_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 04, ISSUE 032 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 10 August 1996 O o O K A N O H E D A A N I Y V W I Y A O o O Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin O ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N N E W S ) This issue contains articles from Triballaw, NATCHAT, NativeWeb & NATIVE-L listservers; UUCP & genie email; Newsgroups: alt.native, rec.arts.books.reviews,rec.arts.books,alt.books.mystery, 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. Thanks to Don Rayment ,don.rayment@uptowne.com, Wotanging Ikche/ Kanoheda Aniyvwiya is being redistributed via a listserver. If you would like to receive Wotanging Ikche via the listserver, you can send a message to listserv@uptowne.com and include, in the body of your message "sub wotanging.ikche " Thanks to Marc Becker and David Cole issues of Wotanging Ikche/ Kanoheda Aniyvwiya are being archived at a World-Wide-Web site. - The URL is http://web.maxwell.syr.edu/nativeweb/journals/nanews Thanks to Borries Demeler all _Wotanging_Ikche_ (part a) submissions to AISESnet are archived under AISESnet and can be accessed easily by World Wide Web: 1994: http://bioc02.uthscsa.edu/94_dis.html 1995: http://bioc02.uthscsa.edu/95_dis.html 1996: http://bioc02.uthscsa.edu/96_dis.html This is a searchable index to the AISESnet Discussion mailing list database archive, and the keyword "Wotanging" will retrieve all issues for that year. "Oh, yes, I went to the white man's schools. I learned to read from school books, newspapers and the Bible. But in that time I found that these were not enough. Civilized people depend too much on man-made printed pages. I turn to the Great Spirit's book which is the whole of his creation. You can read a big part of that book if you study nature. You know, if you take all your books, lay them out under the sun, and let the snow and rain and insects work on them for a while there will be nothing left. But the Great Spirit has provided you and me with the opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us." __ Tatanka Mani, Stoney +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! If you were attending an event hosted by some part of the dominant society, and an insect interrupted the words being spoken it would probably be waved away or swatted in anger. All insects are part of Creator's gift, and some are held in great honor by many people of the First Nations. The reaction to the entry of such an insect is regarded quite differently. Last week those around the drum arbor stopped and gazed in awe and thankfulness as a dragonfly lit on the speaker's microphone and hovered there, offering its own blessing on the Circle. We looked into the Circle to see a black swallowtail butterfly offer its dance, while above and to the west a Red Tail Hawk answered with his. And we returned thanks... 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=== ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- Part A: Usenet and e-mail Part B: NATCHAT and NATIVE-L lists - Cheyenne Arrow Keeper in Dire Need - Conferences and Powwows - online - RACIST British Budweiser Ads - Native Youth Suicide Report - Hopi Chairman Big Mountain Response - Poem: Little Princess Underfoot - Wyandot Nation of Kansas Cometary - Need EIS on White Pine Mine - We are not Hispanic - New Age or Old Prophecy - Statements by the Crees - New Age or Old Prophecy - Chemical Warfare on Vermont Forests - Leech Lake Chairman Defies Council - Vee Salabiye Crosses Over - Olympics Story - Review: Moonbird Boy - New on NativeWeb - Poem: Wannabe - Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days - Conferences and Powwows - offline --------- "RE: Cheyenne Arrow Keeper in Dire Need" --------- Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 18:54:29 -0400 From: TallEagle@aol.com Subj: Re: N.A.S.L. S. Cheyenne Arrow Keeper in dire NEED UUCP email I am posting this for Lou White Eagle, and the Arrow Keeper. Neither of whom have access to, or knowledge of computers. URGENT--CRITICAL--URGENT 7/26/96 Dear Friends, Relatives, and Concerned Citizens, I, Luther White Eagle, as a Tsistsistas Priest of the Sacred Arrows and Medicine Bundles of the Southern Cheyenne Tribe of Oklahoma, would like to share my great concerns about the Tsistsistas Keeper of the Sacred Arrows and Medicine Bundles, Bill Red Hat, Jr., his wife, Nellie, and their nine children and two grandchildren of Longdale, Oklahoma. This family is in critical need of your great assistance. We are urgently seeking financial and material help in the construction of a home large enough to safely house this family. For the past nine years, the Arrow Keeper and his family have been living in a one-room home with one-inch, plywood walls, no insulation, no indoor plumbing, no floors, and a wood-burning stove is their only source of heat. This home has deteriorated to such a degree that it is no longer liveable for another year. With winter fast approaching, we are concerned for the health and safety of the Arrow Keeper and his family. On October 23, 1993, the Tsistsistas (Southern Cheyenne) Traditional Cheyenne Chiefs, the Traditional Headsmen and Members of the Traditional Societies (Bow String, Hoof Rattle, Kit Fox and Dog Soldiers), selected and appointed Bill Red Hat, Jr. as the permanent Tsistsistas Keeper of the Sacred Arrows and Medicine Bundles. This is a great honor with great responsibilities for the Cheyenne people as a whole, and it is deplorable that a man in such a Sacred Traditional and Ceremonial position should be forced to live in this manner. In the Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) Traditional and Ceremonial Way of Life, the Keeper of the Sacred Arrows' position requires the great responsibilities of keeping, protecting, maintaining and upholding the Sacred Arrows and Medicine Bundles, and therefore, the Cheyenne people as a whole, on a daily basis. As Arrow Keeper, Mr. Red Hat shoulders the great responsibility of providing Cheyenne Traditional and Ceremonial Sacred and Spiritual services for the Cheyenne people, but also anyone who seeks his assistance. Day or night, Mr. Red Hat is available to his people; daily he enters the Sacred Arrow Tipi, makes the "Sacred Fire," and performs the rituals of daily Sacred Prayers, smoking his Sacred Pipe to Maheo (God), the prophet, Sweet Medicine, and the Spirit World of Nowah'wus (Bear Butte), as well as the Sacred Elements of this world, not only for the Cheyenne people, but the people of all nations on Mother Earth. Bill Red Hat, Jr., a Vietnam Combat Veteran, and his family receive no assistance from the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Until recently he was receiving some disability benefits from the Veteran's Administration, but these funds have been cut off. Currently, Mr. Red Hat is working to reinstate these benefits, but we all know how difficult government and red tape can be. He is in great need of help in getting these benefits reinstated, not to mention his urgent need for a safe home. Therefore, any assistance that you can provide in the form of finances, materials and/or labor, or help with his lost benefits would be essential to his family's livelihood. The Tsistsistas Sacred Arrows and Sacred Ceremonial Way of Life that Mr. Red Hat maintains, upholds and protects is over 4,000 years old. These great responsibilities are bound by Ancient Traditional Tribal Laws, Traditional and Ceremonial Customs that the Cheyenne people have always followed, obeyed, and carried out, even in the most trying of times, such as this hectic society we live in today. These Cheyenne Ancient and tremendous responsibilities would be more easily carried out if the Arrow Keeper and his family were provided with a much needed decent and safe home. To that end, your great assistance is now requested and appreciated very much. As caring and responsible friends, relatives, and citizens, let us please combine our concerned efforts together to provide the much needed help for Bill Red Hat, Jr. and his family through your concerns and prayers. as he does for you on a daily basis. For further information on how you can help, please contact: Luther Medicine Bird White Eagle 1100 Pond Creek Road Ashland City, TN 37015 or call: (615)298-1059 Respectfully submitted for the continued existence of our Tsistsistas Traditional and Ceremonial People, --------- "RE: RACIST British Budweiser Ads" --------- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 21:19:56 -0400 From: Miketben@aol.com Subj: N.A.S.L. - Fwd: Media Alert- RACIST British Budweiser ads UUCP email ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * NORTH AMERICAN SPIRIT LODGE * ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The North American Spirit Lodge COUNCIL has recently decided to involve the N.A.S.L. in the following issue (forwarded information below): regarding RACIST Budweiser television commercials appearing on British TV - depicting NA's drinking BUDWEISER BEER as described below. Calls were recently made to friends in England to verify the facts reported - and yes such a television commercial as described has been appearing in Britain for a number of months now. Anyone (including non-members of N.A.S.L.) interested in voicing their protests in letters can do so via the e-mail address as follows directly to that beer company. The e-mail address for Anheuser-Busch is: budmaster@budweiser.com Thank You for any attention you care to give this issue. Miketben@aol.com - N.A.S.L. Correspondence Secretary DAKKASWAN@aol.com - N.A.S.L. Chairperson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: DBowden@gnn.com (David Bowden) Date: 96-07-16 15:42:37 EDT In Todays Wall Street Journal it was reported that Anheuser Busch is using beer-guzzling American Indians to sell Budweiser in Britain. The ad which is being shown on television and in movie theather's, is named Pale Rider. It follows a truck driver who is operating a truck for a firm called Chieftain cement company. On the side of the truck is a company logo of a Indian with a war bonnet. The ad shows the driver walking into a bar patronized by a crowd of American Indians. The bartender an older Native is shocked by the man's pale face which is covered by cement dust. The driver then dunks his face in a barrel of water which washes away the dust showing him to be a American Indian. The camera then zooms in to show the driver gulping down a bottle of Budweiser. Budweiser knowing fully well that the showing of this stereotyping ad in the United States would raise all sorts of problems for them think that it is ok for it to be shown in Britain. To quote Peter Jackson Marketing director of Budweiser in the UK and Ireland "In the UK there aren't any inappropriate or stereotypical images of Native Americans". "He's a Native American: he expresses genuine American values," says Lewis Blackwell,editor of the UK. advertising publication Creative Review. However, Some Native American Spokespersons differ with this. Suzan Shown Harjo, a Cheyenne and Muskogee who is the president of the Morning Star Institute a Indian rights advocacy group based in Washington D.C. States: "From driving a truck That uses Native American imagery to furthering the impression that Indian people are so closely linked with booze-it's just a continuation of the stereotype" Stanley Knick, director of the Native American Resource Center in Pembroke, N.C says: Its like if the tree falls in the woods and there's no one to hear it." "It doesn't matter if no Native person ever sees that ad, the stereotype is still being carried on." Source; The Wall Street Journal I personally feel that it is time for a letter writing blitz and public demonstration against Budweiser. What do you think? David Bowden DBowden@gnn.com --------- "RE: Hopi Chairman Big Mountain Response" --------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 14:50:53 LOCAL From: cdm@azstarnet.com (Cynthia M. Dagnal-Myron) Subj: Hopi Chairman Big Mountain Response Newsgroup: alt.native THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM: The Chairman's Report to the Hopi People July 19, 1996 Hopi Tutuveni P.O. Box 123 Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039 ANY COMMUNICATION YOU WISH TO HAVE WITH THE CHAIRMAN OR OTHERS ABOUT THIS EXCERPT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE ABOVE. THIS EXCERPT IS OFFERED AS HIS INTERPRETATION OF EVENTS ALONE, OFFERED INITIALLY TO THE HOPI PUBLIC VIA THEIR OWN LOCAL NEWSPAPER TO ANSWER OTHER ARTICLES PUBLISHED WORLDWIDE ABOUT THIS EVENT. "...The Chairman's office has been very busy protecting Hopi natural resources on HPL at Big Mountain in the face of Sundance activities in the area. You may know that in the Big Mountain area of Hopi Partitioned Land (HPL), some Navajo families have hosted a Lakota religious ceremony called the Sundance. There were two requests for a Sundance, one which was authorized with conditions (camp #2). The other was denied, because the request came from Na vajos who were not residents of HPL (camp#1). For the most part, the Hopi Tribe has done very little in the past to respond to these ceremonies, and to regulate the large groups of people that have come from all over the world. Here is some historical background: In the early 1980s, the Sundance ceremony was originally established as a healing ceremony and as part of the movement by some Navajos to resist forced relocation from Hopi lands. The site identified by the relocation resisters for this Sundance is southwest of Big Mountain and near Rocky Ridge. The Big Mountain Survival Camp, as it is known, was established and declared Sovereign Dine territory, even though it is on Hopi lands. This location served both as a site for the annual religious event, and a base for resistance to relocation. The site also proved to be helpful in gathering sympathy, support and aid from the rest of the world in resisting relocation, because the Sundance attracted a lot of non-Indians and Indians from remote locations who had no understanding of the disputes between Hopi and Navajo. This gave the resistance movement a large audience of easily influenced people, who could be convinced to provide financial and political support for their resistance movement. The Sundance became more than a Native American religious ceremony of healing. It also became a political weapon. By claiming that any efforts to restrict these religious ceremonies was a violation of their right to practice the religion of their choice and a violation of the Native American Religious Freedom Act, (NARFA), the resistance movement further complicated Hopi efforts to take jurisdiction over its land and to protect its natural resources. The argument that the Hopi Tribe's attempt to regulate gatherings of a religious nature on HPL is a violation of NARFA is an interesting one, but it doesn't work. These events have proven to be more than just a threat to Hopi natural resources. They have become a threat to the safety and welfare of the Hopi people and HPL residents, both Hopi and Navajo. On Sunday night, July 7, there was a shooting incident between the two camps. Apparently, some individuals from Camp #1 (Survival Camp) fired at some individuals from Camp #2 (Camp Ana Mae) with a high powered rifle as they fled from the Camp #1 location. The real issue is the Hopi Tribe's sovereign right to protect its resources and to protect the welfare of the Hopi people ! About 5 or 6 years ago, there was a split in the group of people who conducted and hosted the Sundance ceremony at the Survival camp, which is referred to as "Camp #1." One faction moved to the northeast, and established a new site referred to as Camp Ana Mae, or "Camp #2. Restrictions were stepped up this year because of the severe drought and fire hazard conditions that exist on the Hopi Reservation, which the rest of the region has also been experiencing. Discussions with the hosts of the Sundance planned for Camp #2 had been taking place six weeks before the ceremony. Permission, with severe restrictions, was given to this group because they made their request well in advance (not because they protested in Washington, D.C., as they reported to the media). Among those restrictions were plans for protecting the vegetation and wildlife of the area from fire and a limit on the number of guests to 100. The group at Camp #2 has made an effort to cooperate and to comply with the restrictions. However, a second group came forward only a few days before their planned event and informed the Tribe of its plans, also requesting permission. Because of the lateness of this request, the approved event at Camp #2 for the same dates, and the fact that the requesters were not HPL residents, their request/demand was denied. This second group ignored the denial of their permit, entered the area without permission, and initiated ceremonial activities in the Survival Camp (Camp #1). Before the Tribe could respond, a group of approximately 200 people were already gathered in the area led by a medicine man from the Rosebud Sioux Nation, Leonard Crowdog, and set up camp. They the proceeded to cut down a 30 to 40 ft.. tall cottonwood from a nearby wash for use in their ceremony. Upon returning to the Survival Camp with the tree, Leonard Crowdog was issued a citation for cutting a tree on HPL in violation of Hopi Ordinance 47 and ordered to appear in Hopi Tribal Court. Due to the large size of the gathering, and the potential for violence, no evictions from HPL were made. Roadblocks were set up to keep the gathering from getting any larger. No new people were allowed into the area and anyone who left the site was denied re-entry. This event at Camp #1 is now over. The Hopi Tribe will now be looking into "reclaiming" the area. I have made contact with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe regarding the nature of Mr. Crowdog's activities. The representative from Rosebud said that Leonard Crowdog is a legitimate Sioux medicine man authorized to conduct the Sundance ceremony and that it is sometimes offered to other tribes. He added, though, that permission from the host Tribe must be respectfully sought and obtained in advance whenever the Sundance is to be conducted on another Nation's land. Mr. Leonard Crowdog and his Navajo hosts did not respect this protocol prescribed by the Sioux Nation, and they certainly did not respect Hopi protocol or the sovereignty of the Hopi Tribe. In closing, the Hopi Tribal Council has been kept informed of these activities and a Council member has been present at most of our visits to Big Mountain. Once the events are over for this year, we will be bringing this before the Council again as part of policy making process in preparation for the Hopi Tribe's official position on future activities of this nature." --------- "RE: Update: Wyandot Nation of Kansas Cometary" --------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 19:41:39 -0400 From: Ishgooda Subj: Cemetery Update HURON LIST JUL 31, 1996 UUCP email UPDATE: Following is an update regarding the current situation with the Oklahoma Tribe's proposed gambling casino on property at the Wyandot Cemetery. Ish =-=-=-=-=>>>> <<<<=-=-=-=-= The court case is going to be August 12th in Topeka Ks. Kickapoo, Wyandot Nation of Kansas, Potawatomie, Sac and Fox, Iowa. We have had the restraining order 'reimposed'. Independent of the Wyandot of Kansas Tribe's actions three citizens groups have organized and are suing the State of Kansas for having passed the gaming compacts with the tribes opening casinos. Gambling is against the Kansas State Constitution. They are using the recent decision against casinos in New Mexico as the basis for their suit. It appears that this issue ultimately will become one of States rights vs. the rights of the Federal Government and Indian nations will be left in the cold once again. It is worth noting, the United States Government is set up as a bastardization of our traditional longhouse culture and our Confederacies. There are checks and balances in both and both are intended to provide representation of the people's wishes. Ultimately each of the 50 fires is independent of the other. <<<<=-=-=-=-=-{{{{}}}}-=-=-=-=-=>>>> Email ishgooda@tdi.net for inclusion in the Huron-Wendat newsletter and to register for updates on the proposed gathering in 1997! Put "Huron" as your subject in the e-mail. Drawn & Quoted Graphics < http://www.berkshire.net/~mll/natgra.html> Tsonkwadiyonrat (Now we are ONE Mind) <<<<=-=-=-=-=-{{{{}}}}-=-=-=-=-=>>>> --------- "RE: We are not Hispanic" --------- Date: Tue, 30 Jul 96 18:02:49 EST From: "Glen WELKER" Subj: We are not Hispanic or Latino (fwd) UUCP email Source: http://www.mexica-movement.org/G1.html CHICANITOS Chicanitos en beisbol uniformados de gringito y no saben de Mexicas y no entienden Nahuatl Morenitos de canela y prietitos chocolate y uno que otro de guerito Estos mismos Mexicas en el siglo 21 cantaran en Nahuatl Canten mis Chicanitos Canten de Ometeotl dios nuestro, nuestro unico dios Resen que nos salve Ometeotl de esta esclavitud que nos mata, que no nos deja vivir Chicanitos sin beisbol en pelota como Mayas, como Aztecas y Zapotecas. En Chichen Itza, en las tierras Anasazi en Tikal, Copan y en el gran Tenochtitlan Chicanitos de Ometeotl bailen, canten guerra Chicanitos de Ometeotl resen que nuestro pueblo Mexica despierta y renace guerrero y nos salva de esta esclavitud --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Remember that we are not of European descent. White people are people of European descent. They are all from Europe. Europe is their homeland. We did not come from Europe. We are from this Western Hemisphere, what Europeans call North and South America. People of European descent came here as invaders, the way someone breaks into your house. They came, took our house, put us out in the back yard and claimed that our house now belonged to them. They are foreigners in our house, on our land. We are not foreigners. We are not of European descent. 2. Europe is not our heritage. Our heritage is the Olmeca, the Maya, the Mexica, and the other people who are the true owners of this land that we now inhabit. We built our own civilizations. We built pyramids, cities, and great engineering feats. We developed an agriculture that gave the world chocolate, chilli, tomatoes, vanilla, corn, and many other foods. We developed the mathematical concept of zero and decimal point. We invented the most accurate calendar in the world. We had great cities that were the largest cities in the world at one point. There are other great things about our people that you will learn from this Mexica-Movement site and from the books that we will recommend. 3. We owe nothing to Europeans or to their descendants (Gabachos y Gachupines) who live amongst us. It is they who owe us for the horrible things that they have done to us. Read the pages of this Mexica-Movement site to see what those monstrous things are. 4. We are not Hispanic or Latino. Don't call yourself Hispanic or Latino. Don't allow anyone to call you Hispanic or Latino. You are an Original Inhabitant of this land. Europeans and their descendants have wrongly called us Indians. Indians are the people from India. We are Original Inhabitants, the true owners of this land. Most of us have some white blood but that does not make us white people. African Americans have some white blood but that does not make them white either. We are an Indigenous Mexica people native to this land and to no other! We are Indigenous Mexica! 5. A Hispanic is a person from Spain. Hispanic refers to the things of Spain. We are not "things" belonging to Spain. Spaniards are Europeans. Europeans are white people. We are not white people, Europeans or Spaniards. 6. A Latino is a white person from Latin America. Latinos are the descendants of Europeans (Portuguese, Spaniards, and French) in Latin America. They are generally racist against our people. Our people are Full Blood or Mixed Blood Indigenous Mexica people. We are not Latinos, not white, not descendants of Europeans. We are descendants of Mexica Original Inhabitant people. 7. English is not our language. It may be the only language some of us speak, but it is not our language. African Americans speak English and have British last names, but that does not make them English or British. 8. Spanish is not our language. We may have Spanish last names and speak Spanish, and Mexico is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world, but that doesn't mean that Spanish is our language. Spanish is the language that the Spaniards forced on us to replace our own languages. 9. Nahuatl is our language. Nahuatl is our national Mexican language. It has been discouraged from use, destroyed in most areas, and finally removed as part of the daily language of most Mexicans. Some of the language has survived in the small towns and in the mountainous areas of Mexico. Some of it has also managed to be part of Mexican Spanish. Nahuatl is our language. We have many other languages like Maya, Otomi, Tarahumara and dozens of other languages, but Nahuatl is the language that unites us all. 10. We are Mexica. We are called Mexican in the English language. We are called Mexicano (Meh-hee-kah-noh) in the Spanish language. We called ourselves Mexica (pronounced Meh-shee-kah in our Nahuatl language). 1l. White people (Hispanics) invaded our Mexica land in 1519. They came to steal from us. They took our land. They stole the wealth from our land. They destroyed our beautiful cities and towns. They killed 23 million of our people (95% of our population was killed!). They have enslaved us to their world ever since. So long as we have no control over our land, our wealth, and the power that they use to control us (media & education), we will forever be slaves to their interests. 12. Cortez (a Hispanic) was the monstrous leader of the Spaniards. He planned the destruction of our civilization, the genocide of our people, and the slavery of our people to interests and well-being of the people of Europe and their descendants amongst us. l3. The Spaniards came to steal from us. They had already killed 10 million people in the Caribbean. They had stolen their land and wealth. They came and enslaved our people so that we would work the mines to give the gold and silver that they were too lazy to work or trade for. These are a historically very dishonest, unethical, opportunistic, and very parasitic people. If your think this last statement is an exaggeration read their own journals and history books (from our point of view) and you will see what monsters they have been. 14. They stole our land. They claimed the right to our land. That thief's claim is what keeps our land from us today. When we can learn to assert our rights to our land, and when we have the courage to call the thief a "thief" and the racist murderers "racist murderers" (through education), only then will we be able to see the reality of our situation and the realistic solutions to all of our problems. l5. They took our gold and silver. After they had worked us as slaves in our own mines, they took our gold and silver and sent it to Europe to enrich Europeans and their descendants. Our gold and silver (and our slave labor that resulted in the genocide of our people) financed the accelerated development of 16th & 17th century Europe. Of course Europeans and their descendants on our land feel that they owe us nothing for this theft, slavery, and genocide. What a consistent line of unethical behaviour! 16. They killed 23 million of our people. Most of our people don't know this simple fact. We know of 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis. We know all of the good things that Europeans and their descendants did for us, supposedly. What we don't know and what they don't know, is all the monstrous things that they did to us and to people all over this planet. These are simple facts found in Encyclopaedia Britannica, with a bibliography of enough European crimes to fill any library. 17. They burned our cities. This was so that we would have not even our own cities to be proud of. But the ruins are all over Mexico. Even sites of civilizations that had long been abandoned before the arrival of the Mexica into the valley of Mexico are to be seen from the Four Corners area into Central America. 18. They destroyed our libraries. This was done so that we would have no history, no pride of accomplishment. But some of our libraries survived into the 20th century. Check our bibliography section to see some of the books that were written from those sources. 19. They took our language from us. This was done so that we would not be able to speak our own languages. But there is still a chance to take back our Nahuatl language through the Mexica-Movement which is working to make Nahuatl an integral part of our movement. 20. They gave us their names the way African slaves were given European names. This was a form of branding us as their property. We cannot take back our family names because we didn't have family names in the European tradition. We had calendar names and warrior names. We can take Nahuatl names when we work as warriors who are working to recapture our people's minds from the Eurocentric chains that hold our people captive to Eurocentric thoughts. 21. They killed our unarmed teachers, leaders, generals, priests, and best warriors on the feast of Huitzilopochtli. This demolished the false notion that Europeans were more civilized or that they were superior to us in any way. We need to rebuild that leadership that was lost. We need all of our people learning, teaching, leading and being examples to our youth. A VENDIDO INTERVIEWS OLIN TEZCATLIPOCA: 1. Why are we not Hispanic or Latino? Hispanics are the culture, land, things, and people of Spain. Mexicans have been fighting Hispanics for almost 500 years. To call ourselves Hispanics is to make a mockery of ourselves and to make the final surrender to the Spaniards. We are descendants of Mexicas, not Spaniards. Latinos have traditionally been the white people of "Latin America". Those who have oppressed the mixed blood and the full blood Indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere. Latino is not anything to be proud of. Yes, some of our people identify with the white people in order to exploit our own people. There are always traitors in every group of people. Today the people of European descent are the ones who control Spanish and English language media. That control over media and education has brainwashed our people to believe that we are Hispanic\Latino, that Europe is our heritage. 2. Aren't we all part white anyway? African Americans are mostly part white. You don't see African American people calling themselves white or European. You don't see them bragging of the little white blood that they have. They identify as African Americans, not as African-European Americans. Jews of European descent are mostly white, but they call themselves Jews or Jewish and never Jewish American or Euro-Jews or anything silly like that. We people of Mexican descent do tend to cling to those few drops of white blood that is mostly the result of rape. It's sad. We have been mentally abused and culturally castrated to believe such self-hating nonsense. To clarify maybe even more let's look at Filipinos. They have Spanish surnames and some have some Spanish blood, but they don't call themselves Hispanic. They speak English but that doesn't make them English or British. Find a mirror. If you see a white person in the mirror, then you are white. If you don't see a white person, then you know you are Indigenous. Sad that we have to put it to this test. Some of our darkest people are still going to see a white person in the mirror. 3. Isn't Spain our mother country. If you are a real Hispanic\Latino white person, yes. If you are a mixed blood (Mestizo) or full blood Indigenous person, of course not. Spain is no more our motherland than England is our fatherland. 4. But aren't we part of La Raza Cosmica, a great blend of Europeans and Indians? Isn't that what makes us special? That is a European-imposed concept dropped on us to get us to celebrate the rape of our people, to pretend that we took part in the theft of our own land and wealth, and to get us to happily ignore the cultural castration of our people. But we are special as a people in that we are part of 4,000 years of Anahuac civilizations. 4,000 years of being one culture. 4,000 years of accomplishments and only 500 years of being slaves to people from another world. That is where we are special. Special in that we can regain out greatness as a people. 5. But our language, our names, our blood, our religion, our heritage is Spain! Don't get so emotional about this. I know that you as a vendido want to think of yourself as a European, a Spaniard and that you hate the thought that you could in even the remotest way be "Indian". But this is information for the majority of our people who are not vendido. They have to remember, again, that African Americans speak English, have British names, have some white blood, have the religion of Europe, but does that make them British or European ?! You get it, we are not white, not European! 6. Isn't the CMMEC divisive? Yes. We want to divide our selves from the white-Hispanic and white- Latino who wants to continue exploiting our people. We want to separate ourselves from the Cuban, the Argentine, the Spaniard, and all European descent people who have come to our land to steal it, to steal our wealth, to enslave our people to their European interests, and to culturally castrate our people by taking away our proud Indigenous Mexica identity. But, we do want to unite with the so-called Native Americans of the so- called Southwest and the so-called Central American people. That is the unity that we want. We share with them our heritage, our land, languages, history, origins, race, history of European Invasion and genocide, and so much more, because we are one people divided by European borders on our one land. 7. But I'm not an Indian. I almost look white. How can I claim to be Indian? Then you must be a white person. I was mistaken. I thought you were one of my people, a vendido, but one of my people. But you 're not. It's clear that you desperately want to think of yourself as white. Go down to Mississippi or the Simi Valley and see if they consider you white. Personally I wish you were white, so that people like you would not confuse our people. But I look at you and a white person is not what I see. I see a person who is definitely not white. 8. OK, I'm part Indian. But I'm not an Indian. Then go to Europe and see if they will accept you as one of their children. In your case they will definitely look at you as a brown Michael Jackson---a wanna be white who is obviously not white. 9. Okay, okay. Now, all of the responses you have given me would lead me to conclude that you are a Nationalist. Are you now or have you ever been a Nationalist, maybe even a communist? Like Emiliano, Cuauhtemoc, Cortina, Murietta, and all of the Nationalists of the last five centuries, I am proud to say yes, I am a nationalist. All of those of us who are Mexica Warriors are Nationalists. We are not communists because we don't need European concepts to take our people back to who we are. We are an Indigenous Mexica People. Nationalists for our people. We don't need to be communists. l0. But this is the greatest country in the world. Great opportunities! A multicultural society! Why would you cling to such a backward way of thinking. Every country in the world is going multinational. The whole world is giving up nationalism, why haven't you? Because I'm proud of who my people are. I am proud of being part of our Anahuac heritage. When you finally know about all of the civilization of which we are a part, there is no need to look to Europe for your pride. It is right here, in our land, and in our Indigenous Mexica history and identity. The whole world is going European---Yes! But I do not want to be part of that Eurocentric Western World. I want to be part of my Mexica world. My heritage is the Olmeca, the Zapotec, the Maya, Teotihuacan, the Toltec, the Mexica, and the other civilizations and cultures of "Mesoamerica "--- not Europe. More importantly, you have to remember that I am a Mexica Warrior! I am not you. I do not want to be slave in a whiteman's world. Notice that the Jew hangs on to his or her identity, and participates in the "modern" world without losing their sense of who they are---who they really are! We can be modern-day Mexica without losing our independent identity and without being "backwards". We'll update, computers and things, without being a subheading of European or of any other group on this planet. Our Mexica world is waiting for us to reclaim it. Our Mexica-Movement is working to educate our people towards taking back our past and our future. The future is being made right now. We are making sure that our world, the world of the people of Mexican descent, is Mexica and that it is definitely not Hispanic, Latino, Mestizo, or Raza. We want a Mexica future for our people. That is what our struggle is about. Vendidos and vendidas are our biggest obstacle. They promote self-hate and they promote the slavery of our people to a European world and to a European future. They must be confronted. We must stop them from poisoning the minds of our people. We must stop them from creating new vendidos and vendidas. This interview is over! Anahuac y Aztlan: Libre y Mexica! c Copyright 1996 Olin Tezcatlipoca All Rights Reserved. Mailing Address CMMEC P.O. Box 5088 Huntington Park, CA 90255-9088 E-mail Address: quetzalcoatl@mexica-movement.org Telephone Number: (213) 585-4757 --------- "RE: Statements by the Crees" --------- Date: 03 Aug 96 10:06:23 EDT From: Ann Stewart <75361.1143@CompuServe.COM> Subj: 2 statements by the Crees in Geneva UUCP email NOTE: Each summer, indigenous representatives meet at the United Nations in Geneva to discuss the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. The draft, written entirely by indigenous peoples, has been a decade in the making; its fate now rests with the UN's member states, many of whom are undermining and questioning its principles. The following statements to the chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, Dr. Erica Irene-Daes give an idea of the seriousness of the intent of the declaration, and the opposition it is encountering. Commission on Human Rights Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Working Group on Indigenous Populations 14th Session, 29 July-2 August 1996, Geneva Item 4: Standard-Setting Activities: Evolution of Standards Concerning the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Statement by Ambassador Dr. Ted Moses, Grand Council of the Crees, Eeyou Astchee, Canada On behalf of the Grand Council of the Crees I would like to offer a few brief comments on item 4 of the agenda: Standard-Setting. Dr. Daes made particular note in her opening statement to the importance of the recognition and confirmation that the right of self-determination belongs to, and applies to indigenous peoples. I would like to direct your attention to document E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/1995/3, a comprehensive note which was prepared by Dr. Daes for the previous session of this working group to discuss this question. The analysis offered in that document is very valuable and well-reasoned, and I commend it to everyone here, indigenous peoples and governments alike. We indigenous peoples hear time and time again that governments refuse to recognize our right of self-determination because they fear that it would give rise to the justification in international law to a right of secession and independence for indigenous peoples in sovereign States. I have yet to find an international jurist who supports this conclusion or really believes it to be true. We all know that there are many existing provisions and conditions in international law that prevent the abuse of the right of self-determination, and in particular which limit the use of this right to dismember States that respect the right of self- determination of peoples. Nevertheless, this objection is raised over and over again by certain States without a convincing explanation, or any meaningful response to the arguments set out in the important note by [the] Chairman/Rapporteur of the working group. I believe that the objection based on fear of secession is a ruse, an argument intended to conceal the real basis of governments' objections to our right of self-determination. Article 1 of both international covenants states that by virtue of the right of self-determination, peoples have the right to own and benefit from their own natural resources. It also states that peoples may not be denied their own means of subsistence. I am convinced that the real basis of the objection to the right of self- determination is the refusal by certain States to recognize our legitimate and internationally sanctioned right as peoples to own and enjoy our own resources; to benefit from our own resources, and to continue to practice without interference our own means of subsistence. This I submit is the political basis for the refusal of these States to recognize this right. I would also point out that the States which object to the recognition of our right of self-determination, do so on the basis that the recognition of our status as "peoples" will lead to the recognition of the rights they refuse to recognize. To deny status, in order to deny the rights which flow from that status is a prohibited form of discrimination under international laws. And such practice must be condemned as discrimination based on race. In this instance this argument is being put forward openly by States in the United Nations. That this should be permitted here is shameful. Finally, allow me to comment on the question of a definition of "indigenous peoples". I endorse the analysis given by Dr. Daes in her opening statement: that a definition is neither desirable, useful, or necessary. The principle put forward in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is that each people must define its own membership, just as each sovereign State has the right to determine its own citizenship. When the Grand Council of the Crees signed its treaty with Canada in 1975, the Government of Canada accepted the principle of self-definition of our membership. We took the position that once a person was "Cree" they would always be Cree; if they were not Cree, thy would never become Cree. I certainly hope and expect that Canada will continue to endorse the principle of self-definition in its international law policy. No State has the moral or legal authority to define our membership or to set arbitrary definitions that will limit the application of international law to indigenous peoples. Some States seek to agree on a definition which will clearly exclude the application of international law to peoples within their claimed jurisdictions. Others would like to insist on the most comprehensive and universal application of the Declaration in order to discourage support for the Declaration from States which do not want it to apply to them. These strategies are transparent and obvious. We should move on now to more substantive issues. Item 5: Review of Developments Pertaining to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples Statement by Ambassador Dr. Ted Moses, Grand Council of the Crees, Eeyou Astchee, Canada I will take this opportunity to report on developments in Canada which we perceive to be a serious threat to the protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Cree People. On 30 October 1995 the provincial government of the Province of Quebec held a referendum on secession from Canada and an eventual unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) as a sovereign State. Just a few days previous to this referendum, the Grand Council of the Crees held its own referendum. The Cree referendum, which was conducted under strict and predetermined formal rules of procedure, and involved sending ballot boxes by helicopter into camps on the remote Cree traplines, resulted in a massive participation in which the Crees voted 96% to stay, keeping our own territory in Canada if Quebec were to attempt to take the Crees and the Cree Territory out of Canada. The provincial government which advocates separation, and UDI if necessary, ignored the results of our Cree referendum, insisting that the Quebec referendum would bind the Crees by its result. Unfortunately, the federal Government of Canada also failed to acknowledge our Cree referendum and a similar referendum conducted by our brothers and treaty partners, the Inuit, who also voted to keep their territory in Canada. So once again, as in 1980, a referendum was conducted on Quebec separation, and once again separation was defeated, but this time by a narrow margin. This time, however, the Quebec referendum had been declared illegal by Quebec's own courts, although the court took no action to enforce its judgment. Quebec leaders had declared prior to the referendum that Quebec has a right of self-determination, but that such a right does not belong to the Crees. To support his assertion, the provincial government pointed to the positions that the Government of Canada has taken, and continues to take, at the meetings of this working group and in other United Nations meetings. To further support its position that the right of self-determination could not apply to the Cree Peoples, the international affairs department of the Quebec Government tabled a Canadian Government Federal Privy Council policy paper which took the familiar position that the right of self- determination does not apply to indigenous peoples, and that the United Nations does not support the recognition of this right; and further, that it could never be invoked by the Crees against an independent Quebec State, no matter how "illegal" the creation of that State might be. The Federal Privy Council authenticated the document leaked by Quebec, which was tabled the day the Cree referendum results were announced. As far as we have been able to determine, this remains Canada's position, and the Quebec authorities continue to circulate this Canadian Government document whenever they receive an enquiry regarding the Crees' right to remain in Canada. When the narrow results of the Quebec referendum were announced, the then Premier of Quebec, Mr. [Jacques] Parizeau, blamed the referendum results on "big money and the ethnic vote", and there was rioting in the streets of Montreal and threats against the ethnic communities. The Crees had previously said that Quebec nationalism was clearly ethnic nationalism, and had complained about threats by Quebec provincial ministers, who said [sic] repeatedly stated that force would be used against the Crees if we insisted on recognizing Canadian rather than Quebec law after a coup d'etat against Canada, followed by a UDI. The Premier's comments after the referendum vote proved that this was indeed ethnic nationalism with all that that implied. Now a third Quebec referendum has been promised, but not yet scheduled. A new Quebec Premier has been installed who has said that he will continue to hold referendums until there is a "yes" vote for independence. After that there will be no further referendums. He has stated that this is a "democratic" way to proceed. The Crees, he promises, will be treated at least as wel by an independent Quebec, as they are by Canada. This he says is also democratic. But he insists that we cannot choose to remain in Canada or to keep our traditional lands in Canada. This, he says is supported by international law. Quebec officials have approached the Government of France, which has indicated that it would recognize an independent Quebec upon a referendum result of 50% plus one. This situation, which I think all will acknowledge is a grave threat to our human rights and fundamental freedoms, forms the basis for our demand that the right of self-determination of indigenous peoples not be limited only to "internal" self-determination. We believe that these current and continuing developments in Quebec forcefully demonstrate the existence of a double-standard based on race with regard to the recognition of the right of self-determination. Although the Minister of Indian Affairs, Mr. [Ron] Irwin, has verbally supported the right of the Crees to stay in Canada, our submissions on this issue to the federal Government of Canada seem to indicate that Canada considers the danger of a general recognition of the right of self- determination of indigenous peoples a far greater threat to the security of the State than the growing momentum and ever renewed threat of Quebec separation. Fellow Europeans, it would appear, have the right of self- determination, indigenous peoples do not. The Crees voted to remain in Canada, yet the Federal Privy Council policy paper suggests that our real intent is to separate. We ask the working group through you, Madame Chairman, to take note of these continuing developments as they affect our rights, and as they pertain to our work here. Thank you. --------- "RE: Chemical Warfare on Vermont Forests" --------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 16:40:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Native Forest Network-ENA Subj: Chem Warfare on VT Forests Newsgroup: alt.native From: Native Forest Network-ENA On June 26 and 27, the Forest Resources Advisory Panel (FRAC) hosted hearings in Island Pond to get input from Champion International and Monsanto Chemical as well as the Vermont Citizens' Forestry Roundtable (VCFR) on the issue of aerial herbicide spraying on forests in Vermont. The morning of June 26th was devoted to Champion and Monsanto to state their case and in the afternoon they answered questions from VCFR and FRAC. It was immediately evident that both Monsanto and Champion had been well-counselled by their respective Public Relations departments. Champion explained that the years of incessant clearcutting they have done on the lands of the northeast has improved wildlife habitat and has been more than sustainable. They used overhead charts and graphs and studies to illustrate their points and argued strenuously that if glyphosate (the active ingredient in Accord - the chemical they want to spray) is not used, that they will run out of usable trees in the next 20-30 years. Now why, you might ask, would they run out of trees if they are cutting as sustainably as they claim to be? Well, according to Champion this will occur, not because of their overcutting practices but because of three things: spruce bud worm outbreaks, wildfire and hurricanes. These are certainly three things Vermonters in the Northeast Kingdom worry about frequently - especially the hurricanes. Monsanto was up next and began their argument by quoting a Sixteenth Century scientist who explained that the only difference between a remedy and a poison was the dose. We were relieved to hear that Monsanto was looking to the Sixteenth Century for their scientific grounding. They went on to show study after study of animal torture experiments that had proven without a doubt that the glyphosate component of Accord is less toxic than table salt. However, what they neglected to mention (as reported in the Burlington Free Press) was that the lab Monsanto hired to test Accord was indicted by Federal Officials on 20 counts of falsified results. Monsanto is also the same company that produced both Agent Orange (an herbicide) and PCBs. And of course Vermonters are very well aware of their marketing of Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH). In Japan, several individuals attempted to drink glyphosate to kill themselves and it was found that a one-time dose of 200 milliliters (6 ounces) was lethal. In addition, the non-glyphosate portion of Accord is composed of surfacants, which are designed to help the glyphosate penetrate the plant. Tests have shown that the surfacant used in Accord is three times as acutely toxic as the glyphosate itself (source: Green Web). The following morning VCFR was able to provide testimony that punched big holes in Champion Inter-national's and Monsanto's "script." VCFR had a variety of ecological and scientific experts testify on behalf of the environment. Their testimonies were well-documented, scientific and recognized the more spiritual elements of the ecosystem. They noted that the forests are living ecosystems, not merely a resource for efficient exploitation. In addition, members of the traditional indigenous community Molly Keating and Tom Obomsawin, gave impassioned testimony about the harm of clearcutting, as well as herbicide spraying. In the afternoon when the hearings resumed, Champion and Monsanto did not have questions for VCFR. The members of FRAC asked a few clarifying questions and the hearings were adjourned. On Tuesday, July 16, FRAC announced that a public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, August 1st at 7:00 pm. The hearings will be held in the public room of the Pavilion Auditorium, next to the State House in Montpelier. To comment on the proposal to spray herbicides, come to the public hearing or write FRAC c/o Forests, Parks and Rec. Dep't, 103 So. Main St., Waterbury, VT 05676 or call the Forest Commissioner at (802)241-3670. reprinted from BULLETIN #6, August-September 1996 published by: NATIVE FOREST NETWORK Eastern North American Resource Center POB 57 Burlington, VT 05402 USA (802)863-0571 (802)863-2532 Fax email: nfnena@igc.apc.org --------- "RE: Vee Salabiye Crosses Over" --------- Date: Sat, 3 Aug 1996 17:48:54 -0700 (PDT) From: aisc@ucla.edu Subj: The Best Librarian Ever, Vee Salabiye Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) The following press release is available for posting, courtesy of our Director, Duane Champagne. Dear Friends: I am writing to you with respect to our Librarian of approximately twenty years. It is with much sadness to let you know of her recent death. She will always be missed here at the American Indian Studies Center, and her presence will grace us and the Library that she created with care. Her work here at the Center involved many scholars, students and others throughout the country as well. Please remember her as the best librarian ever, in your thoughts and prayers. <<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<> In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Teresa Salabiye P.O. Box 690 Ganado, AZ 86505 The Salabiye family would appreciate the thoughtfulness of your donation. The American Indian Studies Center Library will remain open with limited services and hours. Please call in advance if you need to do some research. Appointments are appreciated. Thank you for your support of the American Indian Studies Center and Library. Velma (Vee) Salabiye, librarian for the American Indian Studies Center passed away on July 29th, 1996. Vee was a member of the Navajo Nation of Arizona, where she was born in 1948. Starting her service at UCLA in 1977, Vee dedicated nineteen years to helping students, faculty, and visiting scholars navigate their way through scholarly materials on American Indians. She became a well-known figure among American Indian scholars and in 1979 was awarded a D'Arcy McNickle Fellowship at the Newberry Library in Chicago. As a founding member of the American Indian Association in 1994, she was active in the library profession and was elected to their Council in 1994. Vee wrote and published extensively on library information topics, developing library collections, bibliographic work, and was a leading specialist in Native American library materials and information. Ms. Salabiye also served as assistant editor for the "American Indian Culture and Research Journal," and provided editorial services and bibliographies to several publications including "Indi'n Humor: Bicultural Play in Native America" by Kenneth Lincoln and "The Native North American Almanac" edited by Duane Champagne. Vee took an active interest in working with the American Indian community. She was also a long time member of the City of Angels Kateri Circle, a religious organization honoring an especially virtuous Mohawk woman - the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Ms. Salabiye took frequent visits to the Navajo Nation and often delighted and instructed students with her knowledge of Navajo culture and life. UCLA is a less rich and less interesting place with her passing. Always, Roselle Kipp, Assistant UCLA American Indian Studies Center 3220 Campbell Hall, Box 951548 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1548 aisc@ucla.edu (310 )825-7315 --------- "RE: Review: Moonbird Boy" --------- Date: 3 Aug 1996 05:42:22 GMT From: brock@ucsub.Colorado.EDU (Steve Brock) Subj: Review of Moonbird Boy by Abigail Padgett (fict/myst) Newsgroups: rec.arts.books.reviews,rec.arts.books,alt.books.mystery, alt.native MOONBIRD BOY by Abigail Padgett. Mysterious Press, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, (212) 522-7200, FAX: (212) 522- 7991. 271 pp., $21.95 cloth. 0-89296-613-0 Reviewed by Steve Brock Not long ago, a poster to Internet's Dorothyl mystery newsgroup placed Abigail Padgett on his list of books he's stopped buying in hardcover, citing her writing style as a detriment to his ability to enjoy her books. "Dawn sieved through the trees" was one of the examples used to suggest that Padgett's work needed better editing. In her fourth novel, "Moonbird Boy," her distinctive metaphors are still evident, but it doesn't at all detract from the story. While I did chuckle at passages like "the sun had... begun to pour glare like hazy yellow tea on the parched remains of an ancient sea bed," her tale of the war over an Indian-run psychiatric hospital in the San Diego desert is an engaging inquiry into clinical depression, big business, fetal-cell replacement, and the holocaust. The opening pages of "Moonbird Boy" find Barbara (Bo) Bradley, a Child Protective Services investigator, checking out of Ghost Flower Lodge, a facility for the mentally-ill run by a band of Kumeyaay Indians, where she had been recovering from a depressive episode brought on by the death of Mildred, her loyal fox-terrier who had been her constant companion for 17 years. While there, Bo had befriended Mort Wagaman, a Hollywood comic actor suffering from schizophrenia, and his son, Bird, enduring an undiagnosed psychological imbalance. When Mort is shot through the head while on a walk through the desert, Bird becomes an orphan, and Bo decides to find a family member that can save him from an ordeal at the hands of the foster- care system. During her search, however, Bo discovers a plot to take over the financially-strapped hospital, with roots in the holocaust. This knowledge jeopardizes her psychological stability, especially when an anonymous caller harasses her by playing a tape of a barking fox-terrier. Struggling to stay rational (she constantly tells herself that those suffering from mental disorders have a purpose, too), Bo plunges into the fray, exposing the murderer, saving Bird, and uncovering a scheme that strikes at the soul of her illness. In "Moonbird Boy," Padgett's pacing is as sharp as a cholla cactus, and if her writing's a bit quirky, it serves to heighten Bo's tussle with her "real world" perceptions. Hardcover purchase recommended. Grade: A-. Also by Padgett: "Child of Silence" (1993), "Strawgirl" (1994), and "Turtle Baby" (1995). ------------------------------------------------------------------ Steve Brock Copyright c1996 Book Reviews on the Internet 2323 Mapleton Reviews are Boulder, CO 80304 available for (303) 786-7375 syndication brock@ucsub.colorado.edu http://ucsub.colorado.edu/~brock E-mail for Member: National Book Critic's Circle more info. ------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- "RE: New on NativeWeb" --------- Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 11:46:19 -0700 (PDT) From: David Cole Subj: new material Mailing List: NativeWeb Several new sections and links have been added to the NativeWeb front page. We've finally created a page for "Tracing Your Roots", a topic that generates 2/3 of our email requests. If anyone has additional material to add, please let me know. Karen Strom has spent considerable time with a new site (A Line in the Sand) dealing with issues of cultural property and the many copyright, trademark, and spiritual internet violations visible on WWW pages. As expected, we've already received amazing flame-mail from flagrant ripoff sites. We've added a front page link to Personal Home Pages, which are growing rapidly. Many Nations have limited-to-none electronic resources, and individuals are taking responsibility for putting up tribe sites. We are also preparing to offer space to any group or nation who needs web space, but has no resources. ----------------------------------------------------------------- David Cole Maxwell School, Syracuse University 131 Eggers Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13224 (315) 443-4279 (office) (315) 443-5451 (fax) General Webmaster for NativeWeb: http://web.maxwell.syr.edu/nativeweb General webmaster for the Maxwell School: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu --------- "RE: Poem: Wannabe" --------- Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 00:48:07 -0400 From: brnsugah2@aol.com Subj: Wannabe Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Wannabe yes i wannabe the first to have ever thought of one G-d i wannabe the griot who learned and taught the oral history i wannabe the first to have written down the Word i wannabe be the first to have understood the meaning of the sky's i wannabe the first to have understood numbers i wannabe Isis, Eve , Elizabeth, Mary, Medicine Woman, Shaman i wannabe Akhenaton, Muhammad, Buddha, Jesus, Mahatma Ghandi, i wannabe Sacajawea, Black Elk, Rosa Parks, Clara Barton i wannabe Cherokee, Sikh, African American, French , Irish i wannabe the embodiment of the best of these things i wannabe me copyright 1995 Xennia Gittoes-Singh aka Running Waters --------- "RE: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days" --------- Date: 96/07/30 23:41 From: Debra F. Sanders (dfsanders@genie.geis.com) Subj: Verse: Hawai'ian Book of Days genie email A HAWAIIAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of August 11-17 AUKAKE (August) (Mahoe-mua) 11 Never be afraid to experience life. 12 The song of the ocean is captured forever in the tiniest shell. 13 Wherever I journey, this place of wonder walks by my side. 14 The fullness of each day is made up of both light, malamalama, and shadow, ke aka. 15 Tiny lights bob in the darkness as paper boats carry them out to sea on the evening tide -- we are one with our past. 16 The gecko sings inside my home, blessing it. 17 The bird of paradise flower erupts with bright color amidst the green coolness of the ferns. (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, 8 August 96 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (Evening Star) (jans@genie.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows not previously posted to Mailing Lists NATCHAT or NATIVE-L genie email Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 09:41:03 -0500 From: John Berry Subj: OSU Workshop - Multicultural UUCP email MULTICULTURAL WORKSHOP Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 1996 Willard - Lecture Hall, 010 Willard Hall Morning Session 9am - Noon Afternoon Session starts 1pm - Topics will include leadership recruitment and retention of minority students and faculty. The afternoon session will address the contemporary Native American experience in Public Schools, and successful teaching strategies for this population. Lecturer's: Dr. Grayson Noley (Choctaw) Dept. Chair, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at U. of Oklahoma Dr. Gilbert John (Navajo) Assist. Professor, Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at at Oklahoma State U. Bennett Arkeketa (Ponca, Tribal Vice-Chairman) Technical programmer, Oklahoma State U. Native American and Biological Science program (NABS). Dr. Noley will conduct the morning session from 9am - Noon. Dr. Gilbert and Mr. Arkeketa will conduct the afternoon session starting at 1pm. All Faculty, staff, students, and the public are invited. For more information call Dr. Kay Wood (Osage), workshop co-ordinator at (405)744-6252. -------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 12:15:14 -0400 From: mnation@axess.com Subj: Indian Economic Futures UUCP email AMERICAN INDIAN PROGRAM CORNELL UNIVERSITY INDIAN ECONOMIC FUTURES GOVERNANCE AND STATE TAXATION AUGUST 30-31, 1996 KENNEDY AUDITORIUM CORNELL UNIVERSITY This seminar will explore questions related to the economic futures of Native communities in light of recent growth history of tribal and private business on reservations, and the efforts by states to tax them: - What is the context of finance among contemporary Native peoples? - What is the history of state-tribal relations relative to jurisdiction and economic sovereignty? - What is the context of conflictive leadership in Native communities? Is the problem insurmountable? - What potential avenues exist for long-term Native community strategic planning around economics and enterprise? SPEAKERS Rebecca Adamson Cherokee, President, First Nations Development Institute Curtis Berkey Attorney, Justice Department John Mohawk Seneca, Historical, SUNY Buffalo Bob Rich and Natalie Hemlock Search Managers, Horizons, Inc., Ithaca, NY And Others to be confirmed AGENDA Keynote Speaker: Friday, August 30, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Seminar Sessions: Saturday, August 1, 9:00-5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS Cost: $25.00 pre-registration/$30.00 at the door Students may apply for a limited number of registration waivers Lodging: Participants will arrange own lodging and meals FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: American Indian Program/Akwe:kon Press Cornell University, 300 Caldwell Hall Ithaca, New York 14853 607/255-6587 fax.255-6246 --------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 15:47:32 -0400 From: jcpaul@cris.com (JC) Subj: Weekend with William Commanda UUCP email For Gary Night Owl... Hello! I received the following from Bebird@aol.com and was asked to distribute this to anyone who might be interested. If either of these events is something you think appropriate for the "Wotanging Ikche Newsletter" or elsewhere, feel free to use.... Many blessings to you............., Judith Paulson ++++ The WITTENBERG CENTER presents a very special event August 17 and 18, 1996 A Weekend with William Commanda, Algonquin Traditional Elder KEEPER OF THE WAMPUM BELTS Saturday, August 17, 8 p.m. -- The Way of Healing: With One Mind, One Heart Sunday, August 18, 1 p.m. -- The Seven Fires Prophecies William Commanda is a traditional chief, elder, and wisdomkeeper of the Anishinabe (Algonquin) Nation of Canada. He is the holder of the ancient wampum prophecy belts and was the leader of the Algonquin delegation to deliver the prophecies of his people at The Cry of the Earth: The Prophecies of Turtle Island at the United Nations. Chief Commanda was also the spiritual leader of the Sunbow Walk across North America and has been a major force behind The Mending The Sacred Hoop Vigil in Washington, D.C., for the past three years. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sit with this unique elder who teaches us from his wisdom about both the ancient traditions, and ways in which we can walk with grace and true power in these change times. He is a true Wisdomkeeper and far seer, and it is our great joy to have him return to these mountains and have him share his knowledge and wisdom with you. Space is limited, advanced registration is strongly requested as we need to insure coverage of Grandfather Commanda's travel expenses from Northern Canada. The suggested donation for Saturday evening is $20 for members and for prepayment by July 5, $25 after. The Sunday teachings are by reservation only, donation is $40 for members and prepayment by July 5, $50 after. All proceeds go towards Grandfather Commanda's travel expenses and to the Earth Reunion Project. Limited work/study is available. For reservations and information call 914-679-9764. ++++ The SPIRAL FEATHER DANCE for the NEW GALACTIC DREAMERS with Beautiful Painted Arrow OCTOBER 12 & 13, 1996 In the fall, as we move into the time of night, the time of redreaming to reawaken our potential as galactic beings to review our place in the larger dance from a new perspective. The Spiral Feather Dance will take place at the sacred time of the Solar Eclipse on the New Moon, the time of the new year of the ancient traditions. The purpose of this dance is to realign our DNA structure in a new way so that we can move into a new octave for a new time. Beautiful Painted Arrow will lead us in discovering the sacred purposes of the dancer as we create new potential possibilities for ourselves and our environment. The Spiral Feather Dance will take place on Saturday from noon to midnight bringing our energy for manifestation into our inner seeing. Water/juice will be allowed to help move out old energies residing in our bodies, flush the toxins, but there is no food and no talking except in the context of the process for the entire event to prevent participants from structuring the experience in old patterns/mind sets. Participants should bring sleeping bags as they will be sleeping in the pavilion overnight, gathering in the chamber at dawn to chant, bringing in a new day, a new time, and a new way of being! This event is a call to those who are ready to empower themselves in a new way to become dancers of light in an often darkened world. The event will end with a potluck brunch and all participants are expected to bring prepared food and drink to share for this event. The cost of this event is $175 with a 10% discount for those who prepay by September 15. Preregistration is required. This course is required for all seminary students. On Friday evening, October 11 at 8 p.m., Beautiful Painted Arrow will be leading a program on chanting and working with the healing power of sound in the Crystal Peace Chamber. This evening is open to those who will not be participating in the dance. The suggested donation for the evening session is $20. ++++ The WITTENBERG CENTER for ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES 188 Wittenberg Road Bearsville, New York 12409 914-679-9764 Email: wicar@aol.com Website: http://www.ratical.com/Wittenberg/ The WITTENBERG CENTER for ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES, Inc. is a publicly supported, not for profit organization dedicated to facilitating a bridging of ancient wisdom with contemporary life. The Wittenberg Center is accredited as a nongovernmental organization with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The Center also creates forums for the dissemination of information about indigenous cultures, the environment, and personal and planetary transformation. LOCATION: The Wittenberg Center Is located in the Catskill Mountains just outside of Woodstock, NY. We are two hours north of New York City, 1 hour south of Albany, and less than 1 hour from the Berkshire Mountains. BY CAR FROM NYC AND SOUTH: Take 1-87 (Thruway) North to Exit 19 (Kingston). At the traffic circle bear west onto Rt 28 (Pine Hill). Turn right at traffic light onto Rt 375 (sign says Woodstock). At end of Rt 375, turn left onto Rt 212, go through the Town of Woodstock, continue west to Bearsville (sign for Bearsville Theater & Cafe). At fork, bear left onto Wittenberg Road. Go 2 miles, past fire house on left. You will see red mill buildings and a yellow Victorian house. Enter there. If you go 3 houses too far, you will come to a T in the road and a general store. Turn and come back. FROM ALBANY AND NORTH: Take 1-87 South to Exit 20 (Saugerties). Turn left on Rt 32, go to the intersection with Rt 212. Turn right and go about 10 miles to the Town of Woodstock. Continue west and follow directions above. BY BUS: Transportation is available through Adirondack Trailways. Call 212-947-5300 for a schedule. TRANSPORTATION FROM WOODSTOCK: If you are staying in town and need a ride, call us in advance for carpool information. Taxi service from town may be arranged. The cost is approximately $5. ++++ May your road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rain fall soft upon all that you plant And until we meet again, May your God cradle you in the palm of his hand... ------------------------------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 18:57:39 -0400 From: Corbin&DeBlasio Subj: Traditional Pow Wow Newsgroup: alt.native POW WOW ANNOUNCED Red Hawk American Indian Cultural Society Traditional Pow Wow Willow Ranch (S. Hubbard Road, Coitsville, OH) August 10 & 11, 1996 Opens 10 am to dark; Grand entry at noon Adults $3.00; children under 10 $2.00 For more information contact: Tony Harding 35 Vermont Avenue Youngstown OH 44512-1122 330-782-8982 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- 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: David Bowden via The North American Spirit Lodge Council, Ann Stewart, Luther Medicine Bird White Eagle via Tall Eagle, Cynthia M. Dagnal-Myron, Olin Tezcatlipoca via Glenn Welker, Native Forest Network-ENA, Steve Brock, Janet Smith, Duane Champagne via Roselle Kipp, Running Waters, Ishgooda, Debra Sanders, Lynne Moss-Sharman, Alice I. McCombs, Richard Clark Eckert, David Cole, Bernard J. Rock, Sr., Dave Burlingame, David Yarrow -//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Part B of this newsletter has already been distributed via the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing lists. --------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - online" --------- Date: Thu, 1 August 96 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (Evening Star) (jans@genie.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows already posted to Mailing Lists NATCHAT or NATIVE-L genie email Date: Mon, 5 Aug 1996 10:33:50 -0500 From: shawnee@inlink.com (victoria & spirithawk) Subj: Missouri Traditional Pow-Wow (6-8 September, Moberly) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) 7th Annual Moberly, Missouri, Native American Pow-Wow September 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1996 at Rothwell Park, Moberly, Missouri (34 miles N. of Columbia). Traditional Pow-Wow, Gourd & Inter-Tribal Dancing Host Drum : Wakiyan Jilowan/Whispering Thunder, Head Singer-Bill Branson, Kansas City, MO. Gourd Dance Drum: Eagle Heart, Head Singer-John Bechtold, Kansas City, MO. Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Bill Dean (Ojibwa), Odessa, MO. Head Veteran Dancer: Mshkolahnee-Manito (Shawnee), St. Louis, MO. Head Gourd Dancer: Bob Blue (Choctaw), Kansas City, MO. Head Man & Woman Dancers: To be chosen each day. 1995-96 Pow-Wow Princess: Brittany Phelps (Cherokee), O'Fallon, MO. ALL DRUMS WELCOME!!!! Drum Contest with $3000 in prize money. Traders - Artwork - Craftwork - Native Food NO DRUGS - NO ALCOHOL - NO FIREARMS PERMITTED!!!! Camping is available and local hotel/motel lodging can be found. For further information: Harold Carlson, (816) 263-3009 Attention: This is one of the Best Dancer's Pow-Wows in the Area, Don't Miss This One! ------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 4 Aug 1996 17:46:41 -0700 From: amccombs@igc.apc.org (Alice McCombs) Subj: People Power Skills Training Weekend Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) People Power: A Skills Training Weekend to Stop Sulfide Mining Wolf Watershed Educational Project Presents PEOPLE POWER: A SKILLS TRAINING WEEKEND TO STOP SULFIDE MINING IN WISCONSIN Keshena, Menominee Nation September 13-15, 1996 On May 4, 1996, 1000 people gathered in Rhinelander to protest Exxon's proposed Crandon mine near the Wolf River, and its proposed waste pipeline to the Wisconsin River. The rally and march topped a two-week speaking tour that drew over 1000 people in 22 towns in counties along both rivers The Wolf Watershed Educational Project was initiated last year to bring the issue of sulfide mining to the public along both threatened waterways. It is part of a larger alliance of Native American Nations, environmental groups, and sport fishing groups that oppose the creation of a mining district in Wisconsin was a resounding success. The immediate aim of the alliance is to organize local and statewide opposition to Exxon. We cannot rely on our state or federal governments to safeguard our interests against the world's second-largest corporation. United and uncompromising grassroots opposition is what has scared off mining giants before -- both in Wisconsin and elsewhere. The Skill s Training Weekend is a follow-up to the speaking tour / rally. Its purpose is to bring new people into the movement to oppose sulfide mining in Wisconsin and train them in brass-tacks skills to educate and organize their own communities. The trainers are experienced grassroots Wisconsin organizers. However, although the conference is organized to address concerns in Wisconsin, the skills learned will work for people resisting sulfide mining in other parts of the world. People from around the world are welcome and invited to attend the Skills Training Weekend. Plenaries & Workshops Planned: Organizing and Networking Public Speaking/Writing Cultural Respect Media Skills Computer Skills Understanding the Political Process Technical Aspects of Mining Note: There is no charge for the Skills Training Weekend. Logistics The Weekend will be held at the College of the Menominee Nation on Highway 47/55 in Keshena, eight miles north or Shawano. It will be at 7-9pm on Friday, 9am-5pm on Saturday and 9am-12 noon Sunday. Continental Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, lunch and a traditional Menominee dinner on Saturday are free, but donations are welcome from those who can afford it. A skills training packet will be available. Accommodations Campi:g: There will be group camping (with restrooms and showers) at the powwow grounds. In Keshena, turn off Hwy. 55/47 at the army tank, go straight up the hill. Motels: Rooms in area motels are availableT The Menominee Casino Hotel is holding a block of rooms for the Skills Training Weekend until 8/30. PLAN TO MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY! Numbers for area motels and campgrounds follow. Numbers all 715 area code; all in Shawano unless indicated. Call 715-799-5620 for more information Menominee Casino Hotel (Keehena) 799-3600 BB Campground (Hwy. 55 nr. Keshena) 799-3451 Brady's Pine Grove Campground 787-4555 Shawano County Park Campground 524-4986 Best Western 526-9595 Country Inn 526-9595 Pine Acre Motel 526-6665 River View Motel 524-4493 Siesta Villa 524-2108 Super 8 526-6688 Wisconsin House Inn 524-4488 Americinn Motel 524-5111 REGISTRATION FORM: __I will be attending the Skills Training Weekend. I will be eating: __Sat. Breakfa;t; __Sat. Lunch; __Sat. Dinner; __Sun. Breakfast __I cannot attend, but want to support the Wolf Watershed Educational Project. My tax-deductible contribution of $______ is enclosed. (make check payable to MTN/PC Foundation) Name:______________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________ City:_______________________State:____Zip:_____________________ Phone:_________________________Group(if any)_________________ If you plan to participate, please send the previous information to: Wolf Watershed Educational Project 731 State St. Madison, WI 53703 fax:(608) 246-2256 IMPORTANT! RSVP BY SEPT. 1 For more information contact Menominee Nation Treaty Rights & Mining Impacts Ph: 715-799-5620 / FX: 715-799-4525 nomining@wi.frontiercomm.net ------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 17:53:00 -0400 From: mellyb@gator.net (Melanie Burroughs) Subj: Cherokee of Georgia Pow-Wow (St. George, 3-5 October) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) 14th Annual Fall Pow-Wow October 3,4,5, 1996 St. George, GA St. George is located 17 miles north of Macclenny, Florida on Route 121 and 27 miles south of Folkston, Georgia on Route 121. The Pow-Wow grounds are located off Hwy 94 - just past the 11 mile marker west of St. George, GA. Head Staff: Drum: Redland, Jr. (Ponca City, OK) M.C.: Fred Glennon Head Lady: Marle Exum Head Man: Mike LaPlante Arena Dir: Ron Ahboah Traders set-up free with a $25.00 craft donation. PLEASE, Native American related items only! Bring your own tables & registration required. **No Food Traders Allowed** Thursday - school children 9am to 3 pm Traders & dancers welcome Primitive Camping (limited hookups) Spectators should bring their own chairs Dogs must be on a leash Major raffle Saturday night Smaller raffles all 3 days Food Booth: Indian chili Fry bread other refreshments available NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL Princess contest will be held Saturday during the afternoon dance contest. Princess to be crowned Saturday evening after the Grand Entry. All contestants must be dressed out for all dances. For more information call: Jerry Martin (904) 275-2953 P.O. Box 337 St. George, GA 31646 Sponsored by the Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council, Inc. A Descent Community ------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 18:04:42 -0400 From: mellyb@gator.net (Melanie Burroughs) Subj: Fall Pow-Wow at Sanders Farm, Old Town, Florida (25-27 Oct) Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) 1st Annual Fall Pow-Wow at Sanders Farm Old Town, Florida October 25,26, & 27, 1996 SOUTHERN DRUM: NORTHERN DRUM: Host Drum: Tribal Futures Drum & Singers Invited drum: Wapiti & Head Singer: Tom Tontigh, Kiowa-Apache Head Man Dancer: Jason Exum, Creek Head Lady Dancer: Marie Exum, Lakota Guest Flutist: Gary "Corn-Smoke" LaCorte Story Teller: Boo-Boo Ann Jumping Eagle, Lakota NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS, TRADITIONAL GAMES, INTER-TRIBAL DANCING, STORY TELLING, AUCTION & RAFFLES, TRADERS AND FOOD VENDORS PUBLIC WELCOME!!! Friday, Oct. 25 - 7:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony & Grand Entry Saturday, Oct. 26 - 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. - Grand Entry Saturday, Oct. 26 - Dedication of Grounds ++Saturday, Oct. 26 - 10:00 p.m. - DRAWING FOR 14' TIPI** Sunday, Oct. 27 - 11:00 a.m. - Closing Ceremony ++14' Tipi includes cover, liner, door and poles. You do not have to be present to win. Sponsored by: Vision of Tribal Futures Committee members: Jim Adkins Yvonne (Pony) Sealey Pat Caughlin Fred Ring Richard Ring Roy & Frances Sanders Shawn & Lisa Stephens Tom & Sherry Tointigh EARLY SET UP WELCOME PRIMITIVE CAMPSITES COLD SHOWERS PORTABLE TOILETS NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS PERMITTED DOGS ON LEASH OVER 20 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL PRIMITIVE CAMPING FOR MORE INFORMATION & TRADER REGISTRATION, CALL: (352) 542-9025 --------- "RE: Native Youth Suicide Report" --------- Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 04:34:00 PDT From: lsharman@microage-tb.com (Lynne Moss-Sharman) Subj: Fw: Native Youth Suicide Report CBC-CBQ radio interview Deputy Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) [Editorial Note: Thanks to Lynne for obtaining permission from CBC-CBQ to post this interview and for the transcript. -- Please also read the poem which follows this article.] Following is a transcript from a radio interview with Deputy Grand Chief, James Morris, Nishnawbe-Aski Nations who is in Moose Factory, near James Bay during the release of the report. Interviewer Cathy Alex, CBC-CBQ radio. July 24, 1996 8.20am CATHY ALEX: I will be speaking with Deputy Grand Chief, James Morris, during a Chiefs Meeting in Moose Factory. During the past ten years, there have been almost 130 suicides in the 49 communities under NAN's umbrella. Over 100 of the people who killed themselves were under 25 years old, and six of the seven suicides so far this year involved young people. Deputy Grand Chief, Jim Morris, is in Moose Factory this morning. What is the main message from this report? DEPUTY GRAND CHIEF, JAMES MORRIS: I think the main message that came from the young people is that there's been enough talk about why the youth suicide crisis is happening in our area and they want action now. That seems to be the predominant message that comes through loud and clear. CATHY ALEX: What kind of action do the young people want? JAMES MORRIS: At the top there is a list of things that need to be done right away at the community level to stop the cycle of sexual abuse, incest, physical abuse, family violence and addictions that are happening at the community level. I guess they are challenging the leadership to deal with, some reluctance, with just these issues and they are saying that the silencing of these issues in the community has to stop. CATHY ALEX: Where do you begin to even solve those issues? JAMES MORRIS: Well obviously that has to happen at the community level. I think if you look at the overall report, it is essentially divided into two streams of recommendations. One is called "Community Healing" and that's the part that deals with the issues I just mentioned. But that has to happen at the community level -- with the people and the community themselves -- they will have to say "we are going to do it ourselves". Outsiders, like myself, cannot go into a community and say "you must do this or that". And the good thing about it though, is that these recommendations have come from the young people who live in these communities. This is young people talking to their parents, to their Elders. The second stream of recommendations deal with the larger issues, the infrastructures that we are dealing with. Recreation facilities, healing centres, and all that. Where do we start? The Chiefs have already passed a resolution endorsing the formation of a Chiefs Task Force who will be charged with a specific mandate -- making sure that these recommendations are implemented at the community level. I guess that's the reason why it is significant. It puts these issues at the forefront. It will make these youth issues a priority by having Chiefs address them themselves, rather than technicians or outsiders like myself. CATHY ALEX: How willing do you think Chiefs and Elders are to acknowledge there is a problem, and take steps themselves to try to change things? JAMES MORRIS: Well, I think this is the first time -- and the significance of this report is that they are being acknowledged. I think that Janie Burke(sp.) one of the youth listeners said it best when she said "she is very happy that this report has been published, because this is the very first time that there has been anything like this in print of youth issues, with young peoples voices", and I think that by having had the Youth Forum in the first place, and then printing their recommendations in this format and setting up a process, it is really significant. There will continue to be people, a lot of us, who will continue to ignore these things. But I think now we have a sufficient number of leaders and Elders who are willing to deal with them. I think it is significant that yesterday, after the report was presented, the Elders presented a statement after having reviewed the recommendations, supporting the recommendation and encouraging the Chiefs to adopt, support and implement the recommendations. And I think it is also significant that the report was approved and adopted by the Chiefs without too much ... there was hardly any ... no opposition of any type. Everybody was fully in support and the report was adopted. But there will be people at the community level who will either ignore or try to sidestep the issues. We have to view the Youth Forum Report as a step forward, and there will always be detractors along the way. CATHY ALEX: You mentioned other things that came out in the report. Things such as a request for more recreation facilities, better housing for communities. All of that will cost money and much of that money will come from the government. Is there any sign that the government is willing to move on these issues as well? JAMES MORRIS: Well the first indication that we have seen, although there has not been a formal announcement or statement ... but both governments have indicated a willingness to consider the establishment of the Chiefs Task Force and also a support group that we call the Strategic Action Group. And that to us indicates a willingness for the government to look at this report more closely. In terms of the money situation, I think the young people in our communities realize that the only way they will be able to realize their vision or their dreams, is if they move ahead with them. I think that's another thing that separates us old people from the young people. Right away we start thinking about all the reasons why we can't do something. We are always stuck in the past. We are so used to being told, "No, you can't do this, you can't have that." But the young people are saying, "this is what needs to be done" and they are going to go ahead and do it. If money is a barrier along the way, then that's something they are going to have to deal with. CATHY ALEX: How do you think, then, these young people can begin to educate the communities about the problems that exist, and get them to open up and have discussions about things like alcoholism, sexual abuse, incest. How do you think these young people are going to get communities to talk? JAMES MORRIS: I think the very existence of the Youth Forum was a big step. In many ways the Youth Forum was an awareness raising exercise, and I think that it has done a great job of doing that. It has raised the awareness of the suicide crisis and the importance of youth issues in our area to a level that has never been there before. The presentation of their report, and the support of the leadership, is a way of educating not only the leadership, but the people in our area. In terms of raising awareness among people, the young people are already starting to do that. There is so much raising of awareness, but I think it is challenging the leadership and the Elders to do something about it that is important ... and they are doing that now. For example in the same community where we are at now, the Moose Cree First Nation, there is one of the Youth Commissioners, Stan _______ has organized the Youth Conference, and it is taking place right now. There are 70 youth delegates from all over the NAN area who are doing exactly the same things that you just mentioned and there was also a Youth Rally in Fort Hope several weeks ago. There are all kinds of things happening in our communities, and they are being spearheaded by the young people, and I think that's the kind of stuff that you are going to see happening from now on. There's a way for the young people to try and bridge the gap that exists between them and the Elders, and they are challenging the Elders to take part in these activities. CATHY ALEX: Deputy Grand Chief, Jim Morris, thank you for joining us this morning. --------------------END OF TRANSCRIPT------------------------ transcribed and submitted by Lynne-Moss Sharman, The Stone Angels, Thunder Bay, Ontario lsharman@microage-tb.com --------- "RE: Poem: Little Princess Underfoot" --------- Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 12:46:50 -0400 From: ishgooda@tdi.net (Ishgooda) Subj: regarding Native Youth Suicides report Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) [Editorial Note: My prayer is the pain in this poem will bring healing to the People. Nicolette, thank you for granting permission to open these sores for all.] To all of you who are part of my pain, my hope, my happiness. I just read a statement from Deputy Grand Chief James Morris, Nishnawbe-Aski Nations, regarding Native Youth Suicides report. He mandates that the cycle of sexual abuse, incest, physical abuse, family violence and addictions be stopped at the community level. This is a song about my community when I was 13. It is still being sung by our people. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Little Princess Underfoot went to the tavern to see her dad. Old Chief Fill-Em-Up pointed her to some dirty laundry by the cigarette stand She walked to her father and touched his hand Smiled at him and then she said: Oh see me quick, I'm fading away Oh hear me before there's nothing to say But good-bye Out of the fog he heard her voice, felt her touch, saw her face. He tried to speak, the words wouldn't come so he folded away to a safer place He looked back up but she was gone. Then out of the depths he felt his song: Oh see me quick, I'm fading away Oh hear me before there's nothing to say But good-bye Little Princess Underfoot walked over the cracks and dirt and soot toward home Momma sat by the kitchen door, hands in her lap, she stared at the floor. Love and joy were all she dreamed. Broken dreams were all she'd seen. Oh see me quick, I'm fading away Oh hear me before there's nothing to say But good-bye Momma watched her child leave. Too late she said "Come back home" All her tears were locked up tight and put away where they wouldn't show. How can you stand up and fight When you've failed all your life? Oh see me quick, I'm fading away Oh hear me before there's nothing to say But good-bye Nothing is a heavy weight when nothing is what fills up your days. Nothing comes to make you smile or keep you warn and nothing always stays. Someone please help me find My own special place to hide. Oh see me quick, I'm fading away Oh hear me before there's nothing to say But good-bye --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can re-write this song today because somebody read it so many years ago. Somebody read it and understood. The nothingness was no longer so overwhelming that I could not bear it. The nothingness that fills people must be filled. IT MUST BE FILLED, or there is no reason to continue. Anger, violence, noise, rage, chemicals are desperate and immediate ways to fill that nothingness. Ignoring abuse or condemning the abusers does not get rid of either. Anger is not an enemy. There are plenty of reasons our community should be angry. Rage is not an enemy. There are plenty of reasons our community should be enraged. Isolation and shame, not anger and rage, turn us into abusers. We don't need more stuff and toys doled out to us to keep us content and occupied. We need our community. We need to talk about our anger and rage as a community. Each of us have already known isolation, shame, abuse and suicide. These shared anguishes can be used to bring us back together. We can talk about these things as brothers and sisters, Aunts and Uncles, Grandparent and Grandchild. We can talk about these things as community. Nicolette <<<<=-=-=-=-=-{{{{}}}}-=-=-=-=-=>>>> Email ishgooda@tdi.net for inclusion in the Huron-Wendat newsletter and to register for updates on the proposed gathering in 1997! Put "Huron" as your subject in the e-mail. --------- "RE: Need EIS on White Pine Mine" --------- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 17:06:52 -0500 From: nomining@wi.frontiercomm.net (Alice I. McCombs) Subj: ACTION ALERT! Need EIS on White Pine Mine Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) +++ PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY +++ ACTION ALERT! Need Environmental Impact Statement on White Pine Mine Please flood EPA with Requests for an EIS FOR RELEASE: July 31, 1996 Walt Bresette: 715/779-5071 ACID TRAIN UPDATE: WISCONSIN CENTRAL DERAILS IN CITY OF ASHLAND At 2 p.m. yesterday a Wisconsin Central train carrying two box engines and two box cars of wood derailed in the city of Ashland. Media was on the scene last night as were some of the people protesting Wisconsin Central's transport of sulfuric acid across the Bad River Chippewa Reservation. A repair crew was trying to get the remaining engine back on the track; the other engine and two cars of wood remained on the track and was moved from the scene. The derailment was caused when one rail snapped in two about 18 inches from where the rails are attached to each other. One Wisconsin Central official was quoted as saying: "I don't know why people are so concerned with this minor incident. It happens all the time." STATE LEAVES TRACKS - FEDERAL MEDIATOR BEING SENT It is reported that Governor Thompson has requested that a federal mediator now take over the situation at Bad River. None of the Ashland County police have been seen at the site since a tense confrontation Monday night. The camp remains peaceful with more people arriving. PEACEFUL PROTEST AND CEREMONIES CONTINUE Contrary to reports of an "armed standoff," the gathering, which is now entering its ninth day, remains a peaceful, spiritual protest of the transport of hazardous materials across unsafe tracks to an illegal mine. All people of good will are invited to join at the tracks to do protest in their community in solidarity with the Bad River track blockade. IT CAN ALL END WITH ONE STATEMENT BY EPA Everyone currently involved in this situation are just doing their jobs: the rail folks have a contract with White Pine mine to deliver acid; the Ashland County police have a job to uphold the law; the Anishinabe Ogitchida have a duty to protect the community. The only people who are not doing their job is EPA - they have not held one federal hearing on this project. WE URGE ALL PEOPLE TO CALL EPA BOSS CAROL BROWNER AND DEMAND THAT AN EIS BE DONE FOR THE WHITE PINE MINE. If that happens everyone wins. If the mine is as safe as they say then an EIS would prove it. If EPA calls for an EIS then the rail company can get out of their liability for the acid transport, giving them time to repair the tracks. And, without the acid moving and scrutiny of the mine, the people on the tracks can go home. What you can do: Write, phone, or email a message to EPA official Carol Browner Her address and a sample letter follows. Carol Browner, EPA Administrator United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460 Ph: 202-260-4700 / FX: 202-260-0279 Email: browner.carol@epamail.epa.gov Dear Ms. Browner: I am concerned about the White Pine Mine being approved by EPA Region V in Chicago apparently without adequate investigation being conducted for Traditional Cultural Properties as mandated under Public Law 102-575, The National Historic Preservation Act. The secondary effects of this project include the shipment of 11 BILLION gallons of sulfuric acid across the state of Wisconsin. This could place countless Traditional Cultural Properties in jeopardy. Under PUBLIC LAW 102-575-Oct. 30, 1992 106 STAT. 4753 Title XL-NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AMENDMENTS SEC.4019. DEFINITIONS (a) AMENDMENT AND ADDITION OF DEFINITIONS.-Section 301 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w) is amended as follows: (7) [Federal] "Undertaking" means a project, activity, or program funded in whole or in part under the direct or indirect jurisdiction of a Federal agency, including: "(A) those carried out by or on behalf of the agency; "(B) those carried out with Federal financial assistance; "(C) those requiring a Federal permit license, or approval; and "(D) those subject to State or local regulation administered pursuant to a delegation or approval by a Federal agency." Therefore, I ask that an Environmental Impact Statement be performed for the White Pine Copper mine and their transport of sulfuric acid which includes a full investigation for Traditional Cultural Properties as mandated by Public Law 102-575, Section 106. An Urgent Call continues for witnesses with cameras to come to the site. For directions to the site call: 715-274-6354. Donations of food and water are and can be sent in care of: Walt Bresette Lake Superior Alliance Route 1, Box 117 Bayfield, WI 54814 Ph: 715-779-5071 / FX: 715-779-3465 Email: bresette@win.bright.net For more information visit: http://www.menominee.com/a-one/mccombs/nmw.html +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* __________________________________________________________________ The only way to mine metallic sulfides safely in Wisconsin Is not to mine at all. For facts -- with references cited -- about the proposed Exxon/Crandon mine, visit our web page: http://www.menominee.com/a-one/mccombs/home.htm Menominee Nation Treaty Rights & Mining Impacts Office P.O. Box 910 Keshena, WI 54135 Ph: 715-799-5620 FX: 715-799-4525 Email: nomining@keshena.wi.frontiercomm.net --------- "RE: New Age or Old Prophecy" --------- Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 15:44:34 -0400 From: rceckert@umich.edu (Richard Clark Eckert) Subj: New age or old prophecy Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) > > Past Indian policies are in the past and they are remembered pain. > Maybe I am missing something here, but there are some fundamental problems with any posture that claims that the objective policies of the past are now limited to subjective memories in the present, painful or not. First, the Indian policies of the past are not over. The idea that tribes are domestic sovereignties has not been revised. The plenary powers doctrine has not been repudiated. The land taken has not been returned etc etc etc. Second, the policy of killing the Indian to save the man is very loud when the Governor of WI defends those carrying signs which say, "Save a deer--kill an Indian." Third, the legal scholar Felix Cohen indicated that the assimilative policies found in US law have a cyclical pattern of repeating themselves every 30 to 40 years. Fourth, the census data from 1990 surely indicates that the Native American suffers from current policies. Fifth, the overriding policy past or present is a policy of cultural hegemonic gain. Isn't it bit odd that both Marxists and Capitalists agree on the idea (but for different reasons) that the Native must be assimilated? Sorry to burst the bubbles but the policies of greed and theft have not changed one damn bit! Richard --------- "RE: New Age or Old Prophecy" --------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 23:41:01 -0700 From: davidb@spl.lib.wa.us (dAVe burlingame) Subj: New age or old prophecy Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) rceckert@umich.edu (Richard Clark Eckert) writes: > > Sorry to burst the bubbles but the policies of greed and theft have not > changed one damn bit! This is very true. Not only has the *ideal* behind the policies not changed (even though the policies have; they do every time we figure how to end-run around them), the policies and patterns of racism have been so seamlessly integrated into our society as to be invisible to all save those who are being subtly [sp] persecuted--witness both the Pocahontas and Indian in the Cupboard threads of the past year. Witness also the appropriation--of dreamcatchers, bundles, and bags, as well as those things that cannot be mentioned here--by the ignorant, short-sighted, selfish newagers and their terrible ilk. Witness also the historical practices of the foreign U.S. government, which are still being followed, which pit one Tribe against another in the hopes that they will destroy each other, leaving the bounty for a dishonorable third party to claim for themselves. [I am becoming more and more involved in such a dispute, as we move toward "FedRec," and U.S. "approved" groups align against us...] At the same time, one cannot reasonably expect both true compassion (or empathy, or whatever) and equality without having to give SOMETHING up. Other people just don't understand that they have no business asking certain things, and will continue to ask until punched in the face (figuratively, of course, but there are times...). The more we try to keep people out, regardless of the fact that we are merely trying to preserve our culture and heritage (and STILL being killed for it), the more they will assume they have a right to be let in. How many times will we all have to endure the following: "I walked right up to the Elder and introduced myself and thrust out my hand; not only did he not shake it, he didn't tell me any legends! Why?" ...and other things like it? It's a very fine line that we are being asked to walk, the one between letting everyone into the longhouse versus trying to keep everyone out. Neither of those answers are correct, I fear, although the adoption of either of those attitudes is all too easy. The hard thing is LISTENING, to the wind, the water, the land, and thereby knowing who should come in, and who needs to wait outside a while longer. Personally, when someone I don't know comes up to me and says "You are my brother!" I walk away. I thought that if someone truly was my brother, it would not have to be said; it is something that becomes known, over time when hearts and purposes are revealed, or possibly right away, when you can feel and almost touch someone's spirit, they are so strong. Either way, if it must be spoken of right away, it must not be true. This is all I have to say for now. These are my words All My Relations dAVe Cowlitz Indian Tribe Cowlitz Indian Peoples Coalition Unconquered. --------- "RE: Leech Lake Chairman Defies Council" --------- Date: Thu, 1 Aug 1996 13:20:17 -0500 From: eaglerok@northernnet.com (feather eaglerock) Subj: Leech Lake Chairman Defies Council Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) NEWS RELEASE FROM NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS OUTREACH AND RESOURCE CENTER: LEECH LAKE CHAIRMAN DEFIES LATEST ATTEMPT BY COUNCIL TO UNDERMINE THE POSITION OF CHAIRMAN "I do this out of respect for tribal government and out of respect for the people. The standoff I'm at with the council will probably continue and I just want to reiterate that I don't recognize the authority of the court," Further stating that the the Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Court has been a mere election appeals panel until now and lacks the jurisdiction to become involved in the fight between him and the rest of the Leech Lake Tribal Council, Chairman Eli Hunt tore up the restraining order sought by other council members. On Wednesday, July 31, Chairman Hunt suspended Secretary-Treasurer Daniel Brown. without pay, and he will ask the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to order a recall election to fill Brown's position. Brown was informed of a recall petition by the people of Leech Lake at a public meeting on July 15 and under the tribal constitution the council had 15 days to schedule a hearing on the petition charges. The council has not acted on the petition, so the constitution stipulates that the BIA consider the charges, and if valid, set a recall election. Representatives from the 12 local Indian councils across the reservation will meet to suggest an interim replacement for Brown. The process will be used to fill all interim opening on the council. Councilor Myron Ellis was informed of similar recall petition charges on July 19. Petitions are currently circulating for the removal of Council members Alfred Fairbanks Jr. and Jack Seeyle. In a news release issued Wednesday, Chairman Hunt said the court action is just the latest in a string of attempts by the council to undermine the position of chairman. "These council members have also harbored, among them, one convicted felon and another who has admitted and pleaded guilty in federal court to misappropriation of federal funds. One of the illegal actions that the four have taken was to give jurisdiction to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Court of Appeals over the chairman and the Leech Lake Reservation. "The constitution of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe does not authorize the formation of such a court. The field solicitor of the Department of the Interior has repeatedly taken the position that such a court is illegal, without a valid constitutional amendment voted on by the people of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe." A drum group called the Leech Lake Ojibwe Singers played near an anti-Tribal Council protest outside Tribal Headquarters in Cass Lake on Wednesday. The unity group was drumming to "heal tribal government and put the power back in the hands of the people," +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE SUMMIT SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1996 AT 9 A.M. AT MASH-KA-WISEN POW WOW AT SAWYER MINNESOTA ON THE FOND DU LAC RESERVATION All tribal members -- Leech Lake, White Earth, Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Milles Lacs, Grand Portage -- are invited to participate in the first tribal summit. Come hear, come speak. Let's come together. Issues to discussed are: -Constitutional amendment: Amendment III -Establishment of Tribal Courts: MCT Ordinance #15 -Full Government Authority or Business Committees -Power of the TEC Bernard J. Rock, Sr. Leech Lake Pillager Band Spotted Eagle Warrior Society North Central Minnesota Native American Veterans Outreach and Resource Center --------- "RE: Olympics Story" --------- Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 22:35:22 +0000 From: dyarrow@igc.apc.org (David Yarrow) Subj: my olympics story Mailing List: NATCHAT (natchat@gnosys.svle.ma.us) my olympics story Some have indignantly observed the biased, nationalistic, one-sided American media coverage of the Olympics. Well, consider this...... June 6 I was visiting Tuscarora Indian Nation north of Niagara Falls where I was to talk at a spiritual weekend sponsored by the Eh-Kweh-Heh- Weh Center of Learning. Saturday morning as my host was rolling me in my wheelchair out to the road to go to the gazebo, another Tuscarora ran up to say that week the Olympic torch would be visiting Tuscarora Nation. I was impressed by this synchronicity of spirit. My message was "Awaken!" as in the John Seed poem I first posted to this list. Time to awaken the soul seed in each of us. Time to ignite the spark within and rekindle the flame of awareness -- the fire of spiritual consciousness. The man explained he was organizing a protest that American Indian Nations are not recognized and allowed to participate in the games, nor is Lacrosse -- the Indian game of eastern America -- played in the Olympics. Seems Indians are always forced to protest something -- if not being left out and ignored, then being run over and robbed. Further, the man explained that because the torch was passing through, Tuscarora Nation would get flags of all 180 some olympic nations to fly over their tiny country. This caused my heart to leap higher in joy. In 1992 when I was electrocuted in Wisconsin, I'd begun to weave a network on the internet to lobby the United Nations to recognize and seat indigenous nations of North America. Currently not a single Native American government in North, Central and South America has a voice or a vote in the U.N. Here was continued hope this situation could be remedied. I took the man's hand to kiss it, but he would have none of that and pulled it back. Later my host confided his sadness that the torch would be met with a protest. I observed that man himself had not let me honor him. The pain and paradox of American Indians today. ~~ turtle ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ for a green and peaceful planet for the Seventh Generation David Yarrow at Turtle EyeLand c/o Broeckx, P.O. Box 6034, Albany, NY 12206 dyarrow@igc.apc.org 518-426-0563 http://www.estrie.com/macphi/yarrow [under construction] Eve, the earthworm sez: "If yer not forest, yer against us." * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *