From gars@netcom.com Wed Mar 18 14:46:58 1998 Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 19:23:33 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.012 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 012 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, March 21, 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 Hawaii Nation Info, Big Mountain, Innu-L, Nat-Film & Lists; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; UUCP email; North American Spirit Lodge; Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native; http://www.yellowstone.net/newspaper/news020298.htm 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. Downloading Wotanging Ikche on AOL From: MAANG1419@aol.com Just thought I would share some info. I could not download on to a .txt because I kept getting the message (when I tried to retrieve it) that the text editor could not handle the volume. This time I downloaded it on to a .doc and when I retrieved it out of file manager, IT WORKED. "No tribe has the right to sell, even to each other, much less to strangers. Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the great sea, as well as the earth? Didn't the Great Spirit make them all for the use of his children? The way, the only way to stop this evil is for the red man to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was first, and should be now, for it was never divided." __ Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! It is once again powwow and festival season. Make it a good one. Make it a practice to meet singers and dancers from other nations. Learn what is happening with their People. Carry this knowledge to your own circles. The more we understand and love one another the more difficult it will be to divide us and use that division to steal more land, take more ceremony and dehumanize us with stereotypes and history lessons that lie. We cannot continue to help the dominant society answer "The Indian Question". =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 21:36:43 -0600 From: Bernard & Feather Rock Subj: Anishinaabe Elder celebrates 100th birthday Emma Bear, the oldest living enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe celebrated her 100th birthday in February. Emma never knew the actual date of her birth, but knows it was in February 1898. She was born in Boy River and lived a number of years at an Ojibwe village on Lake 13. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= I have exchanged email with J. C. York regarding Grandfather Rasmussen's response to his article seeking less strident attitudes and advised him there would be one more short response in this issue. He has been gracious in his understanding and agrees we can all learn from what has been said, and that there is no purpose served in rebuttals and disclaimers. With that I will share Thomas Dorsey's response and my reply to him. Date: 13 Mar 98 13:26 EDT From: DORSEY.THOMAS_J+@ALBANY.VA.GOV Just a comment from an Indian, absolutely outstanding effort, I find no faults with either your editorial policy nor your inclusions to the issues. Unfortunately militancy is an unavoidable attitude in response to generations of adversity and will present itself in any venue which Indian history, hopes or current situations are set forth. I have, since discovering the newsletter enjoyed, read and often quoted many of the articles. I have also taken pride in such an obviously Indian effort. Just thought since you said you've gotten some critical notes you'd like some laudatory thoughts. You have my permission to pass this on to whomsoever you please. On: na - Tom Dorsey, Onondaga ( Turtle Clan ) Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 11:04:10 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Smith Wado for the kind words. The credit for Wotanging Ikche/Kanoheda Aniyvwiya/ Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin belongs to those who write the articles and to Creator, who guides me. For them, I thank you. I also thank you for granting me permission to share your words. I don't need to hold them up as a trophy, but rather to open a few eyes to the feelings that run deep in Indian hearts. It's hard to ignore the IHS sterilizations and other forms of cultural and actual genocide. Dohiyi! gary =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Spirit Talk Press, The Blackfoot Nation, Post Office Box 390, Browning, Montana USA 59417 seeks articles written by Indians on the subject "Honoring the Grandfather Spirit". The 1500 word articles are due immediately. Please send copies, not original work. There will be a fee paid of to those whose work is accepted for publication. We are not a federal agency so we are not defining "Indian" as those whose degree of Indian blood has to be that used by the racist U.S. Government to determine who is an Indian. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Thanks to Mike Wicks for these reminders: In Memory (with Respect and Honor) AIM Casualties on Pine Ridge, 1973-1976 3.20.1975 Stacy Cotter - shot to death in an ambush at Manderson. No investigation. 3.21.1975 Edith Eagle Hawk and her two children-AIM supporter killed in an automobile accident after being run off the run by a white vigilante, Albert Coomes. Coomes was also killed in the accident. Goon Mark Clifford identified as having also been in the Coomes car, escaped. Investigation closed without questioning Clifford. 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 ---------- - Beatty Contamination - Indigenous Sell-outs go International - Ward Valley Wish List - Courts vs. Native Alaskans - Rumor Control from Ward Valley - The Peoples' Perspective - Ward Valley Support - Hotevilla Traditional Elders - Rumsey Indian Rancheria Agreement - Lower Churchill - Wal-Mart: Let the Boycott Begin - Life on the Reservation - Day of Prayer - Anger, What Anger? - Buffalo Slaughtered for Economics - Haudenosaunee Rule of Law - Pro-Bison Letter to the Editor - Stoney Point Response - Chiapas Schools As Barracks - Anishinabe Launches Hunger Strike - People Against Trade Agreement - Native Prisoner - Innu not to Blame for Road Delay - A Hundred Years Ago - Canada Scrambles to Contain - Poem: Indian Woman, How You Dance Gustafsen - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - BC NDP Minister Blames Feds - Conferences and Powwows --------- "RE: Beatty Contamination" --------- Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 17:44:46 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Press Release from Congressman George Miller re: Beatty Contamination UUCP email NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN GEORGE MILLER 7th District, CA Committee on Resources, Committee on Education and the Workforce. 2205 Rayburn Building, Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Daniel Weiss, James Snyder Monday, March 9, 1998 202/225-2095 USGS: BEATTY CONTAMINATION WORSE THAN THOUGHT Report Raises Serious Questions About Ward Valley Safety, Miller Says WASHINGTON -- A new study of tritium contamination surrounding the defunct "low-level" nuclear waste site in Beatty, NV, raises serious questions about the proposed Ward Valley site planned for southern California, Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.) said today. The new U.S. Geological Survey study released March 4 not only confirms earlier surveys indicating that the Beatty site, closed in 1992, is the source of increasing and significant offsite contaminations, but shows that contamination is much more widespread than previously thought. Beatty is important as a comparison site to Ward Valley due to their similar geology. Miller, as senior Democrat of the House Resources Committee, has opposed Ward Valley for several reasons, including the contamination near the Beatty site, Ward Valley's high storage costs, and excess capacity for low-level nuclear waste across the country. Earlier USGS studies found contamination in a limited area near the dump. Studies leading to the current report found offsite contamination AT EVERY GRID POINT SURVEYED while confirming that contamination is approaching the water table at deeper levels that previously measured. In addition, tritium vapors were detected in the air above a creosote bush, presumably released from vegetation absorbing the contaminants from the soil. "This new evidence indicates that the contamination from the low-level waste site is much more extensive than previously expected," said Miller. "Scientists are unable to explain how and why the contamination has spread in a dry, desert location presumed safe for low-level nuclear waste." "The study confirms why the Interior Department was right to examine and re-study the accuracy of earlier testing at Ward Valley. Despite the State of California's assertion that there was no problem with the site, this new research provides startling additional findings challenging the basic premise that contamination does not spread at desert locations like Ward Valley." "Clearly, serious scientific questions remain to be answered before a decision to transfer public lans for that use can by made by the Secretary of the Interior." 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 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html --------- "RE: Ward Valley Wish List" --------- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 14:51:12 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Ward Valley Wish List UUCP email The Occupation at Ward Valley is now a month old!!! We don't know how long we'll be here; it could be days, weeks, or months. We thank everyone who has sent us donations of food, supplies and money. Without your help we could not have maintained this occupation as long as we have. The following is a wish list of items we either need now or foresee seeding in the near future: PRODUCE-- Broccoli Bananas Tomatoes Mushrooms Zucchini Celery Lettuce Garlic Onions Ginger Mango Papaya SPICES-- Spike Turmeric Cinnamon Cloves NON-PERISHABLES-- Ketchup Mustard Salsa Tabasco P-nut Butter (or other nut butters)Jelly Pastas Herb teas Rice Dream Soy Milk Nuts & Seeds Sugar Brown Sugar Molasses Honey Granola PERKS-- Trail Mix Marshmallows Hot Chocolate Yogurt Popcorn Any other "goodies" MEDICAL NEEDS-- Tea Tree Oil Gauze & Tape Clove Oil Inhalers Homeopathics Herbs Traditional Medicinal Teas MISC-- Duct Tape Medical Gloves Garbage Bags Tents Sleeping bags & pads Tarps Lanterns Coleman Lantern fuel Rope AND ESPECIALLY-- We need people who are willing to become part of a community that is dedicated to saving this beautiful land from nuclear destruction. We need people that are hard working and committed. We will provide food, water, and all the love, companionship, and unity you could possibly imagine! Bring your tent, sleeping bag, personal needs and self to this beautiful desert paradise. Whether you stay a week or a month or more, it will be one of the most important camping trips you've ever made. For more information call 760/326-6267 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 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html --------- "RE: Rumor Control from Ward Valley" --------- Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 12:48:18 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Rumor Control From Ward Valley UUCP email RUMOR CONTROL FROM WARD VALLEY -- Unfortunately, in every endeavor and campaign there seems to be an effort by some people to undermine that endeavor and/or campaign. In regards to Ward Valley there are two rumors that we have heard of that we feel need to be put to rest. 1. The presence of weapons at Ward Valley. TOTALLY UNTRUE!!!! In fact, we are being quite diligent in making sure that no weapon enters Ward Valley. When you come in our checkpoints you are asked if you have any alcohol, drugs or weapons. If there is any indication that any of those items are present you are subject to search or refusal of admittance. 2. A lack of commitment to non-violence. TOTALLY UNTRUE!!!! We have provided non-violence training on a regular basis since way before the actual occupation began. The Elders of the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance have directed that this action will be one of non-violence, dignity, honor, and spiritually. Everyone at the Peace Camp has vowed to uphold the direction of the Elders and their own personal commitments to non-violence. THE ONLY LOCK-DOWN DEVICE AT WARD VALLEY IS A SPIRITUAL ONE AND WE DO HAVE A SPIRITUAL LOCK-DOWN OVER ALL OF WARD VALLEY. We ask that all of you make sure this message is passed along. So far, the only people wearing guns have been law enforcement and we have required they leave those weapons behind whenever they have been invited to the Peace Camp. BLM officers and officials were searched before entering Ward Valley! To those that are out there trying to undermine us with your lies we say this-- Creator knows who you are and Creator will be the one to judge; we pray for you that you may see the error of your ways. For Environmental Justice, Molly 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 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html --------- "RE: Ward Valley Support" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 02:24:48 EST From: Miketben Subj: N.A.S.L. - WARD VALLEY SUPPORT ********************************************************************* ** NORTH AMERICAN SPIRIT LODGE ** FOR YOUR INFO ********************************************************************* Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 23:35:45 -0500 From: ishgooda Subj: EJ Leaders Support Tribes at Ward Valley USA: EJ Leaders Support Tribes at Ward Valley Topic 204 USA: EJ LEADERS SUPPORT TRIBES AT WAR DEBRA hrnet.indigenous 11:51 AM Mar 14, 1998 (at OLN.comlink.apc.org) (From News system) Edited/Distributed by HURINet - The Human Rights Information Network --------------------------------------------------------------------- ## author : ien@igc.apc.org ## date : 26.02.98 --------------------------------------------------------------------- The following letter was sent to President Clinton on February 25, 1998 in support of the five lower Colorado River Indian tribes, tribal grassroots members, tribal elders and non-Native supporters resisting the U.S. and state of California plans to build a nuclear dump at Ward Valley, California. This letter is being posted for distribution by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LEADERS QUESTION PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY REGARDING "Alliance of Environmental Justice Networks of the Environmental Justice Movement" February 25, 1998 Dear President Clinton: We are writing to you about an issue of such grave importance that it questions your administration's commitment to environmental justice. For the last two weeks, five Indian tribal nations (Fort Mojave, Chemehuevi, Cocopah, Quechan, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes) are felt so threatened by the prospect of radioactive contamination of their lands, water resources and the violation of their religious freedoms, they have occupied the site of a proposed nuclear waste dump and have vowed to defend the land with their lives. This site is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the Ward Valley area, 22 miles west of Needles, California. The controversial nuclear waste dump at Ward Valley proposes to bury long-lived radioactive waste from medical facilities, research institutions, and the nuclear industry in shallow, unlined trenches, above a major aquifer, eighteen miles from the Colorado River, adjacent to or upstream from the lower Colorado River Indian tribes and on land considered sacred aboriginal territory. The dump site is proposed for an area in the midst of critical habitat for the threatened desert tortoise. The dump proposal threatens the cultural and spiritual integrity of the tribes and violates the Department of the Interior's trust and fiduciary responsibilities to the affected Indian tribal nations, their tribal grassroots members and elders. These five Colorado River Indian tribes have attempted to meet with the appropriate federal governmental officials on a nation-to-nation basis but their requests have been consistently denied. Their request to become a cooperating agency in the current Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as provided by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was also denied by the Department of the Interior (DOI). The proposed nuclear waste dump at Ward Valley categorically violates Executive Order No. 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations; the President's May 1994, Memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies entitled, Government-to-Government Relations With Native American Tribal Governments; Secretarial Order 3175 entitled Departmental Responsibilities for Indian Trust Resources, and the Department of the Interior's Protection of Indian Trust Resource Responsibilities. Furthermore, the five tribes have consistently presented to federal agencies their concern for the protection of the Ward Valley area as a significant sacred and historical site. This sacred site issue implicates the seriousness of your Presidential Executive Order 13007, entitled, Protection of Native American Sacred Sites on Federal Lands. Last May 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) determined that the Ward Valley proposal potentially violated environmental justice mandates and put forth a series of recommendations including conducting an environmental justice impact analysis (EJAI) on the proposed project and arranging for meetings with high-level officials within the administration. Although the EPA is designated by the President's Order as the lead agency on environmental justice, the agency has failed to follow through on any of the NEJAC recommendations and has yet to present to the tribes a template for the EJAI as promised in numerous meetings over the last two years. Ward Valley is the test case for this administration's commitment to environmental justice and to date, the administration has shown itself either incapable or unwilling to fulfill its own mandates. We view this failure as having serious implications for all environmental justice issues we are currently involved with. It is time that the administration become directly involved in the Ward Valley issue and proceed expeditiously to address the concerns of the five lower Colorado River Indian tribes to insure that all mandates, executive orders and more specifically, procedures that grew from the Executive Order on Environmental Justice are not just another in a long stream of empty promises to this country's Indian nations. Signed by the following Environmental Justice Networks and their representatives: Tom Goldtooth Indigenous Environmental Network P.O. Box 485 Bemidji, MN 56619 Richard Moore Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice P.O. 7399 Albuquerque, NM 87194 Peggy Saika Asian Pacific Environmental Network 310 8th St. #309 Oakland, CA 94607 Sha-King Alston Northeast Environmental Justice Network 606 Chelmsford St. Lowell, MA 01851 Connie Tucker Southern Organizing Committee for Economic and Social Justice P.O. Box 10518 Atlanta, GA 30310 Tirso Moreno Farmworkers Network for Economic and Environmental Justice 815 South Park Ave Apopka, FL 32703 Rev. Zack Lyle African American Environmental Justice Action Network P.O. Box 1994 Brunswick, GA 31521 Cc: Bruce Babbit, Deputy Secretary of Department of the Interior Carol Browner, Administrator of U.S. EPA Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Pat Shea, Director of Bureau of Land Management --------- "RE: Rumsey Indian Rancheria Agreement" --------- Date: Fri, Mar 6, 1998 11:12 PM EDT From: Miketben Subj: Fwd: Press Statement by Chairwoman Paula Lorenzo, Rumsey... ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- Date: Fri, Mar 6, 1998 6:10 PM EDT From: AOL News ********************************************************************* ** NORTH AMERICAN SPIRIT LODGE ** FOR YOUR INFO ********************************************************************* Press Statement by Chairwoman Paula Lorenzo, Rumsey Indian Rancheria JACKSON, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today by Chairwoman Paula Lorenzo, Rumsey Indian Rancheria: The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians is pleased these many months of talks between the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Governor Wilson have culminated in an agreement. Our tribe has been briefed in detail on the provisions of the compact, and we are confident it achieves the most important goals and objectives of the Pala tribe and the state. Our Tribal Council has voted to support the compact and is prepared to enter into an agreement with the state based on this model. Our most important objective is economic self-sufficiency. Rumsey believes this agreement maintains the integrity and viability of tribal government gaming by securing our right to operate legal Class III lottery games at a competitive level which will enable our government to achieve economic self-sufficiency and maintain economic stability into the future. As a government, the Rumsey tribe also recognizes the state's interest in protecting its citizens, who are our employees and patrons. We support the provisions of the compact that seek to protect the health and safety of all Californians. We understand Governor Wilson has indicated a willingness to establish a reasonable transition framework for gaming tribes to provide necessary time for production of the newly-authorized Class III lottery gaming system. Rumsey will work to implement the new system as soon as it becomes available. This historic tribal-state agreement marks the beginning of a new era in government-to-government relations between Indian tribes and the state -- an unprecedented time in California history. The Rumsey tribe has a tradition of developing mutually beneficial relationships with local government and local law enforcement officials. We now look forward to carrying on that tradition and building a similar relationship of mutual trust and respect with the state of California. We are deeply appreciative of the painstaking efforts on behalf of the Pala Band Executive Committee and of all those taking part in the compact negotiations, bringing them to fruition and leaving the door open for our tribe to come to the negotiating table. Only through such government-to- government relationships can progress be achieved and benefits be realized for all of our people and for others in our local communities. --------- "RE: Wal-Mart Supercenter" --------- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 09:49:17 -0600 From: tnaim@usa.net Subj: Wal-Mart supercenter UUCP email Mysterious, fatal disease associated with opened Native American graves. Recently we learned that illness and sometimes death are occurring in areas where Native American graves are being opened prior to removal. Gwinnett County Georgia has a 2000 acre development site known as the Park Strickland Mound Complex. Since the onset of construction a few mysterious deaths have occurred and some individuals have became deathly ill. Symptoms include: high fever-104+, immobility, aching all over, eyes become filmy, loss of equilibrium- these symptoms occur within the first two days. Afterwards, internal bleeding occurs as well as bleeding from every body orifice often followed by death. A Wal-Mart supercenter was recently completed at Canton Georgia and it has been reported that within 10 months 9 Wal-Mart employees died. During construction of I-10 in Arizona during the 1970's, a number of similar illnesses and deaths occurred in association with that project. The Communicable Disease Control Center has been slow to investigate this outbreak. At present it hasn't been determined whether the disease is airborne, waterborne (or both) nor whether there are animal carriers. Modern mortuary regulations provide strict guidelines for internment and disinterment to protect the public from diseases associated with the bodies of deceased individuals. During removal of Native American graves the stone boxes are opened, the contents removed, and the dirt from inside the coffins cast aside, exposing the public to risk through water contamination and air contamination. While not wanting to cause a public panic, the current development in the West Meade area of Davidson County Tennessee needs to be carefully examined to ensure the public safety. Directly across the street is a public school, Westmeade Elementary school. The seriousness of this possible disease outbreak related to Native American graves should be cause to immediately stop this type of disinterment and start an investigation. You could be at risk and should demand an end to this type of grave removal. http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/Wal-Mart --------- "RE: Wal-Mart: Let the Boycott Begin" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:01:00 -0500 From: tnaim@usa.net Subj: Wal-Mart: LET THE BOYCOTT BEGIN UUCP email LET THE BOYCOTT BEGIN "Let the boycott begin' became the rally cry at the protest over the construction of a Wal-Mart supercenter in west Davidson County Tennessee. About 40 people were there to march 1.5 miles from Hillwood Plaza to the West Meade site on Friday March 13th, 1998. the plans to construct this store at this site will destroy a huge Native American burial and village site. At first it began to look like the Metro Nashville police would stop us from marching, saying we needed a 'permit'. Finally, they relented and the march began about 2:30 in the afternoon. Upon arriving at the locked gate entrance to the site-, we were told that we would not be allowed to enter and pray. A peaceful rally was held there with three defying the illegal actions of the police and entered the site. They entered the site and were arrested with one receiving a 'few knots' from the arresting officer seen in news programs diving through the mud in hot pursuit. Prior to the rally it was announced through email that no mound is present. Tennessee State Archaeologist Nick Fielder relayed the same information that day at the site. He went on to add 'no mound is on this site just rolling hills'. There is a 'burial site and a village site' he also told us. In light of this statement what then would constitute a 'mound'? We have it from archaeologists on the site that a mound does exist. The mound has three large trees on top of it with the tree root balls pushing graves to the surface on the mound. The mound extends from near the entrance to the property to the creek, about a fourth of a mile away. Further, these graves are being looted while Native Americans are barred from entry, even to pray at the ancestors graves. Aerial photos of the site clearly define the mound so? Perhaps it is because, under Tennessee law, non-mortuary features do not have to be considered during excavation only mortuary features. So the fewer mortuary features the quicker the project is completed and less has to be inventoried and becomes the property of the property owner. Three Native Americans were allowed to visit the site Lou Medicine Bird, a Southern Cheyenne Priest among them. Upon return he proclaimed the area a sacred site. Executive Order 13007, Indian Sacred sites now applies to this site. The United States Corps of engineers stated that they met with Wal-Mart who revised their plans to not affect any area below the high flood mark. the Corps went on to add, the FEMA flood plain management ordinances do apply to most of this site. Therefore, the site can be considered to be on federal lands. Both points necessary to implement this order are now in effect and Tennessee refuses to abide by it. Albert Bender ended the rally by declaring "LET THE BOYCOTT BEGIN'. LET THIS NOT BE A PASSIVE BOYCOTT BUT AN ACTIVE ONE. BE IT ON A DAILY BASIS OR EVERY OTHER DAY BASIS. DEMONSTRATE AT WAL-MART AND LOWE'S STORES, STOP DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM, AND LET EVERY ONE KNOW ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, BUILD YOUR STORES SOME WHERE'S ELSE. http://www.darkstartechnologies.com/seals/Wal-Mart --------- "RE: Day of Prayer" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 12:24:46 -0500 From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations) Subj: Day of Prayer time and update UUCP email When: Saturday, March 21 12:00 noon Where: Buffalo Nations cabin, Hebgen Lake Day of Prayer for the Buffalo Saturday, March 21, 1998 West Yellowstone, MT "I, Chief Arvol Looking Horse of the Lakota Dakota and Nakota Nations look with great concern upon the continued slaughter of our relatives, the Buffalo Nation. According to the teachings for our way of life from the time of being, the First People were the Buffalo People; our ancestors that came from the sacred Black Hills, the heart of everything that is... According to our prophecies, when there are no more buffalo, then life as we know it today will also cease to exist. Hecetu yelo!" Mitakuye Oyasin (All my relations) Chief Arvol Looking Horse 19th Generation Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Keeper Directions to the prayer day: >From rte 191, take rte 287 west towards Ennis. Drive 7 miles until you see the Happy Hour Bar on the left. Look for the first house on the left after the bar. After this house, look for the second driveway on the right (signs for Buffalo Nations ). Go up the long driveway leading to a row of cabins, our cabin is the largest at the top of the hill. The prayer will be out in front. All are welcome- safe travels, and we will look forward to seeing you on Saturday! A small update from Buffalo Nations- The imminent arrival of spring is tangible; for those of us who usually live in warmer places our memory of spring is almost stronger than the reality of our surroundings. The buffalo feel it coming too, and something in them is saying it is time to stretch their legs. For now, the buffalo seem to be staying put, although they have been rambunctious recently. One plays a precarious game with a neighbor's dog. Some run, only to stop at a new patch of grass. Others are still contemplating the ground right where they are. A recent story in newspapers all over the country touts this winter as a victory for the buffalo. The story chalks up the buffalo's success to mild winter temperatures which allowed them to find forage in the park. What the story ignores is that after last winter the Yellowstone buffalo herd was decimated. One third of the herd was shot or slaughtered, while almost a third died of natural causes. Also, if it weren't for the diligent efforts of Buffalo Nations volunteers, many more bison would have died this winter. The Department of Livestock has operated as an agency accountable only to themselves. We have worked all day, every day this winter to keep the buffalo out of the DOL's way and to hold the agency responsible for their actions. Clearly we can not depend upon benevolent winters or El Nino to save the bison, because all the political cogs are set in place and ready to continue to roll over our country's last wild buffalo herd. It is strange to hear the papers tout this year as a victory for the buffalo with headlines saying that only eleven died. Although the count pales in comparison to 1,100, all of us who knew the buffalo who died would not say the impact of these deaths was small. For every one of us who watched the calves nurse on Horse Butte, who looked into the eyes of a bull resting beside Duck Creek, who watched the grandmother with the broken horn lead her procession to new ground, not one of us would consider the deaths of these eleven buffalo a victory. Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org --------- "RE: Buffalo Slaughtered for Economics" --------- Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 14:42:20 -0600 From: Steven Baggs Subj: Yellowstone Yellowstone Net Newspaper http://www.yellowstone.net/newspaper/news020298.htm Advocates for Yellowstone's Wildlife by; BRUCE T. GOURLEY BILLINGS, Mont. (YNET) -- During the past two months, Yellowstone's bison and wolves have captured much public attention. The bison are in the news because of their continuing slaughter at the hands of the Montana Department of Livestock, while the wolves have made headlines because of a federal judge's controversial ruling that the Wolf Reintroduction Program is illegal. Yellowstone Net will continue to keep you informed of these ongoing stories. Those concerned with the plight of Yellowstone's bison and wolves are encouraged to email their congressperson. Several wildlife advocacy groups and wildlife naturalists also have helpful web sites, including Defenders of Wildlife, Buffalo Nations, Kevin Sanders and Ralph Maughn. Defenders of Wildlife http://www.defenders.org Buffalo Nations http://www.wildrockies.org/Buffalo/index.html Yellowstone Net Home Page http://www.yellowstone.net YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- Last winter Yellowstone made national and international headlines over the killing of some 1100 bison in the midst of the brucellosis scare. Brucellosis is a disease which is common among Yellowstone's bison and which Western ranchers fear can be transmitted to domestic cattle. The killings are continuing again this winter, as 11 bison who have strayed out of Yellowstone have already been killed by the Montana Department of Livestock. Last week, the Bozeman Chronicle published an article by Virginia Rvandal, a wildlife biologist who is currently retained by the United Nations as a specialist on biodiversity conservation. She was contracted by the National Park Service to do a study on the social and cultural environment surrounding the bison/brucellosis issue in the Greater Yellowstone area. Ms Rvandal's article is extremely insightful in regards to the bison and brucellosis controversy, and the Chronicle has given us permission to reprint it herein: Eradicating Brucellosis is Feasible from the Bozeman Chronicle by Virginia Rvandal Healthy Yellowstone bison have lived with the disease, brucellosis, for more than 80 years. These bison have never transmitted the disease to cattle the stated concern of the cattle industry. Dr. Paul Nicoletti, a veterinarian and one of the world's foremost experts on brucellosis, claims there is no scientific basis or the livestock industry's insistence on drastic and costly actions to reduce the already minimal risk of transmission of the disease from bison to cattle. Notwithstanding Dr. Nicoletti's assessment that "Perhaps few situations in life are risk free, but this one seems near," 1,084 Yellowstone bison were killed last winter on the insistence of the livestock industry, supposedly to reduce the risk to their cattle. If brucellosis were anything like the "mad cow" disease, this drastic action might have been justified. But the effect brucellosis has on beef cattle is minimal, typically causing some cows to abort, after which most tend to birth normally. Since cows routinely abort for many reasons, this loss is not deemed of great consequence by most ranchers. The significant costs result not from the biological consequences of the disease, but from the measures required to comply with state and federal brucellosis eradication programs. It is perplexing that the livestock industry is opposed to mandatory vaccination of cattle against the disease even though a vaccine is available and has been widely and successfully used in Wyoming by ranchers who graze cattle alongside infected bison inside Grand Teton National Park. The industry claims it would be unfair for ranchers to incur the $6 per cow cost to vaccinate their cattle (only females are vaccinated, and only once in their life). Instead, the livestock industry's answer is to kill bison, most of which do not have the disease. Thus, today's taxpayer pays to kill bison that former taxpayers paid to bring back from the brink of extinction. For every three bison in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, there are 100 elk. The far more numerous elk also have brucellosis and, unlike bison, elk have, according to legal decisions, transmitted the disease to cattle. Yet, Montana's Department of Livestock (DOL) has never suggested using taxpayer monies to kill all elk that leave Yellowstone. This would, of course, be unpopular with hunters and with the state, which earns significant revenue from elk. After all, the disease is only the pretext for killing bison, it's not the real issue. In spite of its position that the risk is "extremely serious," the DOL has never called for a risk assessment. Such a study was done in bordering Grand Teton National Park. A higher percent of Grand Teton bison have been exposed to brucellosis (70 percent compared to about 50 percent in Yellowstone), cattle actually graze inside that park, and there are more cattle with which the bison could come into contact with there. Nevertheless, according to the study, an outbreak could be expected only once every 27 years in the Grand Teton area if simple precautions are taken. This risk is anything but alarming. Indeed, even a much greater risk would still be very manageable. The risk posed by Yellowstone bison is clearly minimal. More importantly, after 60 years of experience with the disease, the sophistication exists to deal with isolated outbreaks if and when they occur. The DOL wants us to believe otherwise. Why? Bison are being killed on the insistence of the livestock industry not because they have brucellosis although that is the stated concern but because they are perceived as a threat. The livestock industry feels threatened these days, not only by dropping cattle prices. Bison represent the pre cattle (and perhaps the post cattle) West. They are the symbol of the environmental movement and the emblem of the equally unpopular (in the eyes of many stock growers) federal Department of the Interior. Yellowstone bison are "owned" by the federal government, the same entity that is blamed for hardships resulting from restrictions on livestock grazing, predator control, water rights, and, more recently, for reintroducing the wolf. But bison present more than a symbolic threat. The cattle industry perceives a serious threat in the vision of buffalo repopulating the plains, a vision some Native American and environmental groups are actively working toward. And, ironically, even bison ranching is seen as a threat to the cattle ranching industry. This is not so surprising when one recalls that as recently as 75 years ago the cattle/sheep wars were still raging in the West, during which time 53,000 sheep were killed by cattlemen who considered them a threat. 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 toward 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. Get rid of brucellosis in livestock. And, if it is cost effective and if it can be done in a reasonable way, eliminate it from wildlife as well. At present, the least sophisticated and most costly approach to managing the disease is the one in place. Better ways of dealing with the disease in the Yellowstone area include mandatory vaccination of bison and cattle; restricting cattle grazing on public lands adjacent to Yellowstone during times of the year when the disease could, in theory, be transmitted; purchasing additional critical winter range bordering the park so that bison would not be forced to move onto private lands in search of forage during severe winters; establishing a compensation fund as a safety net for local ranchers in the highly unlikely but possible event of an outbreak of the disease; establishing target populations outside the park (not inside) and maintaining this target by distributing "surplus" live bison to tribes and others who are trying to build their herds, and by opening a hunting season for bison in certain areas. Eradicating brucellosis in livestock is feasible. Eradicating the disease in wildlife is more difficult, maybe impossible, but worth trying to do if we adopt a reasonable time frame (15 20 years) and a cost effective and environmentally sensitive approach. The big question is can we get rid of the real reason behind the battle of brucellosis. Fear and hate aren't so easy to eradicate. We certainly won't get rid of them by using state tax monies to further spread these infectious diseases. It's time for the DOL to welcome science and reason back into their fold and leave spite and hate behind. Email Your Congressperson, and express your concern about Yellowstone's bison. Bison Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/bisonforum General Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/generalforum Travel Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/travelforum Winter Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/winterforum Wildlife Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/wildlifeforum Hot Topics Forum http://www.yellowstone.net/hottopicsforum Kevin Sanders http://www.gomontana.com/w_update.html Ralph Maughn http://www.poky.srv.net/~jjmrm/maughn.html Yellowstone Net Classifieds http://www.yellowstone.net/classifieds.htm --------- "RE: Pro-Bison Letter to the Editor" --------- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 16:07:29 -0500 From: Sonja Keohane Subj: Pro-Bison Letter to the editor UUCP email I was glad to see this. It is only one letter, but it represents a lot of people, and I am sure it is among many letters and phone calls by others who want the slaughter to stop. Public opinion can make a difference especially when it has economic impact. Maybe if folks here have a minute sometime, you might give the Montana Dept of Tourism a call and say how reluctant you and your friends are to visit a state that continues to slaughter the Yellowstone bison. The toll free number is: 1-800-847-4868 Pray for Chiapas tomorrow...call for the bison on Monday....Thanks. http://www.bigskywire.com/gazette/saturday/opinion/opinion.htm Florida skiers ban Big Sky Recently, our South Florida ski club proposed Big Sky, Mont., for next year's ski trip. Our members voted no after reading about the grooming of snowmobile trails in Yellowstone Park resulting in buffalo again being killed by the state of Montana as they leave the park. Surely there is a better way than the current overuse, noise, air pollution and harmful effects to wildlife of snowmobile use in a national park. It may surprise folks in Montana to learn that Florida had the largest ski club membership in the nation. We are writing to fellow ski clubs who represent thousands of skiers urging a statewide boycott of Montana. It sure would be wonderful if all the interests in Montana could get together and establish a major corridor for wildlife migration in the Yellowstone area. This corridor would be a major tourist attraction as no such wildlife corridor exists anywhere in our lower 48 states. As citizens and taxpayers we would gladly support federal dollars being spent for this effort. Local economies could benefit in ways that would not harm wildlife. This corridor would only become more valuable in the future as the rest of our country develops. We look forward to returning to beautiful Montana when your unique wildlife becomes a state priority. Bob and Nell Benton Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. --------- "RE: Chiapas Schools As Barracks" --------- Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:37:23 -0800 (PST) From: "moonlight@igc.apc.org" Subj: Chiapas Schools As Barracks by Peter Brown UUCP email Chiapas Schools As Barracks by Peter Brown Imagine waking up one morning to find federal troops living in your local public elementary school. Then imagine that no matter who you call or what you do, the troops refuse to leave. Finally, imagine the soldiers, their officers, and even government officials threaten and assault community members who want their children to attend school. Most people cannot fathom such a reality. However many Mayan Indian communities in the southeastern Mexican state of Chiapas are living exactly this nightmare. "At least six persons were injured when soldiers stopped a demonstration of 300 indigenous people demanding the Mexican Federal army leave the school in the community of San Jeronimo Tulija, in the county of Chilon which they have . Representatives of various human rights organization traveled yesterday to this community to request that some 200 soldiers living in the school since the past Friday (Feb. 28, 1998) without the consent of the community." Summary of Spanish language reports in La Jornada and Cuarto Poder, March 3, 1998. Unfortunately the reality in Indian communities of Chiapas, MEXICO is even worse! Imagine that armed thugs drive past the federal troops and state police surrounding your town and begin firing automatic weapons, steal all your possessions, and burn down your houses. Then imagine that frantic calls by church representatives to government officials do not motivate police or soldiers, who listen to the weapons fire for five hours, to intervene. "You must understand that this is the twenty-fifth massacre," commented Bishop Samuel Ruiz of San Cristobal de las Casas during a recent interview with educators and human rights observers. "Their are dozens of other Indian communities which were attacked before 45 women, children and men were murdered at Acteal on Dec. 22, 1997." To return one last time to the nightmare of today's Mexico, imagine that your government sends immigration agents to arrest and deport your priest of thirty-two years after he helps you bury the dead. Yes, this nightmare continues today in Chiapas. French born Rev. Michel Henri Jean Chanteau, 67, was deported from Mexico on Feb. 26, 1998 after criticizing the government's response to the murder of his closest parish members in Acteal. Julia Preston of the New York Times reported on Feb. 28, 1998 that Chanteau, who was orphaned as a youth in France, regards with anguish the prospect of being forced to leave Mexico. "After 32 years, I am just a foreigner in my own country," lamented Father Chanteau. "First the PRI distracts national and world attention from the Acteal massacres by blaming "foreign trouble-makers," then expelling a few foreigners to make their point." wrote Tom Hansan, an U.S. human rights worker who was also recently deported from Mexico. "(Mexican president) Zedillo is acting like the alcoholic who blames everyone else for his problems, never accepting his own responsibility and therefore never resolving the root problem." Certainly the horrific social conditions which are at the root of the indigenous Mayan people's revolt - inadequate health care, limited educational opportunities, unequal land distribution, and extraordinary racial discrimination - still exist. Now with almost 20,000 Indians forced from their homes by government backed death squads, schools and community centers occupied by federal troops, and expulsion of human rights workers increasing many observers fear worse atrocities are in store for the isolated indigenous communities of Chiapas. Nevertheless despite the intimidation and repression facing the Mayan communities, these dignified people continue to demand schools and hospitals, justice and democracy. For example the autonomous school board charged with building the first indigenous junior high school in Chiapas laughed and laughed when I asked if they were not afraid to continue with their project given the lack of government support and generally uncertain funding situation. "This school will greatly benefit the indigenous people of this region," the school board treasurer finally managed to say after he stopped giggling. "Of course, we deeply appreciation the support from internationalists and from other Mexicans, but we do not have to ask the government's permission to be free. Our children will finally have a school to attend when these building are completed." "I'm going back," mused Dana Gordon, an English as Second Language teacher who volunteered in Chiapas during the summer of 1997 and is coordinating the international sales of school construction bonds for the junior high school. "I hope that many people will travel to Chiapas to see for themselves. It's inspiring to actually build a new educational institution and be part of a worldwide movement for peace." Construction teams are scheduled to work in the spring and summer of 1998 at the junior high school in Oventic, Chiapas, MEXICO. Concerned people worldwide continue to demand that Mexican federal troops be removed from indigenous public and private schools in Chiapas. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Peter Brown is an elementary school teacher in San Diego, CA serving as vice president of National Education Association Peace and Justice Caucus and director of the Chiapas Schools Construction Teams. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Reproduction of this article is encouraged as long as the name and the address of the Chiapas Schools Construction Teams is included.) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Public Schools Everywhere for Everyone! Join the international effort to build the first autonomous, indigenous junior high school in Chiapas, MEXICO! Hold a fund raiser in your school or church, sell school construction bonds in your community, or travel with us to the misty highlands of southern Mexico to work side-by-side with Mayan construction experts. Spring break and summer delegations now in formation. Call 619-295-3008. YES! I'll help promote schools not violence in Chiapas! Here's my donation to support your ongoing efforts. Circle one: $25 $50 $85 $125 $500 Call me! I'd like to sell bonds, sponsor a house meeting, or volunteer in the office. ________________________________________ ______________________________ Name Phones ________________________________________ _______________________________ Address Zip E-mail Checks should be made out to Grass Roots Events, a tax exempt California corporation. Chiapas School Construction Teams / San Diegans for Peace in Mexico 3909 Centre Street #B, San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 232-2841 FAX(619) 232-0500 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A. If you do not wish to receive additional information about schools in Chiapas, please send the following message to mexicopeace@igc.apc.org: un subscribe mexicopeace B. If you would like to receive regular updates about the Junior High School at Oventic Aguascalientes II at the rate of two three messages every month please send the following message to mexicopeace@igc.apc.org: subscribe Maya pen pals C. If you would like to receive one update about the junior high school at Oventic Aguascalientes II each month send the following message to mexicopeace@igc.apc.org: Subscribe mexicopeace ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chiapas Schools Construction Teams Chanobjunetik ta Chiapas Jkoltavanejetik ta Smeltzanel Equipos de construccion para escuelas en Chiapas Craftsmen's Hall AFL-CIO 3909 Centre Street, Hillcrest San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 232-2841 FAX (619) 232-0500 (619) 232-2841 http://www.igc.org/mexicopeace --------- "RE: People Against Trade Agreement" --------- Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 13:34:59 -0500 From: Subj: PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE AGAINST OAXACA-MOHAWK TRADE AGREEMENT UUCP email MNN. Mohawk Nation News. 16.Mar.98. Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. Today the Mohawk, other Indigenous People and supporters marched to the band council office to hand Joe Norton and the Council the following letter: PEOPLE AGAINST THE OAXACA-MOHAWK TRADE AGREEMENT Handed to Joe Norton and the Band Council of Kahnawake, March 16, 1998 By Mohawk People, allies, friends, and supporters of Indigenous People of Mexico. Mr. Norton and the Band Council of Kahnawake, Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada J0L 1B0 Greetings, At this time, it is clear that you will not listen to our concerns about Project OK. Therefore we have no choice but to openly demonstrate our opposition. In the name of the Mohawk, other Indigenous people and supporters, we urge you to immediately stop Project OK. At this moment, we fear that something terrible is about to happen again in Mexico because the Mexican government has restricted their borders, have asked tourists and human rights watchers to leave, and there is a military build-up. In this situation it would be incredibly immoral to even think about signing a deal like Project OK. Aside from this, you know that under Kaienerekowa, our Iroquois Constitution, your Band Council established under the Indian Act by the Canadian government cannot make nation to nation deals. You purport to be a nation government but you have not gone through the proper procedures to get our consent. We know that getting our consent is difficult. But since you are signing an international agreement you are setting up a dangerous precedent which can only erode our sovereignty. Don't you see that you (and we) are being used by Canada and Mexico in a public relations campaign to divert international attention from the repression of Indigenous people in both Canada and Mexico? On the KRK radio talk-show on March 13th, you inferred that morality and business are separate issues. This is not so. For example, on the program 20/20 last week, sweatshops on American soil were condemned. In Saipei, large multinational corporations like GAP, FILA, Ralph Lauren and others were exposed as having their products made in repressive labor camps where human rights were being violated. This documentary clearly shows that morality and business are very much inter-related. Furthermore, who exactly are these `Indigenous People' you are signing Project OK with? ARIPO, your liaison, is an agent of the PRI. PRI is the ruling party of the Mexican government which is indirectly responsible for these recent massacres. If the Mexican government is not responsible for the actions of its military and paramilitary, then who is? The three principles of the Kaienerekowa are Peace, Righteousness, and Power. If we do not agree with actions that concern us, we have a responsibility to research and discuss the problem together, and come to one mind. We have some of the information about Project OK, now we need the rest to make an informed decision. This demonstration is so that you can clearly see that there are many who are not satisfied with Project OK. In our opinion, you, similarly, are not fully informed. In sum, supporters, human rights organizations, and solidarity groups have informed us of the gross human rights violations that have taken place in Mexico. This is one issue. The second issue is that once again we have not been given all of the information about your conduct that concerns us. Please do not sign Project OK. Please open your minds to our objections and your hearts to the plight of the Indigenous people in Mexico. Sincerely, People Against Oaxaca-Mohawk Trade Agreement CONTACT: J. Goodleaf, P.O. Box 1048, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory (Quebec, Canada) J0L 1B0 514-635-5719 --------- "RE: Innu not to Blame for Road Delay" --------- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 11:32:19 -0400 From: Larry Innes Subj: PR - INNU NOT TO BLAME FOR PARADISE RIVER ROAD DELAY Mailing List: Innu People Forum list FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 March 1998 INNU NOT TO BLAME FOR PARADISE RIVER ROAD DELAY (Sheshatshiu) The Innu Nation is not to blame for the situation of Paradise River. The Innu Nation was reacting to remarks made this morning on CBC Radio by Newfoundland Minister of the Environment Oliver Langdon, concerning the portion of the proposed Trans-Labrador Highway between Cartwright and Paradise River. Daniel Ashini, Vice-President of the Innu Nation, was shocked by Langdon's attempt to blame the Innu for delays in the construction of a road to the isolated community. "The Minister's remarks are shameful", stated Ashini. "To blame the Innu for a decision that he was legally required to make is hardly what you'd expect from a responsible Minister. You can be sure that he didn't make this decision to make the Innu happy-he made the decision because the law does not allow governments to assess projects in a piece-meal fashion." "The only thing the Innu Nation did was to remind the Minister of his responsibilities. If he can't accept the burdens of his responsibilities perhaps he should resign as Minister.", continued Ashini. "And if he is going to imply that the Innu made the decision, perhaps the Newfoundland government should get out of the way and let us make the decisions in our territory." The Innu Nation and the Labrador Inuit Association won a major legal victory against the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company last summer, when they successfully appealed a decision by the Newfoundland government to allow the construction of a road and airstrip at the Voisey's Bay site. In its decision, the Newfoundland Court of Appeal ruled that "a proponent cannot shield parts of a proposed project from review by artificially labeling or limiting his or her description of the works". This means that proponents cannot 'split a project' to evade an environmental review of its overall environmental effects. "Project splitting is precisely what the Newfoundland government attempted in the case of the Cartwright to Paradise River road. The road is part of the proposed Trans-Labrador Highway, and it must be assessed as such. If the Innu Nation was to accept the project-splitting approach, we would be opening the entire process to exactly the kind of abuses that we have fought so long and hard to prevent." Ashini observed. "Project-splitting allows proponents to build the least environmentally sensitive parts of a project first, which then creates pressure on governments to allow the more controversial parts to proceed. In the case of the TLH, this would mean that there would be pressure to provide approval for joining sections, even though they would pass through highly sensitive areas occupied and heavily used by the Innu, areas that are rich in migratory waterfowl, salmon fisheries, and other wildlife." Ashini stated "The proper approach, the one that is mandated by the Newfoundland Environmental Assessment Act that Mr. Langdon is supposed to uphold, is to to look at the entire TLH as one whole, to determine whether it is needed at all, and, if so, what the best overall route and mitigation measures would be in order to avoid environmentally sensitive areas or create unnecessary environmental impacts. Anything less than that is irresponsible and unacceptable to the Innu Nation." "I would just like to remind the Minister and the people of Paradise River that the Innu Nation isn't responsible for the years of neglect on the part of the Newfoundland government. We didn't make the decision to close their airstrip. That was a government decision. We weren't the ones who attempted to split the project in contravention of the law. That was also a government decision.", concluded Ashini. "If Mr. Langdon and the rest of the Newfoundland government can't accept the responsibility of making these kind of decisions, they should turn over the decision-making authority to the Innu, instead of just trying to get us to take the blame." --------- "RE: Canada Scrambles to Contain Gustafsen" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 04:16:43 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: Canada scrambles to contain Gustafsen crisis :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: CANADA SCRAMBLES TO CONTAIN GUSTAFSEN CRISIS The Martlet, University of Victoria Student Newspaper, March 12, 1998 by Chris Morabito The Canadian government has gone into image control mode in response to Mayan outrage over the Gustafsen Lake siege, which occurred on unceded Shuswap territory in 1995. Canadian officials reportedly met March 1 in Guatemala City with a leading Mayan political organization that has been demanding the release of political prisoners O.J. Pitawanakwat and William Jones Ignace (Wolverine), as well as a public inquiry into the 1995 siege. Among the Canadian delegation was former Saskatchewan Grand Chief Blaine Favel, who is the newly appointed Counsellor on International Indigenous Issues for the federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. A source in Guatemala, who cannot be named for reasons of safety, reported that Favel assured the Mayan organization that the native traditionalists at Gustafsen Lake were troublemakers from outside the area who had instigated the conflict and had no support from the Shuswap nation or any other indigenous organization. Favel also presented himself as able to speak on behalf of the major indigenous organizations in Canada. Favel also reportedly suggested the Mayans voice their concerns to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), even though many native traditionalists reject the AFN. Harold Pascal, of the sovereigntist LiL'Wat Peoples Movement, expressed outrage at a federal government employee speaking on behalf of Aboriginal peoples. "As far as I am concerned," said Pascal, "Favel speaks for the AFN, which is a branch of the Canadian government." It was in September 1997 that the Mayans wrote to the Canadian government. "We repudiate the deplorable incidents and violations of human rights of our brothers and sisters of the Shuswap People," they wrote. "We demand of the governments of Canada, that you adopt effective measures to comply with and respect human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples . . . We will maintain our vigilance over your activities until such time as our demands, the demands of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala are met." The Mayan organization is just one of many international organizations that have expressed outrage over the events at Gustafsen Lake which saw over 70,000 rounds of internationally prohibited hollow-point ammunition fired at the 20 occupants of the camp. Favel restated the long-discredited NDP/RCMP version of events disseminated during the siege. This position was exposed during the ensuing criminal trial from the RCMP's own video footage to be part of a smear and disinformation campaign directed against the defenders and their supporters. At the time of the standoff, the Gustafsen Lake defenders received full support from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, who met in an emergency session on Sept. 11, 1995. Their "Crisis Bulletin" stated: "Contrary to the statement made by the premier of B.C. on Sept. 5, 1995, that 'the armed occupation at Gustafsen Lake is the action of a handful of violent extremists, without the participation or support of a single band or tribal council,' the people at Gustafsen Lake do have the full support of the delegates attending today's meeting. The delegates in attendance are from all parts of the province." Apparently, Favel did not inform the Mayan organization about this support. As well, the call for an inquiry into police violence and attempted murder at Gustafsen Lake received the support of more than 140 chiefs from across Canada who signed a petition at last year's AFN convention in Vancouver. Phil Fontaine, elected Chief of the AFN, promised a delegation of B.C. interior chiefs their demands for an inquiry into Gustafsen Lake would be met by his leadership. Since the election, the AFN has been silent on the issue. Favel was appointed by Foreign Affairs Minster, Lloyd Axworthy. In an interview with the Martlet Favel made no mention whatsoever of Gustafsen Lake. But he did say that he had gone to Guatemala "to get the lay of the land, to meet the people down there and introduce them to my new context." Favel said there are two main objectives to his position. "One is to deal with the human rights issues as they affect indigenous people in the global community," he said. "The second front is to try and develop a coherent trade policy for the government of Canada on indigenous trade. "There has been a growing interest among aboriginal and business people to participate in trade offshore in the international community," said Favel, "and the priority here [Foreign Affairs] is to continue to advocate for that within foreign affairs and international trade." Kahn-Tineta Horn is a Mohawk woman and president of the Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native Peoples (CASNP). She said Favel's appointment by the federal government means that he simply works for the government. "It should be made very clear that he's a fraud," she said. "CASNP has been involved with Gustafsen Lake before, during, after and up to the present. And they continue to have our full support. "It's the old European colonial strategy," said Horn, "to put somebody in power and say they speak for our people." :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Martlet: martlet.uvic.ca :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: 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: BC NDP Minister Blames Feds" --------- Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 04:11:09 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: BC NDP Minister Blames Feds for Gustafsen :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: PETTER BREAKS SILENCE OVER GUSTAFSEN LAKE The Martlet, University of Victoria Student Newspaper, March 12, 1998 by Chris Morabito An NDP cabinet minister has broken the party's silence regarding the Gustafsen Lake siege which occurred in the summer of 1995 at a sacred sundance site on unceded Shuswap territory. Last week in a taped interview with CFUV radio, the BC intergovernmental affairs minister Andrew Petter placed responsibility for an inquiry into the siege with the federal government. "The RCMP was probably the central player [in the conflict]," said Petter. Asked why the BC NDP have thus far resisted demands for an inquiry into the standoff, Petter said, "The provinces do not have the authority to make inquiries into the conduct of the RCMP. If there were to be such an inquiry, it would come more from the federal government, said Petter." This contradicts claims made by Solicitor General of Canada Andy Scott who is the federal minister responsible for the RCMP. In response to a letter condemning the police siege, Mr. Scott, on Dec. 5, 1997 wrote: "the administration of justice is within the jurisdiction of the provincial government... These matters do not fall within the jurisdiction of the Solicitor General of Canada." And on September 2, 1995, then Solicitor General Herb Gray's special assistant said the "confrontation is a BC law enforcement issue that is best handled by the provincial attorney-general." The largest paramilitary operation in Canadian history was spearheaded by BC Attorney General/Human Rights minister Ujjal Dosanjh, who during the conflict said that he was "in constant contact with the RCMP," and that the siege was "a criminal matter" that had "nothing to do with Aboriginal land claims or sundance ceremonies." In response to calls from for international human rights observers, on Sept. 14, 1995 Mr . Dosanjh said: "There shall be no alien intervention into the affairs of this state." With the provincial and federal governments deflecting responsibility for the police siege onto each other, the call for independent international participation in any inquiry into Gustafsen Lake grows ever more pertinent. Kootenai elder Bill Lightbown is a spokesperson for the Ts'peten Defence Committee, which is pressuring for a public inquiry into Gustafsen Lake as well as the release of political prisoners William Jones Ignace (wolverine) and OJ Pitawanakwat. Lightbown finds it unbelievable that the provincial NDP could lay responsibility for an inquiry with the federal government. According to Lightbown, "The bottom line is they [the province] requested the RCMP under direction of Dosanjh, who ordered the RCMP into Gustafsen Lake. They were also responsible for pressing the federal government to involve the army," said Lightbown. "There appeared to be no question at the time that Dosanjh was in charge and in control of the whole incident," said Lightbown. When Petter was questioned further, he said, "I guess I'm not in a position where I'd want to comment. This is a pretty controversial issue. The Attorney General is probably closer to it than I am." Lightbown believes the NDP is solely responsible for calling an inquiry into Gustafsen Lake. "The NDP provincial government cannot ignore its duty to the BC and Canadian public by continuing to stonewall the requirement for a public inquiry," said Lightbown. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Martlet: martlet.uvic.ca Inquiry calls to: Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien: remote-printer.Jean_Chretien@16139416900.iddd.tpc.int BC Premier Glen Clark: premier@gov.bc.ca Please cc your letters to For more information on Gustafsen Lake: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL: 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: Indigenous Sell-outs go International" --------- Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 08:59:45 -0500 From: Subj: CASNP Protests: Indigenous Sell-outs go International for Canadian Government] UUCP email CASNP PROTESTS CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INDIGENOUS SELL-OUT\ BLAINE FAVEL CASNP. 11.Mar.98. The Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with the Native Peoples was never consulted nor gave our consent to be represented in any way by the Canadian government appointee, Blaine Favel. Independent Indigenous Nations being represented by a Canadian Government appointee is a contradiction. Recent rulings such as Delgamuukw (British Columbia) has exposed the fact that most of Canada is unceded Indigenous territory. Indigenous people have more bargaining power with governments and private interests. Their claims to ownership, control and use of land has been strengthened. The settlers who have been living on Indigenous lands for a long time have to now establish a new relationship with the true Indigenous nations. Canada has been ruled by the corporations for about 20 years. All governments since the 1970's have been committed to implementing the corporate agenda. Most do it willingly, others through intimidation. The facade of democracy has been thinly maintained, but actually "all governments are taking their votes from Mainstreet and their orders from Bay Street", states Ed Finn in "Charge of the Left Brigade" (Canadian Forum). We, therefore, protest this government imposed ambassador whose mandate is to push the corporate-government agenda which is to erode the sovereignty of the Indigenous people. Canada is under corporate occupation and Blaine Favel is an Indigenous person who is working for these corporate interests. Kahn-Tineta Horn, President CASNP The Canadian Alliance in Solidarity With the Native Peoples 427 Bloor St. W., Toronto Ontario Canada M5S 1X7 416-972-1573 Fax 416-972-6232 Email: casnp@pathcom.com ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 15:21:05 -0800 (PST) To: Subj: Dept of Foreign Affairs: Favel release January 9, 1998 No.3 Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade AXWORTHY APPOINTS INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS COUNSELLOR AND LAUNCHES NEW STRATEGY Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the appointment of Mr. Blaine Favel as Counsellor on International Issues. This appointment will be effected through an Executive Interchange Canada agreement with the Assembly of First Nations. Mr. Phil Fontaine, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and Mr. Favel were present during the announcement. "In his role, Mr. Favel will provide myself and the Minister for International Trade, Sergio Marchi, with an important viewpoint on a broad range of international issues affecting indigenous peoples worldwide," said Mr. Axworthy. "He will provide, in particular, input and policy advice on Canadian positions concerning indigenous issues at the United Nations, the Organization of American States and other international fora." "This reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to develop a new partnership with First Nations in Canada as stated in the announcement by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Jane Stewart. This appointment will support the strengthening of First Nations' initiatives in the fields of economic and business development, not only in Canada but also around the world," stated Chief Phil Fontaine. "This appointment is an example of the commitment to new partnerships that the government outlined in Gathering Strength: Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan," said Jane Stewart. "Two major elements of the Plan are renewal of partnerships with Aboriginal people and support for strong communities, people and economies. The Plan makes specific references to international partnerships and increased access to overseas markets." I'm pleased that the Government is serious in its efforts to improve the relationship with First Nations," said Favel. "My appointment is in the new spirit of partnership that can work to promote Aboriginal rights." Mr. Favel's diplomatic appointment is also part of a strategy on indigenous economic and cultural development that will be undertaken by the Government of Canada in co-operation with the Canadian Aboriginal community. The strategy will bring together Canadian federal departments and Canadian Aboriginal organizations in new international activities. It is designed to promote awareness among Canada's Aboriginal Peoples of the programs and funds available to them, both inside and outside Canada. For further information, media representatives may contact: Debora Brown Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs http://wwwdfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/news/press.releases --------- "RE: Courts vs. Native Alaskans" --------- Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 02:41:22 -0700 From: "Leo Chavez, Jr" Subj: Courts vs. Native Alaskans: the 'Last Indian War' Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native Sorry folks that I haven't been able to personally e-mail you that have sent me some mail. It's just that my e-mail account has been down and my girlfriend has developed major health problems. It has been a mess. Hopefully I will get back in touch with you all next week. So I hope you find this forwarded article interesting. Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leo T. Chavez, Jr. "So you think you got the right to sing the blues...you choose to lose." - J. Eddy Fink ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth Frank, a member of the Gwich'in tribe in Arctic Village, Alaska, tells the legend of the giant who took over the fishing hole. One of his enemies ran to the far side of the frozen lake and called like a chickadee, knowing the giant feared the bird. Hearing the call, the giant fled in such a rush that he tripped, and his enemies killed him. All because of a tiny bird that thrives in arctic winters. The Gwich'ins of Arctic Village (population 150) and Venetie (population 300) are fighting an ongoing battle that their attorney, Heather Kendall-Miller, calls "the last Indian war." Late last month they experienced a disturbing setback from the nation's highest court. Using state and federal funds, the Native Alaskans built a school in Venetie a decade ago and wanted to tax the contractor for using their roads and water, just as towns tax businesses on their land. But the state of Alaska sued, saying the tribe had no authority to collect taxes. The case centered on whether the tribe has the power to govern activities on the land it owns. This "chickadee's call" was seen by the state's lawyers as threatening its business, legal, environmental, judicial, and policing authority. They said if the tribe prevailed, it would mean separate, sovereign governments in 226 tribal villages, with more than 70,000 residents. One main question drew the attention of the US Supreme Court: Does Alaska's territory embrace "Indian Country," land similar to reservations where native people retain much of their ancient sovereignty and can make their own laws? The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals said it does. The Supreme Court, however, ruled that native Alaskans do not have the same rights as Indians in the lower 48 with regard to native lands - that laws passed in the 1970s somehow silently took those rights away. Indian law experts deride the unanimous decision written by Justice Clarence Thomas for ignoring the judicial precedent that Congress, as the trustee for all Indian tribes, cannot extinguish any tribal rights without explanation of what it is doing and why. "The clear message to tribes everywhere is that we're in a very scary, scary political time," Ms. Kendall-Miller says. It's hard to imagine what powers the state wants over these remote villages. Flying state troopers in to resolve disputes is costly, time consuming, and rare. Disputes rage over who has the right to enforce fishing, hunting, and environmental regulations, with the state predicting that, left on their own, the Indians would ruin their resources. Ten thousand years of tribal history indicate otherwise. Already, chaos has surfaced as a result of the ruling. The state attorney general is asking the state supreme court if the state should recognize tribal domestic violence protection orders. (Under federal law, states recognize such tribal orders, but it is unclear now if this applies to Alaskan tribes.) Native Alaskans will be taking their cause to Congress, to push for bills clarifying Indian Country law and the rights of sovereign tribes. Gideon James, a council member of the native Village of Venetie Tribal Government, is traveling to Geneva in a few weeks to join a UN working group on indigenous people in an attempt to find justice for the tiny Gwich'in tribe through international circles. "It's a basic principle that self-determination is a fundamental human right," Kendall-Miller said. "There's no expression of true self-determination when indigenous people are forced to have to deal with the laws of the colonizing power." The 1.8 million acres the Gwich'in own outright does not feel like a place to colonize, a land of opportunity where anyone would need to care about taxes on outsiders. The school-construction tax that started the court battle wasn't exorbitant, about 5 percent. But the non-native legislators in Juneau seem to assume that, given the power, the Indians would treat everyone else as shoddily as, historically, policymakers have treated the Indians. Venetie and Arctic Village are not places one visits without good reason - there's no place to stay. Arctic Village, the northernmost Indian community in the US, is about an hour's flight over empty mountains. The high ridges, sky, rooftops, streets, and chimney smoke are all varying shades of bluish white. Outsiders flying into native villages have complained when local officials search their bags without probable cause, but the villagers believe this is necessary to keep their communities free of alcohol and smugglers. The tribe will continue on as it has for millennia, without much change, despite the ruling of nine justices on the other side of the continent who favor the "giant" who wants to keep the "fishing hole" to himself. The Gwich'in will continue hunting caribou and using everything but the antlers, which often hang above doorways. In his home, Mr. Frank displays a fist-shaped maroon object - the delicate, translucent lining of a caribou heart, used to carry bits of fat from ground squirrels and other small game, which villagers need in their winter diet. It is usually soft and malleable from the grease, he explains, but it feels light and brittle now. Fragile, like the traditions behind it. Tina Kelley is a freelance writer in Seattle. --------- "RE: The Peoples' Perspective" --------- Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 03:26:32 -0800 From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: The Peoples' perspective - LiL'Wat Estken :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: LIL'WAT ESTKEN - ..."We claim that we are the rightful owners of our Tribal Territories, and everything Pertaining thereto...1911 Declaration THE PEOPLES' PERSPECTIVE: We the Peoples of 'OUR' yet 'unceded' land are yet again notifying the world - Our lands are still unceded. We have yet to have Canadian and international "law" addressed in a court that is fair and just. Our Peoples' Court has yet to be convened so that the "natural" law can also be addressed in an honest fashion. The Spiritual, physical and mental abuse that our "forefathers" were exposed to (re: Genocide) is still being practiced by today's society. We know that all of the decisions rendered by the CANADIAN'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM are not based on constitutional, international and natural law. The assumption of jurisdiction promoted by the police and politicians is nothing less than GENOCIDE. We the People also wish to state that we do not agree with the overharvesting, overdevelopment and the selling of our resources that are yet to be purchased from 'US', in accordance to the law. We also make it known that the INDIAN ACT that is so strongly promoted by Canadians and their collaborators is in violation of our HUMAN RIGHTS. The recent supreme court decision on the Delgamuukw' case is not based on law as we have previously stated. It cannot give title - which has already been given to us by the Creator. We the people have long concluded that all Royal Commissions, task forces, and treaty making processes are all based on compromises which we do not favor, because they are not based on law. We must also state that we have notified UN Security Council, Queen's Privy Council, The World Court, Supreme Court of BC, and the Supreme Court of Canada of all of the violations of International, Constitutional and Natural law. The apologies that have been given by the churches and branches of the federal government does not meet the needs of those that have been killed, maimed and molested and those now incarcerated because they stood in the way of progress. The financial compensation that is now being offered for healing (heeling) will be considered as reparations for our experience in our genocide, that we are now being exposed to daily because the law that we have presented to the courts is being stonewalled. WE further state that all properties expropriated from us should be returned to us in good faith. Examples are church properties, land leases and burial sites that are now being desecrated by development. THE CONTINUED GENOCIDE, (APPREHENSION OF OUR CHILDREN), NEO-COLONIALISM AND EXPLOITATIONS, ALL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MUST STOP NOW!!!!! Harold Pascal PO BOX 208 Mount Currie, BC VON 2K0 Ph/Fax (604) 894-6095 Email: estken@direct.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: Hotevilla Traditional Elders" --------- Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 08:48:14 -0800 From: levi or mary jo Subj: [Fwd: issues] ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- From: Kc4behopi Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 07:48:30 EST UUCP email The Village of Hotevilla Traditional Elders vs United States Government Case #97-157-l8, there would be no oral hearing on March ll, 1998. But there is A HEARING today.. Thank you All our Friends for helping with our Situation in San Francisco and helping us verify *Although there will be no oral hearing this day* There still IS a Hearing however and we still need Help "To give us all more information on how to proceed. This is my understanding of what is going to happen today and why our Prayers and Good thoughts are important to the Hopi Elders and (could be) all Native Lands." In a real life David and Goliath , Chief Dan Evehema and the Traditional Elders of Hotevilla are suing the Hopi Tribal Council, the Indian Health Services, and the Federal Government. There is a lot to this, I don't understand, not being a lawyer. But this I do understand they need our prayers and help. If they win then it will change how these "organizations" will have to deal not only with the Traditional Hopi but All Native American Tribes with concerns such as , Sovereignty, Religious Freedom, land ownership. So we are asking you today to help us send Thoughts to these Judges and their legal Assistance. A panel of judges (maybe 3) reads what has been submitted in writing to them, and after they have read what the law clerks have researched, then this panel will talk among themselves, and then they will write an opinion, they would present as their decision. No one else will be involved in the decision. According to our friends, this is an advantage for the Native American. They say that probably this would be an advantage because the government lawyers would not be able to do shenanigans and big scenes in court. (Which we did experience last year at the Hearing.) Chief Dan Evehema went into that Hearing last year doing his Prayer Work. And it has been suggested that we support them once again with prayers and good energy for Justice and a Fair Hearing for the Truth and the Creators Will. Will you join us today in Prayer? For Peace and Justice and Fair Hearing for the Hopi Traditional Elders court case #97-157-18. In San Francisco 9th circuit court Today, I don't know what time so all day if possible. Send them prayers and Good Thoughts for Peace and Justice. Thank you all in advance and again for your help and prayers, In service to the Holy Ancestors, Katherine Cheshire, touch the earth foundation http://www.timesoft.com/hopi --------- "RE: Lower Churchill" --------- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 13:17:28 -0400 From: Larry Innes Subj: Media: Lower Churchill Mailing List: Innu People Forum list PUBLICATION St. John's Evening Telegram DATE Wed 11 Mar 1998 EDITION FINAL SECTION/CATEGORY Editorial PAGE NUMBER 6 STORY LENGTH 555 Another view The $12-billion proposal unveiled yesterday by Quebec and Newfoundland to further develop hydro power on the Churchill River in Labrador has obvious political appeal for both provinces. After more than 20 years of bitter dispute and legal action over the terms of the existing Churchill Falls power contract, Newfoundland has set its historic grievances aside. The 1969 agreement effectively allows Hydro-Quebec to reap huge profits by reselling cheap power from Churchill Falls at big mark-ups. Newfoundland failed twice to get the courts to overturn that contract. Premier Brian Tobin has now decided that co-operation, construction and economic development pay more dividends than litigation. For Premier Bouchard, yesterday's announcement also makes good politics. Hydro-Quebec has taken a public-relations beating since the January ice storm. Now the premier can restore Hydro's long-standing image as a builder of mega-projects. The proposal presented yesterday by Hydro-Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro calls for expanding the current 5,400 megawatt capacity at Churchill Falls by an additional 1,000 megawatts. The two utilities also plan to build a 2,200-megawatt generating station at the Gull Island site on the Lower Churchill River. And a $2.2-billion high-voltage transmission line linking Labrador to Newfoundland is also under discussion. A public policy decision to invest billions in hydro power must do more than make good headlines, however. It must make social and economic sense, too. This is where yesterday's (Monday's) announcement raises serious concerns. The fact that Labrador's Innu community has been excluded from the talks suggests that native rights and land claims will be a very big hurdle before construction can begin. And, while both provinces made much of the fact that the new Churchill projects would not contribute to the greenhouse-gas problem, there are environmental questions that must be answered before the project goes ahead, as with any massive hydro development. Perhaps the biggest cause for concern is the plan's focus on the export market and the apparent assumption that selling surplus energy to the United States will be profitable. While it is true that the U.S. energy market has been deregulated and that Canadian suppliers are free to sell electricity there as long as they open their home markets, this is no guarantee of success. A recent assessment of Hydro-Quebec's development plan by the Helios Centre, an energy consulting firm, argues convincingly that the utility has been selling electricity to the U.S. at a loss. The best price Hydro can get for its power in the U.S. is just over three cents a kilowatt-hour. But the combined cost of producing and distributing that electricity averages 4.4 cents a kilowatt-hour, according to the Helios study. The economics of the energy business are changing fast. New technologies such as fuel cells and gas-fired co-generation are being developed that will reduce the need for long transmission lines and cut costs to consumers. The deregulated energy market in the U.S. is now a commodity market where what really counts is the spot price (the best available price in the open market). Currently, spot prices in the U.S. can run as low as one to three cents a kilowatt-hour. Quebec and Newfoundland can't come close to matching that in their cost of production at Churchill Falls, when you consider the cost of financing and building new dams and transporting power over long distances. Beware of governments bearing mega-projects. St. John's Evening Telegram xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx PUBLICATION St. John's Evening Telegram DATE Wed 11 Mar 1998 EDITION FINAL SECTION/CATEGORY Metro/Provincial News PAGE NUMBER 4 BYLINE Craig Jackson The Evening Telegram STORY LENGTH 401 Island hook-up now or never: Tobin Premier Brian Tobin says it's now or never for the development of a $2-billion transmission line connecting the island with Labrador and the North American power grid. "We're the only jurisdiction in North America off-grid," he told The Evening Telegram's editorial board Tuesday. "Everybody else is on-grid and the marketplace is working right now with deregulation." Newfoundland and Labrador would be far better off over the long term, from a pricing perspective, connected to the North American hydro grid , he said. A provincial analysis has indicated everyone connected to the North American grid will encounter stable hydro pricing over a 30-year period. The province, however, will see a pricing increase. "Energy costs everywhere else have stabilized or are declining," he said, adding the province must try to mirror trends elsewhere. While the province's electricity rates are competitive, that could change if Newfoundland fails to link itself with the North American grid, he said. "But looking out 30 years, we're going that way (upward), and the rest of the world is moving along at a pretty fixed and stable rate," he said. The development of the transmission line, however, will not have an impact on the agreement in principle between Quebec and Newfoundland to expand the Upper Churchill's hydroelectric potential by 1,000 megawatts and build a 2,200-megawatt hydro station at Gull Island on the Lower Churchill River. But the proposed hydro projects provide the province with an avenue to potentially convince Ottawa that it should assist with the building of a transmission line to the island. "I would disagree with anybody who said that the federal government shouldn't help us," Tobin said. Ottawa's major benefit will come from reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that will go a long way to helping Canada reach emission targets established at the 1997 Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto, Japan. Under the Kyoto Protocol, Canada has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to effectively reach 1990 levels by 2010. The Lower Churchill project could contribute about 15 per cent of the benefits to reach that target. Ottawa has not ruled out the idea of transferring emission credits to the provinces to help the country meet its Kyoto targets. That could involve some form of compensation for provinces which help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Tobin has asked Ottawa to assist with the transmission line in return for emission credits. A feasibility study will be carried out. St. John's Evening Telegram xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx PUBLICATION The Kitchener-Waterloo Record DATE Wed 11 Mar 1998 EDITION Final SECTION/CATEGORY OPINION PAGE NUMBER A10 STORY LENGTH 387 Bouchard and Tobin ignored the Innu Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard and Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin should have been the least surprised people in Canada when Innu protesters gave them a rude welcome this week. The two men got together to announce that their provinces plan to build more hydro-electric projects on the Churchill River in Labrador. The projects are massive and will cost $9.7 billion. The two provinces are also considering building a hydro-electric project on the Muskrat River. Only one problem got in the way of the two premiers' little party: They forgot to consult the people who live on the land near the proposed projects, the Innu. The condescending way the two governments treated the native people is stunning. It could end up being counterproductive, creating more difficulties for the proposed projects than would otherwise exist. The premiers acknowledged that the Innu in Labrador and northern Quebec have to be part of any deal and they say that provincial officials had offered to brief the Innu. Being briefed after the fact, however, is far different from being consulted beforehand. Just as surely as water is pulled by gravity over a falls, the approach the two governments took produced a bitter protest. The premiers have forgotten -- perhaps intentionally -- that the Innu still have compensation claims outstanding from the construction of the first Churchill Falls development in 1971. They lost land. And now they're claiming ownership of vast amounts of Labrador's interior. Just as Newfoundland fought to get a better financial deal from Quebec for the first hydro development, the Innu seek what they perceive to be fair compensation. Newfoundland should understand this. Quebec's treatment of the native population in both Labrador and in Quebec, where lines and towers would carry the power, will also be watched closely because of the Quebec government's views on sovereignty. Considering the contempt shown by the Quebec government in this case for the natives, it is not hard to imagine why the idea of a sovereign Quebec has little support among aboriginal people in that province. It's hard enough dealing with grievances aboriginal peoples have about the way they were treated in the past. The last thing anyone needs is to see the list of grievances become longer. SUMMARY - Quebec and Newfoundland were unwise to start power projects without consulting the local Innu. The Kitchener-Waterloo Record --------- "RE: Life on the Reservation" --------- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 12:09:01 -0800 From: Valentina LaPier Subj: one from monikapi{my dad} UUCP email oki gary, This is an excerpt from a story entitled, "Life on the Reservation, for me". By Wade Rain. The first part, takes place at Blackfoot, Mt. in the late 30's. These words are true and accurate. "I and my sisters gathered used railroad ties for the stove, which I sawed and split one block at a time. During the winter, the welded horseshoe handle of the crosscut logging saw seared my naked fingers with cold. Car tires were also very welcome for our thirty gallon drum heater. Dad made it with a door in front and split tire rims from a car wheel for legs. I cut the center wire ring of the tires away with the butcher knife and then into ten inch chunks to fit the heater and cook stove. Sometimes the chimney and stove became red hot and I lay awake half the night worrying; how would I get my mother and sisters out of the house if it caught on fire? The nearest neighbor was a quarter mile west of us. What if mom was unconscious from her medicine? Would I and my sisters be able to drag her out a window or the door? I lay in the dark not daring to fall asleep; then as false dawn crept in the window and my breath became visible outside my covers, I could finally drift off, knowing that this time we were all safe. One winter our food came from an "Extra Gang" cook on the nearby railroad work train. She gave us her leftovers, but I'm sure she cooked more than necessary so she would have some to give us. On bitterly cold nights, a used five gallon can served as the indoor toilet. The stove was allowed to go out to conserve fuel, so it got quite cold inside. The odor of the "indoor bathroom" was quelled by the intense cold, but soon as I started the fire and the house begin to thaw, there was a fight among us kids over who would empty it, the reason being self explanatory. In fact, it got so cold in the house during those nights that if the drinking water bucket was not emptied before we retired, it froze solid and the bottom would pop out; which happened at least once. We kids, five of us, slept together for warmth, three girls at the head of the bed and two boys at he foot; the smaller children, kept mom warm. Blankets, quilts, and coats kept us very comfortable. In another one of our homes, we kids slept in the attic, with mom and dad downstairs. The house was located in the center of the residential part of town. This was where I was exposed to what the whites now call the "Native American way of life". The southwest wind carried the sound of beating drums and old Indians singing to each other far west on Moccasin Flat. Between the ages of nine and thirteen a childhood friend of my grandmother, an old man who rode his horse eighty miles, a full blood; visited us in the summer. He couldn't or wouldn't speak english and we kids learned quite a few words in Blackfeet from him as he asked us for his needs. In later years, long after he was dead, I found out that he was taught to forget the old way by learning basket weaving, something completely alien to the Blackfeet culture. So... to assimilate into the white society was the objective during my stay on my reservation." Wade Rain copyright 1998 love you Monikapi~ your li'girl --------- "RE: Anger, What Anger?" --------- Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 00:18:48 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: From my old files... Newsgroup: alt.native ... as requested. d'laan'te... I had promised, from time to time, to repost articles from my bbs years. Here is one from August of 1995, entitled, "Anger? What Anger...?" Now beginning my 6th decade on this journey full of wonder, tasting horror & beauty in equal measure, having brought new life into the world & snuffed other life out..., years of study, on the road, on the land, & then in some of the more prestigious "institutions of higher learning" on the planet, on other continents, in prison, and 30plus years working and living with the most destitute peoples in North America... There are times when I wonder if working in my chosen field of "Community & Organizational Development" in Indian Country was worth more than the easier (& richer) route of corporate life that I've turned down so often... Then I get a letter from an old 'student/colleague' such as the following & I'm filled with pride at having made the right choice, & all doubts disappear. Bob, (not his real name) one of my more 'moderate' students back in '74-'75, (& now a respected traditional Chief among his Nation) sent me this after reading about the recent DIA/Health Canada study on water & sewage in Native communities. He sent it to the local newspaper but they refused to print it. I'll keep my opinion of his letter to myself. What do you think? August 1995 "... Had the treaties been respected, the infrastructures (housing, water, schools, health services, roads, etc) would be adequate in every First Nation community today. Had the treaties been respected.... The First Nations that signed Treaty with the Crown are still holding up their sides of the bargain; the subjects of the Crown are still permitted to occupy parts of our lands & build their cities & businesses, their families & their lives.... And, compared to their original home, they can do so in peace, freedom and a huge, rich, clean environment. Last summer the entire population of Pukatawagan (part of Mathias Colomb First Nation in NW Manitoba), over 600 elders, adults & children, abandoned their community for about a month. Some left by plane, most in cars & trucks, & approx 150 walked the 135 kilometres to the nearest town in symbolic protest. They were leaving due to outbreak of hepatitis that killed 2 & hospitalized dozens of others, and the hepatitis was in their fouled water supply. The press said "Whoop-dee-doo! Indians are marching in protest again! The Annual Whiners Parade!" Mr & Mrs Canada tsk-tsk'd all over the place, (and here you thought it was crickets you heard.) The Minister promised action. A coast to coast study (that word again) was undertaken, & that one (1) community's water supply was quickly cleaned up. The heat from the press-coverage disappeared and so did the issue of prevention of deaths by disease in First Nation communities. Mr & Mrs Canada stopped making noises of concern and got back to important stuff...; like OJ & baby seals. Indian death rates due to disease remain unacceptably high by World Health Organization Standards, and ARE RISING, but the founders of Canada passed a law that Indian deaths don't mean anything to the 'Canada family' unless there are cameras present. (the "Outa-Sight, Outa-Mind" Statute of 1867). And now we have "The Study"..., and once again the papers proclaim that "... there is a problem..." but with special emphasis on, "... the COST..." of saving Indian peoples lives by provision of barely adequate infrastructure for their communities... ("... over $1-billion!..., of taxpayers money!") I wonder how much the 1yr study by countless pencil-pushers cost? And ESPECIALLY I wonder if those pencil-pushers, the reporters, and Mr & Mrs Canada ever takes a single moment to remember that those tax dollars, and ALL of the non-taxed dollars ever made in Canada are due to the fact that the First NAtions gave permission, by Treaties, for them all to live here, build businesses & institutions & families here... ?? Now that those folks are faced with the cost of the neglect of the Treaties by their fathers & grandfathers, they conveniently forget the benefits they are enjoying due to those Treaties, and look blindly at the 'costs' of honoring their contracts. Hey out there...! Go ahead. Tell me, with a straight face, about how "ethical" one becomes when your life is based on "Judeo-Christian values'... Tell me, with a straight face, how euro-american "civilization" is "firmly based on the rule of law" (such as honoring of contractual agreements & Treaties?)... Go ahead, my smug fellow-"citizens of the best country on earth," and convince this family that your highly-touted "principles" mean more to you than your pocketbooks .......................... Well?... Gee, it's so quiet.... No Canadian citizen to speak up? Don't worry, Mr & Mrs Canada; I won't continue to embarrass you by pointing out your total moral bankruptcy again. You don't know what I'm talking about. The near future will bring harsh enlightenment. The Indian birth rate is twice that of yours. As more and more Indian people become parents and are forced to watch their children die needless deaths, deaths that could have been avoided if the solemn word of your representatives had any value whatsoever, their grief and anger will rise up like a tidal wave the like of which you have never seen before, and then your children and your grandchildren will pay a much, MUCH higher price than you can ever now imagine as you sit & study "costs"... You Canadians just go right on talking about "costs" & not acting on your famous 'principles'..., while I prepare my grandchildren for a rendezvous with yours. When their day in the Sun arrives, I am making sure that they will remember this evident 'value' of your culture in rendering their final judgement. You shall truly "reap as you sow." In the Spirit of Tecumseh... Bob ..." --------- "RE: Haudenosaunee Rule of Law" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 13:38:09 -0500 From: "Mohawk Nation Office" Subj: Communique Re: Actions Taken by Onondaga Council of Chiefs UUCP email Haudenosaunee Rule of Law versus Actions Taken by Onondaga Council of Chiefs On March 2, 1998 four smoke shops on the Onondaga nation Territory were destroyed by a combination of bulldozers and fire. Several Onondaga Nation citizens were brutally beaten. This occurred at the direction of the Onondaga Council of Chiefs and Clanmothers on the premise that they were operating illegally. Justice to the Haudenosaunee does not have the same meaning as in the American or Canadian justice system. Haudenosaunee justice is rooted in the following four principles: the use of reason, persuasion, satisfaction and compensation. It appears that not one of these principles has been utilized up to this point. What occurred on the Onondaga Nation Territory to Onondaga citizens is not justice according to the Constitution, the Great law of Peace. Words used by the Onondaga Council of Chiefs such as "control trade and commerce" are contrary to the concept of willingly working together for the good of the whole. In other words, when law is made it must have the consensus of all, especially those who will be affected by it. This is the reason an enforcement agency should not be necessary. When one has ownership of the law, then it is more likely that one will abide by the law. When one is part of the process from the beginning then one truly understands and accepts that the law is important. Our Constitution promotes inclusion rather than exclusion in order to have a cooperative society. It appears that this did not occur. Otherwise it does not seem feasible that four businesses could possibly be opposed to something that they, themselves have been a part of creating. Had it been only one person or business, perhaps one could say that he/she were obstinate and that persuasion would be used to correct them, but never violence. Our Law is one of bringing about peace and harmony. It was stated by the Onondaga Council of Chiefs in their press statement of March 2, 1998 that "closures were affected without serious injury to anyone". The fact that physical injury occurred is too much. In addition one cannot measure the emotional injury that may damage the lifetime of individuals who, in some cases are close relatives. Our tradition tells us that we must have respect and love for each other just as we must have respect and love for the natural world. In the Ahentekariwatekwen (The Words That Come Before All), we give a greeting and thanksgiving for our people that they are still here, all life is precious. Paul A.W. Wallace expressed in the "White Roots of Peace" (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1946) that clear thinking or rational thought was the basis for the proposition that human beings should not abuse one another. Interactions between humans had to be on a positive level in order to further the principle of rational thought. In order to resolve any matter it was necessary to believe two propositions: a) that each person was capable of rational thought b) that each person desired a return to a peace state Negotiations, thus, could only proceed if the two above mentioned beliefs were present. The titleholders who have initiated this path of violence obviously do not believe in the necessary propositions or have forgotten them. Clear thinking "put your minds together as one" was the backbone of a willingness to lay aside emotions of fear and hatred in order to pursue the path of peace. To be able to negate the desire for revenge is crucial. In this case, there was failure on the part of the Onondaga Council of Chiefs. It has resulted in chaos and has upset the chances of a peaceful solution in the conflict. We are told that Rotianer (chiefs) must have skin seven spans thick in order to carry out their duties. Onondaga citizens would not abide by what the Onondaga Council of Chiefs considered "Onondaga Law" and was the reason the Chiefs retaliated in a violent manner. Social order and harmony amongst Haudenosaunee must be achieved at all costs. At the formation of the League, it was agreed that all weapons of war would be buried amongst ourselves and that no longer would Haudenosaunee oppress each other. We were given a way in which to deal with conflict. Diplomacy to resolve disputes is much harder than acting violently, but once achieved can bring about a lasting peace. When Rotianer (chiefs) and Roiianer (clanmothers) have failed in their duties, then it goes back to the people for correction. As Haudenosaunee, we cannot stand by and say it is not my problem, the problem and solution belongs to all of us who believe in the Kaienerekowa. March 1998 ----------------------------------------------------- Mohawk Nation Office - Kahnawake Branch Visit our new site! http://www.cyberglobe.net/users/mnation --------- "RE: Stoney Point Response" --------- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 01:11:50 +0000 From: thassan@TrentU.ca Subj: Response from The Coalition for a Public Inquiry :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: This is the response from Ann Pohl that I received on behalf of the Coalition for a Public Inquiry into the Death of Dudley George. I am forwarding it to the sovernet-l list so that their position on the critical statements that I made about them are available. While I agree with the general position that Ann Pohl is expressing, she has not address my main concern that the coalition has ignored the criminalization of Warren George who will be sentenced on April 3rd with a high probability of jail time being given. I would like to highlight one point that Ann Pohl makes. She states that Dudley was killed because of the Stoney Point fight for their land yet now his life, work and death are far more larger then the land issue. I disagree with this statement and I would suggest that this is where I part company with the coalition. As someone who has been supporting Stoney Point since September of 1993 and someone who had the honour of meeting and working with Dudley George. I am very familiar with of Dudley's commitment to the return of the Stoney Point territory. His life, work and death can not be separated from the struggle or the criminalization of other Stoney Point people. Tariq Hassan-Gordon thassan@trentu.ca ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 21:59:05 -0500 From: Ann Pohl Subj: The Coalition for a Public Inquiry Dear Tariq, The concerns you have with the Coalition for a Public Inquiry were broadcast yesterday, and were subsequently forwarded to me. As the person who has served as the Facilitator of the Coalition since its founding meeting last December, I then shared your communique with our Steering Group. I also discussed the issues raised in your communique with several of the Aboriginal individuals who are participating in the March 17th event. Although we have not had a meeting on your letter because, as you can no doubt appreciate, we are busy at this moment, I will endeavour to summarise for you the consensus for response to the issues you raise. You, and the groups and individuals with whom you are in contact, should be aware that our Coalition's "Basis of Unity" deals with the land rights and sovereignty issues of the Stoney Point People. I am enclosing the text of our Basis of Unity in this e-mail. That said, we are unashamedly focussed on pushing for the Public Inquiry, and - again - the Basis of Unity clarifies why that issue is a priority to both the Aboriginal and the non-Aboriginal participants in our Coalition. You may not be aware that our Coalition made a decision to keep all of Dudley's siblings as well as Marcia Simon (his cousin, who was very close with him) informed about all our meetings and events. Further to that, we have appointed a "Family Liaison Person" whose name and number has been forwarded to all the above as a contact person so that the family would know to whom to direct any suggestions or concerns about the work of our Coalition. In addition, earlier this week telephone calls were placed to those of Dudley's siblings who are most publicly active on these issues, to ensure that they and the others knew about the March 17th event and to reiterate the hopes of the Coalition that they will join us. I want to correct one statement made in your letter: The March 17th event is not about his death, it is to Honour His Life, and it is being held on his birth date. The Sunrise Ceremony will be conducted by Bruce Elijah, well-respected Oneida Elder (Wolf Clan), and he will be assisted by Dan Smoke (Seneca Nation, also an Eagle-Staff Carrier in the London area) and Mary Lou Smoke (Ojibway Nation, London Aboriginal community leader). A sacred fire will be lit at this time so that traditional well- wishers can honour Dudley George's life and his sacrifice for his Nation. Born on St. Patrick's Day, Dudley's favourite colour was green. One of the ways his memory will be honoured on his birth-date will be by the wearing of green arm-bands. Green is a colour which is an integral part of all Creation, a symbol of hope, and which - in recent months - is recognized through-out Ontario as demanding respect for democratic rights and social justice from the Mike Harris government. You will be interested to know that, on my suggestion, Dan Smoke will be bringing flyers about the March 18th event concerning Warren George to the Vigil on the 17th. While, in practical terms, this may not generate many bodies at the London event, it will certainly raise awareness and the profile of that matter in the community. We are pleased to assist in this way, and amenable to considering any other community education initiatives you might find useful. A wide cross-section of members of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups and communities, as well as individuals, will join us during the day. There will be speeches, food, coffee, music, readings, statements of support and solidarity, and Honour Song for Dudley, and much more. At 6:00 pm there will be a Closing Rally, addressed by Buzz Hargrove (National President, Canadian Auto Workers), Gordon Peters (Delaware Nation and Executive Director of the Centre for Indigenous Sovereignty), Lorraine Land (United Church of Canada), Dudley Laws (Black Action Defence Committee) and Chief Darlene Ritchie of the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation (also: Spokesperson, Coalition for a Public Inquiry into the Death of Dudley George). At that time we will have the youthful Men's Drum from Native Child and Family Services with us. I am telling you all this because I'm trying to communicate that - like with many leaders whose lives are sacrificed in struggle - Dudley's life, his work and his death are now far larger than the land rights issue in which he lost his life. He has come to mean a lot to a lot of people, and it is our Coalition's belief that the government who killed him should know how many people miss him on his birthday. Having said that, I also want to assure you that our Coalition is fully cognisant of the fact that the Stoney Point land rights and sovereignty struggle is the underlying reason that Dudley was killed that night. (This takes us back to the Basis of Unity, referred to above). For that reason, while we are at Queen's Park on the 17th, we will be circulating a letter addressed to the Minister of Indian Affairs, Jane Stewart, setting out these issues, and demanding negotiations in good faith to resolve these issues so that Stoney Pointers can get on with their lives on their territory. That letter is still in the draft stage. When it is complete, I will forward it to you. Or you can join the event on March 17th and pick one up. In the future, if you have problems with the work we are doing, please do not hesitate to bring these issues to our Steering Committee or our general Coalition meetings for discussion. In that way, hopefully, we could reach a good understanding and support one another in our important areas of work which are not contradictory and are aimed at the same sorts of changes. To get real social change in this nation of Canada, we must strive to cultivate allies and understanding. In the interests of promoting respectful dialogue and understanding, I ask that you post this information to the same lists which received your broadcast letter. We will be happy to respond to any questions or correspondence which arise from this process. Yours in Solidarity, Ann Pohl +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Coalition for a Public Inquiry into the Death of Dudley George Basis of Unity --- Adopted, February 17, 1998 This Coalition has a moral mandate to move forward to press for a full investigation, through a Public Inquiry, into the death of Dudley George. For Aboriginal partners in the Coalition, this responsibility is based on the fact that Dudley was an Aboriginal person who was killed on First Nations territory in a land rights dispute - one which had dragged on for more than half a century. Disputes like this have been continuous since the arrival of "The European Newcomers" in this hemisphere. At Stoney Point, like Kahnesatake and Gustafsen Lake, Aboriginal Peoples know that land rights flow directly from Aboriginal Title and Inherent Rights. To us, the broad underlying issue is sovereignty. For non-Aboriginal partners in the Coalition, this responsibility is based on the clear violations of human and civil rights which Aboriginal Peoples have experienced in this land since the time of European contact. Dudley's death is just one recent, but horrible, example. We support self-determination of Aboriginal Peoples. We feel an obligation to work together with the original Peoples of this land to publicly uncover the truth about how our government acted during this Aboriginal land rights protest. We are also alarmed about what is happening to the democratic right to protest in this country of Canada. Unarmed protestors were fired on by Police, several were injured, one was killed, and all levels of government are refusing to hold a Public Inquiry into the circumstances of this attack. When we talk about Dudley's death we use terms such as: race-related murder, hate crime, and genocide. When we discuss the reasons why Dudley was in Ipperwash Park that night, involved in an unarmed occupation protesting for return of Stoney Point territory to Stoney Point People with a few dozen others from the community, we identify such factors as: land theft, secrecy, cultural oppression, and racism. When we analyze the punishment and retribution ordered by the courts for Acting Sergeant Kenneth Deane and the others responsible for Dudley's death, we are reminded that Aboriginal people do not find justice through the justice system. Because this is how our Coalition views the death of Dudley George, we are profoundly committed to a public exposure of the government's actions on that day of September 6, 1995, when Dudley George was shot. We find it totally unacceptable that Ontario and Canadian governments could have allowed or encouraged this situation to escalate to the point of this para-military assault on the Stoney Point People, in which Dudley died and others were injured. We demand accountability by the leaders, politicians and police for what happened_ so that it will not happen again. Our Coalition believes that the links we are building - involving Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples, from communities, human rights and anti-racism organizations, faith groups, labour unions, and numerous other groups - are essential and will ultimately be effective. It will take all of us working together to uncover the truth. All of the individuals and institutions responsible for Dudley's death seek to prevent a public examination. They are not only hiding what they did on September 6, 1995 and the events directly leading up to that night, but they are also seeking to avoid any public examination of their deeds for decades or centuries before that night. On the other hand, each of us firmly believes that our destiny, our human and democratic rights, and the quality of our children's future rest on a complete exposure of the events which led to that assault on Stoney Point People on September 6, 1995. Dudley's death by OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) bullets was a crime against humanity, and as humans we are all responsible to do something about it. We are committed to working to create a public process in which the full truth will come out about the events surrounding the death of Dudley George. ____________________________________ Tariq Hassan-Gordon National Racial Equality Coordinator Canadian University Press c/o Arthur, Trent University Student Newspaper 302 King St. Peterborough ON K9J 2S5 phone/fax: 705-748-1786 email: thassan@trentu.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: Anishinabe Launches Hunger Strike" --------- Date: Thu, 5 Mar 1998 17:32:40 -0600 From: "Native American Press" Subj: Jailed Anishin