From gars@netcom.com Tue Sep 16 23:49:14 1997 Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 20:29:26 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews05.038 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 05, ISSUE 038 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 20 September 1997 O o O KANOHEDA ANIYVWIYA Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin O o O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min 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 Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native; FOL-L, NAT-FILM & BINDLESTIF WORLD WIDE lists; UUCP email; Voices of the Wintercount ; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; Sacred Little Cedar Mountain Defense Coalition 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 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. "I hear what the ground says ... The water says the same thing ... 'Feed the Indians well.' The grass says the same thing ... The ground says, 'The Great Spirit has placed me here to produce all that grows on me, trees and fruit.' The same way the ground says, 'It was from me man was made.' The Great Spirit, in placing men on earth, desired them to take good care of the ground and to do each other no harm." __ Young Chief, Cayuse +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! The U.S. government will be giving a $5 M welfare block grant to the Lakota rather than giving it to the South Dakota government for distribution. This can be good if the Tribal Government is fair in its distribution. I have heard, and probably with good cause, there is fear that this will further entrench a corrupt government as they may (probably will) apportion the money with more of an eye toward reward and punishment rather than need. I would love to see the actual numbers when the Feds were distributing it. I see it as a positive development. It's a step toward tribal sovereignty -- giving the Lakota a power that had previously been retained by the feds or the state. If the tribal leaders do not use that power responsibly, then they have to face the displeasure of their neighbors. Of course, they can turn to the Federal Marshalls and FBI to quell dissent much as has happened with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Perhaps along with giving them more autonomy, they should remove the resource of federal policing where internal matters are concerned? I have been asked by a Traditional Member of First Nations to post that ANYTHING that is posted on internet smearing another Traditional leader, or is harmful to First Nations will be taken as cause for libel. The story has been broke in _Indian Country Today_ that emphasizes this stand. TARGETS MAY SUE OVER INTERNET SMEAR CYBERSPACE LISTS UPSETS TRADITIONAL TRIBAL LEADERS "Copies of an unsigned inventory of "charlatans" distributed over the Internet and claiming to list 225 phony medicine men and spiritual leaders, spread across the southwest South Dakota reservation like wildfire late last month. The Internet is a international web of inter-connected computer sites that anyone with a personal computer and a modem connecting them to phone lines, can access. Entries on the list included Episcopal ministers, to very vocal participants in the movement to stop the exploitation of traditional Lakota spirituality and to ban non-Indians from participating in ceremonies, to tribal leaders. Even the Keeper of the Sacred Pipe for the Lakota People was not spared. "My father, my brother and I are on that list," said Arvol Looking Horse. "So are a number of people from Cheyenne River who are trying to live in traditional ways. The list isn't accurate." The list, distributed through American Online, a commercial INternet service provider disappeared from cyberspace after its appearance on July 22. By that time, however, photocopies had circulated across the nation. According to Rapid City Lawyer, Ramon Roubideux, who last year won a $2 million discrimination lawsuit filed by Scott Means against the Rapid City Police Department and Perkins restaurant, the charlatan list probably is libelous. "If the stuff is absolutely untrue and it defames a person's character, then it is libel," he said. If it weren't so absurd and damaging this list of "alleged" Native American charlatans would be laughable. Let us all honor the words of the Changleska Wakan who speak for the traditional ways, cry for visions and respect all our relations. I am reminded, that ignoring the wisdom of the elders and their voices is included in the prophesies and that the Sacred Hoop will only be renewed if it is first broken entirely. That time is soon upon us. There are the shouts that treaties with First Nations are old history and should be ignored (as if they were ever honored). We hear words angrily shouted such as, "Why don't you Indian People just forget it. I'm sick and tired of hearing about it." Not nearly as sick and tired of our having to still live it. The lies and deliberate abuse of promises made when People were stripped of their lands and their ways. Every culture must look to their past in order to ensure their future. Indian People have been isolated on desolate, forsaken lands, placed away from mainstream America, denied basic rights of freedom of religion, placed in a education system that doesn't even TEACH Indian history, lost their young to urban areas which destroy them with the washichu poison of drugs and alcohol. We've had tribal funds stolen, trust land monies "misappropriated", our leaders attacked, our homes burned, our jobs taken, beaten, murdered, forced to become dependent on the dole system forced to survive on a system called welfare, designed to take our pride and abused worse than any nation in history. I see on internet, coyotes with such lofty ideals preaching the rhetoric of sacredness when they have no idea of the meaning. I see those who would venture forward to share what they have been taught, attacked by those who would talk their cheap talk, do their petty bickering and say meaningless words of how big THEY are, how much THEY know. These are the same people who didn't show up last winter to help Elders struggling to survive the harsh winters, who are the cancer of First Nations, causing the corruption of our People by their lies and their unfounded accusations. There is spiritual prejudice among First People, and it is alive and well on internet among those who would infect their deadly disease into our very spiritual existence. They come as cowards in the night, with a complete lack of respect for our Leaders, our Medicine Keepers. Who cares what they think? None of us do. We know them for what they are, diseases that need to be eradicated from our Nations, destroyed for the filth they bring to us. I stand up and support our leaders who are fed up with the internet traitors of our People. To all I ask the one question that only you can answer, but others know what the true answer is. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HELP FIRST NATIONS!?" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This late breaking news item makes part of this issue wasted cyber trash, but it is a thing we can all rejoice in! Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 17:29:59 -0400 From: "Robert Boone" Subj: Re: GORTON'S RIDERS on CSPAN 2 NOW! YES! Sen. Gordon withdrew his rider on Judicial Immunity for the tribes. Also didn't really appear as if he was prepared. Only bringing with him two graphs and a partial sample treaty from his state. Not enough adequate info for other senators. Didn't appear as he had much backing from his other senators present because of his inadequate info on this rider. The Sen. from Hawaii moved me as he spoke of the government of this country exterminating the Indians, talked about the Trail Of Tears and said there were many trail of tears. How so many treaties were broken or not even ratified or brought for discussion.He also spoke of the Indians helping feed Gen. Washingtons troops and how scince WW1 that the American Indians have sent more men per capita then any other ethnic group to war......WOW! The whole matter of the money going to the tribal gov. will be set aside for further study when more info is attained, that just a means testing formula was not adequate.... This made my day, smiling, Brenda Thanks to Mike Wicks for these reminders: In Memory (with Respect and Honor) 9.11.1974 Jackson Washinton Cutt - AIM member killed at Parmalee by "unknown individuals." Investigation still "ongoing." 9.16.1974 Robert Reddy - AIM member killed at Kyle by gunshot. No investigation. 9.22.1973 Melvin Spider - AIM member killed Porcupine, South Dakota. No investigation. 9.23.1973 Philip Black Elk - AIM supporter killed when his house exploded. No investigation. 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 - Elders Statement THIS - Alert: All Native American Communities ISSUE - Excellent Response to HR2107 CONTAINS - Ute Land Grab NO - Patronizing Indians? PART B - Wolverine Speaks - Little Bighorn THIS - A Letter to President Clinton ISSUE - Presentation by Ramsey Clark CONTAINS - Happy Birthday, Leonard Peltier NO - Buffalo Hunt PART B - Bison Killing - United Church Lies, Lawyer Steals THIS - Chief's Peace Effort `Largely a Sham' ISSUE - Mt. Graham Support Letter CONTAINS - Unhappy Anniversary NO - Ts'peten Defender Released PART B - Friends of the Lubicon Trial - TVA Stumbles on Little Cedar THIS - Hunting and Herding Rights ISSUE - Strong Support-Indian Gaming CONTAINS - New Book on James Bay Cree NO - A Hundred Years Ago PART B - Native Prisoner - Poem: Leonard's Poem THIS - Poem: To Leonard Peltier ISSUE - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days CONTAINS - Conferences and Powwows NO PART B --------- "RE: Elders Statement" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 18:28:02 -0600 (MDT) From: Voices of the Wintercount Subj: Elders Statement June, 1983, Santa Clara Pueblo of New Mexico Elders Meeting "The prophecies and visions of our Grandfathers are upon us. The Chief of Trees, the Maple, is dying from the top down as we were told would happen. This is from the industrial poisons that rain down in the Northeast. The rivers are running backwards as was foretold. This is from the dams on our rivers, the lifelines for all living things. The children are leading the parents and they grow up on their own without proper instructions or guidance. They grow up without love from their families, and the families are scattered like ashes in the wind, as we were told would someday come about. These are just a few of the devastating things reported to the Elders Circle. Our people have reported that our Grandfather, the Wind, has continued to increase his force and destruction. Tornadoes have multiplies and visited the four directions now occupied by our white brothers. Etenohan, the Earth we call Mother, has tears running down her face and great floods and rains are everywhere and people are suffering. The Earth has shaken herself and rumbled in the Four Corners of the Great Turtle Island. The mountains are stirring, smoking and sending their powers over the land and its inhabitants. These are warnings clear and direct. These are the powers the Great Spirit has put here to work in harmony with people through prayer, ceremony and respect in how we live. We have failed and we are being warned. How did this happen and who is responsible? The forces of the military are once again raising their faces to the powers of creation, the natural world. The judicial system is being used to suppress the spiritual power of the Four Directions. The leaders of some countries have deputized runners of destruction and exploitation. They have been given instructions to find all natural resources and remove them from their ancient habitats and deliver them to the industrial complexes that gird for war. Leaders of industrial nations throughout the world confront each other with ideological dogmas that speak of peace, but mean war. All of this is being done without regard to the consequences that will be visited upon our children. Our white brother, whose gift from the Creator was invention, has used this gift to unleash the ultimate power of the atom. This was done in the Sacred Mountains of New Mexico, mountains which have held these forces within their protection since we were planted here by the Creator. Sacred sites are being desecrated and destroyed despite the protest of our spiritual leaders. Poisons have been unleashed upon the land, in the waters and springs that we need for survival. By destroying the sacred mountains and burial sites, man has destroyed the prayer sticks and sacred places that hold the dust of our ancient ones, those put there to work with the Creator for our welfare. The holders of these objects have now become the experts and they tell the Indian people what they mean without knowledge or respect. They exercise a cultural arrogance they claim was manifest by God to be their destiny. Indian nations have suffered death, destruction, forced removal from the land, and we have witnessed the desecration of our dead. It continues to this day under the guise of education, even going so far to use our own people against us. It is this blindness that is so dangerous. We have failed and we are being warned. We must heed the warnings being visited upon the earth. We must make the connection between the warnings and the desecration of the earth. The drumbeat of our hearts will cease and we shall have destroyed that which we have sworn to protect. There will be no life or future for our children. Our elders, who carry the ancient instructions and teachings, stand in a circle praying for the land and life. The ceremonies are sacred and the instructions are sacred. They must be treated with respect and conducted by the proper authorities in the Four Directions. As long as we hold fast to this, our life will continue and there will be a future for all people. We look to other people in other lands to recognize this and stand with the Circle of Life." Wo Wa Tsa Woegah Nan Keh Wiat (Finished with respect for life) --------- "RE: Alert: All Native American Communities" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 15:27:45 -0400 (EDT) From: FirehairSS@aol.com Subj: Alert--All Native American communities UUCP email Subj: Native American Community Alert! Certainly, you may pass the column around. It's out on the New York Times wire as of 4 a.m. this morning. It's important that it get out quickly. SEN. GORTON ATTEMPTS TO AMBUSH INDIAN TRIBES (EDITOR'S NOTE: Charles Levendosky, editorial page editor of the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, has a national reputation for First Amendment commentary. His e-mail address is levendos@trib.com.) By CHARLES LEVENDOSKY c.1997 Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash. --- who has, perhaps unfairly, been called "the Indian fighter" --- did attempt to ambush tribes by quietly attaching an explosive rider to the Senate version of the Interior appropriations bill. The provision threatens their sovereign immunity --- and thereby their very lifeblood. Under the Gorton provision (Section 120), Indian tribes must either give up their sovereign immunity or relinquish more than half the federal funding they receive from the Bureau of Indian Affairs for essential programs. For most tribes the loss of those funds would be economically devastating. Yet giving up sovereign immunity means that tribes would quickly lose their ability to govern themselves and protect the funds they do have. Either choice triggers detonation. Tribal sovereign immunity means that a tribe cannot be sued without its consent. Cities and states have sovereign immunity. The federal government has sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity protects governments from unwarranted attacks on their treasuries and undue intrusion on governmental functions. Sovereign entities do waive that immunity in special, limited circumstances so that injustices they may have caused can be righted. Sovereign immunity allows governments to serve and provide services to the citizenry within their jurisdiction by protecting them from raids upon their treasuries. Without sovereign immunity, tribes could be dragged into court and legally harassed out of existence. But Gorton claims that the "doctrine of sovereign immunity places tribes above the law." In fact, however, Gorton's provision discriminates against tribes. Gorton has not proposed that states and local governments also give up sovereign immunity in order to receive federal funds. The federal government and the U.S. Supreme Court have long recognized that tribes are governments --- governments with the inherent right of sovereign immunity. Only last year, the high court ruled in Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida "that Congress does not have the authority under the Constitution to make the State suable in federal court ... ." A state cannot be sued in federal court without its consent. In earlier rulings, the Supreme Court has upheld tribal sovereign immunity from attack. If a tribe decides to retain sovereign immunity, it loses its federal Tribal Priority Allocations (TPA). Those funds are used for tribal government, human services, road maintenance, welfare assistance programs, law enforcement, community development, schools, and housing improvements. The loss of TPA funds would cripple a tribe's ability to govern itself and could jeopardize its existence. Long ago the federal government recognized that it owed Indian tribes financial assistance in exchange for the lands and natural resources that were taken from them. That exchange is part of the trust relationship the federal government has with tribes. Few tribes are economically self sufficient. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., the only Indian in Congress, chairs the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In a Sept. 4 "Dear Colleague" letter to members of the Senate, he wrote that Section 120 "would violate specific promises made to Indian tribes in their treaties with the United States." Campbell said of the TPA: "These funds are targeted at addressing the most critical areas of need in Indian country." Indeed, according to BIA statistics, 38 percent of Indians, ages 6 to 11 years old live below the poverty level. And 16 percent of Indian males and 13 percent of Indian females who are 16 years of age and older are unemployed. Of those employed, 29 percent earn less than $10,000 a year. The figures show a far greater poverty level than for any other ethnic or racial group in the United States. There were no hearings on Gorton's proposal to force tribes to give up all their immunity from lawsuits or face even greater poverty. There should have been. And there were no congressional inquiries about the constitutionality of such a drastic proposal. Article III, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution defines the judicial power of the federal courts. Nowhere in that language does it provide this kind of jurisdiction over tribes. Congress does not have the authority to change Article III. And it is unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court would uphold the use of coercion to force the surrender of a basic right. It has never done so in the past. Think of the public reaction if a member of Congress proposed that states give up their sovereign immunity in order to continue to receive federal funds. Yet Gorton doesn't think his provision targets Indians unfairly. Last week on the floor of the Senate, Gorton paraded a list of serious grievances against tribes that were not resolved because the tribes involved would not grant consent to be sued. He neglected, however, to tell his colleagues about the number of citizens who have been refused the right to sue their local governments or their states for similar grievances. David Hayes, special counselor to the Secretary of Interior, responded Friday: "Tribes, states and the feds all have waived their sovereign immunity in specific cases. And that's appropriate. But what this proposal does is take a sledge hammer approach ... which is totally antithetical to the notion of sovereignty and self governance. "We have a special obligation to protect the sovereignty and self governance of tribes. It's rare that we encounter such a frontal assault on those very central principles as we have here." In an interview Thursday, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Michael Anderson put it bluntly: "The administration objects strongly and would recommend a veto of this ... We think that without any kind of analysis by the Congress, this is really premature, unprecedented, and objectionable." Gorton would be wise to withdraw his attack on Indians. It has Custer written all over it. --------- "RE: Excellent Response to HR2107" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 09:37:22 -0400 (EDT) From: FirehairSS@aol.com Subj: Dawn Chere--excellent piece/ltr--HR 2107 UUCP email Dear Sirs or Madams: It has recently come to my attention that there is a bill in the works from Senator Gorton having to do with monetary appropriations for the Dept of the Interior. Within this bill there are statements requesting that funding for Native American Sovereign Nations be required to give up either their Sovereignty or their federal funding. I am a registered Chickasaw Native American, although I do not qualify for aid; nor do I want or need any. However, there are several who rely on the federal money that is sent to the Nations each year. It funds schools, medical clinics, employment opportunities, and so much more. To require the Nations to give up their sovereignty is the same as requiring individual States to be required to do the same. (The states are guilty of the same offenses as the Nations are being accused of). If you but look in history books you will find where the United States made agreements (treaties) with the individual Nations or groups of Nations to supply monetary compensation for removal and/or purchase of the lands that the Native Americans had occupied. I am a descendant of Levi Colbert and in my genealogical papers I find several references to treaties and monetary compensation. Here are some of the places that are referenced in my notes. 1) Treaty between the Untied States and the Chickasaws Oct 24, 1801, American State Papers, Indian Affairs, I, 648-49; Hawkings to Dearborn Oct 28, 1801, in Hawkings Letters of Benjamin Hawkings; 390-92; Malcolm 1805, McGee report on the Colberts, Draper Collection, Frontier Wars Manuscripts, Robertson Collection, Tennessee State Archives. 2) Treaty with the Chickasaw, 1786 in Charles J. Kappler (Compiled and edited), Indian Affairs; Laws and Treaties II, 14-16. (beginning of official relations between Chickasaw Nation & United States) 3) The Treaty of 1836 is the last one I can find reference to in my notes solely because that is the last of the treaties that Levi Colbert was a party to that I have researched so far. There are several treaties &/or laws since. Giving Sovereignty back to the Chickasaw and other Nations. The yearly annuity is a necessary payment much as social security, HMO, and other health care and government funded programs are. There is no way that the Nations can help their people without the annuity and to require them to give up their Sovereignty to receive it is criminal. As one of your constituents living within Oregon, and a tax paying adult, that happens to be proud of her heritage, I am asking you to vote NO on this and any bill that requires Native American Nations to relinquish Sovereign Rights. Signed, Dawn Chere Moss 6111 SW Valley Ave Beaverton, OR 97008 email address: DawnChere@aol.com --------- "RE: Ute Land Grab" --------- Date: 10 Sep 1997 01:59:57 GMT From: wilkhill@aol.com (WilkHill) Subj: NEED HELP! UTE LAND GRAB TODAY!!! Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native HELP!!! This in an emergency! I got an Instant Message today from my cousins living on the UTE Indian Reservation. It states : SEPT. 9, 1997, THE GOV. OF UTAH PASSED A LAW TODAY THAT ROOSEVELT, UTAH, IS NO LONGER PART OF THE UTE RESERVATION AND, THEREFORE, NO LONGER INDIAN LAND. TRIBAL MEMBERS ARE NO LONGER TAX EXEMPT. THE TRIBE IS GOING TO BOYCOTT ALL BUSINESS IN ROOSEVELT, UT. THIS IS A PREVIEW OF WHAT SEN. SLADE GORTON IS PLANNING FOR ALL NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONS! I am asking, no, begging all of you that read this newsgroup to write and state that this will NOT be tolerated, that we, the world are WATCHING, that we support the actions of the UTE TRIBE in their BOYCOTT. Roosevelt is located in the middle of Indian Lands and it will be very difficult for them to maintain this boycott without our encouragement. They will have to drive outside the Reservation to shop for their families. This is yet another land grab. Every time this happens, someone is breaking promises made in our name!!! There is OIL on UTE land and this could quickly become the next Big Mountain. The Ute RESERVATION is not to far north of the NAVAJO Tribes. The UTE Reservation will be the next stop. I could list 2 dozen email address, but it would be much move efficient to mail them to me and I can forward them to ALL parties necessary. Address your letter to, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Please don't add any personal comments to me so I won't waste precious time cutting and editing. My Sincere Thanks, Angie wilkhill@aol.com --------- "RE: Patronizing Indians?" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 10:20:22 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: "Patronizing Indians": Globe and Mail Opinion [Canada's national newspaper the Globe and Mail has initiated a new column entitled "Impolite Company". The paper has chosen to inaugurate the column with Western Redneck Reporter Link Byfield, familiar to the readers of BC and Western Reports. If anyone would like to respond, email addresses for the Globe and Mail and Mr. Byfield are provided following the article. -- S.I.S.I.S.] :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: IT'S TIME TO STOP PATRONIZING INDIANS The Globe and Mail, Saturday Sept. 13, 1997 Opinion/Editorial . P.D6 by Link Byfield Being invited to inaugurate a new Saturday feature headed Impolite Company leaves one wondering whom it says more about, the asker or the asked. Pity the header couldn't have been more menacing - something like Redneck Company or Extreme Company. I take it the liberal instinct now is to trivialize dissent not as dangerous, but merely "impolite", in vain hopes it will go away embarrassed. It won't. Take our Indian problem, for example, which certainly isn't going away. But there I go. It is insensitive to say "Indian" nowadays; the approved term is first nations; and it is impolite to say "our", as though we owned them; and it is impolite to say they are a problem. So let me rephrase. Take for example the challenge posed by first nationals, which is especially acute in the West. In fact, western reserves this summer are in increasing uproar, and it will get worse before it gets better. Correct liberal opinion for the past couple of centuries has patronized Indians as noble savages. It still does, except that today it would,very gingerly, substitute "primitive" for "savage", and only in its Rousseauian meaning of "unspoiled", "natural" "intuitive", "environmentally attuned", "non-Eurocentric," etc. As every liberal knows, we deplorable Europeans showed up here on the prairies, built railways, brought in farmers, shot off all the buffalo, forced the Indians to live on reserves, and then ordered them to send their children to boarding schools where they were sodomized and forcibly assimilated. Bad us - not that there's anything wrong with sodomy, mind you. The only difficulty is that this is all fiction. It was the natives who killed almost all the buffalo, for there were hardly any whites in the Canadian West prior to the animal's disappearance in 1879. Seeing their main food source vanishing due to intertribal competition, Indians pleaded with Ottawa to strike treaties and reserve them land, teach them to farm and send their children to school. Eventually Ottawa did, with all the familiar competence and grace we in the West have so long admired. The much-maligned missionaries were the Indians' only reliable white friends at this critical juncture, and the schools they built and ran on shoestring budgets were very popular with Indian parents, who knew they offered the only escape from poverty. There is little if any evidence of sexual abuse at the schools until much later, after moral permissiveness infected the churches, along with everything else. The next crucial moment in Indian history came with a federal white paper in 1969. It proposed to abolish special status and treat Indians like everyone else. For with the recent arrival of welfare, most reserves were rapidly becoming not just poor (they had always been that) but downright hideous. With residents robbed of any necessity to work, reserve culture had immediately fallen into alcoholism, incest, unemployment, assault, divorce, illiteracy and despair. Sadly, the white paper was abandoned when the Indians protested, backed by fashionable urban sentiment. Instead, having escaped the dread tragedy of "assimilation," and as the suicide rate soared, and cheered on by every smug liberal in the country, Indians set out to get "self-government." But apart from unsuccessful attempts early on, Ottawa's Indian policy had never been assimilationist; quite the opposite. Life on the reserves had been protected and regulated by federal bureaucrats down to the most tidy and trivial detail. The new political class of Indians did not want freedom, they wanted only to replace the bureaucrats and get their hands on the swelling tide of federal cash. So to all the ills enumerated above, we added political corruption - corruption on a scale that is frankly astonishing. Except that it isn't astonishing to anyone who understands the lingering tribal mind set at work, and the fact that Indians have been preserved in a state of learned helplessness for five generations. As an exasperated Alberta judge, John Reilly, remarked in June about the Stony Reserve west of Calgary, the place has become "a prison without bars," "a welfare ghetto" and a "banana republic." This was scandalously impolite. Significantly, however, Judge Reilly's opinion was endorsed by the unelected elder statesmen of the Blood, Stony, Blackfoot, Sarcee and Cree, who are plainly appalled at the moral squalor to which their communities have been reduced. So perhaps it is time for us to concern ourselves a little less with manners and a little more with reality, and realize that special status means lower status. Maybe it is time we rediscovered the principle of treating our neighbours as ourselves. Link Byfield is the editor publisher of Alberta Report. We welcome unconventional wisdom and straight talk in this space. Send submissions to Impolite Company, The Globe and Mail, 444 Front St. W., Toronto, Ont. M5V 2S9 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Globe and Mail: letters@GlobeAndMail.ca William Thorsell, editor of the Globe and Mail: wthorsell@globeandmail.ca Link Byfield, c/o Alberta Report: ar@ccinet.ab.ca :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Wolverine Speaks" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 00:19:16 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Wolverine Speaks And now:"S.I.S.I.S." writes: :-:-:-:S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty:-:-:-: September 11, 1997 Bulletin INTERVIEW WITH WOLVERINE FROM INSIDE THE TS'PETEN CAMP Two years ago today, 14 indigenous traditionalists and 4 non-native supporters defending sacred, unceded Sundance and burial grounds at Ts'peten (aka Gustafsen Lake in central British Columbia) held off the largest paramilitary operation in Canadian history. Sept. 11, 1995, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) assisted by the Canadian Forces (CF) ambushed one of the camp vehicles as it made a customary trip to get drinking water and escort an incoming delegation of elders. RCMP detonated a powerful land mine underneath the vehicle, and moments later a CF 14 ton Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) rammed the vehicle and drove up on top of the front of it. The two occupants of the camp truck say they felt themselves literally "blown out" of the vehicle. As they fled unarmed across the lake, they were fired upon from an APC and ordered to halt. Seconds later, automatic weapons fire opened up on the swimmers; the white bullet trails through the water are plainly visible on the police aerial surveillance videotape of the incident. Their impending murder was prevented only by the courageous and selfless entry of the Shuswap elder Wolverine, who succeeded in diverting the attention of the APC. According to the later testimony of the vehicle's CF driver, the APC pursued him "eyeball to eyeball", under orders to "eliminate the shooter". Zig-zagging and firing at the wheels of the tank-like APC, Wolverine too escaped when the APC became disabled running over a tree. The vastly superior forces of the RCMP and Canadian Forces retreated that day in disarray, after firing tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition. One participating Canadian soldier said it was probably "the biggest land battle by the Canadian military since the Korean War." Yet only one of the Ts'peten Defenders, an unarmed young woman, was shot and wounded by an RCMP sniper. Wolverine and other Ts'peten Defenders are now political prisoners of the NDP government of the Province of British Columbia, sentenced to between six months and eight years in prison by a court with no lawful jurisdiction to do so. Wolverine was denied counsel of choice, and his impregnable legal arguments showing the continuity of Shuswap Sovereignty and jurisdiction over their traditional, unceded territory were arbitrarily disallowed. >From the Ts'peten Sundance Camp two years ago, the then 64-year old elder announced his defiance of the RCMP's declaration of war and demanded that the nation to nation dispute be settled instead according to the existing international and constitutional law remedies. >From that place of struggle, resistance, and honour come these words of Wolverine: Ts'peten Sundance Camp - Gustafsen Lake, summer 1995 Question: Some people think this is a dispute over a patch of land in the interior of British Columbia. But there's a much bigger picture here isn't there? Can you talk about some of the bigger issues. Wolverine: The big issue is law. The Government of Canada doesn't want to deal with its own laws. We had 11 cases thrown out by the Supreme Court of Canada on the grounds that the issue was "not of public importance to Canada". They refused to listen. So they kicked these cases out. We don't have any choice but to advance our legal arguments to the Queen's Privy Council of Great Britain - to go back to the place of [Canada's] original jurisdiction, which lies with Imperial Crown of Great Britain. That was once done by the Mohegans in Mohegans vs. Connecticut in 1773. If it was done once it may be done again. For England, the Privy Council of Great Britain, ruled in the Indians favour at that time. So, we feel that if we advance our legal argument at that level, we are then using international law. For domestic laws don't apply in this situation here. For we are going right to the very top through the Governor General's Office, if he does his job, forwarding our legal demands through the Privy Council into the Queen. These are what we stand for here. The RCMP has declared war on us and said we are squatters. Squatters. Here on our own homeland. Yet they refuse to deal in law. They only deal with provincial legislation which to us is not law. Because this is still all unceded territory, except for a few small treaty areas made with the Hudson's Bay Company. That part should be called British Columbia but not our lands because we are sitting on untreatied land. So British Columbia should not try to impose their laws upon Indian Peoples. This is the reason why we're getting into the international arena with the steps that we've taken. And if the Queen doesn't abide by her own laws then European countries should take the Queen to task for not upholding her duty. These are some of the things we're looking at here. Because we are using law not weapons. But we will use weapons in self defence if it comes to that. Because the RCMP declared war on us. So the RCMP, who is supposed to uphold law, isn't doing their duty. Question: And you're prepared to die here? Wolverine: That's right. We're prepared to go out in body bags. Either way we win. Canada will have to answer "why did this happen when these people were asking for a peaceful solution to this problem through the Governor-General's office to the Privy Council? We are using international law; domestic laws do not apply here because now we are dealing nation-to-nation. They cannot criminalize us for our acts, we have immunity from all domestic laws. They cannot charge us in any way because we are a sovereign people. Question: The government takes this occupation of your lands very seriously? Wolverine: Yes, because they've already mortgaged this country up to the hilt and the plan is annexation to the United States. This is what NAFTA is all about and Free Trade. These are some of the things that people must understand. The government sees us all as a threat to their plans such as NAFTA. The same thing as the people in Chiapas. They are making a stand over there - they too threaten these plans of the Trilateral Commission. Question: Have you met with people from Chiapas? Wolverine: I met with them in 1993 in Albuquerque, New Mexico just before the uprising took place. The message that they gave us then was: "This may be the last time we see you in this life, for when we go home we may be walking the stars." It never hit home what they meant until I got home and saw on TV what took place down there. That was the start of the uprising in Chiapas. But to date, I haven't met with any of them again. I have met with some support groups... I just hope the brothers and sisters down there hear of this and understand that the brothers and sisters of the North country are also prepared to stand and die if necessary - if we can't achieve a peaceful solution. ///\\\///FREE WOLVERINE - FREE THE TS'PETEN DEFENDERS\\\///\\\ =====FREE THE SOVEREIGN INDIGENOUS NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS===== WRITE THE DEFENDERS: Wolverine (Jones William Ignace) Political Prisoner Box 4000 Abbotsford, BC, V2S 5X8 Canada James Pitawanakwat (OJ) Political Prisoner same address as Wolverine Flo Sampson, Political Prisoner Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women 7900 Fraser Park Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5J 5B9 Canada CONTACT THE SPOKESPERSONS: Free the Wolverine Campaign Box 13-2147 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4B3 Canada Spokespeople: Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661 Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949 SIGN THE PETITION: The petition demanding a public inquiry into the Gustafsen Lake crisis is online at: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/GustLake/inq_pet.html It can be signed via email by sending a message to sisis@envirolink.org with "petition" in the subject line and "I support the public inquiry into Gustafsen Lake" in the body of your message. More information about Gustafsen Lake: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Little Bighorn" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 22:13:14 -0400 From: Sonja Keohane (by way of ishgooda ) Subj: Indian memorial - Little Bighorn UUCP email Good evening all, This article is a couple of weeks old and from the NYT by way of the Kansas City Star. The controversy about the memorial is not new, but I thought the one sentence in the article was one of the most honest statements I'd seen in print in a long time. " Part of the anger of the white traditionalists stems from a sense that they are losing control of history." Pretty much says it all, imo....."control of history" http://www.kcstar.com/sbin/iarecord?NS-doc-path=/vol1/pubs/ archive-97/9708/970824/970824.207&NS-doc-offset=9&NS-collection= archive-97&NS-search-set=/var/tmp/34174/aaaa001Rs174d91& Fighting continues where Custer died Planned memorial to Indians killed in battle stirs clash of cultures. By: JAMES BROOKE The New York Times Date: 08/24/97 CROW AGENCY, Mont. - To one defender of Lt. Col. George Custer, it is like building a memorial to the Mexicans killed at the Alamo or "handing the Vietnam War memorial over to the Vietnamese." To a Crow Indian tour guide at the Little Bighorn Battlefield, the proposed monument would be "great" because "the Indians won, but they are not honored here." Four generations after Indian warriors killed Custer and the troops in his command in the hills overlooking the Little Bighorn River, the National Park Service is going ahead with plans to build a monument to the Indians who died in the battle. A monument design was chosen earlier this year, but critics say the structure will detract from an obelisk to the fallen soldiers. Some of the critics' resentment comes down to numbers. About 270 soldiers and Indian scouts of the 7th Cavalry were killed in the battle. The only memorial in their honor is the weather-beaten granite obelisk that has a modern-day replacement value of $50,000. About 75 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors died in the battle. The memorial planned in their honor would be a walk-in monument expected to cost as much as $2 million. "If you want to emphasize the Indian victory, please don't do it at the mass grave of 200 U.S. soldiers," said Wayne Sarf, a New Jersey history professor who is a leading critic of the Indian memorial. Such complaints fail to move Gerard Baker, the superintendent of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, which covers more than 700 acres. "This memorial will represent all the fallen American Indian people," Baker said, striding over the proposed site, on a grassy shoulder of Last Stand Hill, about 50 yards from the 7th Cavalry obelisk. ``This wasn't the only battle the Indians won,'' said Baker, a Mandan Hidatsa Indian from North Dakota. Part of the anger of the white traditionalists stems from a sense that they are losing control of history. Although six Western states, including Montana, have counties named Custer, Congress voted in 1991 to strip Custer from the name of the battlefield here. The same legislation authorized the construction of the memorial to the Indians. -------end of excerpt------- --------- "RE: A Letter to President Clinton" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 20:41:24 -0700 From: "James M. Macdougall" Subj: A letter to President William Clinton Mailing List: BINDLESTIF WORLD WIDE P.O. BOX 342 . MARINA, CA. . 93933 PHONE: (408) 645-7734 . EMAIL: BINDLESTIF@SPRYNET.COM http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/2457 September 9, 1997 The President of the United States President@whitehouse.gov Clintonpz@aol.com 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC. 20500-0001 Dear Mr. President, I am writing to inform you of my concern that The United States of America seems not to be living up to its promise. The ideals set forth when imagining the perfect world of American lore, clash violently with the America I live in now. The reality of the country we live in cannot be the original goal visualized by the first dreamers of the American dream. Understanding that all ideals must evolve in respect to the evolution of the society that holds them, I must say that we of these United States have spawned a society of hypocrisy almost upon conception. Freedom, equality and justice seem just words bandied about to make us feel good about ourselves, not real principles to live by. The lessons of our past mostly ignored or twisted to fit the personal agendas of whoever is in power. Look around and you will see an America full of deception and cruelty, personal gain at the expense of all, the lesson learned. The loving fellowship intended, set on the side of the road and forgotten some time ago. I sit here a citizen and wonder why? If America was a child of mine (and in reality, it is the child of all of us), I would say it has some serious character flaws. The ones apparent to me are; 1. A lack of integrity in its dealings with other nations as well as its own people. 2. Policies that seem very short sighted in relation to the Earth's delicate balance. 3. An inherent greed, at the expense of all, that flows through every sector of our government and population. Our country is not on the path that I believe was intended, nor that we pretend it to be. There appears to be a disintegration of the principles I learned as a child, i.e. to treat all with the respect that you would in turn wish for yourself, that everyone you meet deserves the same honesty and decent treatment that you would wish for your family. In essence, to be good and do what is right. I understand that fairness is in the eye of the beholder, and that all things being relative, sometimes things seem at first glance unjust, when in fact they are not. I also understand that when something seems unjust, and remains that way, without reasonable explanation, the controlling alliance must be challenged to justify its actions. One cannot ignore honor and integrity when it is inconvenient to adhere to their principals. In fact, this is when it is most important to see them through. The example set by leaders in this society leave children with very confusing and contradictory lessons. It is acceptable to be dishonest if it is in your best interest, and you are not caught. Even then, it is permissible if you have the money and your spin-doctor can work fast enough to hide you behind the skirt of "reasonable doubt". The age of non-accountability in America has to stop. It is time we gave America the integrity our founders hoped for it. Hypocrisy and deceit permeate our society and our past, yet we refuse to learn from their teaching. I am a veteran, and was once very proud to be an American. However now my pride has turned to disillusionment in the light of the knowledge that ours is a legacy of lies and half-truths. In turn, that has given way to sadness with the realization that our future is cast from them. Unless we all make a superior effort to make amends for our collective misdeeds of the past, our future will always be tainted with them. This country can never truly be great as long as our foundation is cracked with lies and injustices unresolved. I am not some crackpot, extremist militiaman, right winger, or leftist liberal. Just an average American standing on Main St. brokenhearted that my country cannot stand up and do the right thing. In lying once, without ever bringing the truth to light and making right what was wrong, forever a liar shall you be. A hundred unrelated good deeds could not make amends for one wrong left enduring. California's Supreme Court has said: "LIBERTY UNRESTRAINED IS AN INVITATION TO ANARCHY." This rings true in our age only because anarchy already lives in the heart of our people. How ironic that it is now the job of our own government to restrain our liberty. Did the patriots of the revolution die in vain? Were the visions of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people just a fantasy? It is time that ALL people become responsible for their own actions. Blaming other factors outside us for our wrong doings is ludicrous. There is no excuse for not doing the right thing. The "blame it on everything but the perpetrator" attitude of our society enables those who would do wrong. The example must be set. It is up to us, every one of us, to stand up for what is just for all. Self-discipline seems a lost art, but one that needs a monumental resurrection if the reality of our world is ever to live up to our dreams. Until it is in the heart of all the People that committing a wrong upon another is in fact, wrong, we will be doomed to containment and will never realize a true solution to our dilemma. We wonder why our children grow up "bad." It is because we are teaching them, by example that to lie, cheat, and steal is ok, if not the only way to get ahead. Completing the mission (financial gain and social position) at any cost, by any means necessary the goal, sacrificing their honor in the process. We sit here wondering why the young of America can break all social and moral laws or even take another's life with ease. The de-valuing of a human life is a lesson that we have taught them by our treatment of others. All they learn, they learn from us. I think it is time we teach them and ourselves something new. To initiate a change in this country, we must return to where it started to go astray. We have habitually mistreated the original nations of the Americas. We have carried out a campaign of occupation against the indigenous people of this land for centuries. During this time, we have done everything in our power to obliterate these nations, while still attempting to convince the world that we are "the good guys". Legal and moral codes need not apply. There are many examples of our misguided policies towards these people. The many broken treaties and reservation lands designated unnecessary and incorporated into the USA are just a start1. We have ignored problems or instigated tensions among the first nations on many occasions. This policy has also spread beyond our borders, but that is comment for another time. The incarceration of Leonard Peltier is an outstanding example of our failure to concede that our official attitudes towards the indigenous people of this land are severely flawed. I have not studied this case in-depth as of yet. However the fact that a former U.S. Attorney General has stated that this man deserves executive clemency2 and yet has remained in prison for twenty-two years, raises serious questions as to the motivations of our government. Furthermore, this attitude has not passed with history, Mendocino County just to my north, echoes with it right now3. You have the access; you know the truth, do the right thing. To begin resolving the conflict in our nation, we must first admit to others and ourselves that this country's foundation is conquered land. That our European ancestors forcibly took our foothold in these lands. Moreover, it is a tradition that has continued. In the norm, social justice cannot help us until we become victims. Nevertheless, even after our society has victimized these nations for generations, we have yet to admit that this was and is wrong. To treat them with the honesty and dignity they deserve is all that I can see they have ever asked of us. If only 10% of the injustices claimed had merit, it would sadden me greatly. Unfortunately, I suspect the percentage will undoubtedly prove higher. When we treat people with indignity, we disparage ourselves and undermine our society's abilities to evolve beneficially. The perpetuation of our occupation is no longer acceptable. The Congress of the United States has enacted many laws and regulations to oppress these nations. As far as I know they did not want, or ask for citizenship. This is just one of many "gifts" that we have inflicted upon them4. Moreover, as is the case with all so-called "Indian law," the Indians did not get a chance to vote to accept these non-Indian mandates. The injustice of it all staggers me. The fact that this government holds itself up as a guide for other nations of the world, as to what a democracy should be, is the final insult. When I told my friends that I was writing this letter, they replied "why? Even if he does get it, it won't effect any change, nothing ever does." It is that apathy and disillusionment in our system that is at the core of our down slide. I know this letters' chances of making it through the filtering between us are slim, but I hope my dream does not die here. Let us begin to correct our mistakes where we began to make them, with the indigenous people of this land, the true soulful caretakers of America. The only discords in the natural song of this planet seem to be us. Nature finds a way to balance her actions for all, as we find a way to unbalance everything in our favor. What is best for the whole is not necessarily what is best for us. As the first leaders of the new millennium, it is our duty to see the whole picture, and to do what is best for the world as an entity. It is time to clean our collective slate of the wrongs of our past and start living up to the standards of integrity that our ideals set. Although the past cannot be undone, it can be made right by learning its lessons and becoming an undivided people, with the interest of Mother Earth in our hearts. I believe it is time to begin. If we are to be a world leader, we must have a Global view not a tunnel vision of self-promotion. We must stop living in the shadow of doubt and start living in the light of true justice. The problem with truth is, once you see it, you're stuck with it Live with nature, not on it Sincerely, James M. MacDougall "Bindlestif" Cc: The Vice President, Al Gore Vice.president@Whitehouse.gov The First Lady, Hillary Clinton First.Lady@Whitehouse.gov Wotanging Ikche (Native American News) gars@nanews.org Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty SISIS@envirolink.org Nicholas Wilson (Albion Monitor) nwilson@mcn.org The Boston Globe news@globe.com Chronicle Publishing Company (The Gate / The San Francisco Chronicle) tex@sfgate.com 1 Black Hills, White Justice; Edward Lazarus 2 Presentation by Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General, regarding Leonard Peltier made on June 20, 1997 at the Native American Journalists Association's Annual Conference. http://www.dickshovel.com/clark.html 3Bear Lincoln Murder Case Synopsis; Nicholas Wilson Albion Monitor electronic newspaper http://www.monitor.net/monitor 4 The Indian citizenship Act of 1924 --------- "RE: Presentation by Ramsey Clark" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 20:41:24 -0700 From: "James M. Macdougall" Subj: Presentation by Ramsey Clark Mailing List: BINDLESTIF WORLD WIDE Section II Presentation by Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General, regarding Leonard Peltier made on June 20, 1997 at the Native American Journalists Association's Annual Conference I want to tell you why the freedom of Leonard Peltier is so important. There are well over 200 million indigenous people on the planet. I personally feel that there are over 300 million, but counters would say maybe 250 million. They live on six continents and on countless numbers of islands. And everywhere they are the most endangered of human species. Yet the survival of humanity depends upon their salvation. They were the people who were there first. The others always came in greater numbers and technology. Usually forced out by war, or lack of adequate food, whatever, from cultures that had sophisticated means of domination, the indigenous people everywhere are a spiritual people. I would think because they are close to nature. It's inherent really. Where are they, but on the land - Not like folks like me that started out on the land in Texas and now live on the pavement in New York City. What would we think of the species if it permitted the continuation of the onslaught against indigenous peoples? Yet, where do you see resistance? Where do you see understanding and commitment - to more than their survival, to their prevailing? In Guatemala, still 70% of the population is indigenous. Their renaissance in their culture is stunning to see. But the repression of the people, the systemic triage, literally the elimination of a third, by violence - physical and psychological, hunger and all the rest, is stunning. In Peru, the poverty of the indigenous people is unbearable. In many places, they are just barely hanging on. If in these United States, our Indian people cannot through vision and courage and unity and compassion prevail, what hope any place on earth is there for indigenous people? This is it, for better or worse. Because whether it's evil or good, this is the empire. Our duty, all of us, is to see that it is just and good and it is imperative that we recognize the enormity of the crimes that those who came from Europe have committed against those who Will Rogers said were "at the dock to meet the Mayflower." And if we fail, who would want to be a part of what's left? Because it would be a genocidal society that had succeeded in its genocide, in the extermination of not just a peoples, but of right and decency and justice. Leonard Peltier is the symbol of the struggle. Outside of this country, he is outside of movie stars and maybe a few athletes, like Mohammed Ali, one of the best known Americans. And they see in him the struggle of our indigenous people, for their dignity, for their sovereignty, for their future. And they wonder how it is that he's been held so long? I think I can explain beyond serious doubt, that Leonard Peltier has committed no crime whatsoever. But that if he had been guilty of firing a gun that killed a FBI Agent, it was in defense of not just his people but the integrity of humanity, from domination and exploitation. You have to remember no witness really said they saw Leonard take aim at anybody. No witness said they heard him shoot at the time he could have killed an agent. There was no evidence that he did it, except fabricated, circumstantial evidence, overwhelmingly misused, concealed and perverted. Among the things withheld in the trial were the staggering violence on Pine Ridge, that it existed certainty before Wounded Knee #2 in 1973. It had accelerated enormously. At the time of Wounded Knee in 1973, there were only a few FBI agents in the whole state of South Dakota, and frequently just one. But by 1975, there were 60. In proportion to the population, that was staggeringly high. And more than 40 Indian peoples on that reservation had died violent deaths, overwhelmingly from activity provoked by the federal government. And there is little doubt about it. An organization that proudly called itself the GOONS, Guardians of the Oglala Nation, we now know were provided with weapons, training and motivation - to create violence. In March of 1975, seven people were killed by violence. And that's why the traditional people, the elders, asked AIM (the American Indian Movement) to send some people to help protect them. And I say, thank God. That there was some young Indians that said 'I'll go.' 'I'm not going to see our people be eliminated by violence.' Fewer than 17 came, 6 men, and they came to protect tribal people, traditional Indians from violence by our government. These things are all interrelated. We should never forget Martin Luther King's heartbreaking words in 1967, when he came out against the war in Vietnam and he said, "The greatest purveyor of violence on earth is my own government." What an awful thing to have to say. But there is no question that our own government was generating violence constantly on the Pine Ridge reservation as a means of control and domination. We now know, from December of 1995 (released documents), that FBI had people in place at least 20 minutes before the two cars that drove down into the Jumping Bull compound arrived. They were preparing for a major act. They had a judge who excluded background evidence. The greatest exclusion was all of this violence. 'Why were these men there? Why was Leonard Peltier there?' He was there to protect people who were being killed If that's a crime, where are we? It's amazing to me still, how they talk about Myrtle Poor Bear, and blame her for not telling the truth. Because after it was all over, some agent came before the press and said 'there's not a scintilla of evidence,' his word - scintilla, not a spark of evidence 'that Myrtle Poor Bear was a witness to anything.' She wasn't there, that's what he said. Now do you think she just came forward and volunteered three affidavits? Not on your life. What did that poor woman go through? What type of abuse? You can see that's the same sort of manipulation of a whole reservation sometimes, can't you? Of a whole population. But here they've got their hands on her head. I have a retarded daughter. I love retarded people. Poor Bear was easy to manipulate. She was not a coherent person. Her first affidavit said she didn't see anything. And then two more, and what did they do when they got them, whamee, off to Canada' as fast as they could go. What a shameful act! What a criminal act! Think of how they treated her. Where is there any respect for humanity among people who would treat a human being that way? And take advantage that way, for an end, to get Leonard Peltier and bring him back here. The other concealments that they went through are unbelievable. The FBI laboratory, is the subject of a whole series of reports that condemn it for fabricating evidence, for falsifying evidence, for incompetence in evaluation of evidence. Yet the extenuated nature of the only evidence against Leonard Peltier is so absurd that if it were a good laboratory, it wouldn't be worth anything. They covered up lab reports that said they could not connect the one bullet - it wasn't the bullet but the casing - an expended casing - they could not connect it with what I was called the "Wichita AR-15." It's an adaptation of the standard Army M-16 rifle. They said they could not match it with the Wichita gun or rifle, which was the gun they were trying to place in Leonard Peltier's hands, except it was found in the van that blew up just outside of Wichita, as it was driving down there And Leonard Peltier wasn't within 1,500 miles of it. So how does that get to be his rifle in the first place? Well, they had a plan for that. The FBI said there was only one AR-15 rifle on the reservation. But that was absolutely false. And the courts have now declared, without question, that there were multiple numbers of AR-15s there, and M-16s as well, which fire the same 223 cartridge, which is a high velocity cartridge that killed these FBI agents. They reenacted a scene for which they had no evidence whatsoever, in which Lynn Crooks, the main prosecutor who is still with the case, stood up in front of the jury and said one agent was suffering from having been hit at a distance and he put his hand in front of his head and pleaded not to be shot and was shot through the hand and killed by Leonard Peltier who then whirled and shot the other agent and killed him, both at point lank range. The only problem was there was absolutely no evidence of that, no witness testified to anything like that. And you know what he said, across the river here in St. Paul, on Nov. 12, 1993, from the man who was on the case as a prosecutor from the beginning, and is still on it, "We do not know who shot the two agents." That's a quote.. "We do not know who shot the two agents." Leonard Peltier is in prison, and has been there 22 years. He's there, convicted on two counts of murder, and he's serving two life sentences And the government has said, "We do not know who did it," and he went beyond that and said, "We did not prove who did it." And he went beyond that and said, "All we proved was that he participated." Well, Leonard was on the compound, there is no doubt about that. And he was down at Tent City when the shooting started. And he pulled on his boots and grabbed a rifle and ran up there as fast as he could. He went straight to Harry Jumping Bulls house. Because those are the people he's trying to protect.. They weren't there He could hear children in another house and he ran over there, people shooting at him the whole way. When Then he got there he realized, he was drawing fire. The best thing he could do to protect the kids was 'how's he going to get them out of there,' you can't even tell where all the shooting's coming from. So he took a chance on getting out by himself again, telling the kids to get under the bed and stay there, because he wasn't going to draw fire to that house. They were shooting at the house, once they saw him run in there. You know you could go on like that for a long time, with all of the evidence that wasn't there. They have nothing except hatred and the desire to maintain the domination of the federal government that's existed over the Indian people for these too many dishonorable centuries now. To hold Leonard Peltier. And the government itself, let me say one thing about their statement that they do not know who killed the agents. It's not a mistake. And it's not a confession. It was a necessity. Because in that appellate argument, if they had maintained that they had proven who the assassin of those two FBI agents was, there would have to be a reversal because there was no evidence of it. So they had to maintain the argument that he was convicted for aiding and abetting. Which means he was aiding them, like 'can I hold your coat,' or 'your shoes are dusty. Let me brush them off.' It was a legal necessity, but you can't have it both ways. And the fact is, they didn't have to tell us they didn't know who shot the agents. The whole record shows they don't know who shot the agents. And they don't want anybody else to know. Because they want the world to believe that Leonard Peltier is guilty. Because they have staked their reputation on it. If we can't rise up and free him, what are we worth and what is the future of the country? The Indians of Mexico are incredible, like the Zapotec's, with their art. Leonard is a wonderful artist. He is a great human spirit. When I look at his paintings of 'Big Mountain Lady' as he calls her, you can see the nobility of his soul. Here is this elder woman, tears streaming down her face, as the US is opening the spiritual land of Big Mountain to mining. Come in there and rape the land, you know, for gravel, or whatever it is you want. Don't worry about nature or nature's people. Leonard's paintings are on four continents to my knowledge. I bet they're on six, but I'm not sure. It's takes time to catch up with people trading them. It's part of his power. He is able to communicate through his art, his painting - the truth and life and the spirituality of the Indian people. And he is in prison. And sadly, I have to comment as his lawyer, that his health is not good. He needs surgery and he doesn't want it, because when he first when in for this same surgery, he nearly died. He had to have six transfusions. Unbelievable. Other problems, he's been in much too long. It's not that he ought to be out now' he should never have been in in the first place. Never. And every day is a new crime, every dawn is a new crime, every dusk is a new crime against the dignity of the Indian peoples. Because while Leonard Peltier is in prison, we all are. The President of the United States can commute that sentence in the name of justice any moment he wants to. He has the power, complete and absolute, under the Constitution. Leonard really wants the commutation, because that conviction is just a trial, an acquittal is just a trial. Release from a pardon board after a conviction is just what some bureaucrats decide to do with your life. But a commutation is a statement from the Head of State, that this person should be free. It's a political statement from the highest office of our government that this person should be free, and we have to demand that it happens and we have to demand that it happens this year. It can happen this year, if we organize and work. It will happen this year. It's imperative that we do it. And while we don't, we ought to remember back to Veneto Juarez,, a full-blooded Zapotec Indian, who twice became the president of Mexico, and whose words are inscribed just outside the general assembly of the United Nations chamber's auditorium, inside the UN building. Juarez found the wisdom and understanding in a few words the story of violence in our history. He said, "A respect for the rights of others is peace." It's true. Until Leonard Peltier's rights are respected, there can be no peace in our hearts and our minds, or if we have courage, in our bodies. For the good of indigenous people everywhere, and all those who depend on them, which is everybody else, it is imperative that we, you and I, secure the freedom of Leonard Peltier. Thank you. --------- "RE: Happy Birthday, Leonard Peltier" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 09:42:29 -0400 (EDT) From: FirehairSS@aol.com Subj: Happy Birthday, Leonard Peltier, with overview ~~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD ~~ Subj: Leonard Peltier Date: 97-09-09 01:59:31 EDT From: FREEPLTIER To: NASC Swan CC: lpdc@idir.net For release on 9/12/97 Brothers, sisters & friends, Today we mark, with mixed emotions, the birthday of Leonard Peltier. 53 years ago, Leonard was born a simple Indian man. He remained a simple man throughout his life until, on one particular day, on the Jumping Bull Ranch, in 1975, his life became complicated as fame was thrust upon him in the way of political martyrdom. In those dark days war raged on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. An undeclared war between the Indian people, the U.S. Government and their puppets. A war that brought tanks, armored personnel carriers, automatic weapons, helicopters and troops to Indian Country...again. Leonard was falsely accused of killing 2 agents of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Intimidation), during a firefight. There was a firefight...of this there is no doubt. The spirit of Joe Stuntz Kills Right can attest to that fact, as can dozens of witnesses who were present on that fateful day. Prosecutors said that the agents were there to serve a warrant on a young Indian man, Jimmy Eagle, for the alleged theft of a pair of cowboy boots. But, my friends, when the FBI, US Marshalls, and members of the military come with automatic weapons, helicopters and blood in their eyes, they are not there to serve any kind of papers. Their intent was to do away with the American Indian Movement. To do away with the "traditionals", the thorns in the sides of the US Government and their puppet tribal council regime. They were unsuccessful. But, Leonard paid the price and is paying that price today, on his 53rd birthday, in a cell behind the walls of Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. The price for what, you ask? The price for the freedom of Indian people. The price for his family, his friends, his brothers and sisters of the AIM. The price that the federal government demanded for the lives of 2 of its agents. The true definition of an Indian warrior is embodied in Leonard Peltier. He was not afraid to fight the tyranny that was running rampant in South Dakota in the 70's; he was not afraid to fight the accusations made against him; he faces, without fear, each and every day behind the cold walls of their prison. Of course he is sad. He misses his family, his friends and his freedom. He is, at times, depressed, frustrated and angry. But, who wouldn't be when faced with his circumstances? He is not of good health. Yet, his spirit is strong. This can be witnessed in the power of his paintings. If you have been fortunate enough to see Leonard's art, then you know the power of which I speak. If you have not had this rare opportunity, then I suggest you find the best way to view the magnificence of his works. These are not just painted brush-strokes on canvas; but the very heart and soul of the artist laid bare for the world to see. A fighter, an artist, player of a traditional flute, a simple man; the embodiment of a warrior. On this, the 1st day of the 53rd year in the life of this man, I ask you to pray for his release. I ask, also, that you add your voice, strong and loud, to the voices of the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, President Nelson Mandela, Rigoberto Menchu, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Danielle Mitterand, Amnesty International, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the American Indian Movement, the Aztlan Liberation Organization, Tonatierra,the Bring Peltier Home Campaign, the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, Leonard Peltier Support Groups and millions of groups and individuals, around the world who cry out for freedom for a political prisoner of the United States; who cry out for freedom for Leonard Peltier. I leave you with the words of Nowa Cumig, (Dennis J Banks)... "Let Peltier go, America. Let him come home to us. Let him be with his children. Let him be with his grandchildren. Let him go, America. He's innocent. Peltier is innocent, America. You're guilty. God damn you. You're guilty!" In Struggle and in the Spirit, A.R. Mader American Indian Movement --------- "RE: Buffalo Hunt" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 97 16:52:39 -0600 From: "J.D.K. Chipps " Subj: Buffalo Hunt UUCP email This is a government hunt, not a private hunt, and these buffalo are being supported with your tax dollars. Is this what you want done with your buffalo? If not, let them know how you feel about this hunt. J.D.K. Chipps ******************************************************************* CUSTER STATE PARK BISON BULL HUNT We are pleased to offer, for the first time, a new bison hunting opportunity in Custer State Park. The HORSEBACK TROPHY BISON BULL hunt will provide a unique and memorable hunting experience. Hunters will be hosted in the beautiful back country of Custer State Park in a fully equipped camp. Accommodations for each hunter and up to one additional guest include a will tent with a floor, 2 cots, lantern, drying rack, and heating stove for sleeping; a heated group dining tent; and a rest-room tent. Transportation to and from camp and during the hunt will be a provided saddle horse. Three meals per day will be provided beginning Sunday evening, October 19 through noon on Friday, October 24. Breakfast and supper will be hot meals cooked at camp, lunches will be a sack lunch taken in your horse's saddle bags on each day's hunt. A CSP guide and wrangler will accompany each hunter each day during the 5 day hunt. The park will provide the field handling and transport of the bison bull taken during the hunt. The fee for this unusual hunting experience is $10,000. It includes the bison permit, field handling and transport of the bison bull, accommodations at the hunting camp, and the week's use of the saddle horse. Guest fees will be according to the industry standards and will be paid directly to the outfitter that the park contracts for the camp and the horses. We are making two permits available for this hunt the week of October 19-24, 1997. We look forward to hosting you on this truly unique hunting experience. You will enjoy a spectacular week of hunting our magnificent trophy bison bulls and also see and photograph bighorn sheep, magnificent elk herds and other wildlife in their beautiful natural setting. If you wish, trout fishing is also available nearby in French Creek canyon. All this will be done in the finest western back-country tradition, and will provide a lifetime of hunting memories to you and your guest. For information call 605-255-4814 or email Ron Walker --------- "RE: Bison Killing" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 97 18:44:55 -0600 Subj: Fwd: Killing = Removal ? From: "J.D.K. Chipps " UUCP email Subject: Killing = Removal ? BULL BISON KILLED NEAR DANIEL BY REQUEST OF LIVESTOCK BOARD Contact: Mark Gocke (307) 733-2321 For Immediate Release JACKSON -- At the request of the Wyoming Livestock Board, a bull bison that had been roaming private and public lands west of Daniel was shot by Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel Aug. 28. According to state regulation, bison can be killed by government officials when the animals are judged by the Livestock Board to pose an immediate health threat to domestic livestock or improvements on private or public lands. MY NOTE: The regulation is copied, in part, below, and says nothing about "KILLING", it clearly states "shall be REMOVED". The bison was first noticed in the upper Green River valley early this summer. Although the origin of this individual animal is not certain, it is presumed that it came from the Jackson bison herd and traveled up the Gros Ventre River. After going over the divide and down the Green River drainage it traveled as far west as Beaver Rim. The G&F is having the bison processed and plans to distribute the meat to local, low-income groups. -WGFD- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Section 1. This regulation is promulgated by authority of W.S.23-1-302 and 11-20-124. Section 2. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the Wyoming Livestock Board adopts the following regulation governing the designation of wild bison as wildlife. This regulation shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Commission and Board. Section 3. Individual wild bison and/or wild bison herds are hereby designated as wildlife as described in Subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section. -----------clipped------------------------- (i) If the wild bison poses an immediate health threat to domestic livestock or an immediate threat to improvements on private or public lands, as either of the same shall be determined by the Wyoming Livestock Board or its duly designated representative, then such bison shall be removed by the Commission or its designee immediately; and --------------clipped--------------- My question is, how can you go from being authorized to "remove" the animal, to "killing" it? --------- "RE: United Church Lies, Lawyer Steals" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 13:40:55 -0700 (PDT) From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: United Church Lies, Lawyer Steals [New Evidence of Church-State Complicity Revealed at Press Conference, Sept.3. United Church Lawyer Caught stealing Documents From Activists -- S.I.S.I.S.] :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Vancouver - Archival evidence showing that the United Church was directly responsible and legally liable for the abuses at its native residential schools was made public at a press conference held by Rev. Kevin Annett, fired United Church minister, and Harriett Nahanee, a First Nations survivor of the Alberni Residential School Included in this material was proof that the School Principals of the church run residential schools were made the legal guardians of native students sometime in the 1940's. As employees of the church, hired and paid by the latter, the Principal was legally liable for the welfare of all native students, as was the wider United Church. This refutes the present church claim that Ottawa was in charge of the schools, and thus liable for the abuses there. Perhaps alarmed by this new evidence, the legal counsel for the United Church in BC, Jon Jessiman, was caught stealing copies of the documents from Kevin Annett's briefcase during the press conference. Two eyewitnesses saw Jessiman take the documents from Annett's bag, then retreat into the offices of the United Church, outside of which the press conference was being held. When asked to return the documents, Jessiman first denied that he had taken them, but then surrendered the stolen documents after being told by Annett that the incident would be reported to the CBC reporters outside. The returned documents had been unstapled, and presumably photocopied. Jessiman was the same legal counsel who represented Annett's former employer, Comox-Nanaimo Presbytery of the United Church, after this body fired Annett without cause or notice in 1995 from his Port Alberni church. Jessiman was also the presiding judge at both Annett's appeal and "delisting" hearing, both of which resulted in Annett's permanent dismissal from the church. Coverage of the press conference was limited to a CBC television broadcast and some radio reports, despite the fact the press conference was widely publicized. [This may be connected to the serious nature of the allegations concerning the alleged murders of residential school children, the illegal sale of Indian lands by the Church in Ahousat, and according to Annett, the active involvement of BC's NDP Native Affairs Minister John Cashore in this ongoing cover-up of church-state misdeeds -- S.I.S.I.S.] According to Kevin Annett, "There seems to be the same kind of media gag and blackout on the residential schools issue, and on my case, as there was of the Gustafsen Lake trial. The Vancouver Sun and CBC in particular are regularly running stories from the Church's perspective but are ignoring people critical of the church. But the proof is finally out that the United Church was abusing and even killing children, with the full collusion of the federal government, which continually looked the other way." For information on how to support this campaign contact: Kevin Annett 604-462-1086 Harriett Nahanee 604-985-5817 Protests to: Reverend Bill Phipps Moderator United Church of Canada Email: dearborn@uccan.org Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Email: cbcinput@toronto.cbc.ca The Vancouver Sun City Editor Email: jdrabble@pacpress.southam.ca :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Chief's Peace Effort `Largely a Sham'" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 22:37:56 -0400 From: ishgooda Subj: Chief's Peace Effort Called `Largely a Sham' UUCP email Chief's Peace Effort Called `Largely a Sham' By Michael Smith World Staff Writer 9/10/97 Tribal justices send a letter to keep the heat on Chief Byrd. TAHLEQUAH -- Saying that Chief Joe Byrd's efforts to implement a recent Cherokee Nation peace agreement are ``largely a sham,'' tribal justices have planned a meeting with Byrd and fired off a letter to federal officials Tuesday to keep the heat on. In a letter to U.S. Interior Department Secretary Bruce Babbitt, the justices said that Byrd's administration has been ``continually prodded'' to meet an agreement that could have been resolved in one day. They added that while they have been reinstated to their positions, they continue to wait on court files and equipment with which to operate. The pay and seniority status of their court clerks remains a question. The letter contends that Byrd's reinstatement of the clerks for a "one-month duration" is the "surest sign yet that further removal proceedings of the three justices are the goal of the chief and his people." "There are many, many things yet to be resolved . . . Byrd put it asunder and he could direct its resolution before the day is out," Ralph Keen, chief justice of the Cherokee Nation, said in the letter. Lisa Finley, spokeswoman for Byrd's administration, said the chief has no intention of backing down on any part of the agreement. The chief has "no hidden agendas" and has made great strides in the last two weeks to restore peace, she said. "All of this didn't happen overnight. It's going to take some time to unwind it,'' she said. ``Now's not the time to make any demands." She said that a second round of impeachment proceedings for the justices would be a matter for the tribal council, "But I've heard nothing of that." The tribal courthouse equipment and files were taken by the Byrd administration on June 20 in a predawn raid on the tribe's courthouse in downtown Tahlequah. Until that time, the fired marshals, who had refused to give up their posts, held control of the courthouse. After Byrd's administration took control in June, the courthouse was closed until Aug. 30 following the reinstatement of the justices. The tribe has been in turmoil since Feb. 25 when Cherokee marshals raided Byrd's headquarters in search of evidence of misuse of funds. Byrd fired the marshal service and his slim majority on the tribal council impeached the justices in a controversial move. The justices said the impeachment action was not valid because a council quorum was not present. An independent commission, which the Byrd administration hired to study the tribe's system of government, supported that view. The reinstatement of the court clerks came after an Aug. 29 letter to the U.S. Interior Department charging that the Byrd administration was not complying with an agreement to restore some peace to the tribe. --------- "RE: Mt. Graham Support Letter" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 08:58:25 -0400 (EDT) From: FirehairSS@aol.com Subj: Mt. Graham Support letter UUCP email Gordon Gee President Ohio State University gee.2@osu.edu I write to request that you withhold funding from the observatory project at Dzil Nchaa Si An (Mt. Graham) within the state of Arizona. The area is of utmost importance. Currently a petition is being circulated in support of striking a rider from the 1996 Omnibus Appropriations Act that exempts Dzil Nchaa Si An from being protected by the Native American Freedom of Religion Act (which is not even supported by the errant Supreme Court of the United States) and the Endangered Species Act. Just because it's law, doesn't it make it just or right. The petition is supported and signed by many people including the Mohawk Warriors Society, Midwest Treaty Network; the Canadian Alliance in Support of Native Peoples and several others. Please cease funding of the project as it not only interferes with the natural and undeveloped setting of an extremely important cultural tradition, but also interferes with the delicate setting. Please be aware that in June of this year, the US Forest Service acknowledged that Dzil Nchaa Si An was indeed a traditional cultural property of the Western Apache. If the Supreme Court and states would support the constitution based sovereignty of the First Nations instead of creating legal and legislative fiction through the history of the USA there would be no question. But as it stands a standard that respects cultures, peoples and traditions will need to be higher than the standards of the federal and corporate policy of the United States. Please support us...rather than destroy us. Cliff Alles-Curie [Maya Mestizo] --------- "RE: Unhappy Anniversary" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 10:20:09 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Editorial on Anniversary of Gustafsen Lake :-:-:-:S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty:-:-:-: UNHAPPY ANNIVERSARY Editorial, The Martlet (University of Victoria paper), Thursday, Sept. 11, 1997 The two year anniversary of the Gustafsen stand-off is already upon us. The final scenes were paraded across front pages of newspapers across the country. Since then, this situation has produced a year-long judicial trial, a huge legal bill for the BC taxpayers, and several jail terms for the Ts'peten defenders. It has also produced startlingly little coverage by the mainstream media. Why? The perception seems to be that this whole thing is over. Done with. Swept neatly under the rug so we can continue to live our 'Beautiful BC' lifestyle in this oh-so friendly, oh-so progressive place where Mounties paddle canoes next to native people on "tribal journeys." But it isn't over. And it isn't going to go away just because we no longer have screaming headlines in the Vancouver Sun or Province. There are still hundreds of questions to be asked, and most should be directed to the RCMP. Not the individuals following orders to shoot, but the people responsible for giving these orders. The individuals who signed papers to purchase 50 calibre sniper rifles, who authorized the extensive surveillance and wire tapping of elders like Lavina White or Bill Lightbown. The RCMP is already conducting an administrative review [whitewash --S.I.S.I.S.] of one shooting incident at Gustafsen Lake. They are looking into the decision of one of their "members" to open fire on one of the defenders on Sept. 12, 1995. But what about the day before? What about the land mine that detonated a defender truck, sending the occupants scrambling for cover, while the RCMP opened fire? When do we get an answer for the fact that the RCMP fired 77,000 rounds of hollow point ammo at 18 people on their own unceded territory, employed the services of a "psy-ops" consultant who also assisted at Waco and the MRTA Lima matter? So far there are no ongoing independent investigations. The Ts'peten defenders are asking you to make your government accountable by demanding a full and comprehensive public inquiry into the largest paramilitary operation in Canadian history. So far the demand has been refused. Draw your own conclusions. We've drawn ours: the criminals themselves control the process. And the process includes your acquiescence to accepting these atrocities and even agreeing to be taught by those who perpetrate them. UVic, the ball's in your court. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Martlet: martlet@uvic.ca :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Ts'peten Defender Released" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 10:20:35 -0500 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subject: Ts'peten Defender Flo Sampson Released :-:-:-:S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty:-:-:-: September 12, 1997 Bulletin TS'PETEN DEFENDER RELEASED ON SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF GUSTAFSEN STANDOFF Secwepemc (Shuswap) national Flo Sampson has been released by the British Columbia authorities on the second anniversary of the 1995 Gustafsen Standoff. Sampson, who teaches the Shuswap language and cultural practices to the children of her community, has returned to the family home much to their relief and that of the Shuswap nation. Criticism of the authorities' actions and demands for an internationally supervised public inquiry into both the Gustafsen and Ipperwash attacks by Canadian authorities are increasing pressure upon the governments. It is speculated that the release of Sampson is in response to this pressure, both domestically and from abroad. Sampson remains under house arrest and has an electronic monitoring device secured around her leg. It is believed that the ankle device will be removed when she has completed two thirds of her sentence. She now rejoins her daughter Sheila, her son Joseph and other friends and family on the Adams Lake Reserve. Thanks to all those who have responded to the call for support and pressure on the authorities. Please continue to call, write, email, fax, the Canadian and BC authorities for a comprehensive public inquiry and for the freedom of the remaining Ts'peten Prisoners of War. -=<+>=-Free Wolverine-=<+>=-Free the Ts'peten Defenders-=<+>=- **Demand Public Inquiries into Gustafsen Lake and Ipperwash** More information on Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) at: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html The petition for a public inquiry into Gustafsen lake is at: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/GustLake/inq_pet.html If you would like to sign this petition by email, send a message to sisis@envirolink.org with "petition" in the subject header and "I support the petition for a full public inquiry into the events surrounding the Gustafsen Lake crisis," your name, and your city of residence in the body of the message. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Friends of the Lubicon Trial" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 20:05:48 -0400 From: fol@tao.ca Subj: Day 7 of Daishowa v. Friends of the Lubicon trial Mailing List: FOL-L Friends of the Lubicon (Toronto) 485 Ridelle Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6B 1K6 Tel: (416) 763-7500 ^G Fax: (416) 603-2715 ^G e-mail: fol@tao.ca Court Update Day 7; Thursday, September 11, 1997 Picketing Effective In Making Decisions Henry Wakabayashi, an independent consultant who acted on behalf of Daishowa, continued his testimony about the March 7, 1988 meeting between Daishowa representatives and Lubicon Chief Ominayak and Fred Lennarson, advisor to the Lubicon Nation. During the meeting Wakabayashi took notes which he later had typed up 3 years later, in December 1991, after the boycott had begun. One of the allegations of the Plaintiffs is that there was no agreement made by Daishowa not to log on Lubicon land. Often answering before FoL lawyer Ms. Wristen had a chance to finish her questions, Wakabayashi characterized the meeting as being informal. Ms. Joliffe, formerly with Holt Renfrew, gave evidence about being contacted by FoL and deciding not to make the switch from using Daishowa products initially. She said that Holt Renfrew did not make a decision until FoL announced a boycott and picket of their flagship store in Toronto. Ms. Joliffe felt that picketing would "disrupt our customers", particularly on a Saturday. Holt Renfrew then decided immediately that they would stop using Daishowa products. Ms. Wristen asked Ms. Joliffe what picketing meant to her and she responded that her fears were based on previous picketing by anti-fur activists. Lorne Riding, Marketing Director for Bootlegger Stores in 1991/92, next gave evidence about being contacted by the Calgary group Northern Lights. He felt that the issues contained in their information package were not his concern and felt that the conflict was between the Lubicon and the Alberta Government. Mr. Riding only became concerned when FoL said it would picket Bootlegger Stores and his bosses insisted that they switch from using Daishowa paper bags. Fern Sager of Sierra Legal Defence Fund, acting on behalf of FoL , asked Mr. Riding if there was a disruption of business when Bootlegger switched bag suppliers. He replied that there was no disruption because Bootlegger used up their supply before changing. The last witness for the Plaintiffs, Fern Lukofsky of Progress Packaging, a Daishowa distributor, learned about the boycott from a "hysterical" Bowrings store manager who called her. Ms. Lukofsky stated that her customers were concerned over the possibility of picketing outside their stores. However, Progress customer Roots indicated in a letter that Roots had investigated the situation in Alberta and decided to quit using Daishowa products based on environmental concerns. Joining Friends of the Lubicon in court Thursday was the Turtle Island Support Group, who brought their members out to witness the trial and provided a delicious lunch! Chi Meegwetch. Each day of court has been sponsored by various organizations who are bringing their members to court to support the Friends during the trial. On Monday September 15, our next day in court, Friends of the Lubicon will be joined by the Bathurst Street United Church, the Trinity-St. Paul's United Church and by the Canadian Friends Service Committee (the Quakers). for more background information, visit the Lubicon supporters web page at: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Lubicon/main.html The Daishowa v. Friends of the Lubicon trial will continue Monday, September 15 at 10 am at Courtroom 4-2, 361 University Ave., Toronto. For more information call (416) 763-7500 or e-mail Friends of the Lubicon at fol@tao.ca --------- "RE: TVA Stumbles on Little Cedar" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 22:34:17 -0400 From: tom kunesh Subj: Times Editorial: TVA stumbles on Little Cedar Sacred Little Cedar Mountain Defense Coalition The Chattanooga Times, Wednesday, 10 September 1997 p A8 Editorial of The Times ------------------------------------------------------------------- TVA stumbles on Little Cedar ------------------------------------------------------------------- TVA stirred controversy earlier this year when it decided to sell the pristine Little Cedar Mountain on Nickajack Lake for private development. For good reason, that controversy continues. TVA was wrong to convert an important public asset to a private, for-profit venture without wide public consensus. And agency officials are wrong now to ignore public interest in the terms they seek from the potential developer. Environmentalists and members of the Chattanooga Inter-Tribal Association camped and marched at the site over the weekend to demonstrate their continued discontent They are angry, of course, that TVA has refused to rescind its decision to sell the land. CITA members are equally disturbed, and properly so, that TVA officials are breaking promises to keep them informed and involved regarding terms of the sale and protection of Indian heritage sites. TVA declines even to identify the development company with which it is negotiating, much less the tentative terms. The agency's arrogance in this position is not unusual, but it suggests that TVA's commanding hierarchy continues, despite other recent controversies, to function with seeming indifference to public expectations. Marion County officials, to be sure, supported the TVA board's decision to sell off the 700-acre Little Cedar Mountain for development TVA officials have held out the promise of condominiums, a marina and possibly a golf course. So many Marion residents view the commanding lakefront hill as an untapped lode of property taxes, new residents and, possibly, jobs. TVA's larger responsibility, however, lies with its stewardship duties for lands taken in the public interest from earlier owners. TVA's vast shoreline holdings totaling some 11,000 miles, have become over the years crucial elements of the region's ecological heritage. Parcels should not be sold simply for occasional cash infusions or to satisfy urges for commercial development They should be sold only under a publicly negotiated plan that protects significant Native American historical sites, forest and wildlife preserves, wildlife habitat and public recreation areas. In that context, TVA owes the public a continuing accounting of what it is doing with our land trust It should not dispose of our holdings without meaningful public participation -- a test it failed for Little Cedar Mountain. And when it does convey land, it should keep the public informed as to how it will protect the public interest, through covenants and contract agreements. If it insists on pursuing development of Little Cedar Mountain, TVA should at least be sensitive to CITA members' concerns about spoiling of Native American heritage sites and to environmental issues. It should not willfully freeze out preservationists, wait until a development contract is completed; and reveal a fait accompli. TVA's board already is in conflict with various members of Congress over continued funding for nonpower programs and restructuring for deregulation. To remain viable, the agency needs its customers and constituents on its side. Ignoring accountability and doing a deal in the dark on Little Cedar Mountain serves neither TVA nor its constituents. --------- "RE: Hunting and Herding Rights" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 04:17:46 -0400 (EDT) From: Jordan S Dill Subj: Hunting and herding rights of the Plains Indians(fwd) UUCP email Good day all...am passing along the following for your information...this letter has been written by the author "washita: Genocide on the Great Plains" (..: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 02:44:48 -0500 (CDT) From: James A Horsley To: "Ada E. Deer Secretary for Indian Affairs" Subject: Hunting and herding rights of the Plains Indians Dear Ms. Deer-- As I have not heard from you regarding my question as to the legal status of the Great Plains region as defined by the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, in particular the question as to the ownership of the Great Plains by the Plains Indians, I will explain why I am making this request and I will make an additional request. At present due to land conditions, a decline in population and the cutting back of government subsidies such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Great Plains region is headed for an severe economic decline. Crops of almost any kind do not do well in much of the region. The last winter has shown that cattle suffer greatly and are not sufficiently hardy for this climate. Buffalo, however, are ideal. They are, of course, native to the area. I would like to propose a pilot program that would involve the promotion of buffalo meat consumption and the increased utilization of the Great Plains as an open range for buffalo production. Because of disease and grazing conditions, the buffalo, however, should be allowed to return to their migratory habits. According to veterinarians, large herds of buffalo should not be held on one range as they infect themselves with pests and deplete the forage--thus the need to allow migration. But who would herd these migrating buffalo? Possibly the Native American, and quite possibly they are the one group of people that could do this because they may be the one group of people that have the legal right to do so. However, to determine if they do have the legal right to do so would rely on a decision regarding the terms of the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. Thus, my question below as to the legal status of the Plains Indians collectively re the treaty. And now I have one additional question which I ask on behalf of the Plains Indians. It is this: According to your department, and according to the government, do the Plains Indians, under the terms of the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie, have the legal right to hunt and herd buffalo undisturbed across the Great Plains region territories as defined by the treaty? If not, why not. If yes, then why yes. If your answer is yes, exactly what rights do they have and what rights do they not have in this regard? This request is made to help the entire region regain its economic viability and would be a cooperative effort that would allow the Native American, if he or she so wished, to herd and hunt/harvest buffalo over their traditional region. It would be an ideal way to promote the development of small business in the region, instill economic recovery and assist the Native American in regaining the prosperity they originally had with an economy based on buffalo production. I would appreciate an acknowledgement that you have received this message. My best, James Horsley --------- "RE: Strong Support-Indian Gaming" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 14:52:06 -0400 (EDT) From: FirehairSS@aol.com Subj: new Poll-Strong Support-Indian Gaming UUCP email SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 1997--San Diego's Indian tribes have strong support among San Diego County residents for their efforts to retain video gaming machines in their casinos, according to a new poll released Thursday. The poll, conducted in August 1997 by JMM Research, a leading Sacramento-based survey research firm, shows that more than 80 percent of respondents agree with San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce and The San Diego Union-Tribune in calling upon Governor Pete Wilson to begin negotiations that will allow the tribes to retain the machines. In the survey, 86 percent of the respondents agree with Supervisor Jacob, who has said that the "Governor should begin to negotiate a compact immediately" with each of the tribes. Gaming compacts are the agreements which specify the type of gaming equipment allowable on Indian reservations. Governor Wilson is required by federal law to negotiate compacts with tribes interested in operating gaming facilities. Wilson has so far refused his obligation to negotiate compacts with the Barona, Viejas and Sycuan tribes which now operate casinos in the county of San Diego. Wilson has expressed his intent to force the tribes to remove all of their video gaming equipment even before compact negotiations begin. The vast majority of respondents, 84 percent, said they were aware that local tribes were phasing out video gaming machines and 85 percent of all respondents agree with the process being taken by United States Attorney Alan Bersin under the terms of an interim agreement. When asked their opinion about local Indian tribes being forced to phase out the machines, 52 percent of respondents said they flatly opposed such a move. "We have acted in good faith and are glad to see the community supports our position," said Clifford LaChappa, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Our gaming enterprises deserve the Governor's support as well." When asked to agree or disagree with other statements opposing the forced withdrawal of the machines, 81 percent said they agreed with The San Diego Union-Tribune's statement that the Governor "shouldn't be so stubborn," and that he should sit down with local tribes to negotiate lasting compacts. Approximately 82 percent of respondents agreed with the position of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce that the Governor should "soften his views" and enter into negotiations with the tribes. "Indian gaming is an important part of San Diego's regional economy," said LaChappa. "The combined payrolls from local Indian gaming operations now exceeds $77 million a year. We also spend another $80 million with vendors providing goods and services to our reservations," he said. "I don't understand the Governor being so reluctant to negotiate with an industry that is such an important part of the local economy. We only want fair and equitable treatment." Both Supervisor Jacob and Richard Ledford, the Chamber's senior vice president for Public Policy, expressed their support for Indian gaming at a recent media conference at Barona Casino. The conference was held to highlight the impact of removing the first round of video gaming equipment affected by the tribes' agreement with the U.S. Attorney. Father Joe Carroll, president of St. Vincent DePaul, joined Supervisor Jacob and Ledford in calling on the Governor to negotiate compacts with local tribes. In the last year alone, San Diego's Indian tribes have donated nearly $5 million to local charities and special community events. Removing more of the video gaming machines from the tribes' casinos may cause a reduction in revenues that could, in turn, affect the level of charitable giving the tribes are capable of maintaining. "At least for now, we do not foresee any impacts on our contributions to San Diego's important community organizations," said LaChappa. "Only Governor Wilson can initiate the negotiations which will insure that will always be the case." Clark Stockton, current payroll manager for Barona Casino, is a prime example of the positive side of Indian gaming and the opportunities it can present. "They take people like me off the streets and give them a second chance at life," said Stockton, who had once been homeless before being hired by Barona. "Without Barona Casino, I would not have been able to turn my life around and become a productive member of society," said Stockton. "I wouldn't be able to look at my child and say 'I'll see you later, I have to go to work'." "The public opinion poll which was just conducted definitely demonstrates that there is public support for Indian gaming," said LaChappa. "However, that is not the most important point we would like the Governor to consider. Even more important are the many benefits that are created, such as 4,000 jobs, $5.5 million in payroll tax generation and almost $5 million in charitable contributions throughout the County of San Diego. These are all admirable and important aspects of Indian gaming which we hope the Governor will take into consideration." The independent poll, commissioned by the Barona Band of Mission Indians, surveyed 400 San Diego County registered voters. CONTACT: Kelly Jacobs, 619/443-6612, 619/546-9383 --------- "RE: New Book on James Bay Cree" --------- Date: Sat, 13 Sep 1997 22:46:41 -0400 From: Ann Stewart Subj: New (and timely) book on James Bay Crees UUCP email Defending the Land: Sovereignty and Forest Life in James Bay Cree Society by Ronald W. Niezen has just been published by Allyn & Bacon (paperback, US$14, ISBN 0-205-27580-X, phone orders: 1-800-852-8024, website: www.abacon.com) Although the book is meant for students, its author, a Harvard anthropology professor, provides non-academic readers with a full picture of life today for the James Bay Crees. Drawing upon ten years of experience and including interviews with Crees living in their communities, Professor Niezen demonstrates how they have maintained their precious connection to a hunting, fishing and trapping way of life, while at the same time resisting additional hydroelectric projects, campaigning against Quebec's 1995 bid for sovereignty and acquiring membership on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. A current bibliography rounds out the text. Quebec soon plans to hold another referendum on separation from Canada (America, are you paying attention?) and in June 97, Hydro-Quebec announced it would "study" the possibility of diverting the Great Whale and the Eastmain Rivers to replenish water levels behind the dams along the La Grande River (James Bay Phase I). HQ refuses to make public the current water levels, but experts state that levels have dropped precipitously, in part due to increased sales to the northeastern United States. I urge you to purchase this book and familiarize yourself with these crucial issues. Ann Stewart Stewartship 75361.1143@compuserve.com --------- "RE: A Hundred Years Ago" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Sep 1997 21:03:07 -0700 From: Landis Subj: A Hundred Years Ago - Week 20 Mailing List: NAT-FILM [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ------------------------------------ PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY --AT THE-- Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa., BY INDIAN BOYS. ---> THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The man-on-the band-stand who is NOT an Indian. --------------------------------------------- P R I C E: --10 C E N T S A Y E A R ============================================= Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================================= Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss M. Burgess, Manager. ============================================= Do not hesitate to take the HELPER from the Post Office for if you have not paid for it some one else has. It is paid for in advance. ============================================== VOL. XII. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1897 NUMBER 49 =============================================== WHAT TO LOOK FOR. --------- Do not look for wrong and evil; You will find them if you do. As you measure for your neighbor. He will measure back for you. Look for goodness, look for gladness; You will meet them all the while. If you bring a smiling visage To the glass, you meet a smile. -------- Let liars, fear; let cowards shrink; Let traitors turn away; Whatever we have dared to think, That, dare we also say. -LOWELL. --------- Think truly, and thy thoughts Shall the world's famine feed; Speak truly, and each word of thine Shall be a faithful seed. Live truly and they life shall be A great and noble creed. -BONAR. ===================================== A MAN, IS IT, YOU WISH TO BECOME? -------------------------------------- Every man is as much of a man, and has as many good qualities, as he himself determine. "What an ideal man I could create, if only I had the power to combine in one man the best things I see in some of the best men I know!" said a young man. But he has that privilege and that power. Does he admire the tact and winning courtesy of one man, the intensity and tireless energy of another, the balance and good judgement of another, the apparently inexhaustible knowledge of another? Does he turn in strong dislike from one man's brusqueness and lack of courtesy and polish, from another's irritability, from another's easy-going slowness, from another's carelessness and lack of method? It rests with him as a child of God to bring into his own life, by tireless study and practice, those characteristics he so admires in others. It is in his power to keep out of his own life, by equal vigilance and prayer, those things that seem to him to lessen another's usefulness. Our Heavenly Father has given us a place in this world. He would have us at our best. And he alone can enable us to grow into the likeness of the only perfect Man the world has ever known. -[Sunday School Times. ===================== THE SMALL LIE. --------- It is easy to be honest and true when we know we shall be caught if we are not, and knowing that if caught we shall be made ashamed of ourselves, but when we almost KNOW that we shall NEVER be caught, then it is not so easy to be exactly honest. We WILL tell the small lie, when we think that nobody will find it out. Even so-called Christians do that, but they ARE found out, and that is why they lose friends. To be honest in every LITTLE act in life one must EVER be on the watch. The meanest people on earth are those who are continually doing little acts of deception and telling small falsehoods, and at the same time think they are capable of advising others. "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." ===================== AS WE SPEND OUR MOMENTS SO WILL WE BE. ----------------------- "Time is the stuff life is made of,' says Benjamin Franklin. Every man has exactly the same amount of it in a year. One improves it and reaps great results. Another wastes and reaps failure. The first class they call lucky; the second, unfortunate. The unfortunates form the mass of mankind. ===================== During the teaching of a temperance Sunday school lesson an Indian boy, ten years old was asked: "What does alcohol do to a man's brain?" He answered, "It makes him think crooked." -[Exchange ============================================================= Nancy Renville, Sisseton Sioux, who was a Carlisle pupil in '79 and '80, is at the Genoa Indian School, Nebraska. Miss Ella Powlas, of Green Bay Agency, Wisconsin, a Hampton Indian Student, is one of the Genoa, Nebraska teachers this year. Alexander Upshaw, '97, has returned to his studies at Bloomsburg State Normal School, where he is working his way through, as best he can, in true Garfield style. Master Roscoe Bergstresser of Trevorton, Pa., seeing the offer last week of 20 cents on the dollar for all subscriptions, sends a list of thirty this week and thereby makes a little spending money. Thanks! Let others try the same! The Genoa Indian School has more pupils this year than for three years. The Indians evidently are awakening to the idea of educating their children away from home. We have had more requests this year than ever, and more pupils have come to us, unsolicited. The District Grand Lodge No. 1 of Pennsylvania G.U.O of O.F. now in session in Carlisle and the first meeting of the Grand Household of Ruth, No. 1, G.U.O. of O.F. on Wednesday, brought a number of our Africo American brethren to the school, as visitors from a distance. Want to know what Indians from 68 different tribes are doing at the largest training school for Indians in the country? Then take the HELPER! Want your friends to know? Then ask them to subscribe! 10,000 new subscribers before Christmas are what we would like and we ought really to have them without the least trouble. The many friends of Ned Brace, Kiowa, who went home a few years ago, will be glad to learn that he is to have a wedding day, October 1st, 1897, at the Rainy Mountain school, Indian Territory. He is to marry Miss Martha Koriho, a former pupil of Haskell. We get this straight from Ned himself, in the shape of an invitation, so there can be no mistake about it. We all know that he will "brace" to the occasion, and if congratulations are in order before the happy event we extend a hearty hand-shake, and wish for the couple a long, happy and prosperous life. Miss Paull has been transferred from the Mt. Pleasant Michigan, Boarding School, to the School at Oneida, Wisconsin, and likes her present position, very much. She ought to, for, as the writer remembers the Oneida Boarding School, it is one of the best reservation schools in the United States, well equipped and superbly managed by Superintendent Pierce and his excellent wife. Mary V., wife of George W. Foulke, the colored teamster at the Indian school for the past seventeen years, died yesterday at 3:15 p.m. of peritonitis, after an illness of about ten days. She was aged forty years and has resided at the Indian school for the last sixteen years. The deceased was a most highly respected colored lady was very prominent in religious circles. She was a member of the West Street A.M.E. Zion Church and Sunday School, and was one of the stewardesses. She was also a member of "Golden Chain Council" and a member of the committee of arrangements for the G.U.O of O.F. convention being held in Carlisle. -[Evening Sentinel, 14th. The funeral services, held at the school, are in progress as we go to press. A handsome floral offering was the gift of the officers and faculty. Mrs. Foulke's loss is sincerely mourned by her large number of friends at the school, and the bereaved husband, whose faithful work and interest has called out the highest esteem and confidence, has the sympathy of all. Mrs. Mary Wells, who used to be Mary Parkhust when a student at Carlise, was heard from this week. She and her husband, Otto Wells, who was also one of our students are living at Otto's home in the Indian Territory. The home of Mary's birth is Oneida, Wisconsin, and she must find the Comanches a very different people from her own, but she writes most cheerfully and says she likes her husband's people. She has made a camp visit of a few weeks and enjoyed it very much. But says "Of course, you may well know that I would not stay like that all my life time." Both Otto and Mary have Government positions at Ft. Sill, Otto as blacksmith and Mary as baker, to show the girls at the Rainy Mountain school how to bake bread. She says their own little Mattie is growing rapidly and talks English, and as soon as she is large enough will come to Carlisle. She is almost large enough now to go to Kindergarten. Mary has seen Nellie Carey Chandler and had a pleasant visit with her. The Invincible Debating Society met last Friday evening and the following officers were elected for the ensuing term: President, Mitchel Barada; Vice-President, R. Moore; Secretary, Wilson Welch; Reporter, Cornelius Jordan; Sergeant-at-Arms, Artie Miller; Critic, Dennison Wheelock; Assistant Critic, James Wheelock. A great many books were taken to the country for study during leisure hours, and it is quite remarkable that nearly all have been returned. A very few books have been lost in this way, showing that most of our pupils are growing more careful, but the few who have lost books need something done to make them think. ================================================================= A cooler wave, but hardly cool. Let us hope that the scorching days are over. Allen Blackchief is back from New York. Chester Smith is back from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Joseph Adams has returned from the far West, Oregon. A number of boys and girls in from country homes brought subscr