From gars@netcom.com Wed Jun 17 12:39:21 1998 Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 20:32:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.025 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- VOLUME 06, ISSUE 025 O o o o o O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, June 20, 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, NativeWeb & Nat-Film Lists; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; NUEVO AMANECER PRESS; UUCP email; Newsgroup: alt.native; CUMBERLAND-RIVER Mailing List Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. IMPORTANT!! ----------- To all who send copywrite protected articles, make very sure you have permission from the copywrite holder (a newspaper, the AP, a magazine, an author) because a new law is now in effect that says you can be prosecuted even if there is no monetary gain. Just because a newspaper has a website where it posts some or all of its editions does not grant permission for their redistribution. Be careful and be sure you pass on the items you do with full permission. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@netcom.com ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org Thanks to Borries Demeler all _Wotanging_Ikche_ (part a) submissions to AISESnet are archived under AISESnet and can be accessed easily by World Wide Web: 1994: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/94_dis.html 1995: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/95_dis.html 1996: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/96_dis.html 1997: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/97_dis.html This is a searchable index to the AISESnet Discussion mailing list database archive, and the keyword "Wotanging" will retrieve all issues for that year. Downloading Wotanging Ikche on AOL From: MAANG1419@aol.com Just thought I would share some info. I could not download on to a .txt because I kept getting the message (when I tried to retrieve it) that the text editor could not handle the volume. This time I downloaded it on to a .doc and when I retrieved it out of file manager, IT WORKED. "When we go hunting, it is not out arrow that kills the moose, however powerful be the bow; it is nature that kills him." __ Big Thunder [Bedagi], Wabanaki Algonquin +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! Last week the people of all nations suffered a great loss when Stanley Looking Horse shed his earthly robe, and crossed over to sit with the Grandmothers and Grandfathers. Grandfather Stanley Looking Horse was the 18th generation carrier of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe. Knowing this, I asked Joseph Chasing Horse to give some words for this warrior, elder and medicine keeper. I am honored to share them with you, now. From Joseph Chasing Horse The passing of our elder, Stanley Looking Horse, signifies many changes that are going to come for the Lakota People as well as the world. It is like the passing of a torch to a new generation. His whole life was dedicated to the sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. His son, Arvol Looking Horse will carry on this way of life into the future. For Stanley planted a seed with his life that someday the Lakota People will bear fruit from. He was a Teacher and example of what a strong spiritual leader and a family man should be; but most of all he was an Ikce Wicasa, a simple earth man. For upon his words and his way of life, the People will walk once again for seven more generations and we send our prayers and our spiritual support with great sympathy to his wife and family and to all the Lakota People. For such a great loss in such a hard time, we will see the time when his prayers will be fulfilled. Mitakuye Oyasin Joseph Chasing Horse =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= Be careful what you believe. I will even say, though every effort is made to keep the contents of this newsletter honest and full of truth, you should examine each article with care. Often, opposing views are included so that you, the reader, can come to an understanding with full knowledge of what is being said; and I cannot verify every item of news. Last week an announcement was circulated announcing Lakota elders would be holding ceremonies to free Leonard Peltier. I know some of those who were listed as signatories, and I didn't believe this particular combination of Lakota elders had signed anything in unison. In particular, the announced date for the ceremonies was listed as June 25 and 26, noting that June 26 was the anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn. Being off by a day is not a thing I believe any of the Lakota listed would do. Further, one of the "signers" I have since learned crossed over two years ago. Understand this, and I quote, "We all - everybody - wants Leonard out. We do NOT sanction any other group BUT the official Leonard group who is working for this." What is also necessary that everyone understand is that these Lakota do not want anyone forging their signatures to any document, no matter how noble. I will not lend one ounce of credence to this document by including it here, nor point out the source I received it from. However, I am honored to share the following statements given by a few Lakota, including one who supposedly signed the document: >From David Swallow: "I have no knowledge of this document nor have I ever read it before or signed it." >From Joseph Chasing Horse: "I don't think these elders signed this document or have knowledge of it. We will ask each of them." >From Everette Poor Thunder: "These people wouldn't have signed this. I don't think they signed it and I'm going to talk to them about this." =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= The Cheyenne Nation is considering a memorial monument up at the Washita Battlefield site in Oklahoma. The site is Chief Black Kettle's village, where on November 27, 1868, Lt. Col. George Custer massacred an unknown number of sleeping men, women and children during a blizzard. The Cheyenne, who do not like to speak the names of the dead, are considering doing so in order that the names of those killed could be placed on the memorial. As there is no actual factual written record of those names, oral family history will have to be relied upon. =/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\=/\= 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 ---------- - Leonard News & Request - Natives Seek Bigger Cut - Rebuttal to - Indians Win Alberni School Case Hotevilla Press Release - Logs Belong to Indigenous People - Big Mountain Alliance - Legislative Updates of Chicago - Kalpulli Yetlanezi - Save Big Mountain - Book Review: Native Americans, - Daishowa Gives In Crime and Justice - Letter from Tsilhqot'in Elders - Religious Freedom for - Chiapas Aflame Native Prisoners - Chiapas Updates - Native Prisoner - Similarities & Differences - A Hundred Years Ago - Incursion of the Army - Poem: A Gift of Love in Guerrero - Native American Music - Desecration of Hines Cave Awards on AIROS - Western Shoshone Action Alert - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - School Victim Seeks Healing - Conferences and Powwows - Who Owns BC --------- "RE: Leonard News & Request" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 01:23:22 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: Leonard - News & Request Newsgroup: alt.native d'laan'te'... Leonard News & Request for Help... Sometime tomorrow I'm expecting a letter from Canada's federal Information & Privacy Commissioner. I've been told that this letter will explain the current status of the Commission's review of the until-now secret report of the internal review of Leonard's extradition from Canada done by the Minister of Justice. The review was commissioned by the former Minister of Justice in 1995-1996 & handed over to the Privacy Commissioner in 1997. The Privacy Commissioner is supposed to "deal with privacy concerns" contained in that report (ie, remove the names of informants, etc). As soon as that's done, according to the statement made by the Minister of Justice in the House of Commons on 11 May, 1998, "... As soon as I am satisfied and the privacy commissioner is satisfied that we can release that report I will do so." There is NO doubt that the report will clearly state that Leonard's extradition was fraudulently obtained by the govt of the USA, & that will mean that under the terms of the extradition treaty between Canada & the USA, Canada HAS NO CHOICE but to present the ambassador of the USA to Canada with a formal note of diplomatic protest & demand Leonard's immediate return to Canadian soil, (where he will be 100% free). In June of 1989, in the Supreme Court of Canada, the U.S. government admitted that the documents used in their request for extradition of Mr. Peltier were fraudulent. These documents are now referred to as the "Poor Bear Affidavits". In their 1989 decision in considering Leonard's extradition, Canada's Supreme Court stated that the USA was "less than forthright" in the extradition application, & that the US affidavits used to obtain the extradition were "... suspect to the point of fraud...". The SCC "strongly urge[d]" the federal govt of Canada to "... seek immediate & effective diplomatic redress...". Under the terms of extradition as put forth in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, between Canada and the U.S., if the party extraditing a person is shown to have made the request fraudulently, regardless of intent to do so, the person so extradited must immediately be returned to the country they were extradited from. Needless to say, the US's Dept of Just-Us (as it's called in Indian Country) & the Canada-desk at Secretary of State are putting a lot of pressure on the Canadian govt to keep this report under wraps. YOU CAN HELP ----------------- You can help break that report loose, & in the process loosen the bars that imprison Leonard. Call, write, fax and/or email your US Congress/Senate representatives, or members of the Joint House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressing your concern about how morally reprehensible you find the manner in which Canada was duped by the FBI, & how the USA's reputation is besmirched by such callous disregard for justice & diplomatic protocol. You can also call, write, fax and/or email Canada's Minister of Justice, expressing your interest in the "expedient processing of the report so that it can be made public as soon as possible...," or something to that effect. Ask for a copy the moment it's available. Mention any group or organization you belong to, & how they are also interested in this matter of "... privacy concerns..." being dealt with, ".. within the shortest reasonable time..." Please let the Minister know how you feel about this judicial farce that has cost an innocent man over 22 years of his life. A life as important as yours, mine..., or hers. You can reach her at: The Hon. Ann McLellan, Member of Parliament Minister of Justice The House of Commons Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A6 Telephone: (Ottawa office) (613) 992-4524 Fax: (Ottawa office) (613) 996-4516 E-mail: mclellan.a@parl.gc.ca Political Party: Liberal Party of Canada Constituency: Edmonton West Province: Alberta Or, if you and/or your organization/friends/family feel that your local/regional/national media should take a look at this story, let them know that: Additional information/questions by the media may be directed to the following: The Parliamentary Press Gallery Mr. Terry Guillon, Chief of the Press Gallery Telephone: (613) 992-4511 Fax: (613) 947-2007 E-mail: guillt@parl.gc.ca -- "What you can do, or dream you can do..., begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" --------- "RE: Rebuttal to Hotevilla Press Release" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 00:43:36 -0700 From: Robert Dorman Subj: BIGMTLIST Mailing List: Big Mountain List Hello again! Yes, it's me; I'm back. Apparently there hasn't been much (any?) coming out of the list since I retired it to someone else, so I feel obligated to pick it up again where I left off. I will just have to try to make the time. In all fairness, the person who picked up the list is still doing good things, but just hasn't had the time to devote to a project that I dumped on him without much notice. So, without further delay, here is a post from Katherine Cheshire: Dear Friends, I have been asked several times to write a rebuttal to the "Press Releases" created by the Priesthood Assembly, from Hotevilla. Personally I have little to say about it let the truth speak for its self. Although briefly, in my opinion, This is an organized act of Oppression for our traditional Hopi Elders on the Mesa's. As a foundation (TTEF) , with our years of working on this level have found this exists not only at Hopiland and on almost ALL of our "reservations" but Through out the World. And this is why we speak for them along with our Education and Distance Learning programs Being Oppressed by the Oppressors is one thing, being oppressed by your very own relations is a very sad state of Human Affairs. We represent the Elders with out a voice, you know the ones i mean? The Elders and children behind the Tribal Councils? behind the Toxic Waste Dumps, behind the churches, behind the digging and contamination of our Holy Lands, behind all those ancestors bones being dug up or having Gambling Places built on them. Who among us would deny these wise ones at least a right to speak their mind? Who among us is above the Creators Laws? Who among us is above the natural laws of the Mother Earth? These Elders have something to say, although unpopular, It is still their truth. And if we don't hear their truth soon, very soon, it is prophesied it will become our truth. To the best of my knowledge this is the "land of the free" and with these freedoms we still have "Freedom of Speech". So although some succeed silencing them on the Reservations, silencing TTEF is another matter. Statements about Dan Evehema & Many others: Our Elders live in constant fear for their lives and are discredited and abused if they speak their minds or share their dreams. Grandfather Chief Dan Evehema is a spiritual leader and his strength and foresight to stick up for the Land and traditionals is something we all should take to task. He always since 1906 when he and his brothers built the Kiva in Hotevilla has devoted his life to the People of the World. Offering Prayers for us to have a good life, happy life, soft gentle rain, health children, and "No fighting over there". He always remembers each and everyone of you too by saying, "You know lots of Indians, they got no land?" Maybe one day we will be Ho-bo, too. No land means no life to a Hopi. http://www.timesoft. com/hopi/message.htm Comments from other Hopi Elders: "With so much politics and so much hostility going around on the Mesas Hopi is in danger of driving away even true Pahana, I wonder how True Brother will get passed all the hostility? Maybe I am speaking my mind too openly in this forum, you know as good as anyone, these days Hopi must keep his mouth closed or Wimi may discredit him. Right now I would like to turn my back to the Mesa and keep walking, but I must honour una, ingu and they expect things from me. Wimi has forgotten more than Wimi can remember. Only Paaqwangw can place the Sacred Tablets naanaqle'. Many are worried about this Tablet, I get many e-mails about Sacred Tablet, do not worry, Sacred Tablet is safe, it is even under Wimi's nose, Paaqwangw has hidden it under Wimi's nose. Wimi has set many tests for Paaqwangw and he alone can pass these tests. He must wait for Wimi to grow wise and know him. if Wimi does not know him, Pahana qa sinomu'yta Mesat 'atsveq. Mesa tilawqa'qati. Paaqwangw will have to look elsewhere for three, two or even one true Hopi. Where will he look? Haqam? Piiye? Suskyam. Yangwa? I am sure Paaqwangw, the Capable One, wants all who hope for the Return to know True name. In speaking about these matters I feel my neck is very vulnerable and I have no solution to this. If my head is chopped off for these words it is not too bad, I have made good friends here, and even found a new brother, a man is rich when he has good friends, and a man is fearless when he has a family. The Two Horn and One Horn Societies are very *powerful, they are equally powerful but for different Worlds. Two Horn Society is Chief Society in charge of ceremonies in Third World [called Palaqtawapi and Palasohu] and has all the knowledge of Third World. Alosaka is the Deity [Peace Counsellor] of the Two Horn Society and Bow Clan is the Chief Clan of Two Horn Society. Another Deity of Two Horn Society is Saaviki [War Counsellor]. Angwusi is Chief-Guardian-Bird of Third World. Third World is also called Palaatkwapi Pala [red].Ala [Horn] Api [useful one] Atkya [below] Red-Horn-Useful-Below-World. Palaq-tawapi is meaning Pala [red] laq-ta [remove snow] Tawapi [sun is doing] meaning Red-Star-from-which- Sun-Removed-Snow. Palasohu [Red Star] is a good name for Third World because Third World is a Red Star in Topkya. Two Horn Society speaks Mouth to Ear with God. This Two Horn Society Priests are ordained *chosen Priests of Palaakwapi. Two Horn Priest is ordained in his mother's Tipkya, born to be Two Horn Priest. If he is not born Two Horn Priest he is without power, so only the born Priest can take his Position as Two Horn Priest. In Palaakwapi when a Two Horn Priest is speaking Palaakwapi is listening and in Third World Palaakwapi *is Land and Life. Life in Third World is very different from here. Man is more close to Palaakwapi and more obedient to Palaakwapi than in this Fourth World. In this Fourth World man has very little Respect for Tuuwaqatsi. Man is not afraid to be disrespectful of his Mother. On Red Star Two Horn Society has very *powerful Medicine. One Horn Society is Chief Society in charge of ceremonies in Fourth World [Tuuwaqatsi]. One Horn Society is mouth to ear with Tuuwaqatsi. One Horn Priests are ordained Priests of Tuuwaqatsi and are responsible for Fourth world. Bear Clan is the Chief Clan of One Horn Society and Sooqamhonaw [Big-Black-Bear] is Deity of One Horn Society. Mongwu [Great Horn Owl] is Chief-Guardian-Bird of Fourth World. Many say Eagle is Chief Bird in Fourth World but Mongwu is Chief Guardian Bird. Tuuwaqatsi is also called Tsorslaqtawapi Blue-Star-from-which-Sun-Removed- Snow, and Tsors'sohu [Blue Star] but these two names have been forgotten. One Horn Society has *very powerful Medicine but Pahana has come between One Horn Society and Tuuwaqatsi, calling those Old Ways pagan and trying to make weak the Medicine of One Horn Society. True Brother brings Medicine of One Horn Society back to Tuuwaqatsi because True Brother belongs to One Horn. On Red Star mankind is not very wise, when the Medicine of Two Horn Priests is working the Society is popular with the people, but when the Medicine is blocked by the Medicine of their Mother Palaqtawapi, the Two Horn Society is unpopular. This is always the way when people behave like children. On Red-Star-Third-World-Palawtawapi Two Horn Society did everything to help all the people, but when something is going not according to the plan of the people, Two Horn Society is catching accusation and trouble. These false accusations are coming because people are forgetting the Power of Palaqtawapi is greater than the power of Her Two Horn Society. When the Medicine of Red Star is blocking the Medicine of Her chosen Two Horn Society then the Medicine of Two Horn Society must bend before the Medicine of their Mother. The same problem is happening in Fourth World. On Fourth World Tuuwaqatsi Earth Mother has chosen One Horn Society to be Her Chief Priests in charge of ceremonies. Nothing was done wrong by Two Horn Society, only that this Mother has ordained One Horn to be Her Chief Priests. When the Medicine of One Horn Priests is working the Society is popular with the people, but when the Medicine is blocked by the Medicine of their Mother Tuuwaqatsi, the One Horn Society is unpopular. People behaving like children again in this Fourth World. On Tuuwaqatsi, One Horn Society is doing their best to help all the people, but when something is going not according to the plan of the people, One Horn Society is catching trouble. These false accusations are coming because again people are forgetting the Power of Tuuwaqatsi is greater than the power of Her One Horn Society. When the Medicine of Tuuwaqatsi is blocking the Medicine of Her chosen One Horn Society then the Medicine of One Horn Society must bend before the Medicine of their Mother.'" **End of Hopi Elders Statement** Who among the living is above the Natural Laws and the Creator? Look to your hearts and find the Compassion of the Ancestors and Pray this never happens to you. In service to the Holy Ancestors, katherine cheshire touch the earth foundation http://www.timesoft.com/hopi ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You are on the BIGMTLIST, a moderated mailing list of Big Mountain relocation resistance information (not discussion or debate). To unsubscribe, email redorman@theofficenet.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject header. For non-list members receiving this post as a forwarded message, you may subscribe by emailing redorman@theofficenet.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject header. For Big Mountain and other activist internet resources, visit "The Activist Page" at http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/welcome.html Also, for great internet tools please visit: http://www.msw.com.au/cgi-bin/msw/entry?id=1271 --------- "RE: Big Mountain Alliance of Chicago" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 01:13:25 -0700 From: Robert Dorman Subj: BIGMTLIST- Mailing List: Big Mountain List A little late; sorry about that, but thought you'd like to know about this. MOUNTAIN ALLIANCE OF CHICAGO 4750 N. SHERIDAN RD. CHICAGO, IL. 60640 773 - 561 - 6155 - PHONE & FAX E. MAIL - ANACENT@COMPUSERV.COM Hello Our Relatives! Greetings from the people of the Big Mountain Alliance of Chicago and the Anawim Center. We are bringing people together to organize support for the Dineh' resisters at Big Mountain. The Anawim Center, Big Mountain Alliance of Chicago (BMA) and the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian are inviting Dine' Weavers from the Big Mountain to display their work ( weaving ) at the Museum. We are proposing the dates of June 10 through 28. The Museum will provide transportation from Big Mountain for three weavers and as for many rugs as we feel possible to sell. Housing will be provided by the Big Mountain Alliance members. Several private receptions and presentations will be planned during the three week stay. The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian has been part of the Kendall College Community since 1977. Today, the collection the museum maintains representations native peoples of the United States and Canada. The contact at the museum is Patrick Jennings. He will find and provide all the necessary funds to make the show possible. He can be reached at The Kendall College Museum of the American Indian, 2600 Central Park, Evanston, Il. 60201. The Phone is 847 - 475 - 1030. Attention Patrick Jennings. I, James Yellowbank, work at the Anawim Center as Public Relations/special events coordinator and work with the re-organized (BMA). the Anawim Center is an Urban American Indian Spiritual Center providing a place for our people to pray. You can call the Anawim or the Big Mountain Alliance at 773 - 561 - 6155 or E - mail us at anacent@compuserv.com SINCERELY JAMES YELLOWBANK ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You are on the BIGMTLIST, a moderated mailing list of Big Mountain relocation resistance information (not discussion or debate). To unsubscribe, email redorman@theofficenet.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject header. For non-list members receiving this post as a forwarded message, you may subscribe by emailing redorman@theofficenet.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject header. For Big Mountain and other activist internet resources, visit "The Activist Page" at http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/welcome.html Also, for great internet tools please visit: http://www.msw.com.au/cgi-bin/msw/entry?id=1271 --------- "RE: Save Big Mountain" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 20:04:44 PDT From: "Yael Grauer" Subj: SAVE BIG MOUNTAIN! Cut back your energy spending! UUCP email PLEASE FORWARD SAVE BIG MOUNTAIN! Cut back your energy spending! Because we value human lives over our mere convenience, because corporations run this country with our money, because we refuse to be mere pawns in the system, because we oppose genocide and death, because we are sick of watching and hearing about our Dineh (Navajo) brothers and sisters dying and suffering for Big Business, because we oppose the forced Navajo Relocation and will fight Peabody Coal every step of the way...because Peabody Coal is running the biggest forced relocation in this century...WE DEMAND THAT THE BLACK MESA AND KAYENTA MINES BE SHUT DOWN. Our voice will be heard. Those of us who have been silent will stay silent no longer. And since money runs this country, we will use that as a tool. As of today, twenty people have already committed to cutting their energy bill down by ten to twenty-five percent. We will include letters in our energy bills explaining the reason for this: WE WILL NOT USE FULL ENERGY UNTIL THIS MINE IS SHUT DOWN. If twenty people from each state commit to do this...that's one thousand people. If one thousand people spend $10 less each month... that's $10,000 per month...$120,000 per year. What profit-driven corporation wouldn't listen to that? Money talks...and if that's what it will takes to get Peabody to listen...let's go for it. To save energy, the twenty of us have committed to some or all of the following things: -extra sweaters and blankets instead of heating, battery-operated fans instead of massive air-conditioning -we will buy batteries for our CD players -we will use our candles when we can instead of using lights -turn off the lights when not using them If you'd like to help: -help us find out which companies work with Peabody -publicity is needed...write articles, forward this to any native american, human rights or environmental newsgroup you know of, or any interested people -please take part if you can, just cut down your energy as much as you can and send in a letter with your energy bill THANKS!!! y "I worshipped dead men for their strength, forgetting I was strong." --------- "RE: Daishowa Gives In" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 14:46:12 -0400 From: fol@tao.ca Subj: Daishowa gives in -- boycott ends. Mailing List: FOL-L Friends of the Lubicon 485 Ridelle Ave., Toronto, ON M6B 1K6, Canada tel: (416) 763-7500, fax: (416) 603-2715, e-mail: fol@tao.ca http://www.tao.ca/~fol For Immediate Release June 12, 1998 Daishowa gives in, boycott called off. TORONTO -- Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. has given in to a seven-year long boycott campaign, announcing that they will not harvest or purchase timber in unceded Lubicon traditional territories until the Lubicon land rights issue is resolved with both levels of government. The Friends of the Lubicon responded today, saying that the international boycott of Daishowa paper products would be wound down immediately. "This has to be one of the most successful boycotts in Canadian history," said Friends of the Lubicon spokesperson Kevin Thomas. "There's no doubt that the boycott is responsible for this turn of events. It was the combined efforts of thousands of Lubicon supporters that forced Daishowa to turn around at last. It was a long and difficult fight. But it's not often that the little guys can tie down a giant like Daishowa." DMI President Tokiro Kawamura wrote to Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak on May 20, saying "I am writing to formally advise you of DMI's public commitment not to harvest or purchase timber in your area of concern, until your land issue is resolved with both levels of government, including harvesting rights, fish, and wildlife concerns." Chief Ominayak responded promptly on May 25th, saying, "Hopefully your letter and public announcement that you'll stay out of the Lubicon 'area of concern' pending settlement of Lubicon land rights will end the current dispute between us and allow Lubicon supporters to wind down the boycott of Daishowa paper products. However, given the various definitions of the phrase 'area of concern' used by Daishowa in the past, the Lubicon people require that you publicly define this phrase Lubicon 'area of concern' ... Mr. Kawamura wrote back yesterday clarifying that "the area of concern to which Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. made a commitment on May 20, 1998, is the approximately 4000 square mile area outlined in the attached map." The map represented the entire Lubicon traditional territory which is the subject of a fierce land rights battle. "Now the Lubicons and their supporters can focus their full attention on the Canadian government's failure to settle the ongoing land rights dispute" said Thomas. "The government should take this as a sign that the Lubicons have a lot of support amongst the Canadian public - and we won't rest until the Lubicons see justice." In a decision released April 14, an Ontario court refused to outlaw the Friends' boycott despite a three-year long court battle initiated by Daishowa. Daishowa is appealing that decision. Daishowa claims the boycott, begun in 1991 to stop clear-cut logging on disputed lands, has cost them over $14 million in lost sales. for more information: Friends of the Lubicon: (416) 763-7500 Lubicon Chief Bernard Ominayak: (403) 629-3945 Daishowa Marubeni International: (604) 684-4326 ______________________ Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. VIA FACSIMILE June 9, 1998 Lubicon Cree Indian Nation P.O. Box 6731 Peace River, Alberta T8S 1S5 ATTENTION: CHIEF BERNARD OMINAYAK Dear Chief Ominayak; Thank you for your letter of May 25, 1998. I was pleased to receive your confirmation that the boycott would stop once we had clarified the "area of concern" referred to in my May 20, 1998 letter and our related news release. The "area of concern" to which I was referring is the hunting and trapping territory you identified in your map which you formally submitted at the Unocal gas plant hearing in 1994 (ERCB exhibit 71) that includes approximately 4000 square miles. I understand that we are referring to the same area. I am enclosing a map of the area as we understand it. If the Lubicon people agree to a smaller area in the future (by either a settlement with government or agreement with other native groups or both), we would wish to adjust our commitment accordingly. Until such time, we will proceed on the understanding that the area of concern to which Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. made a commitment on May 20, 1998, is the approximately 4000 square mile area outlined in the attached map. I trust this is sufficient to clarify the scope of our commitment, and that you will now advise your supporters that the assurances they have sought on your behalf have been given. We know that the absence of any agreement beyond our year to year moratorium was a concern. Once again, we wish you the very best in your ongoing negotiations. I am advised that we have provided the same clarification to all media and interested parties who have inquired. Yours truly, DAISHOWA MARUBENI INTERNATIONAL LTD. per: Tokiro Kawamura President Encl. Cc: The Hon. Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Government of Canada The Hon. David Hancock, Minister of Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Government of Alberta ______________________ Lubicon Lake Indian Nation Little Buffalo Lake, tel: 403-629-3945 Fax: 403-629-3939 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6731 Peace River, AB TBS 195 June 11, 199 Tokiro Kawamura President Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. Suite 1700 1095 West Pender Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2M6 Canada Fax: 604-684-0512 Dear Mr. Kawamura: Thank you for your letter of June 9, 1998. Although it's been a long time coming, the Lubicons acknowledge and accept DMI's public commitment that Daishowa, its related companies and their contractors, will not harvest or purchase timber from the approximately 4,000 square mile (10,000 square kilometre) area identified in the attached map included with your June 9 letter until Lubicon lands and claims, including resource management and harvesting rights, as well as fish, wildlife and environmental concerns, have been settled. I have forwarded a copy of your letter to Lubicon supporters advising them of our acknowledgment and acceptance and requesting that they bring the boycott of Daishowa paper products to an end. As I indicated in my letter of May 25, 1998, the Lubicon people will welcome talks with Daishowa once Lubicon land rights and related resource issues have been settled. After these issues have been settled it may become possible for Daishowa to adjust the commitment made in your letter of May 20 as clarified in your letter of June 9. The Lubicons share your hope that settlement will enable us to work together on mutually advantageous economic development opportunities which take into account Lubicon wildlife and environmental concerns and responsibilities. Sincerely, Bernard Ominayak Chief Lubicon Lake Indian Nation ______________________ June 12, 1998 Mr. Tokiro Kawamura President Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd. Suite 1700 1095 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6 VIA FAX: (604) 684-0512 Dear Mr. Kawamura; Chief Ominayak has informed us that Daishowa's clarification of their May 20, 1998 promise adequately addresses the concerns of the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation. We understand that Daishowa, its related companies and their subcontractors, will not harvest or purchase timber from the approximately 4,000 square mile (10,000 square kilometre) area identified in the attached map included with your June 9th letter until Lubicon lands and claims, including resource management and harvesting rights, as well as fish, wildlife and environmental concerns, have been settled. As a result, we will be winding down our boycott of Daishowa products effective immediately. We expect, accordingly, that Daishowa's appeal of MacPherson J.'s judgement will be abandoned. Sincerely, Kevin Thomas Friends of the Lubicon CC. Chief Bernard Ominayak, Lubicon Lake Indian Nation Tom Cochran, Daishowa Forest Products Ltd. --------- "RE: Letter from Tsilhqot'in Elders" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 20:59:21 -0400 From: oglala Subj: Letter from Tsilhqot'in Elders re Sovereignty Newsgroup: alt.native Below is a letter the Tsilhqot'in elders of central British Columbia have asked the Bear Butte Council to post for general circulation, regarding the historic DELGAMUUK decision in Canada for Native Sovereignty. [The entire issue of 'The Crown' of Great Britain has always been central to all indigenous natives of the so-called 'British Commonwealth' including those indigenous peoples of Wales, Scotland, Eire, and Bretaigne who still hold legal and spiritual title to the true Sovereignty Crown going back thousands of years; which has been usurped by the Anglo-Saxon Germans of the current Windsors and their Privy Council in London, england] TSILHQOT'IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT Williams lake, B.C. letter TO: Cathy McGregor Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks Government of B.C. and Pentti Leppanen Land and Water Tenure Specialist Re; CROWN ENCROACHMENTS IN TSILHQOT' IN TRIBAL TERRITORY The Tsilhqot'in Nation advised you in a letter on December 17, 1997 to cease and desist from further processing of land-related tenure applications and all processes involved with alienating lands and water in our territory in light of the Delgamuuk appeal decision tabled by the Supreme Court of Canada on December 11, 1997. We made it clear in that letter that the Crown governments of Canada and British Columbia no longer have either the legal right or constitutional legitimacy to arbitrarily impose their will and rule on land that falls under Aboriginal Title of the Tsilhqot'in Nation. Despite this clear direction from us, we received a Land Referral from Pentti Leppanen dated January 9, 1998 indicating that the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks (MELP) is continuing to process land transactions. Our concern is that you have ignored our written directive to suspend 'business as usual' impacts on our territory despite the law of the land now stating clearly that infringement of our Aboriginal Title land-base must not proceed without meaningful consultation and our consent on issues of fundamental jurisdiction. Aboriginal Title means that the Crown no longer has the authority and legal right to arbitrarily manage land that is subject to Aboriginal Title. The Supreme Court ruling also directed Crown Governments to negotiate new government-to-government relations regarding implementing its ruling. To date this process is not underway, however the Tsilhqot'in National Government is actively pursuing the necessary consultation process to follow the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling and specific directives. We now caution you that proceeding with the processing of any resource or land based transactions are in blatant violation of a ruling of the highest Crown court in Canada to which the provinces and all government employees are subject. We not only hold the political level of the B.C. Government accountable to the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on the Delgamuuk appeal, but we also caution individual civil servants that they are both professionally and privately accountable for conduction transactions that are in violation of the law of the land. In the past it has been the fiduciary obligation of Crown Governments to act in the interests of the Indian people of Canada. Now it is also a legal requirement. Please avoid unnecessary unpleasantness by taking both of these responsibilities seriously. In good faith, Chief Ervin Charleyboy Chief Armold Solomon TNG Tribal Chairman/Tsi Del Del Tl'esqox [Toosey Band] Chief Lloyd Meyers Ray Hance TNG Deputy National Chief Yunesit'in [Stone Band] Don Wise Chief Anaham, Leslie Stump TNG Issues Coordinator Tl'etinox [Anaham Band] Chief Roger William Chief Mary Stump Xeni Gwet'in [Nemiah Valley Band] 'Esdilagh [Alexandria Band] --------- "RE: Chiapas Aflame" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 22:11:34 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: CHIAPAS AFLAME! MANY DEAD! Newsgroup: alt.native PLEASE!!! Put your Chiapas protection campaigns back into overdrive NOW!!! During the past 24 hours the Mexican Army has been attacking the Mayan communities in the Municipality of San Juan de la Realidad. Many Mayan men, women & children have been killed, hundreds more are wounded, & reports say that anywhere between 100 to 500 have been "arrested & disappeared". The Outbreak began with massive assaults by the Mexican Army, Chiapan State Police AND several hundred of the pro-PRI terrorist gangs known as "paramilitaries". The communities of Chavajeval (Chabajebal) & Union Progreso are aflame & fleeing non-combatants are being shot as they run. There are also Reuters-confirmed reports of heavy aerial bombardment of these 2 communities as well as El Bosque. The community of Obregon is surrounded & at last report shots are being fired into the community & artillery is being moved into firing range. These Mayan communities in the Municipality of La libertad WERE LEGALLY CONSTITUTED autonomous Indian communities, formed strictly according to the San Andres Accords signed by the government of Mexico in Feb 1996. They govern themselves peacefully & efficiently, WITHIN the parameters set down in the San Andres accords. Yet for governing themselves by the consensus of the inhabitants of each Mayan community, the Mexican government insists that their method of "appointing" local governments (who care nothing for the locals they govern) is the ONLY way permitted, contrary to the treaty (San Andres) which they signed. ACT NOW!! - Flood the Mexican government offices with email, faxes & calls demanding an IMMEDIATE cessation of hostilities & the respect of the legal right to self-determination of the Indigenous peoples in Mexico. - Call/write/fax/email your own federal government representatives NOW & insist that they immediately & formally demand that the government of Mexico stop these attacks immediately, pull back their troops, allow the International Red Cross to enter the area & care for the wounded. - Organize a support group for the Maya in Chiapas in your area or join one already operative & DO SOMETHING! Mayan people are once again..., still..., being butchered as you read this... so PLEASE ACT NOW! "... for ALL our relations..." masi' -- "What you can do, or dream you can do..., begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" --------- "RE: Chiapas Updates" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 10:25:35 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: updates from Chiapas :-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 1. E;EnlaceCivil,Police/Paramilitary Invasion of Nabil Community, Jun 3 (fwd) 2. Police raid Mexican village - Reuters report 3. Communique from Nicolas Ruiz village ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 4 Jun 1998 16:41:41 -0500 (CDT) From: Chiapas95-english Subject: E;EnlaceCivil,Police/Paramilitary Invasion of Nabil Community, Jun 3 This posting has been forwarded to you as a service of Accion Zapatista de Austin. Communique' from the Community Nabil, Municipality of Tenejapa, June 3rd, 1998 Municipality of Tenejapa, Community Nabil June 3rd , 1998 To the CONAI To the COCOPA To the Center of Human Rights Fray Bartolome' de Las Casas To the national and international press To national and international civil society To the public opinion We communicate that the day of Wednesday, June 2nd, at 8 in the morning 3 trucks with members of Public Security entered our community, those that accompanied the white guards (translators note: i.e. one of the paramilitary groups). Of those that we had seen the day before around 10 at night in training in the School. They threatened our families so that we would abandon our houses. When we told them no, they pursued us with force. The little children and elders of our community were very scared and some hurt themselves when they left running. We are 30 families with our children and all of us went to the mountain without being able to take anything with us. Nor food nor clothes. Because of this we are very worried because nor covers do we have to protect us from the cold and the rain. Public Security took the families by force outside the community. We ask that you intercede so that the municipal president whose name is Alonso Gomez Lopez with the support of the Government of Zedillo will stop soliciting the army to go to our community, that they leave us in peace because we are not doing anything and so that the priistas will stop threatening telling us that the same is going to happen to us which occurred in Acteal. We ask civil society, Human Rights organizations and the journalists to accompany us so that we can return to our houses because we do not want to be in the mountain and we are scared for the health of our little ones and elders. WE DEMAND THAT THEY RESPECT US AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT STOP SENDING THEIR ARMIES TO OUR COMMUNITIES. [Translated by PC93 Parar la Guerra en Chiapas - Stop the War in Chiapas http://www.kineko.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.wilder.net/c73/index.htm http://nni.irdg.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.newhumans.com/chiapas/automail.html gopher://mundo.eco.utexas.edu:70/11/mailing/chiapas95.archive] Visit the pages of the Zapatista Front of National Liberation: http://spin.com.mx/~floresu/FZLN/ (Spanish) http://www.peak.org/~joshua/fzln/ (English) http://home.worldnet.fr/ngoc-mai/Front%20zapatiste.htm (French) (soon to be in German...) :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 11:02:41 +0200 From: mokturtl To: chiapas-l@profmexis.sar.net Subject: Police raid Mexican village Police raid Mexican village in Chiapas, arrest 147 3 June 1998 Web posted at: 20:04 ART, Buenos Aires time (23:04 GMT) TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico, June 3 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Mexican police firing tear gas, stormed an opposition-run village in the troubled southern state of Chiapas and arrested 147 people, officials said. About 400 police raided the village of Nicolas Ruiz, some 370 miles (600 km) southeast of Mexico City, because the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) that governs the town had expelled 33 pro-ruling party families, state officials said. Villagers battled police briefly with sticks and stones before order was restored and scores of residents led away in police vans, Arelly Madrid, undersecretary for internal affairs in the state, told a news conference. Madrid said the raid followed a request for help by the state branch of the government-run National Human Rights Commission that was worried about the fate of the 33 families. He said the PRD hounded the families from the village after they switched their political allegiance from the opposition to the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Most of those arrested would be freed shortly, he added. PRD officials in the village or state could not be reached for comment. Chiapas is Mexico's most politically explosive state, with leftist Zapatista rebels and grinding poverty. State police and the army raided several pro-rebel townships in the area earlier this year which had declared themselves autonomous. Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 16:51:12 -0400 From: pc93 Subject: Communique from Municipality Nicolas Ruiz, State of Chiapas 6.3.98 Municipality Nicolas Ruiz, State of Chiapas June 3rd, 1998 To the CONAI To the COCOPA To the Commission of Human Rights Fray Bartolome de Las Casas To the National and International Press To civil society and the public opinion in general We inform that at approximately 5:30 in the morning of Wednesday, June 3rd, we were brutally trampled by close to 3000 armed elements, within the Mexican Army, Public Security of the State, State and Federal Judicial Police, and white guards from the known places like "the chinchulines". Of which we give you to know their names because it is them who are the principle authors of the violence in the Municipality. The names of them are the following: Abel Lopez Zuniga, Mario Moreno Gonzalez, Amancio Constantino Cardenas, Jorge Diaz Jimenez, Antonio Zuniga Lara, Maclovio Diaz Lopez and Narciso Lopez Diaz among others. They receive advice directly from the Secretary of government Areli Madrid Tovilla. In the operation they had on hoods so that they could not be identified by the community because they were pointing out domiciles of persons in which the army entered and struck everyone they found inside, without caring if they were women or children. When the houses which were pointed out were without people they sacked them. When they invaded the community in the operation, they threw tear gas, they shot with arms of high power in all directions, for which reason we do not know if among our people there are any dead. That of which we are certain is that there is a large number of injured among the men, women, and children. They destroyed the furniture, they took money, personal documents, electrical apparatus, etc. for which reason we are demanding from a total loss of goods and furniture, and buildings, a total of approximately 300 thousand pesos. In our community we are approximately 5000 inhabitants of which in the operation were detained 200 persons among the men and women. We also inform that there are some companeros who have disappeared because we made a count of all the inhabitants and we do not know where they are. We are afraid that these companeros may be tortured or dead. The operation which began at 5:30 in the morning until this moment remains with the entire community surrounded without permitting anyone to leave or enter the town. They cut the communications mediums, like telephones. Air and ground patrols are still being maintained. We ask the Human rights organizations to intercede before the federal and state government so that there is immediate removal the operation from the Municipality because we consider it unjust that they attack a community only for the liking of a group of persons that do not want peace like the "chinchulines". We ask of whom it corresponds that the before mentioned persons be judged because we know they have criminal records the same as Mario Moreno Gonzalez, Abel Lopez Zuniga and Jorge Diaz Jimenez. We ask that they respect the integrity and the human rights of the people who are surrounded by the army in the community. Attentively, The town of Nicolas Ruiz, Chiapas ENLACE CIVIL A.C. Calle Ignacio Allende 4 29200 San Cristobal de Las Casas CHIAPAS-MEXICO Tel y fax: (52) 967-82104 e-mail: enlacecivil@laneta.apc.org Consult our electronic page with new information every 15 days http://www.laneta.apc.org/enlacecivil http://www.enlacecivil.org.mx --- [Translated from Spanish by PC93 Parar la Guerra en Chiapas - Stop the War in Chiapas http://www.kineko.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.wilder.net/c73/index.htm http://nni.irdg.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.newhumans.com/chiapas/automail.html gopher://mundo.eco.utexas.edu:70/11/mailing/chiapas95.archive] ___________________________________________________ NUEVO AMANECER PRESS- N.A.P. _________________________________ Registered as a Non Profit Corporation in USA,N.A.P. translates and distributes information in support of human rights in Mexico. Advisory team: Mexico. General Director: Roger Maldonado-Mexico Darrin Wood: Director NAP-Spain office. Susana Saravia: Coordinator NAP: Mexico/USA/Spain Our web page in spanish: http://www.nap.cuhm.mx/nap0.htm :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Similarities & Differences" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 01:26:03 -0400 From: not@inthe.game (justanoldman) Subj: Similarities & Differences Newsgroup: alt.native Kosovo - Chiapas Heard the news? All sorts of heavy sanctions being laid by USA, Canada, & European countries... on Serbia for their, "... heavy-handed & ruthless attacks on alleged "separatist-terrorists" in predominantly-Albanian Kosovo during the past 4-5 months. Anywhere from 500-1000 Albanians killed to date. Almost 2500 in refugee camps. The point of contention is the Albanians are a 4 to 1 majority in Kosovo but are denied the most basic rights to live as Albanians, (ie, speak Albanian at school & work, govern themselves, access to health, education, etc on par with the non-Albanian population, etc.) Zero sanctions laid by USA, Canada, & European countries... on Mexico for their, "... heavy-handed & ruthless attacks on"... Indian people in Chiapas. Men, women & children. Anywhere from 3500-5000 Mayan Indians killed to date in Chiapas alone. Over 12,500 in refugee camps. The point of contention is the Maya are a 4 to 1 majority in Chiapas but are denied the most basic rights to live as Indians, (ie, speak T'setlal Maya & Tzotslil Maya at school & work, govern themselves, access to health, education, etc on par with the non-Maya population, etc.) Similarities between the victims of oppression & "low-intensity warfare" in both areas of conflict... Human beings, with all human strengths & frailties, fears, hopes, dreams.... Sanctions on Serbia..., & no sanctions on Mexico... Why? What's the difference? Hmmm..? Let's see... Looking at the victims, there's absolutely NO differences except... Kosovo - The victims have white skin. Chiapas - The victims have brown skin. The ONLY other differences between these two conflicts are: USA, Canada, & European trade agreements - with Serbia - No with Mexico - yes Corporate investments by USA, Canadian, & European-based companies - in Kosovo - about $6.99 (USD)(1997 est.) in Chiapas - about $27-billion (USD) (1997 est.) Diplomatic leadership role in organizing reaction to the conflict in both areas provided by - The United States of America Ah yes! The Great Emancipator..., breaking the chains of tyranny, giving the God-given right to human liberty the room to grow!! (But not if breaking those chains, crushing that tyranny or respecting that God-given right to human liberty devalue the returns on YOUR plantation, right massa'? doo-dah, doo-dah...) ------------------------------------ Want more "Similarities & Differences"? This weekend I'll be posting excerpts from 2 remarkably similar documents each using remarkably similar terminology, with remarkably the same objectives: 1 - The minutes of the infamous "Wansee Conference" of 20 Jan '42, when the Nazi hierarchy met & laid out their plan for the "final solution of the Jewish problem in Europe..." . 2 - The hot-off-the-press English translation of the "Plan de Campana Chiapas '94" (Chiapas Campaign Plan '94) a plan devised by the Minister of Defence of Mexico in 1994 & endorsed by Mexican President Zedillo, [as recently published in the Mexican magazine "el proceso"] laying out their plan for the "final solution of the Indigenous problem in Chiapas...". And the differences will point out how the record of what the Nazis planned & executed got them (rightfully) hung, while the record of what the Mexican government planned & is executing got them..., more US dollars. -- "What you can do, or dream you can do..., begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!" --------- "RE: Incursion of the Army in Guerrero" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 12:25:43 GMT From: pc93 Subj: Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights 6.8.98 re: Incursion of the Army in Guerrero Newsgroup: alt.native URGENT ACTION LFD-GRO-63/98 INCURSION OF THE ARMY IN GUERRERO. -- Translated from Spanish by PC93: Parar la Guerra en Chiapas - Stop the War in Chiapas http://www.kineko.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.wilder.net/c73/index.htm http://nni.irdg.com/pc93/index.htm http://www.peak.org/~joshua/fzln http://www.newhumans.com/chiapas/automail.html http://www.findmail.com/list/chiapas-l/ gopher://mundo.eco.utexas.edu:70/11/mailing/chiapas95.archive Mexico, D. F. June 8, 1998. The Mexican League for the Defense of Human Rights, branch of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH - Federacion Internacional de Derechos Humanos), organization with consultative statute before the ONU (United Nations Organization, i.e. UN), [Resolution 1296]; branch of the World-wide Organization against Torture (OMCT - Organizacion Mundial Contra la Tortura) and Observer in Mexico of the International Observatory of Prisons (OIP - Observatorio Internacional de Prisiones), asks for your immediate intervention before the following denunciation. Although it must be taken with due reserve (coming from a secondary source), its seriousness demands urgent attention: ------------------------------------------------------------------ "La Jornada" June 8, 1998 (Mexican Newspaper). Confrontation Army-EPR in Guerrero; 11 rebels dead Maribel Gutierrez, correspondent, Ayutla de los Libres, Gro., June 7 - During the Sunday dawn, effectives of the Mexican Army laid siege to the mixteca community of El Charco, of scarcely 20 houses, and in a shooting that lasted for an hour and a half they killed 11 interigants of the Popular Revolutionary Army (EPR- Ejercito Popular Revolucionario) that spent the night in the local school, injuring 5 people and jailing 21 others. Inhabitants of this community of Costa Chica of Guerrero related that 12 elements of the EPR arrived on Saturday at midday and after carrying out an assembly in the bilingual school Caritino Maldonado, which is directed by Valentin Zavala Ortega, they asked permission of the authorities to spend the night in that place. They relate that approximately at 4 in the morning they heard a gunshot. From that moment the area was laid siege and members of the Army made a blockade with which they impeded the exit of the inhabitants of the place, like that of access of civilians. The community and another 6 settlements in that area, inhabited by some 2 thousand indigenous mixtecos, converted into a zone controlled by the Army. When the siege came to a close, after the shooting was concluded, no civilian could leave, including the municipal authorities and the journalists. The inhabitants report that police and military convoys were dispatched to the zone; some 26 artillery vehicles, two helicopters with machines guns and transport of personnel, and tens of police of the state and of the Procurator General of the Republic entered the location. The mayor Odilon Romero, PRD member, said that he asked for the access to that location of the National Commission for Human Rights, of the International Red Cross and of the civil authorities, "to avoid abuses" and to protect the indigenous population. The municipal commissary Panfilo Santiago Hernandez, that left 4 hours before the military blockade was established and edile Romero agree that all Sunday there were military vehicles passing through the community. Hernandez says that since yesterday (14:00 hours) there was a reunion of 12 persons that were not inhabitants of the community, but he does not refer to them looking like guerrillas nor that they were armed. Also, settlers that went out in the early dawn to the market of Ayutla, the municipal headship, relate that the elements of the EPR were sleeping when they were surrounded and they fear that the detained and injured, which total 26, are people of the community that witnessed the acts because, they point out, to that township arrived only 12 milicianos (militiamen?) of the EPR, the majority of whom were killed. The eleven corpses were taken to the Forensic Medical Service of Acapulco and their origin is ignored. The 21 detained were taken to the barracks of the Ninth Military Region, in Acapulco, and it is ignored that they are mixtecos of the community. According to the state procurator general of Justice, Servando Alanis, the corpses of the dead were taken in helicopter to the Semefo (?) of Acapulco, where they impeded the access of the reporters to record and verify the characteristics and conditions of the victims. The civil employee said that the performance for determining the crimes that the detained were landed with is in charge of the Procurator of the state and as well of the PGR. Leaders of social organizations and of the PRD successfully obtained testimonies of locals who managed to leave before the siege. The president of the Regional committee of the PRD in Costa Chica, Miguel Angel Godinez, said that, according to witnesses "there was not a confrontation; it was a massacre. The Army arrived to attack without there being gunfire from the EPR group. They took them by surprise. There was a whistle-blowing by intelligence agents who have been in this zone and in all the region from months back". Proof of it, "is the testimonies of the arrival of military vehicles from 1 to 2 in the morning, two hours before they began firing". As much, the secretary of organization of the municipal PRD, Julio Leocadio, who is as well a leader of a farmer organization, manifested that the interigants of the EPR "were caught sleeping in the school and we fear that the detained are innocent people of the community without any link to the armed group, the same as the injured". Since the last months of 1996, in the zone of conflict there has been seen the presence of the EPR in some communities, but there never occurred any actions of shooting, only of propaganda. In Costa Chica, this is the first action of shooting with participation of the Army and presumed members of the EPR. In a total of 12 armed actions which occurred anteriorly in Guerrero, there has been five members of the EPR killed and with those of now totals 16. ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Limeddh-FIDH solicits the investigation of the facts put forth, that of rightness of the journalistic note, there is no mention of any injured soldier, and the testimonies which say that there was not a confrontation are reinforced, in that we could not find any prior summary or extrajudicial execution. What is more the taking of the detained to military precincts violates legal dispositions. The Limeddh-FIDH remembers that the respect of personal integrity, the right to life, personal liberty, the liberty of association, assembly and petition are rights guaranteed by the articles 2, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 22 and 35 of the Mexican Constitution, also the article 129 with relation to the action of soldiers in affairs of persecution of crimes and detentions in distinct areas from those destined (outwardly professed); the articles 3, 9, 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the articles 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 15, 16 of the American Convention of Human Rights, the articles 6, 9, 11, 14 of the International Pact of Civil and Political Rights and the articles, XXI, XXII, XXIV and XXV of the American Declaration of Human Rights. For which we solicit: i.- To the CNDH, to the state Commission of Human Rights and to the International Red Cross: realize a field visit to know better the situation and prevent greater aggressions. To the Procurators: ii. the respect of the physical, psychological integrity of the detained and of the civil population. iii. the investigation and elucidation of the anteriorly referred facts and application of the law to those who are responsible. iv. The accomplishment of studies of autopsy or re-autopsy with the participation of the CNDH, and independent observers. To the President of the Republic: v. That the Federal Army stick to the constitutional functions. vi. Give favor to the intervention of the International Red Cross. Attentively. Adrian Ramirez Lopez President Angelica Ayala Ortiz Vice-president Francisco Lope Avila Press Secretary Direct your calls to: Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon Presidente de la Republica. (President of the Republic) Residencia Oficial "Lazaro Cardenas" Los Pinos, Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec C.P. 11850 Mexico D.F. Fax: (+ 52 5)2 71 1764 o/or 5 15 1794 Lic. Francisco Labastida Ochoa Secretario de Gobernacion (Secretary of Governation) Bucareli 99, 2o piso Col. Juarez, Mexico, D.F. Fax (+ 52 5) 546 53 50 o/or 547 03 21 Dr. Jorge Madrazo Cuellar Procurador General de la Republica (Procurator General of the Republic) Violeta y Reforma s/n 2o piso Col. Guerrero, C.P. 06300 Mexico D.F. Fax: (+ 52 5) 626 44 26 Lic. Mireille Roccatti Velazquez Presidenta de la CNDH. (President of the CNDH) Periferico Sur No. 3469, Col. San Jeronimo Lidice, Deleg. Magdalena Contreras, C.P. 10200, Mexico, D.F. Fax.:(+ 52 5) 681 71 99 Correo electronico: cndh@laneta.apc.org Lic. Angel Aguirre Rivero Gobernador del Estado de Guerrero (Governor of the State of Guerrero) Palacio de Gobierno Chilpancingo, Gro. Tel. y Fax. (747) 1 18 81 Lic. Servando Alanis Santos Procurador General de Justicia del Estado de Guerrero (Procurator General of Justice of the State of Guerrero) Tel: (74) 1 40 73 Fax: 2 3 23 28 Lic. Juan Alarcon Hernandez Presidente de la CEDH de Guerrero. (President of the CEDH of Guerrero) Cedros esq. Calle Alamos, Col. Olinala, 39020 Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Tel (757) 1 03 25 y fax (747) 1 21 90 Please send copies of your calls to: Limeddh-FIDH, Av. Azcapotzalco 275, Col. Claveria, 02090, Mexico, D.F., Tel(525) 3 99 05 92 Fax. 3 99 13 36, electronic mail: limeddh@laneta.apc.org ___________________________________________________ NUEVO AMANECER PRESS- N.A.P. To know about us visit: http://www.nap.cuhm.mx/nap0.htm General Director: Roger Maldonado Director Europe: Darrin Wood Coordinator: USA-Mexico-Europe: Susana Saravia (Anibarro) Advisory and support team: Mexico --------- "RE: Desecration of Hines Cave" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 05:46:43 -0400 From: miller.he@juno.com Subj: DESECRATION OF HINES (DOUBLEHEAD) CAVE CUMBERLAND-RIVER Mailing List DESECRATION CONTINUES AT HINES CAVE, WAYNE COUNTY KENTUCKY "Hines Cave, about six miles from Monticello, Kentucky, yielded the most remains of any in Kentucky. The cave is spacious and well drained. The entrance is protected from wind, rain and snow by high cliffs, yet well lighted for some distance. The bottom is level and dry and this must have been a desirable shelter to the people who occupied it. There were remains from many fires and in the graves were many artifacts, awls, needles and skinning knives; in the ash beds were bones of many animals. In one grave was found the skeleton of a young woman with a round piece of shining mica of the type that comes from North Carolina. Many skeletons were found and many more artifacts, stone hoes, flint arrowheads, pipes, pottery, and textiles. Animal bones were those of a wolf, bear, rabbit, turkey, quail, turtle shells, and mussel shells. " The above excerpt from the book "Ancient Life in Kentucky"(1928) by Webb and W.D. Funkhouser makes clear the significance of this burial and habitation site of the Cherokee people. Reports indicate that Hines Cave, or Doublehead cave, (15WN1, NAGPRA designation number) was used for at least 20000 years by indigenous peoples. Yet, once again it is the target of massive grave robbing and looting. Recent photos of the hillside above the cave showing shaker screens which are used to sift for artifacts from the dirt removed from the cave. Further, aerial surveillance indicates that a barn of the property owner Nick Cooley, and ex-brother in law of present Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, contained boxes of suspected artifacts. Just outside of the barn were construction materials similar to the ones used to build shaker screens just like the ones visible in the photos above the entrance to the cave. This barn is near the home of Mr. Cooley and on the same property as Hines Cave. This is not the first time this has occurred. About four years ago it was reported to authorities that wholesale grave digging was going on at the cave. Dennis Banks of the American Indian Movement, Dave Pollack of the Kentucky Heritage Council, and others observed that human bones, including the skull of small child, were in mass profusion throughout the entrance area. The Kentucky State Police were notified but no investigation is ever known to have been done. In Kentucky it is a class D felony to disturb a native burial and desecrating a cave is also illegal. Reports were made at this time to the proper law authorities and nothing was ever done. Shortly thereafter it was noted that the cave entrance had been bulldozed. Again no investigation was done by the Kentucky State Police even after many calls. Reports are that the owner, Nick Cooley ordered the bulldozing of the cave entrance to provide shelter for his cows. He has reportedly admitted it to several people including individuals of the Kentucky Heritage Council which also encompasses the Kentucky Native American Cultural Commission, that he ordered the bulldozing, and nothing was done about it in spite of the state law against cave desecration and disturbance of a native burial. Recent developments: The Kentucky Bureau of Investigations concluded that there was no proof this was a burial site. Therefore, an investigation of the reports of grave looting is unfounded. We have also received reports that a auction was held at Mr. Cooley's place recently and could have been an artifact auction. Why is this tragic situation allowed to continue? There are state and federal laws to prevent this from occurring, but they are not being enforced. Stand with us and demand the enforcement of pertinent laws and help stop this ghoulish practice. Michael Sims South Eastern Anti-desecration League _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ==== CUMBERLAND-RIVER Mailing List ==== Post a few CRR historical records today and share with your CRR cousins! To Post to list; CRR Web Site; http://travel.to/downhome --------- "RE: Western Shoshone Action Alert" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 18:49:18 -0400 From: Western Shoshone Defense Project Subj: A Serious Western Shoshone Action Alert UUCP email Action Alert - BLM Moves Against Hot Spring, Ranch, and Encampment June 9, 1998 On May 27, 1998, the Western Shoshone Defense Project received a Trespass Decision from the BLM: the Danns received a second Trespass Decision on June 9. These are the latest in a series of threats against Western Shoshone who continue to use their homelands, and are the last bureaucratic step before the BLM can destroy the area set up around a spiritually and culturally important hot spring used daily by the Dann family. When this same spring was endangered by mining exploration last year, four tribal councils passed resolution against the activity, reinforcing the significance of the spring across Newe Sogobia. Among the "unauthorized items" the BLM plans to remove is a fence set up to protect the spring and the surrounding area. The land around the spring has benefited from land restoration projects to reduce erosion and encourage native plant growth. The Trespass Decisions further threatens the Dann's way of life by condemning property on the areas of the Dann ranch itself which are on disputed lands. Likewise in danger is the encampment which was authorized and established by the Western Shoshone National Council. It, too, is recognized across Western Shoshone country as a area of spiritual and cultural significance: it is a ceremonial area with a prayer pole and sweat lodges, and is the site of the annual Western Shoshone Spring Gathering. The WSDP and the Danns would be held liable for the costs of removing the "unauthorized" property, for "fair marked value rent of the public lands," for reclamation costs, and for administrative costs. This would be in addition to the millions of dollars in fines already issued to traditional Western Shoshone cattle grazers in past months. In the face of the BLM's recent harassment of Traditional Western Shoshone Cattle Grazers in the Crescent Valley, Odgers' Ranch and South Fork areas, four tribal councils have passed resolutions condemning the BLM's activities, and supporting Western Shoshone people's rights to their traditional homelands. Western Shoshone community members from across Newe Sogobia have met with the BLM to voice concerns about the agency's ctions. Please join in voicing your concerns to the BLM and the Department of the Interior - let them know that this harassment is unacceptable! Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit U.S. Department of the Interior 18th and C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 202-208-7251 NV State BLM Director Robert Abbey 850 Harvard Way Reno, Nv 98502-2055 702-785-6500 National BLM Director Patrick Shea 1847 C St. NW Washington, DC 20240 202-208-5717 Please also send copies to the WSDP: PO Box 211106 Cresecent Valley, NV 89821 wsdp@igc.org. Thank You! Western Shoshone Defense Project PO Box 211106 Crescent Valley, Nevada 89821 Ph: 702-468-0230 Fax: 702-468-0237 http://www.alphacdc.com/wsdp/ and http://www.teleport.com/~amt/planetpeace/wsdp --------- "RE: School Victim Seeks Healing" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 10:27:50 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Res school survivor "afraid of those in authority" :-:-:-:-:-:-:-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.] SCHOOL VICTIM SEEKS HEALING Globe and Mail, June 6, 1998, by Robert Matas Vancouver - Nisga'a native Marlon Watts was six years old when he was taken away from his family in 1964 and placed in a residential school in the town of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Over the next three years, Mr. Watts said yesterday, he was sexually assaulted on several occasions by a United Church of Canada supervisor at the school. When he complained, he was whipped. His mouth was washed out with soap whenever he spoke the Nisga'a language. For years, neither the United Church, which ran the school, nor the federal government, which paid the bills and set the standards, would accept responsibility for what happened to Mr. Watts and several other children at the school. Although the supervisor has been convicted of the sex crimes and is now serving an 11-year sentence, Mr. Watts felt that his wounds would not heal until those who were supposed to be taking care of him were held accountable. Now, he hopes a BC court decision holding both the government and the church liable will become the foundation for a new beginning. Mr. Watts said he would like Ottawa and the church to negotiate with the Port Alberni victims on measures to help them regain their lives, including job training and programs to revive their native culture. At what price? Mr. Watts, a drug and alcohol counsellor, was reluctant to put a price tag on his suffering. But in response to questioning, he said he thought he was entitled to somewhere between $1.5 million and $2 million. "It's not just about money," he quickly added. "I'm still ashamed to speak my own language. A court hearing is scheduled for August to deal with the amount of the compensation. Mr. Watts added that he has been plagued with health problems ever since leaving the school. He has received extensive counselling for post traumatic disorder, he said. He still has nightmares and he is afraid of those in authority, he added. Lawyer David Paterson, who acted for two other abuse victims from the school, said yesterday that he expects both the church and Ottawa to acknowledge their responsibility and negotiate a settlement with all of the Port Alberni victims. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Who Owns BC" --------- Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 10:47:22 -0700 (PDT) From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Who Owns BC, Reform asks Ottawa :-:-:-:-:-:-:-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.] WHO OWNS B.C., REFORM ASKS OTTAWA Vancouver Sun, June 10, 1998, Page A4 by Peter O'Neil Ottawa - Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart should hold a town hall meeting in Vancouver to tell citizens whether natives own the city, the Reform party said Tuesday. Reform made the appeal during a vicious second day of Reform's assault on the Supreme Court of Canada's Delgamuukw decision, a December ruling seen as a major advance for aboriginal claims to BC land. "Is the minister prepared to go to Vancouver, hold a town hall meeting, and tell the people who show up there that the city belongs to aboriginals?" Indian Affairs critic Mike Scott (Skeena) asked during question period. "Will she answer the question? Who owns BC?" Reform wants the federal government to enact legislation to narrow the definition of native title laid out by the Supreme Court in Delgamuukw, a case that began in 1984 when 51 Gitxan and Wet'suwet'en chiefs claimed control over 58,000 square kilometres in northwestern BC. Stewart was equally provocative in responding to Reform's taunts, accusing the party of preferring unilateral federal legislation and military intervention to quash legitimate native demands. She cited Reform's recent proposal that the army be sent in to remove natives living in and claiming the land in the former Ipperwash military camp, 90 kilometres northwest of London, Ontario. "The only solution in that case was to call in the army," Stewart said. "That must be negotiation Reform-style." She also accused Reformers of being hypocritical in complaining about compensation for Indians at the same time they are demanding justice for hepatitis tainted-blood victims. "Mr. Speaker, they ask how much for land claims but they do not ask how much for hep C," said Stewart. "Where is their compassion here? Systematically they undermine the aboriginal people. It's an outrage." Several Reform MPs asked Stewart to estimate the cost of settling BC land claims that currently blanket the entire province. But she repeatedly refused to provide an answer. "Where is this money going to come from?" asked Reform finance critic Monte Solberg (Medicine Hat). "Is it going to come from increased taxes or is he (finance Minister Paul Martin) going to cut social programs again?" Reform has said almost nothing about Delgamuukw in the Commons since the December ruling, even though several BC Reform MPs are up in arms over potential costs and economic uncertainty. This weeks offensive signals a return of the party's so-called "red meat" issues after leader Preston Manning acknowledged during the party's recent biennial assembly in London Ontario that some members fear Reform's leadership is watering down its principles in order to attract Eastern Canadians. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Natives Seek Bigger Cut" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 10:45:21 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: NB: Est.$400,000.00 for SCC Appeal :-:-:-:-:-:-:-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 SEEK BIGGER CUT OF N.B. WOODS The Globe and Mail, June 5, 1998, Page A5 (CP) Fredericton - Premier Camille Theriault says aboriginals have won a permanent place for themselves in New Brunswick's woods, but the only question now is how significant it will be. "There will be a place in our forest industry for native people but what we need to do now is agree on how much participation," said Mr. Theriault yesterday, a day after native loggers shut down several forestry sites operated by J.D. Irving Ltd. "We have been waiting for a counter-offer to our proposal of five per cent of the annual allowable cut." While M. Theriault, sworn in as Premier three weeks ago, said the peaceful shutdown is no way to solve the stalemate over aboriginal logging rights on Crown land, Noah Augustine, chief spokesman for native loggers, said it's difficult to achieve consensus among all of the aboriginal communities involved in the logging issue. Mr. Augustine had hoped to have a counter-proposal this week, but is now saying that more discussions are necessary. "It's not clear how long the province will have to wait." There are about 10,000 aboriginal people in New Brunswick, representing about 1.3 per cent of the province's population. Mr.Augustine has confirmed, however, that some natives are demanding 30 per cent of the annual harvest this summer as a short term solution - significantly more than the government offer. The lucrative forestry industry is worth about $3-billion annually. New Brunswick natives began developing their own forestry industry last fall after a landmark court ruling that they had a treaty right to Crown lands and forests. However, the provincial Court of Appeal overturned those decisions in April. The government subsequently ordered the natives out of the woods and began a "soft enforcement" campaign of seizing logging trucks and warning mills not to buy native-cut lumber. Virtually all native logging has since stopped. The aboriginals hope to appeal their case to the Supreme Court of Canada, but their lawyer, Cleveland Allaby, said such a step might be too costly. "I believe in the file. I believe in their ownership of the land," said Mr. Allaby. "But, in the meantime, I quite simply can't afford to go to the Supreme Court of Canada on my credit card." Meanwhile, his clients have two more weeks to seek an appeal. Tim Paul, president of the Native Loggers Business Association, said the money will be raised and the case will proceed. They have raised more than $100,000 for their legal fund to date. It is estimated they will need at least $400,000 for a Supreme Court appeal. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Indians Win Alberni School Case" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 10:51:16 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: Govt & church found partners in sex abuse :-:-:-:-:-:-:-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.] INDIANS WIN ALBERNI SCHOOL CASE Federal government, United Church found partners in sex abuse The Province, Friday June 5 1988 Suzanne Fournier, Staff Reporter The Province Survivors of Indian residential-school abuse have won a major court victory that could open the floodgates for more litigation by victims all across Canada. Despite bids by the federal government and the United Church to deny in court any responsibility for the Alberni Indian residential school, the B.C. Supreme Court yesterday found the school was a "joint venture" so both should pay. "This is a giant step forward for us and will give us strength to continue with the court case until we win full compensation," said Randy Fred, spokesman for the natives. Said Vancouver lawyer Peter Grant, who acted for most of the 30 people who launched a civil lawsuit against Ottawa and the church, "It's a major victory for my clients who have suffered a very great deal and should be entitled to move ahead with their healing. Despite the fact that the church and the federal government have done nothing but deny, deny, deny, the court, in fact, adopted our argument that the school was a joint venture. It appears they are 50-50 responsible for the suffering and sexual abuse of my clients." Justice Donald Brenner decided only on the matter of "vicarious liability" in this stage of the trial, that is, whether the church or Ottawa were responsible for sexual abuse of Indian children by a school supervisor, and who should pay. Almost all of the plaintiffs were sexually abused and beaten by Arthur Henry Plint, who worked as a dorm supervisor at the school between1948 and 1968. Plint, 80, pleaded guilty to dozens of sexual assaults of Indian boys in two trials in 1995 and 1997 and was sentenced to 11 years in jail by a judge who called him a "sexual terrorist." Marlon Watts, 43, a Vancouver court worker who hailed yesterday's victory, said he was only six and his brother Darrell four when Plint began to assault them sexually at night. Two older brothers also were raped by Plint but none of the brothers knew of the others' abuse for more than 30 years. "I heard how my brothers were sexually assaulted for the first time in that courtroom in February, and so did our mother," said Watts. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM There were 18 Indian residential schools in B.C. and more than 80 across Canada, run by churches under contract to the federal government from the early 1800s until the mid-1980s. They were to "kill the Indian in the child" to assimilate Indians and eradicate their culture. Vancouver lawyer Peter Grant, representing clients in lawsuits involving residential schools at Lytton, Alert Bay, Lower Post, Williams Lake and Edmonton says "literally thousands" more victims all across Canada are waiting to sue. "How could these schools have been such a haven for pedophiles if they hadn't been set up by Ottawa expressly to destroy aboriginal culture by getting at the children?" Grant asks. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Logs Belong to Indigenous People" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 10:36:45 -0700 From: "S.I.S.I.S." Subj: CASNP statement-100% of logs belong to Indigenous people [Please send questions or comments about this post to the original sender, , *not* S.I.S.I.S.] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 04 Jun 1998 14:58:46 -0400 From: CASNP Subject: New Brunswick - 100% of logs belong to Indigenous people - CASNP CASNP. 4 June 1998. The Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with the Native Peoples today issued a statement supporting the Indigenous Nations of New Brunwick in their dispute with the provincial government. An important clarification should be made. The Indigenous Nations do not get their rights to their forests by way of a treaty. Aboriginal title to land and resources is through Aboriginal title since time immemorial. The Indigenous nations gave the newcomers a right to live on their land to the depth of a plow to feed themselves. Now the newcomers say the Indigenous nations have no rights to their land and resources. The fact that the New Brunswick government is offering 5% of the logging to the Indigenous nations means the province recognizes Aboriginal title and are confirming that the Indigenous people own 100% of their land and resources. In fact the province has no right to dictate to the Indigenous Nations on what to do with their possessions. Therefore, the Indigenous people do not have to accept the 5% being offered to them by the New Brunswick government while the newcomers take 95% of the harvest. The generous counter offer by the Indigenous nations to give 70% of the harvest to the newcomers does not mean they are giving them 70% of land. The land still belongs to the Natives. They are merely allowing the newcomers to share some of the harvest. The land is still totally Aboriginal land and always will be. The Indigenous people realize they have a smaller population and are sharing with the newcomer society 70% of the harvest, but are not relinquishing their title to the land. Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with the Native Peoples CASNP 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1X7 416-972-1573 Fax 416-972-6232 http://www.pathcom.com/~casnp :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: 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: Legislative Updates" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Jun 1998 20:43:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Aura Kanegis Subj: FCNL NATIVE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FOR JUNE 9, 1998 UUCP email FCNL NATIVE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE UPDATES FOR JUNE 9, 1998 The following are updates and action suggestions from the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) regarding Indian affairs legislation for the coming two weeks. These messages focus on selected legislation which Congress is considering now, and suggest some points that you may wish to make in your communications with Congress. These messages are intended as a supplement to other FCNL Native American Program materials and do not reflect FCNL's complete policy position on any issue, nor do they include all pertinent facts on any topic. For more information, or to request the FCNL Indian Report and other background documents, please contact Aura Kanegis, FCNL Legislative Associate for Native American Affairs: (202) 547-6000 ext. 113; 245 2nd St. NE, Washington, DC 20002; aura@fcnl.org. NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION. On June 10, the House Resources Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on HR 2893, a bill to amend the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) to provide for study and repatriation of remains for which cultural affiliation is not readily ascertainable. The bill was introduced by Rep. Hastings (WA) in response to the recent controversy over the 9,000 year old remains of a man found along the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington. In providing a legal basis for the return of human remains, grave goods, and objects of cultural patrimony, NAGPRA was a delicate compromise forged between the scientific community and tribes to remedy an unconscionable abuse of tribal cultures. HR 2893 would unbalance that compromise. It would strike important provisions from NAGPRA regarding claims based on aboriginal territory, undermining an important means by which tribes have been able to establish their relationship to remains that are discovered. It would amend the law with language that would make it a requirement to study Native American human remains and cultural items, placing scientific exploration above protection of Native American religious convictions. A successful resolution of the "Kennewick" case is more likely to be found through consultation between all parties involved than by an extreme legislative fix proposed by a single interest group. ACTION: Contact members of the House Resources Committee to urge that they oppose HR 2893. INDIAN TRIBES AND STATE RETAIL SALES TAXES. The Senate is continuing consideration of the National Tobacco Policy and Youth Smoking Reduction Act (S 1415). Section 604 of the bill, introduced by Sen. Gorton (WA), would require Indian tribes to collect and pay state sales and excise taxes on tobacco to the federal Treasury, which would then remit these taxes to the states. FCNL is concerned that this would preempt or undermine over 200 existing successful state-tribal compacts and remove incentives for states to cooperate with tribes in negotiating future compacts. The purported purpose of this legislation is to eliminate tobacco price disparities. However, the legislation singles out Indian Tribal governments as the cause of the problem while ignoring the fact that tobacco price disparities between states will continue to exist. Legislation that would impose changes of this magnitude on Indian Country should not be brought to a vote in the Senate until after tribal governments have been consulted and the legislation has been fully considered by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA). The SCIA has not been given the opportunity to hold hearings on this measure, and the Senate has had no opportunity to examine how this proposal would impact on tribal governments, federal-tribal relations, and tribal and local economies. Further, tribes have not been consulted or given an opportunity to testify on these controversial proposals. ACTION: Please contact your senators to ask that they support efforts by Senate Committee on Indian Affairs leadership to block, strike, or amend section 604 of S 1415. Contact your representative to urge that they oppose any language similar to section 604 of the Senate bill that may be introduced to House legislation on tobacco in coming weeks. SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. On May 20, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) postponed consideration of S 1691, legislation introduced by Sen. Gorton (WA) which would waive tribal government immunity across a broad range of governmental functions and subject tribal governments to lawsuits in federal and state courts. Sen. Gorton requested that consideration be postponed while he drafts alternative language, which will consist of five bills addressing separate concerns which he felt emerged during the hearings on tribal sovereign immunity earlier this year. Sen. Gorton plans to focus these bills as follows: --Taxes. States could sue a tribal government in federal court for a declaratory judgement on whether the tribe is required to collect the tax. If the court determines that the tax should be collected, the state could sue the tribe for the amount due. --Civil Rights. Legislation to enact some right of appeal to federal court regarding the applicability of the Indian Civil Rights Act. --Property Rights. Citing the pending construction of an amphitheater on the Muckleshoot reservation (which the tribe has voluntarily postponed pending environmental review), Sen. Gorton stated that his bill addressing property rights will provide among other things that when federal environmental statutes give a state or local government any right of action, it can sue a tribe. --Contracts. Noting that tribes often waive their sovereign immunity in large contracts, he hopes to waive tribal immunity for all contracts. --Torts. Legislation along the lines of draft legislation proposed by the Menominee Tribe, in which tribes would be required to participate in a tribal insurance program and litigation would be settled in federal court. At the same meeting, SCIA Chairman Campbell (CO) announced the introduction of S 2097, the Indian Tribal Conflict Resolution, Tort Claims, and Risk Management Act of 1998, which he drafted in response to concerns raised at recent hearings on tribal sovereign immunity. His proposed legislation would: --provide that tribes, tribal organizations, and states may enter into compacts and agreements relating to the collection and payment of certain retail taxes --set forth a process for negotiation of these intergovernmental agreements or compacts --provide for the creation of an Intergovernmental Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel to consider and decide tax matters which cannot be resolved through negotiation --require the Secretary of the Interior to obtain or provide tort liability insurance or equivalent coverage for each tribe that receives funding under the Tribal Priority Allocations account. The policy must prohibit the carrier from raising a sovereign immunity defense (up to the policy limits) on any tort claim filed that involves the tribe. The Chairman indicated that a hearing will be held on this bill and other alternatives to S. 1691 on July 15. Congressional interest in terminating tribal sovereign immunity will likely be piqued by the May 26 Supreme Court decision in Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma v. Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. The decision held 6 to 3 that Indian tribes enjoy sovereign immunity from civil suits on contracts, whether a contract is made on or off reservation and whether the contracts involve governmental or commercial activities. However, the Court's decision invited further congressional action to abrogate tribal governmental immunity. For background information on sovereign immunity, request FCNL document # G-828-NA. For a copy of the FCNL-AFSC joint testimony on sovereign immunity, request document #T-854-NA from FCNL. --------- "RE: Kalpulli Yetlanezi" --------- Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 14:55:29 -0500 From: "Frank Blazquez" Subj: June Newsletter for our Kalpulli UUCP email Aho Gary, Just wanted to forward you a copy of our new newsletter. It's very informal for now, but it was urgently needed for us at this time. We are planting seeds of awareness for all people especially indigenous communities. Keep up the strong work and stay connected with the light of our ancestors.... In Peace and Dignity, Mitakuye Oyasin, Frank Blazquez mexicapride@earthlink.net Kalpulli Yetlanezi Tolteka "13" Newsletter-June 1998 Welcome to the first edition of this very informal newsletter. There is an urgent need to keep the spiritual connection within our indigenous communities and individual spirits flowing. It is vital that we continue to grow as individuals regardless of our social status or residence. To grow simply means to allow one's spirit to feel what our ancestors felt, pride. Not a shallow pride mind you, but a ancestral pride that flows through every cell in your body that screams out, "We Are Still here!" Over 500 years of resistance to the cultural and spiritual genocide and we are still here. Remember that this is not an anti-European movement, it is a Pro indigenous movement. It is pro Mexica, pro Lakota, pro Navajo, etc. It's quite alright that the Euro-Americans continue to educate their own but it's time that we begin to educate our own and care for our own. There is no need to assimilate but rather integrate. Remember that when the European founding "Fathers" stole this land and tamed it "America" there was no mention of including the 500 Indigenous Nations (and Africans) in their constitution. We were not suppose to be here after 500 years. Part of the concept of America is the complete destruction of all indigenous people and identities. But as you know many of our own people believe that the way to salvation is by becoming and then acting European. And that's OK, I pray for them because they only act out what they have been taught. If I begin to pay to much attention to the negative forces in our movement I will lose track of the positive ones. We can only change our own spirit, no one else. But we can certainly plant seeds to cultivate new awareness. My name is Frank Blazquez and as most of you are aware by now we are all involved, in some way or another, in the re-claiming of our indigenous identities, that is Mexicayotl (Mexica Red Road). Across this continent the indigenous ancestors are beginning to awaken in many of us. Whether we're Mexica, Lakota, Maya, Tsalagi, Apache, Taino or hundreds other First Nations, we are beginning to awaken from a long sleep of over 500 years. I am Mexica (not mestizo) as are many of you. What does this mean to be Mexica? I was recently told by a Mexica elder, that Mexica, in todays world means that we are citizens of the Cosmos (universe), of the planet and of course our Cemanahuac. Actually, Mexica is the original name for the countless groups of Nahuatl speaking people that migrated from the north into the central valley of Mexico around 1165 AD. To many historians we are Aztecs, because of our connection to Aztlan. Aztlan is considered our mythical homeland but as you become more familiar with our history you will see that Aztlan was but one chapter of our endless story. Become familiar with the Olmecas, Toltecas, Mayas, Chichimecas, Purepechas, Tarahumaras and you will see that we are much more than "Aztecs". But again if you call yourself Aztec or claim Aztec lineage you won't get any argument from me. The important part is to begin to identify with our true heritage, whether you call yourself Aztec or Mexica. Listen it is going to take a long time to recapture our true spiritual and cosmic connection and the last thing we need to do within our own indigenous communities is to argue about our own labels and names. That's a very linear, western concept. So today we begin the process of rebuilding our spiritual and cultural identities. And we do this at our own respective pace. Reading is a good start. We have supplied some of you with basic reading materials for the purpose of instigating questions and thoughts. It's alright if you question our Mexica movement, after all we have been educated in the European school system, nurtured by the European churches and religions, hire by the European businesses and of course imprisoned by the same European heads that run all of the previously mentioned institutions. To say that after 479 years of being spoon fed by the colonizers we are now ready to assume our true place would be very presumptuous on our part. We have become like the colonizers. We are killing each other in record numbers over drugs, colors and gang affiliations. This must make the dominant culture quite happy since there are many new empty prison cells to fill. Today a Mexica youth can eye ball another Mexica youth on the street and before you know it they're at each others throat. What has caused our own young people to hate each other, to hate who they are and to take this to a violent solution. Has the European done such a good job that we no longer know who we are. And even better yet for them do we now want to assimilate and become like the European. I know the answers to all of these rhetorical questions and it's a resounding NO! There are many reasons that have contributed to the situations in our own families, in our barrios, in our gangs, and in our own minds. But the underlying danger we face today is the destruction and criminalization of our Mexica and all Native and African youth. Whether it's in Chicago, New York, Denver or L.A. or on the reservations in South Dakota, Arizona or Oklahoma, our youth are bearing the brunt of all major social ills. Our youth are being imprisoned in record numbers but yet they tell us in the media that violent crime is down in all major categories. During the last year we have all witnessed the shootings and murders in "white" middle America schools. Shootings being committed by "white" youth against "white" youth. But yet in the media we see reports of Mexica and African youth being targeted after these shootings. What do our youths have to do with "White Middle America"? It's because our youths are being targeted and what that simply means is that our future as In people is being targeted. They call it Zero Tolerance, which simply translates to racism. Zero Tolerance provides the Euro-centric society with carte blanche in the hostile treatment of our youth. But until we wake up individually, one by one, we are doomed to witness the continued criminalization and imprisonment of our youth. Wake Up Mexica, Lakota, Maya, Purepecha!!!! The Bering Strait Theory goes something like this. Thousands and thousands of years ago, Asians figured that they needed to migrate northeast into the frozen tundra to seek a new life??? These ancient Asian people decided to leave their comfortable setting and homes, not to mention food, and begin the long trek north. Once they arrived there in the frozen north they figured they might as well continue and cross the frozen waters across the strait into this continent. Never mind that game and food was scarce and that they had to cross at least 4 major mountain ranges. This is what we are told to believe in The Bering Strait Theory. A theory is only an educated guess at best. This Bering Strait Theory has been allowed to become fact, rather than to remain fiction, which is what it truly is. There is no physical proof that people ever crossed the Bering Strait in great numbers simply to colonize over here. But yet this theory has become a factual part of the history classes in th centric school systems. This theory, if allowed to go un-checked, has but one purpose and that is to tell the world that all people migrated to this continent. That there were never any original inhabitants living here. The Europeans would like to believe this because then they can tell us "Natives" that our ancestors also migrated here, so this land didn't belong to us either. But the only problem is that ancient villages are being discovered in the southwest and in South America that date (using radio carbon) to a time that makes the Bering Strait theory a joke. The only reason that the Bering Strait theory has been allowed to become fact is that it is a "white" theory, cultivated by "white" scholars. Vine Deloria does a beautiful job in dispelling the Bering Strait theory in his book "Red Earth; White Lies". It is important to remember that we have always been here. Just listen to our own creation stories, which speak of giant sheets of ice and lands of "whiteness" to the north. The ice was to the north and if our oral histories speak of journeys north into the lands of "whiteness' and cold then that means we were already living and thriving here in Cemanahuac (Turtle Island). We were always here, don't believe the hype. We have been given our name Kalpulli Yetlanezi-Tolteka "13", by our maestro and elder Tlakaelel. Yetlanezi means aurora, dawning of a new light(age). Tolteka 13 already exists here in Chicago and the midwest, so we will be part of this original Kalpulli. The number 13 is a very sacred number in the Mexica cosmology. It represents the 13 levels of the upper worlds (heavens), where the last 2 levels our creator, Ometeotl dwells. The number 13 also plays a major part in the calendar system of our ancestors, the tonalamatl (sacred calendar). These will be topics that I will write about in the next few issues of this newsletter. I am in the process of having Kalpulli Yetlanezi-Tolteka 13 officially recognized ( in ancient Tenochtitlan there were over 20 Kalpullis in existence). Our Kalpulli will have a Tlamatinime (council of elders and artists) and we will focus on awakening as many of our people as possible. I want to invite all of you to join us, especially our students and incarcerated brothers and sisters. There are no dues, there are no meetings, and there are no expectations. Just believe in yourself and in your future. Don't aplogize for who you are and what you've done, just be true to your spirit and to your ancestors, that's good enough for now. I will close with an invocation, a prayer in our mother tongue, Nahuatl. In Tonan, In Tota, in Teteunan, in Teteuita Tlazocamati Tezcatlipoca, Tlaloc Quetzalcoatl, y Huitzilopochtli Ometeotl........ Mexica Not Hispanic, Not Latino If you would like to be added to our mailing list or know of someone that would like to receive this newsletter please write us and provide us with names and addresses. And if you would like to add to this publication you are welcome to do so, especially poetry and art. Our prayers and support go out to Rudy Rosales, Ramsey Muniz, Leonard Peltier, Ramiro Rodriguez, Omar Hernandez, Jose Vasquez, Tony Iron Shell, Mark Leon, Don Pedro, Carlos Ramirez, Larry (Jason Pond), Craig Hardy, and many others. We are aware of what the Euro-American penal system is doing to Leonard Peltier, let's continue to send him our prayers and our support. Also, Rudy Rosales is currently in need of strong prayers and fasting( if you know how). He is being denied his basic human rights by the prison officials in Lincoln. The Euro-centric prison system will stop at nothing to discredit our spiritual work, even fabricating lies about our movement. WAKE UP MEXICA!!!!! Form study circles, learn our traditions and ceremonies. In The Spirit of Our Ancestors, Cuauhtemoc, Tecumseh, Tashunka Witko (Crazy Horse), Goyathlay (Geronimo), Tupac Amaru, Tlakaelel................ Tlamatinime Frank Blazquez / Aurora Luis Rodriguez / Chicago Rudy Rosales / Lincoln, NE A bit of sad news for us is the passing of a Lakota elder, Grandpa Fool Bull up in Rosebud, South Dakota. He crossed over on June 7, 1998. We are currently doing good spiritual work with the Lakota people, specifically the Fool Bull family. Please remember them in your prayers and thoughts. Frank Blazquez email: mexicapride@earthlink.net --------- "RE: Book Review: Native Americans, Crime and Justice" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 00:17:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Aqiimuk@aol.com Subj: Native Americans, Crime and Justice Native Americans, Crime, and Justice Law and Politics Book Review ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vol. 7 No. 4 (April 1997) pp. 137-139. NATIVE AMERICANS, CRIME, AND JUSTICE by Marianne O. Nielsen and Robert A. Silverman (Editors). Boulder, Co.: Westview Press, l996. 321 pp. Reviewed by Jill Norgren, Department of Government, John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the University Graduate Center, The City University of New York The experience of Native American communities in North America, like that of other colonized peoples, included the imposition of external law as well as the apparatus of an outsider's criminal justice system. Despite the Marshall Court's 1832 decision in WORCESTER v. GEORGIA (31 U.S. 515) acknowledging Indian nations as "distinct, independent political communities," the United States government spent much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries pursuing efforts to undermine or destroy the indigenous legal and criminal justice institutions of Native American nations. Resilient Native American societies have, however, retained their cultures. In the Foreword to this volume, the Honorable Robert Yazzie, Chief Justice of the Navajo Nation, writes that Native Americans retain traditional law and government." (ix) NATIVE AMERICANS, CRIME, AND JUSTICE offers both an exploration of the sources of social disruption that lead to criminality in Native American populations and describes the ways in which, again in Justice Yazzie's words, the use of indigenous knowledge in community institutions under local control"(x) influence the criminal justice systems affecting Native Americans. This volume is a collection of previously published and new essays addressing issues of the criminal justice system as it is experienced by Native Americans living in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Canada. The editors have also published an edited volume, ABORIGINAL PEOPLES AND CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, l992. Their purpose is to make available academic and journalistic articles that will bring a sense of immediacy and relevance of the subject to students. The book succeeds and will be a much-used text in undergraduate courses. For the first time, students of Native American studies and criminal justice systems have access to readings on the full range of Native American experiences with respect to crime, police, courts, sentencing, corrections, and experiments in customary and assimilationist justice initiatives. Following the contemporary publishing pattern, the editors have selected short pieces. While this may cause some frustration, appropriate citations and a full bibliography guide readers interested in a particular topic to longer, more thorough scholarly works. Nielsen and Silverman are straightforward in telling the reader that the number of available articles concerned with Native American criminal justice remains small. They argue for more research. They observe, for example, that "while in Canada Native offenders and native criminal justice issues are a major focus for both scholars and administrators ... in the United States Native issues and offenders receive comparatively little attention because they are overshadowed by the large numbers of African American and Hispanic offenders in the system."(13) In the broadest sense, Native Americans, Crime, and Justice is organized around questions of Native American governments' capacity to create and maintain criminal justice institutions. The book contemplates Native American self-determination and sovereignty through its review of literature on the Native American experience with law, police, courts, and corrections. It is a measure of Nielsen and Silverman's success that the volume is not an ideologically driven harangue. Any instructor using this text, however, must acknowledge that the manner in which Native Americans experience indigenous and American criminal justice reflects a particular history and, critically, a special legal relationship to the United States. One of the volume's early essay aids in this task. James Dumont's article, "Justice and Native Peoples: Cultural Emergence of Two Distinct Justice Systems," lays out the starkly different cultural values that inform the meeting of Native Americans and Euro-Americans as they encounter each other in the criminal justice process. While most of the readings in this compendium are quite accessible, the early section, "Law," demands the reader's full attention. Here the jurisdictional maze of civil and criminal courts affecting Native Americans, as well as non-Indians living or operating a business within the jurisdiction of a Native American government, is outlined. The maze is daunting. The short excerpts only begin to describe these torturous routes. Readers should pay attention and avoid despair by having a federal Indian law casebook close at hand. The next section, "Crime," contains an important essay, "Patterns of Native American Crime," by Robert Silverman. The author demonstrates the significant methodological problems in measuring crime by race. Analyzing old and new data, Silverman concludes that "Native American criminality ... is nowhere near as high as it has been portrayed in the criminological literature and popular press."(72) Using l990 census data, he argues that arrest rates for Native Americans are similar to those for White Americans. Silverman writes that social scientists owe Native Americans an apology for "misportraying them as the most criminal population in the United States."(73) The essay commands our attention because Silverman's analysis of data, and conclusions, have significant social and political implications. Judging from the responses in this volume alone, it has generated debate and reevaluation of earlier research findings. The role of police as a "force of occupation" has been a central point of discussion for racial and ethnic groups in the United States (Brigham 1996). Nielsen and Silverman address the issue with three essays in a section on police. Douglas Skoog's article, "Taking Control: Native Self-Government and Native Policing," is the centerpiece. It provides a conceptual framework by which we may address the important question of "what form Native-controlled policing might take in the last decade of the century."(125) This volume offers a particularly rich selection of articles in its section on courts. Rupert Ross's superb cautionary essay on the role of cultural differences is wisely complemented by the writings of local experts and practitioners including Tom Tso, Chief Justice Emeritus, Navajo Nation. Four articles on sentencing focus on the important questions of different cultural understandings of punishment and differential sentencing by race and gender. Bachman, Alvarez, and Perkins analyze data from five states (Arizona, California, Minnesota, North Carolina, and North Dakota) in order to test previous findings that American Indians receive longer sentences than Whites in federal and state courts. The analysis of their data indicates that American Indians received longer sentences more often for offenses such as robbery and burglary, as well as for drug trafficking and public order offenses, while Whites received longer sentences for larceny. The results for homicide, sexual assault, and assault were more closely matched. These patterns, however, "showed much variation by crime and state." (206) Hutton, Pommersheim, and Feimer, concerned with sentencing discrimination by race and sex, examine the files of women incarcerated in the South Dakota Penitentiary between l980 and l988. The results of their analysis indicate that as a general proposition, judges in South Dakota "might discriminate on the basis of sex, and probably do not discriminate on the basis of race for female offenders."(219) These researchers caution that the examining differential sentencing patterns tells us little or nothing about differential rates of arrest or plea bargaining. The question of differential treatment of inmates by identity in the parole process is also explored. Among the articles in a section on corrections, that of Bynum and Paternoster examines the possibility that there is differential treatment of Native Americans in what they term backstage decisions that are "highly discretionary and not very visible."(237) Their analysis reveals the existence of "differential treatment of Native Americans in ... the decision to grant parole."(237) Their discussion of the impact of culturally different perceptions of Native American applicants by Whites nicely complements Rupert Ross's earlier entry. The theme of cultural difference is further explored in several essays which focus upon the need for culturally specific programs. Several authors argue on behalf of the right of access to Native American spirituality activities while in prison. Grobsmith, in an essay entitled "The Future for Native American Prisoners," discusses the need for prison drug/alcohol programs to be designed in culturally acceptable ways, to be staffed with qualified Native Americans, and to operate in consultation with Native American inmates. NATIVE AMERICANS, CRIME, AND THE LAW closes with a useful summary essay by Marianne Nielsen. Perhaps not surprisingly, in bringing their book to its conclusion, the editors also decided to reproduce a HARTFORD COURANT newspaper article on the development of a justice system by the newly rich (gambling profits from Foxwoods Casino) Mashantucket Pequot tribe. Gambling has, in its perverse way, offered colonized economies a fresh start at capitalization. The desirability of institutionalized gambling is much debated in Native American communities where many despair its advent. The COURANT article, however, is a celebration of Native American traditions and institution building. And after reading several of this volume's chapters describing the ongoing use and success of traditional Navaho dispute mechanisms, it comes as no surprise to learn that in the building of their legal system the Mashantucket Pequot will draw heavily upon that of the Navaho. References John Brigham. l996. The Other Countries of American Law." SOCIAL IDENTITIES 2 (2) : 237-254. --------- "RE: Religious Freedom for Native Prisoners" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 20:12:44 -0700 (PDT) From: NLupan@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Religious freedom for NAtive Prisoners Mailing List: NativeWeb In a message dated 6/10/98 3:34:45 PM, cornelia@inetworld.net wrote: <