From gars@netcom.com Wed Apr 29 21:54:53 1998 Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 18:52:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.018 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 018 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, May 2, 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 & 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. "Of all the animals the horse is the best friend of the Indian, for without it he could not go on long journeys. A horse is the Indian's most valuable piece of property. If an Indian wishes to gain something, he promises his horse that if the horse will help him he will paint it with native dye, that all may see that help has come to him through the aid of his horse." __ Brave Buffalo, Teton Sioux +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! There are Nations tearing themselves apart from within. There are Nations that have lived together in harmony for a very long time that now sit across a wide chasm of distrust from one another. Time after time I can peel back a layer or two of rhetoric, like peeling back the skin of an onion, and find the BIA, BLM or some other agency of the occupation forces has slipped in the poison that weakens, confuses and kills the spirit of the People. We know better. This divide and conquer method has been used so many times each of us should be able to see it coming before the first words are uttered, yet we fall prey to it again and again. How many times must we believe the trickster before we learn to say, "No." to his lies and deceit? Napi, Old Man Coyote and Raven have all given us lessons since the beginning of time. Why do we fail to see it for what it is just because the leaders of the dominant society wrap it in pretty words? We have already seen time and again how they don't honor their own treaties and promises. When do we tire of being foolish? There are articles in this issue that all come back to the same simple wisdom. Let the elders of the Nation or Nations with the problems come to a decision in the traditional way, ask for whatever help they, the elders, feel is needed; and then abide by the decision of the elders. Speaking for myself, until the elders are allowed to come together, and ask for help, if they feel there is a need for help, the remainder of us, no matter how well intentioned, have no business interfering. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Thanks to Mike Wicks for these reminders: In Memory (with Respect and Honor) AIM Casualties on Pine Ridge, 1973-1976 4.27.1973 Buddy Lamont-AIM member hit by M16 fire at Wounded Knee, Bled to death while pinned down by fire. No investigation. 4.28.1976 Betty Jo Dubray-AIM supporter beaten to death at Martin, S.D. No investigation. Peace! Night Owl , , Gary Night Owl gars@netcom.com (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@nanews.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30067, U.S.A. gars@igc.apc.org ===w=w=== gars@bellsouth.net Fax: 770-528-9643 gars@juno.com ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Native Remains - Destruction of Human Rights - Leonard Peltier Committee - Montana DOL Prepares - Nuxalk Nation Support Assault on Buffalo NYM BCTC Occupation - Bison Belong Update - NYM:Interior Six Nations Alliance - Tribes Welcome Refuge - LiL'Wat Support NYM Bison Hunt - NYM Occupation Ends - Anna Mae: - NYM Goes Free! Awards that Mean Something Prosecution No-show - Resisting the Racist - Letters about "Ghost Dance" Anti-tribal Campaign - Cherokee Gathering - Lawyer Says Church is in Denial - Visiting The Pueblos - Call for Help for the Elders - Native Prisoner - Good Advice - A Hundred Years Ago - Friends of the Lubicon - Poem: Heading South in Oklahoma News Conference - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - San Carlos, AIM and Joe West - Conferences and Powwows - Communique' from San Andres Sakamchen of the Poor --------- "RE: Native Remains" --------- Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 02:25:19 -0500 From: THUNDERHAWK Subj: native remains UUCP email There is an ongoing situation regarding the legality of, possession of, and disposition of native and other human remains at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This situation came to light last fall, and after some calls, the local native community responded with phone calls, etc. Since that time, the University and the NAGPRA committee have not proven responsive to the community. Currently, this situation is exploding, and had gone beyond the confines of the University. Please have someone contact either myself via the email address this arrived on, and I will fax them what information I have at this time, or those listed below: The Dept. of Anthropology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at {402} 472-2411. The Dept. Chair is Dr. Robert Hitchcock, and he has given his full support to the native community on this situation. The person to contact in the administration at the Chancellors office is James Moeser, (402) 472-2116. The University MUST be made truly aware that the native community is not willing to allow the remains of native people, nor of other human beings, to be mis-handled, stored in a lab drawer along with trash and garbage, or subjected to casual handling or testing by anyone who happens into the lab. Nor is the native community willing to allow the University or the University's NAGPRA committee to be lax in addressing such events with the perpetrators of such actions. The perpetrator in this case is recorded on tape responding to questioning last Friday, and responding with a variety of conflicting statements. This person is at the crux of the problem, and it is towards this person that the University and the NAGPRA committee need to direct their attention. There is, however, concern regarding the NAGPRA committee itself, insofar as the lack of response is concerned. This situation is now - and is finally receiving coverage from the local papers, the local Indian Commission, the University publications, and etc. It is essential that the greater native community become aware of the situation, and respond in some manner, if this and other situations like it are to be effectively addressed now and in the future. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Regina ThunderHawk student University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dept of Anthropology --------- "RE: Leonard Peltier" --------- Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 09:58:36 EDT From: Catherine Davids Subj: Leonard Peltier Mailing List: NAT-FILM Since we have been talking about Leonard Peltier...I am taking advantage of this to ask for support for Leonard because his parole hearing is coming up on May 4th...that is just a few days away. For twenty years not only has justice been blind, but it has been deaf, mute, ignorant, and without conscience. Leonard Peltier needs letters to be written on his behalf for this upcoming parole hearing. Amnesty International and many individuals from around the world (including Mother Teresa who has walked on into the Spirit World) have asked for Executive Clemency for Peltier. Lynn Crooks, the U.S. Prosecutor stated in December of 1995 that "no evidence exists against Peltier" and that if Peltier were "retried, the government could not convict." In April of 1997, after an 18 month investigation into the FBI's crime lab, the US Dept of Justice issued a scathing report stating that the Washington crime labs were responsible for producing flawed evidence in major cases...they called it "faulty handling of evidence." Do not send e-mail messages...they can be (and probably are) deleted. Do not send petitions...they are questionable. Don't send faxes. Please send a letter to one of the following people. You can send a letter to these people for 32 cents per letter which equals $2.24. That is a very inexpensive way to involve yourself in this two decade plea for justice. Thanks, Catherine +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ President Bill Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 Janet Reno, Attorney General Department of Justice 10th Street & Constitution Avenue Washington, D.C. 20530 Roger C. Adams, U.S. Pardon Attorney 500 1st Street, N.W.., Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20530 U.S. Parole Commission 5550 Friendship Blvd., #420 Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 Kathleen Hawk, Bureau of Prisons Holc Bldg., 320 1st St., NW Washington, D.C. 20534 Michael Bromwich, Inspector General U.S> Department of Justice 10th St. @ Constitution Ave. Washington, DC 20530 Susan M. Kuzma, Deputy Pardon Attorney 500 1st Street, N.W.., Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20530 Please send a copy of your letter to: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee P. O. Box 583 Lawrence, Kansas 66044 Here is a sample way to send one letter to several people: To: President Bill Clinton Janet Reno, Attorney General Michael Bromwich, Inspector General Kathleen Hawk, Bureau of Prisons Roger Adams, U.S. Pardon Attorney Susan Kuzma, Deputy Pardon Attorney Leonard Peltier Defense Committee From: Your Name Re: Leonard Peltier #89637-132 Your message ________________________________________________________________________ New files: access these files from: Type these words exactly as shown in message body: GET NAT-FILM.MENU Website Always under construction |/////////////| Nat-Film Posts are "c" copyright original author/sender |\\\Role'em\\\| --------- "RE: Montana DOL Prepares Assault on Buffalo" --------- Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 14:01:06 +0100 From: Buffalo Folks Subj: Montana DOL Prepares Assault on Buffalo Subscribe: Unsubscribe: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK PLANS 'MILITARY STYLE' OPERATION TO DRIVE BUFFALO BACK INTO YELLOWSTONE PARK Sunday, April 26, 1998 WEST YELLOWSTONE (MT) -- The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has announced an aggressive hazing operation beginning this week to clear buffalo from cattle grazing allotments on public lands. The DOL plans to deploy helicopters, all terrain vehicles and 4X4s to drive buffalo back into Yellowstone National Park. An estimated 300 buffalo including pregnant females and young calves, will be targeted by the DOL's plans. "DOL's military style operation puts pregnant females and new calves in danger, and could likely stampede the buffalo causing injuries and deaths," says Michael Mease of Buffalo Nations. "The impacts of DOL's operations would be devastating not only to the Madison buffalo herd, but also to listed species including bald eagles, sand hill cranes and trumpeter swans who are nesting in the area. It's also elk calving season. At the very least, an Environmental Assessment should be carried out before any action is taken by the DOL," says Mike Bowersox Buffalo Nations volunteer. In a letter last week, Larry Petersen, head of the DOL, requested that Buffalo Nations and other members of the concerned public not interfere with "on-going bison migrations." Nearly 200 volunteers from Buffalo Nations have safeguarded buffalo throughout the Greater Yellowstone region every day for the past 6 months. Buffalo Nations' Rosalie Little Thunder says the request from Mr. Petersen feels like a forewarning of Buffalo Nations being blamed for any buffalo slaughter. "The buffalo are hostage. Interfere with the aggressive hazing and they'll be shot is the message I'm receiving," she said. Last year, the DOL slaughtered over 1,100 buffalo. This year the DOL has killed 11 buffalo from the Madison herd. DOL imposed an April 15th deadline for buffalo to return to the Park. The cattle grazing allotments open on June 15th. "We'll be there," says Michael Mease. "If they start shooting, we are willing to be the human shield. Our commitment to defending the buffalo hasn't changed". Buffalo Nations PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 406-646-0070 phone 406-646-0071 fax mailto:buffalo@wildrockies.org Please check out http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo for updates from the only group working every day in the Park: Buffalo Nations and find out what you can do http://www.wildrockies.org/bison Please pass these URL's on --------- "RE: Bison Belong Update" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 09:11:56 EDT From: ErthAvengr Subj: BISON BELONG Update UUCP email BISON BELONG Update April 7,1998 E-mail: BISON@NPCA.ORG End of a Mild Yellowstone Winter March 7th. marked the end of Yellowstone National Park's winter season, and fortunately for the bison this season was relatively warm and dry. Due to the mild conditions of winter 1997-98, the bison were able to find sufficient food in the park and did not need to migrate out of Yellowstone and onto the lower plains to forage. As a result of this mild weather and the massive population reduction that occurred last winter, only 11 bison, as of the end of March, were slaughtered as they wandered out of the park compared with the nearly 1,100 bison that were killed during the winter of 1996-97. Although the situation may appear to have improved, the bison population is still and will continue to be in danger until a scientifically defensible management plan is instituted. Land Acquisition Update In an effort to expand the winter range of Yellowstone's bison, the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture each allocated $6. 5 million to acquire 7,850 acres of the Church Universal and Triumphant's land along the west side of the Yellowstone river north of the park. However, the State of Montana is indicating that even if the land is acquired, bison will not be allowed on this adjacent public land for fear of brucellosis transmission to adjacent cattle herds. APHIS's high/low risk criteria should be sufficient to dismiss those concerns. One of these suggestions ( See Proposed Low-Risk Bison Definition section below) includes a report stating that a 60- day time separation between low-risk bison and cattle land use is sufficient protection against the transmission of Brucellosis. It also says that with the 60- day time separation, Montana's brucellosis-free rating would not be jeopardized. Although everyone involved agrees that this land purchase is not the final solution to the current bison situation, this acquisition has tremendous benefits for migratory wildlife including Yellowstone's bison. Letters to Governor Racicot and President Clinton are needed now supporting the land exchange to accommodate wildlife, specifically bison. Proposed Low-Risk Bison Definition In February, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sent out a letter to all State Veterinarians informing them of the proposed adjustments to the Interim Bison Management Plan agreed to by APHIS, the National Forest Service, and officials of the National Park Service that would, " meet the interlocking goals of protecting Montana cattle from brucellosis and minimizing the need for lethal control of bison." This plan would allow low-risk bison, defined as " untested bulls, yearlings, calves, and postparturient cows (that have totally passed placenta), that could not be captured and tested to remain on public land corridors along the Madison River in the west boundary area from November 1 until 60 days prior to cattle returning to public lands." The State of Montana, would have the authority to kill all other bison that could not be captured and tested, bison on private lands, or unhazable bison that have wandered beyond the boundary of the management area. In order to formulate a suitable low-risk bison definition, these groups worked closely with industry experts, including the Brucellosis Committee of the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA). These groups defend their low-risk definition by saying, "This definition, which is based on and supported by the best available research, is sound and represents the optimum safe balance between maintaining a viable bison herd in the Park and protecting Montana cattle from the treat of brucellosis. USAHA officials agree that the low-risk definition would effectively mitigate the risk of brucellosis transmission to Montana cattle and that the limited area and limited time under which these adjustments would be enacted should provide reasonable assurances to other states." Bison Back in the Courts In June the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Intertribal Bison Cooperative, and Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance will return to Federal Court to present their arguments against state and federal agencies involved in Yellowstone's bison management policies. The concerned groups have combined their first claim under the Organic Act and the Yellowstone Act, stating the National Park Service does not have the authority to kill wildlife, with their most recent claim under the National Environmental Protection Act, stating the park failed to examine the possible effects of the Interim Bison Management Plan. Under this management plan, nearly 1, 100 bison were slaughtered during the winter of 1996-97--- approximately twice as many as estimated by the Interim Bison Management Plan. Where is the Bison Draft Environmental Impact Statement? Late March is now here and gone, but the EIS is nowhere to be found. The original release date was the Summer of 1997, and then it was pushed back to October of ' 97, then back to January of ' 98, then March, and now the predicted date is June with a very good possibility of it being extended even further. In the meantime, the State of Montana continues to object to the wording of a few sections of the Draft EIS. Fortunately for the Bison, last winter was mild and very few animals had to wander outside of the park in search of food. However, the State needs to release the Draft EIS soon or Yellowstone's Bison population could be once again in jeopardy. Next winter might not be as mild as the last. + Letters are needed now asking the Governor of Montana to agree to the Bison Draft Environmental Impact Statement Following the release of the Bison Draft Environmental Impact Statement (currently scheduled for June 8th.) NPCA will be holding meetings for the Bison Belong Business and individual bison supporters to discuss the Draft EIS ( a.k.a. the proposed Final Bison Management Plan) There will be a public meeting with Congressman Rick S. Hill on general Montana issues at 3:00P.M. on April 15 at Montana State University in Bozeman. Call the ' Yellowstone Center for Resources' at (307)344-2203 to have your name put on the EIS mailing list to receive a copy of the Draft EIS pertaining to Yellowstone's Bison. President Bill Clinton Governor Marc Racicot 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Room 204, State Capitol Washington, DC 20037 Helena, MT 59620 --------- "RE: Tribes Welcome Refuge Bison Hunt" --------- Date: 4/22/98 4:57:34 PM Central Daylight Time From: miketben@total.net (miketben) Subj: [Fwd: Tribes welcome refuge bison hunt] Prepared for the Web: Friday, March 20, 1998, 22:07 Tribes welcome refuge bison hunt JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - When American Indian tribes were invited to take meat from Yellowstone National Park bison killed in the winter of 1996-97, they needed the food enough to set aside tradition, but it left a bad taste. The bison, which are used by the tribes for various religious ceremonies, were shot by agents of the Montana Livestock Department after they left Yellowstone to prevent any possible transmission of disease to livestock. But the animals were not killed with the respect dictated by tribal culture. "There's a lot of tribal elders and cultural folks that have a bad feeling when they had to come and get an animal that's been shot two hours earlier," said Buzz Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet tribe and a tribal and federal game professional. "They were so desperate to get some of this bison they would (take) them under this system. . . . They go away feeling not good about it." But that could change under a plan approved by federal and state land and wildlife managers to allow tribal members and others to hunt the Jackson Hole bison herd as early as this spring or summer. Cobell and other tribal representatives were in Jackson this month to tour the National Elk Refuge. The hunt could re-establish part of the culture of area tribes, many of which were left without bison when they were pushed onto reservations. "To a man they believe all animals have a spirit," Cobell said. "You have to be respectful. To harvest anything without recognition of that animal's spirit is not good." Mike Fox, a member of the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Fish and Game Commission, said Indians hunting on the refuge would follow traditional rituals before the hunt, including taking part in a sweat lodge ceremony. "This is giving the tribes a chance to participate rather than just picking up the carcasses," he said. Under the federal-state plan, the Jackson Hole herd will be kept at 350 to 400 animals. That means killing 60 to 70 bison each year. Thirty percent will be killed by American Indians. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will set the hunting season and members of the tribal commission will determine which of the 16 tribes from 10 reservations will be allowed to hunt. The Shoshone and Arapaho tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming would likely be selected to hunt first, said Don Meyers, who represented the Chippewa and Cree tribes on the commission. "This was their land," he said. "We should come down and support them; do their sweat." Elk Refuge manager Barry Reiswig said the hunt would be allowed only if there are bison on the northern part of the refuge during the hunting season. --------- "RE: Anna Mae: Awards that Mean Something" --------- Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 18:28:03 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: Anna Mae... Awards that mean something Newsgroup: alt.native (Sorry to not ph for permission to reproduce this here, Paul, but I can't afford the call. It was sent to me as is so I don't know what edition it's from). from News From Indian Country ANNIE MAE PICTOU AWARDS Indigenous Women's Network presents Pictou Activism awards by Paul DeMain St. Paut, Minnesota (NFIC) The Indigenous Women's Network awarded its 1998 Annie Mae Pictou awards on' April 10th during ceremonies at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Indigenous Women's Network (IWN) emerged from a gathering of over 200 Native women in Yelm, Washington in 1985 and has remained active in working with a philosophy and vision of the elders to create a global environment critical to our long term survival as human beings. The awards gathering featured Native women from across North America and cumulated in the presentation of cast-stone sculpture replicas of 'La Madre' to Mary Lafford, a sister of Annie Mae Pictou (Aquash), to Mohawk midwife Katsi Cook and to Cecilia Rodriguez, a representative of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. The awards banquet was MC'd by Ingrid Washinawatok, IWN co-chair, and Lisa Bellanger, IWN secretary, with an opening address and song by a member of the Grandmother Society. Opening the formal presentation ceremony was White Earth Anishinabekwe Winona LaDuke who told the participants that the Indigenous Women's Network was "something that has always existed in the hearts and minds and memories of our women" and is something that the IWN has actualized over the last 10 years in their work. According to LaDuke, "It's about the process of recovering our history, recovering the knowledge of who we are, where we come from and the process of recovering ourselves. That is the work of the Indigenous Women's Network." Artist Marsha Gomez explained the history of the life size sculpture, the "Madre del Mundo" from which three smaller replicas where made for presentation to those being honored. According to Gomez, five life size sculptures sit near sacred sites, endangered by nuclear-bomb making sites, waste storage sites and other significant areas. Said Gomez, "She stands in head-on defiance of the desecration of our Sacred Earth. She is us, we are her." Indigenous Women's Network presents Pictou activism awards to Katsi Cook and Cecilia Rodriguez (cont'd...) A replica of the sculpture was then presented to the sister of the late Annie Mae Pictou, Mary Lafford from Nova Scotia, who was flown in for the ceremonies. Offering encouragement to other women to get involved with all aspects "of life that effect women," major testimonials on the life of Annie Mae Pictou (aka: Aquash) were read by Nilak Butler and part of the film 'Brave Hearted Woman," was shown, a segment dedicated to the events Annie Mae was involved in during her work with the American Indian Movement. In a brief outline of Annie Mae Pictou, the program read, "Annie Mae was a daughter, sister, mother, auntie, friend, lover - a fine human being. She did not seek glory but worked quietly doing anything that was needed, no matter how small nor great the task before her. She did not complain or whine when times were hard - rather she gave herself, her humor and wisdom that take the sharp hard edges off of difficult situations." In that vein of giving, long-term female activists Katsi Cook, Mohawk midwife and advocate of traditional health practices, and Cecilia Rodriguez, spokesperson for the Zapatista Army, were recognized for their dedication and work on behalf of Native women worldwide. All rights reserved NFIC: (605) 399-0867. --------- "RE: Resisting the Racist Anti-tribal Campaign" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 10:59:33 -0700 (PDT) From: arthurmiller50@juno.com (Arthur J Miller) Subj: NWLPSN STATEMENT Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) please help get this statement out RESISTING THE RACIST ANTI-TRIBAL CAMPAIGN a public statement by the NORTHWEST LEONARD PELTIER SUPPORT NETWORK The Northwest Leonard Peltier Support Network (NWLPSN) was established five years ago at the request of Leonard Peltier and the national Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. The NWLPSN is made up of support groups and members at large throughout the Northwest, and though the main focus of the NWLPSN is justice for Leonard Peltier, it is also our desire to be helpful to the local communities within our region. It has become evident that there is an ongoing anti-tribal campaign being conducted by extreme right wing elements, in many cases using individuals and groups who remain unaware of the hidden agenda. Because of the broad purpose and goals of the NWLPSN, we feel that it is our duty to help build a network of resistance to the elimination of tribal sovereignty. Leonard Peltier himself sets the direction of his vast support network, and has often urged his supporters to assist both Native and non-Native peoples. He has given the following statement about Sen. Slade Gorton's bill to do away with tribal sovereign immunity (which Gorton has misleadingly titled the "American Indian Equal Justice Act"): "This is the beginning of a step toward genocide of my people. It is important that everyone be aware of the seriousness of it, and contact local senators and congress people to show their disagreement." Since Sen. Gorton's bill is a major part of the anti-tribal campaign, it is the duty and responsibility of the NWLPSN to take Leonard's direction and help build resistance to the anti-tribal campaign and its' racist backers. Out of our support and respect for tribal sovereignty, the NWLPSN will not be directly involved in internal tribal issues, unless our aid on a particular problem is requested. Rather, it is our intent to help build resistance to the interference and attacks upon tribal sovereignty and treaty rights by research, education, public rallies, direct confrontation, and networking with all communities, human rights, labor and social justice organizations. The following important issues have led us to our decision to help build a resistance network: 1. The long conflict over fishing and shellfishing treaty rights between property owners, sport and commercial fishers, and the state of Washington, vs. the tribes. 2. The conflict over treaty hunting rights. 3. The interference of non-Native groups and individuals in the right of the tribes to their self-determination in developing economic enterprises that benefit their people on sovereign tribal land. 4. The claims of some non-Native people that they are not obligated to follow the health, safety and environmental regulations of the tribes while they are on sovereign tribal land, and that the tribes have no jurisdiction over the conduct of any non-tribal people on sovereign tribal land. 5. The continuing efforts of politicians at the state and national level (Slade Gorton and Jack Metcalf being the most prominent in this state) to pass legislation to eliminate tribal sovereignty and Native treaty rights. 6. The efforts by the State of Washington to impose state taxes on sovereign tribal land. 7. The lack of objective and informative media coverage: the daily print media and the TV news have consistently portrayed the conflict(s) as being Native vs. non-Native, without showing that many -- possibly even a majority -- of non-Native people in this state are not anti-tribal. The media portrays non-Native property owners, hunters, and fishermen as victims of Native tribal treaty rights, while never pointing out all that non-Natives have gained because of the treaties. The anti-tribal movement has become very vocal the last few years in Washington. Some of their public actions have been: 1.) The picketing by whites of a tribal smokeshop in Tacoma, when nearby were several white-owned stores selling the same products. 2.) The white opposition to the Muckelshoot amphitheater by more people than will ever be affected by it. 3.) The elk hunters' rally in Olympia where the leader of the 500 white hunters stated that "if the state did not deal with the Indians, they would". 4.) The congressional hearing held in Tukwila on Gorton's bill, where the "White Rights" crowd came out in force, yelling racist slurs at Native people, and threatening some with violence. The anti-tribal movement is well organized and funded. The following elements are known to be a part of this campaign. We will begin with those who have the most to gain. 1. The "Wise Use" movement: Major timber, energy, mining, development and fishing corporations that put their profits ahead of environmental concerns, and want to open up all public and tribal lands for exploitation helped created, direct, and fund what is called the "Wise Use" movement. Ron Arnold, vice-president at Alan Gottlieb's Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise (CDFE) in Bellevue, is one of the movement's originators. The term "Wise Use", as applied to land and resource use, came out of the Multiple Use Strategy Conference in Reno, Nevada in August 1988. The conference was sponsored by the CDFE. Among those in attendance were Exxon, Louisiana-Pacific, Boise Cascade and several right-wing extremist groups such as the American Freedom Coalition and the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA), a national alliance of anti-Indian groups. The Wise Use Agenda, a movement handbook that was published after the Reno conference, lists 25 goals including the immediate development of oil resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the opening of all national parks and wilderness areas to mining, and the systematic harvest of "decaying" (read "old growth") trees on national forest lands. The CDFE, as sponsor and backer of "Wise Use", advocates overturning or severely restricting the Endangered Species Act, wetlands preservation, the establishment or continuance of National Parks and forests, game and bird preserves, planned growth management, and in general any restriction on corporate activity, regardless of the cost to the environment and the public at large. "Wise Use" can be considered as the anti-environmental arm of the larger extreme right-wing agenda (with overlap into the "property rights" arm of the movement -- see below), which encompasses the entire anti-democratic spectrum of issues: the fight to destroy affirmative action, limiting (non-white) immigration, union-busting, civil rights, and in general the campaign to destroy any protection that the government provides individuals and communities against corporate power and greed. 2. National Anti-Treaty Rights Organizations: While anti-treaty rights organizations operate in many states, they are linked both independently and through two national organizations -- the Interstate Congress for Equal Rights and Responsibilities (ICERR) and Protect Americans' Rights and Resources (PARR). ICERR, founded in 1976, linked on-reservation non-Native landowner opposition to tribal governments with off-reservation non-Native sport and commercial fishermen opposed to tribal treaty protected fishing rights. The organization has received funding from the Joseph Coors Foundation, an extreme right wing organization whose head is also a board member of the Heritage Foundation. PARR, a Wisconsin-based organization formed in 1987, has called for boycotts of Native-owned businesses, opposition to any legal or political decision that would recognize treaty rights, and was active during the Wisconsin and Minnesota spearfishing rights struggles, during which many Natives were subject to racial slurs, physical attacks, and injuries. An independent Wisconsin environmental organization characterized PARR's stance during the spearfishing fight as "blatantly racist". PARR has friends in the extreme right-wing coalition Alliance for America, which also supports abolishing tribal sovereignty and "Wise Use". PARR staff member Larry Peterson is also on the board of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (mentioned above under "Wise Use"). 3. National "Property Rights" Organizations: The cutting edge of the extremist right wing anti-government agenda at federal, state, and local levels. From the top levels of the Heritage Foundation, Alliance for America, etc., to state and local groups, the "Property Rights" agenda is to restrict or abolish all regulations and restrictions on private property ownership and use. The movement bills itself as the friend of the individual property owner, and has undertaken and funded numerous legal cases and political campaigns against government "interference"; however, not one of the hundreds of "Property Rights" advocacy and funding groups in the United States has ever, to my knowledge, represented individual property owners against corporate interests. 4. United Property Owners of Washington (UPOW): Where the "Wise Use", "Property Rights" and organized anti-Native movements converge most strongly in Washington State. UPOW, formed in 1989, was formerly known as the Steelhead and Salmon Protective Association and Wildlife Network (S/SPAWN), which the Environmental Working Group called "an anti-Indian organization disguised as a fishermen's group". UPOW is a coalition of groups and individuals, some of whom have been actively involved in organized anti-Native and anti-tribal activities for years. The group headed the legal and political fight against tribal shellfishing rights, along with their co-counsel, the Defenders of Property Rights (DoPR). DoPR is a extremist right wing "property rights" advocacy and funding group whose board members include James Watt, Ed Meese, Robert Bork, Sen. Orrin Hatch, and Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho, and is associated with the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance for America, and other right-wing organizations. 5. The "Elk Hunters": This group first made a public appearance when approximately 500 of them held a rally at the steps of the state Capital in Olympia. On that occasion they held signs calling for the elimination of all treaties with the tribes, "White Men Have Rights Too" and other prefabricated slogans. The leader of the group, Mark Smith (who calls himself "a modern day Indian fighter") issued the threat "if the state does not deal with the Indians, we will!" Two weeks later, this group showed up -- along with UPOW protesters -- at the congressional hearing in Tukwila, where they placed their people on the roads leading to the hearing site and at the entrance to the hearing. Many Native people who had to pass them were met with racist slurs and other insults. Inside the hearings an angry crowd responded to the sound of a Native drum outside by jumping to their feet to sing the Star Spangled Banner, and moments later stood again to shout the Pledge of Allegiance despite the lack of a flag being present to pledge allegiance to. When the Senate Committee entered the room, Sen. Campbell admonished the crowd and told them that any further disturbances would lead to their removal. Outside, members of the NWLPSN maintained a vigil in support of tribal sovereignty, where we were greatly outnumbered, and at times surrounded by the racists. The situation became tense several times: once when they argued with a Lakota activist, another time when some of them verbally abused a Native Elder and NWLPSN member, and later when they tried to block all view of our vigil by walking a picket line in front of us. At one point Mark Smith yelled into his bullhorn " do you know who is the chairman of this hearing? He is an Indian, and we must stop that Indian". As the hearing broke up many Native people joined our vigil, including a number of school kids. A drum was set up and the racists tried to drown out the drumming by singing the national anthem. Once the Native people out numbered the racists they left. At another Rally outside Fish & Wildlife Commission hearings in Olympia, the crowd (again, 500 strong) chanted anti-Native slogans and carried signs reading "State: Stop The Tribes Or We Will" and "New Treaty Or Nothing" 6. Right wing so-called Christian Movements. It is nothing new that far right wing racists use Christianity as a cover for their agenda. In the anti-tribal campaign using Christianity is rather easy given the historical role that many Christian churches had in the eurocentric conquest. Even today that role continues. The Christian-Patriot Movement seems to be the most active in the anti-tribal campaign. They basically believe in the rights of conquest of the White Christian Nation. They are active in the "Wise Use" movement, and actively helped organize far right wing rural militias. When one of these militias in this state was organized (with the help of the Montana Militia) they stated their anti-tribal beliefs. Next, the Christian Identity Movement, this is the most extreme of the right wing groups. Among their white supremacist ideas, is the idea of the creation of an Aryan Nation, of white people only, here in the northwest. Needless to say such an Aryan Nation would mean the forced removal of the people of the Native Nations. The Christian Identity Movement has been actively recruiting in the South Puget Sound area. Then there is the Christian Coalition. This organization, which is very strong in Washington, openly sides with the "white property owners" and is very active in the overall right wing agenda. Randy Tate, who is now the head of these group, was part of the right wing campaign to control congress a few years back. He was an ally of Jack Metcalf and Slade Gorton. In his congressional campaigns he openly sided with the "white property owners". The anti-democratic, extremist, racist right wing is like a spider web with many connections between groups. The various front groups are joined by shared memberships and ideology. All the organizations and movements listed above, along with many others, share the common goal of the elimination of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. WHAT CAN BE DONE The NWLPSN is committed to help build a resistance to the racist anti-tribal campaign. We are seeking support, mutual cooperation, and ideas from organizations and individuals with an interest in tribal sovereignty, human rights, the environment, labor, anti-racist issues, or any other area. Some of our immediate concerns are: 1. Slade Gorton's bill that seeks to do away with tribal immunity. It is a direct attempt to wipe out the tribes, and if it passes it will open the tribes up to an orchestrated campaign of lawsuits that will drain the tribes' financial resources. Sen. Gordon stated to the press after the Tukwila hearing that his goal is the elimination of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. This bill is a major step in that direction. Please write letters opposing the "American Indian Equal Justice Act" to: Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Chairman, Select Committee on Indian Affairs, 380 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC Fax: 202-224-1933 E-Mail: administrator@campbell.senate.gov And to Sen. Slade Gorton, 730 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. Fax: 202-224-9393 E-Mail: Senator_Gorton@gorton.senate.gov And Sen. Patty Murray, 111 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510. Fax: 202-224-0238 E-Mail: senator_murray@murray.senate.gov Those who live in other states please write letters to the senators of your state. Those who live outside of the U.S. please write letters to the U.S. Embassy in your country. 2. The NWLPSN has begun a mobilization network called "THE ANTI-RACIST EMERGENCY ACTION NETWORK" (AREAN). The purpose of AREAN is to respond quickly to the public actions of the racist anti-tribal campaign, for example the situations in Tukwila and Olympia. (We would also like it clearly understood that the NWLPSN is only responsible for the mechanics of the network: we have always, and will continue to, invite all individuals and organizations to participate in AREAN on a purely democratic decision-making basis.) With this statement is a sign-up sheet for AREAN. 3. Come out and help spread the word about the May 9th, SUPPORT TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY / "WASHINGTON GATHERING TO FIGHT RACISM" in Olympia, WA. This is just the first public demonstration in our mobilization of resistance to the anti-tribal campaign. 4. To be placed on our mailing list and/or to give a much needed donation please contact: NWLPSN, 5201 Capital Blvd, Ste 119, Olympia, WA 98501. For more information: NWLPSN, P.O. Box 5464, Tacoma, WA 98415-0464, e-mail, arthurmiller50@juno.com. Or visit our web page at: http://members.aol.com/TurquoisWm/index.html. The NWLPSN is committed to doing all that it can to resist the racist anti-tribal campaign. We know that there are people of all communities who do not agree with the goals of the right wing extremists and their agenda. We also understand that the racists seek to isolate our communities in their individual attacks, and that when they are successful in any one of their agenda issues all communities lose. Thus we call for a united stand against racism and the right wing agenda by all communities and social justice organizations. "An Injury to one is an injury to all!" In Solidarity Arthur J. Miller and Al Regan NWLPSN --------- "RE: Lawyer Says Church is in Denial" --------- Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 12:20:13 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: UC Residential Schools:"Denial with a capital D" :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: LAWYER FOR ABORIGINALS SAYS CHURCH IS IN DENIAL Victoria, Times Colonist April 17, 1998, page A8 (CP) [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.] Prince Rupert - Decision was reserved Thursday after final arguments ended at the first Canadian civil suit over native residential school abuse. Justice Donald Brenner is expected to give his decision in BC Supreme Court by the end of June. About two dozen people are suing the United Church of Canada and the Indian Affairs Department for sexual and physical abuse they suffered for years while students at the Alberni Indian residential school. A lawyer for the plaintiffs expressed shock Thursday that arguments by the church amounted to an effort to undermine the natives' credibility. "I am extremely concerned about the argument ... presented," said Peter Grant. "You've heard denial with a capital D." The church has denied any role in hiring Arthur Henry Plint, a dormitory supervisor who committed the assaults, or that it had any management authority at the school. It also denied it employed the principals who hired Plint. Brenner ruled Thursday the principals had authority over Plint, who was convicted in 1995 on multiple counts of physical and sexual abuse. The judge who sentenced Plint, now 80, to 11 years in prison called him a sexual terrorist. Church lawyer Christopher Hinkson also argued the United Church had no say in financing the school or looking after the children. "If this defendant was an individual, this client would need counselling in a big way," Grant said. Indian Affairs is not denying it is liable for the children's welfare, but government lawyer Mitch Taylor argued the church alone is liable for Plint's assaults. Grant urged Brenner to find the church and government equally liable. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Times Colonist - mailto:timesc@interlink.bc.ca 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: Call for Help for the Elders" --------- Date: Mon, Apr 20, 1998 10:10 AM EDT From: SnowWolffe Subj: Fwd: Call for help for the elders PLEASE READ!!! In a message dated 4/20/98 3:36:37 AM Central Daylight Time, PAPAPOSSUM writes: Please Publish as you can Dear Friends: As summer nears it is time to not forget the elders. I humbly ask that you pass down those old clean coats, sweaters, overshoes, and gloves you will not be using anymore. It is now that we must prepare for winter for the elders at Big Mt. they need warm clothes and food, medicines and fire wood for the winter ahead I know this seems early but we must prepare early as it is to late to distribute after the Snow starts flying. If and when I receive enough donations I would like to include the Ship Rock area in New Mexico as well. "Remember Bucket-Line is willing to help any nation not just the Dine." I am continuing to work for a full load of supplies to distribute by August so that I may plan for an early Sept delivery. We need funds for transportation, food medicines and fire wood. We can purchase food things locally cheaper then they can be mailed as I learned last trip the food packages cost as much to mail as the cost of the food. If you would like a list of things needed? Papa's Den (Keyword to: http://members.delphi.com/papapossum/index.html) Please visit our web site If you would like to donate to coat of food, medicines, or transportation cost please send Checks or money orders no cash please to: Bucket-Line To The Elders C/O. First Security Bank 2050 N main Layton Ut 84041 For Clothing Please send to Bucket-Line C/O. James C. Cogsdil 1775 West Gregory Dr. Layton, UT 84041 --------- "RE: Good Advice" --------- Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 09:30:06 EDT From: WAZI NAGI Subj: good advice UUCP email We all know that there are problems in Indian country and on the reservations across this land. We all know that much has been taken from us, much has been lost through the actions not only of others, but of ourselves. I know that this last statement will not be greeted with enthusiasm by some, but I have said it and it stands. The main fact is that when we pit one brother against another, all lose. When we fight amongst ourselves, call names, degrade and debase each other, all our people are degraded and debased. When our actions are not for the best and highest good of all our people, then they are destructive to all the people. I have seen the name calling, backbiting that goes on. Full blood versus mixed blood - I am better than you. Reservation raised and/or still residing, versus those who have not done so or are doing so, "you are not as good as me". Those who have been raised in tradition versus those who have not been, but have striven to return to the ways, "you have not lived this way, so you are a wannabe". A sister who spoke out when she saw racist remarks being made by some of our own people, reminding them that we become no better than those who have done this to us, when we willingly participate, attacked and demeaned for her lesson of wisdom. Before we take any action, the Elders should be allowed to gather and come to a consensus on the matter. Before we take any action we need to consider the effect on the future generations. I am not saying that we should turn our backs on that which would threaten the very survival of our People, but I am saying that all action should be taken only after judicious consideration of the situation has been taken. Also this is not a religious thing, and to site traditional vs christian is also wrong. Many did not have the option of what they were forced to learn as children. Many were taken from their families and forced to become christians, they were not allowed to be raised in tradition. This is a matter of what is best for ALL the People. The Earth Change times are upon us. What we do now, effects who and what will survive. It effects how we will survive, what we will have to work with in the days to come. Now is the time for saving all of our ways and traditions that is humanly possible, for the future generations to benefit from. I beg of you all to think well and carefully, before blood is shed. I beg of yu all to think well and carefully, before a path is embarked upon that will further deteriorate and destroy our People and our childrens futures. We the adults are responsible for the next seven generations, let us make sure that is that which will make their lives better. This is only the words and thoughts of an old, mixed blood woman. I send them forth with respect to all. Wazi Nagi --------- "RE: Friends of the Lubicon News Conference" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:06:35 -0400 From: fol@tao.ca Subj: Friends of the Lubicon news conference Friends of the Lubicon (Toronto) 485 Ridelle Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6B 1K6 Tel : (416) 763-7500 v Fax: (416) 603-2715 v E-mail : fol@tao.ca For Immediate release | Thursday April 23, 1998 Ten-day deadline is up tomorrow Friends of the Lubicon news conference : 1:30 pm Friday (TORONTO) On April 14, Justice James MacPherson released an Ontario Court decision declaring the boycott of Daishowa products not only legal but "a model of how such activities should be conducted in a democratic society." But, in the interests of allowing Daishowa time to consider making a commitment not to cut or to buy wood cut on Lubicon territory until a land rights settlement is reached - thus ending the boycott - Friends of the Lubicon promised Daishowa a ten day moratorium before it would resume its boycott. FOL told Daishowa that any new boycott would be "bigger than before and will extend across several jurisdictions." The ten-day moratorium ends April 24th. In the interim period, Friends of the Lubicon has been talking with Daishowa. Friends of the Lubicon will announce the next step of Lubicon supporters including supporters in US, Europe, Japan, Manitoba, and Quebec - publicly at a news conference at 1:30 pm Friday April 24 in the media gallery at the Queen's Park Legislature in Toronto. for more information: Friends of the Lubicon: (416) 763-7500 For more background information visit the Lubicon supporter web page at: http://kafta.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Lubicon/main.html The full court decision is available at http://www.tao.ca/~fol/ --------- "RE: San Carlos, AIM and Joe West" --------- Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 11:41:33 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: San Carlos, AIM & joe west... mho Newsgroup: alt.native d'laan'te All, Sorry this is so long but I am hoping it will help clear the stench out of the air... Feel free to ask me any question if you doubt any of my details & if I can I will answer as best I can. Any feedback appreciated. I will ignore flames. I have all my original emails & fax logs to refer to. I am unhappy with the fact that once again it is Indian vs Indian, doing the dirty work of others... This stuff has got to stop. There is too much in the balance to go through the, "he said.. but he said" routine. Hope you agree. I had posted my opinion of the San Carlos news that has been going on a couple of days ago, but apparently it didn't get past some server, so here it is again... (the bottom half here). Then I was sent a copy of this by a friend in the south... so before my original writing I will address this trash that came to my monitor... and it is trash, not "straight talk"..., it is a stain on AIM. I can't believe it comes from AIM at all. This is not acting in the best interest of any Indian or any Nation. It is name-calling, & "who started it" is too stupid a position to even consider among grown men & women. Here's what I received that ticked me off... Subject: AIM Grand Council.... Last night I received a conference call from Fern Mathias (AIM S CAL, AIM Grand Council) and Tina (AIM Az).. and was told to post the following words as soon as possible: "Joe West is a liar, he is a fed. You have been duped by him." These are the words I was given to post.. they have now been posted. Ish -end- This is a kids' post. It could not have been written by grown men & women. I doubt that AIM, Grand Council or most any real chapter, would put up words like this. I have NO doubt that joe west DID meet with elders on that second trip to San C with food. I have NO doubt that the elders he met with told him pretty much what he posted. But now to think, let alone say, that joe west is a "fed" or that he is out to "dupe" anyone is not just an insult to joe, but to every person that knows firsthand FROM THEIR OWN PERSPECTIVE (independent of both AIMAZ & joe west), about what is going on in San Carlos. What others BESIDES joe have reported AND in the communities of San Carlos. joe is NOT the only one who has told me directly that there is a different point of view about the recent events in San Carlos. And unlike joe, I can & will provide whatever names & copies of msgs I received & sent concerning these events, but I will do so only to people I have come to trust, by email fax or phone, NOT on this or any other newsgroup. Human to human, quietly, in private, as adults trying to ensure peace & NOT taking sides where no "sides" should exist. To go into such name-calling is beneath whatever dignity I have believed AIM has had for the past 30 years. If AIM really did express the above post, then I am hurt to see AIM act in this manner. It is NOT right, by anyone's standards. I do NOT say that the opinions of the * joe listened to are representative of the majority of the people of San carlos, *in the same way that 200 people at a powwow does NOT prove that "the people of San Carlos" have invited AIM to come there "unanimously"*, since as far as I know there are over 10,000 members of the Dineh of San Carlos. And AIM knows that joe west DID speak with 8 elders who are reputedly held in high esteem by their families in San Carlos. For AIM to resort to this "my elders are bigger than your elders" is a very sorry sight. AIM has always, in the past, fought for the strength of unity, not for the weakening by division. This is NOT the AIM that I have supported with my sweat, my tears & my blood. And I have dozens that can vouch for my support over the years, support in action, not just talk. I am proud of my scars. I have never joined AIM, nor any other "organization". I answer to no one but the guy in the mirror in the morning. So I hope my words have some weight. This is not right, this post calling joe a fed or this attitude of personal attack. Knowing joe west to be an honest man, I believe 100% what he reported about his conversations with these elders. (Although I did suggest to him to pass the msg from those he met privately to AIM privately, he is a grown man & makes his own decisions, which he did, deciding to post his observations & the words he was asked to carry..., in public. That was his decision & I stand by his right to act as he believes is right, & I do not judge the man even if I think such accusations should be made in private.) I also DO believe that AIM was given an invite into San Carlos by at least 200 people, including some other elders, to come help them out. To any grown person it is obvious that both joe & AIMAZ believe in what they saw & what they say. I know the identities of some of the people joe met with, & have assured myself that they ARE elders (traditional, non- christian) by way of someone completely unknown to joe. Did no one ever hear the story of the blind men walking into the elephant before? Of how one held it's trunk & said it was snake shaped & the other holding the leg said it was tree shaped? *Neither one was wrong!* So instead of getting into false accusations & name-calling. It's time to sit down. And I respectfully suggest that maybe the best first step is letting the people of San Carlos come to one mind first. As many of the 11,000 as possible, *through the discussions among their family elders ALONE!* Without any non-elders. No outsiders. Sit & wait as long as it takes the families of the Nation to come to one mind. Nothing else HAS TO happen now. Let the families of San Carlos speak first, not just 8. Not just 200. So please, enough with the name calling & ranting. I tell anyone who cares to listen that I know that joe west is not a fed, a snitch, or a cointelpro artist, & you can take that from someone who had his head busted open & spent long days in several courts due to Doug Durham bullshit way back when... And I can vouch that joe has not acted with anything but the best of intentions. The AIM I knew, and which I hope still lives, would know this by now & discuss it quietly & reasonably, Indian to Indian, not with yells & taunts & name-calling. It's disgraceful & embarrassing. The REAL feds are laughing. So please, enough! End of part one. Now for what I had originally been going to post... This is what I feel about this latest flare up in San Carlos, Arizona, & the big "You're a liar!" thing just gone off between joe west & AIMAZ (& now the "AIM Grand Governing Council"). They are listening to & quoting different elders. That's the problem. And the argument that "those other elders aren't real elders" is a crock. They just have a different idea of how the problem of a dirty tribal council should be resolved, they DO NOT support Mull or the crooks. It isn't right to not listen to an elder or group of elders just because they have perspectives opposing yours. This whole thing would be dealt with better if all of the elders could speak together ALONE for as long as it takes them to come of one mind. Until then, AIM & Call To Action & the cops & the Tribal Council should stay out of it & wait. About 200 people have asked AIM to come. There are 11,000 people on that reservation. That doesn't mean that 10,800 want AIM out, any more than 200 can say AIM should come in. There are more than 200 traditionals living in San Carlos. A lot more. I think that the AIMAZ folks are well-meaning, but just too used to life & "communication" in bytes & words & ideologies... This is NOT an attack by outsiders threatening. This is a dispute internal to a Nation, that could bring the possibility of Apache shedding Apache blood, so it is worth taking the time, (and there IS time) to get a better base of support for the way the families that make up the Nation want to settle this dirty council business. I do know that joe west DID speak with REAL elders when he went down with another 400-plus lbs of food. I had heard speak of 3 of them before as being very good, traditional people. And none are christians save the one who joe mentioned who I never heard of before. And I truly believe that all 7 or 8 of the elders he met with are dead set against AIM being there. So what you have is joe met with elders number 1 to 8, & AIM is referring to the (12? 20?) elders who say AIM IS needed. But so far, nobody has let ALL of the elders themselves sit & talk this out amongst themselves. I have been told that at at least 2 public meetings, the younger people who are members of this Call To Action were shouting down 7 of the 8 joe met & calling them sellouts & the like. The elders who said "no, we can solve this dirty council thing among ourselves. ." were/are, I am told, the ones whose families did not work for the Council..., the Call To Action people are the ones that got fired. I was told that some were earning $50/hr. Nice homes. Electricity. Phones. Cars. The elders they shouted down, some of whom joe spoke with, have NOTHING to gain by AIM not being there. There is no apparent motive for them to say they do not feel AIM should be there, other than fear that Apache may shed Apache blood. They live in the back country of the reservation. So there's no love for council in that group either, that's for sure. They are NOT supporters of Mull or the cops or the crooked council, just because they don't want AIM there. They are NOT "sellouts" or "feds" or "cointelpro artists". They ARE elders of some of the the San Carlos families, & even if some don't agree with their perspectives, they deserve as much respect as the elders that AIM says asked them to be there. I was put on the phone to Vern Foster from San C during joe's first trip there, & Vern told me personally that AIMAZ was asking for help in the way of "bodies", & referred to the original call to action (which had been to the effect that the private security goons hired by Mull had attacked elders doing ceremony in front of the Tribal Council office, with one being beaten to death & a grandmother run over by a police car, making it sound (to my ears) like it was Wounded Knee III breaking out). I have a copy of that first email, from 3 separate sources exactly as forwarded to me.) So, the men that my calls would have sent down would have been quitting jobs, borrowing, pawning & begging every cent they could get their hands on to go down, kissing their wives goodbye & doing ceremony for battle. I told Vern that when he spoke with me from San C. I had also been waiting for a written, signed fax of request for 'men & women of strong hearts' that another link I have was told was on the way "right now" (& which still hasn't arrived, 2 weeks later.) I told him I'd forward the fax to certain people who had asked for it. Such docs are vital to the defense in court, sure to follow every action for charges unknown. It's standard. In the old days response to the crier from another place would be limited to a "fact-finding mission" first, because family had to be cared for, except to do battle against life- threats. Not for a political game of "brinksmanship" or over a "employer- employee" fight. The people I contacted & had on standby were not the kind just ready to die for freedom.., they are men ready to take, not just talk action. They have proven themselves ready to defend lives, not to be part of a group meant to impress the press, as important as that might be. They are all part of a certain alliance formed less than 10 yrs ago, between a dozen Nations in Canada. For lack of a better term, the "response group" is well-connected by phone & fax trees. Email is not used because so few have such a thing. But I will NOT "push the button" unless lives or land are in danger from threats from OUTSIDE any Nation. I do believe & wish that AIM would be acting on more solid ground if they had really consulted with the elders, then let ALL of the elders of that Nation come to a consensus on what actions, IF ANY, AIM might be asked to help with. Also, if the Call To Action people have a legitimate beef, it is very easy for them to put the proof this Burns guy found out on the table for all elders to see, (& for the press to see too). Good intentions aside, AIM will get itself badly squeezed, taking sides in a fight that is INTERNAL, pitting Indian against Indian, IF it doesn't wait for the one voice from ALL of the elders there (or at least as many as possible, no matter WHAT their point of view). There is time. There are no lives in danger..., yet. From 3 sources I trust OTHER than joe west, I have been told that the situation does NOT need any outsiders involvement. I make no excuses for being cautious. The last time I hit the button (Gustafsen) there were anywhere from 200 to 300 men on the road & some of them got halfway across the continent when I found out I'd been bullshit to & had to say, "Oops! False alarm guys.." It was not a good feeling, even though the people understood that I had acted on info from a source that was, till that incident, 100% solid. So after Vern made his request to me, I asked 2 others that I know who live in the area to go down & check it out. Then I asked a third person. None of the 3 knew I'd asked anyone else. All 4 (joe included) said that there is no situation developing that would need "the brothers" heading in. These, like myself, support AIM generally. None, (that I know of) are AIM members. And since that come to me from the others as well as joe, none of whom have any axe to grind against AIM or AIMAZ, I transmitted a "stand-down" msg to my contacts with these people, "the brothers". The trouble is that some hotheads who have seen too many movies, *& 'way too few real corpses,* are going to head down there, & if they can't make a WKIII out of this internal Nation dispute, they'll "wish it to happen" consciously or unconsciously. AIM has a big job preventing foolish behavior. War is something not undertaken for the loss of jobs or paychecks. Life & land are the only things worth protecting with blood. I DO believe what Zapata is supposed to have said, "... It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." But losing jobs is NOT worth killing for. If there is proof of wrongdoing by the tribal council then let that wrongdoing be shown for all to see. But even the wrongdoing is not worth killing for, not worth one drop of Apache blood. Land & life are all that is worth blood. Not for something as dumb as money. If some think it is, they can go so far as to die for it, although that never made sense to me. But I have to agree with those whom I contacted in the brotherhoods & societies across Canada, that such reasons are no use getting anyone else in the way of a bullet. The worst part is that if wannabe-warriors show up instead of seasoned men, it would bring about what any & all elders want to avoid; Indian spilling Indian blood.The elders of all factions should be given the opportunity to sit together WITHOUT the younger (the disrespectful & the supporters of either "side") around. The community (through Council) should be giving them a place to meet in private & all the time & food & tea it takes until those elders come of one mind. Without interference by anyone, until they reach a consensus on what should be done, and then they should be thanked by everyone. It is a matter internal to the Dineh-Apache of San Carlos. This is true sovereignty. Not just substituting an Indian "one-man-one-vote" for an equally foreign non-Indian "one-man-one-vote" circus. Let the elders come of one mind. Let the Nation speak. Not just 200, but ALL of them, *through the elders of their families!* AIM was founded to protect this way of doing things. I may not quite have used the same words joe used to say it, but the heart of what AIM is about (& I hope it's not past tense) is respect for the wishes expressed by the families of those who's territory they are called to. Not the "Dick Wilsons" or the "Martin Mulls" but the families. All of the families. As expressed by their elders & ONLY by their elders. Not by those who are not grandmothers & grandfathers of families. Not by Call To Action. Not by the Tribal Council. Not by AIM. Certainly not by way of the "one man, one vote" crap which is foreign & imported. Consensus. Among the elders of the families. End of story. No bloodshed. The "fighting between factions" has been used to divide & conquer many of the Nations for a long, long time. You'd think that people would have learned by now. Crazy Horse & Sitting Bull, killed by Indians, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru..., Acteal..., The keys to breaking the cycle are time-tested by hundreds of millions of people over many, many millennia. The first key is the only "institution" that has lasted all that time. The family. As beat up & held together by old & new bonds & bindings as it is, it's all there really is. All there really ever was. The family..., & their elders, those hubs around which the family spins by sheer bloodline if nothing else, are the first key. The second key is continued discussion to the point of consensus. Not "majority rule" or "votes", because "spin-doctors & publicity" sway electorates, or some one is always left out, & votes can be & are bought, forced or faked. You may not always be able to reach consensus with anyone external to your group, but since the first & only law of every Indian Nation is survival, no Nation or Nation community (or "band" or "tribe") can afford to lose any member, especially at its own hands. Consensus is the second key. The human race would have killed itself off long ago without the gift of those two keys. In social fact, this only works in the small, tight-knit communities of the Nations, especially those still traditional enough, close enough to everyday death to know the seriousness of bloodshed, ready to kill to protect life and/or land, but not to take action which would shed the blood of another member of the Nation. Internally, the families of any Nation can "fix" whatever's busted. Without killing. And especially without any Indian dying. That's my opinion, for what it's worth, with respect... --------- "RE: Communique' from San Andres Sakamchen of the Poor" --------- Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 16:36:59 -0700 (PDT) From: "moonlight@igc.apc.org" Subj: Communique' from San Andres Sakamchen of the Poor UUCP email COMMUNIQUE' OF THE AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ANDRES SAKAMCHEN OF THE POOR - REC. 4.20.98 translated from Spanish by PC93 -> http://www.wilder.net/c73/index.htm The authorities of the autonomous municipality of San Andres Sakamchen of the poor make a "guard" in the offices of the municipal presidency since the political- military operation against Taniperlas, in the autonomous municipality of Flores Magon. COMMUNIQUE' FROM THE AUTONOMOUS MUNICIPALITY OF SAN ANDRES SAKAMCHEN OF THE POOR (Read by the traditional autonomous authorities before a concentration of thousands of tzotziles in defense of their rebel municipality this past 13th of April) Brothers and Sisters, companeros and companeras belonging to this autonomous municipality of San Andres Sakamchen of the Poor. Today we are reunited to inform you of what happened the 11th day of April of 1998, which is that close to a thousand federal soldiers by orders of Ernesto Ponce de Leon and the self-appointed governor of Chiapas, Roberto Albores Guillen, attacked our brothers and sisters, companeros and companeras (ours in the zapatista struggle of the town of Taniperlas, autonomous municipal headship of the municipality Ricardo Flores Magon, the federal soldiers took prisoner 9 indigenous companeros, bases of support of our Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), they also took hold of 12 brothers from other countries that were attending the 10th of April celebration as observers. This new signal is another showing more of the federal government of Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon of its great power, its threats to continue forward with its plans of jailing, killing and exterminating the indigenous towns that fight for our rights. Ernesto Zedillo and Albores Guillen continue firm in their strategy of preparing paramilitary groups, like the Mascara Roja that operate in los Altos of Chiapas, and others already very well known in the state of Chiapas. Ruiz Ferro and Albores Guillen are the same assassins of Acteal, they are assassins of many indigenous leaders assassinated in Chiapas, they are the same that form and pay the paramilitary groups to provoke the zapatista towns and assassinate them. The federal government has attempted in many ways to provoke the zapatista indigenous so that they will respond and in so doing reinitiate the war. The government never has demonstrated its true will to resolve the conflict and obtain peace in Chiapas, all of its attempts have been of provoking the war of extermination of the indigenous. The true word of the federal government is the war and assassinations of indigenous, because when peace is announced that is when the planes of war, artillery helicopters, tanks of war, trucks of federal troops make their rounds, get close and attack our indigenous towns. Albores Guillen says that our autonomous government is illegal. This "senor" forgets that the illegitimate is him, because not one town has elected him as government. The Self-appointed Governor of Chiapas Alobores Guillen has been imposed from the power, the same as the other self-appointed past governments, but it never has been the town who has elected them. The government thinks that by taking hold of us and killing us we are going to be afraid and we are going to stop fighting for our rights, but it will not be like that. In this military attack of Taniperlas, the government violates again the Law for the Dialogue and uses force because it wants to put us under and treat us like animals. And this we want to say to Zedillo and to Albores Guillen, that we the zapatista indigenous of the municipality of San Andres Sakamch'en of the Poor are here to defend our rights to govern, and govern ourselves with Democracy, Liberty and Justice. For that we are arranged throughout. --------- "RE: Destruction of Human Rights Committee" --------- Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 16:36:17 -0700 (PDT) From: "moonlight@igc.apc.org" Subj: Destruction of Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada Human Rights Committee UUCP email WHAT IS THE INTENTION BEHIND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FRAY PEDRO LORENZO DE LA NADA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE IN THE OCOSINGO AND ALTAMIRANO CANYONS? The new phase of direct repression in Chiapas requires the removal of all qualified witnesses that are capable of documenting and disseminating human rights violations that are going on now. The dismantling of the Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada Human Rights Committee and its organization of indigenous promoters has the intent of leaving the communities of Altamirano and Ocosingo deaf and mute in the face of the repression that comes, just as the recent expulsions of foreigners do. But how is this new phase of the government strategy en Chiapas working and how is it affecting the Committee? From its founding in 1994 until now, the Human Rights Committee Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada has defined itself as a organization committed to human rights as a global, human proposal. Since its origin, the project has been linked to the Ocosingo parish and to a group of laypeople with experience in the field and who have developed a relationship of cooperation with the Dioceses of San Cristobal de la Casas. Located in the town of Ocosingo and within a complex network of interrelations among various political and cultural forces, the Committee has been challenged by the reality in which it is immersed and has opted for a long-term project oriented toward deeply impacting the local context through an educational approach. Education is, therefore, our principal tool for contributing to the building of a society in which human rights and indigenous rights are respected in the area of the Canyons and the Lacandon Forest. As a result of this objective, the Committee has been developing and consolidating a work project jointly promoted with tzeltal Indians in the Municipalities of Ocosingo and Altamirano during the four years of its existence. This project is oriented toward the training of indigenous promoters who work toward the transformation of the universal human rights proposal into a proposal appropriate for indigenous cosmovision and culture, while at the same time taking an active role in the promotion and defense of these human rights. The promoters are selected in a community assembly so that their work is destined to benefit all community members. They participate in intercultural training processes in which they study national and international human rights laws and how the Mexican legal system works; they analyze and strengthen their own mechanisms for resolving conflicts and traditional indigenous forms of imparting justice. When they have completed their initial training, the promoters work in the communities, aiding traditional authorities in the analysis of internal problems and proposing options for solving such problems. At the same time they learn about the way that State institutions work and offer advice and advocacy to community members that are obligated to enter into formal legal proceedings. This requires that they spend time in the Committee's office in Ocosingo, acquiring experience with formal legal authorities in the handling of cases that are directed to them by different peasant and farmers' organizations in the region. The Committee has, therefore, dedicated itself to the training of indigenous agents who know and analyze Mexican and indigenous law, from the perspective of their own culture, and for this reason they are capable of evaluating the strengths and limits of both systems in the resolution of specific problems. The human rights promoter is capable limiting the power of authorities and of documenting and denouncing all abuses that violate their rights or the rights of the communities. He or she takes an active role in the face of actions that assault human dignity, whether they are committed by forces external to the communities or within the culture itself. But the promoter is especially active when confronted by actions committed by authorities which are supported by a totalitarian concept of power and violate the human rights of the population; the promoter is familiar with the recourses, mechanisms and procedures that Mexican and international law establish to defend them. The members of the Committee conduct an intercultural dialogue with the tzeltal promoters and this experience has been highly enriching in the sense that we analyze different concepts of human dignity and the way in which that dignity is manifest in daily life, as well as the ways in which that dignity may be defended. The intercultural dialogue does not introduce human rights to indigenous culture as one more non-indigenous imposition on indigenous values, instead it seeks to search out the ways in which human rights may be freely adapted and assumed within indigenous culture, according to tzeltal values and ways, with the intention of coming up with news, sincretic proposals which are viable in community life and institutions. In the joint reflection that we have taken on, indigenous and non-indigenous, we do not consider the indigenous way of life sacred or untouchable, nor do we maintain the romantic and unreal vision of pure cultural systems that should be conserved as if they were museum pieces. We are aware that we live in a system of cultures that interact with each other and which reflect and define each other and which now, in our time, are hybrids. Nevertheless, we do seek to recognize that the intercultural relationship has always been defined by inequality and oppression. This legacy of the negation of one part on account of its difference, and the resulting imposition of one cultural system on the other, is sustained by structures of belief that everyone, indigenous and non-indigenous, must work toward deconstructing, in order to form new forms of thought that can sustain real coexistence, equal and recognizing of the other as possessing rights. The promoters reflect continuously upon cultural structures that legitimize domination and they disseminate the fruits of this reflection among the tzeltal inhabitants of the Canyons and through giving talks and courses in different communities in their regions. The above-described work is based on a break with the traditional concept that Authority has of the indigenous: a concept of them as objects, not subjects; not as people who take action, not as citizens. Historically, according to Authority the indigenous require that one speak for them and therefore do not possess their own voice, that one decide for them and therefore are not capable of making their own decisions. And of course, according to this concept there is no possibility of the indigenous' capability of understanding the complexity of the national judicial system, or directing themselves toward authority in matters that concern them; even less exists the possibility of them questioning that authority or denouncing the actions that violate their individual guarantees and their fundamental rights. Therefore, the formation of this kind of indigenous subjects harms the interests of those who are favored by the dominance of the traditional concept of the indigenous, and now the work of the Committee and of the tzeltal promoters is being sharply attacked from the highest levels of government. The recent detention of our colleague Luis Menendez Medina and the four tzeltal human rights promoters, Fidelino Cruz Mendoza, Andres Guitierrez Hernandez, Manuel Perez Hernandez and Miguel Hernandez Perez, who have four years of experience in the training in, reflection on and practice of the promotion and defense of their rights is resounding evidence of this and unacceptable from any point of view. In the face of the internal contradictions of a system of dominance that is ending, questioned and denounced by those upon whom its weight has fallen, (unreadable). The intention of the attack is clear: it is directed toward the only subjects that in this region are capable of limiting its power by legal means and demanding that Authority serve the function for which it exists. The Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada Human Rights Committee ENLACE CIVIL A.C. Calle Ignacio Allende 4 29200 San Cristobal de Las Casas CHIAPAS-MEXICO Tel y fax: (52) 967-82104 e-mail: enlacecivil@laneta.apc.org CONSULTA NUESTRA PAGINA ELECTRONICA CON INFORMACION NUEVA CADA 15 DIAS http://www.laneta.apc.org/enlacecivil --------- "RE: Nuxalk Nation Support NYM BCTC Occupation" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 17:34:03 -0500 (EST) From: riwaasa@indiana.edu Subj: Nuxalk Nation Support NYM BCTC Occupation (fwd) UUCP email NUXALK NATION GOVERNMENT: HOUSE OF SMAYUSTA "First of all we would like to acknowledge the Creator, Tatau, through Manakays, the Great Spirit for all he has provided since the beginning of time and continues to provide today." Yaw Smalmo! Hello to the NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT from everyone here at the House of Smayusta in Nuxalk Territory. The Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, and people of Nuxalk send you the strength and spirit of our ancestors. Our Spirits are very uplifted and we send our prayers of support to the stand that you all have taken at the "BC Treaty Commission" office in Vancouver. May you all continue to carry the Wisdom, Courage and Strength of our elders. It is our youth that will carry on all that has been bestowed to us. It is very encouraging and motivating that the Voice of our youth from many of our nations continue to uphold our Tradition and Culture against the manipulation of the "Canadian" government. The so-called process of the Treaty Commission attempts to take away all that identifies our people. We maintain the position of sovereignty here in Nuxalk. We all possess the responsibility and obligation to protect and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves; the land, trees, bears, eagles, ravens, moose, deer, salmon, killer whales, creeks, rivers and valleys; All the great gifts that have been given to our people by people. Neither the "Canadian" federal, or "British Columbian" provincial governments can define who we are as First Nations people. The injustices that have been placed on our people by the implementation of this foreign government is becoming aware internationally all over the world. We hold our hands up to you with honor and pride for it is collectively we stand together. For the future of our children, grandchildren, and those yet unborn! WAY! Hereditary Chiefs, Elders, And People of Nuxalk Nation. House of Smayusta - PO Box 8, Bella Coola, BC VOT-ICO --------- "RE: NYM: Interior Six Nations Alliance" --------- Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 11:40:34 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Interior Six Nations Alliance re: NYM :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Interior Six Nations Alliance re: NYM To: Native Youth Movement From: Interior Six Nations Alliance Re: British Columbia Treaty Process It has come to our attention that you have occupied the offices of the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC), in order to bring attention to your concerns regarding the so-called "Treaty Process". We want you to know that you are not alone. We share your concerns about the process that the federal and provincial governments are trying to pass off as "Treaty-Making". In our view, as of December 11, 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada through their recent Delgamuukw decision, rendered the BCTC process illegal. The Interior Six Nations Alliance supports post-Delgamuukw discussions with the federal and provincial governments regarding the affirmation and accommodation of our aboriginal title, not the "surrender and grant-back" approach which the BCTC is mandated to facilitate. The Interior Six Nations Alliance also supports an open and transparent approach which involves our peoples in any decision making involving our aboriginal title. This is unlike the current 'behind closed door' tripartite consultations taking place between the First Nations Summit and the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to try and impose "province wide" policies. You can rest assured that we will not be involved in, or support any process, which does not include our peoples from the communities. It is our peoples, hunters, fishers, our harvesters, whose livelihood depends on maintaining our aboriginal title through sustained use of our lands and resources, for not only your generation, but for future generations. We need a process addressing aboriginal title which is designed to be from the ground up, not a "top down" approach like the BCTC process, which does not affirm or accommodate our aboriginal title. We encourage you to continue to raise your concerns about your future, with your families, communities and Nations. As the Indigenous Nations in the south central interior of BC, we offer any type of practical support we can provide to assist you in your present situation, please let us know if we can be of any assistance. If you would like to meet and discuss these matters further, please let us know. Kustemc, Chief Arthur Manuel Spokesperson - Interior Six Nations Alliance -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Native Youth Movement's ongoing occupation of the Vancouver Offices of the BC Treaty Commission will likely be the subject of a Court Order Application tomorrow morning (Tuesday, April 21, 1998). "We repeat that our only demand of the BC Treaty Con-mission is to STOP THE PROCESS" - NYM For more Info: (604) 977-1510 (pager) NDP Premier of BC Glen Clark: premier@gov.bc.ca No to the BC Treaty Con-mission: info@bctreaty.net Hands off the Native Youth Movement - Defend Indigenous Sovereignty! :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: LiL'Wat Support NYM" --------- Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 10:23:57 EDT From: riwaasa@indiana.edu Subj: LiL'Wat Support NYM BC Treaty Commission Occupation (fwd) UUCP email LiL'Wat Estken - 1911 Declaration...We claim that we are the rightful OWNERS of our Tribal Territories, and EVERYTHING PERTAINING thereto... URGENT!! TO: THE NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT FROM: PEOPLE OF THE LIL'WAT NATION We commend you all brothers and sisters, for your stand and determination to put a stop to the "TREATY MAKING PROCESS". As the future leaders of your nation, you have not been given any say or input as to what will become of your nation. The children yet unborn do not have a say!! The "TREATY MAKING PROCESS" is helping the British Columbia and Canadian governments legalize their thefts of our lands and resources. While the so-called democrats and leaders of THE SYSTEM live in comfort and luxury our people barely live in THIRD WORLD conditions. Our people continue to be criminalized when they make a stand and raise their voices. It is beyond time; TIME FOR TRUTH, TIME FOR RESPECT FOR ALL OUR PEOPLES OF OUR MANY NATIONS. (The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights marks its 50th anniversary year, signed December 10th, 1948; written by John Humphrey a Canadian.(Van. Sun, April 18, 1998 Douglas Todd) CANADA IS A SIGNATORY IN THE UNITED NATIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, YET THEY CONTINUE TO IGNORE US. BC IS UNCEDED LAND, WE HAVE NOT SOLD, WE DO NOT WANT TO SELL. WE HAVE INHERENT RIGHTS AS NATURAL INHABITANTS. WE HOLD JURISDICTION, IN EACH OF OUR TERRITORIES. WE WILL NOT BE EXTINGUISHED THE RULE OF LAW has yet to be addressed, and the Canadians do not abide by their own LAWS. Where is their honour and integrity????? All My Relations! Free Spirits LAHALUS estken@direct PO BOX 208. Mount Currie. BC VON 2KO Ph/Fax (604) 894-6095 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At this time the NYM occupation is continuing. NYM has said they will continue their occupation in protest of the BC Treaty Process. A rally in support will begin April 20th at 10:00 AM in front of 1155 West Pender offices of the BCTC. A press conference by NYM is also scheduled. For further info re: NYM at the BCTC at (604) 490-5312 Monty Joseph or Dave Dennis or pager (604) 977-1510 "We repeat that our only demand of the BCTC is to STOP THE PROCESS!": NYM --------- "RE: NYM Occupation Ends" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 21:51:46 -0500 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NYM:"BC is Indian Land!" :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: NATIVE SIT-IN ENDS WITH CO-OPERATION Vancouver Province, April 22, 1998, by Suzanne Fournier [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.] The Native Youth Movement's five-day occupation of the BC Treaty Commission office ended last night when Vancouver police arrested 14 protesters. Police were acting on the enforcement order of an injunction requiring the NYM to vacate the building. Insp. Espo Kajander said no damage had been done to the second-floor office at 1155 W. Pender St. and described the forcible removal of the protesters as "a very co-operative operation" in which police permitted a ceremonial blessing involving sweet-grass. Four of the 14 protesters are juveniles and were taken to a youth detention centre. The rest, seven men and three women were taken to jail and will appear today in BC Supreme Court for contempt of a court order. "Once I explained to them what occurs after the order is read, they were very co-operative," said Kajander. "There was one lady, Rose [Caldwell], that co-operated with us and accompanied each one of the arrested people down and blessed them as they left." About 20 protesters already had left the office willingly after hearing the enforcement order. The 14 arrested protesters chanted slogans as they were taken to a police bus for transport to jail: "BC is Indian land" and "We are young but we're not stupid." "This occupation has definitely created a forum for the growing opposition to the BC treaty process, especially among native youth, who are going to be demanding answers," said NYM spokesman David Dennis. "Aboriginal youth are in the majority now and our numbers are growing. We don't want to pay the huge bills our leaders are running up to negotiate treaties we don't want on our land." The BCTC said it will be "business as usual" today. "There's a lot of First Nations that are pretty unhappy our office has been closed." :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Province - mailto:provedpg@pacpress.southam.ca 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: NYM Goes Free! Prosecution No-show" --------- Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 20:10:26 -0700 (PDT) From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NYM Goes Free! Prosecution No-show :-:-:-:S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty:-:-:-: April 23, 1998 No Copyright; Reproduce Freely NO PROSECUTION - JUDGE ORDERS NYM PROTESTERS FREED Occupied Salish Territory Vancouver - Members of the Native Youth Movement, making their first appearance in BC Supreme Court yesterday after their arrest and jailing for a 5 day occupation of offices of the BC Treaty Commission (BCTC), were unexpectedly freed and had charges dismissed when the Crown failed to appear. Despite several recesses by they court to try and resolve the matter subsequent to a Wednesday 9:30 AM hearing, by the afternoon the crown had still not appeared and the presiding judge was forced to release all NYM prisoners. The NYM had occupied the BCTC in protest over "the fraud and embezzlement of our lands" being jointly conducted by the BCTC and "so-called native leaders" which NYM charged were negotiating without the informed consent of Native Youth. "We say the BC Treaty process is fraudulent and corrupt. The land is ours and we are not going to settle for anything else." NYM More information on the BCTC: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/switlo.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/BCgovt.html :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Letters about "Ghost Dance"" --------- Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 12:10:30 -0500 From: Mike Two Horses at the office Subj: Letters about "Ghost Dance" UUCP email Folks, I've written to the two state taxing agencies that would be most likely to deal with the bogus "Ghost Dance" being conducted by Robert "Ghost Wolf." The two letters, one to the Montana Department of Revenue and the other to Washington state's Revenue agency, are reprinted below. If anyone wishes to use these letters in contacting officials of state or tribal governments, please feel free to do so. mth <><><><><> April 27, 1998 State of Washington Department of Revenue 4407 North Division Suite 300 PO Box 7248 Spokane WA 99207-0248 To Whom It May Concern: I'm writing because I am concerned about an event which is going to take place in Montana this summer. I believe that the event is a for-profit event that is going to be held by an organization claiming surreptitious 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status in Washington state. The event is being called "The Ghost Dance - 1998" and will occur the weekend of August 5 - 8, 1998 (please see enclosed flyer). It is being presented by: Wolf Lodge Cultural Foundation P. O. Box 10196 Spokane WA 99209 (509)465-1606 Fax: 466-8072 This entity claims to be a non-profit organization entitled to 501(c)(3) status; it is my contention that this group is perpetrating a thinly-disguised scam on so-called "new agers" using abstracted American Indian cultural property. The group's founder calls himself "Robert Ghost Wolf" and claims to be of Native American ancestry. However, that claim has been challenged over the past 5 years by members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of Indians of South Dakota, members of the Colville Unified Tribes and the Spokane Tribe of Indians of Washington, and by other tribal members in the Pacific Northwest. The issue I'm raising here, however, directly addresses this group's claim as a non-profit organization. As you will see in the flyer and on the registration form, the so-called "Ghost Dance" being held this summer requires a "donation" of $110 per adult and a $40 "donation" for each additional child after the first. However, you will note on the registration form that it is not at all clear what this "donation" pays for, since participants will be required to provide their own food and will sleep in tents (see highlighted paragraph). The registration form also suggests that such work as is necessary to keep the encampment functional will also be the responsibility of participants. Taking this language into consideration, I would suggest that the bulk of the monies collected for this event are going to be going into "Wolf Lodge's" coffers, and probably more likely into the pockets of the man who calls himself "Robert Ghost Wolf." I would like to courteously request that the Washington Department of Revenue look into this matter carefully. I would also like to be forthcoming about the reasons for my objections to this event's occurrence. I am a member of the Rosebud Sioux, and am also personally acquainted with "Robert Ghost Wolf," having met him when he resided on Orcas Island in northwestern Puget Sound, Washington, and having attended one of his seminars to check it out. His "medicine show" consists of a melange of abstracted Lakota and other American Indian ceremonial and cultural property and new-age pseudo-shamanism. Whenever this man has been questioned by Indian people regarding his tribal affiliation and family, he asks the Indian people to leave and his followers escort those people away, yet he continues to claim to be of Native American descent. As a Lakota person, I am painfully aware of the damage that so-called "new agers" and "wannabees" do to public appreciation of our cultural heritage by misconstruing and misrepresenting it. Persons such as "Ghost Wolf" carry this damage further by scamming unwitting non-Indians for profit. Despite the claim of non-profit status, this organization has provided "Ghost Wolf" with a living while being based on cultural theft. It is my great concern that the scheduled "Ghost Dance" will line this man's pockets further at the expense of both American Indian cultures and, in Barnum's words, the "suckers born every minute." Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide further information. <><><><><><><><> April 27, 1998 State of Montana Department of Revenue P.O Box 202701 Helena MT 59620-2701 To Whom It May Concern: I'm writing because I am concerned about an event which is going to take place in Montana this summer. I believe that the event is a for-profit event that is going to be held by an organization claiming surreptitious 501(c)(3) non-profit organization status in Washington state. The event is being called "The Ghost Dance - 1998" and will occur the weekend of August 5 - 8, 1998 (please see enclosed flyer). It is being presented by: Wolf Lodge Cultural Foundation P. O. Box 10196 Spokane WA 99209 (509)465-1606 Fax: 466-8072 This entity claims to be a non-profit organization entitled to 501(c)(3) status; it is my contention that this group is perpetrating a thinly-disguised scam on so-called "new agers" using abstracted American Indian cultural property. The group's founder calls himself "Robert Ghost Wolf" and claims to be of Native American ancestry. However, that claim has been challenged over the past 5 years by members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of Indians of South Dakota, members of the Colville Unified Tribes and the Spokane Tribe of Indians of Washington, and by other tribal members in the Pacific Northwest. The issue I'm raising here, however, directly addresses this group's claim as a non-profit organization. As you will see in the flyer and on the registration form, the so-called "Ghost Dance" being held this summer requires a "donation" of $110 per adult and a $40 "donation" for each additional child after the first. However, you will note on the registration form that it is not at all clear what this "donation" pays for, since participants will be required to provide their own food and will sleep in tents (see highlighted paragraph). The registration form also suggests that such work as is necessary to keep the encampment functional will also be the responsibility of participants. Taking this language into consideration, I would suggest that the bulk of the monies collected for this event are going to be going into "Wolf Lodge's" coffers, and probably more likely into the pockets of the man who calls himself "Robert Ghost Wolf." I would like to courteously request that the Washington Department of Revenue look into this matter carefully. I would also like to be forthcoming about the reasons for my objections to this event's occurrence. I am a member of the Rosebud Sioux, and am also personally acquainted with "Robert Ghost Wolf," having met him when he resided on Orcas Island in northwestern Puget Sound, Washington, and having attended one of his seminars to check it out. His "medicine show" consists of a melange of abstracted Lakota and other American Indian ceremonial and cultural property and new-age pseudo-shamanism. Whenever this man has been questioned by Indian people regarding his tribal affiliation and family, he asks the Indian people to leave and his followers escort those people away, yet he continues to claim to be of Native American descent. As a Lakota person, I am painfully aware of the damage that so-called "new agers" and "wannabees" do to public appreciation of our cultural heritage by misconstruing and misrepresenting it. Persons such as "Ghost Wolf" carry this damage further by scamming unwitting non-Indians for profit. Despite the claim of non-profit status, this organization has provided "Ghost Wolf" with a living while being based on cultural theft. It is my great concern that the scheduled "Ghost Dance" will line this man's pockets further at the expense of both American Indian cultures and, in Barnum's words, the "suckers born every minute." Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide further information. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Tribal Law & Government Center University of Kansas School of Law 312 Green Hall Lawrence, Kansas 66045 (785)864-3925 --------- "RE: Cherokee Gathering" --------- Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 10:39:03 -0400 From: *No-qui-si* <1DAYSTAR@WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Subj: Cherokee Gathering UUCP email Cherokee people, and the other East Coast nations that I am familiar with, did not have a tradition of pow-wows. It is something that definitely came from out west, as you can see by much of the clothing that was adopted and is still being worn at many of the pow-wows. The bustles, the occasional War bonnet, and now even the grass dancers just have no connection to the Eastern Woodlands or the mountain country. At Eastern Pow-wows, it is quite common for the Head Dancers MC's and Drums to be Lakota, Cheyenne, or from other Western Nations. If the drummers are Eastern, they usually play Western songs. The large drum, with the beat that resounds in our hearts, did not exist for us. Most drums were hand-held - rattles were equally as important as drums, and were shaken by women. Many songs were accompanied solely by rattles, with no drum at all. Most "pow-wows", even on Eastern reservations, follow this Plains-style, or Pan Indian format, except for certain Iroquois events, which they term "socials" and not pow-wows, anyway. Cherokees had a Council House, and a dance square. Our dances were held in a regular schedule, and were connected to ceremonies; mainly agricultural or dealing with war, or the "little war" the Cherokee ball game. Most dances enacted these themes, or were based on the movements of certain animals. In many of these dances men and women danced side by side or facing each other. Women did not have to wear shawls to dance. Most dances went from evening till dawn, and not during the day like todays pow-wows. Outdoors dances were around a fire, indoor dances were around the mortar and pestle, Selu, Corn Mother's symbol, our women's symbol. Non-Indians were not invited to the sacred square; and those without clans had no where to sit in the Council House. The acceptance of today's "pow-wow" is a mixed blessing. It offers those of us who are away from the reservation one of the few opportunities to socialized with large groups of our Native People; it raises funds for many good causes. But it also spreads a certain stereotype of Indians all being alike, wearing and eating the same things, dancing the same way, and with the same generic "Indian Spirituality". There is also the element of sometimes feeling on display, of performing. And the idea of dance as a way of competition, dancing "to win out over" other dancers, to be "the best", or for those who want to dance to "be carded, show proof", this is something our ancestors never dreamed of. *Noquisi* --------- "RE: Visiting The Pueblos" --------- Date: Mon, 20 Apr 98 04:42:04 -0000 From: Ben Goodman Subj: Coyote Creek Newsletter Coyote Creek Southwestern Products: Newsletter April 11, 1998 A free newsletter about American Indian culture, history, and arts and crafts of the American Southwest. If you get it, you subscribed to it. If you wish to cancel your subscription send email to ben@coyotecreek.com saying so. We welcome comments and suggestions. Please do not hesitate to drop us a note or give us a call. Your email address is never sold, rented, leased, loaned or otherwise given out-even if we're starving! Of course, if you would just keep buying stuff, we wouldn't have to worry about starving quite so much :). We also welcome submitted articles, book reviews and opinions. Please do not hesitate to contact us. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Visiting The Pueblos: Etiquette As the vacation season approaches many of us will plan a vacation to the pueblos of Arizona and New Mexico. If you are considering such a trip there a few things you need to be aware of before you go. Have you ever been in a public place and encountered a group of tourists from another country? Usually those groups of tourists are very polite and quiet, but on occasion you see a group that is loud and insensitive to the way we do things here. Naturally, most of the people in these groups are well intentioned, just unaware of our customs. Different cultures have different behavioral expectations. Unless you know what these expectations are, it's easy to come off looking like an insensitive lout. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when visiting the pueblos, whether during a religious ceremony, a feast day, an arts and crafts show or just a visit to see some friends. 1. Before entering a pueblo, you will usually find a sign stating a few rules for visitors. Read the sign. You won't see that many signs on pueblo visits. It will pay to read the ones you do see. 2. Don't take pictures or make drawings of anything. Sometimes you can purchase a photography permit, sometimes you can't. Find out before you take or draw any pictures. Even if you have a permit be sure to ask before photographing any people that will be identifiable in the picture. Many people are baffled by this policy about picture taking. Just think about it. How would you like people taking your picture, pictures of your house, church, kids, etc., on a daily basis? You'd probably get tired of it pretty quickly! What's worse, many of us don't recognize a Native American religious ceremony when we see one. Would you like somebody standing up in the middle of an important religious ceremony in your church, synagogue or mosque and popping off a few high powered flash shots? 3. At a pueblo the rooms are usually either peoples houses or a kiva. A kiva is a place of importance in the religious life of the pueblo and strangers are not welcome. Don't go in buildings unless you are invited. Even on a building that might have a "pottery for sale" sign in the window you should knock first. Remember, it's probably someone's house. Some pueblos have stores in them, most notably the Taos pueblo. If it's obvious the building is a place of business then of course you may go in unannounced. 4. Don't bring alcohol to the pueblo. It's against the law in most places. 5. Dances are religious in nature. Don't talk to individuals doing a dance. Don't ask questions of the Indians sitting next to you. Just watch and appreciate the opportunity to observe a different culture. Oh, don't clap when the dance is over. Native American religions are generally nonprosylitizing. In other words they don't go out and try to convert people to their religion. They really don't want you to "see the light." They also do not like to answer questions about their religion. Many people will go out of their way to be polite if you are overly nosy but others will answer your questions with stony silence, or worse. Don't be pushy, be a good observer. Many of the Hopi villages have recently closed to all non-Indian visitors during their spring and summer dances. This happened recently and is a bit of a change. The Hopi are traditionally the most private of the pueblos and they have been plagued with non-Indians stealing prayer bundles and various other religious objects and generally being obnoxious during dances. If you a are planning a trip to Hopi this summer remember the changes in their policy. One village will remain open to visitors. That village is Moenkopi. If you are planning a trip to Hopi, it's a good idea to find out what the current policies are before you get there. Call 1-520-734-2441, extension 106. Please be on your best behavior if you visit. Even without the dances being open the Hopi villages are still great places to visit! 6. Keep your children with you and keep them under control. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 23:14:49 -0400 From: Janet Smith (evestar@juno.com) Subj: Contacting those in the Ironhouse UUCP email Tell a Native American Prisoner someone cares! The following is a portion of the list of Native American Prisoners incarcerated in prisons throughout the United States. The full list is found at the Native Prisoners Pen Pal list the following web site: http://www.brooks.simplenet.com/penpal.html. The list is compiled from contributions by Wotanging Ikche readers, other friends and from Laura Brooks' research on Native American Spiritual Freedom in Prison. If you know of a Native prisoner who would like to be included here, please e-mail Janet Smith at jans@atlcom.net. My thanks to Laura Brooks for giving this list a home on the web. James, Charles P Jett, Alan Lee #284-382 #143-205 PO Box 1812 PO Box 511 Marion, OH 43301 Columbus, OH 43216 Date of Birth: 3/4/55 Date of Birth: 8/1/50 Ancestry: Lakota / Cherokee Ancestry: Cherokee Joan, Robert Richard Johnson, Chad A. #194-728 #288-594 PO Box 5500 PO Box 7010 Chillicothe, OH 45601 Chillicothe, OH 45601 Date of Birth: 1/30/55 Date of Birth: 11/6/74 Ancestry: Seneca Ancestry: Cherokee Jones, Richard Oscar #283-994 PO Box 511 Columbus, OH 43216 Date of Birth: 7/11/64 Ancestry: Cherokee Reminder and Caution: It is common for prisoners to be moved abruptly. If your correspondent suddenly quits writing, don't assume it's by choice. Inquire about his location and situation -- often the prison chaplain can help you with this. If you know a prisoner on our list has been moved, please let me know. If your correspondent requests that you send him anything, particularly ceremonial items, check the prison to ensure the requested items are not contraband. Sometimes items of religious significance that are ordinarily banned may be given to the prisoner by the chaplain. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Free the Wolverine Campaign: Wolverine (William Jones Ignace) "OJ" Pitawanakwat Political Prisoner Political Prisoner Box 4000 Box 4000 Abbotsford, BC Abbotsford, BC V2S 5X8 V2S 5X8 For more information, please contact the Free the Wolverine Campaign: Box 13-2147 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5N 4B3 Spokespeople: Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661 Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949 or see the SISIS pages at http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html Also we have a listing of native political prisoners around the world, at http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/links/POW.html --------------------------------- Please especially remember - this is the "Year of Leonard". Leonard Peltier #89637-132, Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66048 --------- "RE: A Hundred Years Ago" --------- Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 19:19:54 -0400 Subj: HISTORY - A HUNDRED YEARS AGO - CARLISLE - WEEK 51 From: Landis Mailing List: NAT-FILM [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER -FROM THE- Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa. ============================================== VOL. XIII. FRIDAY, April 22, 1898 NUMBER 27 ============================================== IN THE APRIL RAINY WEATHER. ------------ Some nice little frogs moved into a pool In the April rainy weather; And they straightway started a singing school, And sang all night, though the air was cool, In the April rainy weather, -- Solos or all together. And their song seemed all about the spring And the coming of sweet May weather; And happy the children who heard them sing, For they knew their song was sign of spring. And their hearts were light as a feather In the April rainy weather. =================== AN INDIAN GIRL WHO BECAME USEFUL TWO GENERATIONS AGO. ------------------- The following letter from the wife of Col. R. Cromer, of Logansport, Ind., is interesting in its revelations. Had all the little Indian girls of the period mentioned been so fortunate as to have been left in the woods, to be picked up by civilized people, and had they been served in the same way as the little girl of the story, the Indian of today would be like the rest of civilized America, and there would be no need of a Carlisle, a Lawrence, or a Genoa. The Letter. DEAR BOYS: I have been taking your paper for two years, and when I tell you who I am you will not wonder at my being interested in you. I am the Granddaughter of Joseph Barron, who in the early settlement of Indiana, was the interpreter for the Pottawottamies and Miamis at Vincennes and Logansport, Indiana. I was so glad to see in your paper that there was enough left of the Pottawottamies to have a school. My mother has often said to me: "I am afraid that those two tribes of Indians will soon be wiped off the earth!" and she has often told me how she went in the house, and sat down and cried when they were all taken away west of the Mississippi. They feared Grandfather but loved him, too. There was one Indian who would not go west. His name was Swagauh. His wife was dead and his little girl, two years old, was found sitting in the woods, one day, crying. Grandmother tried to persuade her to go with her, but she would not at first. Finally she consented, and lived with her until Grandmother's death. My mother has often told me how kind she was to Grandma during her sickness. After her death, Nancy Swagauh (that was her name,) lived with my mother and at our house. She learned to be a nice housekeeper and neat sewer and made all our gingham aprons. "She kept you all clean and neat as wax." ============================ GOOD WISHES IN AN OPEN LETTER. ----------------- CHARLES CITY, IA., Apr.11, '98. EDITOR INDIAN HELPER: The little INDIAN HELPER is and has been for several years a very welcome guest to my home. I could hardly get along without it. Much of my life has been among the Indians. I endorse the modes adopted by Capt. Pratt, in his excellent Training School at Carlisle, as the very best to bring the Indians into pulse with the practical every day activity of our times and for the future good of the Indian race. I hope, in the near future to visit this school and see its many interesting features that have, as yet come to me only through the camera, the press, and personal acquaintances with a few of the teachers and pupils. That the school and its various lines of work may long continue to educate is the wish of one interested in Indian education. Yours truly, Mrs. HELEN R. DUNCAN. ====================================================== (page 2) THE INDIAN HELPER ---------------------------------------------- PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY --AT THE-- Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa., BY INDIAN BOYS. ---> THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The man-on-the-band-stand who is NOT an Indian. ---------------------------------------------- P R I C E: --10 C E N T S A Y E A R ============================================== Entered in the PO at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================================== Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss Marianna Burgess, Manager. ============================================== Do not hesitate to take the HELPER from the Post Office for if you have not paid for it some one else has. It is paid for in advance. ============================================== A little bird flew over from Landenburg, and this is what it said: Lydia Clute is doing well in her country home and is happy. John Webster, '98, orders his HELPER sent to Morris, Minn., which looks as though he had found work there. If you once acquire the reputation of being reliable in your work, it matters not how humble that work may be, you may feel assured there will always be a paying demand for your services. --[Advance. John Miller who lives at Dolington, in a country home reports that on the 13th, he killed the largest snakes he ever before killed. They were black snakes and about five feet long. His instrument of destruction was a fencerail. Masters Edward Biddle and George Bosler were out on Saturday. The former keeps his eye open for new ideas in the job line. He is working up a good trade in town, and is fast getting out of amateurdom into professional job printing. Samuel Deon, ex-pupil, now of Lower Brule Agency, So. Dakota, is acting disciplinarian of the school there, and also works at his shoemaking. He sent us a nice list of subscribers, for which we are obliged. Samuel was always good at getting subscriptions in the East. A little Indian girl, originally from California but late of the Carlisle Indian school, is living with Mrs. Lindsay of Charlestown (Stone Creek). Her name is Juanita Bibancos, and she is apparently about fourteen years of age. She is attending school in this place, and her teacher says she would like to have more Indians, if all are as bright as Juanita. -[Huntingdon Monitor. In a letter addressed to John Steele, Carlisle, Levi Levering, '90, who is teaching at the Ft. Hall Indian School, Idaho, says he likes his work very much among the Blackfeet. He says if he is alive in 1900 he is coming to visit Carlisle. The Commencement number of the Red Man made him homesick. Philip Lavatta, ex-Carlisle pupil, is band-master and Miss Bourassa, '90, is teaching there. Miss Mary Bailey Seonia, and her little brother Harry, visited Mr. and Mrs. Collins of Philadelphia, last week. It was with Mrs. Collins that Miss Mary lived for a number of years while attending the Philadelphia public schools. Her sister, Howice, is now living with Mrs. Collins, and goes to school. Harry remained a few days with his younger sister, Miss Mary's duties as teacher of No. 4 schoolroom, demanding her return. Electricity was short, on Monday, and the laundry, which depends upon the Traction Company's power, was obliged to shut down on one of its busiest days. The printing-office having considerable foot power left, managed to kick the presses all that was necessary for the one day.