From gars@netcom.com Sat May 24 16:04:07 1997 Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 20:06:53 -0700 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews05.021 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 05, ISSUE 021 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 24 May 1997 O o O KANOHEDA ANIYVWIYA Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin O o O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse Aunchemokauhettittea O ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N N E W S ) This issue contains articles from Native-L lists; UUCP email; Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native,igc.en.alerts; The People's Paths; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; PUBLIC POLICY ACTION NETWORK; http://aises.uthscsa.edu/anna Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@netcom.com ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org 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 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://aises.uthscsa.edu/94_dis.html 1995: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/95_dis.html 1996: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/96_dis.html 1997: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/97_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. "My mother told me, 'Every part of Earth is sacred to our people. Every pine needle; every sandy shore; every mist in the dark woods; every meadow and humming insect.'...All are holy in the memory of our people." __ Chief Seattle, Nee-mee-poo +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! I normally use this space to share my own feelings, to speak my heart's words, to ask for help. The words shared here this time belong to two people dear to me, my beloved wife and my teacher. They are shared here because they called to my heart. The fate of us all in some part is touched by the fate of any of us. A rare plant passes into extinction -- could it have been the cure for a disease that will kill me or someone I love? We drive predatory birds and mammals to extinction -- and people are overrun by their prey, who become pests that invade homes and spoil stored food; their parasites bite and spread diseases. We kill a people and their culture and we lose their knowledge. We never will know whether hidden in that knowledge is the secret to our own survival and well being. We allow a state or a nation to ignore treaties and to oppress another people, because we perceive them as unlike ourselves and in our greed we want what is rightfully theirs. By remaining silent, we consent that these acts are acceptable. Then when injustice comes to our door, we cry "why us?" It is because when it was not us, we did not cry out. We knew and thus we were accountable. You know -- it's not just the Seneca not fighting for the rights of the Cherokee or the Lakota or vice versa. We can't even get all the Seneca or Cherokee or Lakota to quit squabbling and bickering amongst themselves about who is and who isn't legitimate, whatever that means, who speaks for whom, who has the right to this or that privilege, who did what in their remote past, who's a fraud, who ought not to be recognized, who's up to no good and can't be trusted, what the latest gossip said. Everybody's so busy jockeying for position that they don't stop to think that the person they're kicking on the ground is their brother or sister -- a person whom they may desperately need to cover their backs against a real enemy someday. People look to the Grandfathers, and rather than plead for a vision that will bring the people together, there are too many who plead for a vision that will inspire people to follow them. Some may even silently pray for this sitting inside a lodge they entered after saying "all my relations." Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Too often people take the stand of "It wasn't my fault!" And try to excuse themselves from the destruction their actions (and non action) do to others. To sit by as many did this winter and do nothing when one has been given a message is destructive. Many will climb aboard a wagon in a parade, but few will stop to help one broken down. Think on that. Most people come to First Nations for glory and recognition. Then there are those precious few, who come as silent heroes, never speaking of their contributions, who DO things to help and not speak of it. Therein lies the true character of a person. I do wish to close with one thought that burns at me. If you sat and ignored tha actions of the RCMP at Gustafsen, and you sit and ignore the actions of the troopers in New York against the Seneca and Onondaga remember this: History repeats itself and a lot of Germans also ignored "the night of the long knives" that began in Munich in June 1934 and swept through Berlin and twenty other cities. You either stand for your Native brothers and sisters in harms way or you stand for those who oppress them. Peace! Night Owl , , Gary Night Owl gars@netcom.com (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@nanews.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@igc.apc.org ===w=w=== gars@bellsouth.net Fax: 770-528-9643 gars@juno.com ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- Part A: Usenet and e-mail Part B: NATIVE-L list - Message from R.A.G.E. in NY - Conferences and Powwows - online - Pataki Refuses Ruling - Exxon and Mole Lake - Just in from the U.S. Senate - Mole Lake Takeover - Oren's Revenge - Ward Valley Nuke Dump - Petroglyphs Alert - Chiapas School Construction Help - Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash Case - Trust Our Own Knowledge - Bear and Leonard - Attempts to Tax Native Casinos - Chief Justice Keen Letter - Library Features NA Authors - Councilors Argue Quorum - BIA Ignores Quapaw - Gustafsen: Jury Retires - Still Awaiting Verdict - Judge Disallows Defence - Guilty Verdict in Jail Killing - APA Position on ICWA - Minnesota Gaming/Baseball Tax - The Trail of Joy, The Return - Excerpt: Wokini by Billy Mills - Know Our True History - They Keep Paying and Paying - The Wind Blows - Red Ink Subscription Drive - ParkWatcher Flash - Poem: Red Power-Indian - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Conferences and Powwows - offline --------- "RE: Message from R.A.G.E. in NY" --------- Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 11:48:11 -0400 (EDT) From: "Robert B. Bancroft 475-2584 fax: 475-6730" Subj: Message from R.A.G.E. in NY UUCP email Regional Action Group for the Environment 8546 Route 408 Nunda, NY 14517 voice/fax: 716-468-3817 May 19, 1997 URGENT URGENT HELP HELP HELP URGENT URGENT ATTENTION!! Wanted Honest Attorneys with social conscience, willing to perform pro bono work in the interest of peace and justice!!! RAGE is looking for a few attorneys in various areas around New York State who are willing to file a joint and/or coordinated Article 78 proceeding to force the Governor of NY, the Dept. of Taxation and the NY State Police to obey the laws of New York. We will also be seeking an injunction to prevent the further invasion of NY State reservation lands, to stop the blockade of these lands, to prevent the seizures of fuel tankers, and to prevent these lawless agencies from using NY State tax dollars and the NY State Attorney General's office for their defense. The actions of the Governor, his personal police force, and the taxation dept. at Onandaga yesterday, May 18, 1997, show the contempt of our legal system and complete disregard for human life Native Peoples have experienced for hundreds of years. It is time for those of us who care to take swift action. This is our country, these are our employees and they, as all the rest of us must be forced to obey the laws of the land or be imprisoned. Our group is represented by two talented attorneys who can file this suit in the Rochester/Western NY area. Attorneys from other areas or within this area are urgently needed. Please consider the importance of this issue, and the consequences of not taking a stand at this incredible injustice. We can be reached at the above number, day or night. Thank you for your anticipated help. In Spirit, Melissa Jacobs Grey Wolf and the Eastern Tribal Peoples Rights Association, supports the above appeal. --------- "RE: Pataki Refuses Ruling" --------- Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 01:42:03 -0400 From: ishgooda@tdi.net Subj: Pataki Refuses Ruling UUCP email Senator Reid: The following is why the Indians were attacked at Onondaga. Pataki refuses to accept the New York Supreme Court ruling!!!! He is trying to cause an "incident" so he can bring in the State Trooper, the National Guard and/or the Federal Marshals. THIS IS BIGOTRY AND ABRIDGEMENT OF PEOPLE'S RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! PATAKI HAS NO RIGHT TRESPASSING ON AN INDIAN RESERVATION LET ALONE ATTACKING PEACEFUL PEOPLE MEETING TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE COURT RULING. Please see the reference under page 9 of the Judge's ruling. IT SAYS IT ALL!!!!! ATTACKING A CLAN MOTHER IS LIKE ATTACKING CLINTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A. T. Lang Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The State of NY is enjoined from seizing any product destined for the Reservation merchants. The State must release any vehicles and product that it has seized in this matter. The State must remove the police blockade of the Reservations and is enjoined from further police blockades of the Reservations. The State is enjoined from further forcing any Indian nation to enter into "Indian Agreements". Declaring said agreements to be beyond the State Tax Dept. authority, ultra vires and unlawful, unlawful usurpation of legislative power, illegal and unenforceable. The State is restrained and enjoined from enforcement of the Tax Law and Regulations.............in reference to the sale of retail product and commerce with Indian merchants at the Seneca Nation. The NYS Supreme Court, Erie County, retains jurisdiction of this matter. Index No. 97/3152 Action No. 2 original memorandum decision Index No. 97/3151 Action No. 1 Index No. 97/3152 Action No. 2 ************************************************** The decision against New York State Taxation Dept. was rendered by the NYS Supreme Court in Erie County. While this is not the highest court in NYS, it is binding on the State and it will give the Seneca Nation and others time to prepare for the next 'go-round'. The State is expected to appeal the decision to the Appellate Court, but this will buy about 6 months of time. The decision was handed down by the Hon. Rose Sconiers, J.S.C. excerpts from the decision: pg.08 "This court must assume, therefore, that during this time State Officers have been wrestling with the collective conscience of this State in the realization, that while Judicial authority, by declaring valid those taxing statutes designed to capture taxes before the retail product reaches Reservation lands, has thereby provided a narrowing construction of the scope and reach of Indian Treaties, that, at the least, the spirit of those Treaties is nonetheless violated. Hence, in declaring its intent to enforce tax regulations upon shipments to Indian Reservation retailers, Petitioner, with one hand, has called upon its police and plenary power to enforce a virtual blockade upon roads leading to Reservation land, while extending the other hand in compromise. A compromise which, interestingly, now offers a waiver of enforcement of these tax statues to select Indian merchants, whose Tribal leaders have entered into "Indian Agreements", so long as they agree not to sell gasoline, to raise prices on other products (principally cigarettes) to parity with neighboring non-Indian retailers, and to pass the tax saving differential on to the Reservation as a whole. (See: State Tax Dept. Notice, enumerated N-97-4 and titled "Indian Agreements", issued April'97.)" pg.09 "It is thus clear, even to the casual observer, that the real interest underlying this recent extraordinary showing of the States police powers, is the desire, not to collect taxes, but rather to advance the commercial interest of "retail parity" and thereby defeat the previous competitive advantage of Reservation sales." "This Court is, therefore, struck by how little has changed for the Indian over the last century and a half and believes that to the Indian Respondents herein, it owes a responsibility of more than a simple review of the applicable authority cited by Petitioner and must, at the very minimum, acknowledge the underlying inequities of which they complain." pg.10 "..........Does not this "Indian Agreement" impose through economic coercion, a change in the cultural fabric of Reservation Indians by permitting tax free status to only certain designated Tribal members and mandating a socialistic sharing of certain benefits?......" "......Here, however, rather than applying its taxing powers uniformly over its citizens, this Court believes, that the Petitioner, without Legislative authority to do so, has arbitrarily forfeited its very taxing power to commercial interests and to select Indians, in favor of the imposition of something so nebulous as "retail parity".......... pg.11 "Indeed, this venture by Petitioner, into the realm of price parity or price regulation is otherwise improper without Legislative enactments........." "Petitioners actions, in pressing this "Indian Agreement", are thus found to be beyond its delegated authority, ultra vires and unlawful." "Accordingly, these "Indian Agreements" are found to be an unlawful usurpation of legislative power, illegal and unenforceable." pg.12 "..........., it is directed to remove and is further restrained from implementing that level of police enforcement necessary to carry out the blockading of the Cattaraugus Reservation lands and the interception of product distributors bound for Indian Retailers thereon." --------- "RE: Just in from the U.S. Senate" --------- Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 12:20:17 -0400 (EDT) From: "Robert B. Bancroft 475-2584 fax: 475-6730" Subj: just in from the U.S. Senate UUCP email I just received a fax copy of this...... Grey Wolf Eastern Tribal Peoples Rights Association United State Senate Committee On Indian Affairs Washington, D.C. 20510-6450 May 16, 1997 The Honorable Janet Reno Attorney General of the United States The Department of Justice Washington, D.C. Dear General Reno: We are writing with regard to the increasingly troublesome situation in the State of New York involving the Seneca Nation of Indians and State authorities. As you know, in recent weeks there have been confrontations between State Troopers and members of the Seneca nation over the levying of certain State sales taxes on sales of gasoline and tobacco products on tribal land. On May 14, 1997, the Supreme Court of the State of New York held the actions of the Department of Taxation and Finance in pressing the so-called "Indian Agreements" "beyond its delegated authority, ultra vires, and unlawful." New York State Department of Taxation and Finance v. William A. Bramhall, et al., No. 97/3151 and No. 97/3152 at 10(May 14, 1997). Notwithstanding Bramhall, the stand-off continues. Though the Seneca Nation and the State of New York have engaged in discussions to rectify this situation, it appears that these negotiations have broken down. As a consequence, the potential for further confrontations will be further exacerbated. Without arguing the merits of the respective parties to this dispute, we believe that federal intervention is necessary and strongly urge you to appoint a mediator to lay the foundation for substantive dialogue. Consistent with the Department's government-to-government approach to federal Indian Matters, the appointment of such a mediator would assist the parties in negotiating the pre-conditions necessary to bring about a peaceful resolution of the matter. We look forward to your favorable response. (signed by) Ben Nighthorse Campbell Chairman Daniel K. Inouye Vice Chairman --------- "RE: Oren's Revenge" --------- Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 10:57:01 -0400 From: Mohawk Nation Office - Kahnawake Branch Subj: Oren's Revenge UUCP email Mohawk Nation Office - Kahnawake Branch ----------------------------------------------------------------- ***Reposted*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OREN'S REVENGE ORDERS NYS TROOPERS TO ATTACK IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY GATHERING Saturday May 19, 1997 - 12:32 p.m. 300 New York State Troopers in a brutal, unprovoked unlawful attack arrested 29 men, women and children of the Onondaga, Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida and Tuscarora Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. A tobacco burning ceremony was being conducted on private property on Onondaga Territory when a horde of baton-swinging Troopers converged on the people, clubbing people who were in their way, including a media cameraman whose video equipment was smashed. An elderly woman in a walker was grabbed, knocked down to the pavement and then thrown into a police car. Another woman who was trying to help her was hit in the back of the head. The children, some as young as toddlers, were pushed, hit, chased, harassed and some arrested. One baby was thrown out of a stroller as it was pushed over by a Trooper. The men were beaten by 5 to 7 Troopers at a time. Those arrested were specifically targeted. In particular, one well known activist was slammed to the ground - "because I was assisting a medicine woman performing a medicine ceremony. She too was arrested. He was attacked by 5 to 7 Troopers - clubbed from behind, kneed, and one trooper attempted to snap my neck." Some of the people arrested and other observers noted that many people were pushed aside as the troopers targeted certain individuals - all known activists. Meanwhile one of the treasonous so-called chiefs, Oren Lyons, was quoted as saying on national television, in effect - "it was stupidity to try to block a highway and this is no substitute for brains." Said an Onondaga - "Governor Pataki is trying to get 5 corrupt chiefs to say they speak for us. According to our law, they don't." A New York State Official confirmed that Oren Lyons, Irving Powliss and Ollie Gibson ordered the attack. These three now have 'special protection' from all those the troopers harassed. Bail was set very high for misdemeanors, mainly trespassing, unlawful assembly and resisting arrest. A condition of their release is to not return to their homes in Onondaga. The property owner where the attack took place told troopers - "These people are my invited guests." He was arrested and charged with trespassing on his own property and can't go back there. "It was overkill" said one observer. "Oren and NYS were mad over the Indians' victory in the courts. NYS can't tax Indians and the deals between Pataki and these chiefs are illegal and ultra vires. This is their way of getting back" He continued, "The Iroquois Nation people have been denouncing their chiefs for corruption, complicity in genocide and sending the NYS police, of a foreign nation, on their people. When Hitler occupied France, every time he had trouble, he would send in the storm troopers to put down the resistance." According to the Iroquois Confederacy, these chiefs have no right to sign anything with New York State. The relationship is nation to nation. This issue should be negotiated on a nation to nation basis with an impartial third party, according to natural, international, and constitutional law. "The chiefs must be getting payoffs such as being business license-givers on behalf of NYS and running casinos to enrich themselves." The people are currently being released from the Public Safety Building in Syracuse NY following the posting of bail. Your help is needed to help us in our public fight to have the United States follow their laws. Contact: 716/532-4449 416/972-1573 514/635-8696 514/635-5595 --------- "RE: Petroglyphs Alert" --------- Date: 11:39 AM Apr 28, 1997 From: rhenley@igc.org Subj: Stop Paseo Del Norte road thru Petroglyphs Newsgroup: igc.en.alerts Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs (FOTAP) Your Letter is URGENTLY Needed to Save Petroglyph National Monument Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Congressmen Steve Schiff (R-NM) and Joe Skeen (R-NM) have announced they will introduce legislation to allow Paseo del Norte, a six-lane freeway-type road, to be built through Petroglyph National Monument. By the time you see this alert, identical bills may be introduced in the US Senate and House to delete 8.5 Monument acres for Paseo construction. In order to defeat these bills, we need the President and Sen. Bingaman (D-NM) on our side. This can't happen without your help. Using your own ideas and some of the following points, write brief letters to Senator Bingaman and the President's Interior Secretary, Bruce Babbit, urging their strong opposition to any Paseo bills. 1. It would set a national precedent allowing commuter roads to be built through other units of the National Park system. Currently, road construction in parks must serve a direct park purpose. Let's keep it that way. Paseo uses the Monument like a doormat, serving no park purpose. 2. It would desecrate one of the last remaining major sacred areas for Pueblo Indian tribes. In a desperate effort to save this area, Pueblo leaders have broken their long-standing secrecy regarding their religious practices, for the first time publicly revealing that the Monument is a great outdoor church, a consecrated place of prayer and offerings, and a spiritual center still used today for rituals assuring the afterlife journey of deceased persons. This is unprecedented new information. Road construction in such a sacred area is outrageous. Do we want to keep on repeating our country's shameful treatment of native Americans? 3. Paseo is a politicians' road. The people don't want it. Two polls by Research and Polling showed a consistent two-thirds majority of registered voters in Bernalillo County opposed roads through the Monument, would pay more for routes avoiding the Monument, and wanted the Monument protected without exception. 4. It would promote costly suburban sprawl and could contribute to another round of tax increases. Paseo would be like a hose irrigating runaway growth west of the escarpment, costing taxpayers eight times as much as orderly growth in urbanizing areas, and resulting in other problems such as air pollution. City plans currently recommend against the extension of services for 25-80 years to the area that Paseo would penetrate. Who needs Paseo anyway? 5. There are less expensive alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion and provide for orderly growth without Paseo and Unser. The existing west side road grid is a shambles of inadequate intersections and arterials. Transportation planning expert, Robert Morris, developed a plan that would alleviate traffic congestion by simply adding right and left turning lanes and through lanes to key intersections. Together with widening some existing arterials, Morris' plan beats the City's road- building juggernaut hands down. Senator Jeff Bingaman 703 Hart Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5521, FAX-2852 e-mail: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov Secretary Bruce Babbitt 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 (202) 208-4123, FAX-6956 e-mail: exsec@ios.doi.gov Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs (FOTAP) 2920 Carlisle NE Albuquerque, NM 87110-2855 (505) 889-3779 email: rhenley@igc.apc.org 28 April 1997 The Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs (FOTAP)has issued the above alert, available on the web at: http://www.npca.org/fotapalert.html http://zzyx.ucsc.edu/Comp/Bill/ARARA/FOTAPalr.html http://istvan.com/petroglyphs/ and the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club, Albuquerque Group Petroglyph National Monument Action Alert Page: http://www.nm.org/~sierra/pnmalert.html These web pages are essentially all the same. --------- "RE: Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash Case" --------- Date: 19 May 1997 13:27:06 GMT From: demeler@selway.umt.edu (Borries Demeler) Subj: NEWS: Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash Case Newsgroups: soc.culture.native,alt.native New information on the Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash murder case (1975/1976) has been made available by her cousin, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe. Robert has been privately investigating the murder of his cousin. For more information, visit: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/anna -Borries (demeler@bioc02.uthscsa.edu) ------- FORWARD, Web message follows ------- I have no fear of the Truth... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THE SPIRIT OF ANNIE MAE --------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe On February 24, 1976, my cousin, Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash, was found violated, disgraced, murdered, and abandoned on the edge of the Pine Ridge Reservation. She was known by many as having courage and commitment. Apparently, her courage led to her doom. Vigilantly, she searched for truth, and found some, which cost her life - she knew too much. Many of us believe the inevitability of cycles. Every seven years there is possibility for life to recycle itself. With renewal, the old has to be washed away, and the new be given a fresh start, if there is to be complete growth. With seven times, three, twenty one, a whole new generation comes about, if the possibility is realized and allowed. Twenty one years have passed since her murder. The next generation must know and realize TRUTH for it to have a chance. Anna Mae set that in motion with her death, and the completion of that cycle is destined to be now. I carry her family blood in my veins, so her spirit speaks to me. She has guided me to retrace her steps from Nova Scotia, through South Dakota, New Mexico, Denver, and back to South Dakota again. I am so committed to this investigation that I have taken out a second mortgage on my home to finance the over 30,000 miles I traveled and spent thousands in long distance phone calls. Because she was family, I have been privileged with information that others would share with no one else. The complexity of this case is overwhelming. Obviously only one man could have pulled the trigger in this cowardly deed, shooting my cousin mafia style in the back of the head after she had been raped and pleaded for time to pray one last prayer. However, that man did not stand alone. Others were with him and still others sent them. History has always recorded that death never really stopped powerful people. Their deeds snowballed, their spirits roamed, and their memories are within the hearts of those who knew them either through experience or through legend. Many times, death actually released powerful souls from their limiting bodies to limitless potential. Anna Mae's spirit is a powerful one. She will not rest until a domino effect has been set in motion to put her spirit at rest and to set her People free. The details of her death have already been recorded in writings and song, yet the murderer still walks the earth freely, only he is not free. I and others know who he is, who was with him, and who sent him, and even why. The question is, "What's next?" We all know of the Universal Law, "What goes around comes around." What form that cycle will take will be very interesting. All people that know what really happened, but have kept silent, in fear, will stay victims of their own silence. Their families have already been affected by their fear, which is a loss of spirit. They have tried to replace spirit with spirits (liquor) to cover up their frustrations. They have watched countless others give their power away to those that say, "I will lead you," and they do, but in what direction? Anna Mae was in Denver where she was kidnapped by Arlo Looking Cloud, Theda Nelson Clark, and John Boy Patton. Theda was given orders to have Anna Mae eliminated. In Denver, Arlo Looking Cloud raped Anna Mae. She was then taken back to South Dakota where she was shot in the back of the head by John Boy Patton! Although Arlo would have shot Anna Mae, he gave John Boy his chance to prove his allegiance. Anna Mae asked for time to pray one last time, but was shot before she could. This testimony was given by Arlo Looking Cloud, who escaped prosecution because he has Immunity. Why does he have Immunity and get to walk the streets of Denver bragging about it? Does John Boy Patton have Immunity by the Canadian government? If so, why? What keeps these people from being tried for murder? I have no fear of the Truth, it will set us all free! In the Spirit of Anna Mae, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe (bbmicmac@sedona.net) 4.29.97 --------- "RE: Bear and Leonard" --------- Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 18:02:11 -0700 (PDT) From: Christina Meckel Subj: Bear and Leonard UUCP email Last night I attended a meeting concerning Leonard Peltier, at which was shown the movie Warrior, The Life Of Leonard Peltier. This is not an entertaining movie, but a series of interviews, with Leonard Peltier and other people involved in the shooting, and events leading up to it. They interviewed FBI agents, Dick Wilson, and a tribal policeman. They also interviewed a number of residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and people in Leonard's family. It was a moving movie. I don't think it is widely available, but if anyone gets a chance to see it, do. They also had a lot of info on the Bear Lincoln case. I can not type it all up at once, so it will come in pieces. To all of you who have written me privately and told me you have written Bear Thanks! I will also ask that these posts concerning him get forwarded to everyone!! Please repost. I really liked that "4 times" deal, so let's do it!! Repost this 4 times, and write Bear Lincoln!! Bear The Truth What the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department is Trying to Cover-up about the Night of April 14th, 1995 By Cyndi Pickett (Acorn's widow) and Sara Jocobelli What happened at 9:51 PM on the night of April 14, 1995 on Little Valley RD on the Round Valley Indian Reservation in remote N. California never should have happened. Leonard Acorn Peters, father of 6 children, never should have been shot and killed by Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies Davis and Miller. He was simply walking home after visiting Eugene Bear Lincoln. He was leaving Little Valley when he was shot and killed. He walked into an ambush which Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Miller and Deputy George Robert Davis had set up in an attempt to apprehend the remaining suspect from a shooting earlier that day in Covelo. Instead, Leonard Acorn Peters walked into that ambush unknowingly and was shot and killed by Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies. The Sheriff's Dept. did a paraffin test on the body of Acorn Peters at 8:30 the morning of April 15, 1995. The results of that test were negative. It proved that Acorn Peters never fired a gun that night. He never shot at the sheriff's deputies as they originally said in their attempt to justify having shot him. In Deputy Miller's very first statement which he gave between 2 and 5 AM that morning, after the shooting, he stated unequivocally that they (the deputies) fired upon and shot Acorn Peters, because he raised a gun and fired at them. Deputy Miller was adamant that this was exactly what happened because Deputy Miller said in his own words(the tape of this statement was played in court) that Deputy Davis shined a spot light on Acorn Peters and that is why Deputy Miller could be so sure that Acorn Peters fired on them and Deputies Miller and Davis returned fire. Of course Deputy Miller made this statement before the paraffin test proved that Acorn Peters did not fire a gun. The reason that Deputy Miller would say this is very clear that when Deputies Davis and Miller shot Acorn Peters they thought they were shooting at the suspect, Arylis Peters, who they were hoping to apprehend. According to witnesses that were on the scene with in 15 minutes of the shooting, law enforcement officers asked them several times "This is Arylis, isn't it?" It was at that moment that Deputy Miller realized that he and Deputy Davis had not shot Arylis Peters, the suspect they were waiting for. Deputy Miller had to justify having shot an innocent man. That is when Deputy Miller came up with the story that Acorn Peters had fired on them. That is when the cover up of what happened that night began. Deputy Miller gave his statement in a moment of panic because he realized they shot the wrong man. This is the beginning of the cover up by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dept. This issue needs to be made clear to the people of Mendocino County [and everyone else concerned]. It's imperative. Bear Lincoln's life depends on people becoming aware of what really happened that night and that Mendocino County Sheriff's are covering up what they did. Later when Deputy Miller became aware that his statement did not corroborate with the physical evidence, he changed his statement. The statement he gave to the Grand Jury, was that there were two men. He doesn't know which one fired because it was dark and all he could see were a couple of silhouettes and a muzzle flash. So he was unable to determine who, in fact, had shot the gun. In Deputy Miller's original statement he stated three times, that Deputy Davis had shined a light on Acorn Peters, and that's the reason he was so sure Leonard Acorn Peters had fired at them. In Deputy Miller's statement to the Grand Jury, there is no light mentioned. It's dark. All he could see were two silhouettes. Now this is not a slightly different version of the same story. This is a vastly different story. Deputy Miller's altered statement contradicts two very clear points on his first statement. His changed statement conflicts with having scene just one person with Deputy Davis's spot light shinning ion this person, (Acorn Peters). Another thing he said in his first statement, was that after Acorn Peters was dead, it got quite, the firing had stopped; he said that he and Deputy Davis had emptied their service revolvers shooting at Acorn Peters and then when it got quite Deputy Davis said he thought he heard somebody running off in the brush. Deputy Miller also, very clearly, said that it was at that moment, (after Acorn Peters was dead), that he "...became aware of the possibility of a second suspect." Yet his statement he gave the Grand Jury contradicts that, in saying that he saw two silhouettes right from the beginning. After Deputies Davis and Miller became aware of the possible second person Deputy Miller says he "...grabbed Davis's M-16 from the front seat (of the patrol car), put in a fresh clip and set it on automatic mode." While crossing to the other side of the road for better cover he fired the M-16, and slipped on the down hill embankment. When Deputy Miller recovered he noticed Deputy Davis slumped in the road, fatally wounded, directly across from where Deputy Miller fell. When presenting evidence to the Grand Jury, District Attorney Aaron Williams did not play this first taped statement for the Grand Jury (The Grand Jury is suppose to be given all evidence in the case). In court when Bear Lincoln's Attorney Tony Serra asked why the Grand Jury was not given this first statement, the D.A. Aaron Williams brushed it off saying, Miller gave his statement personally to them, that he felt it wasn't that different from his original statement, and so it wasn't really necessary to provide the Grand Jury with his first taped statement. Consequently Judge Luther threw out the Grand Jury Indictment on November 21, 1995. Had the District Attorney played the original taped statement the Grand Jury would have heard Deputy Miller say that all he ever saw of a second person was a silhouette 30 or 40 yards down the road running away. At first law enforcement personnel thought it was Arylis Peters, (the suspect they were looking for) that was the second person with Acorn Peters. But after questioning Arylis the next morning after he turned himself in they realized it hadn't been Arylis. It was later that day that they discovered that Acorn and Bear had been together on April 14, and that a black hat that resembles Bear Lincoln's was found at the scene, there for the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dept. surmised it must have been Bear Lincoln that was with Acorn Peters. Deputy Miller never did identify Bear Lincoln as having been there. Jonathan Hill, a BIA police officer, was sent to Covelo from Jackson Rancheria, to investigate the deaths of Leonard Acorn Peters and Deputy George Robert Davis. After his investigation he concluded that it was very likely that Deputy Davis was probably killed by "friendly fire". In other words, that Deputy Miller accidentally shot and killed Deputy Davis. When Hill submitted a repot suggesting this possibility, he was fired. Hill was not only taken off this case, but he was asked to resign from his job in Jackson Rancheria. There are many who believe that Hill was fired because he was to close to the truth. That he was beginning to uncover the Mendocino County Sheriff's cover up. Eugene Bear Lincoln is in the Ukiah jail awaiting his trial for the murder of Deputy George Robert Davis, the vicarious liability for the murder of Acorn Peters. His trial is set to begin April 15, 1997[jury selection is taking place now]. ACTION ALERT Because the D.A. has subpoenaed most of Bear Lincoln's family and friends they will not be able to continue court support for Bear! Consequently we desperately need people who can come to court during trial. To get on the phone tree/mailing list call 707-468-1660 this is the Mendocino Environmental center, temporarily the Lincoln Peters Alliance Please forward this post, and don't forget to write Bear Lincoln!! 951 Low Gap RD Ukiah, CA 95482 Thanks, and more soon. Christina Meckel Lonewolf lonewolf@pacific.net CLMeckel@hotmail.com --------- "RE: Chief Justice Keen Letter" --------- Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 14:02:21 -0400 From: Cherokee Observer Subj: Fw: 5/14/97-Chief Justice Keen letter re: Courthouse utilities cut-off http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/Observer.shtml http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/ is now "the People's Paths home page!" The Cherokee Observer received a copy of the following letter. Is this just another tactic of Chief Joe Byrd to prevent the criminal investigation of his administration??? ======================================================================== May 14, 1997 Mr. Stanley Day General Manager, TPWA 101 N. College Ave. Tahlequah, OK 74464 Dear Mr. Day: The purpose of this letter is to prevent a grave situation from developing. As you are probably aware, the Judicial Appeals Tribunal was given authority over the Cherokee Nation Courthouse and grounds by the Tribal Council about a year and a half ago. Since that time, we have occupied the building, and have been conducting business there, along with the Marshal Service. We are now informed that as a part of the on-going controversy within the tribe, someone within the executive branch of the tribe will soon be requesting that all utilities be cut off to the court house and grounds. Needless to say, such an action, if carried out, will not only cause needless inconvenience to those occupying the building, but will have the added effect of the needless involvement of TPWA in the crisis. I am therefore requesting, with the concurrence of both Justices, Philip Viles, Jr. and Dwight Birdwell, that you take no action until such time as we can meet to work thing out. The Court is ready to do whatever is necessary in order to keep the utilities on in the building. We will await your advice on just what is necessary. I am urged to remind you that the building has been an important part of the history of the Cherokees, as well as Tahlequah and Cherokee County. It has always been a source of pride for all, not just the Cherokees. The building is also on the Nation Register of Historic Places. There are apparently several accounts that serve the building. They are as follows: [three account numbers listed on letter] Please feel free to call me at home (456-9551) or the Judicial Appeals Tribunal Court Clerk's office (458-9447) if you have any questions. Also, if we need to meet on this matter, I am available at your convenience. Sincerely, Ralph F. Keen, Chief Justice Judicial Appeals Tribunal of the Cherokee Nation --------- "RE: Councilors Argue Quorum" --------- Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 14:01:08 -0400 From: Cherokee Observer Subj: Eight councilors argue for 10-member quorum-Muskogee Phoenix http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/Observer.shtml http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/ is now "the People's Paths home page!" The following article was published 5/16/97 in the Muskogee Daily Phoenix. It was written by Donna Hales, Phoenix Staff Writer. EIGHT COUNCILORS ARGUED FOR 10-MEMBER QUORUM They Can't Have Their Cake and Eat it, Too Eight of 15 Cherokee Nation Tribal Council members have taken conflicting positions on what constitutes a quorum of the council. Eight members loyal to the chief claim that an April meeting, in which they impeached the justices of the tribe's highest court, was legal, although only nine council members were present. But just days before that April 15 meeting, the same eight council members argues in tribal court that it took 10 council members to make a quorum. The eight are Bill John Baker, Sam Ed Bush, Barbara [Mitchell] Conness, Mary Cooksey, Don Crittenden, Charles "Chuck" Hoskins, Harley Terrell and Dora Mae Watie. A member of the Cherokee Nation, Robin Mayes, accused the council of conducting an illegal meeting March 17 with Tahlequah attorney Harvey Chaffin. Mayes sued in the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal, saying Baker told him a private meeting was under way and Mayes could not enter. The councilor's response, filed in court April 3: The March 17 gathering did not constitute a meeting because there was no "quorum." Nine councilors attended the March 17 gathering, including all eight aligned with the chief. Their response to Mayes' lawsuit states that the tribal constitution requires two-thirds of the council, or 10 members for a quorum. The tribunal cited the same section of the constitution when it ruled that an "extraordinary" meeting of the council, begun April 15 and concluded April 24, was illegal for lack of a quorum. The tribunal also said the meeting lacked the required 10-day notice. Principal Chief Joe Byrd called the meeting with one day notice. Byrd and the eight councilors now refuse to accept the tribunal's ruling, even though they made the identical argument in their answer to the Mayes lawsuit. "They can't have their cake and eat it, too," said Barbara Starr Scott, one of seven tribal councilors siding with the tribunal's ruling. "The chief and the league of eight just apply the constitution if and when they need it." Crittenden, asked about the conflicting stances of the eight councilors, said, "You kind of caught me off guard." "I kind of forgot about that (April 3 filing)." he said. "I'm going to have to think back and look into it. It's kind of gotten away >from me." The attorney for the eight councilors, Charles Wright of Oklahoma City, did not return calls. The tribunal issued a partial ruling Thursday in Mayes' lawsuit, agreeing with council defendants that "a meeting of nine council members does not constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct any business whatsoever of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council." Eight councilors conducted a court of removal May 3 and removed all three justices. The tribunal has refused to accept the removal, saying the proceeding was illegal. Seven tribal councilors are siding with the tribunal: Scott, Harold "Jiggs Phillips, William Smoke, Troy Poteete, Harold DeMoss, Paula Holder and Nick Lay. They contend Byrd and the other eight councilors have violated their oaths of office and are ignoring the Cherokee Constitution. ======================================================================== Posted courtesy of your only independent Cherokee newspaper, The CHEROKEE OBSERVER. http://www.serve.com/Yvwii/Cherokee/Observer.shtml --------- "RE: BIA Ignores Quapaw" --------- Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 01:47:00 -0400 From: Nancy Thomas Subj: BIA Ignores Quapaw... http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/Observer.shtml http://www.YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net/ is now "the People's Paths home page!" "BIA Ignores Quapaw Requests For Advice" [The Cherokee Observer obtained a copy of the following letter. Perhaps the BIA is too busy "interfering" in Cherokee business to offer requested advice to the Quapaws!] QUAPAW TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA P.O. Box 765 Quapaw, OK 74363-0765 May 12, 1997 The Honorable Ada Deer Assistant Secretary Bureau of Indian Affairs Ms. Deer: Over the last several weeks, our Tribe has been unfortunate in having an internal dispute. I've tried getting some clarification concerning our Governing Resolution thru the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Muskogee, Oklahoma Area Office. I have received some verbal input from Mr. Dennis Springwater, Tribal Operations, out of the Muskogee Area Office. I requested written interpretation of our Governing Resolution from Mr. Jim Fields, Muskogee Area Director, but my request has gone unanswered and not the courtesy of any response. The phone calls to his office has been ignored. This leads me to believe the Muskogee Area Office does not have any interest in the welfare of my Tribe. I realize the Bureau of Indian Affairs need to stay out of internal affairs of Indian Tribal Governments, but I would greatly appreciate your intervention by ordering Mr. Jim Fields and Mr. Dennis Springwater to attend a Quapaw Tribal General Council meeting, regarding our Governing Resolution, May 17, 1997, in our Community Building, Beaver Springs Indian Park, located 2 1/2 miles east of Quapaw, OK. Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Leonard Smith, Chairman Quapaw Tribal Business Committee cc: Mr. Jim Fields, BIA Muskogee Agency Director Mr. Dennis Sisco, BIA Miami Agency Superintendent -=+=+=+=+=- Provided by: The CHEROKEE OBSERVER P.O. Box 1301 Jay, OK. 74346-1301 Phone/FAX: (918) 253-8752 cwyob@mailhost.galstar.com -=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=- Nancy Thomas * nlthomas@concentric.net NEW EMAIL: nlthomas@aaaa.com Keeper of "the People's Paths home page!" http://www.concentric.net/~nlthomas SysOp of "The People's Paths BBS" "Large File Area Available" BBS Phones: (517) 792-4906 * (517) 791-0444 --------- "RE: Gustafsen: Jury Retires" --------- Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 09:58:11 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Gustafsen: Jury Retires :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: May 12, 1997 Bulletin Ts'peten Jury Begins Deliberations At 2:28 PM, the 7 woman, 5 man jury were sequestered to consider their verdict in the marathon trial of the Ts'peten Defenders. Justice Bruce Josephson's last day of his half-week charge to the jury included the rather startling instructions that "no defence based on colour of right arises in this trial". The colour of right argument, ie. that the defendants honestly and sincerely believed that their position was legal and necessary, constituted a major portion of the defence. In one sentence, the judge dismissed weeks of testimony by defence witnesses. In addition to summarizing the crown's contention that "police responded appropriately" and that "past injustices do not justify" the defendants' response, Josephson advised the jury not to concern theirselves with the consequences of their verdict: "Let the chips fall where they may." Shouts of "Freedom" were exchanged by imprisoned defendants OJ Pitawanakwat and Shuswap traditionalist elder Wolverine, aka Jones William Ignace. They and 16 others are charged with offenses ranging from mischief to attempted murder in connection with the month-long RCMP and Canadian armed forces siege of sacred Sundance grounds at Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) in 1995. RCMP have admitted to firing tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, used in conjunction with armoured personnel carriers and land mines. If convicted, the accused could face life sentences. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Free Wolverine Campaign Spokespeople: Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661 Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 ==>>NEW EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html SOVERNET-L is a news-only listserv concerned with indigenous sovereigntist struggles around the world. To subscribe, send "subscribe sovernet-l" in the body of an email message to For more information on sovernet-l, contact S.I.S.I.S. --------- "RE: Still Awaiting Verdict" --------- Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 22:01:59 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Gustafsen: Still Awaiting Verdict :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: May 15, 1997 Bulletin Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) Trial: Still Awaiting Verdict As the jury continues deliberations, friends, family, supporters, and other Defenders drum and sing in vigil outside the Surrey, BC prison where Ts'peten Defenders Wolverine (William Jones Ignace) and OJ Pitawanakwat are being held. In front of the courthouse across the street, the media and others also await the conclusion of "Her Majesty the Queen against Mary Jane Pena et al, No. X043738 New Westminster Registry". In a phone conversation earlier today, Wolverine told S.I.S.I.S. that he was feeling confident and believed a decision "would come down soon." The Shuswap elder, jailed since early autumn 1995, also expressed appreciation for the continuing prayers, solidarity and support. "The Sundancers at Gustafsen Lake have one demand: that the petition dated January 3, 1995 be addressed publicly by an independent and impartial third party tribunal, one that is neither Canadian nor Indian, such as the special constitutional court established by Queen Anne at the request of the Mohegan Indians to which court the petition is addressed: (a) is the popular assumption that the Canadian courts and police have jurisdiction legal? (b) or is that assumption criminally treasonable, fraudulent and complicitous in the genocide of the aboriginal peoples of Canada as alleged in the petition?" - signed by members of the Ts'peten Sundance camp, Aug. 25, 1995 "There is a line and that line is that there shall be no alien intervention in the affairs of this state." - Ujjal Dosanjh, BC NDP Attorney General, Sept. 1995 "Any person charged with an offence has the right... to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal." - Canadian Constitution Act, 1982, Section 11(d) "Any contention that the newcomer judge and jury in the present action can be seen to be 'independent and impartial' within the spirit of either the 'Order in Council (Great Britain) of 9 March 1704' or, if it were applicable (which it is not), section 11(d), patently and blatantly is insupportable. The jury and judge, qua newcomers, are partis pris. As newcomers, they are effectively adjudicating upon their own complicity in genocide, which genocide occurs in consequence of the newcomers' premature application of their own criminal law process to the aboriginal people occupying yet unpurchased territory. Preventing in future the crime of genocide and, correspondingly, rehabilitating the rule of law, ultimately is the point of this petition/motion/notification, as it was the point of the Gustafsen Lake event." - Petition/Motion/Constitutional Question, Ignace and others v. Dosanjh and Rock, Feb 12, 1997, introduced during the Ts'peten trial and dismissed by Justice Josephson. "You must accept the law as I explain it to you without question. This means that when you decide what the facts of this case are, you must apply the rules of law I will give you. It also means you must apply the law as I explain it to you... You are not allowed to decide this case on the basis of what you think the law is or what you think it should be if that conflicts with what I tell you about the law... you must not apply your own interpretation... because as I just stated, I am the sole interpreter of the law. You must take the law from me as I relate it to you in my instructions." - Judge's Instructions to the Jury: Outline, May 7-12 1997. ====>>>SOVEREIGNTY IS THE ISSUE: CANADA IS THE PROBLEM<<<==== Ts'peten Defence Committee Spokespeople: Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949 Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661 More information on the Ts'peten trial: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.ht :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 ==>>NEW EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html SOVERNET-L is a news-only listserv concerned with indigenous sovereigntist struggles around the world. To subscribe, send "subscribe sovernet-l" in the body of an email message to For more information on sovernet-l, contact S.I.S.I.S. --------- "RE: Judge Disallows Defence" --------- Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 12:11:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty Subj: Gustafsen: Judge Disallows Defence :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: May 16, 1997 Bulletin Colour of Right Defence: Where and When Did it Go? Justice Bruce Josephson has disallowed a major pillar of the defence in the Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) trial. Native rights lawyer Dr. Bruce Clark appeared from March 6 to April 4, 1997. Although Judge Josephson stonewalled Clark's jurisdiction argument, and denied Clark's application to appear as counsel, whether pro bono, amicus curiae or pro hac vice, Clark was allowed to give an exegesis of the argument and his history with it in court on the basis of a colour of right defence. Josephson explained Clark's testimony to the jury as follows: "As I stated, the opinion of any witness, including Mr. Clark, on the law is not admissible whether with regard to the constitution or jurisdiction or any other matter. Nor admissible is the witness's outline of historical events and statutes which led to that opinion. However, the witness's evidence is admissible with regard to his involvement in the incident in question. As well, the defence of colour of right is still alive." -March 6, 1997 transcript, p. 16, lines 3-12. Judge Josephson further defined the concept of colour of right for them: "On the charge of mischief, a defence known as colour of right may arise. Simply put in the context of this case, it is the honest, even though mistaken belief, as to the lawful ownership of or right to occupy the land in question. That belief to be a defence must be honestly held. To assist you in determining whether or not it was honestly held, an accused may offer evidence as to why that belief was formed in his or her mind, including what was told to him or her by way of legal advice. That legal advisor, as well, may testify as well to what was offered. That is all on the issue whether or not the belief was honestly held even though it may be wrong in law." -March 6, 1997 transcript p. 18, lines 12-27. The jury specifically asked for a written copy of these remarks, and Josephson declared his intention to give them a written copy of his instructions to them (p. 18, line 47-p. 19, line 6). However, Josephson did not include an explanation of colour of right in the written "Judge's Instructions to the Jury". He omitted any mention of the concept from his summary of the defence position. Moreover he declared on Monday, May 12, that based on the evidence, no colour of right defence was available in this trial, and the jury need not consider it. Why the reversal? In the Stoney Point (Ipperwash) trial, the Crown withdrew 23 charges of forcible retainer against the protestors saying that, "the accused have raised the colour of right on the basis that there is a Chippewa burial ground within Ipperwash Provincial Park and that therefore they were justified in being in the Park during the time set out in the charges." The Crown was acting on the indications of the Provincial Divisions judges that "this defence will succeed in all instances when it is raised." - The Phoenix (CASNP publication) , Spring 1997, p. 28. Based on the apparent contradiction of the Judge's statements, self- represented defendant Shelagh Franklin has demanded that the jury be recalled, and that the status of the colour of right defence be clarified. Franklin's own defence rests solely on the argument that Canadian courts have no jurisdiction on unceded Native land. Supporters are still waiting for the Judge's response to her letter, as well as for the jury's verdict for the trial. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Free The Wolverine Campaign: Spokespeople: Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949 Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 Email: WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html SOVERNET-L is a news-only listserv concerned with indigenous sovereigntist struggles around the world. To subscribe, send "subscribe sovernet-l" in the body of an email message to For more information on sovernet-l, contact S.I.S.I.S. --------- "RE: Guilty Verdict in Jail Killing" --------- Date: Fri, 02 May 1997 23:46:29 -0700 From: The Manitoba Warrior Society Subj: Guilty verdict in the Killing of Stoney Mountain Warrior Society founder. UUCP email WINNIPEG -- One of Manitoba's longest and most expensive murder trials ended Thursday night when a jury found one of four accused convicts guilty of murdering a fellow jail inmate. Edmond Roopnarine-Singh, 21, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of well known and popular Native Warrior, Bertrand Myran in his Stony Mountain penitentiary cell on the morning of Aug. 9, 1995. Bertrand Myron had founded the Stoney Mountain Chapter of the Manitoba Warrior Society. The Court of Queen's Bench jury found two other cons -- Wayne Jack Bender, 44 and Erskine St. Clair Ruggles, 41 -- not guilty. It rendered no verdict against Carlyle Calvin Thomas, 28. All were charged with first-degree murder. "It's hard to say what was in the jury's mind, but it's my assumption they found (Roopnarine-Singh) acted alone," said Greg Brodsky, Mr. Thomas's lawyer. Mr. Roopnarine-Singh was sentenced to the mandatory sentence of life in prison, with no chance of parole for 25 years. Mr. Roopnarine-Singh "butchered" Myran in his cell by slicing and stabbing the 24-year-old 14 times, Crown attorney Neil Cutler said during closing arguments last week. Mr. Cutler asked the jury to ignore the issue of racial tensions between blacks and aboriginals in the prison and set aside the knowledge that the accused are prisoners. The had been tension between black inmates and Native prisoners in the largely Native Prison, and this would lead to the killing of Betrand Myron. He had contended the other three co-accused either acted as lookouts during the stabbing or counseled Mr. Singh in some way, but Brodsky said his client was acting in self-defence. The Myron family has called for a public inquiry into the killing as it is believed that prison guards had heard of the tension between the inmates but choose to do nothing. Your letters of support for the Myron's can be forwarded at the Manitoba Warriors' Site at: http://manitobawarriors.home.ml.org --------- "RE: APA Position on ICWA" --------- Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 23:01:35 -0400 From: Guglielmo, Barbara[SMTP:bpg.apa@email.apa.org] Subj: APA Position on ICWA PUBLIC POLICY ACTION NETWORK PUBLIC POLICY OFFICE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION ***INFORMATION UPDATE*** May 12, 1997 Below is a letter from Henry Tomes, Ph.D., Executive Director, APA Public Interest Directorate, to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in regard to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Please contact Brian Smedley, Ph.D. or Ly Nguyen in the APA Public Policy Office for more information at (202) 336-6062. ******************************************** May 8, 1997 The Honorable John McCain United States Senate 241 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator McCain: On behalf of the 151,000 members and affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am writing to express our support for the legislation that you have introduced with your colleagues, Senators Campbell, Domenici, and Dorgan, to amend the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA), S. 569. As psychologists, we understand the need for children to grow and develop in loving homes and supportive communities. Among Indian people, the history of extended child-rearing responsibilities among many members of the community provides a natural means of safeguarding the well-being of children. Unfortunately, federal government policies prior to the enactment of ICWA in 1978 undermined traditional child rearing practices of Indian people. We applaud your legislation for reinforcing the original intent of the ICWA -- to protect Indian children and families and formalize a substantial role for Indian tribes in cases involving child custody proceedings -- while ensuring fairness and swift action in custody and adoption cases involving Indian children. Prior to passage of the ICWA, Indian children were twelve to eighteen times more likely than non-Indian children to be placed in out-of-home care, with 85 percent of those children placed in non-Indian homes. Passage of the original ICWA in 1978 represented a milestone in the federal government's recognition that policies must be enacted to protect and preserve the Indian family and its culture. Since that time, many Indian tribes have developed child welfare programs that draw upon traditional practices and natural helping mechanisms. These systems will be enhanced by policies that strengthen tribal authority over Indian child welfare programs. Many of the controversial cases surrounding the adoption of Indian children appear to have developed as a result of poor or non-existent enforcement of ICWA provisions. Provisions of your legislation, including criminal sanctions to deter fraudulent efforts to hide a child's Indian heritage, early notification to an Indian tribe by a party seeking to place an Indian child in an adoptive situation, and court certification that the attorney or adoption agency facilitating the adoption has informed the Indian child's birth parents of their placement options and other provisions of ICWA, offer substantial improvements to enforce the letter and spirit of ICWA. The APA supports this legislation without revisions or weakening amendments. Should you require any additional information or assistance in planning hearings regarding this bill, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Henry Tomes, Ph.D. Executive Director, Public Interest Directorate cc: Senate Indian Affairs Committee +++ Public Policy Action Network (PPAN) Public Policy Office American Psychological Association 750 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202)336-5934 email: ppan@apa.org internet: http://www.apa.org/ppo/ppo.html --------- "RE: Minnesota Gaming/Baseball Tax" --------- Date: Fri, 09 May 97 09:08:00 PDT From: "Jim George" Subj: Minnesota Gaming/Baseball Tax UUCP email >From today's (4/30/97)Twin Cities Star Tribune editorial page: TWINS BEATING INDIANS -- AT LEAST IN LEGISLATURE Pohlad's stadium will probably be built on the backs of the poorest Minnesotans.< Two weeks ago, the two leaders of the Minnesota Senate, Roger Moe and Dean Johnson, met with the leaders of 11 Minnesota Indian bands. In baseball parlance, the politicians warned the Indians that a high, hard one was headed their way. Stunning as it once would have seemed, the two senators told the Indians that there's now about a 50-50 chance that the Legislature will pass bills putting the state in the casino business. There will be hearings today about bills that could put state-run casinos in such places as Canterbury Park. Some of the revenues generated from state-run casinos would be used to build a ballpark for Carl Pohlad and the Minnesota Twins. Market speculators have begun to take seriously the possibility of the Legislature putting slots in Canterbury. The value of Canterbury stock has more than doubled since Jan. 1, from $2 to nearly $4.50. The most recent surge came after Gov. Arne Carlson announced that he might be willing to sign legislation that would use gambling funds to finance a stadium. And Indian leaders have no choice but to take the state's flirting with casinos seriously. A week after their friendly meeting with Moe and Johnson, they were invited to meet with staff members from Carlson's office. The tone of the meeting, sources say, was cold and threatening. Minnesota Indians were told they'd better come up with some casino money for a ballpark fast, or they will find themselves competing with state-run casinos. Marge Anderson, chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa, tried to put as positive a spin on the meeting as possible in a "thank you" letter she sent to Carlson. She wrote, in part: "The way I understand it, you are proposing that the State and the tribes should actively explore new sources of revenue within Indian casinos. The tribes could then agree to donate a portion of this new revenue to the state for use on important economic development projects in exchange for exclusivity for tribal gaming." But cut through Anderson's diplomacy. What's happening is that Minnesota political leaders have become so fearful of losing major league baseball that they're willing to take money from the state's poorest people and give it to the richest. Proponents of putting public money, or, better yet, Indian money, into a ballpark keep trying to say that the stadium issue is about preserving major league baseball, not about [Twins owner Carl] Pohlad. But you can't get around the facts that the economics of major league sports are irrational and that the Pohlads are immensely wealthy. (Digression about wealth. It's almost impossible to grasp what a billionaire is, but sometimes there are little insights. Last week, for instance, a local radio personality gushed about the fact that Pohlad, who is reported to be worth $1 billion, wrote a check for $50,000 for Red River Valley flood relief. This generous act made me curious. What would a Minnesota family fortunate enough to have a net worth of $500,000 have to give to be as proportionately generous as Pohlad had been. The answer: $25, that's twenty-five dollars.) Now the Legislature is considering going for a cut of Indian gambling money, not because Pohlad needs it more than the Indians and not because it's right, but because it's politically painless. There are only 50,000 Indians in the state, and there is a public perception that the Indians are rolling in dough lost by earnest white folks who can't get a break at the casinos. The perception is fueled by the huge amounts of money the Mystic Lake Casino has generated for a minuscule number of Indians in Shakopee. ( personal note )I'd call this blackmail. --------- "RE: The Trail of Joy, The Return" --------- Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 23:47:06 -0700 From: James Duncan Subj: Greetings UUCP email O SI YO', My Dear Friends, Please if you can, see that this is shared. My Love and Prayers to you and your families, and to all of our relations. James __________________________________________________________________________ May 10, 1997 O SI 'YO, My brothers and sisters, and all our Relations, My name is James Duncan and I am a Cherokee (Bird Clan), born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. But even more important, I am a member of the family of Nations called Native Americans, that indigenous group of people that lived here from the beginning of time, here in the Americas. On May 10th of 1996 we begin our journey back along the path of DeSoto. That journey started from where he died in southeastern Arkansas, about 5- 10 miles north of Arkansas City and traveled back along his route to Tampa Bay. Planting trees for cleansing, for life and peace in each of the states where he traveled leaving so much death and destruction along the way. These trees are for a sign of renewal, rebirth and forgiveness. If the "Trail of Tears" and subsequent removals were the end for the people of the southeast, then DeSoto's journey was the beginning of that end of a way of life that had lasted for hundreds of thousands of years. On March 10, 1995 I (including my wife and five daughters) started another walk that began in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and ended May 10th at New Echota, Georgia. The walk was called "THE TRAIL OF JOY, THE RETURN", it was done to complete the circle that began with the "Trail of Tears". The Trail of Joy, The Return was to reconnect the spirit of our people back into the lands of our ancestors. The Creator is calling for our people to move back to the spiritual road, this journey is needed to rekindle the sacred fire and spirit back in the people and all mankind. We need to reestablish spiritual centers and places for the clans mothers in the East and across the land where the roots of many Nations were torn out by the " RELOCATION". This relocation known as the "Trail of Tears" by many, affected all the indigenous nations and divided our people. The Trail of Joy, The Return, walks and journeys are just another step in the healing, for our people for all humanity. We have, and will continue to travel to the Nations along the way to visit with the Elders and the children to share the visions and to call for a great Gathering of the people. We are losing our young ones to the modern world at an alarming rate, many are not seeing the beauty of their heritage and traditions that bind them together and to our Mother, Mother Earth. It is our prayer that with this journey, we will begin to rediscover that understanding and appreciation of each other, that once made us a great people. Prophesy has been given that there would come a time when we would be at a crossroads. The Elders have said that we are now there and it is time for all of our people to come back to the spiritual oneness that bound us to our Mother Earth and each other before European contact. Grandfather William Commanda once wrote that "forgiveness is the key to the awakening of the true meaning of love and understanding." That is what these journeys are about. Inspired from visions, given birth by doing. This year we will return to each of these eight trees, and place a monument of remembrance there. On these will be inscribed the following: "The Spirit Tree" "This tree is a living memorial to the indigenous peoples who inhabited these lands before European contact, and the Sacred Fire of their spirits still remains." "Since the beginning of time, we have always been here, and will always be" Our only source of funding for this Journey is by the kind and loving gifts given by you and others like you who care, and we need your support now. We wish to extend our heart felt appreciation and thanks to you all for your past, current and future support in this effort. Contributions may be sent to the address below. In faith I come to you, in accord with the spirits of our ancestors and Creator. Your Brother, James Duncan "The Gathering" of Mother Earth's Children RR 2, Box 2233 Thayer, MO 65791 Home/Office - 417-264-7717 (Digital Pager - 800-517-5991 when available) E-Mail - (toj@alice.net) Website - --------- "RE: Excerpt: Wokini by Billy Mills" --------- Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 11:22:21 -0400 From: "coyote red hawk" Subj: WOKINI-BILLY MILLS-PLEASE READ UUCP email I thought I would share this with you. This is a book written by Billy Mills. For those of you that do not know who he is I will tell you. Billy Mills was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He won a gold medal in the 10,000 meter run at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. He has become a motivational speaker and travels the country talking to people. He especially works with Native American children. This is a book he wrote called Wokini (New Life). I read this book in our military library 6 yrs ago in Memphis Tn. By the way, it was in the occult section till I asked them to move it. Since then I have tried to buy the book. It has been on back order in 6 different book stores for me. Well, two weeks ago when I went to the Charlotte powwow I found the book. Of course, I bought it. I need it in my life right now as there are many turmoils going on; but I have been using it as a teaching guide with my 16 yr. old son, and it has helped his attitude a lot. I highly suggest anyone who can buy this book do so. The book speaks of how to be happy, how to make yourself happy. I could write so much more about this book to you and if anyone is interested please ask either on the list or e-mail me privately. Anyway, here is what I wanted to take from Billy's book and give to you all. In my youth I respected the world and life,I needed not anything but peace of heart And yet I changed despite myself and believed in Iktomi lies. He seemed to know all the truth,he promised to make me happy. He made me ask Wakan tanka for wealth,that I might have power; I was given poverty,that I might find my inner strength. I asked for fame, so others would know me; I was given obscurity, that I might know myself. I asked for a person to love that I might never be alone, I was given a life of a hermit,that I might learn to accept myself. I asked for power,that I might achieve, I was given weakness,that I might learn to obey. I asked for health,that I might lead a long life. I was given infirmity.that I might appreciate each minute. I asked Mother Earth for strength,that I might have my way, I was given weakness,that I might feel the need for Her. I asked to live happily,that I might enjoy life, I was given life,that I might live happily, I received nothing I asked for,yet all my wishes came true. Despite myself and Iktomi,my dreams were fulfilled, I am richly blessed more than I ever hoped, I thank-you, Wakan tanka,for what you've given me. This was an excerpt from the book. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do, and I know that if I listen to these words all the time it will make me a better person. Thank-you for your time. With much RESPECT Aho Mitakuye O'yasin Debbie --------- "RE: Know Our True History" --------- Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 16:17:22 -0400 (EDT) From: BSparks777@aol.com Subj: Re: May 13, Leesburg, Va. Lecture: American Indians UUCP email I have always found it interesting even though this has never been stated in western histories that less than thirty years after the forced removal of all first nations from the east, America was at war with itself. This may have never happened if the teachings of the people were honored, if the Georgia militia was punished for their treatment of the Cherokee, if the leaders of our nations were still at the council tables and if the true meaning of the constitution originating from the longhouse were understood and applied equally to all people. Breaking of the treaties taught leaders that might made right and agreements were not sacred. War was seen as a political tool for economic power and truly nothing ever written or agreed upon could insure the rule of law. That is why Crazy Horse never signed a Treaty and said anything written could be changed. The Civil War was only the continuation of a sanctioned policy of armed expansion and the total disregard for human rights and compassion. I will leave you with a quote from then President Johnson to a joint session of Congress," If the savage resists, civilization, with the ten commandments in one hand and the sword in the other, demands his immediate extermination." Let us never forget our responsibilities to our ancestors and to our children to make sure they know our true history and the impact of it on all people through the ages. --------- "RE: They Keep Paying and Paying" --------- From: "DS Adonaset Fort" Subj: they keep paying and paying Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 19:31:57 -0400 UUCP email Oyea, Tau When they first appeared, we hid ourselves waiting to see and understand what these things were that seemed so strange to our eyes. Seeing that they had the appearance of human beings, we stepped forward and greeted them as brothers. Being in need of many things, they greeted us also in a friendly way. Thus began the rape and pillage of the People. We brought to them gifts, gifts of food, drink and shelter. We taught them the ways of planting and growing, the ways of hunting and fishing. These were gifts, but they insisted on paying for the gifts. They paid us with ball and powder, cutlass, pikes, cannons, disease, rape, murder, and slavery. At first, they only needed a little land on which to build a small community, and to plant their crops but soon that little land was not enough, they required more and more. They would not allow trees or rocks or the People to stand in the way of their growth. When they needed but a little space to build their community and plant crops, we did not mind, we were happy to share. We did not claim to 'own' the land or anything that Creator had provided so we gave them room to live. They kept coming and coming - where were they all coming from? Now they had their community and crops, so they did not need our gifts to survive - but they did keep paying us. They brought more ball and powder, cutlass, pikes, cannons, disease, and rape and murder increased and more of the People were being paid for their gifts with slavery and death. We called them 'Brother' and they called us savages, barbarians, heathens, sinners, and slave. They came to us, but we had to learn their tongue, they came to us, but we had to learn their religion. We did the giving and learning and they did the taking. We held all of Creation in esteem, they held what they could hold in the hand in esteem. We held all of Creation as precious, they held rocks as precious, more precious than life. This we did not understand, and because we did not understand, we had to be eliminated. Only a barbaric fool does not realize that gold is more precious than life. We were to be eliminated because as savages, we had no sense of value. We didn't realize what we had, so this justified taking it away, and then sending us away. Before the arrival, we walked the paths - after the arrival we had to walk the trails to new lands -lands that they had stolen from us to give to us. They just kept paying and paying us for those original gifts. They fled europe and other places in search of freedom, and they paid us for the freedom that they found here on Turtle Island; they paid us with the loss of our freedom. Am I speaking of Ponce de Leon or the pilgrims or of 1967 or 1997? Nothing has changed - now they are paying our Brothers in New York - they just keep paying and paying - when will it end? Adonaset Walk in Harmony adonaset@radix.net --------- "RE: The Wind Blows" --------- Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:54:56 -0400 From: Larry Kibbey Subj: The Wind Blows UUCP email All across this land the winds blows, and from time to time it comes from all four directions. Often these winds carry messages, often they carry life and death. In my heart, are words of life and death, words that have come from my ancestor's, my grandfather's who have gone before me and these words provide me with life. I stand before my people, and through their eyes, through their heart, soul and mind, I see a life, and I see a death, and within the darkness of night I see the light of my people who come before me and ask if I can walk in their image. Slowly, a tear rolls down my face, as I stand quietly looking at the ground, and as I lift my head to peer into their souls, I know I can not give them the answer they desire, because so many of my people laugh at my manner, laugh at my long hair, laugh at my dark color, all the while they are praising a false image of life, because they don't care for the ways of my ancestor's, even though they theirselves are Indian. With both arms, I reach out to my grandfather's, seeking their respect, but they step back from me, and say, "How can you be worthy of life, when the death of your people is upon the land?" And my arms fall to my side and my head hangs low, for now I know that in the image of my grandfather's I can never be, until I know of their life and death. Who am I? Nothing but a shadow of times gone by, but when I talk to the medicine of my people, I do not talk to any Creator, I do not talk to any Great Spirit, I do not talk to any God, but I talk to the medicine as my ancestor's did before me, for in their words, in their language, there is no contemporary values, but ancient words that contain a power that will never be shared with the minds of greed, ego or self-proclaimed prophets. All of life! Where are my people? A Government, A Corporate America, Students and Professors of Colleges and Universities, A Society, they tear at my culture and belief's, and for what? I stand before life and death, and the winds blow, all across the land of my ancestor's and in my heart, a heart that bleeds with sadness, a heart yearning for a people to stand in solidarity, to raise up there heads and know that the Indian World will live! I am but one, and in the image of my ancestor's, I walk as the shadow of times gone by, carrying the burden of life and death, and, they, call, me, I-N-D-I-A-N-!! By Larry Kibby - kibbey@sierra.net 1581 Pinenut Circle Elko Indian Colony, Elko, Nevada 89801 ========================================== "The Indian, America's Prisoner's of War." "Roll # 32814" ========================================== --------- "RE: Red Ink Subscription Drive" --------- Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 09:42:31 -0500 From: "John D. Fry" Subj: Red Ink Subscription Drive UUCP email Hi All, I am re posting a message originally sent out last year which contains information about Red Ink. Please consider subscribing for the journal. I have and at the $10 per year the students ask it is quite simply astonishing value. They are trying to increase subscriptions so I thought you would not mind me posting this again! A new issue is due out any time so get your subscriptions in!!! Thanks All, John. The Spring 1997 issue of RED INK: A Native American Student Publication is hot off the press and is now available. This publication is, as far as we know, the only native student run journal of its kind in the country. We feature a variety of topics, as well as a variety of formats. this issue has articles on gaming, stereotypes, and archeology, as well as poetry, fiction & non-fiction, book reviews, and artwork. RED INK's goal is to provide an opportunity to publish works by native writers in all fields. We also publish work by non-native scholars who are interested in native issues; however, we strive to publish native authors as much as we can, and generally don't publish creative writing by non-natives. Our contributors are from all over the US and Canada. Among the tribes/nations/people represented are Cherokee, Comanche, Inupiaq, Lakota, Navajo and Passamaquoddy. Why this blatant plug? Two reasons: First, we need your support. By subscribing to RED INK (at $10 for 2 issues a year, 100 pages an issue, a real bargain) you help support a forum for native writers; although we receive support from the University of Arizona, we have been instructed to become more self-sufficient and bring in more revenue. If any of you have seen RED INK you know we strive to put out a high quality publication. This costs money, as 50 percent of our budget goes toward printing. Also, our editorial board is all-volunteer, composed of 9 students (8 of them native) from the University of AZ. Subscriptions help keep the journal running. The second reason is that we are looking for contributors as well. One of the reasons we revived RED INK in 1993 was to provide native students (primarily graduate & undergraduate) who are just starting out an opportunity to have their work published. While we have published work by such well known writers as Adrian Louis, Maurice Kenny and Gloria Bird, we have also published writings by students as young as 10, and artwork by several high school students. We especially need scholarly articles, as many of our most recent contributions in that area have been by non-natives. We also publish book reviews, and we have a small library of recent books, available (for free!) to anyone who wishes to write a review. Guidelines for submitting to RED INK can be found in the latest issue, which is available for 5 dollars. (Or you can contact us, and we'll be happy to send you flyers on contributing, or subscribing.) To contact RED INK for more info on subscribing or submitting, our address is: RED INK American Indian Studies Programs 1615 East Seventh Street the University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85719 phone: (520) 622-3504 fax: (520) 791-3735 email address: redink@ccit.arizona.edu Thank you for your support. --------- "RE: ParkWatcher Flash" --------- Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 18:17:10 -0400 From: ishgooda@tdi.net Subj: ParkWatcher Flash - May'97 - ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- Date: 97-05-19 15:18:25 EDT From: NAT PARKS ParkWatcher Flash -- May '97 Save a Bison -- Buy from a Bison-Friendly Business! The second great slaughter of the American buffalo, which took place this winter at Yellowstone, has led to calls, letters, and emails pouring in to the Governor of Montana and federal officials. But so far there has not been enough progress on a long-term solution. Beginning this summer, NPCA is sponsoring the "Bison Belong" project, in which tourism-related businesses in Montana can proclaim their support for a healthy bison herd, and YOU can support their decision by becoming a "bison friendly shopper." By now almost everyone has heard about the wildlife catastrophe that took place at Yellowstone National Park this winter. With the ice and snow finally melting, we can now estimate a final toll on the world-famous bison herd. It has been staggering. Fewer than 40% of Yellowstone's once-3, 500-strong herd still live. And of the 2,000 that died, more than half were taken by human hands. The Governor of Montana and federal officials have still not resolved the debate that has for six months driven this tragedy. The state still fears the federal government will revoke its "brucellosis-free" status, and the federal government still has not found adequate wintering grounds outside the park, such that bison can avoid cattle altogether. This summer the state and federal governments are supposed to issue a final bison management plan. This will govern policy for many years, and probably will decide whether the herd survives to our grandchildren's time or not. Now is the time to act, again. Your thousands of calls and letters have been all we had hoped for, but evidently not enough. If you plan to travel to Montana this summer or fall, make a point to ask the businesses you visit to join the "Bison Belong" campaign. We'd be glad to send you literature on the campaign for you to distribute. Just write or call (address below). Once the list grows, you can contact us at the number below to get a copy of "bison-friendly" businesses in the state, and we'll publicize the list in our magazine and on our website. The idea is simple. So far, opponents have been able to argue that the threat of brucellosis is too great an economic risk for the cattle industry to bear. But how great a contribution does a healthy bison herd make to the state's tourism industry? We must get the point across--by encouraging Montana businesses to speak up on their own behalf--that the slaughter has hurt the state economy already and threatens to do even more harm. In this way we expect to get a stronger management plan for the park. Please help as much as you can! + + + The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom -- Coming Soon With Your Help One of NPCA's biggest priorities this year will be adding a unique network to the National Park System -- commemorating America's first civil rights movement, the Underground Railroad. Though the time was dark, the Underground Railroad provided the light of freedom to many escaped slaves. The story we have all read in our school history books is one of great courage and sacrifice: brave but ordinary people, of all colors and backgrounds, helping ex-slaves achieve liberty. But few realize how extensive the network really was, or can appreciate how great a risk both railroad passengers and "conductors" took. The network extended into Canada and Mexico, to the Caribbean, and beyond. Conductors included whites, blacks, native Americans, and others. Many gave their lives, and all lived in terror of discovery. Thirty years after the great civil rights struggles of the 1960's, it is time now to preserve what remains of the Underground Railroad. What remains are safe houses, the tunnels and hiding places their owners built, and the stories of heroism that have been passed down to this day. The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act, sponsored by Ohio representatives Stokes (D) and Portman (R), would set up a network of sites and programs that interested Americans could visit to get a sense of what it was like to be an escaped slave in the early 1800's, and what it was like to harbor one. You Can Help Make It Happen -- Representatives Stokes and Portman introduced their bill earlier this month. Now we need your representatives to join up as cosponsors, or at least to publicly support the bill. Call or write them (contact info below) and ask them to sign on if they haven't already done so. Please help add this important chapter of American history to our park system today! + + + Save Our National Parks Campaign -- Update Utah Monument Declaration Inspires Attacks on Antiquities Act Last year, President Clinton declared a new national monument in the southern Utah desert, the Grand Staircase/Escalante. We wrote in January that there was a significant chance Congress would try to undermine the Antiquities Act, the law responsible for the President's action. Three months later it has already happened, and we need your help right away! Rep. Jim Hansen (R-Utah), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, has introduced legislation to take away all of the power that makes the Antiquities Act so special. His bill would limit the President's ability to declare new national monuments to areas under 5,000 acres (the Escalante covers 1.7 million), and enforce a cumbersome consultation process with the governors of affected states. Here's How to Help -- Rep. Hansen's bill, H.R. 1127, has already passed his subcommittee. It will soon head to the full House of Representatives and Senate, where your representatives can help. Please call or write and let your representative and senators know that the Antiquities Act is important to you. Here's what to say: * The Antiquities Act has helped preserve some of our most beloved parks, including the Grand Canyon, Zion, and most of Alaska's parks. More than half of our national parks started as monuments under the Antiquities Act. It's an effective, important law. * Congress can always repeal a presidential designation if it wants (and it has, on several occasions). Why take away the Act's power to thwart impending threats to fragile public lands? * Repealing or weakening the Antiquities Act would be considered an anti-park move by most Americans. Congress should not be fooled by politicians calling this a "local" issue. The Act applies only to lands already owned by the American people. This is a national issue, and a critical one at that. + + + [First page sidebar] Emergency Alert -- Roads-Through-Parks Bill is Back! One of park supporters' worst nightmares, a 130 year old law that allows states to build roads across federal lands (including parks), has been resurrected again by Congress. We need your letters and calls right away to help avert a disaster! Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has added a rider--to a bill appropriating emergency flood aid, no less--giving states the power to decide what constitutes a "right-of-way" across the American people's lands. These rights of way were established by RS 2477, a Civil War era statute, repealed in 1976, that still haunts federal lands in the West. If it is allowed to become law, we could see webs of roads cut across national parks in Alaska, Utah, and possibly elsewhere. These would be regular, industrial or commercial roads, not roads built with park visitors in mind. If you don't want Denali, Zion, and other parks to become easy targets for county and state roadbuilders, please call the President and urge him to veto the "Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act" if the RS 2477 (Stevens) amendment is included. Phone number is below. Addresses: Your Representative and Senators: The Honorable ____________ U.S. House of Representatives/U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20515/20510 202-225-3121 Bison Belong NPCA/Grassroots Department 1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20036 800-NAT-PARK, ext. 226 Email: GrootsNP@aol.com President Clinton 202-456-1111 --------- "RE: Poem: Red Power-Indian" --------- Date: Fri, 25 Oct 1996 17:01:59 -0700 (PDT) From: Larry Kibbey Subj: + Poetry UUCP email Written January 6, 1991 by: Larry Kibby "RED POWER - INDIAN!!! With clenched fist, young Indians throughout the Indian nation took a stand before this country of America in mass protest with the cry of Red Power! There were sitins and there were marches, and from the west coast to the east coast came the cry of Red Power! It was a movement of Indian people from deep within the reservations and the cities, that gave the cry of Red Power! It was a cry for hunting rights, fishing rights religious rights, land rights, it was the cry of Red Power! They stood before this country of America, tall and proud like their forefathers, warriors of different sorts that gave the cry for all to hear, that the Indian Nation was on the move, it was the cry of Red Power!! --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Sat, 10 May 97 17:36:00 GMT From: dfsanders@genie.com Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days UUCP email A HAWAIIAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of May 25-31 MEI (May) (Ikiiki) 25 When the wind has come full circle 'round the earth, it returns to the place of its beginning. 26 The full moon reflected upon the ocean weaves a night of ancient magic. 27 No act of kindness ever goes unrewarded. 28 I have walked this land before in a child's dream of freedom. 29 Today's memories will be cherished tomorrow. 30 We are all voyagers in life's ocean. 31 In the tiniest of shells is found the eternal cycle. (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, 22 May 97 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (evestar@juno.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows not previously posted to Mailing List NATIVE-L UUCP email Date: Thu, 15 May 97 17:13:29 EDT From: Joe Quickle Subj: Spiritual Journey to Carlisle Indian School - Gathering I've been asked to pass this information along... Joe Q. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Mitakuye Oyasin Honoring Our Ancestral Spirits A Spiritual Journey to the Carlisle Indian School Saturday, May 24, 1997 Burial Site Carlisle Barracks Carlisle, PA 8:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony 9:00 a.m. Feeding of the Spirits / Visit to Gravesite 12:00 Noon Honoring and Feeding of Elders 2:00 p.m. Speakers 4:00 p.m Closing Pipe Ceremony Please let us know if you will be attending. If you are escorting elders or if you wish to speak, please call Ken at (412) 343-9005. For directions and listing of nearby hotels, call Ginny (412) 243-1725 or Monica (412) 731-3861. You are welcome to bring food or beverages to share (no outdoor cooking permitted). Sponsored by Canku Luta (Red Road, Inc.) American Indian Movement or Pennsylvania California University Of PA American Indian Culture Project ================================================================ Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 11:12:59 -0500 From: Grand Master Peter Ticali Subj: Seton Falls Park Gary could you put this out over the net???? i'd appreciate it!!! POW-WOW IN SETON FALLS PARK bronx, n.y. The Native American Warrior Society, is proud to host the first real traditional Pow-Wow in Seton falls park. It is a park rich in our history and blood, and we are grouping to save that land from industrial slaughter.. I am looking for Dancers, Drummers and venders!!!! anyone interested please email me at my E-mail address Day money is being offered to the first 10 dancers to register with me, and drummers will also be paid for the day. Please feel free to contact me 1-800-410-5309 thank you, sincerely Daniel WhiteWolf ================================================================ Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 22:16:04 -0400 From: ishgooda@tdi.net Subj: LDN Oyate Gathering - May 24 - 25, 1997 We Cordially invite you to a traditional gathering and honoring of spiritual leaders and dignitaries of the Lakota (D/N) Oyate. This will take place on May 24th and 25th at Boone Island Park in the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Delegates of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota nations will be attending. On Saturday, May 24th, there will be a buffalo feed and wachipi (pow-wow) open to the public. All dancers are invited to participate. Because this is a traditional gathering appropriate dress and behavior will be observed. The agenda is still open for anyone who might wish to have a special honoring such as birthday songs, honoring, name giving or hunka (adoption). Call the Coordinator immediately to be placed on the agenda or if assistance is needed. Drums and knowledgeable spiritual people will be available for assistance with the ceremonies. At this time, we will be honoring "The Keeper Of The Sacred Calf Pipe", Arvol Looking Horse. We also will have a special honoring for veterans of all wars. We also encourage buyers of native artwork to attend. Many individuals from the reservations will attend and display their work. The sales will help with gas money to get back home. The second day, May 25th, will be an informational meeting where concerned people may attend to hear about treaty rights, land rights and sovereignty issues. People should come to these meetings with an open mind and heart and try not to feel offended or take things personally, since many sensitive issues will be addressed. The LDN Oyate has not had such a gathering in over a hundred years since Greasy Grass. This will be the first step in the coming together of the "Oceti Sakowin", The Seven Campfires (as foretold in the Lakota prophecies). Heralded, as the first of it's kind--it is currently the talk of the reservations. Everyone is excited about this upcoming historical event. Many people are coming in from all over (parts of Canada, and other parts of the world) at their own expense. We realize that this is a very short notice for a gathering of such significance, however, we feel we need to work as fast as possible in order to address all the important issues and topics vital to the interests of our people. At this time we are under direct pressure to sell our treaty land. We feel that we can no longer continue to struggle on our own. Therefore we are asking for your participation. Because we are doing this without any government support, we are seeking financial/corporate assistance where feasible. Through prayers, bonding, unity, forgiving and ceremonies, it is our hope that we can help mend the sacred circle of the people by helping heal the family. We hope to heal our people by providing a network of support and assistance forming a strong solidarity and unity within our Lakota community as well as with other tribes and nations. Because of the diplomatic status of some of the people attending, strict security will be enforced. For more information contact Martina Looking Horse, Coordinator at 2515 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411(612) 529-5592. (**emails to this address will be forwarded**) Make checks payable to the "LDN Oyate" to help support this event. At this time, we need to pay $1000. in order to cover the insurance costs for the Minneapolis park usage. We also have a block of 20 rooms at the Days Inn in Minneapolis at a cost of $4000. (This is for the elderly dignitaries coming from the reservations.) If anyone could help with these immediate, upfront costs, it would be greatly appreciated. We need any amount of financial assistance, as soon as possible, in order to make this a great event. No amount of contribution is too small. Checks made payable to the "LDN Oyate" should be sent to the above address. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours, Martina Looking Horse ================================================================ Date: 18 May 1997 21:46:03 -0400 From: NativeEvents@caraveo.com Subject: Native Events Newsgroups: alt.native Thess NEW event listings have been forwarded to you by the Native Events Calendar Visit us at http://www.caraveo.com/native/ Note: The state codes may not be correct for Mexico and Canada listings ---------------------------------------------------------------- First Annual Echota Cherokee 11/8/1997 State: AL Country: USA Type: Powwow Place: Celebration Arena 67 Horse Center Road Decatur, Alabama (Just off I-65 at Hwy. 67, Exit 334) Hours: 9AM - 9PM Campground: 150 Hookups, call 205/351-9242 for reservations Motel: Ramada Ltd. (Pow Wow rates 42.00 plus tax) call 1-800-579-5464 for reservations Admission: $5.00 adults: $3.00 children ---------------------------------------------------------------- HeartBeat of Nations Powwow 8/31/1997 State: MA Country: Canada Type: Powwow Sagkeeng First Nation, MB.Canada August 29-31,1997 Singing contest: 1st $10,000.00 2nd $7,500.00 3rd $5,000.00 4th $2,500.00 5th $1,000.00 Dancing specials. Camping Security Contact: Wayne Girard 204-367-8934wk 204-367-2112hm or Keith Fontaine 204-367-8675 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Kiowa Gourd Clan Pow-wow and Celebration 7/4/1997 State: OK Country: USA Type: Powwow The annual Kiowa Gourd Clan pow-wow and Celebration... In Carnegie, Ok located at the Carnegie park. gourd dancing and specials in the afternoon and war dancing after supper break. Come bring your gourds and dance with us... July 2-4 1997 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Cultural Curriculum Development Workshop 7/3/1997 State: MT Country: USA Type: Conference June 30-July 3, 1997 in Polson, Montana, the American Indian Institute will host its 17th Annual Cultural Curriculum Development Workshop. This workshop will focus on teaching the process of cultural curriculum development. Following this workshop, participants will be able to take this process back to their local programs to establish cultural curriculum teams in their local areas. During the workshop, each participant will develop 3 cultural lessons which will be edited by American Indian Institute staff and printed in a cultural curriculum guide sent to all workshop participants. For more information, please email us. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Festival of Centuries, Liverpool, NY 7/19/1997 State: NY Country: USA Type: Powwow Reenactment, Native artisans and food vendors, flute payers, Iroquois Dancers & Singers and Piscataway Dancers and Singers. Lots of Native demos, food, music, fun. Bring the family, only $2.00 for parking. Spend Saturday-Sunday, 10-5 p.m. exploring the past and the present with Native peoples and others as we time travel through the centuries! 12,000 people attended last year's event! ======================================================= From The Spike: Memorial Day Weekend Events on the East Coast May 23-24 Mt. Juliet, TN - Powwow '97 Info: 615-758-2646 May 24-25 King William, VA - Upper Mattaponi's 10th Annual Spring Festival & Native American Powwow. Info: 804-769-2257 May 24-25 Cherokee, NC - 15th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Powwow Info: 704-497-3028 May 23-25 Cochranton, PA - American Indian Hobbyist Assn. Info: 412-882-0613 May 24-25 Marion, MI - 8th Annual Giss-I-Was Creek Indian Powwow Info: 616-281-3640 or after 6 616-878-9443 May 24-26 Columbus, OH - 15th Annual Moon When the Ponies Have Shed Powwow Info: 614-443-6120/2651 May 24-26 Topsfield, MA - Massachusetts Ctr. for Native American Awareness - Spring Planting Moon Powwow Info: 617-884-4227 May 24-26 Panama, NY - 3rd Annual Gathering of the People Intertribal Powwow Info: 717-995-5177 ===================================================================== -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- 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: Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty, Nicholas Wilson, Larry Kibby, Janet Smith, Debra F. Sanders, Melissa Jacobs via Robert B. Bancroft, Christina Meckel, R. Henley/Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs, Marvin and Linda Summerfield/Cherokee Observer via Nancy Thomas, Ishgooda, The Manitoba Warrior Society, Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty, Debbie Jackson, David S. Carter, Barbara Guglielmo (Information Update), Borries Demeler, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe, James Duncan, Mark N. Trahant, John D. Fry, Jim George, Katsi Cook/Native Americas Magazine, Billy Sparks, Adonaset, Mohawk Nation Office, Mexico Peace -//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Part B of this newsletter has already been distributed via the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing lists. --------- "RE: Conferences and Powwows - online" --------- Date: Thu, 22 May 97 08:00 -0500 From: Janet Smith (evestar@juno.com) Subj: Upcoming conferences and powwows already posted to Mailing List NATIVE-L UUCP email Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 11:53:57 -0700 From: sds@digisys.net (Serena) Subj: itinerary for speaking tour of Thomas Banyacya Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) Itinerary for Speaking Tour of Thomas Banyacya, a messenger for the prophecies of the Traditional Hopi people and Grace Smith Yellow-Hammer, Navajo (Dineh) Elder from the Big Mountain area of Arizona. May 22 Thomas & Grace arrive. May 22nd -THURSDAY Speaking engagement AND NAVAJO RUG SHOW & SALE at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5515 PHINNEY AVE. N. SEATTLE, WA. 7PM -10PM $5-$20 ON SLIDING SCALE DONATION AT THE DOOR. No one turned away for lack of funds. May 23rd - FRIDAY - EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE, OLYMPIA, WA. NATIVE AMERICAN LONG-HOUSE. 5 PM - 8 PM. May 24th - SATURDAY. PORTLAND, OREGON. WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. N.E. 1606 16TH AVE N.E. 7 PM - 9 PM. May 25th - SUNDAY GRAND ILLUSION THEATER,1403 N.E. 50TH SEA, WA. SHOWING OF THE FILM "BROKEN RAINBOWS" 10:45 A.M. May 25th - SUQUAMISH LONG HOUSE. BC. 4 PM - 9 PM May 26th - VANCOUVER BC - DAYLONG WORKSHOP ON TRADITIONAL HEALING METHODS. 9AM - 5 PM. TATEYAH TOPA POB 85825 SEATTLE WASH 98105 PAJUTA@AOL.COM "Article" by Karen Timentwa (words (approx) 800 Start; ASAP Press Release Lecture Thomas Banyacya, a messenger for the prophecies of the Traditional Hopi people and Grace Smith Yellow-Hammer, Navajo (Dineh) Elder from the Big Mtn. Az. area, will be speaking and presenting a Navajo Rug show and sale at: ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5515 Phinney Ave, N. Seattle, Wa. Thursday May 22nd, 1997, 7 pm - 10 pm $5 - $20 donation at the door, no one turned away for lack of funds. For More info: 206-722-1910 or Pajuta@aol.com In the early 1940's there were four men chosen by the Traditional Hopi Leaders to carry the message of the Hopi people. Thomas Banyacya is the remaining messenger of the four men chosen. Since 1948, he has traveled the world warning that our civilization is pressing too far into technological development without remembering to remain in balance with the Earth. The Hopi have remained faithful to the instructions of the Great Spirit, Massau;u up to this time. He has given us many prophecies. It was said by Massau;u that if and when a gourd of ashes is dropped on the earth, that many humans will die and that the end of the materialistic way of life is near at hand. We interpret this as the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We do not want to see this happen again, here or any place on our Mother Earth. Today almost all the prophecies have come to pass. Hopi and other Native peoples were warned that no man should bring back anything to earth from the moon. It will create unbalance of natural and universal laws and cause severe Earthquakes, Floods, Hailstorms, Season changes and Famines. This is now happening. Most people have strayed from from the life plan shown them by Massau:u. These signs tell us that we are nearing the end of our life patterns, we are coming to the time of the purifiers who were commissioned by the Great Spirit to stop this destruction of self and Nature. We do not have an alternative to this. Human kind has a chance to change the direction of this movement, to do a "round-a-bout" turn, and to move in the direction of Peace, Harmony and Respect for land and life. The time is right now. The Hopi know that humans will harness solar, wind and Natural energies, how ever, if these energies are misused the Earth will be engulfed in flames. We must bring back the level of life where land is free, water is free, with freedom of Spiritual understanding. We are searching for the right way, living the truth and peaceful way of harmony with each other and with nature, the clouds, the rain, the animals, the plant life. We are all part of it - we cannot break away from that We are going to have to understand this so that we can look at each other. We are just like the trees out there. All different people with different colors, different languages and ways of expression. We are just like any other part of nature that surround us. This we must understand. When humankind put more emphasis on material than spiritual things, when the laws of nature were interfered with and ignored and the world of Atlantis was destroyed, a few spiritual people who adhered to the powers of the Great Spirit were allowed to survive. These people are the ancestors of those who have carried the knowledge that is the Hopi spiritual way. Hopi means "Peaceful People".... the truest and greatest power is the strength of Peace.... because Peace is the will of the Great Spirit. ( Taken from a talk given by Thomas Banyacya) Grace Smith Yellow-Hammer, describes herself as a communicator for the Traditional Navajo (Dineh) Elders of Big Mtn Arizona, (270 Elders) who are being forced into relocation. She is not a spokesperson for them as there in no real one spokesperson as they all work together. She is just one of the chosen ones to do this Spiritual work, we are a Traditional people. Just like Thomas Banyacya (Interpreter for the Hopi Prophecies) was chosen by the Hopi Religious leaders to carry their message of Peace, Harmony and Balance, I have been chosen to carry the message of my Dineh Elders. The struggle is was brought us here, we did not want to be here like this. We come to educate the public about our struggle. we go where people invite us. We are the communicators for our Traditional Elders, if you want to help, and offer your support we will carry that message back to our Elders. Then they will discuss it and if you come from a true, honest and Peaceful place they will accept your help. Many of our Navajo Elders have never gone to school and only speak our Dineh (Navajo) language, we are a Spiritual, Peaceful and Traditional people. We defend our Mother Earth and the Environet. We are not preachers, we just talk about our Traditional ways and hope that you will understand and support us. Grace will be bringing with her Navajo rugs woven by the families living there at Big Mtn. and the outlying areas for sale to the public, to help support the people there. We would like to invite all Native Peoples and Organizations, Church groups, Social Change Organizations and Individuals working towards Peace and a World in Balance to come hear the message of the Hopi and Navajo People. This event is sponsored by TATEYAH TOPA and Co-Sponsored by Support for Native Sovereignty, the LRC, and the University Unitarian Church's Racial & Cultural Diversity Committee and Native American Task Force. --------- "RE: Exxon and Mole Lake" --------- Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 14:51:14 -0700 From: ien@igc.apc.org (Indigenous Environmental Network) Subj: Mole Lake takeover Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) The following items are being forwarded by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) for dissemination. Item No. 1: URGENT ALERT: MAY 17, 1997 EXXON DESTABILIZES CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY Witnesses/Observers Bail Funds Needed Letters and Calls Wanted On May 1, 1997 members of the Mole Lake Chippewa Reservation in northwestern Wisconsin began an occupation of their tribal administration offices charging wrongdoing and influence peddling by Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson and the Exxon Minerals Corporation who have a partnership with Canadian mining giant Rio Algom. Exxon/Rio Algom are midway through a permit to develop one of the largest metallic sulfide mines (2,000) feet deep shaft) next to the Mole Lake Chippewa Reservation, endangering their sacred wild rice beds, surrounding waters, and the entire Wolf River system. The grassroots tribal members are convinced that Exxon has already infiltrated their tribal administration and by occupying the tribal offices have declared NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL. They've called for a number of agencies to investigate these charges and to root out any undue and illegal influence affecting their survival. This action, while it has created some new interest in their concerns, remains extremely tense. The tribal government, ignoring their constitutional duty to hear the widespread complaints, have instead issued eviction notices and have filed charges of criminal trespass. Though no arrests have yet been made those inside have been summarily fired from their jobs and threats to take away personal property and land assignments have been issued. They ask that pressure be put on the Department of Interior, the Department of Justice and other agencies for a thorough investigation. Because of allegations of misuse of casino funds the National Indian Gaming Board is also investigation Mole Lake. Additional concerns of US EPA collusion is also surfacing. Please contact the following: * Tom LeClaire, DOJ Office of Tribal Justice - 633 Indiana Ave. NW, * Washington DC 20531 PH: 202/616-3205 FAX: 202/514-7805 * Doris Popple, NIGA (Gaming Bd) : 202/632-7003 * Wisconsin Department of Justice, Gary Hamblin: 608/266-1671 * US EPA Office of Environmental Justice: 800/962-6215 * Dept. of Interior, BIA, Ashland WI 54806 - 715/682-4527 * Mole Lake Tribal Government, Rt. 1, Box 625, Crandon WI 54520 FOR MORE INFORMATION: * Midwest Treaty Network: Walt Bresette, PH/Fax: 715/779-5071 * Indigenous Environmental Network WEB SITE: http://www.alphacdc.com/ien * (also see LINKS at IEN site for Midwest Treaty Network and Menominee * Nation); E-mail: ien@igc.apc.org - phone 218/751-4967 FAX:218/751-0561. * Mole Lake Concerned Tribal Members: 715/367-2902 Item No. 2: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 1997 Walt Bresette, Red Cliff Lake Superior Chippewa TREATY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND TO BEGIN Because of the may tribal members who have taken direct action regarding treaty rights a Treaty Legal Defense Fund is needed. Such a fund, discussed at an Anishinabe Niijii meeting earlier this year, will be used in support of actions which move forward the protection of treaties or help clarify treaties as a tool to protect the environment of Ceded Territory. The fund's account will be set up in a local bank where people will be able to make direct deposits. Elders from Red Cliff and members of the Waub Ojeeg Institute for Cultural Preservation will temporarily oversee the accounting of these funds; a more permanent fund system will be established in the next months for Ceded Territory. Until then, people can send contributions to the Treaty Defense Fund c/o Walt Bresette, Route 1, Box 117, Bayfield, WI 54814 or phone 715/779-5071. # # # # # WITNESSES NEEDED AT MOLE LAKE Because of increased tensions on the Mole lake Reservation, I call upon all sides to open direct dialogue, and to seek ways for a peaceful mediation and resolution of this situation. Until such avenues are opened there is a need for trained observers to monitor the situation so that no Mole Lake members or local citizens face hostile action. I urge trained witness for Non-violence members to make themselves available; they can contact me at the northern office of Witness for Non-violence, Route 1, Box 117, Bayfield WI 54814 or by calling 715/779-5071. Item No. 3: News Release May 9. 1997 by Walt Bresette Lake Superior Chippewa - Red Cliff MOLE LAKE OCCUPATION WILL STRENGTHEN ANTI-EXXON ALLIANCE The horses are out of the barn at Mole Lake. It's time to round them up, repair the barn door, and resume the battle against Exxon and their buddies who wish to turn northern Wisconsin into a mining district. The current struggle at Mole Lake has external factors and implications. All the charges leveled need to be aired and dealt with. It is premature to assign guilt or wrongdoing, but the charges must find a proper venue, not simply denied or covered-up. This unfortunate situation for the Mole Lake community should not blind the anti-Exxon allies from continuing the momentum forward. In the end, the airing of these charges will strengthen the alliance; to ignore them will weaken our resolve. Serious charges which may have compromised the Exxon permit process and the Mole Lake Air Quality permit need to be investigated. Potential undo influence over tribal leaders by the Thompson-Klauser administration needs to be clarified. And Mole Lake's leadership in the alliance needs to be restored. The charges against the Ackley administration, unless properly aired and resolved, contaminates the trust needed in the alliance. What some Mole Lake tribal members have done is express exasperation against what they believe is outside influence, bad internal policy and potential illegal activities. They also say their tribal government has refused to act on these concerns, so they took action themselves. This is not surprising, nor is it new; it happens regularly around Indian Country. What is surprising is that similar action didn't occur at the Wisconsin town of Nashville when Exxon held that building hostage, refusing to allow duly elected town members to take office. What is surprising is that despite Jim Klauser's well-known and documented influence peddling, state citizens have not reclaimed control over their government. So while we shouldn't rush to judgment against the Ackley Administration, let's not find those inside the building guilty either. Reports are surfacing that arrests may soon occur. By turning this simply into a law enforcement action ignores serious concerns. Usually where there is smoke, perhaps there's fire. While in a circle inside the building one (Mole Lake) elder spoke: "We have a short in our attic," he said, using a familiar metaphor. "Unless we find where it's at and repair it now, there will be a fire." I call upon the Mole Lake Tribal Council, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other appropriate agencies to help find the proper venues for the charges being raised by Mole Lake Members. I also call upon those inside to allow objective observers to document this situation. I ask any trained Witness for Non-Violence members to schedule time at Mole Lake. The stakes are too high for friends and neighbors to be silent; what happened at Madison, Town of Nashville and now Mole Lake and Lac du Flambeau foreshadows other communities in an era of influence peddling by deep-pocketed mining interests. ****************************************************************** Indigenous Environmental Network P.O. Box 485 Bemidji, MN 56619 Ph: (218) 751-4967 Fax: (218) 751-0561 e-mail: ien@igc.apc.org web page: http://www.alphacdc.com/ien --------- "RE: Mole Lake Takeover" --------- Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 12:27:31 -0700 From: alex@scicom.alphacdc.com (Alexandria Lord) Subj: Mole Lake takeover Mailing List: NATIVE-L (native-l@gnosys.svle.ma.us) May 1, 1997 from: Bill Koenen, Mole Lake tribal member contact number: (715) 478-2604 - Mole Lake Tribal Building - Punch "O" during the recording Concerned Tribal Members of the Mole Lake So