From gars@netcom.com Thu Feb 5 22:32:18 1998 Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 20:45:05 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.006 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 006 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 7 February 1998 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 Innu-L & Minn-Ind lists; UUCP email; NUEVO AMANECER PRESS; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; North American Spirit Lodge; Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. IMPORTANT!! ----------- To all who send copywrite protected articles, make very sure you have permission from the copywrite holder (a newspaper, the AP, a magazine, an author) because a new law is now in effect that says you can be prosecuted even if there is no monetary gain. Just because a newspaper has a website where it posts some or all of its editions does not grant permission for their redistribution. Be careful and be sure you pass on the items you do with full permission. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <----<<<< >>>>----> 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. "As long as eagles fly, so shall we. The eagle is the most revered animal in traditional Native cultures of the Northern and Southern Plains, Great Lakes regions, and the Upper and Lower Plateau Regions. The power that makes the eagle so extraordinary is its interconnectedness between land and air. The eagle is very special because it is known as a two-world walker, it has the capabilities of traveling from this world to the spirit world and back again. Our children of today are also very special because they have to be two-world walkers. They must have the knowledge base of Western (European) culture while holding on to their traditional lessons as well." __ Jason Stark, Chippewa, Turtle Mountain Band +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Much of this issue is dedicated to the resumed slaughter of Yellow Stone National Park Buffalo. Please don't just scan through the messages. Read them in order. I have attempted to keep them in chronological order, as unnatural as that is. What you will see is two things. The first is the senselessness of the hysteria surrounding the Montana Department of Livestock's (DOL's) absolute insistence this is necessary to protect Montana cattle, though there is not one documented case of brucellosis passing from bison to cattle. The second is the layer upon layer of misinformation (lies!). In spite of resolute denial a kill was planned and that the dump would be used for that purpose, three cows and three calves were slaughtered in the dump. And the people who do this wonder why we don't trust them. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Date: 98-01-27 22:56:23 EST From: Double L k It is very difficult for me to report the passing of Audrey Jackson, an elder from White Earth, Minnesota. She died this morning after a battle with cancer of the throat. I find it necessary to introduce everyone I come into contact with to her, she was and will continue to be a great force in the struggle for inmate freedom to practice in our ancient and sacred ways. She was a tiny woman with a huge heart and a will of iron. The first time I ever spoke with her, she called me at my office and said that she was aware that the lawsuit had been filed on behalf of the inmates of the Stillwater Facility in Stillwater, Minnesota. Her next comment was; "how can I help"? She began working at that moment and worked until she was too weak to work any more. Every gathering for the past 2 years could guarantee a blanket dance for our brothers. There were raffles and other fundraising that she continued to do. She badgered people into showing up and cooking for events. It was her wish and mine that she would live to see the lawsuit settled and hear the drum... she will be ever with us through the struggle. I will miss my adopted mother. ----------------------------------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 08:13:15 +0000 From: "J.D.K. Chipps" GALLUP, N.M. (AP) - Carl Gorman, a ``Code Talker'' who helped America's allies communicate during World War II by encoding military secrets in his Navajo language, died of cancer Thursday. He was 90. Gorman, a teacher and artist acclaimed throughout the Navajo Nation and the American Indian art world, was among the first soldiers recruited for the Code Talkers in 1942. The Japanese never cracked the Navajo code, hidden as it was within their language. Bird names were used to identify aircraft, fish for ships. ----------------------------------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 01:59:46 GMT From: rnbowlkr@teleport.com (Arlie Neskahi) Today my father, Allan Neskahi, Jr., a great father, grandfather, spiritual leader, and known to many of the Native Nations as a wonderful powwow MC, passed on to the next world. He is survived by myself and my brothers and sisters; Art Neskahi; Shiprock, New Mexico Cheryl Neskahi; Crownpoint, New Mexico Allen Carl Neskahi III; Seattle, WA Arlie Neskahi; Portland, OR Aaron Neskahi; Yukaipa, CA Carol Neskahi; Seattle, WA He was proceeded in death by his wife and three sons; Albert Neskahi Dec 1979 Alroy Neskahi Oct 1983 Andrew Neskahi Dec 1976 Mary Neskahi Jun 1994 I am glad my dad no longer has to suffer, I and my dear family will miss him greatly. We have big shoes to fill. He can rest now from all the work he accomplished here on Mother Earth. His words echo in my mind... And his courage fortifies me in the face of adversity. Funeral services will be announced via this newsgroup. Please pass the word as my father had so many friends throughout the Native Nations of both the US & Canada. I want to say thank you to all who met and shook hands with my dad. You made his life here on Mother Earth a wonderful adventure. Thank You for treating him with respect and friendship. Walk in Beauty, Arlie Neskahi rnbowlkr@teleport.com 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 ---------- - Buffalo Alert - CNO Courthouse Tribal Land - The Day After - CNO Court Reverses Chief's Action - Buffalo Media Release - Senator Burns Hearings in Billings - 3 Calves and Their Mothers - Tribes Take Stand on Ward Valley - Voice Your Outrage - Native-only Fishery Illegal - Buffalo Letter - Native Youth Movement to Intervene - Bozeman Press Conference - Plymouth County Courthouse - The Truth - Dineh Investigation - Buffalo Kill Timeline - Lower Churchill News - Buffalo Kill Update - Racism in Sports - Yellowstone Wolves In Danger - Ecology and the American Indian - Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash - OJ: Request for Support Letters - Never Forget Them - Leonard Peltier Updates - Good News from Pine Ridge - Native Prisoner - Indians Have No 'Standing' in - Spiritual Rights at Stillwater Tennessee - Poem: My Name is Misty - Interior Six Nations - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - View of the Counterrevolution - Conferences and Powwows --------- "RE: Buffalo Alert" --------- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 17:58:07 -0600 From: Ilze A Choi Subj: Buffalo Alert UUCP email Gary Smith writes: Rosalie Little Thunder called and said the Montana Dept of Livestock has contacted the West Yellowstone Dump and asked them to clear them a spot for buffalo remains, which means they're planning a kill. They're phone number at DOL is 406-444-2023 It is critical that this be addressed immediately.>>>> Forward this to all and urge people to call the DOL in protest>>> _________________ I just called (5:45 cst) and was told they have no plans for a killing now. There were 2 bison shot because snowmobilers ran into them and had to be hospitalized. When I remarked that snowmobilers should not be racing around in the buffalo's area, I was told that the surrounding communities depend on the income from snowmobilers. I asked why not let the Indians manage the buffalo. The answer was that they had not contacted DOL re this but that a non-Indian organization, Buffalo Nations was working in the area, hazing the buffalo, and interfering the Park Service. I told the lady to please work with the Indian people to solve the problem. Ilze --------- "RE: The Day After" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 13:02:42 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Smith Subj: The day after Gary Smith writes: This will appear in the next issue of Wotanging Ikche. It may give you some perspective if you called the Montana DOL and got a "not happening" response to the alert I posted yesterday. http://www.nanews.org gars@netcom.com Murder in Montana Today the Montana Department of Livestock deliberately shot killed 3 Buffalo Cows and their 3 baby calves. Two were radio collared. Mike Mease, co founder of Buffalo Nations, was arrested for simple trespassing and obstruction. He is in the county jail at Bozeman Mt. He is at Galletin County Jail 406-582-2130 A teenager, Corey Mascio from New Hampshire, was also arrested for obstruction. He drove his snowmobile between the Buffalo and the DOL guns, trying to protect the three calves and their mothers. This brings to date a total of 5 arrested so far in attempts to protect the Yellowstone Buffalo herd, who are being shot down as they wander off National Park Service lands, in search of food. These young volunteer men and women are up before dawn to their posts guarding the buffalo...every day, despite the weather. They're out now in frigid temperatures for 6 hours at a time. They do this every single day. Young warriors on snowmobiles with two way radios who receive no pay but the satisfaction of standing up for what they belief. "You never get used to it. It's a shock. The buffalo are victims of pathological politics. The DOL were shooting, laughing and taunting. The babies were so small I could hold their little horns in my hand." sobbed Lakota co-founder, Rosalie Little Thunder, who is onsite. Mike Mease, who was trying to film the shoot, was physically detained and restrained from filming before he was arrested. His video camera was confiscated. Sheriff Bob Pierson sarcastically called the Buffalo Nations group, "Environmental Terrorists". If you disagree, please call Sheriff Pierson with your comments at 406-646-9307. Help is urgently needed from all People. This is not merely a issue of saving the last free roaming herd of Bison in the United States, but a bigger one of standing up against a governmental entity who laughs and taunts as they shoot. More importantly, it is standing up for the Spiritual rights of First Nations who consider these Buffalo as sacred. Get on the phones...call your local newspapers and Congressmen. Insist on a investigation! For those taxpayers who might be interested...You've lost another $18,000 of your tax dollars today. Total tax dollar loss to date: $331,500. Is anybody paying attention out there? Demand an accountability from the Dept. of Livestock where the proceeds from the sale of these dead Buffalo are going. What you're going to be told is the money is going into the DOL coffers under "travel expense." The slaughtered buffalo are being processed by Mac Correlli, owner of C&C Meats slaughterhouse in Sheridan at 406-842-5565 There is no evidence that sealed bids were obtained, as required by federal and state laws to process these buffalo. Nor were tribes offered the opportunity to process them. Montana Dept. of Livestock: 406-444-2023 Buffalo Nations: 406-646-0070 Fax: 406-646-0071 --------- "RE: Buffalo Media Release" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 16:20:12 +0000 From: Barbara Wolf Subj: Buffalo Media Release UUCP email Hello. A news release just faxed from the Department of Livestock, Helena, Montana. January 29, l998 Contact: Laurence Petersen Phone: 406-444-2023 Fax: 406-444-1929 BISON REMOVAL OPERATION Location: West Yellowstone, Montana Date: January 29, l998 Three bison cows (one was a known test positive, high-risk animal as per information provided by USDA-APHIS), two bison bulls, and one bison heifer (all untested, high-risk animals) were shot East of Horse Butte. All animals were from a known Brucellosis positive herd and were considered to be exposed to Brucellosis. The carcasses were donated to the members of the Chippewa Tribe for use in their charitable programs. The removals were conducted under the Interim Bison Management Plan to prevent the spread of brucellosis and maintain the Brucellosis Free Status of the State of Montana. --------- Gary Night Owl, you have Laurence Petersen's phone number. I phoned that number this morning and no one answered. So I phoned the other number and that is how I reached the Dept. of Livestock people. This is my understanding: To date there has been no known spread of brucellosis from bison to cattle. A forced contamination was produced at a Texas university lab. The area in question is relatively free of cattle except in the summer months when about 300 cattle are put there for grazing purposes. The bison/cattle contamination uproar is political. Barbara Wolf --------- "RE: 3 Calves and Their Mothers" --------- Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 13:24:47 -0500 From: J Boucher Subj: Old News/New News UUCP email Subject: 3 Yellowstone buffalo calves and their mothers shot and tossed in dump (for immediate release) (WWW) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 10:13:36 -0700 From: buffalo folks DOL CONTINUES INDISCRIMINATE SLAUGHTER SIX BISON KILLED: TWO WEARING RADIO COLLARS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 29, 1998 Media Contact: Sue Nackoney , (406) 646-0070 PRESS CONFERENCE TO FOLLOW: Michael Mease Friday, January 30 11:00 am Emerson Cultural Center, Weaver Room 111 S. Grand Ave Bozeman, MT Thursday, January 29, the Department of Livestock continued its violent slaughter of the West Yellowstone Bison. At dawn, the DOL shot a group of six bison on Horse Butte; three calves and their mothers. Two of the females were radio-collared by Yellowstone wildlife biologists for migration pattern research. These buffalo had roamed Horse Butte for the last two months. Although Buffalo Nations volunteers patrolled before daylight on snowmobiles and skis, the Montana Department of Livestock drove in on snowmobiles and killed in the fog at daybreak. During the shooting, Corey Mascio, a 17 year old volunteer from New Hampshire, was arrested and charged with obstruction when he tried to protect the female bison and their calves by placing himself between them and the Department of Livestock's guns. Buffalo Nations co-founder Mike Mease was physically detained when he attempted to video-tape the slaughter and later was arrested for trying to document the disposal of the carcasses at the dump. Both were transported to Bozeman. Rosalie Little Thunder, Lakota activist and co-founder of Buffalo Nations, and other members of the buffalo protection team were on the scene. Little Thunder said, "It is just as shocking as last year." She said the dead bison were "innocent victims of pathological politics". The DOL claimed they were turning the carcasses over to Native Americans, but there were none present when the carcasses were taken to the city dump. This kill took place just a week after the DOL baited nine bison with hay and trapped them in the capture facility. All nine were bulls. Five of the bulls were sent to slaughter. The DOL is continuing to use the brucellosis issue to justify their killing, although there has never been a documented case of these bison transmitting the disease to cattle in the wild. In a recent meeting in West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Park Wildlife Biologist John Mac stated that under the current Interim Bison Plan, the DOL has inappropriate opportunities to kill bison. "There has never been a documented case of a bull bison transmitting brucellosis," he said. "And there's certainly no need to be killing calves and yearlings when it's impossible for them to transmit the virus." Recently, APHIS stated that they will not revoke Montana's brucellosis- free status if Montana tolerates the presence of bull bison in the state up to 60 days prior to the return of cattle. This supports the statements of Virginia Ravndal, a wildlife biologist contracted by NPS for study on the cultural/social impact of the bison management plan, in a recent article that "The killing of Yellowstone bison by the Montana DOL is, in large part, a form of retaliation and a manifestation of hostility by the Western livestock industry towards the federal government and the environmental movement. The livestock industry is engaged in the 'War of the West,' and this is the 'Battle of Brucellosis.' It's not about the disease, it's about bison, and about grass, and about feeling threatened. The disease is merely a convenient excuse to kill bison." Timothy Kills In Water, Little Thunder's grandson, watched the early morning scene through streaming tears. His only comment was "They're just dragging them around with snowmobiles." Voice your outrage to the Montana DOL's very own Director, Larry Petersen at 406- 444- 2023. We forced them to shut down their phone lines today, let's do it everyday! Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Voice Your Outrage" --------- Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 16:00:37 -0500 From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations) Subj: Voice your outrage over the slaughter UUCP email VOICE YOUR OUTRAGE OVER THE CONTINUING SLAUGHTER OF OUR LAST WILD BISON! The Montana Department of Livestock has killed 11 of Yellowstone's bison so far this year. They are prepared to kill more, and it is apparent that no lessons have been learned after last year's slaughter of nearly 1,100 bison. Every time Montana kills buffalo, call the state and demand to know how many buffalo they killed, where, and why. Did the buffalo test positive for brucellosis? Voice your opinion about their actions. So far the state of Montana has killed buffalo with no accountability for their actions. It is time to hold them responsible. Call often, and spread the word to others. Mt. Department of Livestock, Veterinary-406/444-2043 Tourism Bureau- 1-800- 548-3390 Governor Marc Raciot- 406/444-3111 or email momholt-mason@mt.gov Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Buffalo Letter" --------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 19:43:01 -0500 From: jsmith Subj: From Rosalie (fwd) ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- Opinion. By

Virginia Ravndal 01/30/1998 Letter: Maybe DOL hasn't studied issue Many of the 1,084 bison killed last winter were bulls. All of the bison baited into a Department of Livestock trap and sent to slaughter last week were bulls. Maybe the DOL hasn't read the report on the risk bull bison pose to cattle; a report prepared by the Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee (GYIBC), an entity comprised of representatives from their own outfit and five other government agencies. The report reviewed all studies on the subject, going back to 1926. A substantial amount of research was done to determine if bulls could transmit the disease during breeding. According to the report, in all the studies "there is not one reported incident of brucellosis transmission through normal coitus by an infected bull." The only other way bulls could, in theory, transmit the disease is by shedding the Brucella bacteria in semen. Back in 1962, someone in India proposed that semen dripping onto the ground from bulls might contaminate pastures and infect animals who ingested the grass. Studies proved this wrong. And the GYIBC report clearly states, "There is no confirmed report of infection following contamination of food or water by a bull in either cattle or bison." The DOL, ignoring the science (some of which they sponsored) which indicates that bulls don't transmit the disease, continues to insist that bulls be killed. Why are these animals that clearly pose no risk to anyone being killed? Will the carcasses of these bison be auctioned off like those last year, advertised with a stamp across their bodies as "Property of the Department of Livestock"? How much will the DOL make from slaughtering our natural heritage this year? Virginia Ravndal Box 364 Gardiner --------- "RE: Bozeman Press Conference" --------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 17:30:56 -0500 From: Buffalo Nations Subj: Bozeman Press Conference UUCP email I went to Bozeman today for a press conference and for provisions. Timmy was heartsick about Mike and wanted to check on him. He was released on bond and goes to court clear in April. He pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. He just rode into the dump area, following the DOL and dead buffalo and was arrested for obstruction. The dump operator is super friendly and was pretty mad about what happened there. He's letting us do ceremony for the calves and offer them back to the Earth. I'm not sure on how to do that but I'll figure it out as I go along! Mike will get you stills of the video of the dumpster & remains. I can't watch it yet. These volunteers are emotionally drained, but holding together. That's the story that also needs to get out...the dedication of these people...after the kill, they stayed out there all day watching the rest of the buffalo and when some were too close to the capture facility, they stayed out all night too! Bozeman Chronicle (reporter is DOL friendly) called them 20-year-old hippies, DOL is accusing them of being irresponsible radicals, etc. Few letters to the editor of the chronicle would help. I'll email you address AM. The woodstove is out and I'm tired. We're well-fed and comfortable otherwise. Kids are ok but a pat on the back from you might bolster their spirits. They understand Mom's absence and have sent encouraging word. Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: The Truth" --------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 19:32:33 -0500 From: jsmith Subj: The Truth After hearing conflicting stories about whether Chippewa people came to butcher the slaughtered bison cows and calves or whether they were disposed of in a dumpster (Mike Mease of Buffalo Nations was arrested and his camera confiscated allegedly while trying to capture the disposal process on videotape), I asked Buffalo Nations for clarification. This is their reply. I had also mentioned to them that the DOL had been telling callers before the kill that no kill was planned and the space was requested for snowmobile kills. Sue, at Buffalo Nations, obviously agrees with me about this one. It's not even a good lie. --------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 17:31:34 -0500 To: jans@atlcom.net From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations) Subj: Clarification Janet- The buffalo were butchered at the dump and the meat was taken by some Chippewa people, but the hides and heads were left in the dumpster. I can't believe they said the buffalo were run over by snowmobiles- I guess they have no problem lying at any and every turn. Thanks for your support. Sue Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Buffalo Kill Timeline" --------- Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 22:05:15 -0500 From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations) Subj: Buffalo Kill Timeline UUCP email This is Rosalie. This is what happened on this end. We received a call the night before the kill. DOL had contacted the Eco-West dump and requested a dumpster to be prepared for buffalo remains. Brooke called DOL and was told that there was a snowmobile accident and DOL had to shoot two bison. In the foggy twilight the next morning, DOL shot three calves and their mothers. Buffalo Nations skiers were witness to the kill. Corey Mascio was arrested when he drove his snowmobile between the buffalo and the guns in a valiant effort to protect them. Mike Mease, co-founder of Buffalo Nations was at the scene, but physically detained from documenting the actions on film. When Jeremy and I arrived, the DOL were still dragging the dead bodies in with snowmobiles and loading them on the trailer. Jeremy and I managed a brief prayer and song before they were transported to the dump. Mease was arrested at the dump when he followed them in and attempted to film and was charged with obstruction. His only crime was to insist that he had a right to be there. He knew the dump operator, had permission to be on the property and is a member of the press. Later, Buffalo Nations volunteers found and filmed the remains of the calves in the dumpster. A Bozeman Chronicle article showed photographs of the tribal members at the dump, butchering. This is standard practice of DOL to call in the media to show tribal members butchering the carcasses. The Chronicle reporter was allowed in the dump while Mease was arrested. The awful fact remains that DOL continues its needless killing. These six buffalo were in the area for more than two months. There were no cattle in the area to be contaminated. The excuses are worn thin. These mothers and their calves were killed out of hate and spite. Clarification: On Jan. 22, five were shipped to slaughter. Those shipped live to slaughter are auctioned. DOL does not request media attention when they capture and ship buffalo to slaughter or to the auctions. When buffalo are killed in the field, then Native Americans (and the media) are called in. There were scores of DOL snowmobiles in the area throughout the rest of that day. Our full crew was out before daylight and throughout the rest of the day. Some of these same volunteers stayed with some vulnerable buffalo throughout the night. We've lost 11 buffalo now. Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Buffalo Kill Update" --------- Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 17:54:26 -0500 From: Buffalo Nations Subj: Buffalo Kill Update Correction: At the time we sent information, the carcasses were transported into the dump, Mike Mease was arrested for entering the facility, and gates were locked. From an article and photo in the Bozeman Chronicle, the Little Shell Chippewa people took the meat. Calf heads and hides were found in the dumpster. Mac Corelli did transport 5 live bulls to be slaughtered earlier (Jan.22). As of this writing, all Buffalo Nations volunteers are out in the field. Earlier, some buffalo were seen near the capture facility and DOL in the area. More will die today or tomorrow. Their determination to kill is scary! There's a lot of DOL activity again at the capture facility with lots of law enforcement around to protect the killers. They're preparing to kill again!!!! Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Yellowstone Wolves In Danger" --------- Date: Mon, 02 Feb 1998 18:10:36 -0800 From: Debbi McDonough Subj: Yellowstone Wolves In Danger UUCP email Hello Gary, It certainly seems like our government is hell bent on destroying OUR wildlife. On Dec.12th, a Wyoming U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the Yellowstone reintroduction is illegal and that the wolves must be "removed". This ruling was a result of a lawsuit filed by the American Farm Bureau. The ruling has been put on hold pending an appeal by the Dept. of Interior, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Wildlife Federation. If Judge Downes' ruling is not overturned this most likely means that the wolves will be ordered shot. There are currently about 165 wolves. If this slaughter is allowed to happen, this will be the second time this century that our government has sanctioned a slaughter of the Yellowstone wolves!! If you haven't already, could you mention this in your newsletter. We need to save both the bison and the wolves. Thank you. For more info about this check out these sites. http://www.nawa.org/ http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/wolfnews.htm Peace- Debbi McDonough, New Hampshire Wolf Alliance --------- "RE: Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash" --------- Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 09:55:48 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: THANKS-ANNA MAE PICTOU-AQUASH Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native This is a continuing request to join our e-mail campaign in regarding justice for my cousin. I want to personally thank the people worldwide who have answered my call. I want to thank Jordan S. Dill and Bo Demeler for the use of their web pages and creating the opportunity to get my information worldwide. I want to thank Paul Demain, NFIC, and Gary Smith (Wotanging Ikche) (ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE FOLKS, THEY HANDLED THIS INFO WHEN OTHERS DIDN'T DARE) . I want to complement the work of Vernon Foster and Andy Mader of Arizona Aim , to me , their chapter represents what AIM is all about, ANNA MAE would be proud. I want to thank them and Bobby Castillo, International Spokesperson for Leonard Peltier, another person that gives it all. These hero's have given me a stage to speak and I appreciate it. I do not work directly with any of these people, but I call them friends. I want to thank Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota for making a stand with us and I have made a request of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell to do the same. Things are moving and they will not stop. I want to thank the Canadian Warrior Society and my Canadian brothers and sisters to the north who continue to work and will never quit. I want to thank the Society of the P.I.C.T.( Preserve Indigenous Culture and Tradition) for making a stand. We are surrounded by heroes. I ask everyone to read; http://www.dickshovel.com/anna.html http://www.dickshovel.com/brabnc.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra1.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra2.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra3.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra4.html Remember the Canadian and American Government's are working on Anna Mae's and Leonard's case, it is going to happen Folks, Stay Strong, We Will Win. Remember Anna Mae has and would do this for us. In the Spirit of Anna Mae, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe PO Box 681, Rimrock, AZ 86335 520-567-7229 bbmicmac@sedona.net --------- "RE: Never Forget Them" --------- Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 01:53:52 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: Old post #1 Newsgroup: alt.native Kwee all, while looking thru old posts on floppies I've archived for that AIM list of Plastic make-believe medicine men I ran across a few that might bear reposting & will do so here from time to time if there are no objections... This first one was when Frosty & I were discussing the "Honor Roll of Our Dead" & someone asked for background on some of the names I'd nominated (of the 1000's we all know)... remember some of these brave hearts in your prayers tonight... Date: Tue 6-22-93, 22:35 From: Read: 4 times Subj: Mike Jordan Seigo, TEIONNION'KWATA:SE You wrote, "Anna Mae Aquash, Johnny Yesno, Jason Sumner, Nelson Smallegs Jr, Betty Osborne, Leo Lachance, J.J. Harper. Sorry John but do you know the the fact behind these few names. This is a short list of names and I am sure many more names can be added by others in this Net. Some of the stories would bring angry and tears even to the strongest man and woman." I shall start with the last & work my way back to the one most heart wrenching to me personally. There may be mistakes as to location or date, but that is my memory these days. Perhaps I have seen too much... J.J. Harper was a leader among the Nations in Manitoba, a Cree. He was accosted by a Winnipeg police constable and shot to death as they grappled on the ground. J.J. was walking home through his neighborhood in broad daylight when the police cruiser stopped next to him. The constable later tried to explain why he'd stopped J.J. by saying he was looking for a car thief that had been reported as just making off with a car. J.J. was walking along the sidewalk blocks away from the car-theft scene, and besides, the thief had been described as a "white male, 6' to 6'3", approx 150-160 lbs, wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt and a black leather jacket, with long blonde hair in a pony tail. J.J. was 5"6", weighed almost 200 lbs, was wearing green slacks and a white sort-sleeved shirt, and had short black hair & glasses. He identified himself, grew enraged when he saw the officer's gun drawn, and announced he was going home & that the officer could go "do things to himself". When the cop tried to trip him as he walked away to "put him down & cuff him," for resisting arrest, J.J. fought back against the drawn gun & died on the spot. When the truth about the shooting came out at the Manitoba Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, the cop went on permanent disability for the "emotional trauma" and the Chief of Police committed suicide. J.J. remained dead. Minnie Sutherland was a Mushkegowuk Cree living in Ottawa. She was run over by a hit and run driver in Hull, quebec a couple of years ago. The cops spotted this, "...obviously drunken Indian " lying in the middle of the street and did what any self-respecting quebec cop would do; they dragged her unconscious body over to the gutter & dropped her there like a sack of garbage. (It's amazing they didn't pin a ticket to her chest for littering the road.) She died when her niece found her & took her to hospital in a cab. "Several" cars had driven around her body, several "good citizens actually stepped over her as she lay in the gutter where the cops threw her. Her relation was the first to try to help. The 2 cops involved didn't lose an hour's pay, (or any sleep) over this incident. Leo Lachance was a Cree trapper from the Prince Albert Tribal Council area in Saskatchewan. He went into a gun store run by a guy who was provincial head of the white supremacist group, Ayran Nations. The guy had 2 friends with him & they started insulting Leo & making racist remarks, so he left them with a curse. The store owner put a shot through the door with a 30.06, fatally wounding Leo. He staggered into the street and collapsed, dying on the way to hospital. The gun store owner was charged with "involuntary homicide" (manslaughter), not murder, pleaded guilty & received a 4 year sentence. It later became evident that the store owner had gotten this "deal" because he'd been a rcmp informer on the activities of Ayran Nation. He's out on parole already, 18 mths later. Helen Betty Osborne was a 15 yr old Cree girl from Lac La Ronge Saskatchewan, going away to school in Prince Albert for her first yr at the high school there. She was grabbed off the street by 3 teenage punks who figured she was "just a squaw", "made for only one thing". They took her to the edge of town and raped her, then killed her by stabbing her 59 times with a screwdriver. Within days the "boys" had bragged about it to the point that at least 40 adults knew about it, in detail. Those "God-fearing, honest, white-middle class, upstanding citizens" said not a word, and even harassed the police off the case by political pressure, and then remained silent about it for over 10 years, until the publicity kept up by Betty's relations across Canada forced the re-opening of the case. One of the 3 punks was convicted..., of second degree murder. the other two, and the 40 "good citizens" who condoned the rape & murder by their silence, remain free. (The CBC belatedly made a 4 hr TV movie called, "Conspiracy of Silence" out of this story. Video tape is available.) Nelson Smallegs Jr. was Peigan (if I remember right) and the Alberta AIM co-ordinator during the early '70's. He accomplished much during his short life but finally, overcome by sheer frustration and constant police harassment, he committed suicide in protest over the treatment of his people. Jason Sumner was a 3 yr old Lakota from the reserve in Fairford, Manitoba. He was alone in the house when it caught fire. It was a sunny, windless day so the rest of the family was outside, his mother hanging clothes on the line. The fire wasn't that big but it cut him off from rescue. The reserve fire-truck was inoperable. Funding was "in the works" by DIA to fix it. They'd asked for funds to remedy the problem only 7 mths before this fire. The volunteer fire station in the adjacent town, Gypsumville, always responded to calls from the reserve, 5 minutes down the road. They immediately rushed off towards the fire at the Sumner home the minute the call came in and, "...would have had plenty of time to rescue Jason," according to the fire-chief, if the reeve (mayor) of Gypsumville had not jumped onto the radio and ordered them to turn back & park in the firehall because Indian Affairs was stalling on signing a letter to the town covering insurance for their equipment while it was on duty on the reserve. Jason Sumner, aged 3, died of uncaring bureaucracy & the poor opinion of an Indian life held by the town reeve. The National Film Board of Canada made a movie about Johnny Yesno in the '60's. He was a 12 yr old member of the Ansishnawbeg Nation in north-central Ontario who froze to death trying to walk home from residential school, 300 miles away. What about that young (David?) Cross who was shot dead in front of his kids in Kahnawake for banging on a police car with a broomstick, Frosty ? Do you recall how quickly after they killed him those 2 surete cops were promoted ? Or were they "Montreal's finest"? I forget the story, but recall mainly that a young Mohawk named Cross was shot dead for no reason. As for Anna Mae's story, I can only say that she was the most courageous and gentle heart it has ever been my privilege to meet. She was murdered by goons run by the F.B.I. in the aftermath of the Occupation of Wounded Knee in '73. Her body was then mutilated by the "authorities" in an effort to make her unidentifiable. She was a member of the Miq'Maw Nation of Nova Scotia. For details readers can consult, "IN The Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Matheissen. This story is too great a pain for me to tell, & I still groan inside every time I hear her name, even 20 yrs later. You are right, Frosty... There are many, many more names that can be added to this, "Roll of Our Honoured Dead," and I DO accuse their killers, and those whose silence makes them accomplices to those deaths, and I and all who can hear my voice will NEVER forget them. Ske:nen In Brotherhood... --------- "RE: Good News from Pine Ridge" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 05:36:45 -0500 (EST) From: Jordan S Dill Subj: Good news from Pine Ridge! UUCP email Ah, yes...some good news from Pine Ridge...please visit and ...the Truth will out! The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council has passed the Wounded Knee 1973 Liberation Legislation which would formally acknowledge the protest as a National Day of Liberation for Indigenous Peoples and Declares Feb. 27, 1973 as a National Tribal Holiday. At a Regular Council meeting held in the Allen Community on the Pine Ridge Reservation on Jan 22 1998, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council passed legislation Acknowledging the Wounded Knee "Liberation" as a historic and cultural event which brought attention to Indian issues and Indian sovereignty throughout North America. ********** RESOLUTION OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBAL COUNCIL OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE PROCLAIMING THE DAY OF FEBRUARY 27, 1973 AS A DAY OF LIBERATION FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN NORTH AMERICA, ACKNOWLEDGING THE WOUNDED KNEE PROTEST AS A HISTORIC AND CULTURAL EVENT WHICH BROUGHT ATTENTION TO INDIAN ISSUES AND INDIAN SOVEREIGNTY THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. Whereas, the United States Congress established the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota, in 1839 and has recognized the Oglala Sioux Tribal Constitution and By-laws since 1934 (25 U S.C sec.461 et.seq), and Whereas, the U.S. Supreme Court has continuously ruled that the U.S. Congress holds a Treaty Responsibility over American Indian people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, et.al, and Whereas, on February 26-27, 1973, Oglala Sioux Tribal members gathered at the historic Calico Hall north of Pine Ridge SO. Thereupon, the Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization, in collaboration with the National American Indian Movement and their legal advisers, documented hundreds of Human Rights complaints of Oglala Sioux Tribal members regarding human rights abuses by tribal administrators, and conditions the people were living under... Jordan S. Dill SoVerNet, 5 Rockingham Street, Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101 Voice (802) 463-2111 Fax (802) 463-2110 --------- "RE: Indians Have No 'Standing' in Tennessee" --------- From: tusweca@TWLakes.Net Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 09:49:21 -0600 Subj: Indians have no 'standing' in Tennessee: WalMart UUCP email The INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL of the FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES Organized February 3rd, 1950 Cherokee / Chickasaw / Choctaw / Muscogee (Creek) / Seminole NAGPRA COMMITTEE January 20, 1998 Chancery Court for Davidson County, Tennessee Clerk and Master Room 2 Metro Court House Nashville, TN 37201 RE: JDN Development Company, Inc., vs UNKNOWN DESCENDANTS No. 97-3529.II To Whom it May Concern: On behalf of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes (ITCFCT) The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Committee disapprove of the action being taken against the ancestral human remains and termination of our sacred burial site. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, The Chickasaw Nation, The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, represent over 300,000 Native people nationwide, the largest federally recognized body of descendants of the original inhabitants of the Southeast region of the United States. These Five Tribes were forcibly removed from their homeland in the early 1800's and the majority was sent to present day Oklahoma. Our ancestral lands and remains of our people were taken as spoils and have historically been treated in disrespectful manners. Today, 150 years later little has changed, we constantly receive reports of grave disturbances, looting and terminations of sacred burial sites throughout Tennessee and the Southeast Region. We are never contacted or consulted with in any manner regarding burial sites and as a result our ancestors are treated as non-humans. We are unaware of any way in which to remove these remains respectfully since many of, our cultures have taboos of defiling or handling the dead. Our ancient customs of not visiting or maintaining graves is ignored by the dominant society, but we are compelled by traditions to respect and protect these sacred sites from disturbances. No one has the right to sell our ancestors. We are asking the courts to consider our plight and the rights of those who cannot protect themselves, had we been allowed to remain in our homeland, we would protect our sacred sites. The ITCFCT in consensus agreement state that by the preponderance of geographical, kinship, biological, archaeological, anthropological, linguistic, folklore, oral tradition and historical evidence that we share the Southeast region of the United States, which encompasses both ancestral homelands and contemporary jurisdictional areas. We have mutually agreed to promote and protect the archaeological artifacts, sites and Human remains of our ancestors of the historic and prehistoric periods and through tribal consensus as a means of addressing mutual concerns relevant to the execution of repatriation issues involving common boundaries and common lines of descent for affiliation determinations. Furthermore, we tribes have agreed to support one another in our pursuit of the repatriation of artifacts and remains of the Southeast cultures which are displayed in museums or stored at various depository locations through the utilization of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the National Museum of the American Indian Act (NMAI ACT) which recognizes and affirms the sovereignty of each member Nation. It is further agreed that reburial practices and disposition will be implemented by each tribe, where advice and offer assistance , if needed, will be made available from the other Southeastern tribes. The ITCFCT will continue to exercise their right to pursue changes in International, federal and state laws to protect our Indian Traditions and cultures and to consult with federal and state agencies in the repatriation, protection and preservation of culturally sensitive materials. We shall educate the public regarding the spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People of the Southeast Cultures; as to eliminate further spiritual disturbances within the Native American Community. We appreciate your understanding and hope you will recognize, We are the UNKNOWN DESCENDANTS. For further information contact Alan D. Emarthle - Seminole Nation of Oklahoma / Historic Preservation Officer at 405/382-5194 fax 405/382-8611 e-mail semnathist@renet.com Sincerely, Alan D. Emarthle, Chairman Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Committee cc: JDN Development Company, Inc., George F. Fielder Jr.- Archaeologist, State of Tennessee NAGPRA Committee member Mike Sims Nick admitted they never notified the five tribes and would not let us address the court about the letter today and default condemned the cemetery. Jdn will build something there even if walmart pulls out! more later --------- "RE: Interior Six Nations" --------- Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 01:40:32 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: Interior Six Nations - Press Statement :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: January 30, 1998 Vancouver, BC TSILQOT'IN, SOUTHERN CARRIER, SECWEPEMC, STL'ATL'MX, NLAKA'PAMUX AND OKANAGAN NATIONS: PRESS STATEMENT We the Tsilhqot'in, Southern Carrier, Secwepemc, Stl'atl'imx, Nlaka'pamux and Okanagan Nations have called this press conference to state in solidarity our collective position on the decisions made by the Supreme Court of Canada in Delgamuukw vs. British Columbia. Historically we have been consistent on the positions taken on Aboriginal Title, Nationhood, the BC Treaty Process, Interim Measures, and plans we have for the long term. We will elaborate on the positions we have taken and initiatives we plan to take to advance our positions in the coming months and years. These are as follows. ABORIGINAL TITLE We have always known that our Aboriginal Title exists and the Supreme Court of Canada in its decision in Delgamuukw has now confirmed this fact. We are now more committed than ever to ensure that our title is protected, maintained and built upon for our children, grandchildren and all future generations. We are currently in the process discussing all the types of initiatives that we will need to take to ensure that our people enjoy the benefits of the resources that have been denied us for many generations. NATIONHOOD We have maintained that the Title that we hold is a Collective Title vested in our Peoples. This has been confirmed by the Delgamuukw decision. Decisions made respecting aboriginal title cannot be made by an individual or individual community. We are presently meeting with our people to develop action plans on initiatives we can take together to exercise the rights that flow from our Title. We are committed to building with our people strong healthy communities that will form a solid foundation for our Nations to take our rightful place within our Homelands. THE BC TREATY COMMISSION The BC Treaty Commission process has never been in our view, a legitimate process, but since December 11, 1997 has been confirmed as a result of the Delgamuukw decision to be an illegitimate process that does not conform to the laws of Canada. The Federal Government must take the initiative to suspend the BC Treaty process. This would send a positive signal to us that the government intends to comply with the Supreme Court and deal with us "IN GOOD FAITH" on a Nation to Nation Basis. INTERIM MEASURES: The Federal and Provincial Governments must begin to exercise their fiduciary responsibilities and display to us their intent to deal with us "IN GOOD FAITH" by setting up with us all the necessary processes to reform the policies and laws which do not conform with the Delgamuukw decision. We are now in the process of identifying those places where our Aboriginal Title has been infringed upon so that both levels of government can exercise their fiduciary duties by taking appropriate initiatives to remove these infringements. We, as well, expect to meet with the provincial government to initiate discussions on land, water, forest, environment, parks, archeology etc. LONG TERM ARRANGEMENTS We expect over the long term to become equal with Canada in our Homelands. In this respect, we expect to develop with Canada a Nation to Nation Agreement that reflects how we will co-exist; and with the Province of British Columbia, Management Agreements respecting the Lands and Resources. Our Nations are in the process of developing capacity to manage our Title and rights interests in our Homelands, and will continue to refine our political, economic, social and cultural Institutions to meet these challenges. As well, we expect to be full participants in the economy of Canada as managers of Lands and Resources, owners of businesses, and capable employees in all sectors of the economy. CONCLUSION On behalf of the Peoples of our Six Nations, we want to express our deepest appreciation to the Hereditary Chiefs and the Peoples of Gitksan and Wetsuweten Nations for advancing to the Supreme Court of Canada their case on Aboriginal Title. We acknowledge the advances they have made on behalf of all First Nations in our Homelands across Indian Country in the Americas. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: These six colonized nations encompass approximately 270,000 square kilometres of resource rich, unceded, traditional territories, illegally invaded, occupied and despoiled by Canada. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NO JURISDICTION ON STOLEN LANDS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The full text of the December 11, 1997 Delgamuukw decision made by the Supreme Court of Canada can be found at: http://www.droit.umontreal.ca/doc/csc-scc/en/rec/html/delgamuu.en.html Other background information on the case from Settlers in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty (S.I.S.I.S) at: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/scchoax.html Information on the BC Treaty Process: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/BCgovt.html :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org 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: View of the Counterrevolution" --------- Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 22:24:29 +0000 From: NUEVO AMANECER PRESS Subj: They, with a View of the Counterrevolution ___________________________________________________ NUEVO AMANECER PRESS- N.A.P. _________________________________ For Luisa Campuzano They, with a View of the Counterrevolution Anna Maria Garza, Rosalva Aida Hernandez. Translated by Rosalva Bermudez-Ballin San Pedro Chenalho is not an isolated case, but part of a larger strategy that affects the Chol, Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Tojabal and the mestizo population in Chiapas. In each case, various inter and intracommunitarian differences have been manipulated as a part of counterinsurgency project to diminish Zapatismo's social base. But, besides understanding the origin and the outcome of this tragic episode from a historical perspective, in order to understand that this violence is not "natural among the natives", we must also incorporate the gender perspective in order to understand the fury against women as an essential and specific aspect of the context of this war. It is not an accident that the majority of the people killed on the 22nd of December in Acteal were women, nor is it an accident that sexual violation was used constantly by paramilitary groups in order to spread terror in the communities that sympathize with the EZLN, because--as it was noticed before and after the killing--the participation of women and their important role as Zapatista resistance have disrupted the old communitarian power structure. [Image (which can be seen in http://serpiente.dgsca.unam.mx/jornada/mira.html in the internet, translator's note)] Among the historical characteristics that distinguish San Pedro, Chenalho, is to have been the most politicized and the less traditionalist of all of the Highlands during the cardenismo years, when efforts were made to limit the old power of local landholders to transform their estates into communal properties and ejidos. It is during this time that a type of symbiosis between the indigenous elite and the party, which was to become the contemporary PRI, was established. In the fifties, with the arrival of indigenismo to Chiapas, this indigenous elite leaned to the side of a new "class" formed by promoters and bilingual teachers. Together with the persecution of independent groups and the control over the municipal power, the present day cacicazgos were consolidated. Chenalho is also a pioneer insofar as the introduction of oppositional parties, particularly the first Socialist Workers Party, later the Cardenista Front of National Reconstruction, now the "Cardenist". Under this influence, workers' unions were born: Union de Uniones and the coffee growers communities Majomut, who have representation in almost half of the municipality. But the corruption of the representatives caused a massive exodus. Some migrate to SOCAMA, which is related to the PRI, and others go to the Indigenous Organization of the Chiapas Highlands (ORIACH), which is closer to the PRD. With the Zapatista uprising this changes radically again, and in the 1996 elections, Amado Avenda~o, under the PRD registry, has a sweeping victory and leaves the railroad party with an insignificant representation. Post 1994: The Booming of Autonomy Many of the clues that help us understand the fury behind the Acteal killings, and the governmental distortions in search of partial and cosmetic solutions to the San Pedrans' conflict can be found in the existence of the autonomous municipality of Polho. Ever since the 1994 uprising, the priista authorities in 26 chiapan town halls have been removed from office by the townspeople. Since 1996, 19 autonomous municipalities have emerged, among them the one in San Pedro Chenalho. This municipality was created in April 1996, when Javier Ruiz Hernandez, a PRD representative was elected president by 33 communities and neighborhoods in the municipality, through an internal community assembly election, which is the normative traditional system. This normative system is in force since the decade of the thirties, when a candidate of the only party was first elected in the assembly. The ballot box process became just a form of ratification. The autonomous President, Javier Hernandez, was elected in this manner and the seat of government was placed in Polho, before the formal elections controlled by the PRI took place. This is the justification used by the electoral authorities for not recognizing the municipality that declared itself autonomous. What would have happened had the state authorities recognized the municipal government that emerged from the assembly, and had they not imposed their PRI candidate? It is impossible to conjecture. What is factual is that the Acteal massacre was one more in a series of aggressions to the communities located within the territory that encompasses the autonomous municipality of Polho. Independently of the fact that these attacks may be considered as provocations so that the bases of support of the EZLN break the truce that was declared within the frame of the Law of Dialogue and Conciliation, they also constitute a direct attack to the intentions of establishing autonomous regions. The animosity to autonomous projects that might be able to show viability is evident in the series of events following the Acteal massacre. After the 22nd of December, the Mexican army, for no apparent reason, entered other autonomous municipalities: Amparo Agua Tinta, the autonomous municipality of San Pedro Michoacan, Las Margaritas; Morelia, head of the autonomous municipality17 de noviembre in Altamirano; Galeana, head of the autonomous municipality Francisco Gomez, Ocosingo. Official Declarations as well as those by the most conservative sector of the chiapan Catholic Church, represented by the bishop of Tapachula, Felipe Arizmendi, pointed to the autonomous councils as responsible for the divisions in the communities. They have asked for the disappearance of what they call "parallel governments." It is not surprising that the federal government took advantage of the opportunity to attack the autonomic projects if we take into consideration that the demand for autonomy was the medullar point to the governmental rejection of the San Andres Accords. After the unilateral rejection, on the part of president Zedillo to the COCOPA proposal, there was a strong and well-articulated campaign of disinformation surrounding the issue of autonomy. This campaign continued and continues to date while in many indigenous communities autonomy was applied in deeds (and not theory, translator's addition). Why kill the Abejas? Many communication media presented the massacred population of Acteal as a base of support of the Zapatistas. In fact, the majority belonged to the Abejas organization, which defined itself from its foundation, as a section of civil society. They have maintained their autonomy in regards to the EZLN leadership and have defined their communities as neutral territory. This organization was founded two years before the Zapatista uprising, and played an important role in what called itself civil pacifist resistance, as they responded to many of the calls for mobilization by the EZLN. As the relations between the priistas and the Zapatistas polarized, the Abejas were pressured to define themselves in one or the other way, which turned them into a group vulnerable to paramilitary attacks. Likewise, their closeness to the San Cristobal Diocese turned them into an indirect medium by which to attack bishop Samuel Ruiz and his pastoral group. The participation of women in the political arena, and the appearance of new organizing spaces for them has become a symbol of the threat that the "traditional power structures" must face if the Zapatista struggle advances. In many communities women meetings are perceived as "synonymous to Zapatista", for this reason they have been the object of harassment by local groups of power. The immediate response to the founding of the Abejas was the riotous rape in December, 1992 of the three wives of the founders of the group. From then on, the aggressions against women are constant. In 1997, several of them were kidnapped and forced to cook for the paramilitary groups, under the threat of killing their children if they refused to do it or if they tried to escape. During the Acteal killing, the murderers yelled: "kill the seed". By killing the women, they are trying to destroy the symbol of resistance. ___________________________________________________ NUEVO AMANECER PRESS- N.A.P. _________________________________ Non Profit organization translating and distributing information in support of the work in defense of human rights. General Director: Roger Maldonado-Mexico Assistant Director: Susana Saravia (Anibarro) Director Spain: Darrin Wood amanecer@aa.net --------- "RE: CNO Courthouse Tribal Land" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 11:55:29 -0600 From: Summerfield/Marvin&Linda Subj: CNO Courthouse Tribal Land, Court Rules-Muskogee Phoenix-Donna Hales Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native The following article was published 1/29/98 in the Muskogee Daily Phoenix Copyright 1998 Gannett Co., Inc. Reprinted with permission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Courthouse tribal land, court rules Courthouse ruling should affect civil right suit, attorney says By Donna Hales, Phoenix Staff Writer The Cherokee Nation Courthouse in downtown Tahlequah is "without a doubt Indian Country," the tribe's highest court ruled Wednesday. Ramifications of the opinion are nationwide in importance, said Chuck Shipley, a Tulsa attorney who recently represented the justices of the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal against the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Local, county and state law enforcement agencies converged on the courthouse site in June and again in August 1997 when rival Cherokee factions clashed in an effort to control the building. Tribal law states the courthouse is under the jurisdiction of the tribunal. But outside law enforcement agencies alleged the property in question was not "Indian Country" and barred Cherokee citizens, tribunal justices and some elected Cherokee officials from the building and grounds. The Wednesday ruling came in a case filed by Brett Crawford, one of scores of Cherokees who claim outside law enforcement officers physically threw them from the back porch of the tribal courthouse on Aug. 13. Crawford filed his suit against a county prosecutor; the Tahlequah police chief; the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners; the Cherokee County Sheriff; Ada Deer, undersecretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of Interior; Jim Fields, Muskogee area BIA director, and Joe Byrd, chief of the Cherokees. Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs police sided with the outside law enforcement agencies on June 20 and refused to assist the tribunal or tribal marshals when Byrd's armed forces seized the courthouse in a predawn raid. Byrd administration officials were allowed inside the building but elected Cherokee officials not politically aligned with Byrd were barred entry. Cherokee historian Chad Smith, an attorney, was arrested when he attempted to enter the building. Smith represents Crawford in the suit the tribunal ruled on. Byrd ordered the courthouse closed after he seized it. He didn't reopen it until after he signed a peace accord with federal officials in August in an alleged attempt to halt a constitutional crises now in its 11th month. BIA police again joined local, county and state law enforcement agencies in keeping fired tribal marshals acting as bailiffs for for the tribunal from retaking the courthouse on Aug. 13. The BIA's contention was that since the property wasn't Indian Country that BIA police had no jurisdiction to be at the courthouse except when invited by the Cherokee County sheriff, Shipley said in a Wednesday news release. U.S. District Judge Thomas Brett scoffed at the Byrd administration's stated belief that the courthouse site is not Indian Country in a November court hearing. "As Brett said - if it ain't Indian Country - we ain't very sovereign," Nate Young III, an expert in Indian law and a Cherokee, said Wednesday. Brett has since transferred the case, a civil rights suit by Cherokee citizens against the allegedly offending law enforcement agencies, to federal court in Muskogee. The case is pending before U.S. District Judge Michael Burrage. The tribunal's ruling that the tribal courthouse sits on Indian Country should affect the outcome of that civil rights suit, as well as state criminal charges against Smith regarding his allegedly resisting arrest by a BIA officer and Cherokee County deputy sheriffs at the June 20 confrontation on the courthouse square, Shipley said. As a basis for that statement, Shipley cited that on Monday the U.S. Supreme Court refused to overrule a 1997 opinion by the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The appeals court ruled that the Navajo Nation court should have the first opportunity to interpret its own jurisdictional limitations before a federal court could review the case, Shipley said. Young said the entire mess makes him wonder what kind of legacy Byrd is going to leave for the Cherokee people. "He's the Warren G. Harding of the Cherokees - Harding was the most scandalous president and Byrd is the most scandalous chief - he should resign in disgrace," Young said. "He confuses sovereignty with contributions to the DNC (Democratic National Committee)." Byrd was in Washington, D.C., Wednesday and neither he nor his spokeswoman, Lynn Adair, returned calls ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HISTORY Pursuant to the Indian Removal Act of 1834 and subsequent treaties, in 1838 and 1846, the U.S. Government issued a patent granting the Cherokee Nation "forever" a large portion of the eastern Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation Courthouse, formerly known as the "Old Cherokee Capitol Building" was built by the Cherokee Nation in 1847 on a portion of the property transferred to the Cherokee Nation. In 1909, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed all such property in which Indian title had not been extinguished to be "Indian Country." In 1913, the Cherokee Nation, with permission from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, conveyed certain portions of the property, including that portion upon which the Courthouse stands, to Cherokee County. During the county's term of ownership, that building and its grounds remained an important historic and cultural symbol for the Cherokee Nation Judicial Appeals Tribunal. In 1978, Cherokee County agreed, in exchange for the Cherokee Nation's $910,000 contribution for the development of a city-county complex, to transfer the property upon which the Cherokee Nation Courthouse, the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and the Cherokee National Jail were located back to the Cherokee Nation. The transfer was authorized by the Cherokee County District court and was characterized by that court as coming under an Oklahoma law that allows county commissioners in Oklahoma to execute conveyances to the United States of America for the acquisition of needful public buildings "and that such a conveyance to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is in effect a conveyance to the United States of America." --------- "RE: CNO Court Reverses Chief's Action" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 08:57:27 -0600 From: Summerfield/Marvin&Linda Subj: CNO Supreme Court Gives Back To Cherokee What Chief Tried To Give Away Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native The following is posted courtesy of your only independent Cherokee newspaper, THE CHEROKEE OBSERVER. To read the entire Court Order and catch up on the latest news, check out the Cherokee Observer web pages. http://www.cherokeeobserver.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS RELEASE - TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA January 28, 1998 TRIBAL COURT GIVES BACK TO CHEROKEE WHAT CHIEF TRIED TO GIVE AWAY Unbelievably the Chief of the Cherokee Nation has taken the position in Federal Court in Oklahoma that the Cherokee Tribal Courthouse, which was originally erected by the Cherokee NAtion more than sixty years before Oklahoma statehood, is not "Indian Country", which means the Cherokee tribe's court and police do not have primary law enforcement jurisdiction at their courthouse. Today the Cherokees Judicial Appeals Tribunal, the equivalent to the Supreme Court of the United States, issued a 16-page opinion and that by analogy so is the Cherokee Tribal Complex, which housed the Executive and Legislative branches of the Cherokee government in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. At a recent dedication held at the Tribal Courthouse, ex-Chief Wilma Mankiller was quoted as saying that "It is beyond stupid to say that a smokeshop on a highway is Indian Country, but our historic Tribal Courthouse is not". No doubt, the vast majority of Cherokee would agree with her. "The ramifications of today's Opinion by the JAT are nationwide in importance and are particularly extensive here in Oklahoma and in the Cherokee Nation," said Chuck Shipley, a Tulsa attorney who has represented the three Justices of the JAT in litigation with the BIA. "Most people do not understand that the apparently crazy legal position concocted by Chief Joe Byrd and his handlers at the BIA was required in order to continue the BIA's military support for Joe Byrd's dictatorship. In order for the BIA to have reneged on its August 12th agreement to assist Pat Ragsdale, acting as the bailiff for the JAT, in implementing the JAT's Order to recover possession of the Tribal Courthouse on August 13, 1997, the BIA and Joe Byrd's Washington las firm came up with the counterfeit legal theory that the Tribal Courthouse was not Indian Country. This allowed the BIA, which is charged with the knowledge that the Cherokee Nation's constitution and statutes grant the exclusive right to occupancy to the Tribal Courthouse to the JAT, to sidestep its responsibility in assisting the Tribal court to recover occupancy of the Courthouse. The BIA claimed since the Tribal Courthouse was not Indian Country, they had no jurisdiction to be at the Tribal Courthouse except when invited by the Sheriff of Cherokee County, Oklahoma. In a recent hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Brett addressing this situation, Judge Brett scoffed at this theory when it was offered to him by Chief Joe Byrd's lawyers," said Shipley. Judge Brett has now transferred the federal case for abuse of civil rights arising out of the BIA's actions and the actions of various state and local police officers in the confrontations at the Tribal Courthouse in Tahlequah on June 20th and August 13th, 1997 to Judge Burrage in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District in Muskogee for a decision. The Tribal Court's decision on Indian Country will affect the pending federal court cases as well as a state criminal charge against Chad Smith regarding his alleged resisting arrest by a BIA officer and Cherokee County Deputy Sheriffs at the June 20th confrontation at the Tribal Courthouse. On Monday of this week the U.S. Supreme Court refused to overrule a 1997 opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit which held that a Navajo Nation court should have the first opportunity to interpret its own jurisdictional limitations before a federal court could review the same issue (Kerr-McGee Corporation vs. Farley, decided by the Tenth Circuit on June 25, 1997.) "The only exceptions which the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals spoke of in the Kerr-McGee case say that, unless a tribal court's jurisdiction over a matter is motivated by a 'desire to harass or is conducted in bad faith' or is otherwise 'patently violative of express jurisdictional prohibitions', the general rule of exhaustion of tribal court remedies being required before federal court review is upheld," said Shipley. "The Cherokee people are fortunate to have the highly competent and independent judiciary that they do since it has been the sole institution of the Cherokee government which has consistently followed its statutory and constitutional obligations in spite of the political pressures. The Native American community is well aware that there is no tribe on this continent which has any more highly developed Indian legal system than does the Cherokee Nation. For those who suggest that the JAT acts in bad faith or to further a political agenda rather than following their good faith interpretation of the law, I direct them to the decision by the JAT during the 1995 elections for Cherokee Chief wherein the JAT, in a ruling which handed the election to Joe Byrd. These guys (Justices of the Judicial Appeals Tribunal) don't play favorites when it comes to their judicial responsibilities," said Shipley. "I have been asked by some tribal members if this ruling by the JAT would have any effect on the outlaw court which Chief Joe Byrd runs in his back room at the Tribal Complex," said Shipley. "My response is that, at the present time, since today's ruling apparently covers the Tribal Complex by analogy, and since the BIA still has sole law enforcement authority in Indian Country in the Cherokee Nation, they are legally bound to execute a court order by the JAT. Therefore, if the JAT were to issue an order to the BIA to go to the Tribal Complex and recover all of the rogue District Court files, equipment, robes, etc. and return them to the Tribal Courthouse, they are legally required to do so. If the BIA fails to refuses, they they are duty bound to stop anyone from interfering with a bailiff appointed by the JAT to need to see whether or not the BIA will continues to support Chief Byrd's unlawful actions. It seems to me the BIA is only inclined to follow the law when they cannot avoid public attention. Maybe we are at that point now." The 16-page Opinion issued today by the JAT specifically references an affidavit by Dean Rennard Strickland dated December 8, 1997 which recites Dean Strickland's expert opinion that the Cherokee Nation Courthouse is Indian County based upon his "review of the historical status, legal title, applicable statutes, evidence of federal preemption, and previous actions of the Cherokee Nation, the State of Oklahoma, Cherokee County and the Bureau of Indian Affairs . . ." Dean Strickland is recognized as the foremost authority on Cherokee Nation law in America. The JAT Opinion was authored by Justice Dwight W. Birdwell. --------- "RE: Senator Burns Hearings in Billings" --------- Date: Tue, 27 Jan 1998 20:14:37 -0700 From: Shemah Subj: Sen. Burns hearing in Billings UUCP email Christina and I went to the public hearing in Billings last night re Sen. Burns' proposal. We got there just in time for the 5:00 rally. There were lots and lots of people there, I hadn't known what to expect, but it was great to see such a turnout! The speakers were just wonderful, and Marlene Bear-Walter, Council Woman for the Blackfeet Nation, gave some interesting information regarding the Self-Determination Act and international law as it relates to Native American rights under the Helsinki Accord, which as it's rather long I'll put in a separate Email. There was also a Council Member from the Nez Perce, who came to express support for the Montanan tribes. At the hearing, we entirely filled up the auditorium, there were every bit as many people standing as there were sitting, perhaps more, and in fact not everyone got inside, as they had to close the doors with some people still outside (they came in later as the evening went on and people came and went), because of the maximum persons allowed per the fire code. Senator Burns was not present, being in Washington... apparently (to paraphrase Mel Brooks) Affaires of state take precedence over affairs of State. But we got a nice little handout and got to watch a nice little video of Sen. Burns telling us that we are all Americans and had to work together to solve these conflict.... along with a pretty strong paternalistic message that (this is my interpretation, not his words) this is for Your Own Good. His handout states: "The issues related to the status of Indian tribes in Montana and the jurisdictional problems that arise, are very familiar to Montanans. There is an awareness of non-tribal members adversely impacted on issues as diverse as taxes, agriculture, tourism, and recreation. At the same time, the Tribes have been expending countless hours and dollars engaged in lawsuits or various other disputes. "The decibel level seems to be steadily rising, and Senator Burns believes that now is the time to begin moving the debate forward in Congress on how to best address these problems..... "Senator Burns' efforts should be considered as a beginning and not a conclusion to this debate. For too long, the status quo has been marked by divisiveness and anger. It is the Senator's hope that by advancing this discussion, we may put an end to the disputes that are pulling Montanans apart. We want to show the nation that Montanans can work together." There were several invited speakers, and MANY people (surprised?) signed up for the Open Mike Testimony. Due to our own time constraints, we only stayed for the invited speakers, because by the time that finished it was already 9 p.m., we'd been there over four hours and had at least a 2-1/2 hour drive home (it's slower after dark because I can only go 65), and Christina had school in the morning. I wasn't always able to catch full names and/or titles, but here are some highlights: State Senator Jay Stovall (also apparently?) Montana Chair of Indian Affairs? MC'd the meeting. The first speaker was a gentleman from Big Horn Electric Coop, who was all for the jurisdiction change, some people on the reservations (natives) not having to pay taxes and such,and others (non-natives) having to, and talked about "FAIRNESS" and "VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS"!!!!!! He said, regarding the (unfortunate) past, and I quote, "Montanans have accepted their transgressions" and, in effect, let's go forward from here. Forgive the editing remarks, but I just spent yesterday morning reading "Lakota Woman" and when these people started talking about things like that, it just left me with my mouth hanging open in disbelief! Norma, of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council, gave a WONDERFUL speech and said, in answer to the question whether she had read Sen Burns' proposal, that she had read it and it was "the most racist and discriminating document I have ever seen." The cheers and exultations (sp?) absolutely FILLED the hall!!! Each invited speaker, btw, had five minutes to speak, so people were trying to keep the applause and what-not to a minimum so that the speakers had the time to say what they wanted to get across... the Open Mike speakers had two minutes only. Claire ?, Chairperson for the Crow Nation, said that non-Indians had KNOWINGLY bought land on native lands, and Sen.Burns' proposal "seeks to repeat 160 years of treaty rites, federal statues and federal case law". I didn't catch all she said, but she said that there had not been much in the way of jurisdictional problems on Crow land because (apparently) it had not been opened to homesteading (or at least to the degree other reservations had)... UNTIL!!!! the levying of the 4% tourist tax levied (as I understand?) against business engaged in the tourist trade, and that tax (you're going to love this) was PROPOSED BY SENATOR BURNS HIMSELF! And now he proposes to solve the problem (of the non-native businesses complaining about the tax) by removing jurisdiction from the tribe. She suggested, and got cheers and ulations for this, that if Senator Burns really wants to solve the jurisdiction problem, he should ask Congress for an appropriation to buy out the non-natives who are living on reservation lands! Jim Peterson of (?) Montana Stockwares (?) who commended Senator Burns proposal and said that non-natives living on tribal lands had "taxation without representation". Burt (?) of the Chippewa/Cree said that jurisdiction problems began back when Congress forced the allocation of lands, and suggested that the General Allotment Act be repealed. I didn't catch all of what he was saying, unfortunately. Alan Richardson representing the recreational water users, whose family had property on fee lands for five generations, and (if I remember right) stated that they were subject to both state and tribal jurisdictions and had no real recourse in either. Joseph McConnell (sp?) Chair, Ft. Belknap. He said that Sen. Burns had talked of the American Dream... he said that Native Americans have a dream too... "to determine our own future". He pointed out that many of the jurisdiction "problems" are the result of people trying to find "loopholes" to use for their own benefit. He said that cooperation, not litigation, was the answer, with both sides recognizing the sovereignty of the other. Then there was a real gem; I didn't get his name but he was from the Big Horn Business Assoc., a collection of 30 businesses on Crow lands. He complained much of the 4% resort tax. He went on and on, but I was too nauseated by it all to write it down :( Spike Bighorn from Ft. Peck gave a wonderful testimonial. He said they had about 6,000 tribal members and 4,000 non-natives with the resultant checkerboard distribution of lands. He said the need was to work together, not just take away jurisdiction from the tribe and give it to the state. He pointed out that conflicts were bound to happen in any case, and that we needed to work together for the rights of all. Someone, I forgot who it was (one of the Native American speakers tho!) said that this was something that could/should be discussed and settled around a table over cups of coffee, not with legislation. That's the extent of my notes from last night.... there were a lot of posters, signs, and these two caught our eye in particular: What part of TREATIES and SUPREME COURT DECISIONS don't you understand? B-latant U-nbridled R-acism against N-ative American S-overeignty -- Shemah http://www.mcn.net/~shemah ICQ #5087162 AOL Messenger ID: ShemahF Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons For you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup --------- "RE: Tribes Take Stand on Ward Valley" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 15:07:22 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Molly Johnson) Subj: Colorado River Indian Tribes Take Stand on Ward Valley UUCP email Colorado River Native Nations Alliance Fort Mojave * Chemehuevi * Cocopah * Quechan * Colorado River Indian Tribes 500 Merriman, Needles, California 92363 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 29, 1998 Native American Tribes to Defend Ward Valley from Further Desecration -- Controversial Dump Would Threaten Sacred Lands, the Colorado River, and the Desert Tortoise CONTACT: Chairwoman Nora Helton and Stephen Lopez 760/629-4591, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe Molly Johnson 760/326-6267, Save Ward Valley Coalition Native American Tribes fighting against a controversial nuclear waste dump at Ward Valley vowed today to defend their sacred lands from further destruction resulting from test drilling by the state and federal governments. The Tribes have issued a CALL TO ACTION in response to an announcement published today in the federal register that the United States Department of the Interior will close off Ward Valley from the public in preparation for the tests. Native American leaders reiterated their opposition to the proposed nuclear dump that would desecrate sacred lands, destroy critical habitat for an endangered species, and threaten contamination of the Colorado River, source of water for 22 million people. "The Tribes are furious that Interior totally ignored Tribal and environmental concerns and has breached its responsibility to protect the environment and trust resources of Indian nations. We have opposed the dump since the beginning and will tolerate no further damage to Ward Valley," said Steve Lopez of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. The tests are part of an on-going federal Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to review the dump project. The state of California plans to bury long-lived and highly dangerous radioactive wastes, mostly from nuclear power plants, in shallow unlined trenches above an aquifer, eighteen miles from the Colorado River, and in the midst of critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise. Dump opponents point to the many problems associated with the proposed nuclear dump. The dump contractor, US Ecology, chosen by the state of California to construct the facility has built four nuclear waste dumps - - all are leaking. Clean-up costs for a leaking dump at Ward Valley, estimated to be in excess of $500 million, would be the responsibility of the California taxpayer. A Congressional Research Service Report has concluded that from 60% to 90% of the waste slated for the desert dump would come from nuclear power reactors. A recent economic analysis by Professor F. Gregory Hayden of the University of Nebraska concluded that due to excess capacity at existing dumps a dramatic decrease of nuclear waste to be disposed of, the Ward Valley dump is not necessary. Save Ward Valley 107 F St. Needles, CA 92363 ph. 760/326-6267 fax 760/326-6268 http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley http://www.ctaz.com/~swv1 --------- "RE: Native-only Fishery Illegal" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 00:38:53 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: Native-only fishery illegal: BC Judge rules :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: NATIVE-ONLY FISHERY ILLEGAL, JUDGE SAYS Globe and Mail, Jan. 27, 1998, Page A1 by Ross Howard & Robert Matas, BC Bureau [S.I.S.I.S. note: The following mainstream news article may contain biased or distorted information and may be missing pertinent facts and/or context. It is provided for reference only.] Vancouver - A federal policy of allowing West Coast aboriginal people exclusive commercial fishing rights worth tens of millions of dollars since 1992 is illegal, a provincial court judge says. The judge's comments immediately revived Reform Party arguments about race-based rights for Indians, and will fuel controversy in the already-troubled West Coast fishery until a higher court or Ottawa clarifies the policy's validity. Judge Howard Thomas said in a decision released yesterday that the federal government has produced no legal evidence that Fraser River Indian bands have aboriginal rights to an exclusive commercial fishery. Judge Thomas remarks were included in his ruling that Reform MP John Cummins of Delta, BC had illegally joined the exclusive native fishery, as a protest against it, when he fished in the Fraser River on Oct. 29, 1996. The judge was not specifically asked to rule on the validity of the natives-only policy, but was commenting on it in the course of finding Mr. Cummins guilty. Ottawa created exclusive native fisheries in 1992 to reflect what Indians said were their historically obvious but not legally defined traditions of harvesting fish in some areas for trading purposes or commerce instead of just for food. The exclusivity aspect fuelled racial tension and unrest in an industry already suffering severe shortages. The policy has allowed fishermen who are Indians to have exclusive periods of harvesting in a handful of major fisheries on the Pacific Coast while non-native fishermen remained on shore. The aboriginal-only fishery caught an estimated $6-million worth of salmon last year. Aboriginal people are also entitled to conduct regular licensed commercial fishing at any time. Federal Fisheries Department officials refused to comment yesterday. But Judge Thomas's remarks, which some analysts and native spokesmen said ignored a powerful Supreme Court of Canada ruling on native rights last month, were applauded by non-native interests. The judges remarks confirm "only one, all-Canadian fishing fleet and no native exclusivity, no double-dipping," said Phil Eidsvik of the Fishermen's Survival Coalition, which has fought the federal policy with rallies, protest fishing expeditions, and aggressive advertising. The federal Reform Party, which calls the aboriginal fishing strategy a policy based on race, predicted new court fights and new clashes on the water this spring among fishing interests, native people and fisheries officers unless the policy is abandoned. "The court ruling "is a great victory," said Mr. Cummins, a former fisherman who challenged the policy by getting himself arrested for fishing amid a native-only commercial fishery in 1996. Judge Thomas yesterday found Mr. Cummins guilty of intruding into the exclusive native fishery on the Fraser River, but Mr. Cummins termed that a minor infraction and said the important issue was that the judge said Ottawa lacked the authority to create an exclusive fishery. "In my view...the fishery was not lawfully open to anyone," he said. Reform Party fisheries critic John Duncan said the aboriginal-only dishing strategy has been repeatedly challenged, but the federal government will not rescind it "because they're afraid the Indians will launch roadblocks" or disrupt river traffic or create other civil disobedience. Leaders in the aboriginal community were taken aback by the judges failure to acknowledge that the rules for dealing with native rights have changed. The judgement was the first lower court decision since the Supreme Court of Canada ruled last month that native people have a constitutional right to own their ancestral lands and use them almost entirely as they wish. Under the ruling, Ottawa must justify its use of lands that native people have not signed away in treaties and pay compensation for those uses. Dr. Taiaiake Alfred, a professor of native government at the University of Victoria, said in an interview that Judge Thomas's comments about aboriginal fishing rights appear to be in complete ignorance of the Supreme Court decision. "It's contrary to the spirit and plain direction of the Supreme Court," he said in an interview. "Native' rights do not derive from the authority of the Canadian government." The Supreme Court also urged native people and governments to resolve their differences through negotiations, not further litigation, Dr. Alfred added. Judge Thomas clearly did not heed the Supreme Court's advice and his decision forces aboriginal bands to more litigation to have the lower court respect the new principles put forward by the Supreme Court, he said. Lawyer Edward John questioned how Judge Thomas could reach his conclusion about aboriginal fisheries without receiving any evidence from the bands involved in the fishery. Judge Thomas did not provide any opportunities to hear submissions on the issues and did not receive any evidence, said Mr. John, who is the grand chief of the Tlatzen nation and does political work on behalf of the First Nations Summit. The court case ostensibly was to deal with Mr. Cummins violation of federal fisheries regulations, and was not about fishing rights, he said. If native groups were not involved in the court case, how could the judge rule on the validity of the regulations? Mr. John asked. "It's a very unusual decision." The Musqueam, Burrard, and Tsawassen Indian bands were unclear yesterday about the implications of the decision for continued fishing. As a lower-court decision, the judgment wold not set a precedent that must be followed by other judges. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Globe and Mail: letters@GlobeAndMail.ca :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org 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: Native Youth Movement to Intervene" --------- Date: Tue, 3 Feb 1998 02:26:39 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: Native Youth Movement confronts BC Treaty Process :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:Forwarded message:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: January 31, 1998 For Immediate Release NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT CONFRONT BC TREATY PROCESS AS CHIEFS, NEGOTIATORS MEET WITH FEDERAL INDIAN AFFAIRS MINISTER Native Youth Movement will intervene at First Nations Summit meeting >From the Native Youth Movement To All of Our Relations This morning, as the officials and administrators of the BC Treaty Process gather to congratulate themselves on a job well done, there will be another voice. The voice of youth. The voice of truth. Today we say once again: the Native Youth Movement is opposed to the treaty process now underway in the province of "BC". We state once again: these lands are sovereign. They have never been ceded or surrendered. Seven generations ago these lands belonged to us - the youth of today - just as these lands today belong to generations not yet born. They are not here to speak for themselves, but we are. And we know it is our people's responsibility, we know it is our responsibility, to speak for them. We are sovereign Indian nations. Despite every effort of colonization, despite the residential schools, the theft of Native children, despite the imposition of the band council system, despite the attempted murder of our identity as Indian peoples, we are still here to say to the world: We remember who we are. And we remember that we are sovereign, free peoples. These lands hold the spirits of our people. They have never been surrendered, sold, or taken in war. They have, however, been stolen. And that theft continues to be carried out right before our eyes. But we have eyes and we can see. Treaties are internationally recognized agreements made between sovereign nations. That means they are subject to international law. The province of "BC" is not a sovereign nation, and the involvement of the provincial government means the treaties being negotiated in the BC treaty process are not real treaties. To present it otherwise is fraud. Using terms such as "First Nations" and giving the appearance of 'sovereignty' to band and tribal councils does not change the fact that they are employees of, and administrators for, the Canadian state. They do not have the authority to negotiate on behalf of the people for the sale of ancestral territories. We question the legitimacy of any such transactions. The strategy of the government during negotiations is not to pursue 'justice' but to manipulate and control us. This is clear in a "secret" document entitled "Guidelines for Federal Self-Government Negotiators (No.2)," in which negotiators are instructed to avoid certain wording, such as 'peoples', as it "may raise implications vis-a-vis the right of self-determination at international law." Negotiators are told to use terms such as 'First Nations.' It also states, "2. Use of the term "distinct peoples" raises other considerations. While a good argument can be made that Indian people... are a distinct group, the more larger the collectivity is sub-divided the less likely it is that distinctiveness can be demonstrated. This is underscored in the case of the Fort Frances Framework Agreement where the negotiating group (the First Nation as defined in the Framework Agreement) do not represent all of the Anishnaabe but only some of them. (Guidelines for Federal Self-government Negotiators No.2, "How to Deal with Requests for Recognition as 'Distinct People(s)'", Inherent Rights Directorate and Department of Justice, March 15, 1996.) Clearly the government's plan is to divide our peoples up, and then negotiate with individual band councils. At the same time they seek to silence our voice at the international level by denying that we are sovereign peoples, instead portraying us as an ethnic minority - an internal "domestic" concern. The government says it is pursuing "modern-day treaties" as a way to resolve historical grievances, to undo past wrongs. Hmmmm... It seems to us that these lands in "BC" remain sovereign Indian lands, with some small exceptions (ie. the Douglas Treaties, and Treaty 8). And the government knows this. Even according to the law of Canada, the same law they so righteously claim to stand on, these lands were to be surrendered to the Crown before any settlement or even trade could occur, according to the Royal Proclamation of 1763. To this day Canada is bound by this proclamation; it remains law. The government is now making treaties because it wants to end all legal challenges to its legitimacy and authority. Its aim was, and always has been, to destroy us as sovereign nations, to dismantle our societies, to kill our spiritual ways. From genocidal wars to the Indian Act, from the band council system to the residential schools, from the theft of Native children to the use of military/police force against our peoples, to this - the treaty process - the government has attempted to assimilate us into a system that offers nothing to us but despair, suicide, prostitution, cocaine, poverty and hopelessness. Yes, against all reason, we are questioning the history we have been told of how things were, and how things are. Only the people of a nation can decide their fate, together as a people. Only by keeping us ignorant have the land-thieves managed to maintain this charade. They keep us ignorant by secret meetings, secret documents and conferences no one hears about. Too many of those in the band councils knowingly participate in these deceptions. The government feeds their egos with all these secret meetings, secret documents and planes, cars and hotels for conferences no one hears about. They must feel so important... and they should, because they are making plans in secret about the future of Indian peoples and our lands! This is why in so many areas people are unaware that the band council is even involved in treaty negotiations. This is why in so many territories treaty negotiations go on with little involvement from the people, and especially from the youth. We say it is the youth that will have to live with these treaties, and the generations unborn. It doesn't matter how much money they give us now, where will it be for our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, our great, great grandchildren? Will we be able to say to them "We carried the responsibility to defend the people?" Will we be able to say "We did all we could?" We do not have to accept this fraudulent treaty process; we have a choice. And we have eyes, even if they try to keep us in the dark. And we have a voice, even if they try to silence us. We are not here today to demand anything from the First Nations Summit, from the federal or provincial government. We are here to say: This is the truth we feel in our hearts. We call on our peoples, we call on the youth, to listen to their hearts. To remember the truth of who we are, to remember that we are sovereign peoples, to remember that our ancestors lived and died on these lands that we could be here today. Let us honour them by carrying that responsibility for the generations unborn. Together we can start a fire, because in our hearts we carry burning desire for change. Brothers and Sisters from the Native Youth Movement in a secret meeting held in Occupied Salish Territory (East Vancouver) :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Canadian Alliance In Solidarity With The Native Peoples (CASNP) Native Youth Movement February 1, 1998 Occupied Coast Salish Territory East Vancouver She:kon Congratulations! I was told by someone from CASNP who saw you on TV about your sudden and effective appearance at the meeting with the Minister and Phil Fontaine. Your statement that you faxed to me is a gem. It's right on in every aspect. I was so proud to read it, so succinct and direct. That's what I like about our youth. They don't beat around the bush! I am attaching the agenda of the CASNP Annual General Meeting to be held in Winnipeg Feb. 27 to Mar. 1. If anyone can make it, we'd be glad to see them. The youth could take the reigns of the movement and take it down the right path in a good way. CASNP is helping to set up this meeting but it is the youth who will make it go. All the best. Nia:wen Kahn-Tineta Horn, President, CASNP Phone (416) 972-1573 Fax (416) 972-6232 casnp@pathcom.com :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:End forwarded message:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org 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: Plymouth County Courthouse" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 1998 21:39:32 EST From: Miketben@aol.com Subj: Plymouth County Courthouse, Massachusetts ************************************************************************ ** NORTH AMERICAN SPIRIT LODGE ** FOR YOUR INFO ************************************************************************ UAINE January 29, 1998 statement Plymouth County Courthouse, Massachusetts We will make a short statement, and then we would like to introduce our defense team so that they can address and explain what happened in court this morning. The Town of Plymouth and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are continuing to engage in this false pretense that we are some kind of criminals. We continue to insist upon the truth. The truth is that, on November 27, 1997, the cops were the criminals in Plymouth that day, not any of us who were arrested. The racism and injustice we face in Plymouth, Massachusetts, taken to some additional lengths, are the same racism and injustice that led to the frame-up of Native political prisoner Leonard Peltier in 1976. Peltier is serving two consecutive life sentences for crimes that he clearly did not commit. Peltier was the victim of intentional and malicious misconduct on the part of federal prosecutors and the FBI. February 6th marks the anniversary of Peltier's false extradition from Canada. In Boston on February 6, we are having a demonstration outside the federal courthouse and post office building to demand freedom for Leonard Peltier and Mumia Abu Jamal. Similar demonstrations on behalf of Peltier will be taking place around the world. We ask that everyone who can hear us today find a way to remember and honor Leonard Peltier on February 6th. We demand justice for Leonard Peltier. We demand justice for ourselves also. Some people have urged us to work through what they call "the proper channels." We have always attempted to do so, and never with any positive result. During the past two months, we have made numerous efforts and overtures to meet with Cellucci, Harshbarger, and other state officials to seek justice. They do not respond to our requests, nor the requests of our lawyer, for information about what happened in Plymouth on November 27, 1997. At best, they say they will "get back to us" with the information we request, and then they never do. They all hope that this problem will just go away. We are not dust to be swept under the carpet of racism. We will not just go away. Thousands of people are outraged by the unprovoked police attack on peaceful marchers that occurred in Plymouth on "thanksgiving" day, 1997. Thousands of people have demanded that these false charges against us be dropped. But the Plymouth DA's office continues to waste our time and the taxpayers' money by refusing to yield to sanity and common sense. Many members of the media have asked us if we plan to file a civil suit for violation of our human rights and for police brutality. Given the circumstances, wouldn't we be foolish not to do so? There are words, names of places, that reverberate through history. For oppressed people, these words and names swim through our blood and live in our hearts and memories forever. They are names, words such as Selma, and Chiapas, and Wounded Knee, and Soweto. And now we have Plymouth, "America's hometown," which is showing itself to be the hometown of American racism and violence. Our demands remain the same: We demand a public apology. We demand an open public inquiry, conducted by independent parties, into the police brutality that occurred in Plymouth on Nov. 27, 1997. We demand that Gov. Cellucci and other state and national figures break their silence and condemn the police violence that occurred in Plymouth on "thanksgiving" day. Last, but certainly not least, we demand that all charged be dropped now! Drop the charges now! --------- "RE: Dineh Investigation" --------- Date: Sat, Jan 24, 1998 11:21 PM EDT From: BEBIRD Subj: Dineh Investigation - Please forward to your networks Sovereign Dineh Nation (SDN) sdnation@earthlink.net Media Release For further information please contact Pamela Kraft (212) 564-3329 or Marsha Monestersky (718) 349-1841 January 26, 1998 On February 3, 1998 Mr. Abdelfattah Amor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, will meet with traditional Dineh (Navajo) in Black Mesa, Arizona to investigate charges of human rights violations. This is the first time the US will be formally investigated by the UN for violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief. The role of the Special Rapporteur is to examine incidents and governmental action in all parts of the world inconsistent with the provisions of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance based on Religion or Belief, and to recommend remedial measures for such situations. Although Mr. Amor will visit with other indigenous peoples, this is his only on-site visit. The Dineh filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Commission in 1997 charging the US government with human rights violations. The Dineh suffer from the consequences of US governmental laws that have legalized the denial of access to water, livestock confiscation, the ability to gather firewood to heat their homes in winter and any housing improvement - even in cases of life threatening illnesses. British-owned Peabody Coal Company (PCC), the world is largest privately- owned coal company, operates the Black Mesa/Kayenta strip mine in the heart of Black Mesa. Over 4,000 burial and sacred sites have been destroyed as a result of strip mining. There is no protection given to Dineh burial grounds and sacred sites. Their religion which is land-based and site specific represents the foundation of their lives. The Dineh continue to this day to face forced relocation, eviction, and human rights violations. Since 1974, over 12,000 Dineh have been relocated from their ancestral land, 3,000 remain, sheep herding and weaving rugs. They endure because of their sacred ties to their traditional land - their Jerusalem, their Mecca. Mr. Amoris' mandate urges states to exert their utmost efforts, in accordance with their national legislation and in conformity with international human rights standards, to ensure that religious places, sites and shrines are fully respected and protected.i The Dineh are heartened by the support of over 250 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), many affiliated with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN, representing some one billion individuals worldwide. An inter-faith coalition of NGOs will be in Black Mesa February 2-4, 1998 at the invitation of the Dineh to witness the historic meeting. They include the United Methodist Church, the World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches, NGO Decade Committee of the World is Indigenous Peoples, International Indian Treaty Council, the Human Rights Caucus, the Values Caucus, and others. Reverend Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett, General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, has been chosen by the NGOs to lead the delegation. It is hoped that the United Nations report will result in the repeal of the Relocation Acts, P.L. 93-531 and P.L. 104-301. The Dineh and Hopi peoples should be protected as Living Treasures, their right to practice their traditional ways on their land preserved. Their teachings about living as caretakers of the Earth provide unique insight regarding the protection of human values, religious freedom and the global ecosystem. December 10, 1997 marked the beginning of a year long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, during the United Nations Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. We urge you to provide media coverage of this historic event. Donations are urgently needed and will be gratefully appreciated. Please send tax-deductible contributions to: Mr. Liberato C. Bautista, Assistant General Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Church, United Nations office, 777 UN PLaza, 11th floor, New York, NY 10017-3585. Telephone: (212) 682-3633. Please specify that it is for the DINEH PROJECT. Contributions received after early February will be applied to our budget deficit so we can cover post-Dineh/UN costs. Also, please contact us via e-mail if you want to help ensure the Relocation Acts are repealed by Congress or Presidential Executive Order. We will send you additional information. Thank you. --------- "RE: Lower Churchill News" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 13:24:49 -0400 From: Larry Innes Subj: Regional News and Commentary: Lower Churchill Mailing List: Innu People Forum list Lower Churchill revisited 1/25/98 () By BOB BENSON The Evening Telegram Some 20 years ago there was speculation, just like today, that an agreement was at hand between this province and Quebec to jointly harness the hydroelectricity potential of the Lower Churchill River. Indeed, former Newfoundland Premier Frank Moores, in a telephone interview from his Florida home where he lives in retirement, said he had worked out a deal with Quebec's Premier Rene Levesque in the 1970s. But that deal was never inked due to intense opposition in Moores' cabinet which would have brought down the government had the premier insisted on implementing it. "The agreement we had with Quebec allowed Newfoundland and Labrador to recall 800 megawatts from the Upper Churchill," Moores said. "In return for our permission to develop the Lower Churchill _ that is Muskrat Falls and Gull Island _ we would have a share in that development and we would be allowed to recall 800 megawatts from the Upper Churchill and transmit the power across Quebec for sale elsewhere, but Quebec would charge us wheeling rights. There was a lot of detail to work out but we thought it was a hell of a good deal from where we were sitting." One scenario at the time would have seen the province give Quebec the right to develop hydro power on several rivers which flowed into the Gulf of St. Lawrence as a tradeoff for the Upper Churchill recall and joint Lower Churchill development. But those headwaters existed inside Labrador, which meant Quebec would have exercised control over provincial territory, which would have raised the Labrador boundary issue, all that implies. Another scenario would have seen the province give up its demands to renegotiate the inequitable Upper Churchill contract and allow the status quo to continue, which would in fact have given Quebec effective control. Quebec and Newfoundland would have jointly developed the Lower Churchill, and this province would have received the 800 megawatt recall when it was completed. "I am sure there would have been changes in the deal I had with Levesque, but I would be very surprised today if a deal was not worked out in Newfoundland's favor," Moores said. But nothing is as simple as it seems. It appears the Moores government _ and perhaps Brian Tobin's government today _ was considering giving up something up front in favor of future benefits; a deal with no losers, a win-win situation for Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Each successive government since the Moores administration began talks to develop the Lower Churchill has tried in vain to negotiate with the Quebec government and Hydro Quebec to get the Lower Churchill under way. The price tag on the project today is about $12 billion. When Premier Joseph R. Smallwood got British bankers and Brinco to construct the Upper Churchill in the 1960s, a shortsighted power contract was signed with Hydro Quebec. Brinco agreed to sell the Quebec government corporation power at three tenths of a cent per kilowatt hour for 40 years, with an option for another 25 years. The contract came into effect in 1976 and remains so until 2041. Hydro Quebec agreed to take 29.1 billion kilowatt hours annually for the life of the contract, and leave 2.7 billion hours for this province's use. Hydro Quebec sells Upper Churchill power to the United States, mainly to New York, at rates between 2.49 cents and 4.5 cents per kilowatt hour. Quebec earns more than $750 million from the Upper Churchill, while this province collects between $70$80 million from the power it sells to Hydro Quebec. In 1973, Premier Moores announced the Lower Churchill would be developed for Newfoundland. Essentially, it was planned to have power brought across the Strait of Belle Isle on a cable _ laid on the seabed but below iceberg scourings _ and fed into the island grid, similar to what the Tobin government is considering. At the same time, a contract would have to be negotiated with a heavy power user, such as an aluminum smelter, located on the shores of Lake Melville which would make the development of the Lower Churchill feasible. Although two concrete tunnels were built on both sides of the Straits of Belle Isle to carry the cables, nothing came of the scheme because the Moores government was unable to raise the money. Moores admits there were a few hitches, but still believes the idea was a good one. "There were a couple of real problems with it," he said. "One was the cost of bringing power to the island, and the other was the technology for getting it across the Straits _ but the technology was different then than it is now. We could not have done it on our own. We needed industry to attract industry to develop the Lower Churchill. We almost had a deal for a smelter with Norske Hydro of Norway, but the problem with it was the short shipping season in Labrador." Moores said Premier Tobin's plans to get the Lower Churchill development under way has his blessings and support. He said two factors could make the dream reality. First, Ontario is having problems with its nuclear generated energy, and is looking to other sources. At the same time, the sovereignist government in Quebec is anxious to show the world that it is a fair and good place to do business, and so just might be prepared to make concessions on the Lower Churchill project. "I don't give advice these days," Moores said. "But I think something can be done and it would be wonderful for Newfoundland." --------------- Fenwick Commentary. 25 January 1998. Evening Telegram Innu owed a debt in new power deal As Brian Tobin brings the negotiations over the Lower Churchill Hydro project to a crucial stage, the Innu of Labrador are insisting that the development of the Lower Churchill River will not proceed in the same way the Upper Churchill was developed. This time they want to be consulted, want some say in how the development will proceed, and want to be compensated for any loss of land use that might occur. This, they claim, is their land, and they will decide how it is to be developed. I agree. But I don't believe that the Innu have gone far enough with their claim. When the Lower Churchill River is developed, the province hopes to right the terrible wrong that was done to the province in the 1960s power contract, the contract that set the terms for the price of power for up to 80 years without an escalator clause. When that is righted, it is time to right the even more egregious wrong that was done to the Innu in the 1960s when much of their ancestral land was flooded, and many of their lakes and rivers were made sterile. The Innu of Labrador are probably the best cold climate woodsmen the world has ever known. Over the centuries they developed the stamina, the skill and the traditions that enabled them to live in one of the harshest environments in the world. Almost any account by white people marvels at the ability of the Innu to travel enormous distances through the Labrador plateau with nothing but a canoe, a gun and a few lengths of snare wire. In a region where the rest of us would have perished in a day, they thrived. Yet when the Upper Churchill was developed much of the land they relied on was altered forever. Much of their old way of life ended. Back in the 1960s, aboriginal land claims were unknown and environmental legislation was nonexistent. Governments and companies could flood vast areas of land without harvesting the trees, without compensating people who traditionally had used the land, and without mitigating the effects of what they were doing. The Innu were unceremoniously dispossessed of many of the resources they had relied on for hundreds of years. They could not fish in lakes with decaying vegetation, hunt in flooded valleys, roam over the vast Labrador plateau on rivers and lakes that were no longer there. Much of what they needed to sustain their way of life was destroyed with no compensation. But the problem of compensation is a difficult one. If a valley in which people have hunted and trapped for centuries is flooded, what can be done to compensate them? Sure, the individual trapper can be compensated, but what about his son who would have taken over the trap line in the fullness of time? If a migration route for caribou is flooded so that it becomes impassable, what can be done to compensate for the lack of a winter's food supply? And if compensation for these losses can be made, what can be done to compensate for the loss of self esteem and self respect when the traditional way of life is gone, and nothing with the same degree of reward is there to replace it? In fact, it is the self respect of being able to sustain oneself on the land that will be the hardest to replace. Money in ample quantities can always replace caribou meat, the income from a trap line, and provide for retraining in other fields. But when the Innu's very identity is tied in with being able to survive on the plateau with nothing but a gun and one's knowledge, flooding the area where the Innu are at home destroys that self respect. But I would be the last person to argue that the power projects not go ahead. In the end there are only 1,500 Innu, against 570,000 non innu in Newfoundland. Allowing a major development to be stalled when 400 people benefit for every one that is impacted is not looking out for the greater good. No matter what, the development, if the other problems can be worked out, must proceed. Now as the negotiations with Quebec over the Lower Churchill are coming to a head, it is time to make sure that the Innu do not get it in the ear again. It is time to not only ensure that the development does little or no damage to lands they can use to live on, it is time to reopen the compensation brief from the Upper Churchill development. If the province can overcome the old grievances from the power contract, the Innu should also be compensated for the damage they sustained in that development. It is time for all the old grievances to be settled. Peter Fenwick is a former politician living in Cape St. George. He can be reached by email at peterfenwick@nf.sympatico.ca... --------- "RE: Racism in Sports" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 23:44:49 -0600 From: Chris Spotted Eagle Subj: Racism in sports Mailing List: Minnesota Indian Affairs NEWS RELEASE - JAN. 21, 1998 Is Racism a Sport? FOR IMMEDIATE Contact: Clyde Bellecourt 612/724-3129 RELEASE Vernon Bellecourt 612/341-3358 X138 Attn: Sports Editor SCSU: Lance Gibson 320/654-5093 From: American Indian Movement 2300 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. 55404 Racism continues to rear it's ugly head in sports. The University of North Dakota's hockey team at Grand Forks, the "Fighting Sioux," play against St. Cloud State University "Huskies," Friday, January 23, at SCSU's arena. UND's use of the name "Sioux," and displaying Indian mascots promotes stereotypes, misinformation and engages in racism. UND should be ashamed of themselves to condone the use of the name, Fighting Sioux, and drop it. UND's name includes the tribal name, Dakota, meaning "friends" or "allies," yet who do they choose as their friends. Although the name Sioux is unfortunately used commonly by Dakota, Lakota, Nakota and other people, it is because non-Indian people have unwittingly called American Indian people this for the past century. Sioux is a contraction of Nadouessioux, meaning "snake" or "snakelike enemy" a name originally given them long ago by their former enemies, the Ojibway. A press conference will be held at 5:30 PM on Friday, Jan. 23, 1998, at the Student Union, East Lounge, Atwood Memorial Center, St. Cloud State University, and a demonstration at 6:30 PM at the arena. SCSU is at 720 4th Ave. South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498 (320-255-2244). Press conference and support by: - National American Indian Movement - AIM. Clyde Bellecourt at 612/724-3129 - National Coalition Against Racism In Sports and Media - NCARSM. Vernon Bellecourt at 612/341-3358 Ext. 138 - People for Justice Coalition - PFJ, Minneapolis. Mel Reeves at 612/888-4108 - SCSU faculty: Professors Michael Davis, Luke Tripp, Tamrat Tademe and Professor Buster Cooper at 320/255-2244 - SCSU First People (American Indian Students), St Cloud State U. Rob Callahan at 320/202-6424 - SCSU Student Coalition Against Racism - SCAR, St. Cloud. Lance Gibson at 320/654-5093 Chris Spotted Eagle cseagle@maroon.tc.umn.edu V: 612/377-4212 F: 612/377-7020 --------- "RE: Ecology and the American Indian" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 14:03:20 -0500 From: Louis Proyect Subj: Ecology and the American Indian UUCP email Indian religious beliefs are intrinsically ecological since they regard nature as sacred. The various tribes who inhabited North America before the European invasion had been here for tens of thousands of years, where they developed economically sustainable hunting-and-gathering economies that were respectful of the environment. They did not consider themselves ruling over nature, but as part of nature. Humanity was sacred, but so were the animals and vegetation that sustained it. Even the soil, the minerals and the rest of the material world were part of a great chain of being. An assault on a single element of this living fabric was an assault on the whole. They had a radical interpretation of the old labor movement slogan, "An injury to one was an injury to all." The Indian draws upon ritual to maintain a sustainable relationship with nature. These rituals functioned as a surrogate for ecological science. Instead of measuring soil acidity in a test-tube or attaching radio-transmitters to bears, they simply relied on empirical observation of their environment that they had mastered. For example, the Hopi Indians had identified 150 different plant types in their ecosphere and knew the role of each. There is even evidence that had learned from mistakes in their past. If overfishing or hunting had punished a tribe with famine, then it developed a myth to explain the dangers of such practices. Our modern, "scientific" society has no myths that function in this manner. We will simply exhaust all fishing stock in the oceans, because there is profit in it for some. The Indian thought that waste of natural resources was insane, especially for profit. The Paiute of Nevada tell a story of a trapper who has caught a coyote. When the trapper was about to shoot the animal, it told him, "My friend, we as people have found it necessary to warn you against trapping us, taking from our bodies our skins, and selling them for your happiness." In essence, the attitude Indians took toward the environment was one of restraint. The role of religion was to reinforce this behavior. When the Menominee of Wisconsin gathered wild rice, they made sure that some of the rice fell back into the water the next year so that there would be future crops. In other instances, reseeding was the subject of special prayers. For example, whenever a Seneca located medicinal herbs, he would build a small ceremonial fire. After the flames died, he would throw a pinch of tobacco on the ashes and pray, "I will not destroy you but plant your seeds that you may come again and yield fourfold more." After harvesting the plants, he would break off the seed stalks, drop the pods into a hole and cover them with leaf mold. Then he would speak these words: "The plant will come again, and I have not destroyed life but helped to increase it." In addition to reseeding rituals of this sort, the Indian would often take less when more seemed readily available. The Cahuilla tribe had an edict that no plants should be harvested unless there was proof that they ex