From gars@netcom.com Tue Jun 9 23:52:47 1998 Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 19:50:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.024 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 024 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, June 13, 1998 O o O KANOHEDA ANIYVWIYA Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin O o O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min Aunchemokauhettittea O ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N N E W S ) This issue contains articles from Triballaw, Taino-L, AISESnet, Minn Ind Innu-L & Nat-Film Lists; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; UUCP email; Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native; The Red Road Newsletter; Northern Plains Media Consortium 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. "We preferred our own way of living. We were no expense to the government. All we wanted was peace and to be left alone. Soldiers were sent out in the winter, who destroyed our villages. Then Long Hair (Custer) came in the same way. They say we massacred him, but he would have done the same thing to us had we not defended ourselves." __ Crazy Horse, Oglala +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Within 400 years after the arrival of Columbus to Turtle Island the Native Peoples had lost an entire continent to the invaders, and had nearly been exterminated. The laws invoked by the occupation forces to determine who is or is not a "real Indian" are designed to create a gradual, but absolute decrease in those who may claim "legal" tribal affiliation. It is a "last bottle" club if ever there was one. At the start of this century the 237,000 survivors were relocated to reservations on the most desolate of locations, and even these were taken when minerals were discovered on them. There are still less than one million Natives on the entire Turtle Island, and where the land they occupy is deemed valuable, it is being stripped from them. Our languages are dying, as are our ways. This is the final walk unless we wake up and quit doing to ourselves what the dominant society has failed to do on its own, despite a very dedicated effort. If you want to see this process continue, and even accelerated, continue to divide and war along lines of urban and rez, enrolled and unenrolled, traditional and assimilated; and even on the rez we see the "around the fort" BIA Indians and the "outsiders". Come together as a People and work to help one another remain strong. Recognize a Lakota is not a Hopi is not a Commanche... ; but quit warring with one another. Not one of our ancestors would find pride in seeing our People shoot our wounded - of any nation. Wake up! Make the circle stronger. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= The language project I have started is moving very slowly, but it is moving. The need for this is a thing I truly believe. Without language a culture dies. What is said in any language seldom translates literally to another. It, at best, approximates the meaning. Our languages are dying. Our cultures will not linger long without our own words to describe the events in our lives, the ways passed down by our ancestors and our prophecies. I am collecting language resource information. Please send me all information each of you have regarding language resources. This should include all written teachings including dictionaries, grammar books and stories. Include all audio and video resources. Include the source, how it is distributed, the publisher, ISBN or other catalogue information that might be known. Include cost and current availability if you have it. Finally, include _your_ opinion. Is it good, bad, indifferent? I will keep this information, by language/nation and make what I have available to any who request it. Send what you can via email to gars@netcom.com You may also send info via snail mail to P O Box 672168. Marietta GA 30006. 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 ---------- - Anna Mae/Lines Drawn in the Sand - Native Loggers Cut to the Chase - Eviction Notice at Ward Valley - Request for Indian Veterans Rescinded - Language Bank - Ward Valley NOT Over - Through the Mouse Eye - Peltier Medical Update - The Hopping Stone Vision - LPCF Executive Decision - Writing a News Release - Kahnawake Joins Six Nations - Dump Jack Metcalf Now Against Phoney Council - Tribunal Court Strikes Blow - Victory for Indian Religious Against Racism Freedom - Cristoforo Colombo - Update on Hunkpapa Youth Survival Arrives in Boriken Projects - State of Kansas - Innu Nation Land Rights - Two Fundraisers for - Voisey's Bay Response to Gustafsen Lake Defenders Deficiency Statement - Native Prisoner - Protesters Released - A Hundred Years Ago - Chiapas Relief Campaign - Poem: Morning Song - Dakotah News - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Treaty Harvest Disputes - Native America Calling - Progress Expected in Log Talks - Conferences and Powwows --------- "RE: Anna Mae/Lines Drawn in the Sand" --------- Date: Fri, 05 Jun 1998 17:57:15 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: Anna Mae(Lines drawn in the sand) Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native I always remember how this all started for me, when a full-blooded Indian man walked up to me, claiming to be a FBI agent, working undercover and knowing my cousin. Thus the journey began. The man was a sell-out, but I listened. I have continued to listen since 1990, most of the time I knew the difference between truth and lies, but thats okay. I just took a mental note for future use. I have made promises and they will all come to pass. Did anyone really think the Micmac People would forget. They stole our greatest warrior and then they laughed about it. Sorry folks, things don't work that way. I could have taken the law into my own hands, but my cousin and family wouldn't want it that way. I had to develop patience and thats a new one for me. I did a radio show (Native American Calling) back in Aug. 96, (after Leonard Peltier, Shannon Collins and Delores Collins donated headstones for Anna Mae and Joseph Stunz), and offered to meet all the guiltily parties out in the desert and get it over with, no takers. That would have been the easy way. Anna Mae wanted Truth, best way to look at it. AND TRUTH IS WHAT ANNIE'S GOING TO GET. I have had to be some what quiet over the last couple of months, but don't think anyone has walked away. Don't know what the words mean, until it is over. A lot of things are about to start happening, so just hang in there. I do ask people to continue to write letters (e-mail), read and study about the time period between 1973 and 1976, because you will hear much more about it. I made a offer in Dec. 97, to trade Annie's (my personal) law suit for Leonard Peltier's freedom, that apparently didn't work. The FBI, which most of you read, wrote me a letter, which I took as a slap in the face, but thats okay. I have seen it all and I am getting ready to hammer it all out. I have asked for truth, I have wrote, made tapes, did videos, been on TV, talked on the radio, driven thousands of miles, talked leniency, even did it in person to some of those who are involved. I have send tapes to Congress and to the Canadian Parliament, I should even mention the killers have a copy of a video, expressing my charges against them and offering my help. I don't really feel I can do too much more for them. I feel I have completed my promise to my cousin and my people. Now I have to complete my promise to myself. This war we win. One could not investigate Anna Mae, without running into the 26th of June, 1975 and Leonard Peltier's case. I turned in a affidavit, from a honest man, who stated who the FBI was really looking for in early July 75 and Leonard was only needed for questioning.That went to Sen. Hatch, Sen McCain, Sen Kyle, Sen Campbell and Sen. Daschle. I have always believed that Anna Mae's case would help free Leonard and I still do. At this stage I feel I know where everyone stands and the LINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN IN THE SAND. IN THE SPIRIT OF ANNA MAE, Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe Two Things to remember; There is only one Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe and I have only excepted one donation or money from anyone. That gentleman would not take "no" for a answer. That was $100 dollars, a few years ago, I matched it and gave it to Ernie Little for the upkeep of Annie's grave. If anyone has questions call or write. Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe PO Box 681 Rimrock, AZ 86335 (520-567-7229) bbmicmac@sedona.net CHECK OUT: http:www.dickshovel.netgate.net/annaarch.html SPECIAL THANKS TO JORDAN, SHANNON AND ANTOINETTE --------- "RE: Eviction Notice at Ward Valley Rescinded" --------- Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 16:20:51 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: EVICTION NOTICE AT WARD VALLEY RESCINDED! UUCP email COLORADO RIVER NATIVE NATIONS ALLIANCE Fort Mojave * Chemehuevi * Cocopah * Quechan * Colorado River Indian Tribe BREAKING NEWS! Friday, June 5, 1998 Contact: Nora Helton, Chairperson, Ft. Mojave Indian Tribe 760/629-4591 113 DAY DIRECT ACTION AT WARD VALLEY ENDS IN VICTORY FOR INDIAN NATIONS AS INTERIOR DEPARTMENT RESCINDS EVICTION NOTICE FOR OCCUPATION & ENCAMPMENT AT PROPOSED NUCLEAR DUMP SITE TRIBES TO CONTINUE SPIRITUAL VIGIL AT "GROUND ZERO" CALL ON U.S. & STATE TO STOP DUMP ONCE AND FOR ALL "WE WILL NEVER ALLOW A DUMP ON OUR SACRED LAND!" Ward Valley, CA -- Leaders of the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance hailed as a huge victory today's announcement by the U.S. Department of Interior that the eviction notice issued to the Tribes on February 14th to vacate "ground zero" at the proposed Ward Valley nuclear dump site has been rescinded. Today's important announcement follows negotiations yesterday between leaders of the five Tribes and Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Today's victory will end the historic direct action that began 113 days ago on February 12th when hundreds of tribal members and supporters occupied "ground zero" the day before the Interior Department had hoped to close and secure the area for controversial test drilling bitterly opposed by the Tribes who vowed to defend their sacred land from further desecration. Tribal leaders announced that in response to the rescinding of the eviction notice and the canceling of the test drilling, the Tribes will remove security roadblocks and call off the "red alert." The Indian Nations will have an ongoing spiritual vigil and presence at "ground zero" to continue to watch over the sacred land until the dump is stopped once and for all. Tribal leaders today called on Secretary of the Interior Babbitt to cancel the entire proposed dump immediately. Despite threats of a large police action to evict the occupation, the Tribes stood firm for 113 days in refusing to leave "ground zero" or allowing the test drilling to proceed. Many spiritual ceremonies have been held at Ward Valley, and federal officials were wary of sending in police to arrest Indian Elders participating in this dignified, nonviolent and spiritual occupation. A hearing in U.S. District Court will be held in Washington D.C. on June 17 on a lawsuit backed by Governor Pete Wilson to force the U.S. Interior Department to transfer the land at Ward Valley to the State. A spiritual gathering and celebration will be held at Ward Valley June 16th. "Today the Colorado River Native Nations Alliance celebrates the success of our 113 day occupation of the proposed dump site at Ward Valley, but we will continue to peacefully defend our sacred land and the Colorado River from the radioactive threat," said Nora Helton, Chairwoman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. "We call on the U.S. government to take the only logical and just next step and cancel the dump immediately, once and for all. We will never rest until our sacred land and the Colorado River are protected and the dump stopped." Save Ward Valley 107 F St. Needles, CA 92363 ph. 760/326-6267 fax 760/326-6268 http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley http://www.ctaz.com/~swv1 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html http://www.wildrockies.org/cmcr --------- "RE: Ward Valley NOT Over" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 11:39:15 -0700 (MST) From: swv1@ctaz.com (Save Ward Valley) Subj: Ward Valley NOT Over! UUCP email We have been getting many calls and e-mails from people with the impression that we have won total victory at Ward Valley. We have won some major skirmishes and we seem to be close to winning the battle BUT WE HAVE NOT WON YET!!! Close!! Not total victory, not yet. There is a possibility that the court could find in favor of CA Dept. of Health Service (possible, but not likely). Even so, there will still be a lot of red tape and political shenanigans to put up with no matter what the decision of the court. We still need to send out many prayers and to apply a great deal of political pressure in this election year. Silyaye Aheace Village is still there and will stay there until this project is over--completely over. That means in writing and US Leakology removing their equipment, buildings and every other trapping of their attempts to poison this land. Silyaye Aheace Village exists for a very special purpose. It exists as a spiritual vigil in protection of this very sacred place. Those that live in the village are dedicated to keeping the sacred fire burning and making sure no further destruction occurs in Ward Valley. We still need your support and your help. We invite anyone to come visit or become a part of this community in the Mojave Desert. Please call 760/326-6267 or e-mail swv1@ctaz.com for further information. For Environmental Justice, Molly Save Ward Valley 107 F St. Needles, CA 92363 ph. 760/326-6267 fax 760/326-6268 http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley http://www.ctaz.com/~swv1 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html http://www.wildrockies.org/cmcr --------- "RE: Peltier Medical Update" --------- Date: Wed, 03 Jun 1998 16:33:29 GMT From: Pbbmicmac@sedona.net (Robert Branscombe) Subj: PELTIER MEDICAL UPDATE: Newsgroup: alt.native NOTE: (Here's how you can help) Robert has offered for me to use his email address while I/We have certain issues to discuss other than the LPCF. Otherwise, urgent follow-up postings might not be recognized. I will always identify myself. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. This is very important right now. Shannon M. Collins I do not want to leave anyone in the air about my last posting. Thank you to the many who responded with great concern. Leonard will feel pleased to know. It will make a significant difference for you to do the following: Continue to write letters to the Leavenworth Prison(address below).Tell them that you are aware of Leonard's medical condition and that you are greatly concerned. It is in your best interest to know that something will be done soon to alleviate Leonard's suffering. IMPORTANT: DO NOT DEMAND anything, and DO NOT antagonize an institution that has the authority to make decisions (for) Leonard. This is very important, so use your head. I cannot stress this enough. What helps are the "numbers of letters" of concern so that the people who have any authority over Leonard know that many people are watching, care and are greatly concerned. So, don't be intimidated to do a good thing. Just be careful "how" you say things. The address for your letters concerning Leonard's medical: (I confirmed this). Warden Booker Leavenworth Federal Prison 1300 Metropolitan Avenue Leavenworth, Kansas 66048 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also, please send funds directly to Leonard Peltier at Leavenworth Prison. He needs this money to keep the communication lines open. Take up a group collection or, if you are an individual try to send at least $10.00 to $20.00 and it will all add up. He will always need money for his telephone privileges. When there is an emergency Bob and I immediately send $100.00, but this goes fast. Leonard has so many people to stay in contact with, especially family. They are his greatest comfort. Send only a 'postal money order' to: Leonard Peltier-89637, Box 1000, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. Fill out the money order the same way and send it with a note to Leonard letting him know. They do not give this money-order directly to him. Don't forget that they also read all of his mail. Standard procedure. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It was important for our last posting to be recognized to motivate those who are most intimately responsible.There are other issues involved. I am not at liberty to discuss those things until the appropriate time. Just be aware that I am documenting "everything", including what I have already achieved in posting in Newsgroups. Confidentiality is secured. Watch for a posting "LPCF EXECUTIVE DECISION". I am taking a temporary leave of absence from the LPCF soon. Urgent matters concerning Leonard Peltier. Thank you all very much for your understanding and support. Trust me, it matters a lot! Stay....in the Spirit! Shannon M. Collins --------- "RE: LPCF Executive Decision" --------- Date: 05 Jun 1998 17:49:27 GMT From: lpcfound@aol.com (LPCFound) Subj: LPCF "EXECUTIVE DECISION" Newsgroup: soc.culture.native Memo: Please observe I am giving precedence to some urgent matters concerning Leonard Peltier. It has become necessary for me (Shannon Collins) to take a temporary leave of absence from the LPCF. However, the 2nd Annual LPCF Board of Directors Meeting will proceed as planned. I will be present to give this my full attention on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Communication will be limited after June 12th, but please do not reserve your email messages. I will get back to you asap. All communication to the Members of the Board are relayed to their direct attention. Observe "Check-list" at bottom of page for ways that you can help the LPCF. Incentives and project plans listed. Those who have recently inquired can also observe a list of gifts that you can send to Leonard Peltier. Please give attention to the instructions provided. I am sure that all of you will find this interesting. LPCF Events and notations: For those who are not familiar I am the Executive Director of the Leonard Peltier Charitable Foundation, Shannon M. Collins. The Secretary of the State of South Dakota granted Leonard Peltier to uphold the position as CEO (in-absentia) of the LPCF. As usual, this was highly irregular and it was an accomplishment in itself. The Foundation was finally Incorporated on March 1st, 1996. We are a non-profit/ tax exempt organization. We remain sensitively non-political in working in behalf of the children. This should not exclude the LPCF from participating in Peltier events for recognition and exposure. It says a lot for Leonard Peltier. # number one.. Why am I contacting you? The LPCF cannot afford not to. We need support in raising consciousness in an effort to build this monumental home on the Pine Ridge Reservation. This is not simply a home and it is not simply a hut. (Bring.."Peltier Home" the magic for which this MAN deserves). This is a tremendous opportunity to bring attention to the needs of the Native American Children. It will house up to 20-disadvantaged American Indian Children which will support the very essence of our future Warriors. It is a dream of Leonard Peltier. The "Peltier Home" will commemorate this most significant era and Leonard Peltier's dream to help his people. This is a great concern. Not only that of Leonard Peltier, but for all those who are true visionaries. ALL-OF-US-CAN-BUILD-THIS-TOGETHER..."THE PELTIER HOME" "BUILDING THE PELTIER HOME MIGHT REMIND YOU OF THE WAY THINGS MIGHT HAVE ONCE BEEN...OR, MAYBE WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO ALL ALONG?" When the funds are substantiated and the supplies are in order, everyone will be asked to be present to lend a hand. This is a tremendous undertaking, but every good thing is. "What will make this happen?" This is not just about raising and having the money.... The LPCF is focusing on a long-term plan for a successful completion and project management. At the bottom of this memo I have created a check list, summarizing 'some' of the project development. It never ceases. It's not suppose to, any less than the future expects of us. We need money and manpower and people who generate leadership values and strategies. The LPCF has done substantial groundwork. My personal experience covers a generous degree of ability, but I cannot provide everything. None of us can. We are focusing on combined efforts, knowledge, experience, funds and supplies. # number two.. I spoke with Roslyn Jumping Bull recently and I am in the process of trying to obtain a trailer home for her property. We are working on building the Peltier Home on the actual Jumping Bull Property where the 1975 Shoot-out occurred. Roslyn and Calvin Jumping Bull have donated ten acres of their land. Roslyn had called me last January and made a personal request regarding this trailer home. I am seeking to deliver. It concerns me that she said that she can think of at least twenty people who are living in basements. This is what never ceases to amaze me. Although, the LPCF has a specific goal to build the "Peltier Home", we will not turn our backs on an opportunity to provide the following... There are single-wide trailers available to be donated out of Denver, Colorado and no Sponsorships to deliver them. As usual, funds are required just to move these across the miles. By the time grants would be obtained they are no longer available. The more we pick-up and deliver...the more used trailers we can have!!! Ask and I will explain where and how this can be accomplished. I believe that a "Thank-you" is in order to Bobby Castillo for bringing this matter to our attention. He does so much for Leonard Peltier and I commend him for his exhaustive efforts. We recognize and appreciate your support in all that you do. # number three For those who have been asking... The cousin of the late Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash is working wonders and he has put great thought into every step that he takes. He is one step away from a miracle. Maybe two. The LPCF gives recognition to Board Member Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe. Robert is making sacrifices for which I can only describe as admirable. That includes everything that he believes in for the sake of Leonard Peltier and his own Spiritual Ethics. The LPCF extends a personal thank you for his knowledge and for helping to support the ever-rising LPCF fax and telephone bills. For those who have not yet had an opportunity, please observe the LPCF Website for an orientation, including photos and bio summaries of the Board and Foundation Members and Celebrities. http://members.aol. com/lpcfound/homepage.html (AOL Members click here:) LPCFound's Home Page CHECK LIST: (Four of the most current items) LPCF Project Management: #1. Arizona Television Broadcast May 30, 1998 #2. 2nd Annual LPCF Board Meeting Pine Ridge (June 19, 1998) #3. LPCF Video Documentary: (Closed-to-the-public) Where: Jumping Bull Property, Oglala Date: Saturday, June 20, 1998 Time: 11:00am Snacks, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages will be served to the participants and local community residents who attend. (Compliments of the Foundation). The children of the Pine Ridge Community will be dressed in Traditional Dress for a prayer and dance ceremony for the Peltier Home. The LPCF is working exclusively on this Video Documentary with direct permission of the Pine Ridge Community. Some of the Spiritual Ceremonies are not intended to be filmed. We will be guided and we will respect this. Actor Peter Coyote's voice-narration will endorse this video documentary. It has already been obtained and it is absolutely fantastic!! (Completion date expected in August, 1998) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ #4. Construction Plans and Blue-Prints remain in progress for the Peltier Home. A tough job. Leonard Peltier will draw the American Indian framework design. The name "Peltier Home" will be embedded on the face of the home. Project analysis is working in correlation. It will be discussed at the upcoming Board Meeting this month. "What can you do to help?" *** Write an editorial. Print off of this page and/or the LPCF Website. Without frequent exposure the LPCF cannot expect to receive support. One day, we will have the funds and supplies to complete "The building of a Legacy". *** Assist us in writing for grants. We especially seek private and corporate contributions. Feel free to ask us about our accounting policy, we have a secured Peltier Trust. *** Fundraising is essential *** If you are an artist, author or an entertainer, please donate a portion of your proceeds/royalties. All checks must be made payable to LPCF. Mail to: P.O. Box 681, Rimrock, Arizona 86335 (The LPCF encourages any questions that you may have). Shannon frequently mails personal stationary, greeting cards and telephone funds to Leonard. She must remain in communication with him. This does not come from the Peltier Trust account. Also, see below for sending these gifts to Leonard. Telephone, fax and mail-outs often include International and US Communications and to all of the LPCF Board and Foundation Members. Bookkeeping, accounting and receipts are always kept in order for year-end IRS filings and expenditures. (Required and mandated). All expenditures continue to be provided and fulfilled by Shannon M. Collins and Robert A. Pictou-Branscombe, with the exception of the T-shirt Campaign and the meals for the LPCF Board Meetings. LPCF Board Member Cherokee Rose Wolfe has guardianship of Leonard's granddaughter. We are pleased to have her participation. She's been with us from the start. Shannon's back salary is not required nor requested, even though it was voted upon for her to obtain this at the April Board Meeting, 1997. There are no funds to afford this luxury. Shannon is personally donating a "percentage" of the funds required to complete the LPCF Video Documentary. Then, we need to have a mass production of these videos. We need help in this area. 'Do you know someone who can assist with distribution?' We will be making every attempt to televise, both in part and in whole. It will be the best promotional tool that we will have available to communicate our goals and funding needs, as voted upon. SEND A GIFT TO LEONARD PELTIER.... Photographs and Prints or Xerox copies only. (Polaroids are not permitted and will be returned). Send about ten at one time. Note: They will return any prints that have the automatic date printed on the face of the photo. (Just cut it off) Stationary. Twenty single sheets with matching envelopes in one mailing. Leonard especially appreciates professional bond paper that has lines. Most often this has to be done at a print shop. I am able to do this on my own computer. So, utilize the tolls available to you to cut down on expenses. Leonard appreciates your thoughtfulness. Greeting cards. He loves them. Particularly if they are blank inside. He likes to write his own messages. Send up to ten at one time with matching envelopes in one mailing. This is wonderful around the holidays so he can send special messages to family and friends. By the way, mark it on your calendar that Leonard's birthday is September 12th. Books and magazines. Hard cover books are not permitted, they will be returned. It is recommended that you have the bookstore mail (softcover books) direct from their store. With magazines I have been able to mail them as long as they have the original plastic seal covering. Newspaper articles or Xerox copies of the articles are ok. Use discretion of content and send only a few at a time. An entire newspaper is most often returned. Food items are never permitted (even plastic sealed). Also, no postage stamps are permitted. If you can do nothing else, send Leonard a jovial letter that will lift his Spirit or ask him how you can help. He also appreciates knowing things about you and what you do. Just know that all of his mail is read first. "What better way to let the "Big Chief" know that someone took time out of their busy day?" Think about that. Have a beautiful day. You earned it and so have we. Stay...in the Spirit!! Thank you .... In behalf of Leonard Peltier and the Leonard Peltier Charitable Foundation Signed, Shannon M. Collins LPCF/POA --------- "RE: Kahnawake Joins Six Nations Against Phoney Council" --------- Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 13:39:37 -0400 From: Kahn-Tineta Horn Subj: KAHNAWAKE MOHAWK JOINS SIX NATIONS AGAINST PHONEY NEW "CUSTOM COUNCIL" UUCP email MNN. Mohawk Nation News. 1 June 1998. Today Kahn-Tineta Horn of the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in North America joined Richard Hill of Six Nations in questioning Canada's application of their laws regarding the setting up of the band council system under the Indian Act, as well replacing it with a mysterious custom council that has nothing to do with Iroquois traditions. This follows on the heels of Brian Maracle's successful challenge in the Federal Court of Canada. He ousted the custom council because it violated the procedures set out in the Indian Act. Kahn-Tineta Horn found out that the same things seems to be happening on her home territory of Kahnawake. Horn wrote a letter to the Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, asking about the attempt to put in a "custom council" in Kahnawake by the band council. This band council was set up by and Order in Council in the late 1900's. Only 14 persons agreed to this and the rest did not support this imposition. "We never voted in any Canadian election and we never agreed to be governed by Canada", said Horn. Horn continued, "So far this creation of a new custom council is being done without following proper procedures such as consultation, duly called meetings and a referendum of all the eligible voters. Most of us know nothing about this". This sounds like what happened at the Six Nations Territory when the new custom council took over from the Indian Act band council without the permission of the people on the territory. Horn wants to know, "Was the order in council that set up the Indian Act Band council in Kahnawake revoked? Was the band council taken out of section 74 of the Indian Act? Why does the Canadian government allow a few people to secretly impose a new form of government on Mohawk people when it doesn't truly represent us?" According to her understanding of the Canadian laws, the Order in Council ;must be revoked to remove the Kahnawake band council from section 74 of the Indian Act. To bring in a new custom council they must go to the Governor in Council with a mandate that is based on the fully informed and freely expressed wish of the majority of all of the eligible electors of the people of Kahnawake. Then a new Order in council is issued. Horn stated, "In the first place, the Mohawk people as a whole never agreed to have the Indian Act band council system imposed on us. In the second place, the majority of the Mohawk people do not agree to having a new custom council imposed on us". Horn wants to know what is the procedure according to Canadian laws for ensuring the government is legitimate. Horn queried, "Whose custom is it? It sure isn't ours!" http://wwwcyberglobe.net/users/otsira --------- "RE: Victory for Indian Religious Freedom" --------- Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 19:42:56 -0500 From: pasxapu@patriot.net Subj: Victory for Indian Religious Freedom UUCP email Victory for Indian Religious Freedom: Court Rules Accommodations at Devils Tower are Constitutional Casper, WY - Judge William F. Downes of the U.S. District Court in Wyoming ruled in April that the National Park Service's climbing management plan at Devils Tower National Monument is constitutional. This plan accommodates Indian religious worship at Devils Tower by asking rock climbers not to scale the butte in June, a month when Indians from over twenty different tribes gather there to conduct sacred religious ceremonies. Judge Downes' ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by several rock climbers who argued that the Park Service's plan violates the First Amendment's prohibition against government sponsorship of religion. In his decision, Judge Downes ruled that "the government may (and sometimes must) accommodate religious practices and ... it may do so without violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment." The Park Service's plan discourages, but does not prohibit, rock climbing during June. According to Judge Downes, this "voluntary climbing ban" is "a policy that has been carefully crafted to balance the competing needs of individuals using Devils Tower National Monument while, at the same time, obeying the edicts of the Constitution." Judge Upholds All Aspects of Park Service's Plans. Judge Downes upheld all aspects of the park Service's program, stating that "the purposes underlying the ban are really to remove barriers to religious worship occasioned by public ownership of the Tower.... The government is merely enabling Native Americans to worship in a more peaceful setting. In doing so, the government has no involvement in the manner of worship that takes place, but only provides an atmosphere more conducive to worship." Steve Gunn, an attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center in Washington, D.C., who is representing Indian parties in the case, agrees. "The government is not sponsoring or funding Indian ceremonies at Devils Tower. Nor is it organizing the ceremonies or encouraging bystanders to participate in them. It is simply taking steps to insure that Indian worshipers are left alone to perform their ceremonies in solitude. We are very pleased with Judge Downes' ruling." The Park Service implemented the voluntary climbing ban in 1995, after nearly two years of consultation with American Indians, rock climbers, environmentalists, and others. It did so to balance the competing interests of Indians and rock climbers, and to encourage tolerance and respect for Indian religious practices. To promote compliance with the ban, the Park Service posted a sign at the base of the Tower asking visitors to stay on the trail (and away from Indians conducting ceremonies at off-trail locations) and developed a cross-cultural education program which offers information to visitors about the historical and cultural significance of the Tower to American Indians. Most Climbers Support and Honor the Plan Most rock climbers have shown respect for the Indian religious practitioners and have supported the Park Service's program. The Access Fund, a national climbing organization, has officially endorsed the program and the Park Service reports that since 1995, rock climbing during June has fallen by over 80%. Devils Tower Is Vital to Indian Religion and Culture For Arvol Looking Horse, a member and spiritual leader of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, this ruling is a significant victory. "Once again, we can worship in our traditional way and practice our traditional culture without interference at this sacred site." Devils Tower is a sacred site and a vital cultural resource for Indians from over twenty Plains tribes. For centuries, Indians have performed religious and cultural ceremonies there, including the Sun Dance, sweat lodge rites, vision quests, and prayer offerings. However, in recent years, growing numbers of visitors and rock climbers have disrupted these Indian ceremonies. According to Looking Horse, "Climbers make lots of noise and come near our people when they are praying. By doing this, they disturb our efforts to obtain spiritual guidance. When climbers hammer objects into the butte, it is like they are pounding stakes into our bodies." The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe intervened in the lawsuit to defend the Park Service's accommodations at "He Hota Paha," or Grey Horn Butte, the Lakota name given to Devils Tower hundreds of years ago. The Tribe is represented by the Indian Law Resource Center and attorneys in the Tribe's Legal Department. Ruling Upholds American Tradition of Religious Tolerance "There is a long and principled tradition in this country of accommodation religious practices on government lands," says Gunn. At Arlington National Cemetery, a site described by the federal government as "our nation's most sacred shrine," recreational activities that would interfere with religious burial or memorial services are strictly prohibited. And in the countless national parks, the Park Service owns or leases churches and other religious properties and prohibits activities that would conflict with religious services. "Time and again, the Supreme Court has said that the government 'follows the best of our traditions' when it 'respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates...their spiritual needs,'" says Gunn. "These American traditions must be upheld for our country's first Americans, too." Indian Law Resource Center April, 1998 --------- "RE: Update on Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects" --------- Date:98-06-05 15:47:03 EDT From: Morning Star Subj: Update on Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects UUCP email Update on Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects - Summer Camps At the end of this month (June) Helmina and the others at the Crisis Center will be starting the Summer Camp activities for the youth in Standing Rock. As has been mentioned previously, these camps have had wonderfully positive effects on the youth. As it stands now, funds for the provisions for these 3-day camping trips are still in dire need. (We had hoped to have week long camping trips but there hasn't been much response in the area of cash donations, to be able to afford this idea.) Due to the lack of a 501c3 status (non-profit) so that cash donations could be tax-deductible, many have been hesitant to send monetary donations for these camps. While we are looking into this and have been discussing the various alternatives with individuals who could offer us this status (without us having to start an actual corporation) the summer camps are getting ready to start and we would like to be able to send as many youth to these camping weekends as possible. Provisions run around $20 per child. The Tribe no longer has the 2 large tepees that they have previously been able to loan to Helmina for the traditional setting of these outings, and we still need tents and camping equipment. We have contact a few individuals in regards to either donating or loaning Helmina the tepees, but we are still waiting to find out if any are available. (If anyone can assist with the tepees, please contact us.) Even though times are tough for many of us, please see if you can assist with funds for allowing these youth to have their summer camps. Even if it's only $5. Checks and Money Orders can be made out to: Hunkpapa Youth Survival Projects or "HYSP" and sent to Helmina Makes Him First, P.O. Box 53, Little Eagle, SD 57639. Thank you. And many thanks to those of you who have sent and are still sending donations of food, clothing, and other items to Standing Rock. For more information: http://home1.gte.net/mwicks/info.html Pilamaya Kathy --------- "RE: Innu Nation Land Rights" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 11:05:38 -0300 From: Larry Innes Subj: News: Innu Nation Land Rights Mailing List: Innu People Forum list The Innu Nation is holding meetings with its members on land claims this week in Sheshatshit. - Interview with Daniel Ashini, vice-president of the Innu Nation Key Words: Labrador Inuit Association, Innu Nation Media: 08 CKOK - Nain Broadcast Reporter: Erny Lampe Date: 01/06/98, 14:23 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Erny Lampe: The Innu Nation is holding meetings with its members on land claims this week in Sheshatshit. I will now speak to the vice-president, Daniel Ashini, to get more information. Wilson Jararuse will translate. Can you tell us what is the purpose of the meetings in Sheshatshit? Daniel Ashini: Well, it's a meeting to talk about the land claim, so-called land claims process that we're involved in with the federal and provincial governments. So we have delegates from the community of Davis Inlet and of the from the community of Sheshatshit involved in the meetings today. We're talking about basically the land selection process, the details of the agreement in principle the we have so far been able to negotiate with the federal and provincial government. Erny Lampe: When did these meetings start and how long will they go on for? Daniel Ashini: They just started this morning and they will be ongoing this afternoon and perhaps into the evening. And then we get into the land rights negotiations with the federal and provincial governments where public participation will be a major part of the negotiations Tuesday and Wednesday. Then we get into our own regular negotiation session on Thursday and Friday with feds and the province. Erny Lampe: And how many people are involved from both communities? Daniel Ashini: I would say today's participation was anywhere from 50 to 80 people at the school gymnasium here. Erny Lampe: How big a land are you asking for and how does that compare with what LIA is negotiating for? Daniel Ashini: Well, I think our own negotiations are different from the LIA. The LIA has every right to ask and propose what size of area they would wish for their people. But in terms of the Innu Nation proposal, our proposal as it stands now is in the range of 25,000 square miles for Innu lands, Innu exclusive land to be owned by the Innu people. And I believe somewhere in the vicinity of 27,000 square miles for comanagement lands. So that's approximately the size of land that the Innu people have identified which would be important and fundamental to maintain their way of life to ensure that there is a future for themselves and to ensure that there's self-sufficiency and the land that will meet the needs of current generations as well as future generations. So they took a lot of time, I think, and they took a lot of consultation on our part to involve people that were at the time in the country, in their hunting camps and people in both communities within a very short period of time. And be able to identify areas that are critical and that are important to the Innu way of life. And that's basically what people have identified as areas that would be, you know, sufficient to meet Innu self-reliance, the Innu economy, the Innu way of life and to ensure that the needs of current generations and future generations will be met with this sort of land base. Erny Lampe: Did you ask ***... did you increase the size of land? What are you prepared to leave with? Daniel Ashini: I don't think that the Innu Nation is prepared to move away from the mandate that it's getting from the community of Sheshatshit and Davis Inlet. But I think that the mandate has been very clear. The people have been very passionate about their landing, importance of their landing, importance of maintaining their way of life. And we don't have a mandate for the community to decrease the amount of land that they want to be considered Innu lands and the rights that need to be recognized within these territories. So it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, for the Innu Nation to move away the strong mandate, the very strong mandate that history is receiving from it's membership, the month and a half consultation process that we were involved in and including the meetings that we're having today. The message is very strong. The message is very clear from the people of Davis Inlet and Sheshatshit that you know, this is the amount of land that we'll be requiring for today's generations and the future generations that will be born. So the message is strong and the people are very passionate. And I think it's important for people to be involved in this process. I think this process is about something that is fundamental and very important for the Innu people to be made aware of. If an agreement is reached, if a treaty is reached with the federal and provincial governments, I think that agreement is going to be forever. Then any parts... all the parts of the treaty, the federal and provincial governments are going to affect the lives of today's generations as well as future generations. And people do need to know what negotiations are all about. What is the Newfoundland position? What is the federal position? What is the Innu Nation position and so forth? So they have to be involved. They have to made aware. They have *** process is all about. Erny Lampe: You said that there were about 50 to 80 people. How are they all involved? Daniel Ashini: Everybody is given the opportunity to speak about the process that we're involved in. Everybody has been explained to about what the Newfoundland position is, what the federal position is, what the Innu Nation position is. Through the month and a half long community consultation process that we're involved in, people were given detailed information as to where Newfoundland and Canada and the Innu Nation stand on the various issues that are included in the framework agreement. So people are very much aware of what the Newfoundland proposal is, what the Canadian proposal is, and what the Innu Nation's stand is. So people have an opportunity to speak out and express their views, their concerns and what changes we need to make, what the importance of the land is to them, and how we should proceed from here. And in the event that we don't reach an agreement, what happens? I think all these issues that are very major issues for the Innu at this time in their history are a part of this meeting that we're having today. Erny Lampe: What happens after this week's meeting? Daniel Ashini: After this *** our last regular negotiations session with the parties that we have negotiated for the past seven years with the federal and provincial representatives. From there we have proposed that, you know, we move to the same type of process that the Labrador Inuit Association were involved in in Ottawa. From July 6 to 20, we... the feds and the province and ourselves have agreed that there be high level official negotiations in Ottawa during that period. And I think this will perhaps be the last opportunity for all the three parties to be able to try to reach an agreement or an understanding as to what is achievable and what is not achievable. And I guess from there we decide whether there's any reasonable opportunity of reaching an agreement with the government of Canada and with the government of Newfoundland in terms of a treaty. So the... in July 6 to 20 we'll be able to conclude whether there's a possibility of reaching a treaty with the governments of Canada and the government of Newfoundland. So that's currently the schedule of the process. And that's, I think, it's probably where we're going to end up in the Ottawa meetings, determining whether a treaty is possible with these governments. Erny Lampe: Is there anything else, Daniel? Daniel Ashini: Yes, the amount of land that the Innu people are leaving to be sufficient to meet their needs and the aspirations of our people is not a laughing matter. It's not something that we ask somebody to go to a map and put a pin in the area that he or she thought would be land that would be sufficient to meet our needs and the aspirations of our people today and tomorrow. It's something that we spent a great deal of money. It took over 20 years of research, land use and occupancy studies. Many elders have passed away that have participated in the production of land use and occupancy maps. Many people took their time away from living in the country to be part of the negotiations this week. And, you know, it took a lot of financial resources. It took a lot of human resources for the Innu people to be able to come up with a map that they believe would be sufficient to meet the needs of our people today and tomorrow. It's not the same type of process that the, unfortunately the provincial government was involved in. We all know the provincial government grabs any number, any land quantum out of thin air and says this amount of land will be sufficient to meet the needs of Innu people or Inuit people. Unfortunately, we don't agree with that way of land selection. We prefer to do our own internal land selection and take into consideration our needs today and the needs of our children and their children, future generations. And looking at land as land that has sustained the Innu for thousands of years and hopefully will be able to sustain thousands and thousands of years of future Innu generations. And we looked at the land in a very holistic way. We cannot do a separate land from rivers from other parts of rivers and lakes from other lakes, because the land is one ecology. It's important in a very holistic sense. It's important for the wildlife. It's important for the Innu economy. It's important for the Labrador economy. It's important for the Inuit economy and so forth. So we have to find a balance in terms of trying to meet the needs of our people and meet the needs of the people in Labrador in general, but needs of the Inuit people. So we took a lot of time on our part and took a lot of the human resources, took a lot of financial resources to be able to come up with a map that we believe, we strongly believe will sustain the Innu way of life for many more thousands of generations. Erny Lampe: Thank you, Daniel. Daniel Ashini: Thank you. Erny Lampe: Bye. Daniel Ashini: Bye. Erny Lampe: Daniel Ashini is the vice-president of the Innu Nation. Larry Innes Visit the Innu Nation WWW site: Environmental Advisor http://www.innu.ca Innu Nation P.O. Box 119, Sheshatshiu, Labrador, Canada A0P 1M0 phone: (709) 497-8398 email: innuenv@web.net fax: (709) 497-8396 ------> PGP Public Key available on ldap://certserver.pgp.com --------- "RE: Voisey's Bay Response to Deficiency Statement" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 10:51:25 -0300 From: Larry Innes Subj: Voisey's Bay Response to Deficiency Statement Mailing List: Innu People Forum list VOISEY'S BAY MINE AND MILL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PANEL RELEASES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PANEL ANNOUNCES START OF 45-DAY REVIEW PERIOD FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NAIN, Labrador, June 1, 1998 - The joint environmental assessment panel reviewing the proposal for the Voisey's Bay mine and mill has announced today that it has received additional information from the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company in response to the Panel's request for additional information issued May 1,1998. This additional information is now available for public review. A 45-day review period begins today, June 1, 1998 and ends on July 16, 1998 as required by the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established by the Labrador Inuit Association, the Innu Nation, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. The Panel is inviting the public, government agencies and technical specialists to review the additional information and comment on whether the document adequately addresses each requirement of the additional information request by providing sufficient information to support meaningful discussion of the issues at public hearings. Written and/or oral comments must be received by the end of the day on July 16, 1998. Those making oral comments are asked to submit a quality recording. At this stage of the review, the panel is not inviting comments on the merits of the opinions and conclusions of the studies, nor on the overall proposal as put forth by the proponents. Such comments should be made at the time of the public hearings. After reviewing the comments received, the panel will determine if the additional information is sufficient to proceed to public hearings. The panel will announce its adequacy determination by July 31, 1998. If the EIS is deemed to be sufficient, the schedule for hearings will be announced by August 7, 1998. If further information is required, the panel will request the information from the proponents by July 31, 1998. Paper copies of the additional information are available for review at the information centres on the attached list. Please send written and oral submissions to Mr. Brian Torrie, Panel Manager at the mailing address, electronic mail address or fax numbers listed below. Submissions will also be accepted by Ms. Mary Webb at the panel's Information Office fax number and address listed below. If you have any questions about the review process, please contact Mr. Torrie or Ms. Webb. Submissions made electronically or on computer disk would be appreciated. For more information please contact : Brian Torrie Panel Manager Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 200 Sacre'-Coeur Blvd Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3 Tel.: (819) 997-6364 or (819) 953-6727 (call collect) Fax: (819) 994-1469 or (819) 997-4931 e-mail: brian.torrie@ceaa.gc.ca Ms. Mary Webb Information Officer Environmental Assessment Office P.O. Box 416 Nain, Labrador Tel: (709) 922-2407 Fax: (709) 922-2409 (Aussi disponible en francais) (Also available in Innu-aimun and Inuktituk) --------- "RE: Protesters Released" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 00:21:32 -0700 (PDT) From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NYM: Protesters Released :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: [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.] NATIVES ORDERED TO KEEP PEACE Kelowna Daily Courier, May 28, 1998 page A1 by Chuck Poulsen The first of two groups of native protesters who occupied the Westbank First Nation offices for two days were released from custody Wednesday to shouts of jubilation from their supporters in the courtroom. Mr. Justice Holmes, who was in the courtroom. Mr. Justice Ronald Holmes, who was in Kelowna to deal with the civil contempt of court case, released five Native Youth Movement members on the condition that they not go near the Westbank band office except for legitimate purposes. Nine other members, who were involved in a similar protest last month at the BC Treaty Commission in Vancouver, agreed to an additional undertaking to keep the peace. Homes modified a request by Westbank band lawyer Grant Hardwick asking that the undertaking require the nine defendants to not obstruct the treaty negotiation process, indicating that it might interfere with their rights to free speech. Nine more protesters, who had not been held in custody, will appear today, It's also thought an appearance date on the charges for all of those involved will be set today. That day will likely be about two weeks away so that the Crown can decide whether to raise the charges to a criminal level. "The more public the defiance, the closer you get to criminal charges," said Crown counsel Norm Yates, who was not involved in Wednesday's civil proceeding. Hardwick said the band's civil action would be put on hold if criminal charges were laid. He didn't object to Holmes' keep the peace order replacing his request the group undertake not to disrupt the treaty process. "We wanted to make sure that this kind of thing doesn't happen next in Prince George or Pemberton," he said. "From a legal perspective keeping the peace should preclude them from occupying private property." Noting that only the group involved in the Vancouver protest were ordered to keep the peace as a condition of their release, Hardwick said restrictions on accused escalate with each incident. "In Vancouver, they let them go with an undertaking that they not go back to the treaty commission (offices)," he said. "Now we have something broader. If they do it again they may have to cool their heels in the bucket." Westbank band councillor Larry Derrickson said insurance adjusters were estimating the amount of damages to the offices. He said the band, in pursuing civil damages against the protesters, would also come up with a claim for lost productivity of staff. The occupation of the band offices by 40 NYM members came to a peaceful conclusion Tuesday night with 23 members being escorted to jail. Seventeen others left the building after an injunction was read and were allowed to walk away without facing charges. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- The following letter from Glen Clark, Premier of BC, was sent in response to an earlier occupation of BC Treaty Commission offices in Vancouver by NYM. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 01 Jun 1998 14:32:33 -0700 From: "Premier CPCS:EX" Subject: RE: BCTC occupation I'm sorry for the lengthy delay in getting back to you. I'm very pleased the occupation ended peacefully and the Treaty Commission offices have resumed normal operations. Government recognizes the frustrations of all First Nations-including aboriginal youth-and that is why we established the treaty process as a peaceful, effective means of resolving aboriginal issues. BC is establishing a new relationship with aboriginal peoples-the treaty process is the cornerstone of this relationship. The treaty process will help create new opportunities and jobs for First Nations communities, including aboriginal youth. I remain fully committed to the treaty process in BC. All treaties will be settled on the principles of fairness and equity, and the interests of all British Columbians will be protected in treaty negotiations in the form of fair value for the lands and resources provided in any settlement. The province is actively engaged in negotiating agreements-in-principle with First Nations, and will continue to work with them and other parties to expedite and streamline treaty and pre-treaty processes. Glen Clark Premier :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- SOVEREIGNTY IS THE ANSWER - CANADA IS THE PROBLEM! Further information on the BC Treaty process: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/BCgovt.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/switlo.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: Chiapas Relief Campaign" --------- Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 13:25:27 -0700 (PDT) From: "moonlight@igc.apc.org" Subj: Dakotah News Mailing List: Minnesota Indian Affairs NPMC Director's Health Improving Native American Journalist and Writer, Harold Iron Shield's health has been improved and is slowly getting back to the mood. He took the Canton Ceremony as his priority and took part in the ceremony with others present. Iron Shield wishes to thank those who wished him well and sent E-mail. Recovery is most important right now and he will be on vacation for about a week and returns to organizing the NPMC board meeting for July. Health's Improving? of course says Iron Shield, I feel better than before and now I am ready to take anything that contains work. The journey to Canton and back is very draining and tired some when riding 100 miles or more. If one can ride that far, health most be good. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NORTHERN PLAINS MEDIA CONSORTIUM PUSHED OUT IN THE COLD (Moorhead,MN) In a recent move the People Escaping Poverty Project renters of a building that houses seven organizations decided to push out the Media Group that has been there for over two years. The purpose is to make room for one trainee who happens to a native american person. The idea of a divide and conquer situation may be brewing. The Northern Plains Media Consortium has been in the building for more than two years and twice has been bumped off by PEPP. Office space was offered by the PEPP Director by invitation and to develop a relationship with their board members and those involved with PEPP. As a Native American media group, we were unique at the time of offer two years ago and therefore were invited to have office space in their building. After being there for sometime now, the same office space was offered to other group who eventually took over the office and left NPMC out the door. Today, our struggle has not changed and the problem remains the same as we are being pushed out the door again. Six other organizations and various individuals work out of this office and receive better treatment. ThePEPP board is mostly white along with with staff and most decisions are made by them. Perhaps, we are not unique anymore and being pushed aside is not a pleasant feeling. Our organization has supported every little thing they have done in the years we have in the building. PEPP has not made any effort to involve Native American Community members and organizations. The mission of PEPP is working to empower poor people in their communities and organize to better themselves and the communities they live in. Northern Plains Media Consortium has been in existence for 15 years and has never encountered ill treatment in the past. This is the first of its kind from an organization that works with poor people. You can help by writing, E-mailing or call the PEPP organization and let them that the Northern Plains Media Consortium deserves to treated better than this. Let them that if they wish to work with Native people the need to understand them is foremost before victimizing them. The E-mail address is pepp@pepp.org and if you want to call the number is 1-800-373-5431. When calling make reference to the Northern Plains Media Consortium's situation and do not allow them to pull the wool over your eyes. Be sure to ask questions about the kind of organization they are and how many white people are on the board who makes decisions and are they capable of making non-discriminate decisions. PEPP was founded by Whites and since been maintained by them as the majority and only has involved Mexican-Americans and not Native Americans or other people of color. Is this right? Call them and let them know how you feel and maybe you help us make a difference and we wouldn't have to be out the door. So please call or E-mail this will help us and pass this message on to other Internet links and make it a nationwide effort. --------- "RE: Treaty Harvest Disputes" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 10:56:31 -0600 From: "Christine A. Penney" Subj: Treaty harvest disputes Mailing List: Minnesota Indian Affairs Hello folks, I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Fisheries Dept at the U of MN and an Extension instructor. Spring quarter every year I teach a class about harvest disputes that result from treaty rights. After spending an entire quarter with primarily white, affluent, "normal" American kids, I am struck by how far we have to go and how much educating we need to do. Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to send on to you some fun facts to know and TELL about the Mille Lacs Lake case in particular and treaty harvests in general. The litigation of the 1837 Treaty rights of the Mille Lacs band and eight other bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin is the last in a long line of suits and appeals that affect these two states. Currently, the case is up for appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court is expected to either deny or agree to hear the case by the end of the summer. Legal eagles believe it would be very unusual for the Court to hear an appeal because the lower Federal Appeals Courts do not disagree. Had there been inconsistency between the WI and MN decisions, it would have been likely that they would have heard arguments. That said, this particular Court is full of surprises and we cannot count on "normal" things to happen with this Court. If the Court denies the case, it is over and those opposed to treaty harvests have no other judicial avenues. I believe that having lost this option, violence is a real possibility. Certainly, there will be more pressure on legislators to abrogate the treaties. The Eight Circuit DID NOT determine an allocation for the bands. While precedence in WI and the Pacific Northwest support the 50/50 split, the courts have not declared this. However, MNDNR has begun planning for an Indian harvest of up to 50%. The courts will determine harvest allocation only as the need arises. Sportfishing overwhelmingly takes the most fish. Of the 270,000 lb. of allowable harvest on Mille Lacs, the band will take 40,000 lbs. About 2%. Statewide in WI, Indian harvest accounts for about 4% of total harvest. Anglers take the rest. The band has a strict conservation code that is enforced on a DAILY basis. EVERY speared fish is counted and recorded. Not many non-Indian anglers would be willing to submit to this type of draconian oversight. It is a tribute to the bands that they do. Spearfishing has NO impact on fish populations. A female walleye produces 15,000 eggs per pound of body weight. Environment, rather than harvest, has the largest impact on egg survival. Millions of eggs die before winter due to predation, weather, lack of food & shelter, and other environmental conditions. In the great primordial pool that is Mille Lacs lake, a dead fish is a dead fish. 270,000 pounds of dead fish harvested by anglers the year before cannot spawn; 40,000 harvested by the band cannot spawn. A dead fish is a dead fish_.it doesn't matter how or when the fish is harvested. Additionally, 80% of all speared fish are males. This is because they move into the shallows in response to and AFTER female egg-laying. Additionally, traditional American hunting activities are planned during spawning i.e., deer season, grouse season, turkey season because the prey is easier to catch....this is not a uniquely Indian methodology. The band deer harvest last year was 800 animals. The number of deer killed on the road in Minnesota by primarily non-Indians drivers ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 animals per year. This is not a typo. Traditions are not bounded by technology. All people grow and develop as a culture while keeping their traditions. We use twinkle lights on Xmas trees instead of candles, microwave ovens instead of wood fired hearths to cook our Thanksgiving turkey, depth finders and bass boats to angle instead of a pole, a hook and a raft. The traditions are not diminished. Finally, the courts did not grant special privileges to Indians. Treaties are legal contracts that cannot be changed without consent by both parties. Your mortgage cannot be changed by Sallie Mae without your consent. Same principle. In the treaties, Indian nations granted land to the U.S. government and reserved usufructuary rights for themselves. These are property rights that we all enjoy. If we sell land, we can reserve the rights to the minerals beneath it. If we sell land we can preserve a right of way across it. If we sell a business we can retain the client list. If Indians lose this right, then all Americans lose this right. Thank you for your time_..go forth and educate! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "I have sometime thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives, and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?" Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) --------- "RE: Commission to Hold Sovereignty Forum" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 07:32:59 -1000 From: Hawaii Nation Info Subj: Civil Rights Commission to hold Sovereignty forum <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> This message is sent to subscribers of the Hawaii Nation Info service, featuring articles, updates and action alerts on Hawaiian politics and culture, for informational and educational purposes only. Contents represent the views of author/originator of message/article. Redistribute freely. Un/subscribe: mailto:info@hawaii-nation.org <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> *** NEWS RELEASE *** For Release: Immediately Contact: Hon. Charles Maxwell, Sr. (808) 572-8038 or Stella G. Youngblood (213) 894-3437 LOS ANGELES, CA - The Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S Commission on Civil Rights was today rechartered for a two-year term by a unanimous vote of the members of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The Advisory Committee's newly appointed chairman is Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell, Sr, a Hawaiian cultural specialist and leading advocate for Native Hawaiian civil rights issues. Maxwell is a longtime advisory committee member who was instrumental in the publication of the Committee 1991 report, "A Broken Trust: The Hawaiian Homelands Program: Seventy Years of Failure of the Federal and State Governments to Protect the Civil Rights of Native Hawaiians." Chairperson Maxwell is extremely optimistic about the current recharter period and stated, "As we approach the new millennium the Hawaii Advisory Committee is anxious to study and examine new ways to preserve and protect the civil rights of all minorities and Native Hawaiian people." The Advisory Committee plans to hold four public meetings late this summer on civil rights enforcement, Hawaiian Sovereignty issues, and the administration of justice by Hawaiian criminal courts. The first event, a follow-up to the Hawaiian Homes Lands Report "A Broken Trust", will be held on Tuesday August 4, 1998, from 9:00 to 3:00 pm at Kapi'olani Community College, Diamond Head Campus, Honolulu. The second event, a roundtable discussion of Hawaiian sovereignty, will be held on Saturday, August 22, 1998, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Hawaii Imin International Conference Center, East-West Center Jefferson Hall, Room 225 (Keoni Auditorium), 1777 East West Road, Honolulu. Testimony for this forum may be submitted to . Additional information regarding these meetings will be made available to the public in coming weeks. Chairperson Maxwell also stated that the Committee plans to begin work on updating its Broken Trust report later this year. State Advisory Committees were established in each state and the District of Columbia by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in accordance with enabling legislation and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The role of the Hawaii Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is to advise the Commission on matters pertaining to discrimination or denials of equal protection of the laws because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or in the administration of justice, and to aid the Commission in its statutory obligation to serve as a national clearinghouse for information on those subjects. The members of the Hawaii Advisory Committee are Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell, Sr. of Maui, Mrs. Patricia Cook, Mr. David Michael Forman, Mr. Ouentin K. Kawananakoa, Mrs. Faye Kennedy, Mr. Alan Murakami, Dr. Helen Nagtalon-Miller, Mrs. Marion Saunders, Mr Oswald Stender, and Mr. Anthony Vericelia, all of HonoluIu, and Ms. Julianne R Puzon of Waianae. For additional information about the Hawaii Advisory Committee's activities, please contact Chairman Maxwell by phone at (808) 572-8038, or via e-mail at . Additional information may also be obtained by contacting the Commission's Western Regional Office in Los Angeles at (213) 894-3437. ___________________________________________________________ | Hawai`i - Independent & Sovereign | | info@hawaii-nation.org http://hawaii-nation.org | |___________________________________________________________| "The cause of Hawaii and independence is larger and dearer than the life of any man connected with it. Love of country is deep- seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station." - Queen Lili`uokalani --------- "RE: Progress Expected in Log Talks" --------- Date: Sun, May 31, 1998 3:36 AM EDT From: SISIS@envirolink.org Subj: N.B. tense - blockades possible :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: PROGRESS EXPECTED IN LOG TALKS - BLOCKADE REMAINS OPTION Globe and Mail, May 30, 1998, 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.] Fredericton - There could be a break soon in the logjam over aboriginal timber rights in New Brunswick. Tim Paul, a spokesman for native loggers, says that, despite tough talk and threats of road blockades from some aboriginal persons, a peaceful resolution is in the works. Mr. Paul, president of the Native Loggers Business Association, said yesterday a settlement offer is being prepared and should be ready for presentation to the provincial government on Monday. "We'll see if we can resolve this peacefully," Mr. Paul said. The New Brunswick government has offered aboriginal loggers 5 per cent of the annual allowable cut as an interim solution to the impasse over native logging on disputed Crown land. At present that share would be 20,000 cubic metres. But aboriginal people feel they are entitled to more, pointing to 18th century treaties that suggest the crown lands of New Brunswick are in fact aboriginal lands that were never ceded nor sold. The aboriginal right to harvest and sell Crown timber was struck down last month by the province's Court of Appeal, overturning the decision of two lower courts. Mr. Paul said he is concerned that some natives have reached the boiling point and may take matters into their own hands. Their were threats this week from some native loggers at the Big Cove reserve in eastern New Brunswick, who warned they may block highways next week if matters are not resolved satisfactorily. "There is a lot of tension right now," said logger Brian Francis of Big Cove. The Liberal government began its crackdown on wildcat loggers last week. Enforcement officers have seized six lumber trucks to date and warned mills they will be charged if they buy native-cut lumber. "One day you think you're making progress and then the following day, seven or eight new sites start up. It's very difficult to manage," said Deputy Premier Doug Tyler, pointing out the problem is being driven by the non-native community. For example, most of the trucks have been driven by non-aboriginal drivers. Tyler said if the aboriginal people would leave the logging area, it would be easier to negotiate a settlement and the threat of violence would disappear. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Letters to the Globe and Mail - mailto:letters@GlobeAndMail.ca Camille Theriault, Premier of New Brunswick PO Box 6000, Fredericton N.B. Canada E3B 5H1 Phone: (506) 453-2144 Fax: (506) 453-7407 Email - mailto:www@gov.nb.ca Website comments - http://www.gov.nb.ca/OP_CPM/index.htm 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: SISIS@envirolink.org WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Native Loggers Cut to the Chase" --------- Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 23:02:21 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: N.B. Timber dispute :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: [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.] NATIVE LOGGERS CUT TO THE CHASE The Globe and Mail, June 2, 1998 (CP) Fredericton - Native loggers in New Brunswick have put down their chainsaws and drawn up a peace offer as a show of good faith in the dispute over aboriginal timber rights. Tim Paul, president of the Native Loggers Business Association, said yesterday natives will be asked this week to consider a counter-offer to the province's recent proposal for a share of the wood cut on Crown land. To show their seriousness, Mr. Paul said virtually all native logging has stopped, except for what he described as a few hard-core cutters determined to stay in the woods at any cost. As well, he said there will be no protests or blockades while negotiations with the province are at this sensitive and critical stage. "How much more good faith can we show?" said Mr. Paul, who has his own logging company, Thunder East. The New Brunswick government has offered aboriginal loggers five per cent of the annual allowable cut. It is expected natives will ask for more in their counter-offer, based on what they consider a treaty right to the Crown lands and forests of New Brunswick. That treaty right was recognized in two lower courts in the province, but it was rejected by the New Brunswick Court of Appeal in a decision last month that sparked the native protest. Louella Woods, spokeswoman for the provincial Natural Resources Department, said that as of yesterday, eight lumber trucks have been seized by the province at native cutting sites. There have been no trucks seized since Friday. The province has also warned lumber mills they could be charged if caught with illegally cut native wood. M. Woods said the government will consider the counter-proposal. "We'll have to see what their proposal is," she said. "The government is dealing with the chiefs on the reserves and they're not all in agreement with Tim Paul's group. But I feel they'll at least consider the proposal. Mr. Paul said the chiefs will be asked to take the counter-proposal to government once the plan is approved at a general meeting. Such a gathering could be held as early as today. Meanwhile the regional chief of the Warriors Society said plans are on hold for a convoy of logging trucks to protest the crackdown. "We have to wait and see what the province has to give to the people and if the people accept that," Frank Thomas said from the Tobique reserve north of Fredericton. "Its the people's choice and if the people feel it's right, we'll support it. But if there's trickery in it, we can't support it. Mr. Thomas, who is from Nova Scotia, also said there won't be any road blockades. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Request for Indian Veterans" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 22:41:23 -0600 From: "Cade, Susan, , SAM-GNFB" Subj: Request for Indian Veterans Mailing List: AISESnet General List The U. S. Air Force is seeking to create a display for the Air Force Academy honoring Native Americans who served in the Air Force (or its predecessor, the Army Air Corps) between 1940 and 1997. Photographs, narratives of first-person experiences and memorabilia are being sought. All photographs and memorabilia will be returned. Persons with material to submit should send them to Native American Special Observances Committee (NASOC), Attn: Professor Pamela Chadick, Director, HQ USAFA/DFPFA, 2354 Fairchild Drive, Suite 3K27, USAF Academy, Co. 80840. Questions can also be sent to that address or contact Professor Chadick by telephone at (719) 333-2416 or call Mr. S. S. Hampton, Sr. (Choctaw), Chair, Native American Special Observances at (719) 333-3430 or (719) 333-3431. --------- "RE: Language Bank" --------- Date: Sat, 06 Jun 1998 11:21:37 GMT From: "Rockman" Subj: Language bank Newsgroup: alt.native If you were walking through the woods and saw an Eagle you would stop. If the eagle began to sing the song of a blue jay you would be shocked. The eagle must communicate in the language the Creator gave it. So must we. Unfortunately through the efforts of the various governing bodies and churches our languages are almost lost. Time is of the essence here. Not Indian Time but real time must now be spent banking our languages so our children and their children can speak the language the Creator gave us. www.First-Nations-Place.com is beginning a First Nation Language Bank and need deposits. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I ask you to put away any politics and fears of the non-natives reading and learning from this bank. I will set a security for membership that will be free to native organizations, schools, youth groups and natives. We need this so please help. Asin-nee-nini, Anishnawbe Turtle clan. Meeg-wetch --------- "RE: Through the Mouse Eye" --------- Date: Fri, 05 Jun 1998 10:19:13 +0200 From: Serge HUMBERT Subj: through the mouse eye... UUCP email It was a great mound of hair with black horns. It was a great buffalo. Jumping Mouse could hardly believe the greatness of the being he saw lying there before him. He was so large that Jumping Mouse could have crawled into one of his great horns. "Such a magnificent being," thought Jumping Mouse, and he crept closer. "Hello, my brother," said the Buffalo. "Thank you for visiting me." "Hello, Great Being," said Jumping Mouse. "Why are you lying there?" "I am sick and I am dying." the Buffalo said, and my medicine has told me that only the eye of a mouse can heal me. But Little Brother, there is no such thing as a mouse." Jumping Mouse was shocked. "One of my eyes." he thought, "one of my tiny eyes." He scurried back into the stand of chokecherries. But the breathing came harder and slower. "He will die," thought Jumping Mouse, "If I don't give him my eye. He is too great a being to let die." He went back to where the buffalo lay and spoke: " I am a mouse," he said with a shaky voice. "And you are a great being. I cannot let you die. I have two eyes, so you may have one of them"... Cheyenne tradition. Everyone, I mean the cattle industry and the buffalo "industry"( Bison World April 1994), have asked since many years, to eradicate the brucellosis of the Yellowstone herd... It is a nonsense, as you said among the 100 000 elks which carry brucellosis too... It would only work on the "image de marque" of the buffalo, a kind of expiatory sacrifice. That policy would turn the Yellowstone herd to be managed as the National Bison Range... I was thinking that instead of killing the positive beasts,and since it seems that the herd of yellowstone has developed a resistance to the disease, could it be a critical interest in observing how it worked? Couldn't we find someone interested to offer a kind of "island", a wilderness area, free from cattle, and a project of studying that??? Is there any spot out of nowhere, which could welcome such a study?? Once it would be proven the herd to be brucellosis free, would the Dol authorized an accompanied rambling of the buffaloes? Could that be negotiated??? What would be their position? I think that the key solution of a change, I would say revolution, in the plains,( Buffalo Commons) is in a growing demand for buffalo meat from the NA. In fact if the NA would turn to buffalo meat in everyday's life, instead of feeding themselves through the interests of the Big Three, that demand would increase the prices of buffalo. ITBC would have to face the buying, butchering and marketing of the animals. The only one way to keep the meat affordable for people, would be to develop high priced parts of the buffalo, such as once was the smoked tongue... and other things. Then I would like you to read this: Bison World January February 1994. "American Verses Native-American Bison Meat. When asked to choose between American and Native-American produced bison, European marketers responded in favor of Native-American produced bison. From the interviews, it appears that Native-American bison has the connotation of being a product naturally raised in its traditional environment, and symbolizes the ever-popular Western image of strength and power, and exhibits the true Western taste." As far as I know, nothing came out of this demand. There were no Native-American bison for sale... Neither was found the true Western taste... for everyone cook the bison the same way as the beef and pay it here four time or five time the price of the beef... All that fade started may be with the "Dancing with wolves" movie... today what could be the movie supporting the buffalo??? What are doing the NA involved in the movie or video business??? May be I don't jump high enough, may be I am shortsighted and my eye is not good enough to cure the buffalo... but I will try again...and again. Thanks for reading. --------- "RE: The Hopping Stone Vision" --------- Date: Sat, 6 Jun 1998 20:37:21 EDT From: RavenVVoIf@aol.com Subj: The Red Road Newsletter The Red Road Newsletter | June 06, 1998 | The Hopping Stone Vision taken from Patu Deep in the southwest deserts, an old medicine man and young brave stand atop a great plateau. Together, they silently survey all the earth. After what seems like ages of absorbing all that can be seen, the old man taps his medicine stick on the ground. From twelve different directions great streaks of lightning strike the earth, and from each place the lightning strikes, twelve great stones begin to form. As the stones form, the old man begins to sing an ancient song. Drawn, irresistibly, by the old man's song, the twelve great stones slowly weave their way through the vast obstacles that stand between them and the plateau. They pass over enormous mountains and vast stretches of water. They roll through dense forests and jungles. They cross great deserts and glaciers -- growing stronger, larger, and more powerful with each passing moment. Finally, all twelve stones reach the mesa and silently gather around the old man and brave. "You see these twelve great stones?" "Yes, Grandfather." "Build a sacred circle with them." With prayerfulness and great care, the brave gathers the stones and places them in a sacred circle. "Do you know what you have done, my son?" "I have built a medicine wheel." "Yes. Go now and show me your place. Walk into the Sacred Circle and sit upon the stone that represents your position in the Great Circle of Life." As the brave moves towards the Sacred Circle, the old man begins to chant -- and all twelve stones begin to glow. For a few moments, the young brave prayerfully circles the medicine wheel trying to find the stone that represents his particular place: His personality and temperament, his strengths and weaknesses; but none of them feels right to him, so he chooses the one that best seems to fit: he chooses the Red Man Stone and sits on it. But after a few moments, his seat begins to smoke and he leaps off the great stone calling out in pain. "The Red Man Stone is red hot!" The old man looks at him and smiles mischievously. "Perhaps you are not meant to be a Red Man this life. Try another stone." Worried and confused now, the young brave stares at the glowing circle of stones. For along time he stares and refuses to move. He calms his mind. He concentrates. He carefully studies the texture, shape, color and size of each great stone, searching for the one that feels most like him. Finally, the young brave takes a deep breath, asks the Great Spirit for help and walks over to the White Man Stone. But as soon as he sits upon the great rock, his seat begins to smoke, and he leaps off screaming again. "The White Man Stone is red hot, too!" Seeming to delight in the young brave's dilemma, the old man answers, "Then you are not meant to be a White Man this life. Try again." More perplexed than ever, the young brave tries again, this time choosing the Oriental Stone -- with the same results: His seat catches on fire and he leaps up again! "ALL OF THESE STONES ARE RED HOT!!! How do you expect me to find my place in the Great Circle if I cannot sit on any stone?" The old man smiles and looks deeply into the young brave's eyes. "Perhaps you are not meant to sit on any single stone this life. Perhaps you are meant to hop from stone to stone." "Then I shall have no place to sit in the Sacred Circle!" "Perhaps your place is the Hopping Place -- which is no place, and all places; the last place we must master before we can leave this world and join the Great Spirit Who lives in the center of the Great Circle." Stunned by the old man's revelation, the young brave is silent. As if struck by some great bolt of lightning, he cannot move or speak. He can only tremble as new thoughts and feelings rush into his mind and heart. For a few moments, the old man leaves the brave to his thoughts. Then he speaks again. "Listen." The young brave listens and begins to hear the twelve stones arguing. "Do you hear the stones arguing with one another?" "Yes, Grandfather." "And do you know why they argue so, day and night, age upon age, without ceasing?" "Because they do not understand one another?" "Yes. And do you know why they do not understand one another?" "No." "Because they sit in one place all the time and can not yet hop as you do." The old man looks deep into the eyes of the brave and then continues. "Since you are a hopper, your job is to hop from stone to stone and help them understand one another. If you do this, my son, you shall find peace in your heart and help bring peace and happiness to the Great Medicine Wheel of Life. This is the task the Great Spirit has given you." Another long silence descends upon the old man and brave. They both stare at the glowing red stones for a long time. At last, the old man turns to the brave and speaks again. "Remember this vision, my son, and share it with those whom the Great Spirit sends to you. For this vision is not only given to you. It is also given to the other stone hoppers who have come to the earth to unite the Great Medicine Wheel of Life." Submitted by: SumerWCree@aol.com <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The Red Road Newsletter is a free online publication for and about Native Americans. If you wish to subscribe, simply write to RavenVVoIf@aol.com and put the words, "ADD ME" in the subject line. To be removed from the mailing list, put the words, "REMOVE ME" in the subject line. Feel free to send in anything you wish to share with others, and please, if what you send is not your own work, pay close attention to copy-rite laws. Peace and Blessings, --------- "RE: Writing a News Release" --------- Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 15:37:10 -0400 From: Randy Redhawk Subj: [NAT-FILM] WRITING A NEWS RELEASE Mailing List: NAT-FILM WRITING NEWS RELEASES How do you make your organization or tribal news, gatherings, protests, and law suits, news worthy and from a Native viewpoint instead of Wire service viewpoint, and still get into the newspapers? First things first. Who? YOU, What? Whatever you want to talk about. When? Either an upcoming protest, court date, or if in the past, use the word "recently" as in "The Hopi Nation recently. Where? Always give an exact location, preferably with a map enclosed. Ok, You have the details, now how do you make it newsworthy? First and foremost, your news-release MUST have several quotes in it, from one or more people in authority, (elders are a good source of quotes) secondly send out photographs to ALL your newservices, of the people that you are quoting. Some things newspapers look at: If there are NO quotes, there is no story, it is an editorial or advertisement, and NOT newsworthy--- If there are no photographs attached to the story, the story is plain, it may show up, but not where, or how you wanted it to read. If there are NO Contact numbers, the story is bogus, and can not be trusted to be the truth. Here is an example of a fake story that could have been better - read the difference in the two stories: Bad Example: On March 23, 1996 tribal leaders of the Samei nation filed a lawsuit in Superior court over land rights that claim wrongly that 20,000 acres of Sami land belong to cattle ranchers in Texas, instead of the Sami people who have been herding Sheep there for 600 years. We will protest this and ask your support on March 25th at the Laredo City Court House. Good Example: NEWS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by Marge Allen Contact Marge Allen at 1-555-1212 P.O. Box 215 Laredo, TX 60666 email marge@your.net.com Laredo, TX - Recently the Samei Nation filed a lawsuit in Laredo Texas to stop the use of land by non-natives. According to Lee Mars, 101 year old Samei Tribal Chief, "We have been using this property for herding sheep for over 600 years, we can not lay down and let them have more of our cherished land." He was joined by traditionalists, including , 82 year old, Boing Agar who stated, "We can protest this anti-native action peacefully, by working together." Agar and other tribal leaders are hoping for support for their March 25th protest of Native solidarity against misuse and illegal confiscation of Native lands, "We can only pray that the people will join us outside the Laredo Texas Courthouse." Agar said. Lee Mars 1-555-1313
Boing Agar 1-555-1414

Now this is a simple thing, but now you add a couple of photographs, your name as author, your contact number, and the contact numbers of the people you interviewed. Make sure your address (physical not email) is on the news-release. Make sure the photographs have the correct name on them. Use this same format for ANY news release, for example: A story on Awards given to tribal members, Native craftsmen, elders that want to send a message to all people. Write me for more story ideas! There are plenty more tips I can give you for writing news-releases, especially for International Native News, because what we will print, anyone will print. If we can be of service, email me from our homepage. Getting your News to I.N.N. I.N.N. wants your stories, you can scan your photographs (300 dpi minimum) and upload them and your stories to I.N.N. or you can mail them, which we prefer, to: International Native News, 219 Manchester Street West, Battle Creek, MI 49017-2221 http://www.innwebnet.com/inn/ ______________________________________________________ NAT-FILM: Public service by United Native Aboriginal Broadcasting. http://www.unat.org Posts copyright original author/sender unless noted otherwise, and remain in archives. Posts do not necessarily reflect opinions of the administration or membership of UNATB(C) --------- "RE: Dump Jack Metcalf Now" --------- Date: ThursdayJune41998 10:24:34 PM From: arthurmiller50@juno.com Subj: DUMP JACK METCALF NOW! UUCP email please post ANTI-RACIST EMERGENCY ACTION NETWORK-- ACTION ALERT --DUMP JACK METCALF NOW! When confronted about having Rep. Jack Metcalf as a speaker at their "Town Hall Panel" on June 30th in Seattle, Sea Shepherd defended directly working with Metcalf and called him a "stellar leader" and one of their supporters called him "a great public servant". They did not at all try to deny any of the information we gave them on Metcalf. All they would say was that Metcalf supported their issue and that is all that is important. We have been informed by a lawyer who was an activist against the former Apartheid regime in South Africa, in Olympia, that when they lobbied the legislature "he, several times made staggeringly racist comments about Africans being genetically incapable of governing themselves, and made them in open committee hearings." The following information comes from the files of the ANTI-RACIST EMERGENCY ACTION NETWORK. Rep. Jack Metcalf is known through out the state of Washington as the second most influential long time racist anti- tribal activist, next to the king of racism Sen. Slade Gorton, in this state. Jack Metcalf is one of the founders of S /SPAWN which later became the United Property Owners of Washington (UPOW). And Jack was on the UPOW Board until he left for congress. There is a great over lap of members and rhetoric between UPOW and the Washington Property Rights Network which is led by Jim Klauser who began, with other officials of the Builders Industry Association of Washington, the "Wise Use" Movement in this state. They also receive support from the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise. Also connected in this is the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, a co-founder of the "Wise Use" Movement and is a national anti-treaty rights organization. UPOW has always used itself as a means for white property owners to fight tribal sovereignty and Native treaty rights. They have led the fight against tribal shell fishing rights, including a suit in which the Defenders of Property Rights (DoPR) is co-counsel. DoPR is an extremist right wing group whose board members include James Watt, Ed Meese, Robert Bork, Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen Larry Craig, and is associated with the Heritage Foundation, the Alliance for America and other far right wing organizations. Rep. Jack Metcaf was elected to congress along with other right wing "Contract On America" Republicans like Linda Smith and Randy Tate. But Jack just maybe the worst of the much. The extreme right wing paper "The Spotlight" has had a number of write-ups on Jack, and one issue featured a photograph of him in the office of the Liberty Lobby which is the publisher of that paper. According to the League of Conservation Voters Jack has one of the worst environmental voting records in congress. Sea Shepherd rather than acknowledging that they made a mistake in joining forces with a man like Metcalf, sought to praise him. The only reason Metcalf is willing to work with Sea Shepherd is that they are fighting the Makah Nation over a purposed whale hunt, and Metcalf is clearly one of them most anti-tribal people in congress. Were the issue U. S. corporations wanting to get back into whale hunting he would be on the other side of the issue. By joining forces with Metcalf, Sea Shepherd is telling all those who have been victimized by the "Contract On America", the poor, people of color, working people and real environmentalists, and all Native people who have been victimized by the right wing racist anti- tribal campaign, that their struggles are not important to Sea Shepherd. We believe differently. We believe that all these struggles are important and none of them should quietly sit back and allow a self-righteous organization like Sea Shepherd stab them in the back by joining forces with a man like Metcalf. It matters not how you feel about the issues of Sea Shepherd, or its past activities, nothing justifies their alliance with the extreme racist right wing. We are calling on all people to e-mail DUMP METCALF NOW! and their comments directly to Sea Shepherd at: projectseawolf@seanet.com and: SeaShepherd@seashepherd.org. In Solidarity Arthur J. Miller ANTI-RACIST EMERGENCY ACTION NETWORK arthurmiller50@juno.com --------- "RE: Tribunal Court Strikes Blow Against Racism" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 22:03:15 -0700 From: "Uva Jane" Subj: Mascot News UUCP email NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS TRIBUNAL-COURT STRIKES A BLOW AGAINST RACISM The Northwest Inter-Tribunal Court set in session in the Snohomish County Court House, Everett WA. on Friday 22 May, 98. In a nine hour presentation of evidence both scientific and from testimony. The Court enacted an injunction against the State of Washington's Public Schools for the State's use of Native American Indian caricatures for school Mascots. The Special Prosecutor assigned to the case by the National Elders Council and the Khui Kwann Court was Dr. Robert R. Ward an American Indian Law Scientist. Dr. Ward's investigation over the past 18 months brought forth the evidence that there is definitely personal harm to Native Children in School Districts that host the Mascot. At the end of the hearing Dr. Ward stated, "The people have proved this allegation with indisputable direct evidence". He further stated, " With the testimony of the victims we had to find a common denominator, we found psychological harm had been done in the form of "delayed stress" a compensable psychological injury". He continued, "When we picked apart the testimony and had the expert witnesses give their opinions supported by direct evidence it was a solid case. We had to break down all of those theories of psychology, education specialist, economist, and history and marry them to the law in order to explain this case. I am very pleased that we not only proved racism is being taught to all children of tender and developmental years, it teaches them it is permissible to dehumanize and make fun of a race of people. We also proved the use of the Mascots contribute to genocide, and we proved that the seed of racism planted in early years later leads to the economic harms of lower wages for Native people and problems with Tribal business recruiting. When asked if this Court was easy, Dr. Ward stated " It was anything but easy, this is probably the hardest court I have appeared before in my 35 years of Law. First, the Tribunal of esteemed Elders and Leaders probably had more experience in Court than I, Second, every single piece of evidence was scrutinized and reviewed by each Justice. Third, the Justices had the opportunity to also question each witness after the Direct Examination. I learned a great deal from that and at times I was ashamed of why I hadn't thought to ask that question in the interviews and direct examination. All in all, when the presentation was done, I did not have any idea if they were going to come out of chambers with an injunction or a reprimand. You could not read the emotions of the Tribunal, it was sort of like a Grand Jury in it's practice, but like the Supreme Court when they did a re-direct. I had polled the Justices before the hearing and half had occasionally thought about the Mascot issue, the other half had not given any thought to it, and collectively they all considered it to be a minute issue. To have been able to pursued those esteemed Elders with the evidence we had was a good thing. It proved to me we have a solid case, and solid evidence, and we also have a Tribunal of Native Judges that have been educated on the hidden racism of these Mascots" , he ended. The Injunction now goes to Governor Gary Lock of Washington, and also to the Federal Court, and United States Department of Justice for enforcement since this matter was a Civil Rights issue. Across the Net Interviews by Pat Poland, Media Specialties, Houston Texas. ward@253 847 8964 --------- "RE: Cristoforo Colombo Arrives in Boriken" --------- Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 13:58:44 -0400 From: "Pedro Guanikeyu Torres, Council Elder" Subj: Francisco J. Gonzalez, Admiral Cristoforo Colombo arrives in Boriken Here's An Old Article from our Past Taino-L Forum -----Original Message----- From: Ms. Beverly Carey Torres Mailing List: Taino-L Taino interest forum Admiral Cristoforo Colombo arrives in Boriken By Francisco J. Gonzalez 19 November, 1996 Tau Taino! November 19 is an official "holiday" in Puerto Rico, as that is the on the date of the arrival of Admiral Cristoforo Colombo (aka as Don Cristobal Colon, aka as Christopher Columbus) to the shores of Boriken. On November 19, 1493, a fleet of Spanish 'caravelas' and 'naos' who had departed Sevilla under the direction of Colon (his 3rd voyage to the Americas) with the purpose of exploring other parts of the "Indias", arrived to the "Land of the Brave Lord", the island of Boriken. After leaving Spain, Colon first reached the Lesser Antilles, and made direct contact with the Caribe people of Martinique and Guadaloupe; he proceed on a north-westernly route,from island to island until reaching the Virgin Islands. From Taino people he had encountered as prisoners of the Caribe, he learns of 'Boriken'. After skirting the northern coast of Boriken, he decides to land on a wide bay on the northwestern part of the island (in the area between the modern towns of Aguadilla and Aguada), to get fresh water. The Spanish sailors found a creek and a "ojo de agua" (spring) with clear. cool water to fill their casks and jugs. They did not see any Tainos at this place. Colon staged a short ceremony, taking 'possession' of the island on behalf of the Most Catholic Majesties Fernando and Isabel, "Reyes de Castilla, Leon, Aragon, Valencia, Navarra y Granada"; and renamed the island as San Juan Bautista. With that, he departed the island of Boriken and never returned. Twelve years latter, Juan Ponce de Leon, veteran of the war or conquest against the Arabs of Granada in Spain, and experienced killer of Tainos in Quiskeya, followed Colon's footsteps and began the nightmare of the European conquest of Boriken, that led to the ALMOST total destruction of the Taino people and cultures in Boriken/Puerto Rico. Let's remember, but don't dare "celebrate", November 19th!! Francisco J. Gonzalez gonzalez@blue.usa.com --------- "RE: State of Kansas" --------- Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 02:03:50 -0500 From: hdqrs@worldnet.att.net Subj: STATE OF KANSAS, Appellee, v. PRISCILA A. WAKOLE, Appellant. UUCP email Gary you may want to publish this case as it shows how Kansas will not comply with the Constitution, Indian treaties or the Kansas Act's. Act's that allowed Kansas to become a state in the first place. Thanks. Jimmie D. Oyler, Principal Chief United Tribe of Shawnee Indians http://lawlib.wuacc.edu/kscases/supct/1998/19980529/77330.htm IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF KANSAS No. 77,330 STATE OF KANSAS, Appellee, v. PRISCILA A. WAKOLE, Appellant. SYLLABUS BY THE COURT In a misdemeanor traffic case involving a vehicle bearing a license plate properly issued by the Sac and Fox of Oklahoma Indian Nation and a conviction of the defendant driver for illegal registration under K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 8-142, the record is reviewed and it is held: (1) K.S.A. 8-138a provides for reciprocal privileges of operation of a motor vehicle in Kansas to nonresident owners whose vehicle is "duly licensed in the state of residence"; (2) Oklahoma considers tribal members who have properly been issued vehicle license plates by the Sac and Fox of Oklahoma Indian Nation to be duly licensed in Oklahoma; (3) the vehicle driven by defendant when she was arrested was duly licensed in Oklahoma, thus reciprocity applies under K.S.A. 8-138a; and (4) defendant's conviction is reversed. Review of the judgment of the Court of Appeals in 24 Kan. App. 2d 397, 945 P.2d 421 (1997). Appeal from Jackson district court; GARY L. NAFZIGER, judge. Judgment of the Court of Appeals reversing the district court is affirmed in part, disapproved in part, and modified. Judgment of the district court is reversed. Opinion filed May 29, 1998. Robert D. Campbell, of Charles M. Tuley Law Office, P.A., of Atchison, argued the cause and was on the briefs for appellant. John Michael Hale, special assistant attorney general, argued the cause, and M. J. Willoughby, assistant attorney general, and Carla J. Stovall, attorney general, were on the briefs for appellee. The opinion of the court was delivered by SIX, J.: This case marks another chapter in the judicial dialogue between Native Americans and the State of Kansas. The challenging issue here questions the State's failure to apply the Kansas reciprocity statute, K.S.A. 8-138a, to a vehicle licensed by the Sac and Fox Indian Nation of Oklahoma (Sac and Fox). Priscila Wakole, a Native American, was convicted for driving a vehicle in Kansas bearing Sac and Fox license plates. A deputy sheriff issued Wakole a ticket for an "illegal registration" in violation of K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 8-142. Wakole appealed, contending that her conviction was improper because the license plate was valid. The appeal was submitted on Wakole's brief alone. The State did not file a brief. The Court of Appeals reversed. State v. Wakole, 24 Kan. App. 2d 397, 945 P.2d 421 (1997). We granted the State's petition for review. See Rule 8.03 (1997 Kan. Ct. R. Annot. 52). Our order granting review directed the parties to brief the following special question: Does the State of Oklahoma recognize Sac and Fox vehicle registrations and license plates as valid for use on Oklahoma highways? Our analysis focuses on the special question. The answer is "yes." We reverse Wakole's conviction, disapprove of the Court of Appeals' language beyond the narrow focus of this opinion, and modify the Court of Appeals' opinion accordingly. We note that neither the district court nor the Court of Appeals had the benefit of the parties' briefs and argument on the special question. FACTS Priscila Wakole was arrested in 1996 for driving her brother-in-law's Chevrolet van bearing Sac and Fox license plates. (Violation of K.S.A. 1997 Supp. 8-142 is a misdemeanor. K.S.A. 8-149.) Wakole is a member of the Kickapoo Indian Nation. Her husband is a member of the Sac and Fox. She resides within Oklahoma and within the boundaries of the Sac and Fox Indian reservation. Her brother-in-law is a member of the Sac and Fox. She was not on an Indian reservation when she was arrested. The van, principally garaged within Sac and Fox jurisdiction, was properly titled, registered, and tagged under the tribal law of the Sac and Fox. The Court of Appeals found "the only issue to resolve is whether Kansas must recognize a valid license tag issued by the Sac and Fox Indian Nation and extend the privilege of using Kansas roads to vehicles so tagged without requiring registration of those vehicles upon entering Kansas." 24 Kan. App. 2d at 398. The Court of Appeals reversed on the ground that "[t]he word 'state' in K.S.A. 8-138a is interpreted to include Indian nations." State v. Wakole, 24 Kan. App. 2d 397, Syl. Para 2. DISCUSSION We begin by narrowing the inquiry. Under the facts here the question is: Does Oklahoma recognize Sac and Fox registrations and license plates (tags) as valid for vehicle use on Oklahoma highways? Our reversal of Wakole's conviction is based on Oklahoma's recognition of the Sac and Fox license plate on the van. Our rationale is grounded on reciprocity to a sister state under K.S.A. 8-138a. We conclude that the van was "duly licensed in the state of residence." Both Wakole and the State disagree with our rationale. Wakole contends that there is a logical fallacy in reasoning that reciprocity can flow from Oklahoma. She criticizes the reciprocity argument because it "treats the Sac and Fox nation as a sub-entity of the State of Oklahoma, a mere subdivision, and not as the sovereign nation it is." We believe the better view is that Sac and Fox tribe members are citizens and residents of Oklahoma, see Goodluck v. Apache County, 417 F. Supp. 13, 16 (D. Ariz. 1975) (citing U.S. Const., 14th Amend., 1), aff'd 429 U.S. 876 (1976). If Oklahoma recognizes its citizens' license plates, we reason that the reciprocity provision of K.S.A. 8-138a requires Kansas to do so. K.S.A. 8-138a provides: "The provisions of this section shall apply only to the nonresident owner or owners of any motor vehicle constructed and operated primarily for the transportation of the driver or the driver and one or more nonpaying passengers. Such nonresident owners, when duly licensed in the state of residence, are hereby granted the privilege of operation of any such vehicle within this state to the extent that reciprocal privileges are granted to residents of this state by the state of residence of such nonresident owner." (Emphasis added.) The parties do not cite any Oklahoma statute directly recognizing license plates issued by a tribe or an Indian Nation to individual tribal members. Our independent research reveals none. However, we have located legislation dealing with Oklahoma-issued special license plates for Native American Tribal Associations. Okla. Stat. tit. 47, 1136, (1998 Supp.) (Motor Vehicles) provides: "12. Indian Tribal License Plates -- such plates shall be designed for any vehicle of a native American Indian Tribal Association exempted in Sections 201 through 204 of Public Law 97-473 and used by the tribal association exclusively for the furtherance of its tribal functions. The registration fee shall be Five Dollars ($5.00)." (We do not suggest this statute applies to the van Wakole was driving). Wakole includes in her brief addressing the special question a notice and correspondence from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and a memorandum from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The included materials imply that license plates issued by the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma are valid in Oklahoma. A memorandum dated July 1, 1997, (the July memorandum) to "all tribal leaders" signed by Robert Anderson, Chairman of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and Bob A. Ricks, Commissioner of Pubic Safety, states: "RE: SB 586 - Amendments to 47 O.S. 6-106.854 and 1151 "This memorandum is in response to the many inquiries received regarding the impact of SB 586 [after July 1, 1997, Oklahoma Inspection Stations will no longer be able to inspect any vehicle unless the vehicle has a current Oklahoma license plate and decal] on tribal members owning vehicles which have a license plate issued by a federally-recognized tribe in Oklahoma. It is our view that the above-cited law does not apply where the individual owns a vehicle which is not required to be registered by the State of Oklahoma. Any other interpretation would mean the Legislature indirectly intended to require registration of vehicles which are otherwise specifically exempt from Oklahoma registration requirements. See Sac and Fox Nation v. Oklahoma Tax Comm'n, 113 S. Ct. 1985, 508 U.S. 114, 124 L. Ed. 2d 301, rehearing denied 113 S. Ct. 3066, 509 U.S. 933, 125 L. Ed. 2d 748 on remand 7 F.3d 925. "Accordingly, a member of a federally-recognized Oklahoma tribe, living in 'Indian country' as defined by federal law and owning a vehicle bearing a valid license plate from the tribe has: "1. a valid license plate to be treated the same as an Oklahoma license plate under the provisions of 47 O.S. 1151 as amended by SB 586; "2. a valid license plate for purposes of obtaining a motor vehicle inspection; and "3. a valid license plate for purposes of obtaining an Oklahoma driver license. "You are authorized to reproduce a copy of this letter and furnish it to any concerned tribal member or other interested party." The State in opining that "it does not appear that the Wakole vehicle bearing the Sac and Fox tribal tag may be lawfully operated on the highways" of Oklahoma did not directly answer our special question. However, a modest concession towards Oklahoma's recognition of license plates issued by a federally recognized tribe is found in the State's brief: "Given the Oklahoma statutes which do not exempt tribal members from application of state motor vehicle laws, the absence of Oklahoma case law on this issue, the statement of facts contained in the Supreme Court opinion [Oklahoma Tax Com. v. Sac & Fox Nation, 508 U.S. 114], and the adverse result of the Supreme Court case regarding the tax component of Oklahoma's motor vehicle registration and licensing scheme, it may be that the State of Oklahoma is not enforcing its registration and licensing laws as to Sac and Fox tribally-tagged vehicles. . . . . ". . . Benign neglect (should that prove to be the situation in Oklahoma concerning these tribal tags), is a legally insufficient basis upon which to extend reciprocity to the Sac and Fox tribal tags." During oral argument, counsel for the State, in response to a question from the bench, did not question the validity of the July memorandum. However, counsel reiterated the State's position that Oklahoma statutory recognition of tribal license plates issued to individual tribal members by Indian tribes is required before K.S.A. 8-138a applies. We read the July memorandum to state that Oklahoma by either custom or rule recognizes license plates issued by the Sac and Fox Indian Nation to individual tribal members. The July memorandum is signed by Bob A. Ricks, Commissioner of Public Safety, and Robert Anderson, Chairman, Oklahoma Tax Commission, addressed to "all tribal leaders." Under Oklahoma statutes, the Commissioner of Public Safety "shall have such powers and authority as may be granted by the provisions of the Uniform Vehicle Code or as may otherwise be provided by law." Okla. Stat. tit. 47, 2-101 (a) (1988). The Uniform Vehicle Code, Okla. Stat. tit. 47, 1-101 et seq. (1988) covers, among other things, operator's licenses, rules of the road, and the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act. Okla. Stat. tit. 47, 1113 (1988) states: "Upon the filing of a registration application and the payment of the fees provided for in the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act, the Oklahoma Tax Commission shall assign to the vehicle described in the application a distinctive number and issue the owner of the vehicle a certificate of registration and one license plate . . . or a yearly decal for the year that a license plate is not issued." (Emphasis added.) The Commissioner of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, therefore, are the agencies charged with implementing Oklahoma vehicle registration. We conclude that the July memorandum stating that "a vehicle bearing a valid license plate from [a] tribe" has "a valid license plate to be treated the same as an Oklahoma license plate" is persuasive that Oklahoma recognizes license plates issued by the Sac and Fox. We also note a June 18, 1997, "NOTICE" under the letterhead of State of Oklahoma, Department of Pubic Safety, Bob A. Ricks, Commissioner. The notice says, in part, "If the vehicle has an out-of-state license plate, an inspection station cannot, for any reason, inspect the vehicle. "There are two exceptions to this law. [Reference is made to