Subject: nanews03.033 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 033 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 19 August 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 IND-NET, EIRP, NATIVELIT & NATIVE-L listservers; Usenet Newsgroups: alt.native, soc.culture.native; UUCP & Genie (General Electric) email 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 part A is being sent to the NATIVE-L mailing list, one of the NativeNet lists managed by Gary Trujillo (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us). It is also 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 "When I was young I walked all over this country, east and west, and saw no other people than the Apaches. After many summers I walked again and found another race of people had come to take it. How is it? Why is it the Apaches wait to die--that they carry their lives on their fingernails? They roam the hills and plains and want the heavens to fall on them. The Apaches were once a great nation; they are now but few, and because of this they want to die and so carry their lives on their fingernails. __ Chief Cochise, Chiricahua +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Do not let the truth of who we are die. Keep the histories and legends alive. Learn as much of them as you can from elders and wisdom keepers, and give them to all who will listen. After nearly 300 years of genocidal warfare and ethnic cleansing what remains of our histories and cultures is highly diluted and altered by those who invaded and still occupy "America". Stories of our beliefs are termed "myths", and histories of all but a few of our Nations are relegated to little more than footnotes. Do not let the truth of who you are die. Part B continues resolutions passed during the recently closed Euromeeting........ From: Oliver Kluge <100303.703@compuserve.com> Resolutions of the Euromeeting are usually the result of the work of workshops that deal with special cases. Resolutions are a good means to show government officials that the protest against Human Rights violations of Americas first peoples not only comes from some few individuals, but from a broad variety of organizations across Europe. 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 - Wounded Knee Bill - Conferences and Powwows - online - Badlands Bombing Range Restoration - 1. Resolution on Leonard Peltier - Letter of Thoughts on Indian Country - 2. Resolution on Leonard Peltier - Day 48 - Sunbow 5 Journal - Resolution on Blackfeet - 1995 Native Writers' Circle - Center for Native American of the Americas Awards Applied Family Research - Only One World - International Day of the - Review: Skins by Adrian C. Louis World's Indigenous People - Poem: Fire Dancing - Interior Fact Sheet on - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days FY 1996 BIA Funding - Conferences and Powwows - offline - Statement from Oneida Rep. Ray Halbritter --------- "RE: Wounded Knee Bill" --------- Date: 13 Aug 1995 20:36:47 GMT From: marie_fouche@infozone.telluride.co.us (marie fouche) Subj: Wounded Knee Bill UUCP email From: Marie Not Help Him Subject: Wounded Knee Bill (S 382 and H.R. 877) First of all, I want to greet you all with a warm heartfelt handshake and thank you for all the time you have spent with Wounded Knee in your minds, in your hearts and on your lips. Whether this time was well spent in the spirit of true understanding or the oh, so familiar tactics of suppression of the grassroots Lakota oyate, only you know and must answer to. The Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Survivors Associations have worked for approximately nine (9) years to develop this bill. As a result, three congressional hearings and two tribal hearings were held on draft bills crafted by the Survivors Associations. In addition, numerous public meetings were held on the Reservations, Rapid City and Washington, D.C. and hearings will be held on the bill in the 104th Congress. So there is no basis for anyone to argue that they have been denied input on the bill. The "National TRIBAL Park" will have units on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River reservations, the two tribes will be involved by cooperative agreement with the Secretary of the Interior in the plans, design, construction, operation and maintenance. For your information, the bill is currently supported by the following entities: (1) The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (See Tribal Council Resolution No. 140-95-CR) (2) The Oglala Sioux Tribe (See Tribal Council Resolution No. 94-33) (3) The WOUNDED KNEE SUBCOMMUNITY COUNCIL and WOUNDED KNEE DISTRICT COUNCIL (See March 16, 1995 Wounded Knee District Council Minutes (4) The CHEYENNE RIVER WOUNDED KNEE SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION and PINE RIDGE WOUNDED KNEE SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION (5) The CHEYENNE RIVER GREY EAGLE SOCIETY and PINE RIDGE GREY EAGLE SOCIETY (See March 18, 1995 joint resolution of Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock Grey Eagle Societies) (6) The NATIONAL PARKS AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION (see February 9, 1995 press release) While the answers to many of the questions cannot be answered, because they are redundant, but will be determined after the tribes negotiate their cooperative agreements with the Secretary of the Interior. Although there are words in phrases that are objected to, these words and phrases are supported by the tribal councils and Wounded Knee Survivors Associations. If you desire changes, you can talk to the tribal councils and the Survivors Associations to see if they will agree to change them. No "National Park" is authorized under the bill. The bill authorizes a "National TRIBAL Park" with units on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River Reservations. The park will be created by the tribes themselves and funded by the Federal Government through cooperative agreements. Questions relating to adequacy or disposition of the small monument at the mass grave site are questions that should be directed to the massacre descendants. For more information, please contact: Ms. Marie Not Help Him, President Pine Ridge Wounded Knee Survivors Association P.O. Box 952; Pine Ridge, South Dakota 57770 Telephone: 605-867-5988 Fax: 605-867-5988 or direct your questions through Marie Fouche by e-mail. Mr. Burdell Blue Arm, President Cheyenne River Wounded Knee Survivors Association Cherry Creek, South Dakota 57662 Telephone: 605-538-4221 or direct your questions through Marie Fouche's by e-mail. The bill does not establish the route of Chief Bigfoot as a national historic trail, it only authorizes a feasibility study to determine if the route should be declared a national historic trail. What lands and interests in land (mineral rights, water rights and easements) that will be included in each unit of the tribal park is an item that will be determined only after the tribes and the Secretary of the Interior negotiate and enter into their cooperative agreements. I want to again emphasize that the bill authorizes a National TRIBAL Park, not a National Park. The bill authorizes the tribes to contract for the planning, design construction and operation and maintenance of the cultural center and museum complex under the Indian Self-Determination Act. The tribes will devise the general management plan that will be included into the cooperative agreements. Land or easements acquired for the tribal park will be placed in trust for the protection of the tribes. Reservation lands that are not held in trust are currently subject to county taxation. The Tribal councils must decide the question of whether park lands are taken or trust or held by fee patent. The tribes will decide who their designated agencies or authorities will be as indicated in the plain language of the section, the tribes speak through their federally recognized tribal councils. The advisory committee will be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in CONSULTATION with the Survivors Associations and direct descendants of Chief Bigfoot's band. The Secretary will determine who are direct descendants. For a list and addresses of members of the Wounded Knee Survivors Associations, you can contact Marie Not Help Him and Burdell Blue Arm. The design of the monuments cannot be contracted by the tribes under the Indian Self- Determination Act; only the Survivors Associations and direct descendants will be able to decide what the design of the monuments will be. The tribes, will however, be able to contract the construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the monuments under the Indian Self- Determination Act. The bill will not be shelved. It will go forward as long as it is the support of the tribes, Survivors Associations and the parties listed above. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Again, feel free to e-mail me any questions you might have, and I will fax them to Marie if that would be easier. Peace and Blessings, Marie Fouche --------- "RE: Badlands Bombing Range Restoration" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Aug 1995 15:02:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Pine Ridge South Dakota Subj: Badlands Bombing Range Restoration Adv. Brd. Mailing List: IND-NET Mailing List: EIRP Just some information to be passed along to anyone interested. BADLANDS BOMBING RANGE RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD In partnership, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Air Force (Ellsworth AFB), and the National Park Service are establishing a Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for environmental restoration activities planned at the former Badlands Bombing Range (BBR). The former BBR consisted of 341,179 acres in Shannon and Jackson Counties, South Dakota -- all within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) are a forum for exchange of information and partnership among concerned citizens, the Department of Defense, the Department of Interior, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the State of South Dakota, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. RABs bring together people who reflect the diverse interests within the local community, enabling the early and continued flow of information between the affected community, Department of Defense and environmental regulatory agencies. RABs help to keep the public informed about planned and on-going activities and provide opportunities for active participation in the environmental restoration process. RAB community members may review restoration documents and provide advice as individuals to the agency representatives on restoration issues. It is a forum to be used for the expression and careful consideration of diverse points of view. The RAB complements other community involvement efforts, but does not replace them. The Department of Defense will continue to be responsible for fulfilling all statutorily mandated public involvement requirements. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is conducting environmental investigations at portions of the former Badlands Bombing Range(BBR) under the Defense Environmental Restoration Program-Formerly Used Defense Sites (DERP-FUDS). The Oglala Sioux Tribe, through the Aerial Gunnery Range Task Force, will be concurrently conducting a literature search and preliminary assessment of the remaining former BBR under a grant received from the Administration for Native Americans. Additionally, Ellsworth AFB is pursuing funding to remediate the approximately 2,700 acre tract (known as the High Impact Area). still held by the US Air Force. The RAB will enable the affected community and representatives of government agencies to meet and exchange information about the BBR environmental programs. It will also provide an opportunity for the community to review progress and participate in dialogue with the agency representatives. Interested individuals may contact the Aerial Gunnery Range Task Force: Kimm Clausen OST Natural Resources Regulatory Agency Box 320 Pine Ridge, SD 57770 --------- "RE: Letter of Thoughts on Indian Country" --------- Date: 95/08/09 19:04 From: Suzan Horovitch (a.horovitch@genie.geis.com) Subj: Letter of Thoughts on Indian Country GE Electronic Mail From: John Walter Subject: Re: Unpublished letter Years of study, then 30-some years working and living with the most destitute peoples in North America... There are times when I wonder if working in my chosen field of "Organizational Development" in Indian Country was worth more than the easier (& richer) route of corporate life that I turned down so often. Then I get a letter from an old 'student/ colleague' such as the following & I'm filled with pride at having done a good job, & all doubts disappear. Bob, (not his real name) one of my more 'moderate' students back in '74-'75, sent me this after reading about the recent DIA/Health Canada study on water & sewage in Native communities. He sent it to the local newspaper but they refused to print it. I'll keep my opinion of his letter to myself. What do you think? Had the treaties been respected, the infrastructures (housing, water, schools, health services, roads, etc) would be adequate in every First Nation community today. Had the treaties been respected.... The First Nations that signed Treaty with the Crown are still holding up their sides of the bargain; the subjects of the Crown are still permitted to occupy parts of our lands & build their cities & businesses, their families & their lives.... And, compared to their original home, they can do so in peace, freedom and a huge, rich, clean environment. Last summer the entire population of Pukatawagan (part of Mathias Colomb First Nation in NW Manitoba), over 600 elders, adults & children, abandoned their community for about a month. Some left by plane, most in cars & trucks, & approx 150 walked the 135 kilometres to the nearest town in symbolic protest. They were leaving due to outbreak of hepatitis that killed 2 & hospitalized dozens of others, and the hepatitis was in their fouled water supply. The press said "Whoop-dee-doo! Indians are marching in protest again! The Annual Whiners Parade!" Mr & Mrs Canada tsk-tsk'd all over the place, (and here you thought it was crickets you heard.) The Minister promised action. A coast to coast study (that word again) was undertaken, & that one (1) community's water supply was quickly cleaned up. The heat from the press-coverage disappeared and so did the issue of prevention of deaths by disease in First Nation communities. Mr & Mrs Canada stopped making noises of concern and got back to important stuff...; like OJ & baby seals. Indian death rates due to disease remain unacceptably high by World Health organization Standards, and ARE RISING, but the founders of Canada passed a law that Indian deaths don't mean anything to the 'Canada family' unless there are cameras present. (the "Outa-Sight, Outa-Mind" Statute of 1867). And now we have "The Study"..., and once again the papers proclaim that "... there is a problem..." but with special emphasis on, "... the COST..." of saving Indian peoples lives by provision of barely adequate infrastructure for their communities... ("... over $1-billion!..., of taxpayers money!") I wonder how much the 1yr study by countless pencil-pushers cost? And ESPECIALLY I wonder if those pencil-pushers, the reporters, and Mr & Mrs Canada ever takes a single moment to remember that those tax dollars, and ALL of the non-taxed dollars ever made in Canada are due to the fact that the First NAtions gave permission, by Treaties, for them all to live here, build businesses & institutions & families here... ?? Now that those folks are faced with the cost of the neglect of the Treaties by their fathers & grandfathers, they conveniently forget the benefits they are enjoying due to those Treaties, and look blindly at the 'costs' of honoring their contracts. Hey out there...! Go ahead. Tell me, with a straight face, about how "ethical" one becomes when your life is based on "Judeo-Christian values'... Tell me, with a straight face, how euro-american "civilization" is "firmly based on the rule of law" (such as honoring of contractual agreements & Treaties?)... Go ahead, my smug fellow-"citizens of the best country on earth," and convince this family that your highly-touted "principles" mean more to you than your pocketbooks .......................... Well?... Gee, it's so quiet.... No Canadian citizen to speak up? Don't worry, Mr & Mrs Canada; I won't continue to embarrass you by pointing out your total moral bankruptcy again. You don't know what I'm talking about. The near future will bring harsh enlightenment. The Indian birth rate is twice that of yours. As more and more Indian people become parents and are forced to watch their children die needless deaths, deaths that could have been avoided if the solemn word of your representatives had any value whatsoever, their grief and anger will rise up like a tidal wave the like of which you have never seen before, and then your children and our grandchildren will pay a much, MUCH higher price than you can ever now imagine as you sit & study "costs"... You Canadians just go right on talking about "costs" & not acting on your famous 'principles'..., while I prepare my grandchildren for a endeavour with yours. When their day in the Sun arrives, I am making sure hat they will remember this evident 'value' of your culture in rendering heir final judgement. You shall truly "reap as you sow." In the Spirit of Tecumseh. JW ... via DeltaMail v2.20 for SL (#216378) --- SLMAIL v4.0 (#1349) * Origin: Igloo Station (514) 632-5556 (90:167/0) --------- "RE: Day 48 - Sunbow 5 Journal" --------- Date: 10 Aug 1995 19:43:20 -0400 From: sunbow5@aol.com (Sunbow5) Subj: Day 48 - Sunbow 5 Journal 8/9/95 Newsgroup: soc.culture.native Day 48 - Sunbow 5 Journal - Wednesday, 8/9/95 The walk moved onward, up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking the steps necessary to bring Sunbow 5 as far along the trail as Tuttle Gap, close by their base camp at the home of Dennis and Willow in Floyd, VA. In the afternoon some of the women held a council circle. Other walkers offered tobacco to Chris Deerheart (adopted Lakota), and he poured water for them in a sweat lodge. "Everything was well done," said Ned Pashene, a Naskapi Cree medicine man. "This ceremony really helped us out. I was too tired to pour water, and everyone said I should rest and save my energy to make medicine for the walk. After the sweat we had a big feast with lots of really good food." Earlier in the day, from about Noon till 2 PM Ned and Joe Soto of the Taino Nation tended a sacred fire, burned tobacco, and made prayers for the Sunbow 5 walkers and supporters who had journeyed to United Nations headquarters in New York City to participate in a ceremony marking the first annual worldwide day honoring Indigenous Peoples. While the walkers prayed in Virginia, up in New York, high above the gleaming glass facade of the House of Mica (UN Headquarters), and out over the moving waters of the East River, a Sunbow appeared. The circular rainbow whirled in the sky for over an hour and a half before and during the ceremonies: sometimes whole, sometimes partial, sometimes clear, and sometimes murky. The Sunbow marked the city and the day with an unmistakable sky sign. It was there for anyone who chose to look up. The small band of Sunbow 5 walkers and supporters clustered near each other at the edge of the paved plaza, watching, listening, talking, praying. Every so often one of the group would look up again to marvel at the multi-colored sign above. Altogether, about 250 people gathered for the ceremony near the visitor's entrance to the UN, though no politicians from the world's many nation states are there to be seen, or to listen. To the West, across First Avenue, began the jagged wall of buildings that makes up the Manhattan skyline. "For many hundreds of years it has been a daily struggle for the indigenous peoples of the Earth to survive," Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons began. "So we are happy to be here, and also happy that the Secretary General of the UN is recognizing and acknowledging this day and the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples.... "Where we are sitting today there once were huge pine trees. This was one of the finest hunting grounds on the continent -- great fishing, great hunting. Even today, sometimes when we listen closely we can hear the geese as they come by on their ancient flyway. They are still here. They are struggling against the pollution, but they are still here. Our ancestors' spirits are also still here. And the indigenous peoples are still here." Mr. Lyons served as Master of Ceremonies, and kept his remarks brief, as did all speakers. The first-ever observance of this honorary day also included traditional dancers, and a "World Sacred Pipe Ceremony." When the drum started and voices rose in song, many people on tour of the UN heard the sound and drew near, swelling the crowd of observers. Ms. Delphine Red Shirt, Lakota, Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade, led the pipe ceremony. "As I make this ceremony," she said, "I am mindful that White Buffalo Calf Woman, a young maiden, brought the pipe to our people long ago. As a woman, I am honored to be here, and to be asked to do this ceremony." As the ceremony concluded the Sunbow evaporated from the air, and the crowd of people on tour rapidly diminished. A cooling breeze blew off the river, over the people, on toward the heart of the city. Alberto Taxzo, a Quecha medicine man from the Ecuadorian Andes, sang in Spanish a beautiful song to the Sun and the Creator beyond. He spoke of the Condor of the Andes, and the Eagle of the North American continent, a reference to an ancient Incan prophecy that one day the great sacred birds of the South and the North would fly together. Incan "Chasqui," or messenger, Willaru Huayata once told the story this way: "When the eagle of the North and the Condor of the South fly together, the Earth will awaken. The eagles of the North cannot be free without the condors of the South. Now it is happening. Now is the time." At the UN on Wednesday, Alberto Taxzo said we must work with sacred powers and understandings today, and every day into the future, to heal ourselves and our world. The condor and the eagle have met. Now is the time. We must choose our pathway now." Before all the talks and the dances had ended, the Sunbow walkers and supporters journeyed a short distance away to a conference room to sit together and talk. A few hours later, the group slipped into the rush hour steam of traffic departing the city to return to the main group of walkers in Virginia. They headed back onto the pathway they have chosen: South a bit further, then following the Sun due West to the Pacific across the wide back of Turtle Island (North America) . -S.M. 0 0 0 0 ******* 0 0 0 0 This Journal tells the story of the Sunbow 5 Walk for the Earth, which began June 23, 1995 on First Encounter Beach, Cape Cod, MA, and will conclude February, 1996 in Santa Barbara, CA. For general information on the walk, send a request to info@sunbow5walk.org or visit our World Wide Web site: http://www.sunbow5walk.org/sunbow5 The Sunbow 5 Circle mailing list publishes regular journal reports from the Walk, and also discussion about and planning for the walk. You may join the Circle by sending e-mail to: majordomo@sunbow5walk.org The text of your e-mail message should read only: subscribe circle People who wish to receive only the Journal, with no discussion and no other e-mail postings, may subscribe to the Sunbow 5 Journal list. To subscribe send e-mail to the same majordomo@sunbow5walk.org address. The text of your e-mail message should read only: subscribe journal There are no charges for the mailing lists, or for any Sunbow 5 Walk information. General information: Sunbow 5 Walk, 13619 Inwood Rd., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75224. Freely given donations to support the Walk may be sent to the Sunbow 5 Foundation, P.O. Box 954, South Orleans, MA 02662. All donations are tax-deductible. --------- "RE: 1995 Native Writers' Circle of the Americas Awards" --------- Date: Fri, 11 Aug 1995 15:18:54 -0400 From: DLBinOKLA@AOL.COM Subj: 1995 Awards Mailing List: NATIVELIT Joy Harjo Receives Lifetime Achievement Award by D.L. Birchfield Muscogee poet Joy Harjo received the 1995 Lifetime Achievement Award at the fourth annual awards banquet of the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas July 22, 1995, at the University of Oklahoma. The award includes a cash prize of $1,000. Harjo was also presented with a proclamation by Chief Fife of the Muscogee Nation honoring her for her work. Harjo is the author of a number of books of poetry, including The Last Song (1975), What Moon Drove Me To This? ((1979), She Had Some Horses (1983), In Mad Love And War (1990), and most recently, The Woman Who Fell From The Sky (1995). Born in Tulsa, she is now a professor of creative writing and literature in the English department at the University of New Mexico. The Lifetime Achievement Award was inaugurated in 1992 at the Returning the Gift festival of Native writers at the University of Oklahoma. The week-long festival was attended by nearly 400 Native poets, novelists, playwrights, and short story writers from throughout the North American continent. The Native Writers' Circle was also founded at the conference, as was Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers, a mentoring organization. The awards banquet is held annually at the University of Oklahoma and is coordinated by Professor Geary Hobson (Cherokee/Osage/Quapaw), of the English department at the University of Oklahoma, who is project historian for the Returning the Gift conferences (which meet annually at different locations around the continent), and by Barbara Hobson (Comanche), Assistant Director of Native American Studies at the University of Oklahoma, who was conference coordinator for the 1992 Returning the Gift festival. Past recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award have been N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa/Cherokee) in 1992, Simon J. Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo) in 1993, and Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo) in 1994. The award is decided by mailed ballots from Native literary writers who are members of the Native Writers' Circle. The 1995 First Book Awards in poetry and prose were also presented at the banquet. These are publication prize competitions, with publication of the winning manuscripts by a participating press, and a cash prize of $500. The First Book Awards were also inaugurated at the 1992 Returning the Gift festival. The 1995 First Book Award for poetry, the Diane Decorah Memorial Award, was presented to Denise H. Sweet (White Earth Anishinabe) for her manuscript Songs For Discharming. Sweet is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin/Green Bay. Her poetry has appeared in a number of magazines, and in the anthology Days of Obsidian, Days of Grace. Past recipients of the First Book Award in poetry have been Joe Dale Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche) and Gloria Bird (Spokane) in 1992, Kimberly Blaeser (White Earth Anishinabe) in 1993, and Tiffany Midge (Hunkpapa Sioux) in 1994. The 1995 First Book Award for prose, the Louis Littlecoon Oliver Memorial Award, was presented to Glenn J. Twist (Cherokee/Muscogee) for his manuscript Boston Mountain Tales. Twist, age 78, is an elder who has been an inspiration to many younger writers in the Wordcraft Circle mentoring program. His short stories have appeared in Moccasin Telegraph and in Aniyunwiya/Real Human Beings: An Anthology of Contemporary Cherokee Prose. Past recipients of the First Book Award in prose have been Robert Perea (Sioux) in 1992, Philip H. Red Eagle (Klallam/Sisseton/Wahpeton) in 1993, and Gus Palmer, Jr. (Kiowa) in 1994. In 1992 First Book Awards were also given in creative non-fiction (to Melissa Fawcett Sayett, a Mohican) and in drama (to William S. Yellow Robe, Jr., an Assiniboine), but in 1993 the awards were reorganized into two categories, poetry and prose. Annual deadline for Native writers to submit book length manuscripts in the First Book Awards competition is May 1. For information and rules of the competition, write to: First Book Awards, P.O. Box 308, Greenfield Center, NY 12833. --------- "RE: Only One World" --------- Date: 95/08/09 20:19 From: James D. Audlin (j.audlin@genie.geis.com) Subj: Only One World GE Electronic Mail O'siyo, folks! Walks Softly (the Band Mother of the Bear Council of the Snake Band) has been thinking a lot about the fact that oftentimes, after the Inipi (Sacred Stone People's Lodge), people say, with a frown, "Darn! Now I have to go back to the real world." She feels strongly that there is only ONE world. Anyway, Spirit gave her this message today. She has asked that it be distributed as widely as possible, including \Wotanging Ikche\. "Many years ago, warriors would go out on buffalo hunt, and the women of the tribe would remain until they returned. These days are no longer here. Each and every one of us has our own buffalo hunt, in which we go into the world and try to capture what was gone. The love, the gentleness, the caring, and the compassion that you receive while in the Inipi is not to be left in the Inipi. The things given to you by the Grandfathers and the Grandmothers, given to all men and women who come into the ceremony, are to be shared with all people that you meet on a daily basis. Only by giving them the love you are given, the compassion you are shown, and the understanding that is shared with you, can the Hoop be mended. Although giving out sacred information is not to be done, giving these other things is." --------- "RE: Review: Skins by Adrian C. Louis" --------- Date: Mon, 31 Jul 1995 15:00:33 -0600 (MDT) From: Steve Brock Subj: Review of Skins by Adrian C. Louis (fiction, Native American) Mailing List: NATIVELIT SNINS by Adrian C. Louis. Crown Publishers, Inc., 201 E. 50th St., N.Y., NY 10022, (800) 733-3000, (800) 659-2436 FAX. 296 pp., $23.00 cloth. 0-517-79958-8 Reviewed by Steve Brock "Rudy knew he was being weak and yes, he knew his people were descended from warrior societies, but in the bow-and-arrow days their lives had meaning, they had direction. They were part of the whole. Today they went crazy because it was so hard for them to focus on beauty, on live's goodness, when the mean winds swirled. And then there was always the ghost-pain of history." A book of present-day life on the Pine Ridge Reservation, told by an insider. Adrian Louis (Lovelock Paiute), ex-newspaper editor, acclaimed poet, and debut novelist, relates the story of two brothers who switch roles as they grow up in a society fraught with substance abuse and violence. When they were children, Rudy Yellow Shirt looked up to his year- older brother Mogie, who had rescued him from a deadly spider bite by carrying him to the highway and flagging down a car to take him to the hospital. The two spent their high school years as celebrated football players, though their parents seldom show up to watch the games. They were more often at the local saloon, drinking and feeling sorry for themselves. But that was over twenty-five years ago. Both men are now in their forties and it's Rudy, a police officer with the Pine Ridge Public Safety Department, who must now look after Mogie, a man who lives to drink, and this frequently involves Rudy arresting him for public drunkenness and violence. The bond between the two has become clouded, although Mogie occasionally stops by his brother's house for dinner, more frequently since Rudy's wife has left him and Rudy seems to want someone with which to share a few bottles. The years of alcohol abuse have caught up with Mogie, and it's only a matter of time before his drinking puts him in the grave-yard. The brothers share many deeply personal secrets: their experiences in Vietnam, Mogie's fantasies about his mother's red panties, and Rudy's violent acts as the "Avenging Warrior" (encouraged by dreams of Iktomi, a giant spider), but Mogie, feeling death's nearness, wants the two to perform one last act that will shock the whites who visit Mt. Rushmore by the millions each year. Though the story at times annoyingly jumps from past to present without clear warning, the characters deep feelings of pain and alienation, the difficulties they face with ferocity and occasional humor, and Louis's position as an insider (he teaches English at Oglalla Lakota College on the Pine Ridge Reservation), make this first novel not only an exceptional work of fiction but a perceptive sociological treatise. Highly recommended for college-level classes in Indian Literature, where there will be intense debates on Louis's use of "ennut" versus Sherman Alexie's "enit." Grade: B+. Also by Louis: Poetry: "Fire Water World" (1989), "Among the Dog Eaters" (1992), "Blood Thirsty Savages" (1994), "Days of Obsidian, Days of Grace" (1994), and "Vortex of Indian Fevers" (1995). --------- "RE: Poem: Fire Dancing" --------- Date: 30 Aug 1994 14:20:51 -0500 From: turtle@aicap.s21.com (Turtle Heart) Subj: Fire Dancing Newsgroup: alt.native Crossing the rivers the old men always sing their names names like stones suddenly wet my heart just floats in the memories 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: 95/08/10 23:42 From: Debra F. Sanders (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days GE Electronic Mail A HAWAIIAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of August 20-26 AUKAKE (August) (Mahoe-mua) 20 Sculpting molten lava is an act of devotion only a few artists can perform. 21 Nature can provide healing for many ills. 22 Deep forest of the ancient days -- sustain my spirit. 23 There are many diverse traditions in this land. 24 My dreams are shaped in the ever-changing clouds. 25 Love is a golden bird singing in a green valley. 26 For the patient spirit, life holds many rewards. (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, 17 Aug 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 Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 09:20:50 -0700 (PDT) From: EIRP News Subject: Chief Seattle Days From the Extension Indian Reservation Program Office Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **** 84th Annual Chief Seattle Days **** A NORTHWEST INDIAN FESTIVAL *************************** Sponsored by the Suquamish Indian Tribe Where: Suquamish, Washington Dates: August 18th, 19th, & 20th, 1995 The 84th Memorial Chief Seattle Days will be held on Aug. 18-20, 1995 at the Celebration Grounds in downtown Suquamish, WA. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome. Celebration activities are intended for the young and old alike. Chief Seattle Days is sponsored by the Suquamish Tribe, with additional support from the Suquamish area businesses. The celebration is staffed & supported by over 100 community volunteers. The 1995 Event Coordinator in Charles Sigo. Background: Chief Seattle Days was established in 1911 to honor Chief Seattle, the famous leader of the Suquamish Indians, for whom the City of Seattle is named. The first celebration was started, on the current Celebration Grounds, by local Tribal and community residents, and by civic leaders. Many of the same activities from 1911 celebration are still featured including; the Indian salmon bake, native canoes, baseball, drumming & dancing, and the *Memorial Service to Chief Seattle* at his grave site. Since that time other events have been added to the celebration such as the Pow-wow with competition dancing and drumming, Indian arts & crafts booths, a Teen Dance, and a royalty pageant. **** CHIEF SEATTLE **** Chief Seattle (or Si?-al-) was the head chief of the Old-Man-House village, called D'Suq'Wub, which was located 1/4 mile south of the Celebration Grounds along Agate Pass. Chief Seattle, who was born around 1786, is renowned for his friendship to early Euro-American settlers during the Indian wars of Washington Territory and also for the famous speech he gave during treaty negotiations in 1854. Among the Suquamish Indians, Chief Seattle was a head village chief, as well as a war chief during the battles with other tribal groups before Euro-American settlement of the region. On June 7, 1866, the Chief passed away at the Old-Man-House village and is buried at the St. Peters Church cemetery in Suquamish. Through the efforts of the Suquamish Tribe and the civic leaders of the City of Seattle, the impressive monument was placed on his grave site in 1890. The more traditional canoe memorial was placed around his grave site in 1976 by the Suquamish Tribe and the American Bicentennial Commission. People from across the country and around the world visit Chief Seattle's grave on a daily basis. ************************* For a schedule of Chief Seattle events and activities, contact: +INDIAN ARTS & CRAFTS ... Charlie Sigo at 360.598.3311 *INDIAN SALMON BAKE ... Tony Forsman at x 450 +INDIAN CANOE RACES ... Barbara Santos at 360.598.1835 x 10 *KIDS-OFF-THE-DOCK FISHING DERBY ... Bob Gouin at 360.598.4334 +TEEN DANCE ... Bryna Lawrence at x 460 **** POW-WOW INFORMATION call Charlie Sigo at 360.598.3311 or fax 360.598.6295 Master of Ceremonies is Tony McGrady and the Arena Director is Robert Longcrane. Prize money totals $5000.00 and Intertribal dancing begins *about* 1 PM on Saturday with Grand Entry at 6 PM, followed by competition dancing. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ NO alcohol or drugs are allowed on the Celebration Grounds!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ =========================================================================== Date: Fri, 11 Aug 1995 08:53:13 -0700 From: Jean_Kelley@nps.gov (Jean Kelley) Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) For anyone interested: Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Presents: Repatriation: Developing Relationships Friday, September 15, 1995 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Herbert F. Johnson Art Museum, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY For more information contact: Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, (302) 731-1424 or fax (302) 731-1 There is a registration fee. From the brochure: Ongoing compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act takes museums beyond legal reporting deadlines and present the opportunity to develop solid, mutually beneficial relationships with Native American communities. It is, however, often difficult for the small museum to accomplish compliance and to develop these relationships. The seminar will focus on the evolving interpretation of the law and present case studies of developing relationships between the two groups. ========================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- 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: Marie Not Help Him via Marie Fouche, John Walter via Suzan Horovitch, Janet Smith, Debra F. Sanders,Pine Ridge South Dakota(Advisory Release), Turtle Heart(Mending the Sacred Hoop with song poems), Sunbow5(Release), D.L. Birchfield, Walks Softly via James D. Audlin, Oliver Kluge, Pablo Bristol, John Berry, Daniel Umstead, Walter Kawamoto --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 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, 17 Aug 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 = Date: Sat, 12 Aug 1995 17:04:47 -0500 From: rainfor.general@gnosys.svle.ma.us Subject: Language Rights Conference Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) + First call for papers + + INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGE RIGHTS + June 22-24, 1996 at Hong Kong Polytechnic University Organised by the Department of English, Hong Kong Polytechnic University in association with a programme committee based at the Department of Languages and Culture, Roskilde University, Denmark. + Plenary speakers + Florian Coulmas, Chuo University, Japan Alastair Pennycook, University of Melbourne, Australia Robert Phillipson, Roskilde University, Denmark Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Roskilde University, Denmark + Aims + On paper, the rights of individuals and groups to learn and use their own languages and the official languages of the states they live in are widely recognised. In practice, these rights are fully exercised only by the native speakers of a small minority of the world's languages. This conference aims to explore the meaning of language rights at an international level and in east and southeast Asian contexts. Relevant areas include + language rights and human rights + linguistic imperialism + international languages and global inequalities + language and gender + literacy and development + linguistic minorities + bilingual education + language and the media + language and the law + language and ideology Papers are welcome which address any of these areas in terms of language rights. Papers are especially welcome which address issues of language rights in east and southeast Asian contexts. + Submission of abstracts + Abstracts are invited for paper presentations of 40-45 minutes. Please submit one copy to fit on one side of A4 to include title of paper, name of presenter and affiliation. The main language of the conference will be English. Abstracts and papers may be in any language. Translation/interpretation into English will be provided if possible. Abstracts should be sent to Phil Benson at the address at the end of this page by 1st December, 1995. Abstracts may be sent by e-mail, but not by fax. + Schedule + Registration opens 1 October, 1995 Deadline for submission of abstracts: 1 December, 1995 Notification of acceptance: 1 February, 1996 Conference: 22-24 June, 1996 + Registration + Before 1 March, 1996: US$100 After 1 March, 1996: US$120 --------- "RE: 1. Resolution on Leonard Peltier" --------- Date: Tue, 1 Aug 1995 14:37:49 EDT From: 100303.703@compuserve.com (Oliver Kluge) Subj: 1. Resolution on Leonard Peltier Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) EUROMEETING 95 Planning Session of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS Resolution for an External Investigation concerning Leonard Peltier_s Extradition from Canada WHEREAS Leonard Peltier, an Anishinabe/Lakota, leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM), has been wrongly imprisoned for 19 years in the United States; WHEREAS Peltier fled to Canada in fear of his life searching for political asylum and protection in 1975; WHEREAS Peltier was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta, Canada on Feb. 6th, 1976; WHEREAS Peltier was offered political asylum by the Kwakuitl Nation on their sovereign territory; WHEREAS Canada refused this right of the Kwakuitl Nation; WHEREAS Leonard Peltier was extradited from Canada on false testimonies and fabricated evidence presented by US officials and the FBI; WHEREAS the FBI today admits to this misconduct; WHEREAS this fraudulent aberration of standard of procedure between two friendly nations presents a violation of International Law; WHEREAS 60 members of the Canadian House of Commons, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Judge Rene Dussault of the Quebec Court of Appeals, Canadian Lawyers Caucus and numerous organizations have shown their support for Leonard Peltier concerning the illegal extradition from Canada to the United States; WHEREAS the Canadian Justice Minister Allan Rock authorized a review of Leonard Peltier's case March 7th, 1994; WHEREAS this is the first time the Canadian Government has agreed to re- -evaluate their position concerning the extradition of Leonard Peltier; WHEREAS the Liberal Member of the Parliament Warren Almand (chairperson of Canadian Parliament Justice Committee) , a former Solicitor General, made strong recommendations that an independent review be granted ; THEREFORE we, the participants of the 10th European Meeting of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS gathered in Les Geneveyes sur Coffrane near Neuchatel, Switzerland, from July 30th to August 1st, 1995, including 14 Indigenous representatives and 25 organizations from Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, United States of America and Canada, demand that Minister Allan Rock authorize an independent review by an external commission and grant a fair and neutral inquiry concerning the misconduct of US officials and FBI personnel in Leonard Peltier's extradition. MOVED BY: Frank Dreaver, Leonard Peltier Defence Committee - Canada SECONDED BY: Sylvain Duez-Alesandrini, Nitassinan - Comite de Soutien aux Indiens des Ameriques, France, Leonard Peltier Support Group (France) PASSED: with one abstention Chairperson of the Meeting DATE: August 1st, 1995 --------- "RE: 2. Resolution on Leonard Peltier" --------- Date: Tue, 1 Aug 1995 14:39:13 EDT From: 100303.703@compuserve.com (Oliver Kluge) Subj: 2. Resolution on Leonard Peltier Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) EUROMEETING 95 Planning Session of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS Resolution Concerning Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier WHEREAS Leonard Peltier an Anishinabe/Lakota, has been imprisoned for 19 years in the United States; WHEREAS Peltier_s defense has brought proof of FBI misconduct and the illegal fabrication of false evidence, coercion of witnesses, perjury, which constitute the violation of Peltier_s constitutional rights; WHEREAS his third appeal to get a new and fair trial was denied by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeal in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1993; and his only chance for freedom today is the granting of executive clemency by the president of the United States of America; WHEREAS Leonard Peltier was declared to be a symbol of the Campaign on 500 years of Indigenous, Black and Popular Resistance at the Continental Meeting in Guatemala in 1991 and since gained recognition of indigenous peoples_ movements from around the world during the UN-International Year of Indigenous Peoples in 1993; WHEREAS Leonard Peltier is known worldwide as one of the longest held political prisoners and is supported internationally by: 55 members of the US-Congress, 50 members of the Canadian Parliament, 67 members of the Italian Parliament, 48 members of the Parliament of the Netherlands, 312 French municipalities and communities, 165 presidents of Tribal Councils in the US, US-Senator Daniel Inouye, Senator Paul Wellstone, former Appellant Court Judge Gerald Heaney, former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Nobel Peace Prize Winners: Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Amnesty International and more than 26 million people in North America, totalling nearly 50 million people worldwide; THEREFORE we, the participants of the 10th European Meeting of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS gathered in Les Geneveyes sur Coffrane near Neuchatel, Switzerland, from July 30th to August 1st, 1995, including 14 Indigenous representatives and 25 organizations from Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, United States of America and Canada, urge in the name of justice and human rights the granting of executive clemency for Leonard Peltier by President Clinton, or at the very least, the granting of a new and fair trial. MOVED BY: Michael Eckhardt, Leonard Peltier Defence Committee, Kansas, USA SECONDED BY: Robert Glattau, Gesellschaft fur bedrohte Volker - Austria, Leonard Peltier Support Group Austria PASSED: Unanimously Chairperson of the Meeting DATE: August 1st, 1995 --------- "RE: Resolution on Blackfeet" --------- Date: Tue, 1 Aug 1995 14:31:39 EDT From: 100303.703@compuserve.com (Oliver Kluge) Subj: Resolution on Blackfeet Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) EUROMEETING 95 Planning Session of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS Resolution on the Traditional Pikuni Blackfeet Nation Represented by Floyd (Tiny Man) Heavy Runner, traditional Chief of the Brave Dog Society of the (Pikuni) Blackfeet Nation WHEREAS according to the Blackfeet understanding of the Agreement of 1895 the (Pikuni) Blackfeet Nation has never ceded by any treaty the Badger-Two Medicine area to the United States of America. AND WHEREAS the entirety of the Badger-Two Medicine Area shall be at the disposal of the Blackfeet Nation; AND WHEREAS the Badger-Two Medicine, in evidence to the traditions of the Blackfeet People, has been the religious and cultural area of all Blackfeet since time immemorial; AND WHEREAS therefore the Badger Two Medicine Area up to this day is used to practice Sun Dance, vision quests, and other religious ceremonies essential to the Blackfeet People; AND WHEREAS the Badger Two Medicine Area as a whole is an unique biotope with international acknowledgement, which, is indispensable in providing the Blackfeet People with a variety of medicinal plants and constitutes one of the last protected and undisturbed habitats of the near-extinct grey wolf, of the grizzly bear, and is a vital part of the migratory territory of several other threatened species of wildlife; subject to the Endangered Species Act. AND WHEREAS the Badger Two Medicine Area has been targeted for commercial exploitation by the oil-conglomerates CHEVRON (USA) and PETROFINA (Belgium), although the chances to discover oil on this area are less than 0.5% and at an improbable strike the maximum yield would barely cover the average minimum United States consumption of half a day; AND WHEREAS any industrial violation of Badger Two Medicine Area would not only drastically restrict the free practice of religion for the Blackfeet People, but also cause irreparable damage to the environment of this still pristine area and the bordering Glacier National Park due to the standard methods routinely employed to locate and recover fossil fuels; NOW THEREFORE, we, the participants of the 10th European Planing Session of Support Groups of North American Indigenous PeopleS, representing Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and various aboriginal nations and organizations, do hereby strongly demand: - that the Blackfeet understanding of the Agreement of 1895 will be honored and on all points complied with - that the existing Environmental Impact Statement, determined by the U. S Forest Service of the State of Montana, will be superseded by a new report compiled by independent experts under special consideration of the spiritual status of the Badger Two Medicine Area, making it inaccessible to any industrial exploitation - that all permits issued for test drillings, (even illegal according to U.S. law), to the Belgian oil-conglomerate Petrofina are immediately revoked - that all other projects to exploit the Badger Two Medicine Area are likewise immediately stopped - that this area of Badger Two Medicine be placed under the protection of the UNO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO - that the U.S. government must be required to honor its agreement made with UNESCO, ratified by the US Congress in 1973 Moved by:Seconded by: Marten Briese Andrea Reindl Association for the Support of Society of the threatened peopleS American Indigenous, Berlin-Germany Austria and Germany Passed: Chairperson of the Meeting July 29th - Aug 1st, 1995, Les Geneves sur Coffrane, Switzerland --------- "RE: Center for Native American Applied Family Research" --------- Date: Thu, 10 Aug 1995 01:59:27 -0700 From: kawamotw@ucs.orst.edu (Walter Kawamoto) Subj: Center for Native American Applied Family Research Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Hi, I have just gotten involved with a very exciting project that I want to share with the group. So here it is in the groups own words. If you have any questions, comments, or know someone ideal for any part of this project, please feel free to write to me. Walter ________________________ Who are we? A loosely knit group with an interest in helping Indian people develop the capability to perform their own research in their communities. The group is a unique partnership comprising three components, the Academic community (faculty from the University Affiliated Programs at the University of Oregon), the Research community (staff from the Oregon Social Learning Center and the Oregon Research Institute, both in Eugene, OR), and the Native American Community (Indian PhD's and professionals who work at Nanitch Sahallie, Chemawa Indian School, Indian Health Service, the National Indian Child Welfare Association and Northwest Regional Lab, and two current Doctoral students at the University of Or. What are we proposing? We are attempting to develop a Native American Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Research Training in areas relevant to the understanding and prevention of child and family adjustment problems at the University of Oregon. Over a five year period, a total of twenty Native Americans would be recruited and graduate with a PhD. Care would would be taken to recruit students who can demonstrate a commitment to staying in, and developing the research capabilities of their communities. The academic program will provide intense, quality instruction, based on a curriculum of theory, research design, and statistical methods. In addition to the academic preparation, the students will begin building their all important research track record through exposure to nationally known researchers, and participation in state of the art research methodologies through working with two well established and highly respected research organizations (OSLC and ORI) and their nationally recognized staff. Students will also design and implement their own research projects in their own communities or utilize one of the local Native American research sites (Nanitch, Chemawa, NICW, Northwest Labs, NARA, or even one of the local tribes). Thus, the program will be designed to give a well-rounded academic background based in scientific theory, combined with hands on research experience, to produce qualified, credentialed and experienced Native American Researchers ready and capable to step into the role of Principal investigator for research projects needed by their communities. When will the program start? When we secure funding. We will submit a proposal in the fall of '95 or the winter of '96 to cover the funding for students (tuition, fees, living stipend, transportation), two staff people, and administrative costs. As soon as this funding is secured, we can begin to hire staff and begin to recruit students. Hopefully, our first group of students (6) will begin in the fall of 1996. Both the Presidents' and the Deans' offices are supportive of the project. How will we convince funders that this program is worthwhile? First of all, it is a strong program, with a unique partnership between three distinct communities. With dwindling funding, agencies are looking for partnerships like this, that combine resources to create a greater chance of program success. Second, there is a need. We are in the process of gathering information from several sources to document this need. Third, the has a limited life (five years), with very clear and achievable goals. Fourth, and probably most important, this program will enable Native American communities to become more self sufficient, shifting responsibility from government agencies to the individual communities, saving money and dwindling human resources, meeting the Tribes' and governments' goal of Indian Self Determination. Fifth, it is envisioned that this project, with its unique partnership will create a wide ranging network of Researchers, Native American and Non-Native that will not only continue long after the life of the project, but will continue to grow as well. --------- "RE: International Day of the World's Indigenous People" --------- Date: Thu, 10 Aug 1995 09:46:47 -0400 From: pablo@tribal.org (Pablo (Paul) Bristol) Subj: International Day of the World's Indigenous People Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) What a day at the UN!!! A sacred pipe ceremony, a WORLD sacred pipe ceremony, honoring the first observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. Eustace Lewis, (Eastern Pequot), and I set out early, in my '78 Volkswagon Wagon for New York City, away from our quiet Connecticut countryside and toward the source of most of our acid rain. In addition to the traffic, we could see through the truck exhaust and pollution, great machines tearing away Mother Earth's surface and rocks to widen the highway and invite more traffic etc. Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation was master of ceremonies and also made remarks. Other speakers included Melissa Fawcett, tribal historian of the newly recognized Mohegans, John Brown III, the young Sachem of the Narragansett Nation, Roberto Borrero, El Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos, Alberto Taxzo, a Quechua Medicine Man from the Andes in Equador, U Thumana, Mon Buddhist, Felix Miranda, Garifuna Nation (Central America). Children were blessed by Nana Osei Boakye Yiadom II, Chief of the Aburi-Akuapem, Ghana. Drumming and singing by Arawak Mountain Singers. Tom Dostau and several walkers and supporters of Sunbow 5 were in attendance. And while we talked, Tom pointed overhead. As if by magic, there was a sunbow, (a rainbow encircling the sun). A little later Delphine Red Shirt, Lakota, asked that the cameras be turned off and lead the Sacred Pipe Ceremony. At the same moment, we were told, similar pipe ceremonioes were begun around the world. We had plenty of time, stuck in traffic, to reflect on the day. I was struck by the smallness of the Earth. We can communicate with each other, in seconds. The call can go out and we gather, coming in cars, buses and planes. We are all different sizes, shapes and shades. We speak different languages. We are interpreted. We Share. We smile. We hug. A sunbow shines upon us. And somehow the world is a little better today. We shall help protect each others rights. And we shall honor our Mother Earth, our elders and each other with a little more sincerity, knowing that we are indeed all related. Pablo --------- "RE: Interior Fact Sheet on FY 1996 BIA Funding" --------- Date: Fri, 11 Aug 1995 13:26:29 -0500 From: berryj@okway.okstate.edu (John Berry) Subj: Interior Fact Sheet on FY 1996 BIA Funding(FWD) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) To all, More ghastly budget news. John Berry ___________________________ Forward Header _______________________________ Subject: Interior Fact Sheet on FY 1996 BIA Funding Date: 8/11/95 1:45 PM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: August 10, 1995 Contact: Thomas W. Sweeney (202) 219-4152 FACT SHEET The Senate Appropriations Committee slashed the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) FY 1996 President's Budget by $434.5 million, or 23%. The cut is $255 million (15%) below 1995. The impact of these cuts will be disastrous to Indian country, where the income, employment, and educational attainment of Indian people already fall well below the general population. The Senate mark puts Indian people in a precarious position. Any progress made in achieving Indian Self-Determination will be reversed, because tribes will be delayed in developing strong and stable governments capable of administering quality programs and developing the economies of their respective communities. LOCAL TRIBAL PROGRAMS: By far the greatest consequence will be the negative impact of a reduction of approximately $160,000,000 in contracts to Indian tribes to run their own programs. This reduction in Tribal Priority Allocations will undermine Law Enforcement and Tribal Court efforts, as well as Social Service programs (which include child protection and child welfare initiatives). Also impacted will be job creation, job training and economic development efforts as well as scholarships and training for Indian youth and adults, management, protection and preservation of natural resources such as fisheries, forestry, minerals/mining and agriculture and water resources. These cuts will be a devastating blow to tribal self determination and self governance efforts in support of tribal governments to operate their own programs. By the same token, funding for tribal contracts will have to be reduced by approximately 30% that will further depress employment levels on reservations. Current TPA funding for Bureau operation programs will be reduced to a level that services will not be provided to Indian people. Approximately 3,300 BIA employees are funded by the Tribal Priorities account, of that amount approximately 1,300 jobs will be eliminated as a result of the $206,000,000 reduction. Current estimates are that this will require consolidation of Agency offices from the present level of 86 to nearly half that amount. AREA OFFICE OPERATIONS: In order to absorb the approximately Offices will have to be abolished and a new regional configuration will have to be established, with a corresponding decrease in employees of approximately 350. CENTRAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Employee reductions of approximately 40% (or 330 jobs) will be required to bring the Central Office staff within funding levels called for in the Senate proposal. The ability of the Bureau to provide policy program analysis is severely limited at this level. The basic administration structure to support programs both tribal and Bureau has been reduced. The Senate also transferred $410 million and the responsibility for all trust programs from the BIA to the Office of the Special Trustee in the immediate office of the Secretary of the Interior. The Special Trustee's office was established by the 1994 American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act to provide the Secretary with expert advice in areas of trust fend accounting, management, and investment. The Special Trustee was not intended to be a line official with day-to-day responsibility for the implementation of programs for the protection and management of a wide variety of trust assets, including land, timber, minerals, and water. LOCAL TRIBAL PROGRAMS REDUCED BY ONE-THIRD: The Senate cut Tribal Priority Allocations by $220 million that will result in tribes losing 35% of their funds needed to support critical programs at the local tribal level. These programs include tribal governmental operations; general assistance to Indian individuals and families whose income is below current state standards; child welfare programs that provide assistance to abandoned or neglected children and prevent the separation of Indian families; higher education scholarships; law enforcement, detention services and community fire protection; maintenance of more than 20 million miles of roads on rural and isolated reservations; and housing repair for needy families. NEW CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM ZEROED: The Senate zeroed the BIA's request for funds to establish child protection and family violence prevention programs on Indian reservations. Just a few weeks ago, Congress reauthorized this grant program, citing the serious child abuse problems on reservations. SCHOOL ACCREDITATION JEOPARDIZED: The Senate cut of $30.6 million severely limits the Bureau's ability to meet its responsibilities for educating Indian children. At least 7% of the children in BIA schools could be turned away in School Year 1996-97 because there will not be sufficient funds to pay teachers' salaries or provide transportation for all the students. The Bureau anticipates a 4% increase in student enrollment in 1996; the Senate level allows RESERVATION SAFETY JEOPARDIZED: The $23.6 million cut in Education Construction presents a serious problem with the safety of BIA school facilities. The Senate reduced new school construction by first century for construction of new schools to replace dilapidated buildings. The $10 million cut in school repair funds, despite a backlog of $660 million in BIA facility repair projects, basically means that many Indian children will attend school in crowded and potentially unsafe school buildings that would have otherwise been repaired with 1996 funding. BIA will be forced to close schools where children are in imminent danger due to health and safety risks. The Senate reduced law enforcement construction by $8.9 million. Without adequate detention facilities, criminal offenders remain at large and at risk to the communities. Funds for correcting structural deficiencies on high hazard dams were reduced by $12 million, putting public safety at risk in nearby communities. UNREASONABLE CUT IN CENTRAL AND AREA OFFICES: Funding for Indian services functions in BIA's Central Office is reduced by 58%, leaving the Bureau without sufficient resources to provide policy direction or correct material weakness areas. To pay for severance costs, it will be necessary to terminate almost all Central Office staff in Washington and Albuquerque. Indian services functions at area offices are reduced by 47%, forcing closure of area offices that provide assistance to tribes. Administrative costs in the BIA are already low, with 86% of all BIA operating funds going directly to the tribes and reservations. IMPORTANCE OF BIA FUNDING TO TRIBES MISREPRESENTED: In the Senate report on the proposed appropriations bill, the Committee defended the reduction of over one-fifth of the BIA budget by implying that tribes depend more heavily on non-BIA federal programs. It is true that BIA represents about 30% of all federal funds for Indian programs. However, it is through the BIA that the tribes receive funds critical to the ongoing operation of tribal governments, as the tribes depend on the BIA for a wide variety of basic programs not available from other federal agencies. The Indian Health Service, comprising about 36% of federal funding for Indian programs, is limited to the provision of health and medical services. The Department of Education provides 9% of the federal funds for Indians, with almost all of these funds going to states for Indian children in public schools. The remaining 25% of federal funds are for specific programs with narrow eligibility requirements. These programs are also intensely critical to the tribes and must not be reduced, however, it is deceptive to imply that tribes can look to other federal programs to compensate for the deep cuts made to the BIA. SUMMARY: It will be necessary to reduce nearly 2,000 jobs in the Bureau, with the majority of those jobs involved in providing services to tribes that have chosen not to contract or compact for those functions and fulfilling inherent federal functions for all tribes at the tribe/agency level. -BIA- --------- "RE: Statement from Oneida Rep. Ray Halbritter" --------- Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 11:20:16 +0000 From: umstead@oneida-nation.org (Daniel Umstead) Subj: Statement from Oneida Rep. Ray Halbritter Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) STATEMENT BY RAY HALBRITTER BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS JULY 25, 1995 Mr. Chairman, my name is Gaiongwilode. I am also known as Ray Halbritter and I am the Nation Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Committee today about the future of Indian gaming. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act -- IGRA -- has been the single most important economic chance that the U.S. Government has ever given Indian nations. IGRA has given us a chance to help ourselves escape the poverty cycle in which Indians have been trapped since our land was stolen and we were herded onto barren reservations. Without resources -- either in land or capitol -- we had limited options. In fact, we had almost no options. Then IGRA was adopted in 1988. With it, we have been able to develop enterprises that have made it possible for us to educate our children, build decent housing, get quality medical care, take care of our honored elders, and create jobs for our people. Because of IGRA, our people walk with a pride and vigor today that we have not known for centuries. We have hope for the future -- for ourselves, our children, and the generations to come. This is why we watch closely whenever there is talk of changing IGRA and why we carefully weigh the potential impact of those changes. The most important point to remember here is that IGRA is working. It is helping to create new opportunities, new chances for a people who have been deprived of opportunities, of choices and chances for generations. And it does this while preserving the rights and interests of other governments -- federal, state and local. The Oneida Nation's compact with the State of New York is an example. It is a 41-page document with some 200 pages of detailed appendices. It has been cited as a model for joint regulation of a casino by an Indian nation and a state government. We believe -- and I think our patrons would agree -- that the joint regulatory system we have at Turning Stone with the State of New York ensures a quality entertainment experience. We are very proud of our achievements there and would hold up our compact as an example of what can be accomplished under IGRA. Mr. Chairman, I request that a copy of our compact be included in the legislative record for S. 487. Turning Stone was built with proceeds from bingo, which the Oneida Nation has been operating since 1975. Our bingo gaming ordinance, with its stringent regulations, has been approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission and is in accordance with IGRA's standards. Revenues from these two enterprises have financed tremendous improvements in quality of life for all the Members of the Oneida Nation. This year, we built 30 new homes for Nation Members. We have 70 students enrolled in higher education. We broke ground on a new Elder Care and Child Daycare Center. We have been able to reacquire over 3,000 acres of our ancestral lands -- 2,000 of them in the past year. With gaming dollars, we have rebuilt our Longhouse and Cookhouse -- important social and religious centers in our culture. We have begun to repatriate cultural antiquities and the human remains of our forefathers. We have opened a cultural center to display these antiquities and to teach our children their native language and traditions. Now, gaming revenues also are supporting our expansion into other businesses, allowing us to diversify and gain additional economic security for our Members. At the Oneida Nation, already we have launched a textile printing business, built an RV park, are starting an agricultural enterprise, and are actively looking at a number of other ventures. Our accomplishments are reviewed in the current issues of Onyota a:ka Nation Times. Mr. Chairman, I request that this publication be made part of the legislative record of S. 487. So, as you see, the Oneida Indian Nation has benefited greatly from IGRA. We were fortunate enough to be located in a State that was willing to sit down and work with us to hammer out a comprehensive regulatory scheme for Turning Stone. Not all Indian nations have that advantage. And that is why we strongly support the provision in S. 487 that authorizes the Department of the Interior to approve a gaming compact when a State refuses to negotiate with an Indian nation. This will contribute greatly to putting even more Indian nations on a course of self-help and economic recovery. We do have a few concerns with other proposed provisions. Let me quickly cite some specifics. New licensing provisions call for extensive new licensing of bingo contractors, service providers, and managers, including sovereign tribal governments, but do not provide for grace periods during which existing bingo halls could continue to operate while securing all these new licenses. The procedures for establishing federal minimum standards could evolve into a lengthy process that could hamper ongoing Indian run bingo operations. This could do serious damage to the fragile economic structures that many Indian nations have just constructed. The provisions that trouble me most in S. 487 are those that would allow the new Commission to conduct background investigations of India nations and tribes seeking to obtain federal licenses for their gaming operations. This seems to me to infringe on the sovereignty of Indian nations. It also invites meddling by the U.S. Government in the affairs of individual nations. The new licensing requirements also set up one other major barrier for Indian gaming -- the possibility that tribes could be made to post bonds. Mr. Chairman, as the Members of this esteemed Committee must be aware, obtaining financing has always been a monumental problem for all Indian nations. This requirement will shut many impoverished Indian nations out of the economic opportunity made possible by IGRA. Finally, let me address the issue of federal minimum standards. My first concern is that the bill as drafted requires that four of the seven members of the committee represent state and federal governments while only three would be members of Indian nations. This creates the possibility that the committee could be dominated by anti-Indian gaming forces who could the write the standards in total secrecy because the bill also exempts the Committee from legislated requirements for balance, avoiding undue influence and openness. If Congress wants to establish federal minimum standards for gaming, the standards should apply to all gaming, not just Indian-gaming. The standards should be set by Congress and not delegated to an agency. Also, minimum standards should be exactly that -- minimum in number, detail, and requirements. It would be odd in this time of government downsizing and deregulating to do more than establish base level principles that would guide all gaming operations. Many Indian nations, the Oneida Nation included, are prospering for the first time in hundreds of years because of IGRA and the gaming that it made possible. Mr. Chairman, I ask you and the other esteemed Members of the Committee to think carefully as you consider amending IGRA. You must make sure that no Indian nation will be deprived of IGRA's window of opportunity to help itself out of poverty and into prosperity. Thank you. Please send feedback to umstead@oneida-nation.org +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Daniel Umstead * The Oneida Indian Nation Internet Coordinator * Oneida Indian Nation * "The first Indian Nation on 315-361-6300 * 315-361-6333 (fax) * the World Wide Web" umstead@oneida-nation.org * * URL - http://nysernet.org/oneida/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ÿ