupulous individuals to present disinformation on Native cultures and beliefs to serve their own personal agenda," said Dawn Jackson, NACC spokesperson. Through computers the founding members began the groundwork for the NACC. "We realized if we did not take a position on the Information Superhighway, someone else would," said Jackson. "After a great deal of research, we realized there was a real need for this type of native organization. It is also one of the goals of the NACC to seek cooperation with existing Native efforts in the telecommunications arena so that its efforts will complement, not conflict, with one another. The specific goals of the NACC are to: 1.) develop a Native owned and operated telecommunications network to provide Native people with full and easy access to information stored on the NACC server. It will offer most Internet functions such as gopher, ftp, telnet, and an NACC World Wide Web (WWW) site. The NACC WWW home page will allow users to submit, hunt for, retrieve, and display data such as text, graphics, sound, and video. The html that instructs the computer to hyperlink information from the primary NACC server to another computer is hidden by a WWW browser. The primary NACC server would be tied into local servers that are located on reservations, Alaskan villages, urban centers, museums, and other non-NACC computers. NACC Local system administrators are responsible for maintaining their respective nodes and also will determine what is to be placed onto the NACC network. 2.) provide Native Americans with easy access to the resources of Internet via the free distribution of Netscape, which is a free World Wide Web browser that was developed by the software authors of NSCA Mosaic. Users, when launching Netscape, would see the NACC home page. The user is then able to browse through the NACC WWW site to link to local servers. Netscape also allows the user to exit out of the NACC WWW site to browse other WWW and gopher sites. 3.) educate Native Americans about the possibilities and resources of the Information Superhighway and encourage Native Americans to take advantage of these resources. Training would include navigating the Internet, creating WWW home pages, searching/retrieving information, submitting information, and intellectual property concerns, as well as managing local NACC nodes. 4.) develop and establish an interactive Internet network of services and programs to provide access to information resources, distances learning, grant opportunities, legal issues, health issues and services, educational, professional and job opportunities and native entertainment in film, TV, music and dance . The information would be contained in various locations, depending on security. Information that can be freely released to the public could be retrieved by WWW or anonymous ftp, while others can be controlled via passwords via ftp, telnet, and WWW. Other files can be encrypted by PGP or other encryption programs. Since 1993, the founding members of the NACC have met with various Native American groups to obtain funding and support for the NACC. In February/March 1994, the board of directors first introduced the goals and objectives of the NACC to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian and the National Science Foundation. Orna Weinroth of the National Indian Policy Center in Washington D.C. has been advising the NACC since it's inception. In September 1994, the Phoenix law firm of Snell & Wilmer offered to assist the NACC with the incorporation process on a pro bono basis. Fred Steiner, Jr., a partner at Snell & Wilmer, who leads an extensive Indian Law Practice, has since assisted the NACC to incorporate in Arizona and will be helping it protect its name and logo, as well as secure tax exempt status. "The need for a reliable, responsive and responsible voice for Native Americans on the Information Superhighway is self-evident. We are pleased to be able to provide something tangible and useful to the NACC toward achieving that goal," said Fred Steiner. Brigitte Finley and Charles Hauff, Jr. , attorneys at Snell & Wilmer in the areas of tax and intellectual property, are also assisting the NACC. Through facilitating programs of service and support for Native American communities, this council will serve as a resource for cultural preservation efforts and for education about the cultural legacy and contemporary culture of Native Americans. The NACC is a not-for-profit corporation, based in Arizona, with offices situated nationally. The founding members of the Native American Communications Council reside in all parts of the United States and bring to the board of the NACC a wide variety of professional and volunteer expertise, in addition to diverse educational backgrounds. All five founding members are of Native American descent. Below are brief biographies of each Executive Board member. Dawn Jackson (Saginaw Chippewa) is a Creative Services Coordinator with The Walt Disney Company. In addition to her managerial duties she is currently consulting on cultural accuracy in product designs for the upcoming feature film Pocahontas. Jackson was recently elected to serve a 4-year term as a Los Angles City/County American Indian Commissioner, and is a member of the National American Indian Policy Network, working with the White House to develop policy for urban dwelling Natives. Originally from Michigan, she is an award winning fine artist and a member of Women In Film. She is a co-founder and Board of Trustee member of First Americans in the Arts, a non-profit trust dedicated to recognizing the achievements and encouraging the full participation of Native Americans in the entertainment industry through annual awards and scholarship presentations. Jackson lives in the Los Angeles, California area. Tracy R'Dane Miller (Eastern Band Cherokee) is currently employed by the Valley Advocate, a regional Massachusett news journal and is active in sponsoring and supporting Native American education, Native American languages and cultures preservation. Miller attended Hampshire College, specializing in Native American Affairs and Creative Writing, where she served several terms as a student representative in the school of Humanities and Arts and was an active member of the American Indian Student Association. Miller currently resides with her daughter in Goshen, Mass. Tamera Crites Shanker (Arapaho) a children's rights legal advocate, received her B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California in 1984 and her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C., in 1994, where she was a Senior Editor on the journal for Law & Policy in International Business. Crites Shanker's interest in and commitment to children's rights led her to work as a volunteer writer for the Children's Action Alliance Juvenile Justice Project. She was also appointed by the Arizona juvenile court to sit on the state's Foster Care Review Board. Crites Shanker is admitted to practice in Arizona and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona's Indian Law, Family Law, and Juvenile Law sections. She lives in Tempe, Arizona with her husband and two children. Victoria Bracewell Short (Creek) is a Creative Director and Senior Art Director at Design Central, a creative marketing design studio in the Washington D.C area. Bracewell Short has more than 14 years of experience in marketing, design and development of telecommunications, resort/tourism, health care and nonprofit enterprises. She is co-founder of Artworks, an advertising and design cooperative that actively promotes careers in the arts for Native Americans. She also serves as Advisor and Adjunct Professor at Columbia Union College, Department of Arts and Communication, in Takoma Park, Maryland. Originally from Alabama, Bracewell Short received her BS/BA in Public Administration and Visual Communications from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and currently resides with her husband in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Marc Towersap (Shoshone-Bannock) is currently employed by Lockheed Idaho Technologies as an Associate Engineer. Prior to that, Towersap was employed by Westinghouse Idaho Nuclear Company as an associate engineer and safety analyst. He is currently a member of the Minority Affairs Board for the Idaho Falls Post Register, a member of Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co's Native American Mentoring Program, which assists the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in setting up small businesses, and a professional member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Towersap received a Bachelor's in Science in Physics from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Towersap currently resides in Pocatello, Idaho. --------- "RE: Mescalero Apaches Vote Down Nuclear Waste Dump" --------- Date: 4 Feb 95 19:20:09 GMT From: milo@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM (Michele Lord) Subject: Mescalero Apaches Vote Down Nuclear Waste Dump Newsgroup: alt.native On January 31, 1995, the people of the Mescalero Apache Nation defeated a referendum that would have allowed the Tribal Council to continue plans for their proposed MRS (monitored retrievable storage) Nuclear Waste Dump on the reservation. This means that the project is cancelled for the foreseeable future. Tribal Council Chairman Wendell Chino was "stunned" by the 490-362 vote. He had expected the proposal to be overwhelmingly supported. Rufina M. Laws, founder of Humans Against Nuclear Waste Dumps (HANDS), tireless campaigner for Mother Earth and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, asked me to say, simply: "The people have prevailed." "Nuclear waste is a heavy burden to lay on our children and their children and their children's children and their children's children's children and their children's children's children's children..." - Rufina M. Laws [We will report more details as soon as they're available. -Michele] ~+*~+*~+*~+*~+~+*~+*~+*~+*~+~+*~+*~+*~+*~+~+*~+*~+*~+*~+~+*~+*~+*~+*+ "When we walk upon Mother Earth, we always plant our feet carefully because we know the faces of our future generations are looking up at us from beneath the ground. We never forget them." -Oren Lyons, Onondaga Nation ~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+*~+~ Michele Lord + Alpha Institute + Tel: 303-343-4114 alphai@scicom.alphacdc.com + P.O. Box 110998 milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + Aurora CO 80042 + Fax: 303-360-9118 +*+ +*+ +*+ +*+ +*+ +*+ --------- "RE: Poem: The Circle Of Life" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 07:21:41 -0800 (PST) From: Larry Kibby Subj: The Circle Of Life The Circle Of Life Oh Great Spirit Of the Indian People Hear my words For they are words that come >From the heart, soul and mind. Oh Great Spirit Be my mind, Be my eyes, Be my ears, Be my heart, Be my soul, So that I may walk With dignity and pride. Oh Great Spirit Of the Indian People Know of me. For I am of your people. I am Indian, An Indian of the Circle of Life A prisoner of War In my own Land! Oh Great Spirit, Of the Indian people, Hear my words For the are for you. They are of you. You are my way of life In the Circle of Life. --------- "RE: Poem: Bowl Filled with Light" --------- Date: 20 Aug 1994 00:08:53 -0500 From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart) Subj: Bowl filled with Light Newsgroup: alt.native Grandmother's young belly is filled like a bowl is filled with light corn pollen is carried into the wind and young birds carry their first flight feathers into the morning sun the stones tell their stories between the shadows dreaming i am carried into the river Full Moon (20 August) 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 Land of Kaw-ii-su ancestor: Land of Light --------- "RE: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days" --------- Date: 95/01/27 23:15 From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of January 29-February 4 GE Electronic Mail A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of February 12-18 PEPELUALI (February) (Kau-lua) 12 The wind has learned the secrets of the ages. 13 Mano', the shark god, guides me to a safe harbor. 14 Abundant are the fruits of this land. 15 If you would find the perfect place of your dreams, moe'uhane, ... look within. 16 In our children lie the blessings of our heritage. 17 When entering the secret valley, knock three times, ... and see who answers! 18 My hopes are cast, like stars, upon the sky. (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, 9 February 95 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= From: chernos@web.apc.org (Saul Chernos) Subject: Protest re Innu / LLF DEMONSTRATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9 - 12 NOON TO 2 PM - TORONTO The Canadian military has announced that Belgium, France, Italy and the United States have been invited to join in low-level military flight training over native Innu land in Labrador-Quebec. Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay costs Canadian taxpayers more than $150-million a year, and training is harming the Innu and the environment. The Innu have never signed any treaties and have not consented to the militarization of their land. Yet, an environmental assessment, due shortly, is expected to favour the military. On Thursday, February 9, the International Campaign for the Innu and the Earth is holding a protest rally in Toronto. It will start at 12 noon at the north-west corner of Bloor and Yonge, at the Belgian consulate. At 1 pm, protesters will move to the French consulate a block down the street at 130 Bloor West. We are encouraging people who can't attend the rally to write defence minister David Collenette and environment minister Sheila Copps, with copies to newspapers and also to ICIE. We also invite people outside Toronto to organize events in their own communities. For more information, please call (416) 920-2656 or (905) 849-5501. Or, write ICIE at 602 Markham St., Toronto, Ontario M6G 2L8 And, we may be reached by e-mail at: chernos@web.apc.org and occpehr@web.apc.org The Innu Nation may be contacted at (709) 497-8398. Our liaison there is Daniel Ashini, director of Innu Rights and the Environment. Thank you! =========================================================================== From: Indian Agriculture Subject: Drought & Disaster Assistance Outreach Future of Drought & Disaster Assistance in Indian Country Sponsored & Presented by: Montana-Wyoming Intertribal Agriculture Council (Billings Area Tribes) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Federation of Southern Cooperatives February 6-7, 1995 - Bismarck, ND February 9-10, 1995 - Rapid City, SD February 16-17, 1996 - Las Vegas, NV Mission: To provide technical assistance and outreach services to Indian agriculture producers and Tribes involved with agriculture enterprise on the new reg- ulations of the 1994 Crop Insurance Act. The Montana- Wyoming Intertribal Agriculture Council (Billings Area Tribes) has taken the initiative to get the word out on one of the most important pieces of legislation to af- fect Tribes and Indian agriculture producers as it re- lates to drought and disaster assistance in this decade. The opportunity to insert key Indian language in the law is now. Some of the possible coverages that are being considered is range land and forestry products. A nominal registration fee is being charged at each of the three locations. For additional information on these outreach activities and hotel accommodations, please contact Neal Rosette or Karen Jones at (406) 395-4282. Or fax your questions, or information to them at (406) 395-4497. This information is provided to you courtesy of Kristie at Intertribal Agriculture Council. Kristie Madden Intertribal Agriculture Council 100 North 27th Street, Suite 500 Billings, MT 59101 (406) 259-3525 E-mail: indianag@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu ======================================================================== Subject: Career Fair at Region I Conference Original Sender: PALEXANDER@delphi.com The Region I AISES Conference will be March 10-11, 1995 at Heritage College on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation in central Washington state. About 300 college and high school students from Alaska, SW Canada, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming will be attending. The career fair for conference attendees and for all college students and high school juniors & seniors will be on Friday, March 10. If you have not yet received an invitation to exhibit at the Career Fair please contact Peter Alexander at this e-mail address or Julie Johnson at (509) 865-2244. If you are a high school or college student who has not received a conference registration brochure, please check with your AISES chapter. If you don't have an AISES chapter or need additional information or brochures, please contact Peter Alexander at this e-mail address or by phone at (509) 865-2244. All of us at the Heritage College chapter are excited about the conference and about the opportunity to meet you. peter chapter advisor ========================================================================= Powwow info came from _The Spike_ and _News From Indian Country_ Coming up next week: Feb 18-19 6th Annual Mid-Winter Powwow. Marquette, MI Info: 906-228-3660 Feb 18-19 MSU's 13th Annual Powwow, E. Lansing, MI Info: 517-353-5255 Powwows Coming up in March! Mar 4-5 4th Mid-Winter ISF, Milwaukee, WI Info: 414-774-7119 Mar 4-5 Central Wisconsin, Rothschild, WI Info: 715-845-2613 Mar 5 Annual Honoring of the Elders Social, Middleboro, MA Info: 617-884-4227 Mar 11-12 4th Annual College Park Powwow, College Park MD Info: 617-884-4227 Mar 11 8th Trails, Mole Lake WI Info: 715-478-5115 Mar 11 Algonquin, Providence, RI Info: 401-421-0888 Mar 17-19 Denver March, Denver, CO Info: 303-455-4575 Mar 18-19 Nay Ah Shing, Mille Lacs, MN Info: 612-532-4695 Mar 24-26 Morristown Armory Powwow, Morristown, NJ Info: 212-956-1163 Mar 25 Thunderbird American Indian Dancers Auction, NY, NY Info: 201-597-9633 Mar 31- April 1 23rd American Indian Symposium, Tahlequah, OK Info: 918-456-5511, ext 4354 ========================================================================== -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Victoria Bracewell Short, Kepola, Larry Kibby, Thomas Ferguson, James Audlin, Turtle Heart(mending the Sacred Hoop with Song Poems), Janet Smith, Michele Lord, Cheslatta Carrier Nation(Posted by Request), Robert Johnson, Deward E. Walker, Jr., Larry Innes, Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in Central America via Glen Welker --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ all items below this line have already been distributed by our brother, Jay Brummett, via the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing lists. --------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - online" --------- Date: Thu, 9 February 95 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 = ========================================================================= From owner-native-l@TAMVM1.TAMU.EDU Sat Feb 4 13:12:05 1995 From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Hokule'a Canoe-West Coast Visit 1995 Original Sender: benton@uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu (Benton Kealii Pang) HOKULE`A, STAR OF GLADNESS (a Polynesian Voyaging Canoe) IS COMING TO LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA IN 1995 Special Opportunities for Educators I. January to August, 1995 TEACHERS WORKSHOP: Polynesian Voyaging Traditions, Interdisciplinary curriculum resources, Hawaiian cultural projects and a two-week traveling basket full of voyaging and cultural student activities. Community Resource Persons and Artisans available to support cultural experience specific to curriculum and program objectives; provide natural resources and appropriate materials. CALL KOMIKE HOKULE`A TO SCHEDULE THE PROGRAM FOR YOUR SCHOOL (310-988-6532). II. April-May, 1995 Distance Learning Experience: Wayfinders: sailing the Pacific (an interactive Kid science Special Live from Hawai`i. Grades 4, 5, 6). Aired on KOCE, PBS Channel 50 telecast via satellite Telstar 401 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PST) Free, Includes Teacher Guide Packet, and Internet Project. FOR DETAILS CALL PACIFIC MOUNTAIN NETWORK LEARNING SERVICE (303-837-8000). III. July 13th-July 13th, Century of the Pakipika (Pacific) Two-day seminar of scholars, scientists, crew members, and master artisans. IV. July 13th-July 20th, Hokule`a Visit To Long Beach, California. Traditional ocean welcome ceremony including Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, Native California Indians, city officials, and community leaders; dockside tours; lecture/slide presentations; Hawaiian village of master artisans demonstrating traditional crafts relating to voyaging; canoe builder; outrigger canoe regatta and water events; traditional foods; entertainment, arts and crafts from the Polynesian Islands. A Teacher's Workshop on Polynesian Voyaging scheduled daily at site, conducted by Native Hawaiian teachers and crew members. For more information call Komike Hokule`a (310-988-6532). ========================================================================= From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Trudell at UMass Original Sender: kabbott@history.umass.edu (Kathryn A Abbott) The WHITE EAGLE CULTURAL CENTER of the University of Massachusetts presents JOHN TRUDELL and BAD DOG in concert Tuesday, February 28, 1995 8 P.M. Fine Arts Center Concert Hall (excellent concert facility) University of Massachusetts Amherst, Mass. Tickets: $5 ======================================================================= From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Native American Film and Cultural Festival Original Sender: winchd@rpi.edu (Debra J. Winchell) IN THE SPIRIT OF TURTLE ISLAND Native American Film and Cultural Festival February 24-26, 1995 Page Hall, Downtown Campus State University of New York at Albany Albany, NY (518) 426-4109 CALENDAR Friday, February 24 5:30-7:00 pm Buffalo Dinner (RSVP), Mansion Hill Inn 7:10-7:30 pm Invocation 7:30-9:00 pm "Spirit Rider" Saturday, February 25 10:00-10:30 am "Kanatsiohareke: Place of the Clean Pot" 10:30-11:30 am "Nations within a Nation" 11:30-11:40 am "My Spirit Speaks" "I Turn My Head" "They've Seen the Land the Way It Was" 11:45-12:15 pm "Everything Has a Spirit" 12:15-12:30 pm "Red Cloud Indian School" 1:00-2:00 pm Discussion I: Sovereignty has Come to Mean Many Things 2:15-3:00 pm "Lighting the Seventh Fire" 3:00-4:40 pm "Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance" 5:00-6:00 pm Discussion II: Racism Affects Us All 6:00-6:30 pm "People, Not Mascots" SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 10:00-11:00 am "Half of Life: Nuclear Waste in Indian Country" 11:00-12:00 pm Discussion II: Toxic Dumping on Indian Lands 1:30-2:00 pm "The Indian Experience: Urban and Rural Survival" 2:00-2:30 pm "Heathen Injuns and the Hollywood Gospel" 2:30-3:00 pm "Broken Journey" 3:00-4:30 pm Discussion IV: Coming Together of the Circle Means Wholeness Suggested Donation Per Person (children free) $2.00 per film session, $3.00 per discussion Accommodations: Thruway Inn 1375 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12206 (518)459-3100 $45.00 single, $55.00 double Indicate you are attending the film festival to qualify for these special rates. Buffalo Dinner: Mansion Hill Inn 115 Philip St. Albany, NY 12202 RSVP by February 18, 1995 (518) 426-4109 $30.00 per person Dinner must be limited to the first 40 people. Sponsoring and Participating Organizations New York State Writer's Institute, SUNY-A Native American Student Association, SUNY-A Water Rights Institute, Standing Rock Reserve, ND Native American Public Broadcasting Consortium, Lincoln, NE Chisasibi Eeyou Caravan, Quebec ========================================================================= From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Original Sender: cmiller@email.unc.edu (Cary Miller) "ONE DROP OF BLOOD: CHEROKEES, CHRISTIANITY AND CHEROKEE CULTURE" Rayna Green, Director at the Natl. Museum of American History MONDAY FEBRUARY 13 1995 4:00 in Toy Lounge (Dey Hall) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The lecture, based on the author's training as a folklorist and childhood experiences in an Oklahoma Cherokee community, weaves together Cherokee language, songs, humor, and world view to offer a new look at the impact of Christianity on Cherokee culture. For more information or directions email Cary Miller cmiller@email.unc.edu, or call Michael Green or Theda Perdue at (919) 962-4062 --------- "RE: Interview with Rigoberta Menchu Tum" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 15:07:08 EST From: gwelker@mail.lmi.org Subj: Interview with Rigoberta Menchu Tum (Native candidate for Nobel Peace Prize) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Interview with Rigoberta Menchu Tum - For me, to celebrate the twelfth of October is the absolute ex- pression of triumphism, occupation and presumptuousness, and I think that history will remember those that celebrate it. - The struggle of the indigenous did not begin in 1992, and it will not end in 1992; it is simply an occasion to take advantage of the international attention. - We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intole- rance and racism. "It is said that our indigenous ancestors, Mayas and Aztecs, made human sacrifices to their gods. It occurs to me to ask: How many humans have been sacrificed to the gods of Capital in the last five hundred years?" The Guatemalan indigenous woman, Rigoberta Menchu, lowers her eyes and continues, pausing often, in the same ironic tone: "Today the governments of Latin America should be ashamed of not having exterminated the indigenous, at the end of the twentieth century, because we exist at the end of this century. We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and ra- cism." It is September, 1992. Five hundred years after the immense sailing ships of Christopher Colombus cut through the waters between America and Europe. Five hundred years of butchery. Five hundred years of extermination and complete marginalization. The bad conscience of the white man may be seen now more than ever. Everything seems to indicate that he is going to take advan- tage of this occasion to put some salve on the open wound. On October 16, 1992, the Committee of the Nobel Peace Prize will reveal whether, for the first time in its history, it will grant the Prize to an indigenous candidate. An indigenous woman, whos eyes have born witness to cruelest actions in human memory. At twenty years of age, Rigoberta Menchu had already lost her father, her mot- her and a brother as a result of the indiscriminate violence exerci- sed by the armed forces of Guatemala. Her father, Vicente Menchu, along with other indigenous, was burned alive by the army when he participated in the peaceful takeover of the Spanish embassy. The embassy was taken over in hopes of calling attention to the plunde- ring of land suffered by the indigenous and to the military presence in the community. A few months later, her mother became yet another victim of the repression. She was kidnapped, raped, tortured for several days and exhibited publicly in her community. Rigoberta was seventeen years old when she decided to learn to speak Spanish. Since then, words have been her weapon in the unti- ring defense of the rights of her people. The extent of the love that the indigenous, victims of repression, terror and war, have for her is equaled only by the hate of the government and the army, to whom she has always been a thorn in the side. For two hours, the Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in Central America, (CODEHUCA) had the chance to carry out an inter- view with the 33 year old candidate, Rigoberta Menchu. In a frank conversation with our journalist, Anders Riis-Hansen, she spoke of the 500th anniversary and of her country, where military dictators- hips and repression have kept her from living since 1981. Guatemala, with nine million inhabitants, is a nation that has not yet felt the soft breezes of peace that have touched other countries of the Cen- tral American region. It is a country in which the extermination of the indigenous peoples continues to be a reality. During the last thirty years, this country has been torn by a civil war that, to date, has left more than 100,000 dead and 30,000 disappeared. The vast majority of these victims have been indigenous peasants. Different military dictators and civilian governments have ca- rried out a military campaign against the guerrilla, resulting in militarization without precedent on the American continent. More than half a million men from the civilian population are now under arms in the so-called Civil Defense Patrols. These are patrols orga- nized by the armed forces. According to Castro's spokesmen, partici- pation in the patrols is voluntary. However, human rights organiza- tions have provided numerous testimonies and proofs that the indige- nous are obliged to participate and to carry out army orders. Thou- sands of Rigoberta Menchu's countrymen are buried in clandestine graves, executed without trial by the Civil Patrols. Anders Riis-Hansen: What began your struggle for the defense of the indigenous and human rights? Rigoberta Menchu: I was born in a family where Papa struggled for 22 years for the piece of land where we were born. Mama, as a midwife, attended 90% of the pregnant women, sick people and malnurished children. Because of her role as a healer and a midwife, she believed in our Mayan gods. I would trade any prize in the world to know that my Papa and mother had returned. They helped me to determine my life. In addition, I have a brother in a clandestine cemetary with his three children and his wife. Someday, I would like him to have a dignified grave in the land where Papa dreamed that we would be bu- ried. Moreover, I have met so many people that are not alive today; it is in their memory that one lives. Q: There is a great difference between the hard and humble life that you lived in Guatemala and the life that you live now, visiting presidents and famous governors. Are you afraid that you will lose your link to the people of Guatemala? A: Of course, for a woman who never spoke Spanish and never had the opportunity to do more than cut cotton on the large plantations, there are definitely many moments when one feels strange. But lose the links, no. I think that if one's role doesn't correspond to what one says, if one's life doesn't correspond to what one preaches, if one is not true to one's people, someone else will come as a substi- tute. Q: On the twelfth of October, a great number of countries will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America. Do you see this as an insult to the indigenous people? A: We have seen repeated occupations of our land, long lines of colonists have arrived, and they remain today. For me, to celebrate the twelfth of October is the absolute expression of triumphism, occupation and presumptuousness, and I think that anyone who has mature and responsible politics should not celebrate it. History will remember those that celebrate it. On the other hand, the 500th anniversary has opened a lot of space in international forums. With respect to this, I am deeply gladdened that 1993 has been declared the International Year of Indi- genous Peoples by the United Nations. It is the first year we have had in five hundred years. This is thanks to the struggle of many untitled, unnamed indigenous brothers who, without understanding international law, patiently walked the corridors asking for some time. Thanks to them this international year has been declared. In addition, I think that the current situation has generated an understanding of the cultural diversity of America. We were the first to talk about cultural diversity, the need to respect the Maya and the environment. Q: What do you think the indigenous should do to commemorate the twelfth of October? A: Why only the indigenous? It is a date that represents the cul- tural plurality in America. It is an issue of indigenous, blacks, mestizos, all the races of the continent. Our struggle should not be one of races. If it were, we would continue to be racist. These are very backward ideas of humanity. Now, the twelfth of October is a special date, but I don't be- lieve that it will change the situation very much. The struggle of the indigenous didn't begin in 1992, and it will not end in 1992; it is simply an occasion to take advantage of the international at- tention. Q: The last country of the continent abolished slavery more than one hundred years ago. How is repression and racism expressed today? A: For example, in the case of my country, Guatemala, 65% of the inhabitants are indigenous. The constitution speaks of protection for the indigenous. Who authorized a minority to protect an immense majority? It is not only political, cultural and economic marginali- zation, it is an attempt against the dignity of the majority of the population. The human being is to be respected and defended, not protected like a bird or a river. Racism in our countries is a fact in that the indian is not allowed to be a politician or aspire to being head of state. It has reached the point that 99% of the indigenous women have not gone to school. The indigenous are condemned to live in a situation designed to exterminate them. They receive a pittance of a salary, they neit- her speak nor write the language, politics dictates their situation. Is this slavery? I don't know what it's called. It is not the same as before because we are in modern times. Q: Do you personally feel the effects of racism? A: Definitely. During the last summit in San Jose in Portugal, with all the Central American Presidents present, the Guatemalan delegation threatened to leave the summit if I entered the main ses- sion to present a document on the development of Guatemala. It was inconceivable to them that an indigenous woman, self taught, born to a humble family in the mountains, who ate roots and leaves, didn't go to school and who has no professional title would appear there. It was the greatest shame. The racists won't stand for the presence of a person who is not of their race and convic- tions. Q: The whole region has seen a pacification process in the last few years. However, in Guatemala the internal war continues. Why has the situation been prolonged in your country? A: In my opinion, peace has not come to America, to Nicaragua, or to El Salvador. A hungry people is a people without peace. If the demands of the people are not met, what kind of peace are we talking about? Q: At least a certain amount of demilitarization has been achieved in El Salvador and Nicaragua, but the war and the strong military presence is still going on in Guatemala. Why? A: On the one hand, because the problems in America have developed differently in the past five hundred years. On the other hand, because the indigenous in Guatemala were never taken into account, despite the fact that 80% of the victims of repression and impunity are indigenous people. In addition, it is a country with 23 different languages, plus Spanish. Q: How do you explain the fact that the war in Guatemala has never gotten the same amount of attention as the wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua? A: One of the reasons is racism itself. We don't have means of communication in our hands. The media and politics have never allo- wed our people to speak through them. The absolute marginalization of the indigenous peoples is a fact, as is sophisticated militariza- tion. These have been the most significant ingredients in the silent war. Q: What is the greatest obstacle to achieving peace in Guatemala? A: The problem in Guatemala is that there is no solution to the issue of human rights. The problem is militarization, it is the injust distribution of wealth. It is intolerance of the indigenous, it is discrimination and marginalization. If concrete means to resolve what has been generated by the con- flict are not sought, I don't think that the war will end. I deeply believe that the solution to this armed conflict lies in concrete approaches to human rights and the dignity of indigenous peoples. It is the responsibility of all those implicated in Guate- mala, perhaps also of the international community. It must be said that the international community has given many blank checks for the killing of our people. Q: In your opinion, how can the international community contribute to peace in Guatemala? A: The inaction of the international community towards Guatemala is injustifiable. The community should play an active role with concrete measures and sanctions imposed, as was the case in South Africa, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Cuba and Haiti. Why for us no? Why lega- lize death in one place and somewhere else no? This is clear in our memories. Q: Many of your countrymen speak of a culture of violence and death in Guatemala. Do you share this interpretation? A: The culture of death is imposed by economic and political inte- rests, the arrogance of power, corruption. I blame the first world for having taken our riches for so many years. I am speaking of the superpowers that dominate the life of the world. More concretely, the World Bank, the IMF. Those that have caused and tolerated the death of our people, those responsible for the plundering of the third world. Silence is also part of repression. If our people are the issue, tranquility and peace have always been most sacred to us. Violence and repression are so incompatible with the peaceful face of the Guatemalan people that it is a perma- nent shock to discover the two faces of Guatemala. Q: What do you think of the guerrilla? Do you defend their goals? A: If I were a guerrilla, you wouldn't see me in this office. To me, the guerrilla is a reality that faces us. There are confronta- tions every day. It is a clear fact that, despite the existence of Civil Defense Patrols with 600 or 800 thousand men under arms, the guerrilla exists. I have always said that the dialogue initiated by the guerrilla and the government two years ago in Oslo is the correct path. Q: The guerrilla of your country is also among the sectors that support your candidacy for the Nobel Prize. Doesn't that compromise your candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize? A: If the United Nations doesn't lose credibility by negotiating with the Guatemalan revolutionaries and the army, I don't see a con- tradiction, and I don't see how I could lose credibility. I would be more worried the day that the army supported my candidacy. Q: The last time you visited Guatemala, in July 1992, there were three attempts on your life. Do you hold Serrano responsible for your security? A: I hold the whole war responsible. I hold the army and impunity responsible. What has ruled in Guatemala for many years is impunity, which means a lack of initiative by the chief of state to pass sen- tence on those responsible. I condemn the impunity and the system governed by Serrano. Impunity should be condemned in any corner of the world. Q: Do you fear for your life when you visit Guatemala? A: Not only in Guatemala, but everywhere. Our lives are no longer our own; they can take them away any time. The Mayas, our grandparents, always said; every human being occupies a small piece of time. Time itself is much longer, and because of this they always said that we must care for this earth while we are on it because it will be part of our children and the children of our grandchildren. They know that life is short, that it can end so soon, and that if one gets lost on the way, others will come to take their place. Q: Do you believe that a Nobel Prize can contribute to peace in Guatemala? A: I believe that it has already contributed a lot. We have broken the silence around Guatemala. We have entered into the governmental tribune and we have been able to demand that there be no more blank checks for the governments that violate human rights. I want to make it very clear as well that we can not change our reasoning, nor can we soften the name of the reality which we are living. It would be treasonous to dignity, and it will never happen, prize or no. The gap between rich and poor must be eliminated, or we will continue to be the example of conflict in America. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This interview has been made available on the Internet by Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in Central America (CODEHUCA). It was produced by Silvia Porras (General Coordination) and Anders Riis-Hansen (Journalist) and is provided as is. For more information please email codehuca@igc.apc.org. Gopher Location: gopher://gopher.nd.edu:70/00/Non-Notre%20Dame%20Information%20Sources/ Latin%20American%20Studies/ Interview%20with%20Nobel%20Prize%20winner%20Rigoberta%20Menchu%20Tum Interview with Rigoberta Menchu Tum, indigenous candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize --------- "RE: Nechako Still Dying; Kemano 2 Must be Reduced" --------- Date: Tue, 31 Jan 1995 21:22:01 -0500 From: fyre@web.apc.org Subj: Nechako Still Dying; Kemano 2 Must be Reduced Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The following is posted by request ================================== Cheslatta Carrier Nation P.O. Box 909 Burns Lake, B.C. V0J 1E0 phone: (604) 694-3334 fax: (604) 694-3632 NECHAKO STILL DYING; K2 FLOWS MUST BE REDUCED Memorandum to: file By: Dana Wagg Writer / Researcher Cheslatta Carrier Nation Date: Monday, 30 Jan. 1995 # of pages: One While some people have broken open champagne to celebrate the scrapping of Kemano 2 by Premier Mike Harcourt, the Nechako River is still reeling from the effects of Kemano 2, let alone the effects of Kemano 1. The Nechako's future remains in doubt. Its future depends on actions yet to be taken by B.C., Canada and Alcan. If the Harcourt announcement is to be meaningful, then Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin will have to tear up the 1987 Kemano Settlement Agreement. And B.C. and Canada will have to pass legislation to ensure Alcan is rolled back to Kemano 1 flows. And Alcan has agree not to challenge the legislation. So, there quite a few more bridges to be crossed before we can be sure the Nechako is actually saved. This is the bottom line: + Kemano 1 allowed Alcan to take 34 per cent of the water from the Upper Nechako, + Alcan has been allowed to take 76 per cent of the Upper Nechako since April 1, 1988, because of the Kemano Settlement Agreement. This is known as the short-term flows. Until Ottawa and B.C. agree on an approach to Kemano 2, Alcan is likely to continue to take 76 per cent of the water from the Upper Nechako. These flows have been rejected by Premier Harcourt and by federal scientists like Dr. Harold Mundie and must be reversed. Dr. Mundie concluded in a landmark study that rivers start running into problems when more than 30 per cent of the water is taken. Currently a lot more water than that is being taken. That situation must be reversed. --------- "RE: Decolonizing Anthropology" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 02:20:06 -0700 From: johnsorl@colorado.edu (Robert Johnson) Subj: Decolonizing Anthropology Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Proposal #1 There should be an immediate moratorium on all anthropological and archaeological endeavors within the United States which appropriate the cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and sacred geography of its indigenous peoples. Proposal #2 The indigenous knowledge of Native American peoples must be acknowledged as unalienable property. Proposal #3 All sacred geography must be returned to Native Americans. Proposal #4 Reparations must be paid for the appropriation and destruction of Native American lives, land, and indigenous knowledge. Proposal #5 Native Americans must be acknowledged copyright over their oral, musical, and ritual traditions including patent on aboriginal dress, artistic tradition, and material culture. Proposal #6 Native Americans must be given the right to decide the cultural context of their traditional cultures. Proposal #7 Native Americans must be given ownership over the genetic resources of their indigenous horticulture including the current and future genetic manipulation of those resources. Proposal #8 All lands currently in the National Parks and state parks system must be returned to Native Americans. The North American bison must be brought back in vast numbers. --------- "RE: Decolonizing Anthropology" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 10:39:34 -0700 From: walkerde@spot.colorado.edu (Deward E. Walker Jr.) Subj: Re: Decolonizing Anthropology Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) I believe the tone of this exchange could be uplifted by placing it in its proper context, that of Intellectual Property Rights. This area of anthropological concern is expanding rapidly as Tribes in North America and elsewhere begin to assert such rights over various aspects of their cultures and cultural heritage.. See _Intellectual Property Rights for Indigenous Peoples: A Source Book._ Editor, Tom Greaves. Society for Applied Anthropology. Deward E. Walker, Jr. walkerde@spot.colorado.edu Anthro-Lib list owner --------- "RE: Innu To Evict Mining Companies from Voisey Bay" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 18:10:33 -0400 From: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (Larry Innes) Subj: Innu To Evict Mining Companies from Voisey Bay Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ++++++++++++++++++EMBARGOED UNTIL 1:30 pm NST SATURDAY, 4 FEBRUARY Innu To Evict Mining Companies from Voisey Bay UTSHIMASSITS - Innu representatives and community members are enroute to Voisey Bay today to evict the mining companies conducting mineral exploration activities there. The eviction order cites the failure of Diamond Fields Resources and Archean Resources to obtain the permission of the Innu people or prepare an environmental and cultural protection plan before conducting exploration activities on Innu land. "We want to made it clear to these companies that any exploration and development on our land must be subject to the wishes of our people", stated Katie Rich, former chief of Davis Inlet. "When we look at the maps that show mining claims, we see our land being taken from us by mining companies. Over 13,000 new claims covering several thousand square kilometers of our land have been staked in the last few months alone. But we have never been approached for our permission." Diamond Fields Resources, a company associated with controversial developer and stock promoter Robert Friedland, announced a "major discovery" of nickel, copper and cobalt in the Voisey Bay area in November, spurring a rush of claim staking activity. Exploration and mineral development in the area is opposed by both the Innu Nation and the Labrador Inuit Association until land rights are resolved. The Newfoundland government has refused to halt the project. "If there is something there, it will still be there after our land rights are resolved.", stated Chief Simeon Tshakapesh. "But if exploration and development of our land continues without protection for our rights and the environment, we will lose everything. Diamond Fields is talking about jobs and opportunities, but we are talking about our land, our rights and our way of life." "The Innu have used Voisey Bay for countless generations. The area is important habitat for caribou, wolves, and several species of fish, migratory birds and small animals. Our elders tell us that there may be burial sites in the drilling area as well. But Diamond Fields has taken no steps to assure us that these things are being respected, and given the reputation of Robert Friedland and the legacy of the Summitville disaster, we fear they won't be", concluded Tshakapesh. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Chief Simeon Tshakapesh Mushuau Innu First Nation Daniel Ashini Director Innu Rights and Environment (709) 478-8827/8902/8867 Larry Innes internet: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (direct to me) innu@web.apc.org (general to Innu Nation) Environmental Advisor Innu Nation phone: (709) 497-8398 PO Box 119 fax: (709) 497-8396 Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan (Labrador) via Canada A0P 1M0 =\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/= --------- "RE: Support Innu Resistance to USAF" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Feb 1995 14:33:13 -0400 From: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (Larry Innes) Subj: Support Innu Resistance to USAF Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) ACTIVIST ALERT ============== The United States Air Force (USAF) has announced plans to conduct low-level training over Innu land this spring. They join the British, German and Dutch airforces which currently conduct 7-8000 low-level training sorties per season over Innu land from Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay. Innu Nation has just learned that the Belgian, Italian and French airforces will also be training at Goose Bay this spring. The Canadian Department of National Defence has announced these flights without even waiting for the results of the federal environmental review of the program, suggesting that the military already knows the result and the recommendations, and is moving to implement it's objective of bringing in a fourth air force and increasing the number of sorties to 18,000. The following is a sample letter drafted to Dr. William Perry, Secretary of Defence of the United States. Please make make a copy, sign it and send it. Circulate it to friends and colleagues. Similar letters can be sent to the governments of Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The Innu urgently need your help to stop the flights! ACT NOW! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. William Perry Secretary of Defense The Pentagon Washington, DC 20301 (703) 697-5737 (703) 695-1219 FAX Dear Dr. Perry: I am writing to express my objections to the USAF low-level flying training proposed for Innu airspace this coming April. It is my understanding that the training will involve F-16 aircraft from the 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem, Germany. They will stop at Goose Bay for step-down training on their way to the Maple Flag exercises at Cold Lake, Alberta. The airspace that the USAF plans to train in has never been ceded to the Canadian government by way of treaty or land rights agreement, and belongs, therefore to the Innu people. In lieu of treaty, the Canadian government is illegally renting out Innu airspace and certain ground facilities to third parties (NATO air forces) against the will of the Innu people. Low-level training to the Innu means jets screaming over their land and camps at an altitude of 100 ft. The noise and disruption of overflights can not be dismissed: however accidental they may be, the impact on the Innu is considerable. Some children now refuse to go back into the country because they are frightened of the jets. There is also evidence that overflights have negative impacts on hearing and health. The Innu are also extremely concerned about the impact of the training on the wildlife they depend on. Scientific studies corroborate what Innu elders have been saying for some time now: that the flights are having a negative effect on the health of caribou, waterfowl, raptors, and other important species. The planned USAF deployment to Goose Bay, should it come to pass, will take place without adequate environmental protection. The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has attempted to implement an avoidance program that, at least in theory, requires pilots to avoid noise sensitive areas for wildlife (including two endangered species), outfitter lodges, and Innu camps. However, the avoidance program was proposed by DND before it had done surveys to locate the noise sensitive areas. When the surveys were done, they indicated that huge areas would be closed to flying. The client airforces claimed that such environmental protections would interfere with their training programs, and subsequently, DND relaxed the avoidance criteria to the point that they are ineffective. The conclusion: military pilots can't both train AND avoid people and wildlife, even at the current training levels. A Canadian federal environmental assessment of the low-level training activities was completed last fall, despite a boycott of the public hearings by the Innu and many environmental groups. The results of this review have not been made public, but it is clear that the Canadian military is proceeding as though they have a green light to increase the number of flights per season from 7000 to 15,000, construct a second bombing range, and "market Goose Bay to the world". Thus, should the USAF commence training at Goose Bay this April, it will do so in the context of unresolved aboriginal rights, a defective environmental mitigation program and a shoddy and discredited environmental review. For these reasons, I urge you to reconsider the deployment of the USAF to Labrador this spring. I look forward to your reply. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other governments training over Innu land include: CANADA: ====== Jean Chretien Prime Minister - Canada Langevin Block 80 Wellington St., 2nd Floor Ottawa, ONT K1A OA6 (613) 992-4211 (613) 941-6900 (fax) David Collenette Minister of National Defence - Canada Major General George Pearkes Bldg. North Tower 13th Floor 101 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2 (613) 996-3100 (613) 995-8189 (fax) NETHERLANDS: =========== J. Voorhoeve Minister of Defence - Netherlands Postbus 20701 2500 ES The Hague, Netherlands +31-70-318-8188 +31-70-318-7888 (fax) GERMANY: ======= Helmut Kohl Federal Chancellor Adenauer-Allee 139-141 5300 Bonn Federal Republic of Germany THE UK: ======= Malcolm Riskin Minister of Defence Main Building Ministry of Defence Whitehall, London UK SW1A 2HB Larry Innes internet: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (direct to me) innu@web.apc.org (general to Innu Nation) Environmental Advisor Innu Nation phone: (709) 497-8398 PO Box 119 fax: (709) 497-8396 Sheshatshiu, Nitassinan (Labrador) via Canada A0P 1M0 =\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=\/=