From gars@netcom.com Wed Apr 22 01:03:18 1998 Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 19:34:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.017 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 017 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, April 25, 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 FOL-L, Triballaw, Info Hawaii & Nat-Film Lists; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; UUCP email; Newsgroups: alt.native, soc.culture.native Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. IMPORTANT!! ----------- To all who send copywrite protected articles, make very sure you have permission from the copywrite holder (a newspaper, the AP, a magazine, an author) because a new law is now in effect that says you can be prosecuted even if there is no monetary gain. Just because a newspaper has a website where it posts some or all of its editions does not grant permission for their redistribution. Be careful and be sure you pass on the items you do with full permission. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@netcom.com ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org Thanks to Borries Demeler all _Wotanging_Ikche_ (part a) submissions to AISESnet are archived under AISESnet and can be accessed easily by World Wide Web: 1994: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/94_dis.html 1995: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/95_dis.html 1996: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/96_dis.html 1997: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/97_dis.html This is a searchable index to the AISESnet Discussion mailing list database archive, and the keyword "Wotanging" will retrieve all issues for that year. 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. "When we go hunting, it is not out arrow that kills the moose, however powerful be the bow; it is nature that kills him." __ Big Thunder [Bedagi], Wabanaki Algonquin +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! I recently saw an exchange that amused me a little and saddened me a lot. A trader at a gathering took great exception to the display of another trader. After several pointed exchanges, not a great deal was altered or resolved to suit the "offended" trader, who spent the rest of the time at the event in a surly mood. The sad thing is the setup that wasn't pristine enough was being run by an elder who would have gladly shared knowledge and a pleasant weekend had there been someone open and receptive to share it with. I pass this on so maybe some one of you won't miss a great opportunity to let your path be blessed by wisdom trees because you are too busy being distracted by a few nearby weeds. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Thanks to Mike Wicks for these reminders: In Memory (with Respect and Honor) AIM Casualties on Pine Ridge, 1973-1976 4.19.1974 Roxeine Roark - AIM supporter killed at Porcupine by "unknown assailants." Investigation open, still "pending." 4.23.1973 Between eight and twelve individuals (names unknown) packing supplies into wounded Knee were intercepted by Goons [Guardians of the Oglala Nation] and vigilantes. None were ever heard from again. Former Rosebud Tribal President Robert Burnette and U.S. Justice Department Solicitor General Kent Frizzell conducted unsuccessful search for a mass grave after Wounded Knee siege. No further investigation. Peace! Night Owl , , Gary Night Owl gars@netcom.com (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@nanews.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@igc.apc.org ===w=w=== gars@bellsouth.net Fax: 770-528-9643 gars@juno.com ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Shoshones Take Cue - International War Crimes Tribunal from Ward Valley - NWLPSN Urgent Appeal - Democrats Join Ward Valley - Plymouth Court Update Dump Fight - National Aboriginal Veterans - Tortoises Join Ward Valley Association Occupation - Chiapas: Calls for Action - BLM Fines Western Shoshone - Petroglyph National Monument - Buffalo Nations Needs Help - Save Languages From Extinction - Charges Dropped Against - Youth Occupy BCTC Offices Bison Activist - Taino Sign Historic Declaration - Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects - Longhouse Being Built - Campbell's Soup Labels - Name of Blackfoot Confederacy - Friends of Lubicon Defeat Daishowa - The Aboriginal Voice in the - FOL Press Statement Canadian Unity Debate - Clark Denies Aboriginal Veto Power - Part II Hunger Strike Letter - Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash - Native Prisoner - Peltier Home Press Release - DECLARATION of Indigenous Peoples - Peltier/Marine - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Race Commission's Original Sin - Conferences and Powwows - Taking a Stand in Hawaii Politics --------- "RE: Shoshones Take Cue from Ward Valley" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 12:29:14 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Shoshones take cue from Ward Valley--Occupy Test Site UUCP email Tuesday, April 14, 1998 Protesters: Test site violates land Shoshones, inspired by the tribes rallying against a dump proposal in California, lay claim to federal acreage. By Keith Rogers - Review-Journal Western Shoshones supported by hundreds of protesters erected a teepee Monday beyond the entrance to the Nevada Test Site and claimed to occupy, land close to where the government conducted 928 nuclear weapons tests between 1951 and 1992. Test site spokesman Derek Scammell said 110 protesters were arrested Monday. That brought to 114 the number of citations issued for trespassing since Friday during a series of rallies targeting the test site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. All those cited were released shortly afterward. By late Monday, about 25 protesters remained at the demonstration site on a stretch of Department of Energy land a quarter of a mile north of the test site's Mercury entrance off US Highway 95. The location is federal land bordered by a Nevada Department of Transportation fence. Scammell said a group of Western Shoshones and their spiritual leader, Corbin Harney, erected the teepee after entering through a section of fence that had been cut. Two groups, each with about 100 protesters, congregated at dawn at the Mercury entrance and the teepee's location. Scammell said the 10 who were arrested had spread out on federal land from the core demonstration site. The others were allowed to remain. "We're just going to leave them alone," Scammell said. "They're not doing any harm to anybody. They'll eventually just pack up and leave, I guess. A Department of Energy security contractor, Wackenhut Services Inc., was helped in the arrests by the Nye County Sheriff's Office and the Nevada Highway Patrol. In statements and in a low-power radio broadcast from Peace Camp, an area on public land south of the Mercury entrance, protesters from the Las Vegas-based Shundahai Network bemoaned the Department of Energy for contaminating American Indian lands. "They're broadcasting the fact that DOE is on Shoshone property and desecrating the Earth. Everything is peaceful," Scammell said. The protesters said they were inspired by five Colorado River tribes that set up camp Feb. 13 in Ward Valley, Calif., 117 miles south of Las Vegas, to protest Interior Department plans for releasing the land to California for a low-level radioactive waste dump. That occupation is nearing the two-month mark, and the tribes have said they will not budge until Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt or President Clinton visits the Ward Valley site. Babbitt on Monday was visiting Mount Charleston. Asked what he intends to do about the Ward Valley occupation, he said , "We'll just keep working on it." Harney, who is Shundahai Network's executive director, said in a statement at the test site that the Shoshones "were put here by the creator as a native people to take care of this land and all the life on it. "Shoshone people have taken care of this land for thousands of years. The government has stolen this land from us and now it is very contaminated. For 50 years they have kept us out with fences and guards," Harney said. Scammell said 91 protesters were arrested on Sunday. Many of those were from a religious-based contingent of peace activists known as the Nevada Desert Experience. Thirteen were arrested Friday. On Monday, they rejoined a throng of up to 300 protesters at Peace Camp. 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: Democrats Join Ward Valley Dump Fight" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 16:13:54 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Democrats Join Ward Valley Dump Fight UUCP email Wednesday, April 15, 1998 Democrats Join Ward Valley Dump Fight Environment: Department lacks authority to buy land, legislative leaders say. By FRANK CLIFFORD, Times Environmental Writer Democratic leaders of the California Legislature have asked the White House to halt negotiations with Gov. Pete Wilson aimed at transferring the proposed Ward Valley nuclear dump site to the state. Wilson's proposal to acquire the land is illegal because the state Department of Health Services, which has been negotiating to buy the land, lacks authority to do so, the leaders say. A political battleground for the past decade, the 1,000-acre patch of desert close to the Arizona border has pitted the Wilson administration against environmental activists and local Indian tribes who fear that radioactive waste from the dump would contaminate the water table and eventually make its way to the Colorado River, 20 miles away. The new letter--signed by state Sen. President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco), Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles) and Speaker Pro Tem Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica)--is the strongest recent signal the Democratic leaders have sent on Ward Valley. "It's the first time in several years the Legislature has engaged on the issue, and it creates a new political dynamic," said John Garamendi, the Clinton administration's deputy secretary of the Interior. "The legislators have raised several critical issues regarding the legality of the state's position, and we will be taking a serious look at those issues," Garamendi said. Citing "an internal Wilson administration memorandum," the legislative leaders say the governor's office has known since 1991 that the Department of Health Services did not have legal authority to purchase the Ward Valley property. Moreover, the letter says that in a "flagrant effort" to avoid legislative scrutiny of the deal, the Department of Health Services further violated state law by arranging to pay for the land with a $500,000 "gift" from US Ecology, the firm hired to operate the dump. Speaking for the Wilson administration, Elisabeth Brandt, chief administrative law judge for the Department of Health Services, said the department was authorized to acquire the land under a state government code permitting any state agency to take title of land to be used for public purposes with the permission of the state's director of finance. "We had that [permission]," Brandt said. She said the department was directed to seek funds from US Ecology by legislation that banned the use of tax money for the purchase of the land. That legislation, she said, also required that "the designated licensee"--US Ecology--advance money for the purchase price and recapture it from operating fees. So far, the Interior Department has put off a decision on transferring the land pending the completion of tests to determine the safety of the site. That testing was postponed after Native American protesters, who continue to occupy the site, said they would not allow the tests to take place. They have been joined by other activists who object to the dump because it would imperil habitat of the desert tortoise. The state's Department of Health Services and US Ecology have sued the Department of Interior to force the land transfer, accusing Interior officials of breach of contract. 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: Tortoises Join Ward Valley Occupation" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 16:51:11 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Tortoises Join Ward Valley Occupation! UUCP email April 9, 1998 - Day 53 of the Ward Valley Occupation: As he moved slowly from the north into the village of Silyaye Aheace, the tortoise gazed from side to side. He and his relatives had felt strong prayers and strong hearts while they slept their winter's sleep. Now it was time to see what was going on this, his home. As he moved through the village he say people working and laughing, children playing and flags whipping in the breeze. The sight made him happy, for he knew these people were here to protect him and this sacred valley he lives in. As he continued his journey the people saw him. Their hearts were joyous. They kept their distance and welcomed him. He enjoyed the sounds of happy voices and basked in the warmth of their smiles. He felt safe here. He knew these people would not pick him us, prod and poke him. They would not glue strange devices to his back. He felt no fear, no trepidation; he felt only love. Toward the center of the village he found ashes on the ground. He could tell these were ashes from the sacred fire that burned there. He felt the power of the prayers that had been offered around that fire. He could feel Creator here. He ate some of those ashes are carried that power away with him. He then turned to the west and made his way back into the desert.. He moved slowly deliberately, taking his time to glean every detail so he could tell his relatives about their new friends. And as he made his way back he thought, "Maybe humanity isn't all bad for in these people I see love, compassion and caring for Mother Earth. Maybe there is hope for us after all." This visit by our first tortoise to come into the village came on the day negotiations between the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance - Ft. Mojave, Chemehuevi, Cocopah, Quechan, and Colorado River Indian Tribes - seemed to have broken off. We, at the camp, felt honored by his visit and took it as a sign that the valley and its natural inhabitants welcome us. We have since had other visits. The tortoises seem content with our presence; they appear to enjoy our greetings. Basil Fass, Ft. Mojave Elder, said, "See, they show us they are here. They bless us when they come. They know we will win this fight for our sacred land. " 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: BLM Fines Western Shoshone" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 98 18:09:30 PDT From: Western Shoshone Defense Project Subj: BLM Fines Western Shoshone UUCP email ***For Immediate Release*** BLM Fines Western Shoshone, Ignoring Human Rights Concerns On April 6, the Western Shoshone National Council and the Western Shoshone Dann Family received an Order to Remove and Demand of Payment for livestock grazing on Western Shoshone ancestral territory that is claimed by the U.S. as "public" land. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is escalating this decades-old conflict over indigenous land despite a direct request to stay proceeding by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and pending domestic litigation concerning Western Shoshone land rights -and despite vocal protest from local Western Shoshone communities and their supporters. The fines demanded by the BLM total more than a half million dollars - approximately $494,000.00 to the WSNC, and $70,000 to Dann Family members. Notices sent last October levied millions against members of the Traditional Western Shoshone Cattlegrazers-a group of Western Shoshone who also refuse to pay the U.S. for use of their homelands. Many Western Shoshone see the fines as efforts by the BLM to force them to give up their continued ties to the land. "Fines are the newest way that the BLM is using to bring an end to Traditional Western Shoshone peoples, and our spiritual and cultural ways," says Carrie Dann, a Western Shoshone grandmother who has been fighting for Western Shoshone land rights for decades. "We are tied to this land, and we are not leaving." This is the first time the BLM has sent Notices to the Western Shoshone National Council as a responsible party-in effect, recognizing the Council's jurisdiction in the dispute. On March 26, 1992, the Western Shoshone National Council "nationalized" the majority of livestock tended by the Dann sisters. "As a demonstration of its sovereignty, the Western Shoshone National Council has nationalized the livestock belonging to Mary and Carrie Dann. From henceforth, these livestock will be under the total ownership and management of the Western Shoshone National Council... Any attempt by the United States to interfere with the livelihood of the Western Shoshone and the peaceful conduct of their lives will be considered an illegal act under international law." --WSNC Notice of Livestock Nationalization. The BLM has used previous court decisions to justify their actions against the Danns; however, no mention was made of the WSNC in these decisions and no court has ever ruled against the WSNC. Fines issued to mining corporations for environmental damage are paltry compared to those issued to these small, family-based Western Shoshone ranches. Several mining companies within Mary and Carrie Dann's traditional lands in the Crescent Valley area have been issued meager fines by state agencies; the BLM however, rarely, if ever, issues fines to mining corporations. In 1992 the Buckhorn Mine was fined only $2,000 for fuel spills while groundwater polluted with cyanide and acid mine drainage incurred no penalties. Nor was Oro Nevada Mining Company charged for a sump polluted by hydraulic oil, despite failing to report it. Cortez Gold has repeatedly violated their water pollution control permit, but was fined only $4,000 - a fee waived when the company agreed to build a cattle-guard and maintain a fence. Mary and Carrie Dann are charging the U.S. with contemporary human rights violations in front of the Organization of American States' Inter- American Commission on Human Rights. In both 1993 and this March, the Commission apparently considered the Dann's charges sufficiently compelling to request that the U.S. stay its actions against the Danns until it could investigate the case. But the U.S. has so far refused to respect the Commission's request. Jim Anaya, lead counsel for the case states: "The refusal of the U.S. to honor a reasonable request by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights calls into question this government's professed commitment to human rights generally and to indigenous peoples in particular. And it is an insult to the OAS and its members." Furthermore, the Western Shoshone National Council has cases pending in two domestic courts - the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. "The Supreme Court never considered facts in making a ruling, simply relied on what was "found" by the Indian Land Claims Commission - and never legally documented. The land title itself has never been litigated, until now," says Western Shoshone National Council Chief Raymond Yowell. This matter is of importance to the entire Shoshone Nation because it concerns their ancestral homelands. This was made clear to the BLM at a meeting on February 23 by representatives from the Yomba and Wells Councils as well as by 15 other concerned local Western Shoshone. The South Fork and Timbisha Shoshone Councils sent letters condemning the BLM's previous issue of unlawful Notices against Western Shoshone citizens using their ancestral lands. In April, the Yomba Shoshone Tribal Council and the Winnemucca Tribal Council of the Western Bands of the Western Shoshone Nation passed resolutions condemning the BLM's actions and demanding U.S. compliance with the OAS's request. Despite these proceedings and the concern of other Western Shoshone citizens and Tribal Governments, the BLM claims to "not believe this is a human rights or land ownership issue." In fact, the BLM has not responded to documents supporting Western Shoshone land rights, which were presented to the BLM after Notices of Trespass and Unauthorized Use were issued February 19th. "We stand on the 1863 Treaty of Ruby Valley which has been verified as being in 'full force and effect' in two United States Courts. Each party in the treaty recognized the other as a Nation, making all future contacts on an international level. Treaties are the Supreme Law of the land, and cannot be unilaterally overruled by the Supreme Court. Clearly, U.S. conduct with us has not been on an international level. The Western Shoshone remain open to discussion at the proper level as part of the resolution to the ongoing conflict," states Chief Yowell. The Western Shoshone have made several attempts to negotiate the conflict with the Department of the Interior and the BLM. In 1995, the Western Shoshone National Council and the Dann sisters proposed that the Bureau of Land Management and the Western Shoshone co-manage the lands in Crescent Valley as a means to resolve this dispute. The BLM rejected the offer and continues to insist that the Western Shoshone must be in full compliance with BLM regulations. This rejection points to what the Western Shoshone have known all along: over-grazing of the land is not the issue; the BLM is only interested in asserting complete control over Western Shoshone aboriginal lands. Western Shoshone Defense Project PO Box 211106 Crescent Valley, Nevada 89821 Ph: 702-468-0230 Fax: 702-468-0237 http://www.alphacdc.com/wsdp/ and http://www.teleport.com/~amt/planetpeace/wsdp --------- "RE: Buffalo Nations Needs Help" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 15:01:49 -0500 From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations) Subj: Buffalo Nations Needs Help!!!!! UUCP email BUFFALO NATIONS NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! 4/16/98 OVER 50 MORE BUFFALO OUT OF THE PARK TODAY Just when we thought Spring was here and the buffalo were headed back to the park, what do you know, more than 50 came out of the park today in all different areas!! Spring snow storms may be the cause of this exodus at such a late date. Buffalo Nations needs your help. NOW! The D.O.L. knows about all of them and they are certainly in town. Our conversations with them (yes, we've been chatting) leave us with little knowledge, only educated guesses, about what they're planning. This is an extremely critical time! Many of the buffalo are females and calves and are considered high risk (at least the females) by the D.O.L. Therefore, who knows?! Will they shoot, will they haze, will they what???? Buffalo Nations has immediate need for people to monitor both the D.O.L. and the buffalo, and if possible haze them back into the safety of the park. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you can spare any time at all we need your help. We have limited number of people to cover all the areas they are going to. We need at least 25 people per day to protect these beautiful buffalo. Hopefully, this is only temporary and the buffalo will be going back to the park on their own accord, but we cannot risk leaving them unprotected. Please joins us soon. And spread the word. Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buffalo-talk is a service of Buffalo Nations and the Wild Rockies InfoNet at http://www.wildrockies.org. You can subscribe to this list by sending a message to: mailto:wild-rockies-lists@vortex.wildrockies.org with the words: in the subject line. --------- "RE: Charges Dropped Against Bison Activist" --------- Date: 98-04-13 16:10:33 EDT From: buffalo@wildrockies.org (Buffalo Nations Subj: Charges Dropped Against Bison Activist UUCP email Buffalo Nations P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, Mt. 59758 Phone (406)646-0070 Fax (406)646-0071 E-mail buffalo@wildrockies.org. CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST BISON ACTIVIST FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : April 13, 1998 Media Contact : Michael Mease, (406)646-0070 "The truth of what the Montana Department of Livestock is doing to the buffalo can not be withheld from the public," Michael Mease, Buffalo Nations co-founder, said after learning charges against him were dropped. "The police can not allow one journalist access and deny another, and justice has prevailed." The charge of obstructing a peace officer stemmed from a January 29th incident in which Mease entered the dump to document the slaughtering of six bison that had been shot on Horse Butte, near West Yellowstone, Montana. Mease was arrested for not leaving the premises even though he had permission to be there from the owner of the dump at that time. The charge against Mease was dismissed on April 8. "The selective oppression placed on the buffalo is also being placed on the members of Buffalo Nations. As I was released so shall the buffalo, and we will be here until it happens," Mease said. Buffalo Nations is an organization of volunteers working in West Yellowstone and Gardiner, MT to stop the slaughter of wild buffalo when they migrate outside Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax buffalo@wildrockies.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Buffalo-talk is a service of Buffalo Nations and the Wild Rockies InfoNet at http://www.wildrockies.org. You can subscribe to this list by sending a message to: mailto:wild-rockies-lists@vortex.wildrockies.org with the words: in the subject line. --------- "RE: Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects" --------- Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 00:21:19 -0400 From: Mike Wicks Subj: Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects UUCP email As many of you already know, Kathy Morning Star, Steven Baggs, and myself are working with people of Standing Rock to stop youth suicides. We have created the following flyer, and also placed it on-line at; http://home1.gte.net/mwicks/info.html We believe this to be a very important project to be involved in, and hope you feel the same. Please contribute whatever you can, even if that is just printing off a copy of the flyer to inform others. Also, feel free to forward this flyer to anyone that you think can be of help. Love and Respect Mike ====================================================================== Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects Donations needed for Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects - Standing Rock Youth Suicide has been ravaging the Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota. Suicides among the youth have been at epidemic proportions. With an unemployment rate of 76%, poverty level living conditions, and many of the adult population in despair, a lot of youth in Standing Rock are left with no home life, no pride, and their only feeling of unity is in gangs and suicide pacts. There is a Crisis Center there, run by four women, who are trying to care for 100 to 200 youth who are experiencing depression and showing suicidal tendencies. Counselors are volunteering to assist and many projects are being planned, however, the basic daily needs of these children - our future - must be met. Healthy bodies make for healthy minds. These basic needs are the foundation on which to build on with the TRADITIONAL healing and Counseling efforts, as well as the Summer Camp projects. Below are food, clothing, and other items that are desperately in need. CASH donations are also needed to supply fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and to help send these youth to the Summer Camps that the Crisis Center organizes. These Camps, which cost about $20 per youth, are a week long each and provide for 'quality' time with the personnel and counselors at the Center. They provide Traditional activities to invigorate pride in their culture and themselves, and instill a sense of unity and hope. CASH DONATIONS can be made to "Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects" or "HYSP". All donations should be sent to; Helmina Makes Him First P.O. Box 53 Little Eagle, SD 57639 In the memo field, specify "Summer Camp" or "Food". Food & Personal Care Items Cereals, hot & cold Flour, whole wheat or white Rice Bread/Muffin Mixes Canned Soups, Stews, Veggies Beans Pancake/Waffle Mixes Canned or Dried Fruits Gravy Mix Coffee and Tea Kool Aid Mac & Cheese Crackers Diabetic Snack Foods Powdered Milk Seasoning Mixes Ramin Noodles Sweet N Low Coffee Creamer Granola & Health Bars Fruit Roll-ups* Candies* Jello & Pudding Mixes Paper Towels Toilet Paper Combs & Brushes Toothpaste Tooth Brushes Shampoos & Conditioners Deodorants Bath Soap Dish & Laundry Soaps Bobby Pins Baby Powder Diapers Aspirin Antibiotic Ointments BandAids Tylenol Children's Tylenol Ointments for Diaper Rash *Candies and other treats are given as rewards for doing lessons, homework, etc. Clothing and shoes are in desperate need, in infant sizes up through 21 years; male and female. (Some of the youth have infants.) OTHER ITEMS: Wash cloths & Towels Sheets - Single & Double Blankets Pillows Sleeping Bags Coffee Pots Toasters Kitchen Utensils Toys Art and writing supplies are also needed, such as paper, pens, pencils (reg or colored), crayons, markers, pencil sharpeners, scissors including some child-safe ones, child-safe glues, colored construction paper, paints,and paint brushes, lined notebook paper, envelopes, and postage stamps. Writing supplies are to assist the youth with the Pen Pal Project, while art supplies are for youth activities. Material for quilting, as well as batting, sewing kits, sewing supplies and yarn. For further information contact; Kathy Morning Star at mornstar@bellatlantic.net or Mike Wicks at mwicks@gte.net or Steven Baggs at sbaggs@dtgnet.com *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* = mwicks@gte.net /\_/\ Peppertree Software Co. = * There are none so (_o o_) P.O. box 1783 * = blind as those that \o/ Lutz, FL = * will not see. shpshftr 33548-1783 * = http://home1.gte.net/mwicks/index.html = *=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=* --------- "RE: Campbell's Soup Labels" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 11:27:14 -0500 From: AKICITA Subj: Campbell's Soup Labels Newsgroup: alt.native Hey! We need help. The Eagle Butte Baptist Church on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation operates with almost no money, but continues to provide emergency care to others in need all across the reservation. To help subsidize this project, they have made an agreement with a South Dakota car dealership to get a new van in exchange for a certain number of collected Campbell's soup labels. With its old van, the church has been able to deliver food and medicine to homebound elders, drive people from small outlying communities to medical appointments and counseling, deliver hundreds of pounds of winter emergency supplies (diapers, fix-a-flat, food, hygiene supplies, toys, medications, baby bottles, etc.). Unfortunately, this van has deteriorated and cannot be relied on for emergency or bad-weather driving. The minister there is a fullblood Lakota man who provides these services out of his own pocket, and could really benefit from our combined support of his sacrificial work. If you can help collect soup labels (or ask your friends, churches, school, etc.), please get in touch with me at Akicita@nstar.net and I will send you the address of the church. This is the kind of service project you can confidently support, because you'll notice that nobody is asking for money at all, only for soup labels. It's that easy! --------- "RE: Friends of Lubicon Defeat Daishowa" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 11:21:43 -0400 From: Kahn-Tineta Horn Subj: FRIENDS OF LUBICON DEFEAT DAISHOWA AND WIN FOR EVERYBODY: CASNP Mailing List: FOL-L FRIENDS OF THE LUBICON DEFEAT DAISHOWA AND WIN FOR EVERYBODY STATEMENT OF CANADIAN ALLIANCE IN SOLIDARITY WITH NATIVE PEOPLE 14-Apr-98. This favourable decision against Daishowa, a Japanese multinational corporation, who were trying to get a court order to stop criticism of their lawsuit against the boycott of their paper products because it was harming its business, is a victory for the Friends of the Lubicon, supporters of Indigenous people and all people. The pressure can now continue to try to stop other multinational corporations from exploiting unceded territory of other Indigenous nations. It shows that the Lubicon Cree Nation should have been given a satisfactory settlement before logging started on their land. This is seen as a setback for multinationals who are hungry for Indigenous lands and resources. In particular, Daishowa, was named by the Multinational Minitor as one of the "Ten Worst Corporations of 1996", calling the company "rotten to the core" for its attempts to silence Canadians criticial of their activities. There obviously was no legal basis for the gag order that was put on the Friends of the Lubicon. We continue to stand by the Friends of the Lubicon and thank them for their efforts on behalf of all natives and for all people. They won for everybody people who can now keep resisting the overwhelming forces of the multinationals. The courts were very practical in their approach . For once the justice system seem to work. Kahn-Tineta Horn, President CASNP For More Information Contact: Friends of the Lubicon: fol@tao.ca --------- "RE: FOL Press Statement" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 13:30:20 -0400 From: fol@tao.ca Subj: FOL Press statement, 4/14/98 Mailing List: FOL-L Friends of the Lubicon press statement, April 14 1998 Today's decision is an important one for ourselves and for all Canadians who have, for the last 3 years, watched Daishowa threaten rights we all hold dear. But most importantly, today's decision is a signal to the federal government that Lubicon land rights must be resolved politically, that negotiations cannot be endlessly delayed. The Minister of Indian Affairs must sit down at the table and begin sincere, good faith negotiations by reaffirming agreements already made and using comprehensive Lubicon settlement proposals as a simple basis for identifying areas for negotiation. Justice McPherson explicitly states that the "current state of affairs for the Lubicon Cree ... deserves the adjectives tragic, desperate and intolerable." The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that these issues are not fought out in the courts and in the marketplace, but so far, despite numerous promises, they have failed miserably to uphold that responsibility. But Daishowa has a responsibility as well. Daishowa is responsible for its own actions. They can choose not to exploit the ambiguous state of Lubicon land rights by refraining from stealing resources from those lands before the rights are settled. For three years now, Daishowa has instead tried to bully their way out of the problem. It should be clear by now that we will not be intimidated, bankrupted or silenced. All we've ever asked Daishowa to do is to make a clear, public and unequivocal commitment not to cut or buy wood cut on Lubicon territories until a land rights settlement has been reached with both levels of government and a harvesting agreement negotiated with the Lubicons which respects Lubicon wildlife and environmental concerns. Daishowa has tried bluffing, and they've tried bullying, maybe now they should try responding to the simple request the Lubicon have put before them. Upon receiving this decision, our first instinct was to restart the boycott immediately. However we will instead give Daishowa some time to consider making the right decision. We will wait ten days. If, after those ten days, Daishowa still refuses to make the commitment to do the responsible thing, we will again begin contacting major Daishowa customers. And frankly, the boycott will be bigger than before and it will extend across several jurisdictions. We will use our freedom of expression to its fullest extent. The bottom line is that citizens in any country have a responsibility and a right to challenge injustices by their governments and they have a responsibility and a right to challenge injustices by the corporations which operate in their country. We have fulfilled that responsibility to act on our conscience, and we will continue to use whatever democratic means are available to us to ensure that the rights of the Lubicon people are respected, because only in doing so can we ensure that all Canadians rights are respected. Kevin Thomas for Friends of the Lubicon --------- "RE: Clark Denies Aboriginal Veto Power" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 19:44:44 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NDP leader says "consult" then business as usual :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: CLARK DENIES ABORIGINAL VETO POWER Vancouver Sun, April 11, 1998, by Justine Hunter [S.I.S.I.S. note: The following mainstream news article may contain biased or distorted information and may be missing pertinent facts and/or context. It is provided for reference only.] VICTORIA -- Premier Glen Clark admits his government's ability to process applications for business activities on Crown land is bogging down because of the uncertainty over aboriginal rights. But he insists a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling last December doesn't give native Indians veto power over such applications. The ruling in the so-called Delgamuukw case said the government has a duty to offer something "significantly deeper than mere consultation" with First Nations when making decisions regarding Crown lands that are subject to land claims. "Some cases may even require the full consent of an aboriginal nation," it said. Clark admitted the "aboriginal question makes things more complicated and does slow down some of the approvals we would like."But he added: "That does not mean that we can't proceed with applications. In fact we are, so the question is making sure we do the consultation that's required before we make decisions and that's what we are trying to do."In response to the Delgamuukw decision, the First Nations Summit has called for a freeze on further development of Crown lands and resources, pending the "full and informed consent" of native Indians.According to a government report, development on Crown land is worth $2.9 billion a year to the economy and supports 44,000 jobs.As well, the government is hoping to boost the sale of Crown lands this year -- from $35 million last year to $67 million -- reducing the base that can be subject to land claims." "The policy is, basically, that we consult with aboriginal people as required by the Supreme Court decision, and then we carry on and do business," Clark said in an interview. "Consultation doesn't mean that we give veto power to aboriginal people, consultation means we consult with them."The Liberal Opposition raised the issue of delays in Crown land development this week, releasing a leaked government document that says B.C. lost 20,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in economic activity last year because of a increasing delays in processing applications.While the report blamed government cutbacks for the delays, it also points to a brewing dispute between the B.C. government and aboriginals. Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit said the province is going to have to realize it can't proceed with business as usual."The Supreme Court of Canada recognized the existence of aboriginal title as a legal interest in land and in that case it doesn't mean that anyone -- the federal or the provincial government -- can run roughshod over that title, even by consulting us and then going on and doing their own business," John said. "It doesn't work like that."He noted talks with the federal and provincial governments are continuing on how to proceed, but he indicated Clark's position is not helpful."What the province is saying is, 'We have jurisdiction and we are going to do everything to exercise our authority, come hell or high water.'"If that's the approach, it's going to create problems for us," he said. "In order to minimize the fight and and the problems in the future, we are saying, 'Don't issue any more licences until you have a way in which you involve First Nations and the First Nations have a say in their territories where aboriginal title continues to exist.' "The federal government, which holds just a small portion of land in the province, has taken the position that if aboriginal title is impacted by a decision on federal land, First Nations must consent to any changes. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Vancouver Sun: mailto:sunletters@pacpress.southam.ca More information on Delgamuukw: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/gitksan.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/scchoax.html In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 19:56:05 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: ANNA MAE PICTOU-AQUASH Newsgroup: alt.native,soc.culture.native This is a continuing request to join our e-mail campaign in regarding justice for my cousin. I want to personally thank the people worldwide who have answered my call.. I ask everyone to read; http://www.dickshovel.netgate.net/annaarch.html http://www.dickshovel.com/brabnc.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra1.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra2.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra3.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra4.html http://www.dickshovel.com/bra5.html Remember the Canadian and American Government's are working on Anna Mae's and Leonard's case, it is going to happen Folks, Stay Strong, We Will Win. Remember Anna Mae has and would do this for us. In the Spirit of Anna Mae, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe PO Box 681, Rimrock, AZ 86335 520-567-7229 bbmicmac@sedona.net PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT, AS I HAVE PROMISED, THINGS ARE HAPPENING. --------- "RE: Peltier Home Press Release" --------- Date: 17 Apr 1998 01:52:02 GMT From: lpcfound@aol.com (LPCFound) Subj: "PELTIER HOME" PRESS RELEASE Newsgroup: alt.native For more information: LPCFOUND Website Address: http://members.aol.com/lpcfound/homepage.html PRESS RELEASE: THE LEONARD PELTIER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION,INC. Benefiting Disadvantaged American Indian Children Across America The LPCF is a non-profit, non-political entity working to "Honor the Man". while at the same time Leonard Peltier political supporter's "Defend the Man's Honor". Leonard Peltier had a vision. This vision will become a reality. The LPCF was Founded and Incorporated on March 1, 1996 to raise funds through private and grant contributions to build a home "Peltier Home" on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. The "Peltier Home" will house up to 20 disadvantaged American Indian children, including infants up to age 17 years old. The Pine Ridge is one of the most needy Reservations in our Country. The teen suicide rate is most unfortunate and unpaved roads and hard, cold winters leave wood burning furnaces empty if there is no where to turn to for supplies. While the LPCF does not expect to be a cure-all solution, it will instill an encouraging atmosphere and a hope for a better future for the children. It is here on the Jumping Bull property that ten acres of land (have been donated by Calvin and Roslyn Jumping Bull) to begin this building process. Commemorating this historical landmark, it is here on this property that the 1975 Incident at Oglala shoot-out actually occurred which ultimately incarcerated Leonard Peltier. Leonard's dream is not only helping the future generations of American Indian children, but for all those willing to see prejudice take one more step down. The people on the Pine Ridge reservation cannot provide the means to support this program. It is our duty as a Nation to supply the needs of the children in our own Country. The LPCF program will help to preserve their traditional language, culture and history along with the modern day curriculum, a formula to walk in two worlds. Without your support, Leonard Peltier will have no "Peltier Home". From within the walls of the big iron house let him be "Free" to see his people prosper from his hopes and his dreams. It is a price for which he continues to sacrifice his own life. Leonard Peltier quotes "We all share in the Freedom to give the greatest gift of all with love and guided wisdom.... "TEACH THE CHILDREN WELL". For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact the LPCF at P.O. Box 681 Rimrock, Arizona 86335-0681, Office and Fax: 520-567-6523 Email: LPCFound@aol.com Website: http://members.aol.com/lpcfound/homepage.html (All donations should be made payable to: LPCF Inc.) They are submitted to the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Peltier Trust. Our LPCF Board of Director's is almost entirely Native Americans. Our second annual Board of Director's Meeting will be held on the Pine Ridge Reservation this June, 1998. A traditional prayer/dance ceremony with the children of the community will take place on the grounds of Oglala where the "Peltier Home" will be built. In the Spirit of Leonard Peltier and the "Future" of the American Indian Nations, the LPCF wishes to Thank-you in advance for your continued support. NOTICE: I am still working on the posting of photos for our website. However, I wanted to get this message to all of you asap. Hopefully this has helped to spell-it-out. People seem to be particularly inspired that the Peltier Home CAN be built on the Oglala grounds site. PLEASE, let us produce what it takes to accomplish this goal. I am working without a salary. I have been funding this program from day one. I'm taking it as far as it can go, but I certainly cannot go forward single handed. Thank- you to all! (Please bring forth the professionals and the support groups NOW). Inquire as to how you can assist. --------- "RE: Peltier/Marine" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 19:35:09 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: PELTIER-MARINE Newsgroups: soc.culture.native,alt.native General Charles C. Krulak Commandant of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps 2 Navy Annex Washington, DC 20380-1775 mailm@mqg-smtp3.usmc.mil Dear Sir, I am sending this letter as a direct request for your involvement in the Leonard Peltier Case. Leonard Peltier is a former Marine. He served from 1960 to 1961, being discharged with medical problems. Mr. Peltier gave his allegiance to this country and the Corps. Although Mr. Peltier did not serve in combat, he was in the service when it could have happened at anytime, needless to say, the sixties were a time of major unrest worldwide. We (Marines) talk of tradition, semper fi, fellowship of valor, once a marine, always a marine, well, this is the time to prove it. One of our's has been in jail for over 22 years, from my personal opinion, unjustly. We need someone to intervene in this case thats got a head on their shoulders. Someone that is not motivated by money or politics. If one of ours was still a POW in Vietnam, we would be there. Mr. Peltier is a POW in Leavenworth, Kansas. Let's look at the Combined Action Program, in Vietnam. Leonard Peltier was asked to do the same job for his people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975. I wouldn't stick my neck out in this case if I didn't feel I was right. I have met Mr. Peltier in person and communicate with him frequently. I invite you to do the same. I felt like taking my Silver Star off the wall and giving it to him. Sir, he is a great man, his people need him, we all need him. The President has Executive Clemency Papers on his desk. All he has to do is sign them. On May 4th, Leonard is due for a Parole hearing. I am asking you to intervene and take charge of this. We can not afford to leave this man in jail. Sir, my record speaks for itself, Serial #2157195, we have walked the same rice paddies and we both still believe. Let's get the job done. In the Spirit of the Corps, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe --------- "RE: Race Commission's Original Sin" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 11:59:03 EDT From: Xcolumn@aol.com Subj: Race Commission's Original Sin FROM UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE FOR RELEASE: WEEK OF APRIL 17, 1998 COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS by Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez COMMISSION REFUSES TO DEAL WITH ORIGINAL SIN When American Indians and Chicanos disrupted President Clinton's Race Commission hearing last month in Denver, the nation was perplexed and at a loss to explain the disruption of the president's "dog and pony show," as some protesters called it. They wanted to know why there were no American Indians on the commission, why no American Indian issues were being discussed, and why issues such as immigration were being ignored. Judging by the recent ESPN-sponsored race forum in Houston, that protest seemed to have had little impact. Once again, it was virtually a black- white affair, though this one resembled a love-fest between millionaires, hardly touching upon substantive issues facing the multiracial America of the next millennium. Though the subject was sports, it failed to address the continued use of racially offensive Indian mascots by college and professional teams. Despite the existence of the president's race commission, ESPN claimed it couldn't find any Latinos, except at the last moment. "We speak of leveling the playing field. We're not even on the field," said Johnnie Mata, a Houston member of the League of United Latin American Citizens and one of those critical of the race initiative. The race initiative lacks credibility because it's exclusive and does not involve genuine dialogue. "Instead of bringing us together, it's creating more dissension," said Linda Yardley, a Taos Indian and one of the protesters in Denver. She noted that the protesters favor the creation of a "red" ribbon panel and a cabinet-level position to examine issues affecting American Indians. America cannot have a genuine racial dialogue if this nation's original racial wounds are ignored. If an American Indian had been appointed, the issue of sovereignty, tribal rights and broken treaties would have been addressed, Yardley said. When President Clinton announced his race initiative, we wrote then that if the focus was going to be black-white, then we should simply dust off the 1968 Kerner Commission report because all the problems and solutions are already in there -- in black and white. However, our opposition to a black-white dialogue is not simply about demographics. That focus simply conforms to the East-to-West-biased view of U.S. history, and it actually ignores the fundamental race problem in this country -- that this society was founded upon land theft and genocide. Admittedly, this is not a comfortable subject, but neither is slavery nor reparations, which are being addressed. Clinton spoke to the issue of slavery on his recent trip to Africa. Professor Molefi Asante of Temple University, the leading Afrocentric scholar in the nation, recently told us that reparations may not necessarily be in the form of money, but rather, possibly through free tuition to universities and free housing allowances for descendants of slaves -- paid for by 246 years of free labor. Many whites tell blacks to "get over it," he said, but they want blacks to do this without society paying the remedy. Discussing land theft and treaties -- issues that affect Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans -- would open up a can of worms. And limiting the commission to seven members has virtually left these same groups, plus Arab Americans, Central Americans, Asian Americans and Eastern European immigrants, without voice or representation. "Out of sight. Out of mind," said Mata. An apology for American Indians would not be enough, said Suzanne Harjo, director of the Morning Star Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based American Indian civil rights organization. Reparations for American Indians would be to honor the treaties: "We have them and they broke them." A true race dialogue would examine not only conflict between whites and all people of color, but also the economic disparities and the politics of blame that pit people of color against each other. A genteel agenda -- with pre-selected guests and closed-door meetings -- will produce the disruption that occurred in Denver. It will also produce distrust as happened when the commission met in Phoenix, yet refused to discuss the racially divisive issue of immigration and the recent raids there by the U. S. Border Patrol. And it will produce discontent as has occurred in cities such as Houston and Dallas where people who are not black or white are excluded. Incidentally, an American Indian would not only help raise American Indian issues, but would also humanize the issue of immigration and would place it in its proper context. Until America faces this issue, or at least understands immigration from this point of view, public relations dialogues involving multimillionaires will accomplish little in addressing this nation's festering racial problems. COPYRIGHT 1998 UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE Both writers are authors of Gonzales/Rodriguez: Uncut & Uncensored (ISBN 0-918520-22-3 UC Berkeley, Ethnic Studies Library, Publications Unit. Rodriguez is the author of Justice: A Question of Race (Cloth ISBN 0-927534-69-X paper ISBN 0-927534-68-1 Bilingual Review Press) and the antibook, The X in La Raza II. They can be reached at PO BOX 7905, Albq NM 87194-7904, 505-247-3888 or XColumn@aol.com Currently traveling DePaul University April 18 UCSD April 20-May 1 U San Diego April 28 We're e-mail accessible --------- "RE: Taking a Stand in Hawaii Politics" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 17:18:51 -1000 From: Hawaii Nation Info Subj: Kumu Hula: Taking a stand in Hawaii politics Mailing List: Hawaii Nation Info Kumu Hula Taking a stand in Hawaii politics To many of them, hula is more than art. It's a way of life. Now they're taking that feeling and their visibility and using them to make a difference Honolulu Star-Bulletin Thursday, April 16, 1998 By Kekoa Catherine Enomoto Kumu hula are mounting a larger stage: that of politics. As tonight's Merrie Monarch hula contest unfolds, the kumu are choreographing a different dance, the "House bill" hula. The 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition of kumu hula met recently with Waiahole activist/taro grower Calvin Hoe to discuss a House bill relating to irrigation. The meeting was one of a series of workshops and vigils held across the state to monitor proposed legislation. This new dance is a seamless pas de deux of culture and politics. As kumu hula Victoria Holt Takamine, one of seven Merrie Monarch judges and po'o (head) of 'Ilio'ulaokalani, said, "It was traditional in our culture for the alii (chiefs), who were the political leaders, to be experts in the chants, or oli, and the cultural protocols. "But today, culture and politics are separate," she said. Kumu hula Sonny Ching of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu is another coalition member. "The kumu hula are standing up and taking their place in the sovereignty movement," Ching said. "It's hard to say we're at the forefront of the movement, because so many other entities have come before us and done so much work in that direction, but the "kumu" is more prominent and visible as far as what we do as kumu hula. "With all the legislation, we no longer have that luxury of sitting back," said Ching, whose halau performs in Merrie Monarch group competition, "of staying in our halau and doing our own thing, because our existence is being threatened, our cultural level, our physical level. One hundred years from now, there may not be any Hawaiian people left." Alicia Smith, veteran kumu hula of Kalihi's Halau Na Maolipua, said nondance activism is vital. Last week Smith and Takamine joined kumu hula Manu Boyd and Kaho'onei Panoke and members of Halau Mohala 'Ilima in examining the bill on the Waiahole water system. Panoke marveled that Gov. Ben Cayetano could slash budgets yet find $10.2 million to buy the Waiahole Ditch from Amfac, whose lease expires in two years anyway. Other matters at the weekly 'Ilio meeting: Smith's daughter Pi'ilani, 1989 Miss Aloha Hula, will sell 'Ilio T-shirts at the Merrie Monarch, and an April 25 'Ilio meeting will plan a "Ke Ao Melemele" hula drama for the new millennium. The 'Ilio calendar also mapped out a May 20 workday in Waiahole taro patches, a May 22 public meeting at the University of Hawaii Center for Hawaiian Studies, and compiling of water chants for a December 1999 water-themed art show. Said Smith: "We are not practitioners of hula, because we do not 'practice' hula. We live it. A select number of us (kumu) are privileged to live the hula; so now we must actively protect it." Freshly minted activist Ching had testified against House Bill 2351, relating to traditional and customary rights. The proposed legislation would have restricted native Hawaiians from gathering on undeveloped lands the flowers and ferns that dancers weave into adornments for hula. Before a hushed crowd in the state Capitol auditorium Jan. 24, Ching had read: "With the practice of our culture through music and dance, we are a major part of the state's economy -- the visitor industry. If you remove some of the ingredients that assist the state's largest economic force, tourism, what would you have? 'Ole, nothing. "Visitors would surely go elsewhere as there would be nothing to make us different and unique. For that is what makes Hawaii Hawaii: the culture and the people who practice it," he said. So, while the Miss Universe Pageant waltzes into the Hawaii Convention Center for a May 12 coronation gala, Ching is using dance -- or the omission of dance -- as a political tool. "An excellent example is the convention center. We're not even allowed to use it," he said in an interview. "Yet for the grand opening, organizers want all the halau to come and line the Ala Wai Canal, with canoes coming down the Ala Wai. They want all the halau to dance, but they want us to do it for free." Firmly on a figurative soapbox, Ching did not pause to edit his remarks. "The state and the city always want it for free -- always, always, always. And that just bothers me. How can they do that? They planned; they had a budget. Yet they just crap all over us -- 'Oh, come, come, come.' They don't invite the Japanese, the Chinese, the Filipinos, Tongans or Samoans, because that doesn't represent the Hawaiian people." "'Ilio'ulaokalani as an organization will not participate," he said about the convention center opening. "For the individual halau, it's up to you; we don't want to impose our decision on others. But everybody who is really active in 'Ilio'ulaokalani will not participate. It's just for us to make a statement, that we won't be used that way." Ching's halau will dance on live television tomorrow and Saturday the poignant hula he has choreographed about the beauties and mythology of Hawaii. His "boycott House rep" hula is equally important. "All of these certain representatives," he laughed, "that actively participated in the writing and the pushing of these bills -- we're not performing at any of their fund-raisers. So how are they going to have Hawaiian music?" 1998 Honolulu Star-Bulletin http://starbulletin.com -- Maui Tomorrow P.O. Box 429 Makawao, Hawaii 96768 808-877-AINA fax 248-7761 mailto:aina@maui-tomorrow.org http://maui-tomorrow.org --------- "RE: International War Crimes Tribunal" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 11:05:29 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: International War Crimes Tribunal ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- From: IHandrense Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 23:48:21 EDT Subj: Bear Butte Council INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL MAY 5, 6, 7, 8, AND 9 1998 Bear Butte Council Oglala Lakota College, South Dakota International Indigenous Tribunal of Holders of Original Allodial Nations Title A Convening of the Original Hereditary Forum of Justice Diplomatic Dispatch Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nation International Treaty Government (Cheyenne, Shuswap, Algonquian Confederacies) Your Presence is Hereby Respectfully Requested at the International Tribunal of Original Nations Which Will Convene: Oglala Lakota College Three Mile Creek Road P.O. Box 490 Kyle, SD 57752 Reconvening of the Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations, national traditional government, international tribunal citing the USA, Canada, and the Holy See; the Vatican, Rome Italy. International war crimes Tribunal, to take place at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, referred to as Pine Ridge Indian Agency Pine Ridge South Dakota. All in-kind donations welcome. There will be the Indigenous International Court of Justice for all Indigenous people in the western hemisphere taking place at this time to hear and in compliance with international law and standards will determine and adjudicate the injustices done by states to indigenous peoples. We will be utilizing the GENOCIDE TREATY International. There will be guest speakers. The keynote speaker will do the opening address and the outlines of the issues that need to be considered. The judiciary of this Indigenous International Court of justice will be coming in from all regions of this Western Hemisphere, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, South America, and all parts of the USA. There will be Invitations sent out to all and to pass this information on to people that are hard to reach by anyone who can. Everybody is welcome. This is our jurisdiction of our 1851-1868 International treaty territory, with the USA government, which gives us that right as we are of sound mind and health and know our basic rights to hold these international tribunals and to expose these great injustices to the world. These regimes; democracy, socialist, communist. They are all the same, no difference. Maybe if we can put them all together we can come up with something that will benefit the entire human race. The effects of all limited liability corporate structures can be and will be held responsible for their actions accordingly on individual basis, as stated in the articles of the GENOCIDE TREATY, starting as of now. TOPICS: 1. Register volunteers, assistants 2. Testimony for tribunal 3. The pretense of doctrines of discovery and the pretense of the Louisiana Purchase the Pretense of protection. The pretense of International Treaties made with Indigenous Peoples in the western hemisphere by the USA, Canada and the Vatican; under duress. 4. The effects of the treaties, the constitutions, the religion and the presidential executive order, and military occupation. 5. The effects of apartheid by all three power structures of the world. 6. The massacres of Indigenous People for their land and resources by states. 7. The effects of the electoral systems. 8. The effects of the Conquerors Court system USA, Canada, Supreme courts, the privy council of the British Commonwealth and the Holy See: The Pope of the Vatican, Rome Italy. The international court of justice. 9. There will be experts in the field of International law and the War Crimes International. 10. The effect of Human Rights Violations. 11. There will by U.N.P.O. Unrepresented Nations People Organization representatives attending also UN United Nations Organization's representatives, and other International Organizations attending also. 12. Media, International and Domestic. Serious Credentialed Diplomatic Delegations will be welcome. For more information call: Leona Bull Bear or Richard Grass (traditional full blood elders) (605)343-3046 fax and phone Wayne Wasicuna, Canada. Dakota Nation Griswold Manitoba, ROMOSO 1-204-855-2671 phone number Joe Walker P.O. box 49 Ft. Yates, North Dakota 58539 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: NWLPSN Urgent Appeal" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 22:14:52 -0700 (PDT) From: arthurmiller50@juno.com (Arthur J Miller) Subj: NWLPSN URGENT APPEAL! Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) Dear Friends of Justice, Sen. Slade Gorton has a bill in congress that would do away with tribal sovereign immunity. He is calling his bill the"American Indian Equal Justice Act". The reason why it is so important to fight this bill, is that, if it is passed, the First Nations could be wiped out in a flood of well orchestrated lawsuits. Cities, states and the federal government have the same type of immunity, so the slogans being used "equal justice" is just there to fool people. This is just part of an anti-tribal campaign, by right wing racists. A good example of this campaign is here in Washington. Every thing that the tribes have come up with to help their people is being attacked by the right wing. Every time the tribes try to stand up for their treaty rights the right wing is there fighting them. Among the groups we have found behind this are national anti-treaty groups, "Wise Use" organizations, far right wing militias, and the Heritage Foundation. There was a rally by racists hunters, some 500 of them, in which the leader stated that "if the state does not stop the Indians, we will!" That same leader, Mark Smith (who calls himself a "modern day Indian fighter"), also had his people out at a Senate field hearing on Gorton's bill Monday. Native people going to that hearing were met with racist cat calls and many "fuck you". They tried to drown out the drum with "The Star-Spangled Banner" both inside the hearing and outside. One Native Elder and a Lakota activist were surround and nearly assaulted. The Northwest Leonard Peltier Support Network held a 3 1/2 hour vigil there. At times we were completely surrounded by these racists. At one point they tried to block all view of us by walking a picket line in front of us. To counter that we stepped out in to their path and blocked their movement. After many threats they backed off. At one point their leader said in a bullhorn "do you know who is the chairman of the hearings? He is an Indian, and we need to stop that Indian." We have two weeks to get in as many statements as possible against Gorton's bill. Please help by writing statements and sending them to: Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Chairperson, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, SH-838, 1st and C Streets NE, Washington, DC 20510. We of the NWLPSN are organizing an ANTI-RACIST EMERGENCY ACTION NETWORK to counter the well funded and organized racist network. Our first action will be the "WASHINGTON GATHERING TO FIGHT RACISM" on May 9th, at the state capital in Olympia (the same place 500 racists came out). The NWLPSN is not funded like the racists are. We are grassroots and have little money to fight the racists with. We are asking for emergency donations. Please send them to: NWLPSN, 5201 Capital Blvd, Ste 119, Olympia, WA 98501. We also need help researching who is behind the racist campaign. Anyone who can help us with information please contact us at: NWLPSN, P.O. Box 5464, Tacoma, WA 98415-0464, or e-mail, arthurmiller50@juno.com. We wish to thank all those that have respond to our messages so far. In Solidarity Arthur J. Miller NWLPSN --------- "RE: Plymouth Court Update" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 18:12:21 -0400 (EDT) To: ishgooda@tdi.net From: United American Indians of New England Subj: Plymouth 25: What happened in court today UUCP email Below is a VERY hurried account of what happened to us in court today since so many people are calling or e-mailing and asking. Thank you as always for your concern and prayers and everything else! -Mahtowin for UAINE Plymouth, Mass. police cover-up continues Plymouth, April 15, 1998 The Plymouth 25 defendants were back in court today, and the district attorney and the state chose to continue and intensify their vindictive campaign against supporters of National Day of Mourning. Twenty-five people -- Native, Black, Latino, Asian and white, young and elder, lesbian and gay and straight -- are facing criminal charges as a result of a police attack on the National Day of Mourning protest in Plymouth, Mass. on November 27, 1997. National Day of Mourning is a Native protest of the "thanksgiving" holiday that has been organized by United American Indians of New England since 1970. At today's court appearance, the defendants asked for a jury trial. The defense lawyers argued motions to try and break through the wall of secrecy erected by the prosecutors. The judge acted as nothing more than an extra prosecutor. Dozens of supporters packed the courtroom and the hallways of the courthouse. When the defendants were ordered to rise, most of the supporters rose also, in a visible show of solidarity, and remained standing alongside the defendants during the proceedings. One of the supporters even showed up with hand-knitted caps that showed a crossed-out Pilgrim hat and bore the slogan, "November 26, 1998. Plymouth. Be there." The state has all kinds of resources. Since they have no evidence behind the criminal charges they have brought, they have been engaged in a vicious campaign to target some of the defendants. At today's court appearance, the assistant district attorney suddenly announced that one of the defendants allegedly had an outstanding warrant from New York State. The defendant was immediately taken into custody and held on $5,000 cash bail. Supporters who were at the courthouse immediately swung into action and began raising the money needed for bail (we expect that he will be out this evening). The media attempted to focus on this prosecutorial diversion. But the leadership of UAINE pointed out that "the state is only trying to do this to take the focus off the police brutality that occurred in Plymouth last November. The real criminals are the police, not any one of the 25 defendants! We continue to voice our demand that these charges be dropped now!" The crowd began to chant, "Drop the charges now! Drop the charges now!" UAINE also issued a national call today for Native people and supporters from the Four Directions to join UAINE in Plymouth, Mass. on the next National Day of Mourning (November 26, 1998) to take a stand against racism and police brutality. No trial dates have been set yet, but the defendants will next appear for a pre-trial conference on Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at the Wareham, Mass. District Court, where the trials are expected to take place. --------- "RE: National Aboriginal Veterans Association" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 19:39:24 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: Re: Nat'l Aboriginal Veterans Association Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native This is a continuing request made by my family and it is greatly appreciated. NATIONAL ABORIGINAL VETERANS ASSOCIATION John B.J. Pictou, Sr. Nova Scotia Chapter President Vice-Chairman of Ottawa Board PO Box 312 Shubenecadie, Nova Scotia BON 2HO Tel: 901-758-3147 Fax: Same On November 11th, 1998, we go to Ottawa once again to march proudly in honor of our fallen veteran brothers and sisters. We are veterans of the World War II , Korean and Vietnam theaters, along with our current conflicts veterans that served courageously and proudly, for our country and people. Many of us are veterans of a combination of wars, mostly World War II and Korea. We are trying to do our best we can to bring as many of our veterans to Ottawa for the Remembrance Day celebrations. We are a self supporting group. Funds are unfortunately scarce, as we try to send veterans from all over Canada to Ottawa, and we have used up all our finances. There is the Canadian Legion, they will not help us, they only help there own. Although we fought on the same side, they somehow forgotten. There are still many of our fellow veterans that have never been to Ottawa for the Remembrance Day celebration, and if they don't get to go soon they may never have a chance. . Many of us are in our 80's and 70's and so on. I personally would like to see as many of our vets get to see and participate in the march at least once. It is a great experience to be together with our friends, and mourn the loss, and then celebrate the victories that they died for. The following information is an excerpt from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, dated October 1993; (Exact figures are not available, but the government estimates at least twelve to fifteen thousand Canadian Aboriginal volunteered. Those figures merely cover the volunteers from reserves and do not include off-reserve and non-status Indians, nor does it take into account all of the country's Metis who signed up, or the Inuit who participated through northern border patrols. There were also Service and Forestry Battalions that drew a high percentage of their numbers from our Aboriginal Peoples. American figures show that at least thirty thousand Canadians served with the American Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and that one in four of those VOLUNTEERS were of Aboriginal origin.) If you would like to help us send more Aboriginal Veterans to the Ottawa Celebration, please feel free to contact us at the above number, or you can send a donation of any size to the Royal Bank of Canada, c/o N.A.V.A account #702-9788, P.O. Box 40, Shubenacadie N.S. BON-2HO. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you. Sincerely, John B. Pictou, SR. (My cousin asked me to submit this letter for him, he is a honest and a trustworthy man. He is to be respected and honored, if one can help him, it will be greatly appreciated. I was not aware of these figures, as a former marine, I feel very honored.) In the Spirit of our Veterans, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe 1/2/98, Please continue to support, R.A.Pictou-Branscombe --------- "RE: Chiapas: Calls for Action" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 20:01:18 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Chiapas: Calls for Action 1. SIPAZ Urgent Action Alert 2. homefree: Call for Solidarity Activists in Chiapas ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 12:55:56 -0400 From: Joe McIntire Subject: E; SIPAZ Urgent Action Alert URGENT ACTION ALERT - New attacks on the peace process in Chiapas SIPAZ, April 17, 1998 With this letter, we express our preoccupation provoked by the events that have occurred in Chiapas during the last days and months: facts that point every time more to an open war between the Mexican government and the EZLN. (For abbreviations and technical terms please see below) THE EVENTS On the 10th of April representatives of various Zapatista-sympathizing communities installed the autonomous municipality "Ricardo Flores Magon" in the community of Taniperlas, municipality of Ocosingo. At this event, national and international observers were present. Early morning the following day, at the request of the governor of Chiapas, Roberto Albores Guillen, close to one thousand members of the Mexican army and police as well as migration officials carried out an operation there, detaining 12 international observers and 9 Mexicans with the goal of dismantling the newly installed autonomous municipality. The international observers were presented to the migration officials by members of the Mexican Army. On the night of April 12th they were deported to their home countries, in application of Article 33 of the Mexican Constitution:"...the Mexican executive has the exclusive power to demand that abandon national territory, immediately and without the necessity of any previous judgment, any foreigner whose presence it judges to be inconvenient. The foreigners must not, in any way, interfere in internal matters of the country." The interior ministry informed that the charges against them were: "multitudinous offenses" and "supporting the installation of illegitimate authorities". Any possible penal responsibilities of the observers are being investigated. The charges against the detained Mexicans are among others: deprivation and damages of property, rebellion, usurpation of official authority functions and delinquent association. One day after their detention, they joined the association of political prisoners "La Voz de Cerro Hueco". Although the government claimed that it had respected the human rights of all detained, various human rights organizations denounced irregularities during the detentions and expulsions. The Mexicans were detained without a warrant for arrest. In fear of a dismantling of all autonomous municipalities, the Zapatista support bases joined together in these municipalities to "defend the autonomy". Moreover, the National Indigenous Council announced the creation of new autonomous municipalities in other Mexican states. On the 14th of April, migration officials detained three international observers in the municipality of Altamirano. These observers were present at a roadblock close to the community 10 de Abril. On April 15th they were expelled from the country, again in application of Article 33 of the Constitution. During previous weeks, authorities had carried out another police-military operation with 1500 members in one of the quarters in the north of San Cristobal de Las Casas, searching for illegal arms and stolen cars. OUR PREOCCUPATION => At the state level: On March 15, the Governor of Chiapas, Roberto Albores Guillen, signed the "State Accord for Peace in Chiapas". In this document the state government committed itself to maintaining and strengthening the state of law and not accepting more illegal acts of any actor in the conflict. By this it refers to road blocks, land invasions and the installation of autonomous municipalities. In the case of Taniperlas, the governor ordered the operation to "break the vicious circle of impunity". It should be remembered that to date the government hasn't succeeded in disarming the paramilitary groups which remain with impunity. Some analysts view in this action against the autonomous municipalities a direct attack at the EZLN itself. Furthermore, they believe that in this way the Mexican government wants to resolve the conflict unilaterally and by way of confrontation and demonstrate that the political struggle beyond the institutions of the ruling party PRI only leads to repression. => Ambiguity in the role of the Army: The militarization in Chiapas continues to grow, in particular in the zones of Zapatista influence. Also the state government resorts to police operations with a strong military presence in an intent to solve problems. Although the government talks about distention and reconciliation, its attitudes generate more tension and polarization. Furthermore, in spite of a strong military presence, the paramilitary groups continue to be active in Chiapas. => Continuation of the campaign against international observers: On the other hand, we note that the Mexican government is more strict in the application of Article 33 of the Constitution (about the expulsion of foreigners). It seems that now being present as an international observer of acts that the government considers illegal is equal to participating in them and a reason for expulsion without the right of defense. => A hardening in the language of the federal government: Since Labastida Ochoa assumed the Ministry of the Interior, we have observed a hardening in the attitude of the government, faced with "the silence of the EZLN". In March the federal government sent its own unilateral initiative on the Law about Indigenous Rights and Culture to the Congress, leaving to one side the EZLN, the CONAI and COCOPA. Moreover, representatives of the government and the PRI questioned the impartiality of the CONAI and the work of the COCOPA. We are very concerned about the comments government representatives made disdaining the EZLN. The Ministry of the Interior expressed in the beginning of April that "the EZLN doesn't represent the indigenous people in Mexico". On April 15, President Zedillo manifested that "the EZLN is the principal paramilitary group in Chiapas". Both declarations go against the spirit of the Law on Dialogue, Conciliation and Dignified Peace in Chiapas, that states in its first article: "...the EZLN will be considered a group of persons identified as an organization of Mexican citizens, in majority indigenous, that disagree for different reasons." GLOSSARY: COCOPA: Commission of Concord and Pacification, integrated by senators and delegates of all parties in the Congress. CONAI: National Commission of Mediation, integrated by persons of morally recognized prestige in Mexico, presided over by the bishop of San Cristobal de Las Casas, Samuel Ruiz Garcia. EZLN: Zapatista Army of National Liberation. Autonomous municipalities: Zapatista initiative that consists of the implementation of authorities and own systems of conflict resolution in the communities and regions of their influence. According to the Mexican government these municipalities violate the Constitution. PRI: Institutional Revolutionary Party. Political party that has dominated Mexico since the 1920s after the Mexican Revolution. RECOMENDED ACTIONS: Please write as soon as possible faxes and letters to the authorities listed below, asking them: - that they take into account that peace can not be imposed but should be negotiated between all parts in the conflict (on national as well as on state level). - that they stop disqualifying the other actors in the conflict, which only leads to a worsening of the situation. - that they order a substantial reduction in the militarization in Chiapas and that they do not allow the use of the Mexican Army in operations of a police and civil character. Also that they avoid disproportional police and military operations that don't contribute to distention in the state. - that the juridical procedures for the detained in Taniperlas are followed in strict compliance with the law. - that they recognize and respect the work of human right defenders and international observers that offer their help to promote the peace process. We hope you will respond to our petition. The SIPAZ team San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas -------------------------------------------------------------- Addresses: C. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos Palacio Nacional 06067 Mexico DF, Mexico Fax: (int-52) (5) 271 1764 / 515 4783 E-mail: webadmon@op.presidencia.gob.mx Francisco Labastida Ochoa Secretario de Gobernacion (Minister of Interior) Bucareli 99, 1er piso Col. Juarez 06699 Mexico DF, Mexico Fax: (int-52) (5) 546 5350 / 546 7380 Gobernador del estado de Chiapas Lic. Roberto Albores Guillen Fax: (int-52) (961) 209 17 ======================================================= International Service for Peace (Servicio Internacional para la Paz or SIPAZ) is a response from the international community to the shared sense among many Mexican sectors that international opinion can contribute to the search for peaceful solutions, through dialogue, to the conflict in Chiapas. El Servicio Internacional Para la Paz o SIPAZ es una respuesta concreta al consenso existente entre muchos sectores mexicanos de que esta participacio'n internacional puede contribuir positivamente a trave's del dia'logo, para alcanzar una solucion paci'fica y justa en el conflicto de Chiapas. SIPAZ Servicio Internacional para la Paz Calle Dr. J. Felipe Flores, 38 Santa Lucia, San Cristobal de las Casas Chiapas, 29250, Mexico Tel/Fax (967) 80381 E-mail sipaz@laneta.apc.org http://www.nonviolence.org/sipaz :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 08:45:15 +0200 From: homefree@127.0.01 Subj: Call for Solidarity Activists in Chiapas Call to Action - They ain't called the mal gobierno for nothing! http://burn.ucsd.edu/~homefree We are calling for international action in response to the Mexican government's recent attack on the Autonomous Municipality of Ricardo Flores Magon, in Taniperla, Chiapas, the false arrests of 17 Mexican citizens, the deportation of 15 foreigners and other massive military operations. The Mexican government wants us to believe that they are doing nothing more than enforcing the law. However, Luciano, a spokesperson from the community of Polho, voicing the belief of Zapatista base communities, said that the government's real goal is to remove all the foreigners "so that we are left abandoned, and so that they can make another Acteal right here." The government has also shown that it is willing to silence Mexican observers through imprisonment and charges of serious crimes. It is urgent that the international community reacts and sends its support to Chiapas. We are urging a three-part response to the illegal arrests of Mexican citizens and the xenophobic campaign of expelling foreigners. First, we ask that you call, fax, e-mail or go in person to condemn the arrests and demand the immediate liberation of the following unjustly imprisoned Mexicans: Tomas Sanchez Gomez, Luis Menendez Medina, Nicolas Lopez Vasquez, Justino Sanchez Lopez, Sebastian Chulin Gonzalez, Antonio Lopez Vasquez, Mateo Gonzalez Lopez, Nicolas Mazariego Perez, Sergio Valdos Ruvalcalba, Tomas Sanchez Lopez, Miguel Hernandez Perez, Antonio Rodriguez Jimenez, Fidelino Cruz Mendoza, Manuel Hernandez Perez, Andres Gutierrez Hernandez, Cesar Rodrigo Nunez, y Jose Alfredo Lopez Mendez. (See Attached Sample Letter) As a second response, we are initiating the "Free Flight Home Campaign" http://burn.ucsd.edu/~homefree to resist the Mexican government's attempts to remove all witnesses of the escalating repression. Our proposal is that for every foreigner expelled, human rights organizations and solidarity groups in each country commit to sending 10 new international volunteers to Chiapas to observe in the EZLN autonomous municipalities. These volunteers should be willing to be deported and not leave until they have their "free flight home." This campaign has a two-fold objective: 1) to provide a constant presence of international observers in the threatened autonomous communities 2) to show the government that their tactics do not scare us and will not impede the necessary role of international observers in this conflict. In fact, we will take advantage of their generosity in paying the airfare of our return flight! Finally, the Mexican government has publicly stated that international observers can easily obtain a visa and that they are welcome to visit Chiapas. Let's put it to a test! We're calling for an organized campaign to flood embassies and consular offices with applications for observer visas (FM-3) and an organized documentation of the responses. Contrary to their rhetoric, many FM-3 applications have been denied or indefinitely delayed. The Mexican government's goal is to conceal their dirty war against the people of Chiapas. We must expose and condemn this repression on an international level. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sample Letter Dear_______________: I am writing to express my concern and outrage over the campaign of increasing government-sponsored violence against the autonomous indigenous municipalities in Chiapas. The number of people detained by the Mexican government has risen to 32 in the past four days - 17 Mexican citizens and 15 international observers. This number does not even take into account the 59 political prisoners organized into the Voz de Cerro Hueco. Action must be taken now to stop this wave of repression and to obtain the release of all political prisoners in Chiapas. On April 11, 1998, following the inauguration of the Autonomous Municipality of Ricardo Flores Magon, members of the Mexican Army, Public Security police, immigration, and state and federal judicial police attacked the community of Taniperla, Chiapas. Nine Mexican citizens were arbitrarily detained and charged with damage of private property, usurpation of authority, unlawful association and robbery. The commander of the police forces beat one person. The detainees were held incommunicado for a number of hours before their transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas. They are currently being held in Cerro Hueco, the state prison in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The following day in Taniperla, the Mexican Army and Public Security police fired shots and threw tear gas grenades into a campesino demonstration. The campesinos of the region were demanding the immediate withdrawal of the soldiers and police. This attack resulted in two injuries. Three community members and four human rights workers were also detained. The human rights organizations Fray Pedro de la Nada and Fray Bartolome de Las Casas denounce the illegal apprehension of the detainees. I am joining their call in demanding: 1. The guarantee of the physical integrity and security of the people detained. 2. The immediate liberation of the prisoners: Tomas Sanchez Gomez, Luis Menendez Medina, Nicolas Lopez Vasquez, Justino Sanchez Lopez, Sebastian Chulin Gonzalez, Antonio Lopez Vasquez, Mateo Gonzalez Lopez, Nicolas Mazariego Perez, Sergio Valdos Ruvalcalba, Tomas Sanchez Lopez, Miguel Hernandez Perez, Antonio Rodriguez Jimenez, Fidelino Cruz Mendoza, Manuel Hernandez Perez, Andres Gutierrez Hernandez, Cesar Rodrigo Nunez, y Jose Alfredo Lopez Mendez. 3. An investigation into the arbitrary detention of the aforementioned people and the sanctioning of those responsible. 4. An end to the political, military and police offensive against the 38 existing and all future autonomous municipalities in the state of Chiapas. Sincerely, Faxes can be sent to the following numbers: Presidente de la Republica Secretaria de Gobernacion Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon Lic. Francisco Labastida Ochoa Fax: (52 5) 515 17 94 or (5 25) 277 23 76 Fax: (52 5) 546 53 50 Procuraduria General de la Republica Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado Dr. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar Lic. Carlos Rodolfo Soto Monzen Fax: (52 5) 626 4419 or (52 5) 626 4147 Fax: (52 961) 65373 or (52 961) 65376 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Petroglyph National Monument" --------- Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 07:43:47 -0600 From: John Berry Subj: [Fwd: Petroglyph National Monument] ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- Subject: [Fwd: Petroglyph National Monument] Date: 4/15/98 7:44 PM FYI - I have previously alerted acra-l and nmac-l subscribers to the existence of Senate Bill 633, sponsored by Pete Domenici (R-NM). This bill deletes a corridor from Petroglyph National Monument so that the city of Albuquerque can build a six-lane freeway through an area set aside to protect 15,000 examples of Native American petroglyphs. The Mayor of Albuquerque is against this bill. After President Clinton threatened to veto S. 633, Domenici attached the bill to S. 1768, the Senate version of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill (which, among other things, funds the U.S. military presence in Bosnia and Iraq). The intent is to make it painful for Clinton to veto the road corridor "take" from Petroglyph National Monument. The Senate has since finished work on the bill and sent it over to the House, where this version of the bill (there are three others) is known as H.R. 3579-PP. The Petroglyph N.M. corridor take is found at Chapter 4, Section 404. I urge archaeologists and others throughout the U.S. to contact their Representatives and object to Senator Domici's "adjustment" of the Petroglyph Natl. Mon. boundaries, in light of the substantial impacts that will be caused by the freeway for which the monument boundaries are being "adjusted." No matter where you live, I urge you to contact Ralph Regula (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Interior Committee -- the committee that will need to approve this bill. Please let him know that you object to the inclusion of the monument boundary adjustment in H.R. 3579-PP (at Ch. 4, Sec. 404). You can contact him at: Congressman Ralph Regula 2309 Rayburn Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Also, please contact your own representative. You can find his/her address by working from http://thomas.loc.gov For New Mexico, the two current Represenatives are: Congressman Joe Skeen 2367 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Congressman Bill Redmond 2209 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 If anyone needs more information about the proposal to allow a freeway through Petroglyph National Monument, please contact me at . Thanks, Dave Phillips Legislative Chair New Mexico Archaeological Council --------- "RE: Save Languages From Extinction" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 14:11:17 -0400 From: "E. Breck Parkman" <75263.3037@compuserve.com> Subj: Saving languages ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- From: NeoReel, INTERNET:NeoReel@aol.com DATE: 4/9/98 6:56 PM American Indians Trying to Save Languages From Extinction By JAMES BROOKE HOOPA, Calif. -- At age 88 and blind in one eye, James Jackson Jr. keeps a crystal clear memory of a tiny linguistic skirmish in a continental campaign that has brought most of North America's Indian languages to the brink of extinction. "The teacher at the Indian school grabbed my friend by the arm and said, 'You're speaking your language -- I'm going to wash your mouth out with soap,"' Jackson recalled. "That's where we lost it." Eight decades later, Jackson told his story, in English, to a small circle of Hupa language students. Although the tribe has about 2,000 members, the room contained the four people who make up about half of the world's fluent Hupa speakers: Jackson, his younger sister, Minnie, and two elderly friends. Two others died in February. Despite five centuries of population decline, assimilation and linguistic oppression, North America's Indian languages have survived surprisingly well: 211 still exist today; there were about 300 such languages when Europeans first arrived in what is now the United States and Canada. But with the impact of television and radio and increased mobility, North America's Indian languages are suffering their sharpest free fall in recorded history. Of the 175 Indian languages still spoken in the United States, only 20 are still spoken by mothers to babies, said Michael Krauss, a linguist at the University of Alaska who surveys native languages. In contrast, 70 languages are spoken only by grandparents, and 55 more are spoken by 10 or fewer tribal members. "This is a major American tragedy that people are generally in a state of denial about," Krauss said. Noting that the federal government spends only $2million a year to save endangered Indian languages, he said that under the Endangered Species Act, "we are spending $1 million a year per Florida panther to save the species." Belonging to 62 language families, American Indian languages are as dramatically different as German, Chinese and Turkish. With the rise of a global economy and increased communications, about half of the world's 6,000 languages are expected to disappear over the next century. Among American Indians, that process is unfolding today. "We just gave a grant to study Klamath," said Douglas Whalen, a Yale University linguist who directs a new nonprofit group, the Endangered Language Fund. "When the proposal was made, Klamath had two speakers. Now, it is down to one." Rapid erosion is also affecting the largest tribes. In Arizona among the Navajo, the most populous tribe in the United States, the portion of native speakers among first-graders has dropped from 90 percent in 1968 to 20 percent today. In Montana, the 9,300 enrolled Crow members display a classic American Indian linguistic profile: 77 percent of Crow Indians over 66 years of age speak the language, while only 13 percent of preschoolers do. On paper, California has the most linguistic diversity in the nation: 50 Indian languages are still spoken there, down from 80 in the pre-colonial era. "But not a single one of those languages is now being spoken natively by children," said Leanne Hinton, a linguistics professor at the University of California at Berkeley. "We are heading toward a state where we will have no native speakers of any of the California languages in 10 or 20 years. We are entering an age when speakers of the California languages will be learning in school, or as adults, rather than at home." As the language circle at the Hupa community center suggests, however, there is a belated movement among American Indians to rescue their languages from extinction. "It's part of our culture; it contains how a Hupa person views the world -- to lose the language would be to lose our identity," said Daniel Ammon, a Hupa high school teacher who is one of several dozen adults studying the tribe's complex language. "I will talk to my kids all the time in Hupa." At the regional high school in Hoopa, a town of 1,000 people on a bend of the Trinity River in northwestern California, classes started last fall in the three languages of Indians in this area: Hupa, Karuk and Yurok. "I want to know Karuk because it is my language, because I want to teach it to my children," Nisha Supahan, 15, said after class as her twin sister, , Elaina, giggled in assent. Their 27-year-old Karuk teacher, Susan Smith, contrasted their attitude with her detribalized upbringing. "I never heard my language as a child," she said. "I didn't even know how to pronounce my tribal name." Ammon and Ms. Smith learned their native language through an innovative effort to stave off linguistic extinction. Since 1992, the Native California Network, a nonprofit group based in Visalia, in the state's south-central region, has sponsored 50 "apprentices" to undergo intensive language immersions, sometimes for up to 500 hours, with "masters," tribal elders who speak the language. The language revival effort is taking many forms. Last year the Crow Tribal Council adopted resolutions declaring Crow the official language of the reservation, honoring fluent speakers as "tribal treasures" and encouraging all tribal members to speak the language. Elsewhere in Montana, the Northern Cheyenne are offering tribal children a summer language camp, taught by the five elders who still speak Cheyenne fluently. In Missoula, summer language classes are offered in Blackfeet. Across Montana, a recent state decision to ease the certification of Indian language instructors has led to an upsurge in language instruction. Idaho State University now offers Shoshoni for foreign language credit. "At least one quarter of the 30 tribal colleges now require language study," David Cournoyer, a director of the American Indian College Fund, said in Denver. "Today, 25 different languages are taught, plus Plains Indian sign language." In Connecticut, the Mohegan and Pequot are studying written records in their languages in an effort to revive languages that have not been spoken since the early 1900s. Due to the work of missionaries and anthropologists, virtually all of the Indian languages in North America have dictionaries and written texts. While official language extermination policies have stopped, the main threat today, said Krauss, the University of Alaska linguist, is "the cultural nerve gas of television." Putting electronic communications to work, the Hopi of Arizona have expanded Hopi language radio broadcasting, the Choctaw of Oklahoma have produced native language video dramas, the Sioux of South Dakota maintain a Lakota language internet chat room, and the Skomish of Washington have produced a Twana language CD-ROM. "There has been an almost total inversion in attitudes toward the native language," said Victor Golla, a linguistics professor at nearby Humboldt State University, who started visiting here 30 years ago. "Before, people were unconcerned about their native language. Now there is a very strong feeling among almost all the people that the loss of their language would be a tragic and very damaging thing." Indians interested in reviving traditional ways say they cannot pray to their ancestors in English. "A number of people have learned how to pray in their language," said Ms. . Hinton, the Berkeley linguistics professor, who runs a summer program for Indians in California seeking to revive their languages from recorded field notes and tapes. "They are starting to reinvent their languages so they can pray at ceremonies and funerals." Linguists caution that the language revival movement may only delay inevitable extinctions. But here in Hoopa, a change can already be felt. "Before, on the bus, I used to say to my sister in Karuk, 'Look at that guy's shirt,' and nobody knew what we were talking about," Nisha Supahan said. "Now that's not true anymore." --------- "RE: Youth Occupy BCTC Offices" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 19:31:16 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NYM Occupy BCTC Offices: Day 2 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DAY TWO OF THE NYM OCCUPATION OF THE BC TREATY CON-MISSION Occupied Coast Salish Territory - April 18, 1998. Members of the Native Youth Movement send greetings to all our people and those that support us in the stand we have taken. We are now in the second day of our occupation inside the offices of the BC Treaty Commission and our spirits remain strong. One year ago the Native Youth Movement occupied these same offices to protest the lack of informed consent of the Indigenous Peoples in the treaty process, and in particular the youth who make up 56% of the total Native population and who are the ones that will have to live with these deals that our so-called "leaders" are making. We say the BC Treaty process is fraudulent and corrupt. Officially, treaties are internationally recognized agreements made between two or more sovereign nations. Treaties are signed for economic trade, to end wars, to surrender lands, etc. Under international law, treaties can only be made between sovereign nations. If not, they are not considered subject to international law. BC is NOT a sovereign nation, nor is a band council. A band council is a business entity created through the Indian Act. They are employees of the federal government - the same government they are negotiating with for the selling off of our lands. The entire province, with the exception of the Douglas Treaties on Vancouver Island and a portion of Treaty 8 in northern "BC", remains unceded, unsurrendered and sovereign. Now today they say these treaties will heal the destruction that has been inflicted upon our peoples - but in reality their only concern is "economic stability"...in other words, ending legal challenges against the assumed jurisdiction of "Canada" and the province of "BC", and ensuring the ongoing exploitation and destruction of our territories, such as clear-cut logging, mining and over-fishing. The BC Treaty Process is based on the illusion of "self-government." In reality, it gives the powers of a municipality to the band councils, disregarding the fact that we are sovereign nations. This process is designed to further our assimilation into the Canadian political system and the annihilation of our identity as Indigenous People. Our only demand of the BC Treaty Commission is to Stop the Process! The Struggle Continues... Native Youth Movement For information contact: (604) 977-1510 (pager) :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Taino Sign Historic Declaration" --------- Date: Sat, 18 Apr 1998 16:55:21 +0100 From: "Cibabo (Roy McClellan)" Subj: TAINO INDIAN LEADERS SIGN HISTORIC DECLARATION AT NEW YORK'S CITY HALL TAINO INDIAN LEADERS SIGN HISTORIC DECLARATION AT NEW YORK'S CITY HALL On March 27th 1998, Taino Leaders representing Caribbean and North American Indigenous Taino organizations gathered for an inauguration ceremony and the official signing of the Declaration of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP). The historic event took place in the Council Chambers at New York's City Hall. This was made possible through the cooperation of the Honorable City Councilman, Jose Rivera. At the commencement, UCTP Spokesman and Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Roberto Mucaro Borrero, called for a moment of silence dedicated to the struggles of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Tabanuco, the sacred Taino incense filled the City Council Chambers with an ancient mist. In his opening remarks, Mr. Borrero explained that with the establishment of the Confederation, Tainos, the descendants of the first "Native Americans" who greeted Christopher Columbus in 1492, can now present a unified voice to address the many issues which concern contemporary Taino People. Some of these issues include the correction of past misconceptions about the Taino, the repatriation of Taino ancestral remains, religious intolerance, cultural exploitation, and the promotion of new dialogue between Taino People and the international, national and local communities. Mr. Borrero highlighted a few precedent setting events which have occurred within the Taino Community over the last 10 years such as the inclusion of Taino People in the decision making process, as consultants in museum exhibits and film documentaries, the reestablishment of communications between inter-island Taino groups, and Taino representation at the United Nations and other diplomatic and academic forums. In a dynamic presentation, the Honorable Councilman Jose Rivera acknowledged the historic significance of this event 500 years after the arrival of Columbus and 100 years after the United States invasion of Puerto Rico. In recognizing the groups and individuals that were responsible for the establishment of the UCTP, Councilman Rivera presented an official Proclamation, designating the 27th of March as the United Confederation of Taino People Day in New York City. A copy of the Proclamation was given to representatives of each group present. Following the introductions and statements by representatives of UCTP member organizations, the group proceeded to sign the Declaration of the United Confederation of Taino People. The Declaration, in its preamble begins with "We, the Taino People" and contains eight articles whose provisions seek to protect, defend and preserve Taino cultural heritage and Spiritual tradition, while establishing basic guidelines for organizational structure, process and accountability. The organizations now forming part of the UCTP include; from the United States: Jatibonuco Tribal Council, Presencia Taina, Maisiti Yucayeke Taino, Taino Inter- Tribal Council, Caney Spiritual Circle, Baramaya, Taino Ancestral Legacy keepers, Cacibajagua; from Boriken: Consejo General de Tainos Boricanos: and from Quiskeya: Fundacion Social Luz Cosmica Fraternalista Taina. Acknowledgments of special guest included Ms. Esmeralda V. Brown, Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Also showing support for the UCTP were representatives of local Native American groups like the Northeastern Native American Association and the Native American Correctional Indian Society. Other organizations represented in attendance were the Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources, the Tribal Link Foundation, and the Rajkumari Cultural Center. The program closed with the participants singing a Taino ceremonial song dedicated to Attabeira (Mother Earth) and a reception featuring traditional Taino foods followed. Courtesy of "La Voz del Pueblo Taino" The official newsletter of the United Confederation of Taino People US Regional Chapter P.O. Box 4515 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 ==============Taino-Ti============== ========Cibabo (Roy McClellan)======== ========rmccle@globalnet.co.uk======== ====THE TAINO INDIAN PEOPLE OF==== ====THE CARIBBEAN AND FLORIDA==== --------- "RE: Longhouse Being Built" --------- Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 12:30:24 EDT From: Tusc1160 Subj: Longhouse being built UUCP email The Tuscarora Nation of NC are constructing a Longhouse. It is very significant to the Tuscarora Nation that we proceed to educate our people to our culture, language, and social lives. We the Tuscarora People can restore our lives by building a Longhouse, but we do not have the funds to do so. We are requesting help from other Territories. When the Longhouse is constructed enough for safety, we are planning to have "WASASE" in November . Further information on "WASASE" will be made available to anyone who requests it by calling our office or emailing us with the "WASASE" in the subject line, as the information becomes available. If you have any questions, or can help in any way with contributions please call our office or write to us. Any contributions are to be made out to The Tuscarora Nation. Tuscarora Nation (910)-844-5459 Office hours 8:00-4:00 Rt 4 Box 172 Fax (910)-844-3940 Fax 24 hours Maxton NC 28364 Email Tusc1160@aol.com Tuscaror@interpath.com --------- "RE: Name of Blackfoot Confederacy" --------- Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 15:01:52 -0700 From: Long Standing Bear Chief Subj: Name of Blackfoot Confederacy UUCP email This is to advise you that the official name of our confederation of the ancient Pikanii and their relatives and allies is to be called the BLACKFOOT CONFEDERACY of ALLIED NATIONS. The Allied Nations are the Pikanii (incorrectly called and spelled Peigan and Piegan), the Blood, Siksika, and Blackfoot. The other related nations are the T'suu T'sinna, the White Clay (mistakenly called Gros Ventre). It was decided that other Nations, such as the Cree, Ojibwa, Kootenai, etc., may choose to join our confederacy anytime they chose. It was decided that persons may join of their free will and may not be denied membership so long as they trace their ancestry to any of the above named nations. The idea of degree of blood was rejected as not in keeping with any of our ancient teachings from ii-tsi-pah-ta-pi-oop, the Source of Life. Membership: There is only one class of membership and that is all people as individuals, not "tribes" as defined by the" Canadian" and "American" governments. The only authority approving the persons membership is that person and ii-tsi-pah-ta-pi-oop. A Registrar will co-sign the membership card only as a witness and as the person responsible for adding the new members name to the official roll and making certain that it is recorded at one central location. We completely reject our white brothers and sisters foolish claim to dominate all aspects of our lives as human beings made by our creator. We absolutely reject, as illogical and absurd, that our ancestors gave up our land and lives to someone the white English call the Queen and her royal kingdom, at the fraudulent signing of something called Treaty 7 in their year 1877. Registrars: The following persons are the ones who may be contacted about getting membership cards and how to go about getting registered. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelop to the following persons when requesting information and registration cards. There will be a fee for picture taking and material to make and mail the cards. Inquire after Monday, April 26, 1998. 1. Karen Yellow Horn, Brockett, Alberta, Canada TOK OHO 403-965-2839 2. Erwin Melting Tallow, Box 1667, Sikiska, Alberta, Canada T0J 3W0 403-590-1782 3. Ken Scout, General Delivery, Stand Off, Alberta, Canada T0L 1Y0 403-737-2440 4. Geraldine Gordon & Gloria McLean, Box 521, Browning, Montana USA 405-338-7332 Central Registrar: Blackfoot Nation Confederacy of Allied Tribes, P.O. Box 430, Browning, Montana 59417. Email: blkfoot4@3rives.net or call 406-338.2882. THIS is NOT the place to request membership cards. It is only the place where you can find out if you have been listed with the central registry. You may make inquiry here to find out if someone or yourself is registered. The Blackfeet Confederacy of Allied Nations is NOT a secret society. --------- "RE: The Aboriginal Voice in the Canadian Unity Debate" --------- Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 19:01:49 -0400 From: Ann Stewart Subj: The Aboriginal Voice in the Canadian Unity Debate UUCP email "The Aboriginal Voice in the Canadian Unity Debate" An address by Dr. Ted Moses, Ambassador to the United Nations for the Grand Council of the Crees. given at Harvard University on Monday, April 20, 1998, and sponsored by the Harvard Native American Program and the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. For more information, contact Ambassador Moses at 613-761-1655. One of those old unforgotten animosities between colonial rivals has been brought back to life in the Province of Quebec. Some people want to settle old scores and rearrange history so that it will come out better for them the second time around. I am not speaking about the Indians, the aboriginal peoples. It is not our fight. We would have good reason to try to remake history. After all, this entire continent was once ours. We lost it through a process of dispossession achieved through legal artifice, starvation, disease, transmigration, relocation, and genocidal extermination. Certainly, if anyone should want to "correct" history, it should be the native peoples. Everyone admits that we were grievously wronged. We are the survivors of a massive and intentional genocide. My one preoccupation is this: We will never let it happen again. You may have heard other survivors express the same idea. Now, I am extremely vigilant about my human rights. This is the reaction of my culture to its history. Knowing this, you will be in a better position to understand how we Crees come to be involved in the so-called Canadian unity debate. We live in a territory we have always called Eeyou Istchee on the eastern side of James Bay and Hudson's Bay. This was part of the territory that was given by Great Britain to the Hudson's Bay Company in the 17th century for fur exploitation. It was historically never a part of Quebec or of any French colonial possessions in North America. It was sold by the Hudson's Bay Company to become part of the Dominion of Canada in 1867 as part of Rupert's Land. Quebec also became part of Canada in the same period, giving up any pretensions of colonial ties to France or to a separate sovereign capacity. All of this, however, took place without the knowledge of the Crees. We continued to live in Eeyou Istchee. Meanwhile, in Europe papers were being signed and sealed, peace treaties were being negotiated, our lands were being bartered and exchanged. But we did not know, and our consent was never sought, offered, or received. Then in 1898 and 1912 Parliament approved legislation whereby Rupert's Land was partitioned and divided among the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. And so without our knowledge or consent Eeyou Istchee became part of the Province of Quebec, and we Crees were passed along with the land. We want you to know some of our history, because I understand that representatives of the separatist government in Quebec have come here to Harvard to speak, to give you their view of history. They no doubt told you that Quebec has a right to independence based upon the principles of fairness, democracy, the right to self-determination, cultural identity, and the right to nationhood. They no doubt made this out to be a struggle between what both the federal government and the provincial government call the "two founding peoples" of Canada - the French and the English. It is strange how persistent this idea of "two founding peoples" is. But I understand. This is a part of the legal myth upon which both the United States and Canada are based - the principle of terra nulluis, literally, empty land. When the colonists arrived in our land they claimed it in the name of their sovereign. Of course we were here, but they did not ask if it was ours. From a European legal point of view America was virgin unpopulated territory. We had no papers to prove title. We had no recognized monarch to assert sovereignty. We did not count. In Canada our rights are enshrined right in the Canadian Constitution, and yet the Prime Minister of Canada and most of the provincial premiers refer over and over again to the "two founding peoples" of Canada, the French and the English. They speak of "English Canada" and "French Canada". They never refer to "Aboriginal Canada". In many ways we still don't count. But look at a map of Canada. Over most of the Canadian territory, square mile by square mile, aboriginal people make up the majority of the inhabitants. The non-aboriginal population lives in a narrow strip just north of the United States border. They live in urban centers. We aboriginal people are the ones who occupy, care for, and still use the vast territory itself. The Crees never wanted to become part of the Canadian unity debate. Notwithstanding all that has been done to us, all we have lost, everything which has been taken away - our lands, our forests, our animals - it is not the Crees who want to separate and break up Canada. No, it is politicians who claim to represent one of the "two founding peoples" who now want to "correct" their history. One would think under the circumstances that these would be the very people who could best understand the situation of the aboriginal peoples. Who better than citizens who claim to be oppressed to understand others who have suffered oppression? Or so one would think. Among ordinary people in Quebec who are asked: If the Quebecois have a right to self-determination don't the Crees and the other aboriginal peoples in Quebec also have this right? Most people in Quebec answer that the aboriginal peoples do have at least the same right. This is so logical and self-evident as to be undeniable to fair-minded people everywhere. On the other hand, fairness and logic do not lead to the preferred solution for those who want a separate and sovereign Quebec. To them, the Crees and other aboriginal peoples in Quebec are a major obstacle, because any arguments that can be made to support the case for the self-determination of Quebec can be made, even more strongly, for the self-determination of the aboriginal peoples in Quebec. Now place the aboriginal peoples in the current context where the political leadership is claiming the right for Quebec to unilaterally separate from Canada, and to take the aboriginal peoples with them out of Canada with or without our consent. In international law this threat by the present government of Quebec - to forcibly separate us from Canada if need be - strengthens our right to exercise self-determination. It threatens to subject us directly to the reintroduction of a colonial relationship - to deny self-determination in its most basic form. So there is a real divide here between most people in Quebec who are willing to trust the aboriginal peoples to make our own choice about our future, and the high profile separatist leaders such as Premier Lucian Bouchard who by political necessity must promote a double standard - self- determination for Quebec but not for the Crees, independence for Quebec but local self-government for the Crees, official language status for the French language but not for the Cree language, ownership of resources for Quebec, but not for the Crees, control over the environment for Quebec, but not for the Crees. While most Quebecois might understand the blatant inequality in these separatist double standards, they may be unwilling to forsake their aspirations for independence to satisfy their moral objections. It becomes particularly difficult when we Crees ask the Quebec separatist leaders to justify in law and equity the positions they have taken. How can you insist on one standard of rights for yourselves, we ask, and yet be wiling to subject the aboriginal peoples to lower human rights standards? This question has been put to these separatist leaders time and time again, in speeches, in books, in interviews, and we have never had a real answer. Is it because of our race, we ask, that you derogate from our human rights? Is it because we are Indians that our rights are subservient to yours? We have heard all kinds of slippery nonsense. Separatist leaders have said that "only governments have the right of self-determination". They have said that international law does not recognize the right of self- determination for indigenous peoples, that international law does not recognize aboriginal peoples as "peoples" within the meaning of the international human rights instruments. When the Crees suggested that Quebec was practicing a "racist double standard" we were accused of making inflammatory remarks, "insulting the Quebec people", and "attacking Quebec". At one point a member of the Quebec provincial cabinet actually wrote to the federal government asking that sedition laws be applied against Cree Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come for a speech he made in the United States accusing the Quebec government of a "double standard based upon race". Quebec someho