Subject: nanews03.010 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 010 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 11 March 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, TRIBALLAW, NATFOOD & NATIVELIT Mailing Lists, Genie (General Electric) & UUCP email, UseNet newsgroups: alt.native & soc.culture.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 "Your emperor may be a great prince; I do not doubt it, seeing that he has sent his subjects so far across the waters; and I am willing to treat him as a brother. As for your pope of whom you speak, he must be mad to speak of giving away countries that do not belong to him. As for my faith, I will not change it. Your own God, as you tell me, was put to death by the very men He created. But my God still looks down on His children." __ Atahualpa, Inka Chief (On hearing Pope Alexander VI had declared Peru to be a possession of Spain.) +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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 year on 21 March, as in all years, the Sun will cast equally in all four directions from the Mayan pyramid at Chichan Itza. This year will be different. This is the year the Ancient Ones have told us the People will come out of the shadows and a New Era of enlightenment will flourish. This coincides with the calendar the Hopi keep. In Janesville, Wisconsin is a female white buffalo calf. She also represents a promise of change. All the things promised are coming to be. We all rejoice this awakening. I will remind all the theft of lands and Sacred continues, and we must remain vigilant. I will remind all that change will not come in a great rush. We must continue our paths in a good way awaiting the time the Four Sacred Winds will blow and cleanse Mother Earth. Until then, we must continue to come together and 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 - Aboriginal Defence League - Conferences and Powwows - online - Honn'e Finds Eels - Protect Eimish - Fractionization of Allotments - Mescalero/The Battle Continues - Anti-Indian Activist - Urgent Environmental Crisis - Mt. Shasta/Letter's Needed in Mexico - State Sovereignty/Anti-Indian Movement - Help Save the Arctic Refuge - North American Native Authors Catalog - Navajo-Hopi Update - Poem: Stones Entering the Heart - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days - Conferences and Powwows - offline --------- "RE: Aboriginal Defence League" --------- Date: 95/03/06 18:02 From: Suzan Horovitch (a.horovitch@genie.geis.com) Subj: Aboriginal Defence League GE Electronic Mail On March 3rd, I spent the day with The People demonstrating on Parliament Hill in Ottawa against the Liberal Government's broken promises to the native people of Canada. The day was sunny but cold with a wind blowing all afternoon. We posted our placards in the snow bank where everyone coming up to the main clock tower would see them, and handed out pamphlets and talked to anyone willing to listen. The Liberal government had been a welcome change for the native people until their record of broken promises became evident. June 30, 1993, Jean Cretien ( now Prime Minister) said that Revenue Canada had wrongly interpreted the Williams taxation decision and that if he came to power, he would not go along with this; BROKEN PROMISE The Liberal Party of Canada at its convention in Ottawa May 1994 adopted a motion which stated that the party should " reverse the Revenue Canada Directive for 1992 which is recognized as flawed interpretation"; BROKEN PROMISE Sheila Copps, last summer, was video taped at a Six Nations gathering saying that Indian people paid enough with the land they gave up; they should not have to pay tax; BROKEN PROMISE Assembly of First Nations ( AFN) was the only body with whom Revenue Canada negotiated on off reserve taxation issue - the result, AFN and its affiliates continued their tax exempt off reserve status and everyone else loses; BROKEN PROMISE In the 1992 Liberal Party Convention, the following was passed ".. therefore be it resolved that the federal liberal party categorically rejects the imposition of the GST to the first Nations and their citizens throughout Canada." BROKEN PROMISE Cretien wrote to Chief Doxtator in 1993 stating: "There is , more over the question of the very legitimacy of imposing the GST on Aboriginal and treaty rights... This policy ( GST) has the practical effect of denying a tax exemption guaranteed by the Indian Act..." BROKEN PROMISE Paul Martin in 1991 wrote to Don Mazenkowski, then Minister of finance ".. the government must recognize the tax immunity of the First Nations people... I urge you to rectify the present situation and honour the fiduciary responsibility of the Federal government in relation to tax immunity for aboriginal Canadians" BROKEN PROMISE A good number of people were surprised that the issue went beyond the recent taxation decision to the poverty, suicides, and feelings of hopelessness on our reservations. The concept of a defence league to protect Aboriginal people from abuses and termination of our inherent Aboriginal Rights was first talked about at the Summit of Nations following the Ottawa rally on taxation on Oct. 20, 1994. The 300 delegates full endorsed the idea. It was felt that our Treaty and Aboriginal Rights as First Nations were being diminished or terminated by the constant redefining of our rights through the Indian Act. In effect the Canadian government is attempting to terminate our rights using sham " consultations"... sham because the effectively exclude meaningful participation. The issue of taxation became the " lightening rod" for the broader issues. The issues are that of respect and protection of our rights as contractually agreed to by the colonizers. The occupation of Revenue Canada from Dec. 15 , 1994 - Jan. 22, 1995 underscored the urgency to establish the League. It became evident that unless we organized nationally and fought back we would have no rights left to protect. On Jan. 22 the occupiers and supporters of " Revenue Rez" formalized the Aboriginal Defence League. The stated purpose of the Aboriginal Defence League is to: :Protect and defend our Inherent Aboriginal Rights and our Treaty Rights through legal means and through direct action :Instill pride and confidence in all Aboriginal people through the assertion of our rights as the original occupants of Turtle Island :Help rebuild our Aboriginal Nations through an Aboriginal Rights and Treaty Implementation Process... a process based on true self determination i.e the right of a people to decide its own political statues or form of government without outside influence Further information and membership ( $10) on the Aboriginal Defence League can be found by writing them at 20 Carlton St., Suite 126, Toronto, ONT M5B 2H5 or telephoning (416) 591-6995 The people demonstrating on the hill have an ongoing need for the following: food, non-alcoholic beverages ( especially hot coffee!), firewood, garbage bags, toilet paper , sheets, blankets, large pots and pans and kitchen utensils, foam mattresses. Donations can be taken directly to Victory ( victoria Island) or obtain more information from: The Stone Angel Institute, 613- 236-7826 Visitors on the hill where they are found each day between noon and 4:30 pm are welcome. Meegwetch Brave Star --------- "RE: Honn'e Finds Eels" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 20:08:05 -0800 (PST) From: Rio Lara-Bellon Subj: Honn'e Finds Eels Mailing List: NATFOOD-L In an earlier post I mentioned the possibility of sharing an Eel story with the list via one of our Cultural Advisors. The story shared here is courtesy of Lillian Sanders Young, Chehalis/Taidnapum Elder. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *note - "Honn'e" is called "Changer" in english. Honn'e traveled the Earth when Light first appeared across the Land. He changed many things for the coming of the People and for their benefit. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honn'e Finds Eels Honn'e came upon a certain bend in the river. There he decided to build some fishtraps and wait to catch some fish. At first he was not successful so he traveled up the river and tried again. He waited several days and still did not catch a single fish. He traveled even further up the river to check his luck. On the fifth day he tired and sat down on some rocks then fell asleep. When he woke up he noticed something strange things hanging along the edge of the rocks in the river. He wondered about these strange creatures so he went down to the river to investigate. After examining these creatures he wondered if perhaps they might be good to eat, so he caught a few. Not knowing how to cook them he laid them in the sunshine atop a rock. They baked in the sun. Then he tasted them - they were delicious! He called them Ox (Eel) and caught more and baked them and ate them. Next he decided to cook the eels in different ways. He ran a stick through them and stuck the sticks next to his fire. Eels on a stick! He licked his lips then cooked some more eels. After his big eel dinner, Honn'e decided that the People should always catch eel in that spot and so he widened the river and created bigger channels in which to trap this delicious new food. Honn'e said, "From now on there will be no fish here, only Eels." And so it is today. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *note - Eeling still takes place at that same spot along the river during late Spring. =========================================================================== Extension Indian Reservation Program Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Nation Rio Lara-Bellon ------------- EIRP/CTCN/WSU 360.273.6414 EIRP | Washington | P.O. Box 100 360.273.5911 CTCN | State | Rochester, WA 98579 360.273.5914 Fax | University | =========================================================================== Internet: larabell@coopext.cahe.wsu.edu ============================================================================ --------- "RE: Fractionization of Allotments" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Mar 1995 17:07:34 -0800 From: Alan Mandell Subj: fractionization of allotments Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) Over the past few months officials form the BIA/ Realty offices have been holding public meetings regarding individual allotment lands. The last one was to be held last weekend at the Uintah and Ouray reservation in Ft. Duchesne, Utah. I was wondering if any of you out there had attended any of the other meeting that were held in various areas of the country. These meetings were held every Saturday, starting January 21, 1995. They were held at the following locations; 1. San Xavier Reservation of the Tohono O'odham Nation 2. Gila River Indian Reservation 3. Colorado River Indian Reservation 4. Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation 5. Reno, NV for the Northern Paiute, Washoe and Shoshone Nations 6. Ft. Duchesne, Utah, Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation These meeting were held for comments on the proposed draft legislation regarding fractionated ownership of allotted lands. For a complete copy of the consultation package send your request to; Bureau of Indian Affairs, ATTN: HEIRSHIP 1849 C Street, NW MS-4522-MIB Washington, D.C. 20240 Here is a copy of the letter that I received; Dear Landowner, A growing problem had faced individual Indian, tribes, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for many year- the fractionated ownership of allotted lands. The problem has reached the point where the Department of Interior' ability to administer allotted lands, probate Indian estates and maintain the IIM (Individual Indian Monies) system can no longer keep up with the increasing number of fractional interests. You may be an owner of such interests. An attempt to address the problem was made by the Congress in 1984 when it passed the Indian Land Consolidation Act. Part of the Act requires that when an individual owner dies, an interest amounting to 2 percent or less in a tract of land will "escheat" or automatically transfer to the tribe. In spite of this law, the number of such small interests owned by individual Indians has grown form 350,000 in 1984 to over 1.5 million in 1994! Unless something is done to fix the fractionated heirship problem soon, the BIA will simply no longer be able to provide realty and IIM services to the owners. Your advice and assistance are needed. Any proposal to solve the fractionated heirship problem must have two parts: (1) the consolidation of ownership, and (2) the prevention )or substantial reduction) of further fractionization. These objectives can be met through a land-purchase program, and by placing limitations on who can inherit interests in allotted land. The Department has prepared a "consultation package" which outlines a legislative proposal that meets these two objectives. The basic elements of this proposal are as follows: + The proposal creates a land acquisition program and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to purchase fractional interests of any size from owners who are willing to sell. These interests will ultimately be transferred to the tribes. + A priority for purchase is given to owners of fractional interests amounting to 2 percent-or-less and to income producing land. + The Secretary will attempt to either purchase all of the interest in a parcel, or partition out the purchased interests into a single parcel, for transfer to the tribe on whose reservation the land is located. + All income from a parcel transferred to the tribe will be paid to the secretary until the purchase price paid by the Secretary has been recovered. + Income from the purchased interests and from the parcels transferred to tribes will be put into a revolving fund which will be used for the purchase of additional fractional interests. + The proposal changes the test in the present Indian Land Consolidation Act which is used to determine whether fractional interest of 2 percent or less will escheat to the tribe when and owner dies. The new test avoids presumptions and would be based on actual income produced by a fractional interest or on the appraised value of the interest. + To prevent further fractionization, inheritance of interests is limited to members of the tribe on whose reservation the land is located. Where an owner dies without a will, inheritance is further limited to the descendant's immediate family-spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters. A non-member spouse can only receive a life estate. + Tribes are authorized to change the limitations on inheritance established by the proposal. + New limitations on who can inherit do not become affective for two years. The secretary is required to provide notice of the limitations and alert owners of estate planning options. I wish to emphasize that the proposal outlined in the consultation package is only a draft proposal. It has not been introduced in the Congress, and no proposal will be introduced until the landowners and tribes have had an opportunity to comment and/or suggest alternative solutions. I invite you to comment on the concepts described above or to suggest other solutions ot the fractionated ownership problem. (text addresses dates and times for comments to be sent back by) Any comments form anybody that might have attended any of these meetings? al --------- "RE: Anti-Indian Activist" --------- Date: 7 Mar 1995 04:44:03 GMT From: kibby@scs.unr.edu (Larry Kibby) Subj: Anti-Indian Activist Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native ANTI-INDIAN ACTIVIST The Native American Indian Tribes of the West are facing full Anti-Indian activity and every effort must be set in place to hinder their efforts. The State Right's Activist are stepping-up their activity to gain control of all those so-called Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land management or the U.S. Forest Service and it is a fact that they have gained support from the Republican Party. House Speaker, Newt Gingrich and Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell(People For The West) have recently endorsed the "Private Property Rights Organization" and the legislation which is a part of the GOP's "Contract With America." The legislation would require the government to compensate landowners if a federal action-such as enforcement of an environmental law-is shown to decrease the value of property by at least 10 percent. That the House is in fact beginning debates over "Private Property Taking", does not include those rights of the Native American Indian whose Traditional Lands of Ceremonial and Burial regard will indeed be impacted by the control of so-called "Public lands" by the State's, which the "Private Property Right's organization, People For The West and the State Rights Activist", are promoting, with strong backing by the Republican Party. Please try and understand, that it is very important that letter's of protest and opposition to this activity must be a continued effort on be-half of all concerned with the preservation and protection of the tradition and Traditional Belief of the Native American Indian, with regards to those Ceremonial and Burial Sites having a significant value of importance. Attorney General PLEASE WRITE TO: Department of Justice Attn: Ms. Janet Reno President William Clinton 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW The White House Washington, D.C. 20530 Washington, D.C. 20500 Fax (202) 514-4371 Whitehouse Switchboard (202)456-1414 Department of the Interior Comment Line (202) 456-1111 Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Fax (202) 456-2461 Attn: Mrs. Ada Deer 1849 C St. NW EMAIL president@whitehouse.gov Washington, D.C. 20240 Fax (202) 208-6956 --------- "RE: Mt. Shasta/Letter's Needed" --------- Date: 7 Mar 1995 05:44:58 GMT From: kibby@scs.unr.edu (Larry Kibby) Subj: Mt. Shasta/Letter's Needed Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native The following was brought to me early today(3/6/95) and I was asked to post or re-post it, as the case may be. I was told that it had been posted prior to this date, however, further regard and support must be established in order to preserve and protect our Ceremonial and Burial Sites such as Mount Shasta, Wounded Knee and Tosawihi Quarry. Rep. Wally Herger(R.,CA) introduces bill to destroy National Preservation Act and Mount Shasta's Designation. On January 18, 1995, Representative Wally Herger introduced bill HR 563 into the House of Representatives. If passed, HR 563 would severely affect protection of Native American Sacred Sites under the National Historic Preservation Act(NHPA). It demands that Mount Shasta's historical designation be removed. Proposed bill bars any site that does not contain "physical evidence of human activity." The gist of the proposed legislation is that any sites left in their natural state, such as those used for spiritual guidance, vision quest, training of doctors, ceremonies and other activities which traditionally left sites the way they were made by the Creator, would not be protected under NHPA. Even though HR 563 states that previous designations will not be affected by this section, it goes on to say that Mount Shasta's designation(made in March 1994) must be prohibited. HR563 specifically targets Mount Shasta, stating that "Mt. Shasta...may not be designated by any agency or authority of the United States as a historic district, historic site or national monument" under NHPA or the Antiquities Act. The fact is that Mount Shasta has already been designated and that this bill intends to undo that designation. Rep. Herger is a close ally of developers who have tried for over ten years to put a massive ski resort on Mt. Shasta. He and other in the "Wise Use Movement"(timber,oil,mining,ranching, together with right wing politicians) have fomented fear and false rumors about property rights and takings here in the Mt. Shasta community. Herger has become the darling of the republicans tide in rural Northern California. Mount Shasta is recognized by Native American tribes and by global citizens everywhere as one of the most important Sacred sights in the entire United States. The recent historic designation provides some protection for the mountain against large-scale commercial development. Letter's must continue to oppose and demand complete withdrawal of HR 563 Continued support for the preservation and protection of Ceremonial and Burial areas of the Native American Indian must continue to grow and in a most constructive manner so that the Tradition and Traditional Belief can be formatted with respect for these areas with full unity of and by the those Nations and those people who have a concern and support for the Preservation and protection of those areas having a significant value of importance to the Nations and the Traditional Movement of the native American Indian. Letter's can and should continue to be directed to: President William Clinton Senator Barbara Boxer The Whitehouse 112 Hart Senate Office Bldg. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20500 Senator Diane Feinstein Department of the Interior 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Secretary of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20510 Attn: Mr. Bruce babbitt 1849 C St. NW Representative Wally Herger Washington, D.C. 20240 House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 You can also request to be put on the Forest Service mailing list in order to be notified about future actions concerning Mount Shasta. Forest Supervisor Attn: Mr. Steve Fitch Shasta-Trinity National Forests 2400 Washington St. Redding, California 96001 --------- "RE: State Sovereignty/Anti-Indian Movement" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 21:54:45 -0800 (PST) From: Larry Kibby Subj: State Sovereignty/Anti-Indian Movement UUCP email Our local newspaper, the "ELKO DAILY FREE PRESS", ran a story today (3/2/95) titled, "SOVEREIGNTY RESOLUTION CLEARS NEVADA SENATE". The state senate in Carson City, Nevada voted for a measure bolstering the state's sovereignty movement. This story went into detail of how this resolution came about what it was in reference to and regards made by Senator Dean Rhoads. The resolution(SJR1) calls on the federal government to stop imposing mandates on Nevada and interfering with the state's sovereignty. Senator Joe Neal of Las Vegas abstained from voting on SJR1 and asked Roads "and if congress doesn't stop imposing mandates and telling the state what to do, are we going to war?" Senator Rhoads further stated, "if we do go, there are 30 other states that will go with us." While it is reported that Rhoads statement was seen as flippant, talk of civil war is a serious option with some members of the public who testified earlier in favor of the resolution. Also, the paper carried several other story's that went along with the resolution story, that had similar regards with reference to the state right's activist and it is clear that the anti-Indian movement organization of the Private Property Rights organization is also on the move. Here in the west, control of the public lands is headed to a very hard-core confrontation, and it is very obvious that the bulk of the Western Shoshone Traditional Territory is right in the middle. Also, other western states are facing the very same regards by these people and the tribes are going to lose a lot of land if support is not administered to hinder the state rights activist and the republican party, who seem to be pushing on this issue and trying to hinder the efforts of the Traditional Native American Indian from safe-guarding his lands. I will try and keep you up-dated on this information. The tribes out west need all the support they can get to stop these people and the anti-Indian movement from getting to far ahead in their efforts. take care and I'll get back with you. --------- "RE: North American Native Authors Catalog" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Mar 1995 08:46:48 -0500 From: DLBinOKLA@AOL.COM Subj: North American Native Authors Catalog Mailing List: NATIVELIT The new 60-page 1995 North American Native Authors Catalog has just been published: NATIVE AMERICAN AUTHORS DISTRIBUTION PROJECT, The Greenfield Review Press, 2 Middle Grove Road, P.O. Box 308, Greenfield Center, NY 12833 (tel. 518-583-1440; fax 518-583-9741). Only distributes work written or co-authored by Native American authors, now more than 600 titles from more than 90 different publishers, mostly books, but also including audio tapes and current issues (and some back issues) of these periodicals: Akwe:kon Journal ($5), The Eagle ($2), The Four Directions ($6), Gatherings 3 ($15), News From Indian Country ($1), News From Native California ($4.50), Turtle Quarterly ($4), Wicazo Sa Review ($10), and the new Wordcraft Circle quarterly journal, Wordtrails ($10); New 1995 60-page catalog is $1.00 and includes capsule summaries of each book and three indexes, one by title, one by author (with tribal affiliation), and one by tribe. All books and periodicals and audio tapes from all of the different publishers in the catalog can be ordered directly from the Greenfield Review Press; postage and handling $2 for 1-2 items, and .50 for each additional item (overseas orders, $5 for 1-2 items, and $1 for each additional item); NY residents add 7% sales tax; no credit card payments can be accepted. --------- "RE: Poem: Stones Entering the Heart" --------- Date: 12 Sep 1994 14:04:37 -0500 From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart) Subj: Stones Entering the Heart Newsgroup: alt.native Lined up like feathers on the wings of Eagles dancers circle the dusty earth their feet wrapped in the skins of elk buffalo and deer pounding the air and striking their hearts a drum stretched across the heart of an old man who grins at the sun and throws stones into their hearts. Tobacco Indian ______________________________________________________ Turtle Heart turtle@soft21.s21.com (Ahnishinabeg) American Indian Computer Art Project BBS 619-374-2100 PO Box 111 Johannesburg CA 93528-0111 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: 95/03/04 14:49 From: Kepola (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: A HAWAI'IAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of March 12-18 GE Electronic Mail MALAKI (March) (Nana) 12 Every life is precious; every spirit unique and irreplaceable. 13 A Journey of the spirit is never truly finished -- its paths continually unfold before us. 14 A life well spent is like the banyan tree -- anchored to the land by many roots. 15 The rain is a blessing of renewal upon the earth. 16 Arise, oh Sun, and warm the land with your passage! 17 Though I have no wings, my spirit flies upon the wind! 18 Strength is the warrior within. (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 March 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 Baylor Pow-Wow - b.zygo alt.native Baylor University's Native American Student Association Benefit Pow-wow: Spirit of the Earth: A Circle of Nations Saturday, March 25, 1995 Ferrell Special Events Center Baylor University Campus, Waco, Texas ======================================================================== anishinabe language conference (at thunderbird.auc.laurentian.ca) (From News system) anishinaabemowin A Conference on the anishi.aabe Language March 30, 31, April 1 Contact: (705)949-2301 ext. 215 Fax: (705)949-6583 miigwech ========================================================================== The Office for the Arts at Harvard and Radcliffe, the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, Native Americans at Harvard-Radcliffe, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, the Harvard Native American Program at the Graduate School of Education, and the schools of Harvard University invite all to the first annual HARVARD UNIVERSITY POWWOW (in conjunction with Harvard's Arts First Weekend) at the Peabody Museum Courtyard, behind the Tozzer Library (11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts) Rain-out location: Rockefeller Refectory at the Harvard Divinity School, Museum Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1995 Host Drum: Mystic River -- Arikara/Hidatsa -- Uncasville, CT Head Dancer: Lynn Burnette, Jr. -- Cheyenne River Sioux -- Black Foot, SD Arena Director: Taylor R.M. Keen -- Omaha, Cherokee -- Cambridge, MA ALL DRUMS AND DANCERS WELCOME PUBLIC INVITED AND FREE ADMISSION For PowWow and arts and crafts booth information contact: Amanda Proctor -- Osage/Quapaw Harvard University PowWow Committee 367 Winthrop Mail Center Cambridge, MA 02138 (617)-493-3360 ============================================================================ Topic 500 Amsterdam Festival NL SUMMER FESTIVAL OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' CULTURE During the International Decade for the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples plans to organize a recurring Summer Festival of Indigenous Peoples' Culture in Amsterdam. At this festival, which is scheduled to be held in September, several aspects of indigenous peoples' cultures as well as their present circumstances will be highlighted. The central focus of the festival will be indigenous music. Next to that, the organizers aim to call attention to current indigenous theatre, storytelling and poetry. Of each, three fields of performances will be presented on stage: traditional indigenous culture: performances of traditional songs, theatre and poetry, with direct links to old oral traditions and pre-colonial culture. popular indigenous culture: performances of well-known indigenous musical artists, which have made - or are about to make - a hit in popular mainstream culture. avant-garde/experimental indigenous culture performances of experimental groups in the fields of music and theatre. Blending of indigenous traditions with innovative forms in Western and other non-indigenous culture. Each year of the decade, the summer festival will have a different region as main theme. The theme for 1995 will be the Circumpolar region: Greenland, northern Scandinavia, Siberia, Alaska and northern Canada. Future themes will be the Pacific, the southern cone of South America, the Himalayas, southern Africa, the Indonesian Archipelago, Australia, Central America, North America and, lastly a World's Indigenous Peoples Festival with a reprise of many of the most promising performances. At the time of the festival we would also like to publish a special edition of our monthly magazine 'Indigo' on the situation of indigenous peoples in the Circumpolar region. Concerning the first Summer Festival of Indigenous Peoples' Cultures we would like to ask you the following questions: 1. What is your opinion on the idea of this recurring summer festival? 2. Could you give us information on indigenous cultural groups and performers from the Circumpolar region which we could invite to participate in the festival? 3. Would you know any existing exhibitions or exhibition materials we could display at the festival? 4. Do you have any suggestions for articles, guest writers, poetry, books to be reviewed etc. for the special edition of our magazine? We are looking forward to hearing from you! Leo van der Vlist, Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples Postbus 94098, 1090 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands phone: +31 20 69 38 625, fax: +31 20 66 52 818. innusuppnl@gn.apc.org Amsterdam, 3 February 1995 / 2 March 1995 =========================================================================== From: "Ann M. Follette" Newsgroups: soc.culture.native Subject: White Buffalo Renewal Conference This is an open invitation to take part in the WHITE BUFFALO RENEWAL CONFERENCE, March 27-30, 1995, at Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. The conference will deal with the historical and contemporary context of Native North Americans. Monday, March 27 1-3 pm MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTE 7pm MR. ARVOL LOOKING HORSE, Eagle Butte, SD Tuesday, March 28 1230-2 pm MR. N. SCOTT MOMADAY, Tucson, AZ 7pm Mr. N. Scott Momaday Wednesday, March 29 7pm MR. BILL CROUSE, Seneca Nation Thursday, March 30 1230-200 pm PANEL ON WOMEN'S ROLE AND WOMEN'S ISSUES IN THE IROQUOIS NATION 3-4 pm MR. DUCE BOWEN, Seneca nation 7pm DR. JOHN MOHAWK, Gowanda, NY ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ We will have other exhibits and events to announce; however, we wanted to let you know our plans and issue an invitation to all. Arts and crafts people will be included in the final program. Contact Dr. Funmaker if interested. Dr. Sandra Linck, Associate Provost, Mansfield University Dr. Walter Funmaker (Ho-Chunk/Winnebago) Director, Native American Institute, Mansfield University email: wfunmake@vmhost1.mnsfld.edu ============================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- 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: Kepola, Janet Smith, Turtle Heart(Mending the Sacred Hoop with song poems), Suzan Horovitch, Grandmother Lillian Sanders Young(via Rio Lara-Bellon), Alan Mandell, Larry Kibby, Larry Innes, Orin/Peace and Justice Coalition, Ward New(posted by Patty New), Jon/Navajonation, Don Birchfield, Rufina Marie Laws(via Carol Liu(permission to repost appended)) --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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 March 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 = Bridge Crossing, April '95 - web:susanodo web.native Original Sender: labell@spartan.ac.brocku.ca (Lesley Bell) Mailing List: NATIVE-L April 22, 1995 Buffalo New York to Fort Erie Canada - BRIDGE CROSSING 3:00 p.m. A demonstration sponsored by AIM with the purpose of exercising our rights under Article 2 of the Jay Treaty, and "Freedom from Taxation" Details for assembling on April 22: 11:00 a.m.: meet at LaSalle Park, Buffalo, NY -- We pay no duty, we pay no tax -- -- buy whatever you want to take back to Canada -- -- bridge crossing BY CARAVAN at 3:00 p.m. sharp -- -- bring your flags -- -- please, no liquor or drugs -- ALL ARE WELCOME! Lets show the Government in Ottawa and in Washington DC that we are united as a people. For further details contact the following persons in Canada and the US: Bill 'Grandpa Bear' Swanson, Jr. AIM, New York State Chapter res (905) 871-3615 fax (716) 842-1021 Mike Waterman AIM, New York State Chapter res (716) 934-4784 (Irving, NY) Kevin Isaacs Ohsweken, Ontario Canada (519) 445-2757 Mary Anne Wendy Toronto, Ontario Canada (416) 224-5929 or (416) 601-1759 Ralph Summers Indian Defense League of America St. Catharines, Ontario Canada (905) 641-4498 WE ARE A PEACEFUL PEOPLE. WE DO EVERYTHING IN A PEACEFUL MANNER ..... MAY THE GREAT SPIRIT BE WITH US ALL. -- Bill 'Grandpa Bear' Swanson, Jr. ========================================================================== From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Call for poets, writers, storytellers Original Sender: talley@netcom.com (Pat L Talley) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) American Indian Literary Festival Sponsored by East Texas State University Commerce, Texas Native American Association and Department of Literature and Languages The American Indian Literary Festival is extending a call for American Indian poets, writers, and storytellers to participate in the November 1995 second annual festival. If you are interested in participating please provide the following information: Name Mailing address Telephone number Tribe Specialty area Workshop experience Are you available to help with workshops? Please include your vita and rate sheet with the above information and send to: American Indian Literary Festival 1995 Archives-GEE Library East Texas State University Commerce, Texas 75429 For questions contact: Dr. Jim Conrad Director of Oral History 903-886-5737 Dr. Robin Reid Dept. of Literature & Languages 903-886-5268 Nancy Martin, V.P. (Chickamauga Cherokee) Native American Association % Archives-GEE Library ETSU Commerce, TX 75429 ==================================================================== From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Solstice '95 Convergence Original Sender: Anthony Whitworth Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) SOLAR CEREMONIES SET FOR MARCH 21, 1995 ELDERS CALL FOR WORLDWIDE CONVERGENCE OF SPIRITUAL INTENT As with Harmonic Convergence in 1987, the moment of Sunrise on March 21,1995 marks a crucial opportunity for prayer and ceremony as understood by the indigenous Mayan people of the Yucatan Penisula, Mexico. Contemporary Mayan Daykeepers and Traditional Elders have revealed that their sacred texts identify this date, and "implore the human race to awaken, so that it can fulfill its sacred destiny, which is to be true sons and daughters of the Cosmic Light." Please consider this message carefully as a call for human beings to unite as they did at Harmonic Convergence in 1987 (also identified by the ancient Sacred Calendars of the Americas). March 21, 1995 is a crucial opportunity to strive through prayer and ceremony to bridge the gaps between the continents, religions, cultures, and races for all ages. It is time, Traditional Maya Elders say, to live out our true solar destinies. By the use of their ancient calendar cycles, widely recognized as far more accurate than the Gregorian calendars now used by the Western world, the Maya understand that the 1995 spring equinox is the completion of a prophecy marking the end of two cycles of Kal'tun (two cycles of 260 years), initiating a time when ancient and hidden knowledge is to be reawakened. Don~ Hunbatz Men, Mayan Shaman and Daykeeper, emphasizes that this information is for everyone, not just the Maya. The Path of the Sun and Mayan Prophecy The Sun travels 182 days to the North and returns 182 days to the South again every Earth year. This is the cycle of the Solstices. The midpoint of this cycle is another cycle of East and West called the Equinoxes. On the Equinoxes the Sun crosses a center point and makes an exact 90-degree angle directly over the Pyramid of Ku'Kulkan (El Castillo) at the sacred site of Chichen Itza on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. This creates the world famous phenomenon of a dramatic shadow of 7 triangles that represent the potential awakening to 7 centers of the human body. This event happens every Equinox, but it is in the year 1995 that the reawakening of the cosmic human is to be activated. This is indicated in the paraphrased Mayan prophecy below. In the year 1475, before the arrival of the Spanish, The Supreme Maya Council revealed the long-held vision of an ancient Solar Grandmother named X'Nuuk'K'in that a calendar cycle of twice the Kal'tun of 260 years had to go by in order for the Solar Culture to flourish again for the benefit of all humanity. In the spring of 1995, this 520 year period will be completed. Thus, 1995 is a decisive year and the human race will have to enter the path of cosmic light if it is to remain a thinking species. Humans will have to seek the path of initiation on Earth and in Heaven. Through Solar Initiation they will be able to see the luminosity of the Great Spirit... through Solar Initiation, the sleeping body of humankind can be awakened... ``Hunab K'u (Creator) will flash like lightening that will pierce through the shadows that envelop the human race. Let us prepare to receive the light of knowledge.'' The Maya understand this event as an opportunity for initiation into a luminous consciousness that will awaken humanity into the Age of Knowledge (Itza Age). By the use of the magnetic grid of energy that covers planet Earth, the solar ceremonies in Chichen Itza will anchor a unifying intent to activate humanity. This will initiate a potent healing process for all as we enter an age of knowledge and peace. We will begin to remember the ancient knowledge of the cosmos. Those who are unable to join the Mayan elders and invited Tibetan Lamas in ceremony in physical form may join in Spirit. The Mayan Council has asked people of good heart -- no matter their race or their spiritual tradition -- to unite in prayer at Sunrise on the morning of March 21, 1995 with the understanding that we are all connected and live in the same house, the house of Mother Earth. They ask all to send the energy of the Father SUN into Mother EARTH, giving her essential energy for healing. You may also send letters of inspiration and prayer to: The Center for Mayan Studies APDO 7-014 Merida, 7 Yucatan, Mexico. These letters will be anchored in a sacred site during this ceremony. The Solar Meditation / Ceremony The Maya had and have an intimate relationship with the Sun. They know that the information/energy we require to live comes from the Creator through the Sun. They understand that the Sun can heal our physical and emotional illnesses. In these times when humanity receives so much of its information and energy from sources other than the Sun, we must begin to remember how to work with the Sun. To receive Solar Initiation one must reconnect with the Sun. It is a simple process and all that is needed is your heart's intention. Below is a solar ceremony you can begin now, and perform in unity with others from around the world during the Spring Equinox, 1995. Everyone is encouraged to initiate solar meditations and related events at Sacred Sites or in the areas where they live at Sunrise - March, 1995. Face the rising Sun and begin to meditate. With respect, ask the Creator (Hunab K'u) for permission to reenter cosmic memory. Ask to be reawakened to the ancient knowledge of the cosmos. As the Sun begins to rise look directly at it. Use discretion here: just one second of pure sunlight directly in the eyes is enough, more can be harmful. Then close your eyes and begin to say the name of the SUN in the Mayan language (K'IN) and catch your Spirit by holding your hands out in front of your face as if you were holding a sphere. As Om-m-m is a name for the Universe, K'IN is a name of the SUN. It sounds like, ``K'ieeeeeennn'' with a distinct `E' sound. You may need to practice this a little while to get the habit of it. When you do it properly you will hear the sound of the Sun in your ears and in your head. Say K'IN seven times into your hands for your body, 7 times for your spirit, and 7 times for the healing and awakening of the Earth and humanity. You will feel the energy in your hands, and hear the sound of the SUN in your heart. Now offer the blessings of your Spirit on the Earth by bending down and placing your palms flat upon the Earth. Allow your Spirit to enter the Earth and send your blessings and intentions to walk on Earth in a sacred manner that will awaken yourself and others into right living once again. So Traditional Elders among the Maya have asked. ======================================================================= From: native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us Original Sender: pedwards@mail.foxnet.net (Philip Edwards) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) NATIVE CANADIAN CENTRE OF TORONTO YOUTH COUNCIL COMPETITION POW WOW NURTURING OUR YOUTH: LEADERS OF TOMORROW MARCH 11TH AND 12TH MOSSPARK ARMOURIES 130 QUEEN ST. EAST AT JARVIS $21,000 PRIZE MONEY TO BE AWARDED ABSOLUTELY NO DRUGS AND NO ALCOHOL doors open daily at 10:00 for further info: John Martin 1 416 964-9087 -- Philip Edwards pedwards@mail.foxnet.net Grassroots Coalition of Thunder Bay --------- "RE: Protect Eimish" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 09:13:11 -0400 From: es051322@orion.yorku.ca (Larry Innes) Subj: Protect Eimish! Oppose Mining on Aboriginal Land Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Protect Eimish! On February 4th, 1995, the Innu Nation and the Mushuau Innu Band Council issued an eviction notice to two companies conducting mineral exploration at Eimish (Voisey Bay), citing 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 aboriginal land. The eviction forced the company to suspend exploration activity, but a 12-day standoff between Innu and over 50 RCMP officers ensued at the remote location. An attempt by the Labrador Inuit Association, which also has rights in the Eimish area, and the Innu Nation to negotiate with the two companies ended abruptly when the company made it clear that it would not recognize aboriginal rights and resumed exploration activity. By issuing the eviction order, the Innu wanted to make it clear to these companies that any exploration and development on our land must be subject to the wishes of our people. Over 13,000 new claims covering several thousand square kilometers of aboriginal land have been staked in the last few months alone. But the Innu have never been approached for permission. Diamond Fields Resources, a company associated with controversial developer and stock promoter Robert Friedland, announced a "major discovery" of nickel, copper and cobalt at Eimish in November 1994, spurring a rush of claim staking activity. The Newfoundland government has refused to halt the project, which is proceeding despite the fact that both the Innu Nation and the Labrador Inuit Association are negotiating land rights with Canada and Newfoundland. The Innu oppose development of a mine at Eimish. The Innu have used the area for countless generations. It has always been an important travel route, and the drilling sites and exploration camp is located in the same vicinity as historic Innu camps and burial sites. The area is important habitat for caribou, wolves, small mammals, and migratory birds, including the endangered harlequin duck. Diamond Fields has failed to assure the Innu that these things are being respected, and is proceeding with exploration activities without recognizing aboriginal rights. Given the reputation of Robert Friedland and his role in the Summitville disaster in Colorado, one of the worst environmental disasters in US mining history, the Innu fear that the present exploration activity will lead to the destruction of a special and sacred place. "This land is Innu and Inuit land. It does not belong to the Newfoundland government or to Canada. We never gave it to them, and we continue to use it. But it makes our lives very difficult when there is more low-level flying, more fishing camps, and more mining without our consent. The companies who come here are parties with the governments in stealing land from the Innu people." - Tshenish Pasteen, Innu elder VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE INNU STRUGGLE. TELL GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRY THAT YOU OPPOSE MINERAL EXPLORATION AT VOISEY BAY. Write to: Premier Clyde Wells Dr. Rex Gibbons Jean-Raymond Boulle PO Box 8700 PO Box 8700 Diamond Fields Resources St. John's, NF St. John's, NF Suite 1900, 355 Burrard St. A1B 4J6 A1B 4J6 Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8 fax (709) 729-5875 fax: (709) 729-6782 fax: (604) 687-7140 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: Mescalero/The Battle Continues" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 15:10:17 -0800 From: qladmin@class.org (Queens Library) Subj: MESCALERO - THE BATTLE CONTINUES Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Note: this is being posted to ACTIV-L and NATIVE-L. Please feel free to post to other lists and newsgroups -- and send the letter to your local newspaper -- to get the widest possible distribution. And pass it along to your friends, relatives, local organizations, etc. etc. ----------------------------------------------- I spoke with Rufina Marie Laws yesterday about the latest development in the battle to keep radioactive waste off the Mescalero Apache reservation. As regular NATIVE-L subscribers will know, thanks to Rufina's efforts, a referendum held on January 31. 1995 resulted in the Mescalero Apaches rejecting the proposed dump by a vote of 490 to 362. Then on February 17, "amid rumors of vote buying," Fred Kaydahzinne (an employee of the Mescalero housing office) delivered to tribal officials petitions containing the signatures of 700 registered Mescalero voters. These petitions ask the tribal council to "either schedule a second referendum or go ahead and negotiate contracts without a vote" (as reported 2/18/95 by Leslie Linthicum, staff writer, _Albuquerque Journal_ -- article posted here 2/19/95). Rufina asks that letters be sent or phone calls made [please call Information for phone #s] to the CEOs of the 33 participating utilities (!!! owners of 94 of the 110 nuclear reactors in the U.S. !!!) expressing opposition to the toxic desecration of Indian lands but also requesting their cooperation in ensuring a FAIR vote. The list of utilities follows. You can also help by joining HANDS (Humans Against Nuclear Waste Dumps), an organization Rufina established to support this critical struggle. Send tax-deductible contributions to the address below. Individuals donating $20 or more will receive the monthly HANDS Newsletter. An additional $10.00 will get you a special souvenir edition that celebrates the Jan. 31 victory. Make checks payable to HANDS. It's important to recognize that the Mescaleros' fight is one which we must all join, because it is part of a much larger conflict with consequences for *all* of us -- present and future generations. HANDS P.O. Box 2659 Ruidoso, NM 88345 505-671-4844 (tel.) 505-671-4784 (fax) Posted for HANDS by: Carol Liu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO THE EDITOR: Date: March 1, 1995 From: Rufina Marie Laws, Director Humans Against Nuclear Waste Dumps (HANDS) P. O. Box 2659 Ruidoso, NM 88343 tel. 505-671-4844; fax 505-671-4784 The reasons I have been against the nuclear waste project on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in NM is because this manmade material is the deadliest substance that is found on the face of this planet and it demands custodial care for an eternity. This substance was well named because the word 'Pluto' is defined in the dictionary as "the god of the dead and the ruler of the underworld, identified with the Greek god Hades." 'Pluto' is the root of the word plutonium. The fact that plutonium -- artificially created by neutron bombardment of uranium -- is a radiological poison which cannot be left unattended was known for decades by the government and the nuclear industry, but the dependency on uranium was already established, and this information was withheld from the general public. While keeping this fact a secret, the military-industrial complex continued to build a society that operated upon the mineral called uranium. Now, fifty years after the splitting of the atom, the United States retains its membership in the club of so-called "first-world" nations. The "first-world" nations behave condescendingly toward "second" and "third" world nations in many ways. But long before this mineral called uranium was discovered by the "seekers," the awesome powers locked inside those uranium-laden lands were well known to the native and aboriginal peoples living near them. Those people lived in humble respect for the knowledge and understanding that was imparted to them and their neighbors by the Creator. The power given to them cannot be replicated nor can we in present times fathom all of its applications in their daily lives. Those gentle people worshipped the Creator, they learned to live in harmony within that most powerful environment, and they prospered for untold generations. This modern civilization never once thinks of sacredness. It never considered the spiritual impact of what it was doing in creating an industry based on the mineral it found and mined. By applying science and technology to that mineral, it suddenly attained an unparalleled advantage of great wealth and overwhelming military power. "First world" status was achieved using the awesome powers extracted from uranium. But in addition to this status, the seekers were given a man-made by-product, namely plutonium. Plutonium in this most terrible form cannot be left to anything less than eternal custodial care. Nuclear waste cannot be left unattended; it must remain under constant surveillance, and monitored for generations upon generations. I believe that this is a great spiritual conflict in which the forces of dark and light are locked in an intense struggle for the upper hand. The nuclear industry is a $500 billion-a-year transnational business and can override the laws of any country that gets in the way of making a profit and generating deadly radioactive waste. When the splitting of the atom first occurred, and every time that action has occurred subsequently, mankind has been indiscriminately intertwining the spiritual with physical forces -- of which we have *no* right to do. When the atom was first split, it was accomplished through science and technology. The industry never once sought to consider the spiritual realm in its single-minded drive to create the current uranium addiction of first-world nations. The first world's addiction to rampant materialism must be satisfied by claiming and securing the limited natural resources found on the planet. The spiritual realm has been ignored by the seekers, and their arrogance has gone unchecked for decades, until we now have a huge transnational industry responsible for creating the worldwide specter of catastrophe from the massive amount of lethal radioactive waste threatening the entire biosphere. From the industry's beginnings, evidenced by the mill tailings left on native and aboriginal lands throughout the world, one cannot help but see that it is people of color whose lives have been or will be sacrificed upon the nuclear industry's unholy altar. It is appalling that today, the people who lived their lives in complete harmony with nature and who have sought for generations to include the Creator in all aspects of their daily lives are now being approached by the seekers who with sly flattery, subtly suggesting: " Because you were truly the world's first environmentalists, it stands to reason that you must be the best stewards of nuclear waste." Incredible! The problem of nuclear waste will become the next great social movement and the raging battle of the '90s, extending well into the next century. In magnitude, it will eclipse the Civil Rights and anti-war movements. I believe each person must learn about this issue and get involved, because it is not going to go away. Rufina Marie Laws Mescalero Apache Tribal Member --------- "RE: Urgent Environmental Crisis/Mexico" --------- Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 20:53:23 -0800 From: Peace and Justice Coalition Subj: URGENT ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS-MEXICO Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) TO: The International Environmental Community FROM: NATIVE FOREST NETWORK--Eastern North American Resource Center RE: Urgent Environmental & Indigenous Rights Crisis Action Alert ONE OF MEXICO'S LAST RAINFORESTS UNDER SIEGE The Selva Lacandona, one of Mexico's and North America's remaining tropical rainforests is currently being enclosed by the Mexican military in their attempt to crush the indigenous uprising in the state of Chiapas. The Lacandon tropical rainforest is rich in biological diversity. It is the home of many different species including jaguars, spider and howler monkeys, harpy eagles and neo- tropical migratory songbirds. The Selva Lacandona is part of a larger rainforest ecosystem reaching through Guatemala to Belize in Central America. This entire tropical rainforest ecosystem is second only in the Americas to the Amazon rainforest region. Two weeks ago the Mexican military followed the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) to the Selva Lacandona. Fearing reprisals from the approaching military, an estimated 20,000 of the indigenous population and peasants have followed the EZLN into the Lacandon rainforest. International and domestic human rights groups have complained that Mexican government forces have engaged in extra judicial killings, torture, illegal searches, and unconstitutional arrests as they carry out president Ernesto Zedillo's orders to suppress the rebellion. The whole crisis is rooted in an ecologically disastrous development model that is expanding with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Two of the central questions brought up in this emergency are: who controls the land and what do they use it for? A monetary crisis swept through Mexico when the Mexican peso fell recently. Clearly the US and Wall Street are worried about Mexico's financial stability. As the Mexican situation worsened, Chase Bank, specifically its Emerging Markets Group, which has billions at risk in Mexico, called on the Mexican government to crush the Zapatista insurgency. Chase's January 13, "Political Update on Mexico" states, "The government will have to eliminate the Zapatistas to demonstrate their effective control of the national territory and security policy." Last week US president Clinton approved a $20 billion aid packet to bail out the Mexican economy and big US investors. This aid packet is guaranteed by Mexico with oil revenues. PEMEX (Mexico's national oil company) has declared that the Selva Lacandona covers one of Mexico's richest oil fields. If the Mexican government continues its military operations and enclosure in the Lacandon, we face the potential genocide of the indigenous people and the eventual ecocide of the rainforest. This is an international outrage and the parties sponsoring this assault on the indigenous people and the rainforest should be aware that the whole world is watching and voicing their opposition. The Native Forest Network is urging people throughout the world to contact President Zedillo of Mexico, President Clinton of the United States, and Chase Bank of New York to demand that the Mexican military pull out of the rainforest, immediately stop the war on the EZLN and respect the rights of indigenous people and legitimate democracy. Please contact the United Nations to express your concerns and to demand that a UN delegation be sent to the area to investigate these environmental and human rights atrocities. Also consider participating in community mobilizations and educational activities that voice these concerns to the people and institutions responsible for this current crisis. ------- Ernesto Zedillo Charles Ballard Presidente de la Republica Chase Manhattan Bank Palacio Nacional 1 Chase Plaza, 19th floor 06067 Mexico D.F. Mexico NY, NY 10081 USA FAX: 525-271-1764 1-800-AT-CHASE FAX: (716)258-6339 President Bill Clinton White House Boutros Ghali 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW United Nations Washington, DC 20500 USA New York, NY 10017 USA (202)456-7639 (212)963-1234 FAX: (202)256-4562 Switchboard: (202)456-1414 ++++++++++ For further information, please contact: NATIVE FOREST NETWORK Eastern North American Resource Center POB 57 Burlington, VT 05402 USA (802)863-0571 (802)863-2532 Fax email: peacejustice@igc.apc.org --------- "RE: Help Save the Arctic Refuge" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Mar 1995 17:51:41 -0600 From: s043103@jaguar1.usouthal.edu (Patty A. New) [written by Ward New] Subj: Help Save the Arctic Refuge Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Northeast Alaska is the home of some two hundred species of animals. It is a mostly treeless area of both incomparable beauty and ruggedness. The Fish and Wildlife Service states that the Arctic Refuge is the "only conservation system unit in North America that protects, in an undisturbed condition, the complete spectrum of arctic and subarctic ecosystems." Each year some 160,000 Porcupine caribou migrate hundreds of miles to the 125 mile long coastal plain of the refuge. For centuries this area has been the calving and post calving grounds of the caribou. Strong winds off the Arctic Ocean sweep this small area relatively clear of the hoards of suffocating mosquitos. Surprisingly, recent data indicates that polar bears also need this coastal plain for denning purposes. The Native American populations living along the caribou migration routes depend on the Porcupine herd for food. There is no industry in their remote villages and other food commodities must be flown in, which makes the goods' cost prohibitive. These proud people follow their ancestral traditions of caribou hunting. Oil companies are, once again, pushing to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Having been defeated numerous times in the past, they now are optimistic of victory due to the fact that Alaska's senators and only congressman have important committee chairs. The facts are relatively simple. There is only a twenty percent chance of finding economically recoverable oil in the coastal plain. If it is there, a maximum amount equal to a 200 day supply at current U.S. usage is all that could be recovered. We don't feel that a 200 day supply of oil is worth the destruction of the coastal plain. This small amount of oil is not worth destroying centuries-old migration routes and the survival of native cultures thousands of years old. Please join us in our efforts to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Write your Congressman and Senators and ask them to oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. --------- "RE: Navajo-Hopi Update" --------- Date: Sat, 4 Mar 1995 22:16:38 -0800 From: Navajo Nation Subj: Navajo-Hopi update: 3/4/95 Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) NAVAJO-HOPI "LAND DISPUTE" UPDATE: MARCH 4, 1995 DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEGUN The first of what the Dine' families hope will be a series of negotiations was held yesterday at Rocky Ridge Boarding School. The Dine' families representatives were on one side of the table, with the Hopi negotiating team on the other side. All of the communities were represented: Big Mountain by Katherine Smith, Louise Benally and Bonnie Whitesinger; Coal Mine Mesa by Jack Hatathlie and Anna Begay; Tonalea by Rena Babbitt Lane; Cactus Valley by Clarence Blackrock and Kee Watchman; Sand Springs by Calvin Nez, Alfred McCabe and John Yazzie; Jeddito by Mary Yellowhair; Low Mountain by Alice Tsosie and Margaret Bahe; Teesto by David Begay, Frances Bahe and Roger Attakai. Roger Attakai was the Dine families Chairman and Kee Watchman was Vice Chairman. The Speaker's Office provided Robert Salabye, a legislative interpreter, to interpret and read documents into the record. The Nation also supplied taping and PA equipment. The Dine' families have been meeting fairly regularly the last few weeks, developing a strategy and putting together their statements. They went in with a seventeen-page document explaining all the issues, especially the religious issue. The Dine' families proposed ground rules and a timetable for negotiations. Outlines were included on religious issues, land use, and self-governance. Finally, there was a list of ten requests which were made of the Hopi Tribe and/or the U.S. The "ten respectful requests" were presented in response to the "ten demands" which the Hopi Tribe laid on the Dine' families and the Navajo Nation in 1991 as a precondition to negotiations. The Dine' families' requests are these: 1. Grassroots-level meetings to discuss religious matters with Hopi religious leaders. 2. A stop to livestock impoundments. 3. A stop to "monitoring" activities such as surveillance, "spotlighting" and photographing families in their homes, searching homes, etc. 4. A lifting of the construction freeze. 5. An end to demolition of hogans and other structures on the HPL. 6. A stop to confiscation of firewood, wood cutting tools, and threatened confiscation of vehicles. 7. An "undoing" of certain BIA projects which desecrate sacred places, such as the fences on Star Mountain, capping of sacred springs, etc. 8. An exemption from permit requirements for religious structures. 9. Improved road maintenance. 10. Hopi and Dine to work together to reduce tensions. There was a request to add some language to the "Accommodation Agreement" (AKA lease agreement) which the Hopi Tribe offered this spring. The Dine' requested the following language be added at the beginning: "This is an agreement in good faith between the Navajo families who live on the Hopi Partitioned Land, and the Hopi Tribe and Hopi people. Under this agreement, the Navajo families and the Hopi people agree to be friends and always think and speak well of each other. We agree to respect each other as Native people whose origin is in this very land. We agree to support and assist each other in the continuance and protection of religious activities. We agree, each of us to assist the other if called on. We agree to meet together as needed to resolve any issues which arise as a result of our sharing of this land. This agreement is reached between us as a result of the Manybeads v. United States lawsuit. For this reason, this agreement is based on religious concepts and natural law, and provides first and foremost for the protection of the religion and way of life of the Navajo families, as well as the Hopi people. Its purpose is also to provide for the continuing well-being of the parties to this agreement, as individuals, families and communities." The ground rules are reproduced below: 1. These discussions are between the decision-making leaders of the Hopi Tribe and the representatives of the Navajo families and communities who are suing the United States for freedom of religion in Manybeads v. United States. The Navajo representatives will be prepared to discuss all substantive issues relating to the Manybeads lawsuit and the mediation process which arose from it, as well as the outcome of mediation. We are requesting similar flexibility from the Hopi Tribe. We do not expect the Hopi team to make decisions on the spot, but we want the Hopi team to include key decision making leaders who have the authorization to negotiate in the meetings and the ability to secure any needed approvals from the Hopi Tribal Council. The Navajo Nation is requested to send observers to all meetings and to provide technical and logistic support for the Navajo families. United States representatives, if present, are not to enter discussions unless invited by both the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo families. 2. The Hopi Tribe as well as the U.S. government and the Manybeads mediator will respect the Navajo community decision making process. The Navajo families will convene community meetings as needed to discuss proposals and to keep all the Navajo informed as to the progress of negotiations. 3. A major cause of the failure of previous mediation efforts was the secrecy imposed by the Manybeads mediator. The Navajo families and the Hopi Tribe will jointly issue press releases reflecting the issues raised in the discussions and any progress made. Proposals and position papers which are submitted in discussions will be made available at that time to all Navajo residing on the HPL. 4. The Hopi village representatives and grass-roots people should have the privilege of observing these discussions. 5. Meetings will be held at a neutral location, or alternately at locations chosen by the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo families. 6. We are requesting that the United States assist the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo families in meeting the expenses which will arise from these discussions. 7. The Hopi Tribe should give us a response to our requests and concerns at the next meeting scheduled for March 9, 1995. If the Hopi Tribe agrees to continue the mediation the discussions should follow a timetable such as the one outlined below, with meetings scheduled every other week. Meeting 1: Discuss religious issue, exchange of views, etc. Discuss sacred sites, burial issues, religious structures, need to perform certain ceremonies, and the way these things can be accommodated. Meeting 2: Discuss land use issues which have a bearing on traditional way of life, including: residence/homesite, grazing, wood cutting, farm plots, customary use. This discussion should also involve the Hopi Tribe's comprehensive land use plan and certain Hopi laws. Meeting 3: Discuss jurisdictional and governance issues. Meeting 4: Equal treatment and civil rights issues. Meeting 5: Proposals to resolve outstanding issues. At this meeting each community will present its proposal for addressing local concerns or issues which remain unresolved. What Happened? Apparently the Hopi Tribe's representatives came prepared to discuss the burial issue, and maybe the issue of cutting green boughs for ceremonial use. They seemed to be taken by surprise by the comprehensive nature of the Dine' proposal. They were also, I think, thrown off balance by the families' coming in with a well-developed agenda. The Hopis are used to setting the agenda themselves. They caucused for a while, then came back and said they could not discuss the various issues raised until they had some time to study them. Katherine Smith got on Chairman Secakuku's case over the Hopis' not negotiating immediately. Roger Attakai then jumped up and said he understood, the Hopis had only seen the document this morning and he could see they needed time ... "BUT we want a response before the 18th (of March, when the mediator has called another meeting), maybe we should meet before then. We expect you to be ready to really talk with us next time." Roger was nominated as the delegation's chairman the day before at Hardrock Chapter House. He wasn't there and nobody told him he was chairman until about an hour or two before Friday's meeting. He did just fine. It was really good to see all the resisters up there negotiating as equals with the Hopis. There were no Navajo Nation or U.S. representatives at the table. We were all in the audience, with the rest of the community members. There were probably 150 people sitting in chairs watching and listening. It took all the folding chairs from both Rocky Ridge School and Hardrock Chapter House. The Hopi representatives left about 12:30 after agreeing to meet again on March 9th in Flagstaff. The Dine' families continued their meeting until about 2:30. Everyone seemed pretty happy, lots of people made little speeches to sort of take credit. That's a good sign I think. Success always has aa couple hundred fathers and/or mothers, while failure belongs to .. the Tribe!