From gars@netcom.com Wed Oct 28 00:26:50 1998
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 19:00:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Gary Night Owl <gars@netcom.com>
To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche <gars@netcom.com>
Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews06.044

   _       __  _____  __   _ __    ___    ____  _ __    ___
  ' )   / / ')  /    /  ) ' )  )  /   )    /   ' )  )  /   )
   / / / /  /  /    /--/   /  /  / ___    /     /  /  / ___
  (_(_/ (__/  (    /  (_  /  (_ (___/ '__/_    /  (_ (___/ '        O
     ____   _    ,  ___   _    , ___                            O   o   O
      /    ' )  /  /   ) ' )  / /   '                         O     o     O
     /      /-<   /       /--/ /--    VOLUME 06, ISSUE 044   O o o     o o O
  __/_     /   ) (___/   /  ( (___,     October 31, 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 Innu-L, TribalLaw, ISCO, Paths-L
    & Nat-Film Lists;   Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty;
                   Newsgroup: alt.native;   UUCP email

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 <Valentina>
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.

  "Look behind you.  See your sons and your daughters.  They are
   your future.  Look farther and see your sons' and daughters' children
   and their children's children even unto the seventh generation."
  "That's the way we were taught.  Think about it - you yourself are a
   seventh generation."
  __ Leon Shenandoah, Onondagan Elder

+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+
|   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
+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+
+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+
|               Journey                 | In the summer and early fall
|            The Bloodline              | of 1998 the Treaty Unity Riders
|                                       | rode a thousand miles on horse-
| For all that live and live by law     | back, carrying a staff and
| We Stand, we Call, We Ride            | praying each step of the way.
| For All that fear and fear by sight   |
| We Hear, we Listen, we Ride           | These prayers were offered for
| For all that pray and pray by strength| each of us, and that the Unity
| We Feel, we Move, we Ride             | of all Peoples might happen.
| For all that die and die by greed     |
| We Hurt, we Cry, we Ride              | Tatanka Cante forwarded this
| For all that birth and birth by right | poem on behalf of all the Unity
| We Smile, we Hold, we Ride            | Riders that we might stop and
| For all that need and need by heart   | ask if the next words we say, the
| We Came, we Went, we Rode.            | next act we make is for the good
|                                       | of the People or is it from ego
| Treaty Unity Riders                   | for self.
+- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+

O'siyo Brothers and Sisters!

  The cold winds already bring the cleansing bite of winter to many of our
relatives.

  Again, this winter this editorial section will feature groups or
individuals who are helping those in need, primarily on reservations and
especially those who aid children and elders.  Urban help will not be
excluded.  I have lived in the Cedar-Riverside area of Minneapolis and
been a guest in Lakota Housing in Rapid City and in Shiprock.  The need
to eat and be warm does not end because a person has left the rez.

  PLEASE forward contact information for all you know who help those less
able to do so make it through the harsh winter months.

  I am honored to share a give-away with you, and pray it will inspire
others to look beyond self.  No one is asking you to give beyond your means,
but I will tell you one can of soup, one sweater, one dollar will make a
difference in someone's life; and isn't that what keeping our circle in
and honorable way the very thing we have been taught?
--------------
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 09:15:40 -0500 (CDT)
From: JRP <jrp05@gnofn.org>
Subj: in response to article in Wotang...... (fwd)

It's good to see that our efforts to help the people are actually doing
some good!  I just received this response from a very generous and well-
connected person, who was able to see that at least one elder no longer
has to suffer this winter.  All he asks is that I include this URL in
future mailings.  Well, I can't do that too well from this barebones
freenet account but I'm passing this message along.
Dee
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 09:45:12 EDT
From: WARDANCER9@aol.com
Subj: in response to article in Wotang......

  She said that Jasper had been assigned a new apartment just built in
the town of Pine Ridge for physically handicapped people, also an answer to
our prayers.
  About a month ago you put an e-mail insert in Wotang... about Jasper
needing a trailer and that he was living in a car. Well,my heart was broken
so,I contacted friends who have a children/Elderly sponsoring program (I
sponsor 5 lovely children).They had a relative on Pine Ridge find Jasper and
make sure that he was no longer living in a car. He had been staying with
Norman Bear Shirt. The news of his own apartment was something that I wished
to share with you :).
  I would appreciate it if you could list the sponsoring program in any
of your future mailings. It is a wonderful program! Please visit their web
site at :
           http://www.beale3.bealenet.com/%7Esuneagle/
It is John and Sharen Sun Eagle's sponsoring program :).
Sincerely,
Wardancer9
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For additional information or to make donations contact:

For the Red Shirt Community:
 Marvin Helper
 P.O. Box 312
 Hermosa, SD 57744

For Porcupine, Oglala and Wounded Knee:
 Joe Chasing Horse
 % P.O. Box 8392
 Rapid City, S.D. 57709

For Truck loads & UPS Shipments:
 Joe Chasing Horse
 714 Paha Sapa Drive
 Rapid City, SD 57701

From: Lora Czarnowsky <LLC@jhu.edu>
 Adi Defender
 Project New Dawn
 PO Box 616
 McLaughlin, SD 57642
This is for the various communities on the Standing Rock Reservation.
  Another contact is actually two projects: One is Santa's Workshop and the
other is called Wakanheja Tipi. They are both run by Liam Paterson and his
wife.
 Liam Paterson
 1434 Creek Road
 Manheim, PA  17545
 717-665-2727

From: tusweca <tusweca@TWLakes.Net>
 Darlene Cross
 PO Box 52
 Kyle SD 577075

From: yona@infi.net
Toy drive going on for the Cheyenne River Reservation in Eagle Butte
If you would like to donate a toy or more information,
you may contact me by email: yona@infi.net
or phone me 757-425-7992..you may also drop off a toy if you are in the
vicinity of our store  Na-va'kee 618 Hilltop West.
biah yazzie

From: DORSEY.THOMAS_J+@ALBANY.VA.GOV
 Norma Grassrope
 Lower Brule Reservation
 Lower Brule, South Dakota 57028
 (605) 473-5594
She is the chair of a charitable group called the Womens Support Group.

From: Pioquark@aol.com
 Clay Watson
 Pioneer Industries
 1100 E. 24th St.
 Cheyenne, Wy. 82001
 (307)778-7860
 pioquark@aol.com
These donations will be gifted to the Rose Bud and Pine Ridge Reservations
in South Dakota and the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.
I'm on the road a lot, out back loading the truck etc. PLEASE
leave a message if there is no answer..

From: ALBERT SUN BUTLER <abutler@ncsu.edu>
 Ti Ospaye
 PO Box 200
 Wanblee SD 57577

Supporting the elders through personal contact:
 Adopt A Grandparent
 Mountain Light Center
 PO Box 241
 Taos NM 87571
 TEL: 505 776 8474
 FAX: 505 776 8050
 For information call 800 291-8474.
 email: agpmlc@aol.com

For the Cherokee, NC Rez and South FL (Now taking one load/week):
From: "lonewolf" <lonewolf@totcon.com>
 Lone Wolf                  -or-  Bob and Linda Crowe
 1060 N. Bee St.                  2800 West Highway 5
 Deland, Fl  32720                Bowden, GA 30108
                                  770-258-1536
>From BIGMTLIST
The Dineh could use some blankets to help with the cold winters.
 Bonnie Whitesinger
 Box 1073
 Hotevilla, AZ 86030
Since UPS doesn't deliver to PO boxes, you would have to use parcel post.
---------------------------------------------
From: leslie@neca.com

Pathways to Spirit in Fort Collins Colorado
Contact: Carmeen Klausner
Phone: 970 282  8573
email pathways@webaccess.net

This group is non profit and takes tractor trailer loads of clothes and
furniture to Pine Ridge several times each year.
---------------------------------------------
From: "g hindsman" <tasunke@dmv.com>
Subj: Help for Families on Rez

Morning Star Fellowship Circle, Inc.
All of the donations are sorted and packed for each family according to
size, sex etc.  This year we are in particular need of blankets, space
heaters, fans and linens (towels and sheets).  We have many toys and
clothing of all sizes but good winter coats are always useful.   We are
registered as a private non profit, so receipts can be given for
donations.  We can always use money donations.
We deliver in December, June and in August.  We also do mail deliveries
occasionally.  Over the years, we have made many friends at Pine Ridge,
Rosebud, the Crow Agency and others.  We try to help with special requests
when we can.  Morning Star has also been a home away from home for students
and elders who are temporarily on the East Coast.  Our headquarters are
located in Delaware but we have other circles in Virginia, New York, West
Virginia, Maryland and soon in Florida.
---------------------------------------------
From: Janet S <jans@future.atlcom.net>
MORNING STAR OUTREACH
c/o Cassada
320 N. 31st #13
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
  Charitable organization founded and directed by Dawn & Douglas Cassada.
MORNING STAR OUTREACH chooses to offer direct as well as mediation
assistance to the United States American Indian Reservations in the form of
clothing, bedding, food provisions, toys for the children, scholarship
funding and household provisions.
This also includes craft items, fabrics, beads, patterns, yarns and notions.
  MORNING STAR OUTREACH chooses, because of the census reports, to support
the reservations of the Native Lakota Sioux Nation within the United States,
South and North Dakota.
For information about Morning Star you can call or write our Outreach
Coordinator at:
  Morning Star Fellowship Circle, Inc.
  321 Beverly Place
  Wilmington, DE 19809     Phone: 302-764-1178
  EMail - candy crow@aol.com
---------------------------------------------
Date:  Wed, 17 Dec 1997 14:03:10 -0800
From: POP ACCOUNT <holidays@nightwalker.org>

  We would ask simply that you take a few minutes to visit our web site at
http://www.nightwalker.org/holidays and review the information provided
there. If you find it in yourself to help these children, there is a link on
the site there to our SSL Secure server for online donations, or you can
download and print out a form that can be mailed instead.  If you do not
have access to the World Wide Web, but would still like to help out, you can
send an email to donate@nightwalker.org, and a donation form will be
automatically sent back to you.
  Night Walker Enterprises is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) non profit
corporation, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by
IRS regulations and current US tax law.
---------------------------------------------
Those shipping large amounts of materials to reservations may have a great
opportunity to facilitate your shipping.  This arrived in this week's
email, and I have not had an opportunity to pursue it further.  I offer
it now, in hopes it will help some in the contact list.  A lot of
reservations are near military facilities.
  PLEASE let me know how things go if you do attempt to use this service:

Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 11:45:42 -0600
Subj: transportation of relief materials
Senders name removed by request.

FYI
For transportation of relief materials by non-profit agencies or groups.
  Telephone all of your local congressman's offices and request in
writing, their assistance in obtaining military transportation
assistance.  Then contact the nearest military base with an airfield,
Public Affairs Office (PAO) and also a written letter to the Base
Commander also requesting assistance.
  The military and in particular the USAF has many cargo aircraft (C-130
Hercules, KC-10, C-141, C-17 and C-5).  The State Air National Guard's
own C-130's and the US Marines owns a number of C-130 aircraft.
  Flying Aircrews require a number of training flight hours per quarter to
maintain their Flight Proficiency.  There is always some aircraft
heading in the correct direction.  The aircraft cannot deliver to the
door but can deliver to within a few hundred miles at the most.  Please
consider that some of these aircraft weigh 140 Tons or more and will
"sink" into concrete less than 18+ inches deep.  Therefore they cannot
land at just any airfield runway.
  The shipped materials must be shipped securely fastened on pallets (no
loose material, everything sealed in boxes, some restrictions on
flammables and no propellents (explosives)).  The PAO will provide the
necessary guidance.  The local Flight Engineers, Loadmasters and even
Boy Scouts will help with the inspection, boxing and palletizing.
  The USAF is always hauling materials (on a non-interference basis
naturally) for charitable purposes.  No one likes an empty cargo
aircraft.
---------------------------------------------
From: The Stones <jersstone@erols.com>
Another organization you might consider adding to your list is:
                        Lakota Link
           http://rtt.colorado.edu/~cameron/LakxotaKxoyag.html
                        Ellen Stone
The following snailmail addresses are included for help to communities
on the Cheyenne River Rez:
 Craig and Ruth Cameron
 LakxotaKxoyag
 P O Box 176
 Jamestown, CO  80455-0176

 Lakxota Kxoyag
 c/o Marvin and Veronica Holy
 Town of Bridger Representatives
 P.O. Box 172
 Howes, SD 57748

 Lakxota Kxoyag
 c/o Violet Catches
 HC 77 Box 500
 Howes, SD 57748

 Lakxota Kxoyag
 c/o Kathleen Eagle Chasing
 Town of Cherry Creek Representatives
 P.O. Box 101
 Cherry Creek, SD 57622

UPS ADDRESS:
 Lakxota Kxoyag
 c/o Kathleen Eagle Chasing
 Town of Cherry Creek Representatives
 House #245
 Cherry Creek, SD 57622.

 Lakxota Kxoyag
 c/o Elvira Chasing Hawk
 Town of Red Scaffold Representatives
 Box 481 Red Scaffold RD
 Red Scaffold, SD 57626
 or
 c/o Candace Hollow Horn
 Box 522 Red Scaffold RD
 Red Scaffold, SD 57626
---------------------------------------------
From: JRP <jrp05@gnofn.org>

The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization
402 West 145th Street * New York, NY 10031
212/926-5757 * 212/926-5842 (fax) * ifco@igc.apc.org (email) *
www.ifconews.org (web)
(earmark your gift for November caravan to Chiapas)
 
Bucketline to the Elders       this group provides food and supplies
First Security Bank            to the elders of the
205 N Main                     Big Mountain /Black Mesa area.
Layton, UT 84041
 
Redfeather Development Corp    This group repairs and winterizes
Box 52652                      housing for the
Bellevue, WA 98015-2652        elders of the Dakotas area.
 
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 ----------
- Help Needed in Rapid City         - Beware the Wolf Who Smiles
- Light A Fire For A                - Wild Rockies Alerts Digest
  Dine'h Grandmother                - Onondaga Smoke Shops
- Peltier Painting Raffle           - Makah Ask Sea Shepherd
- Crees and Trees                     to Haul Anchor
- Cree Negotiate with Quebec        - Chaco Canyon Crumbling
- Coeur d'Alene Control Lake        - Gustafsen War Criminal
- Big Mountain Elders                 Promises Programs
  Inspire Local Activists           - Update on the Minnesota Wolf
- Brief Flash on                    - Killer Cop Walks
  Situation in NE Arizona           - Mi'qmaqs Push Out police
- Mexico National                   - Native Prisoner
  Indigenous Congress               - A Hundred Years Ago
- Post Electoral                    - Poem: Prayer for the People
  Troop Movements in Chiapas        - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days
- Please Help Western Shoshone      - Conferences and Powwows

--------- "RE: Help Needed in Rapid City" ---------

From: AIMNJSG@webtv.net (AIMNJSG)
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 07:32:53 -0400 (EDT)
Subj: Fwd: HELP NEEDED IN RAPID CITY
------- FORWARD, Original message follows -------
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 21:17:23 -0400
From: Morning Star <mornstar@bellatlantic.net>
Subj: HELP NEEDED IN RAPID CITY

  UUCP email

To All Concerned -
  Racism and genocide is occurring in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Rick Grey
Buffalo Quinn and individuals of the Seventh Circle, in addition to the
projects he mentions on the website (page attached), are trying to deal
with racist abuse and hate crimes in Rapid City.  Reports are that
authorities there ignore repeated requests to assist, and look the other
way when these crimes are committed.   There has been this problem for
sometime now, but it is getting worse.  We have been informed that there
are beatings and attacks against Native people in Rapid City by Skin
Heads, and there have been deaths, suspicious in nature, that have not
been publicized nor acknowledged by the authorities there.   The
individuals of the Seventh Circle are in desperate need of any kind of
financial assistance, to help with gas to keep their security patrols up
in the communities, and to keep their main phone (Rick's phone) from
being disconnected.  We got the deadline for the 'cut off' extended
until the 30th of October.  They have also been advised to have magnet
mount door signs made for the vehicles patrolling so that they are known
to be community security and would not be stopped or questioned.  From
what I understand they need about $100. for the magnetic strips for the
door panels.
  The email and letter campaigns have been useful, but we fear that for
the most part, the issues continue to be ignored.  Right now they really
need physical and financial support.  They have also been requesting the
donation or loan of a Cam Corder to tape the beatings and attacks.  They
witness some of this, but when they approach the authorities, they are
brushed aside.  They feel that having solid evidence, and interviews
with witnesses, that these incidents will not be able to be ignored.
  You may pass this along, and I appreciate anything that individuals may
be able to do to help out.
In Struggle,
Kathy Morning Star
Seventh Circle Web Page:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/7293/index.html
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
                      The Seventh Circle

When you enter Rapid City for the first time you are struck with images
of industry, tourist attractions and gaming parlors. There are many new
buildings and lots of things to do, without having to see the tragedies
that occur beyond the glitz. Every winter people are dying of exposure
and because they are Indian and hidden their fate means little to the
general population. That must change. 

With the extreme poverty of the Reservations,people come to the cities
seeking a better life and are all too often left stranded. The cities
are overwhelmed by the numbers of destitute people and often
the shelters can not house everyone. People sleep in abandoned houses,
cars, boxes, under bridges and anywhere they can find some shelter from
the elements. Weather in the plains states can be brutal and even
deadly. But weather is not the only killer of the people, apathy can be
just as deadly, we need people to care enough to sacrifice what they can
to help. This is an effort taking place in Rapid City, please read this
page carefully and let your heart do the rest. 

All to often indigenous people are turned away from the homeless
shelters in Rapid City, South Dakota because they have been drinking.
During the bitter winter that is often a sentence of death.
Alcohol decreases the body's ability to fight hypothermia and as a
result they freeze to death. Until now their only option has been to
seek shelter under bridges or in abandoned houses. They may
survive another winter but the problem remains, they have little hope
for anything better in their lives. The Seventh Circle is a non-profit
organization, dedicated to providing the homeless of the Rapid
City, South Dakota area, with affordable housing , restoring dignity and
giving them a foundation rooted in traditional culture. Although it is
aimed at the Native American homeless the program will be open
to all that are homeless. There are a few preconditions: 1.They must be
willing to change destructive habits thru traditional methods and 
2. They must be homeless at the time of their application, and 
3. They must be willing to work within the community for everyone's
benefit. 

The plan would provide the indigent not only with physical shelter, but
with a caring community built around our Native traditional values,
culture and religion. We believe that such a living and learning
situation will be especially valuable for the most vulnerable of our
people-- children living in poverty. Without such a cultural background,
these children will have little chance to compete effectively in
mainstream culture, with it, they will have the confidence to learn and
master the skills that they will need to survive and prosper. The plan
hinges upon obtaining the surplus military housing at the West
Nike site near Ellsworth AFB, S. Dakota. Financial assistance is needed
to make this become a reality. 

In order to receive funding a non-profit organization needs to obtain a
501c3 number, a lawyer is necessary to handle this complicated task and
we have one willing to file for the 501c3 for $500.00.  We are
desperately trying to raise this money. If you can help in anyway,
please do so. 

And here is a statement from Rick Grey Buffalo Quinn, Founder of the
Seventh Circle: The Seventh Circle is seeking urgently needed help from
all generations and peoples.  And as founder of the Seventh Circle, I am
working with the homeless.  Not only working with the homeless, but
trying to replace things lost or stolen, by replacing homes to the
homeless. And so I thank you. 

We are but a small voice crying in the wind. And again, we ask all
mankind to help with our endeavors. Although I cannot come to you I pray
my voice will. From the heart of the Dakota Nation, the housing that I
will acquire will be called the "Leonard Peltier Housing Project", In the
spirit of Crazy Horse, it is a dream of Leonard Peltier to provide
housing for his people. Mitakuye Oyasin. Rick Grey Buffalo Quinn,
(605)355-0125, 321 Doolittle Street, Rapid City S. Dakota 57701 USA

For more information e-mail me at dhendren@mint.net or
mornstar@bellatlantic.net

--------- "RE: Light A Fire For A Dine'h Grandmother" ---------

Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 06:33:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon <isco@efn.org>
Subj: Light A Fire For A Dine'h Grandmother: Fall Caravan to Black Mesa

Mailing List:    Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon <isco@efn.org>

PSA     PRESS RELEASE   PSA     PRESS RELEASE   PSA     PRESS RELEASE

PO Box 11715                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eugene, OR 97440                                Run:October 20-November 30
isco@efn.org                                    
bigmnt@efn.org                                  Contact Fred or Beth
lpsg@efn.org                                    (541) 607-7064
                        ISCO Announces the
                "Light A Fire For A Dine'h Grandmother"
                Fall 1998 Caravan to Black Mesa Project
                Winter Supply Drive to the HPL in Arizona
  Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon (ISCO) announces weekly potlucks
and planning sessions Tuesdays at 5:00pm at the Native American Longhouse,
1606 Columbia St. off of Agate St. and local fundraising events.  Join
ISCO's Black Mesa Projects Committee with plans to bring wood and winter
supplies to traditional Dine'h (Navajo) families on ISCO's Fall Caravan to
Black Mesa, Arizona (aka "Big Mountain") this Thanksgiving.
  A Caravan of workers will bring wood and winter supplies to Dine'h
homesites on the HPL.  To many Dine'h Elders, wood is their only source
for heating and cooking in the high desert.  Their hogans sorely need
repairs that are banned under relocation.  Resisting Dine'h have had
their wood gathering permits revoked and wood cutting tools confiscated
from their homes.  Wood is critical for traditional Dine'h families'
survival through winter on the high desert of Black Mesa, Arizona.
  Local activists will collect wood cutting tools and gas funds donated by
the community for the Fall 1998 Caravan between now and Thanksgiving.
Look for fundraising and educational events to support the Caravan!

Checks can be made to ISCO and sent to:
                                ISCO
                                PO Box 11715
                                Eugene, OR 97440
For more info or to help call (541) 607-7064 or e-mail bigmnt@efn.org,
isco@efn.org or the above address.  Thank you!

--------- "RE: Peltier Painting Raffle" ---------

Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 11:43:05 EDT
From: LPCFound@aol.com
Subj: Peltier Painting Raffle

  UUCP email

THE LEONARD PELTIER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION PROUDLY PRESENTS

RIBBONS AND PLUMES
(Leonard is thrilled about the raffle)
NOTE: If this is a rapid success we plan to do a world raffle)

This is a Leonard Peltier original oil painting. Observe this gorgeous
painting at
http://members.aol.com/lpcfound/homepage.html (Then click on LPCF RAFFLE)
The LPCF is providing an exciting opportunity for Peltier supporters to own
this extraordinary work.
  The painting comes with a certificate of authenticity and a personal
depiction by Leonard Peltier that can be mounted with the painting.
  You may purchase as many raffle tickets as you like at $1.00 per ticket.
When we have reached a number of donations equivalent to $1,000.00, Leonard
Peltier will choose a raffle ticket number between 1 and 1,000 and the
winner will be notified by mail and/or telephone. Please sign and save
your raffle ticket upon receipt. After personal verifications a release
form must be signed by the winner. Your beautiful painting will then be
shipped to you UPS at the expense of the Foundation.
  The winner will be announced in a series of newspapers, including 'News
from Indian Country' and in alt.native newsgroup, with the consent to use
the winners name.  Regardless, the LPCF will post that a winner has been
selected.

Send $1.00 per ticket (Check or money order) to:
LPCF c/o Shannon Collins
P.O. Box 681 Rimrock, Arizona 86335
Good luck everybody!
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/lpcfound/raffle.html">LPCF RAFFLE</A>

--------- "RE: Crees and Trees" ---------

Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 08:09:10 -0300
From: Larry Innes <innuenv@web.net>
Subj: News: Crees and Trees

Mailing List:    Innu People Forum list <INNU-L@YORKU.CA>

Attention News Editors:
Crees and Quebec Talks but no Agreement Signed To Withdraw from Court
  NEMASKA, Oct. 8 /CNW/ - Yesterday it was incorrectly reported by Canadian
Press and on CBC Radio that the Crees of Northern Quebec and the
Government of the Province of Quebec had signed an Agreement whereby the
Crees would withdraw their court action on forestry and hold discussions
with the Province on the outstanding forestry issues.
  On October 6, the Grand Chief of the Crees of Eeyou Istchee received
from Minister Chevrette a letter outlining his commitment to restart
discussions on forestry issues that had been interrupted in June 1998
because of lack of progress.  The Minister said that the discussions
should take into consideration elements from a letter sent to the Minister
by Cree Negotiator, Chief Billy Diamond on September 2, 1998.
  Chief Diamond's letter outlined among other things the following
forestry items as the agenda for such an exchange:
  1. forest allotments for the Cree communities;
  2. implementation of a land-use plan to be developed with Cree
     involvement;
  3. a moratorium on new cutting areas;
  4. direct involvement of the trappers in discussions;
  5. Cree involvement in the scheduled (fall 98) review of forestry laws
     and regulations and this also to be the subject of direct
     negotiations;
  6. information on Quebec revenues from forestry to be provided as part
     of discussions on revenue sharing;
  7. role of the environment regime in respect to forestry to be discussed;
  8. discussions principles of respect for Cree fundamental rights, need
     for Cree involvement in economic development related to forestry,
     protection of the Cree traditional way of life, partnership in the
     sharing of forestry derived financial benefits.
  The Minister also expressed his agreement with the Grand Chief's
suggestion that negotiations are preferable to the courts to resolve
problems and that the court challenges need not be pursued vigorously if
there is progress in the forthcoming out-of-court negotiations.  The
process is to last until March 31st, 1999 at which time the parties will
evaluate the results. "We would like to resolve this out of court but we
need evidence of substantial political will from Quebec to change the
present forestry regime and attitude toward the respect for Cree rights,"
said Grand Chief Dr. CoonCome.
  The Cree chiefs will meet to discuss the letters exchanged in order to
take the necessary actions.  Grand Chief CoonCome confirms that:  "We are
ready to discuss these matters with Quebec to see if there is a way to
reconcile forestry development with the requirements of the Crees for
environmental protection, remediation of damages and protection of the
Cree way of life and the Cree right to benefit and dispose of the
resources of our traditional territory as we see fit.  For the present we
have decided not to proceed with the filing of our request to the courts
for an interlocutory injunction.  The procedural matters concerning the
larger question and the basic case will proceed."
  The Cree court action concerns the Cree aboriginal, treaty and
international rights to pursue their traditional way of life over the
whole extent of their traditional lands without interference from forestry
development.  The Cree claim concerns damages that have been experienced
by the Crees to date as a result of inappropriate and illegal forestry
activities.  It also concerns the application of environmental protection
to forestry development.  The Crees claim that the Quebec legal framework
for the conduct of forestry activities in the Territory is in breach of
the Cree rights in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and other
legal instruments.
  The relief asked for is a declaratory statement of Cree rights in the
area of forestry, and a declaration that Quebec has breached the James Bay
and Northern Quebec Agreement, the Forest Act, the Act Respecting Lands in
the Public Domain, and the Environmental Quality Act.  In addition it is
asked that Quebec legislation concerning the CAAFs (Contrats d'Amenagement
et d'Approvisionnement Forestier - Forest Allotment Contracts) be declared
unconstitutional in Eeyou Istchee.
  In addition it is asked that orders be granted against certain forestry
companies from continuing their cutting on Eeyou Istchee.
  The Plaintiffs include the Chiefs of the nine Cree communities, the
Grand Chief, the Deputy Grand Chief, the Cree Trappers Association and its
president, Mr. Edward Gilpin and 280 hunters and trappers from the Cree
territory, Eeyou Istchee.
  "In the future we would prefer it if the media would call us to get our
side of the story", stated Bill Namagoose Executive Director of the Grand
Council/Cree Regional Authority.
For further information: Bill Namagoose, (613) 725-7024 or
 (514) 397-1433; Grand Chief CoonCome, (418) 923-3253; Brian Craik,
 (613) 761-1655 or 724-1097
GRAND COUNCIL OF THE CREES (EEYOU ASTCHEE) has 4 releases in this database.
Larry Innes                              Visit the Innu Nation WWW site:
Environmental Advisor                            http://www.innu.ca
Innu Nation
P.O. Box 119, Sheshatshiu, Labrador, Canada A0P 1M0
phone: (709) 497-8398     email: innuenv@web.net     fax: (709) 497-8396
        ------>   PGP Public Key available on ldap://certserver.pgp.com

--------- "RE: Cree Negotiate with Quebec" ---------

Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 14:48:07 -0800
From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.)
Subj: Quebec Cree negotiate with Quebec over Forestry

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
CREE HOPE TALKS WILL REMOVE NEED FOR COURT ACTION
Canadian Press, October 9, 1998
 [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.]
  NEMASKA, Que. (CP) - Quebec Cree said Thursday they are ready to resume
talks with the Quebec government in the hopes of reaching an out-of-court
agreement on forestry development.
  In a show of good faith, they have decided not to proceed with a request
for a temporary injunction halting logging in their territory. But they
have not dropped a larger court action that concerns Cree aboriginal rights
and damage claims for illegal forestry activities, their leaders said
Thursday.
  An earlier report said the Cree had shelved their $700-million lawsuit,
launched in July. The suit argues there has been a breach of the 1975 James
Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
  "We would like to resolve this out of court but we need evidence of
substantial political will from Quebec to change the present forestry
regime and attitude toward the respect for Cree rights," Grand Chief
Matthew CoonCome said in a statement Thursday.
  Cree chiefs will meet to discuss a proposed agenda for the discussions
that was presented earlier this week by Guy Chevrette, Quebec's natural
resources minister.
  Chevrette agrees to negotiate on Cree issues such as forest allotments for
their communities, a joint land-use plan, a moratorium on new cutting areas
and a review of Quebec's forestry laws and regulations, the statement said.
  Chevrette also agrees with CoonCome "that negotiations are preferable to
the courts to resolve problems and that the court challenges need not be
pursued vigorously if there is progress in the forthcoming out-of-court
negotiations."
  The proposed talks would last until March 31, 1999 at which time the
parties would evaluate the results.
  "We are ready to discuss these matters with Quebec to see if there is a
way to reconcile forestry development with the requirements of the Crees
for environmental protection, remediation of damages and protection of the
Cree way of life and the Cree right to benefit and dispose of the resources
of our traditional territory as we see fit," CoonCome said.
  "For the present we have decided not to proceed with the filing of our
request to the courts for an interlocutory injunction. The procedural
matters concerning the larger question and the basic case will proceed."
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed
a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
    S.I.S.I.S.   Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
        P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
        EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org
        WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html
 
--------- "RE: Coeur d'Alene Control Lake" ---------

Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 17:35:33 -0700
From: Tom Schlosser <tschloss@Counsel.COM>
Subj: Coeur d'Alene control of its lake

Mailing List:    TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu)

Judge backs tribe's claim to Lake CdA Rejects state's effort to bar
native control over the lower third
Ken Olsen - The Spokesman-Review

Coeur d'Alene _ Step aside for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
  A federal judge Thursday rejected Idaho's attempt to stop the Coeur
d'Alene Tribe from controlling the lower third of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The
state had asked for the injunction while it appeals a recent legal
decision granting title of that water to the tribe.
  U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge's ruling gives the tribe clear right to
control the southern third of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the lower 20 miles of
the St. Joe River during the two years it is expected to take for the 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule. That means in the interim, the
tribe clearly will be issuing dock permits and making many other
management decisions.
  The decision came on the eve of today's tribal holiday -- Water Potato
Day -- celebrating one of the most important traditional foods the Coeur
d'Alenes took from the lake. Water potatoes even became evidence during
last year's trial and were cited by Lodge in his July decision in favor of
the tribe.
  Neither side could be reached for comment.
  When it asked for an injunction in September, the state said it feared
problems with the 300 dock permits and leases for float homes and marinas
if the Coeur d'Alenes took control. Simultaneously it offered to allow the
tribe allow the tribe to veto any new permits and leases while the appeal
works its way through the courts.
  No need, Lodge ruled. There's no evidence anyone will be harmed by
tribal ownership. Nothing points toward the tribe making changes in
existing leases or permits, Lodge wrote.
  "Speculative injury does not constitute irreparable injury," he added.
  Lodge also dismissed the state's argument that returning the area to the
tribe conflicted with earlier rulings by the appeals court.
  "There is compelling evidence to demonstrate the federal government's
intent to reserve the disputed submerged lands" (for the tribe), Lodge
wrote. He was referring to an 1873 executive order issued by President
Ulysses S. Grant granting the lake to the tribe.
  In addition, it's clear Congress was aware that Grant wanted the tribe
to have the lake when it later ratified the treaty, Lodge said.
Ken Olsen can be reached at (208) 765-7130
or by e-mail at keno@spokesman.com

--------- "RE: Big Mountain Elders Inspire Local Activists" ---------

Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 06:28:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon <isco@efn.org>
Subj: ISCO: A New Group Looks Ahead

Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon Looks Ahead
Big Mountain Elders Inspire Local Activists
by Beth Newberry
  Dine'h (Navajo) Elders bravely faced a deadline March 31, 1997 to give up
their rights and sign leases or relocation contracts.  Many Dine'h from
the Black Mesa area refused to sign either.  A new group, Indigenous
Support Coalition of Oregon formed a year later, inspired by these Elders.
The first thing we did was protest the anniversary of the so-called
"deadline" with banners and petitions at the University of Oregon.  The
Dine'h resisters are still threatened with forced removal by February 2000.
  Most of the activists of Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon stayed at
Dine'h homes to help with chores as witnesses of the 1997 "deadline". Now,
ISCO seeks to be proactive with our vision for the future. While other
groups reacted by mobilizing for another government-imposed ultimatum only
to burn-out, ISCO looks beyond to visualize our common survival so we can
manifest and look forward to our successes.
  With the hoopla about the millennium and concern for our future, popular
culture suspects our own "deadline" is nearing while the entertainment
industry exploits our growing fear. Rather than feeding the frenzy, ISCO
faces our challenges with optimism. Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon
is broadening our commitment to other First Nations environmental 
struggles including local issues as well as the Dine'h resistance at Black
Mesa, Arizona. ISCO is also expanding into a state-wide non-profit group.
  A fall caravan bringing Dine'h families food and winter supplies will
leave Oregon around Thanksgiving. ISCO is bringing wood and wood cutting
tools and winter supplies to Dine'h families. Winter is often harsh in
the high-altitude desert where families are forbidden to repair their
one-room dirt floor hogans. Work crews bringing wood for the Elders'
stoves help with their cooking and heating as snow piles outside around
Peabody Coal's strip mine and slurry line nearby.  
  ISCO is planning future projects with Black Mesa Permaculture Project and
Traditional Support Caravan of Colorado, who are creating vital gardens
with Dine'h residents and restoring water delivery systems destroyed by
coal strip mining. Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon sees our primary
role as easing their hardship and affirming Dine'h survival by supporting
their self-sufficiency while they find their own political solutions.
  Under ISCO's umbrella the Leonard Peltier Support Group of Eugene rallies
for the release of this American Indian political prisoner and Senate
hearings on his case, AIM and the FBI at Pine Ridge, South Dakota in the
1970's. Letter writing campaigns also demand outside medical care for 
Peltier, who is in pain and at risk of treatment in the prison system.
  Indigenous Support Coalition of Oregon is looking for office space and
can be contacted at PO Box 11715, Eugene, OR 97440 or isco@efn.org,
lpsg@efn.org or bigmnt@efn.org or by calling (541) 607-7064.

--------- "RE: Brief Flash on Situation in NE Arizona" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 20:57:34 -0700
From: Robert Dorman <redorman@theofficenet.com>
Subj: Brief Flash on Situation in NE Arizona

Mailing List:    Big Mountain List <bigmtlist@hotmail.com>

This from Danny Zapata
From: Condor952@aol.com
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 19:54:25 EDT
To: redorman@theofficenet.com
Subject: Subj: Situation: NE Big Mtn. Send out ASAP!!
X-Mailer: AOL 3.0 16-bit for Windows sub 38

                        Brief Flash on Situation in NE Arizona:
Greetings Everyone,
    My visit to the Northwestern region of HPL in the Red Willow
Springs and Cactus Valley area revealed still much hardship and fear
among the residents. The BIA has continued to conduct adjudication of the
Accommodation Agreement (policies allowing resistors to remain) guidelines
by pushing to have AA signers give-up the excess animals to be shipped off
the reservation. This was very disturbing to one family that I happened to
visit and the BIA personnel were just on the scene that early morning of
Oct. 16th. 
    This traditional family's peaceful breakfast was disturbed by the
several BIA/Hopi Range Technician vehicles that drove up around 7:30 AM.
These government personnel spoke only in English and were some how able to
get their message across that they were there to take their animals some
250 miles from this family's home. The elder mother confronted them and
said, Why can't they bring someone who spoke Dineh? Something she had
requested before. The mother tried to tell them, "It is difficult today
because of the snowy weather and cattle are hard to spot in such weather."
She continued to insist that she had written a two page letter to The Hopi
Lands Operation Office and had stated that she will not allow any of her
animals taken so suddenly. The BIA personnel said they brought
stock-trailers and they are ready to haul that day. The mother, Mayze
Katenay Begay, try to tell her family not to take action upon the BIA
request, but her husband, son, and daughter went ahead and saddle up their
horses and left into the windy, cold and snowy canyon lands. 
   Later, the BIA returned and said because of the weather they will
returned Thursday, Oct. 22nd and for her to make sure the cattle are ready
to be hauled off. They left a 20 foot stock trailer in front of the sheep
corral and left. She was so angered and disturbed so, she ask me to
scribble a message on the trailer so I did. I asked the BIA not to take it
upon the family and that I personally wrote on the trailer. I will be
leaving this afternoon to check on what was the outcome.
   There is plenty more happening and I hope to write something more
informative upon my return. Also, I asked if any supporters who are in
touch with other representative from Big Mtn. or other areas of HPL to
inquire to them to go out there and beginning informing you about other
government activities. Personally, I feel that the more input we can get
from other Dineh Coordinators, (native of HPL) there can be a lot more
flow of updated statuses. What supporters should try to take note of about
information that comes from your Dineh contacts on the land is that whats
most important to hear about are the BIA activities, and recent BIA Tribal
Council official activities. We all should begin to understand that these
traditional elders' resistance could become more intense and will require
more monitoring by American and World communities.
   Myself, I'm overwhelmed with my studies here at Northern Ariz.
Univ. and trying my best to keep the concerned folks aware about the
continued harassments and the intimidations perpetrated by the BIA and
their On-the-Land Agents. Next time I like to put together more
information and try to relay some words from some of the resistors,and as
well as my views of the situation.
  Thank You for your continued and vital support, and the Prayers
that is said for the traditional elders who are trying to Save Humanity.
To All My Relations, Bahe
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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: Mexico National Indigenous Congress" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 12:47:27 -0700
From: Nancy Thomas <nlthomas@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net>
Subj: Mexico:National Indigenous Congress Second session

Mailing List:    Paths-L <paths-l@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net>

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN SPANISH IN MEXICO
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH BY irlandesa 
FOR NUEVO AMANECER PRESS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Following is the final document of the second 
National Indigenous Congress,
held from October 9 to 12, 1998, in Mexico.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MESICO: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CONGRESS
Second session
  The indigenous peoples, communities and organizations of the country,
uniting our voices, minds and hearts as one, as our parents and
grandparents taught us, whom we honor today, as always, and joined once
more in this our house which is the Second National Indigenous Congress,
raise our word in order to solemnly proclaim this:
SECOND DECLARATION
NEVER AGAIN A MEXICO WITHOUT US
FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE REBUILDING OF OUR PEOPLES

CONSIDERING:
FIRST - That our true peoples have for centuries been excluded,
suppressed and dominated by those who have taken over the Patria, 
and in response to the impossibility of exterminating us, because of the
vitality of our cultures, the owners of the false power have tried to
destroy us through deceptions, manipulations and attempts at co-optation;
they try to divide us at all costs;  they are determined to make us
believe that we are of the past;  they intend to condemn us to the
forgetting, the silence, the weariness or the slow agony of cultural
disintegration, and they anxiously await the moment they may convert us
into architectural ruins or old pieces in a museum, or better, cynically
consume our decomposing remains.
SECOND - That, despite the attempts they have made to destroy us, and
despite the disaster to which some have wanted to drag our Nation, our
cultures, expressions, regulatory systems and forms of life, organization
and display have survived and remain alive, creative and full of energy,
but the effects of that neoliberal project, which sinks its sharpened
teeth into our flesh and injects its fatal globalizing and exclusionary
venom, must be ever more urgently overcome.
THIRD - That the official policy, faithful successor to the old colonial
policies of extermination, tries to divide us more, to take us to a war
between brothers, and to stop the historic march of our peoples;  it
refuses to carry out its word given in the signing of the San Andres
Accords;  it refuses to recognize our existence, our differentness and
our collective rights;  it refuses to assume we are peoples with history,
with roots and with heart.

WE DECLARE:
FIRST - That we assume, with full consciousness, responsibility and deep
determination, the historic task which is ours to foster, with all our means,
the COMPREHENSIVE REBUILDING OF OUR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES; 
social, economic, political, cultural and spiritual rebuilding of our peoples
and cultures. For this, we must open spaces which make and strengthen
us as people and which fill us with life:
  At the community and regional level:  because there we were born and
we were formed in the principles of life which our elders bequeathed us;
we make ourselves community;  we make ourselves respect;  we make
ourselves source and spring of our peoples. It will be these spaces
where we will have to build, day by day, the autonomy for which we all
yearn.
  At the state and national level:  Because there we are creative word, we
are project, we are an immense net which allows us to relate with each
other and interact, we are the tributaries of the great river of hope of
our peoples and of the entire Patria;  this Patria which will never end as
long as we are alive. This is the space where we join together, where we
are one, where we are Congress.
  On the international level:  because the creative dignity, the purposeful
construction, the opening to others and to all, the also different, are the
true frontier between the future and the forgetting. This is the space
where we are hope and project of a new humanity, because the struggle of
our peoples is not against one particular government, but rather against
a globalizing system which is trying to eliminate us from the planet. 
This struggle with and for the new humanity makes us brothers between
peoples.
SECOND - That by affirming our identity, we affirm that of everyone;
that of those who, with great hearts and sure steps, wish to build a
large house where all of us who are all fit.  We affirm our existence,
standing and moving, and we confirm we will not renounce our central
struggle for autonomy, for exercising our right to the free self-determination
of our peoples.
  We will not let die - either today or ever - the new fire which has
ignited our peoples since antiquity;  since the sun was born from the
night and was put on high in order to illuminate the paths of our
peoples.
THIRD - We ratify that the San Andres Accords are our word, and we
will not desist from it.  We ratify that the initiative of constitutional
reform, proposed by the Cocopa, captures the most essential of San
Andres, and that the constitutional recognition of our full collective
rights will not cease to be the central focus of our struggles and
concerns, beyond the political or electoral times.  Our full collective
indigenous rights and their recognition are the horizon towards which we
must guide the steps of our struggles during the next period;  the next
stage of our history to travel; the stretch which follows on this long
path, which we are not beginning, because we are only walking the paths
of those who came first, those who saw us born, those who placed our feet
on the land. For this, we responsibly and actively assume our task of
preparing, fostering and carrying out, along with other sectors of
society, the National Consultation called by the EZLN, for the Recognition
of the Rights of the Indian Peoples and an End to the War of Extermination,
because it is our rights and our peoples which are at stake.
  For all the previous, we make the following Call:
  To our indigenous peoples, communities and organizations in the entire
country, of all the valleys, plains, places, cities and mountains, to
put in their minds and hearts, this our word which we proclaim today, and
to assume with commitment and with one single heart the tasks and labors
of rebuilding, which belong to us all.
  To all the brothers of civil society, to widen your hearts more and to
walk with us, actively and creatively, in these noble and important
works which will open the path to the true rebuilding of this our Patria,
full of hope, which is for all.
Proclaimed from the Zocalo of Mexico City, Tenochtitlan
October 12, 1998.
NEVER AGAIN A MEXICO WITHOUT US!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For more information, please contact:
Ce-Acatl, A.C.
Ingenio de Zacatepec 134.  
Col. Rinconada Coapa, Mexico 14330 D.F.
Telephone and Fax:  (5) 594-7516
E-mail:  ceacatl@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)
Correspondent and Advisor: Guillermo Michel (Mexico)
Correspondents and translation: irlandesa (USA) and
Maria Elena Hope (Mexico)
Board of Directors: Mexico
 *When reproducing NAP's translations; please give credit*
e-mails: amanecer@aa.net and amanecer@cuhm.mx

--------- "RE: Post Electoral Troop Movements in Chiapas" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 12:47:43 -0700
From: Nancy Thomas <nlthomas@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net>
Subj: Post Electoral Troop Movements in Chiapas

Mailing List:    Paths-L <paths-l@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net>

La Jornada
October 17, 1998

TROOPS AND ARTILLERY TOWARDS
LOS ALTOS AND THE LACANDONA
(Translated by: NUEVO AMANECER PRESS)
Hermann Bellinghausen, correspondent
Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
October 16, 1998
  Without any official confirmation on the subject, various observers in
the zone - including this correspondent - have been able to observe an
irrefutable fact:  intensive combat troop and artillery movements are
being made towards the conflict zone.
  Continuous convoys are leaving this city towards Los Altos region,
where dozens of Hummers and 5-ton trucks are carrying hundreds of troops.
Later, these convoys are returning empty, every day.
  Between yesterday and today alone, this correspondent saw one thousand
federal Army troops going towards San Cristobal de Las Casas, and at least
ten long-range bazookas, similar to those used in the attacks on Chavajeval
and Union Progreso, some months ago.
  The vehicular military traffic is clogging the PanAmerican Highway,
especially along the Tuxtla Gutierrez-Rancho Nuevo portion.
  At the same time, in the most conflictive spots in Los Altos and the
Selva Lacandona, deployments and reinforcements of troops and artillery are
continuous.  San Quintin, Taniperla, La Garrucha, Guadalupe Tepeyac,
Altamirano and Ocosingo, as well as San Andres, Chenalho and Pantelho, 
are the scenes of this mobilization.
  Meanwhile, helicopter and plane flights are continuing over the zapatista
communities and the five Aguascalientes.

ALARMING SIGNS
  Beneath the apparent calm on the horizon following the elections, a new
level of institutional violence is being incubated.  At least, that is the
indication of certain signals and symptoms.  In addition, of course, to the
strengthening of the military encirclement of the rebel communities.
  The election results, openly celebrated by the interim and substitute
Governor, Roberto Albores Guillen, as a personal triumph, have tipped the
chiapaneco municipal geography towards a scheme which favors the PRI
paramilitary groups, particularly the MIRA.
  As is well-known, that group - supported by PRI and official ARIC leaders -
has one of its epicenters in the canada of Taniperla, but it extends to
other parts of Ocosingo, Oxchuc, Altamirano and the areas surrounding
Chilon.
  It was just these four municipalities, currently governed by the PRD
opposition, which were returned to the hands of the PRI.
  With voting in the state not reaching 30% of those eligible, the PRI
regained Sitala, and once more won all the constitutional municipalities 
of the tzotzil region, where abstention ranged from 65% to 80%, and
where numerous EZLN support bases exist.
  Nonetheless, the PRI did not recover the mayoralty of Tuxtla Gutierrez,
where the PRI candidate was a friend of Albores, and who received the
widest journalistic and institutional support which has been seen in years.
The tricolor also lost the municipalities adjacent to the capital, all
PAN:  Alcala, Berriozabal and Suchiapa.
  This did not keep the government from installing a large portrait of
Governor Albores on the outskirts of Chiapa de Corzo, where he may be
seen smiling broadly, almost emphatically.  Next to him are noted some
statistics of the achievements of his administration, of less than one
year.  Few governors have given such emphasis to their personal presence
as the state executive.  He is also the first in years to state that he
is "winning."
  Simultaneously, according to statements by indigenous and human rights
observers, tension within the communities, and the activities of armed and
trained groups affiliated with the PRI, are increasing.
  In Taniperla the situation is exceptionally serious.  Threats against
zapatista and PRD families are constant.  Many are living in hiding in
the mountains in order to save their lives.  Harassment of campesinos 
by Public Security is continuous.
  Two observers commented separately today that Taniperla is experiencing
an atmosphere of provocation "very similar" to that which was going on in
Chenalho last year, during the paramilitary offensive which caused
10,000 people to flee from their communities, and which culminated in
the Acteal massacre.  The municipalities in the northern zones were also
won by the PRI:  Huitiupan, Simojovel, Tila, Sabanilla and Salto de Agua,
places where Development, Peace and Justice operates, another paramilitary
organization.
  The Albores' jubilation has to do, perhaps, with this territorial
strengthening of the counterinsurgency.  All the municipalities
encompassed by the massive federal Army occupation were won
by the PRI. The paramilitaries are the government.  It will not be the
first time someone in Chiapas decides they feel like it is the moment 
to act "in the name of the state of law."
  On the other hand, perhaps in anticipation of future and unsettling
international observers in the region, an absolute control over the
entry of foreigners has been established in the chiapaneco capital, 
at the airport and at the bus stations.  Now, in all the arrival and
departure terminals, National Migration Institute agents are found,
carrying lists of all foreigners arriving and departing from Tuxtla
Gutierrez.
___________________________________________________
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)
Correspondent and Advisor: Guillermo Michel (Mexico)
Correspondents and translation: irlandesa (USA) and
Maria Elena Hope (Mexico) Board of Directors: Mexico
 *When reproducing NAP's translations; please give credit*
e-mails: amanecer@aa.net and amanecer@cuhm.mx

--------- "RE: Please Help Western Shoshone" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 18:17:15 -0700
From: "Save Ward Valley" <swv1@ctaz.com>
Subj: Please help Western Shoshone!!

  UUCP email

Attached is another example of the US Government continuing their legacy
of genocide.  Please do what you can to help stop this!!
For Environmental Justice,
Molly
Save Ward Valley
107 F Street
Needles, CA  92363
ph. 760/326-6267
fax 760/326-6268
www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html
http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley
www.ctaz.com/~swv1
http://banwaste.envirolink.org
www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html
www.greenaction.org

Date: Fri., 9 Oct 1998 18:38:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: IAN D ZABARTE <<zabarte@nevada.edu>
Subj: European Parliament vs. United States re: W. Shoshone (fwd)
  The Western Shoshone people of the Great Basin need your help. The
Shoshone tradition of freedom is being destroyed by the US through the
creation of a legal fiction perpetrated by the US, and carried out by its
agencies and agents. Your help to draw attention and awareness to this
American crisis is necessary. Send Letters supporting the Western Shoshone
National Council's request to engage in formal diplomatic relations to:
Secretary of State
Madeleine K. Albright
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520

Assistant Secretary of State
John Shattuck
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
2201 C Street, N. W. 
Washington, D.C. 20520

Your help in ending US aggression is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ian D. Zabarte 
P.O. Box 210 
Indian Springs, NV 
NEWE SOGOBIA 89018
///            ///
\////         ////
 \////      /////
  \////   /////
    \\/---///
     /,)___\\\
    (/  //   \\\
    <<---((--<<<<<<   

"In peace and friendship."
Subj:        European Parliament vs. US re: W. Shoshone
This letter is regarding the long-standing conflict between the Western
Shoshone Nation and the U.S. sent to U.S. Secretary of the Interior, B.
Babbitt, some months ago. 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Depute au Parlement Europeen
Brussels, 24.2.1998

Secretary of the Interior
The Honorable Mr. Bruce Babbitt
U.S. Department of Interior 
18th and C St, NW
Washington D.C. 20240
USA
Fax: 1-202-208-7251

Dear Mr. Babbitt,
  We are writing to you in order to share our concerns regarding the
struggle of the Western Shoshone Nation for justice within your country.
According to information we received, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
has again accused Western Shoshone ranchers of being in trespass by having
grazed livestock on public lands without authorization. Consequently, the
BLM has once again announced that it will confiscate Western Shoshone
livestock, and has demanded payment of grazing fees of about one million $
US in total. The Shoshone settlements in question are Southfolk, Wells,
Odgers Ranch and the Dann Ranch. As you are probably aware, the case of
Carrie and Mary Dann -both alternative Nobel Prize winners- and the
situation of the whole Western Shoshone Nation received considerable
public attention in Europe during the years 1992 and 1993. Members of the
European Parliament working on human rights issues dealt as well with this
case during that time. The topic was raised several times in meetings
between US Parliamentarians and Members of the Europe Parliament within
the framework of the Delegation for the Relations with the United States.
Furthermore, Members of the European Parliament had first hand experience
in the case through our former colleague Dr. Dieter Rogalla, then vice-
president of the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. Dr.
Rogalla visited the Western Shoshone Nation in 1993 in order to personally
study the situation regarding human rights and legal implications,
publishing his findings in a widespread report. In his report, he
addresses legal inconsistencies in regard to U.S. court decision which
concluded that the Western Shoshone people had lost their land rights
(legal fiction) and resulting in the official assumption of United States
agencies that Shoshone cattle is partly grazing on public lands which
would oblige the Shoshone ranchers to pay grazing fees to the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM).
  On the basis of our analysis the legal aspects of the Western Shoshone
case are as follows: The territory of the Western Shoshone Nation was
officially defined in the Treaty of Ruby Valley, which was concluded with
the US government in 1863. According of the treaty, the territory includes
2/3 of the State of Nevada and portions of California, Idaho and Utah.
This treaty is not a treaty of cession but of peace and friendship,
granting from a reservoir of right to the United States safe passage
through Shoshone Territory, allowing the establishment of mining and
agricultural settlements, railway construction and the safe operation of
mail and telegraph services within Western Shoshone Territory. The Western
Shoshone Nation furthermore agreed to eventually abandon their life as
hunters and gatherers in order to become farmers and herdsmen on their
lands. The treaty also refers to the possible creation of reservations,
which was clearly neglected by the United States, but nowhere does it
mention the cession and surrender of Shoshone land rights or an agreement
that the Western Shoshone cannot make use of their lands anymore outside
reservations or in any other part of their defined territory. Western
Shoshone Territory today consists of reservations, communities without
reservation status and ranches scattered over their vast territory. 
Therefore, the Western Shoshone Nation as a whole is not represented by
Tribal Councils which can only speak for their specific reservations. 
Tribal Councils have been established by domestic US-law, the Indian
Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, to replace the tradition leadership of
Indian nations. However, with regard to the special situation of the
Western Shoshone, the Western Shoshone National Council forms their unique
representative body, where delegates of all communities, reservations and
organizations can participate in the decision-making process.1) In spite
of the unchallenged validity of the Treaty of Ruby Valley, various U.S.
domestic legislative acts unilaterally claimed that today almost 90% of
Western Shoshone lands and resources gradually came under the control of
the U.S, Department of Interior and its branches, such as the BLM, or the
Department of Energy (the Nevada Test Site was established in 1951 on
Western Shoshone Territory). However, these acts still did not cede
property, sovereignty or treaty rights to the United States. This legally
inconsistent situation not only occurred among the Western Shoshone but
also among other Indian Nations within US borders. Thus, in 1946 the
Indian Claims Act was ratified to resolve Indian claims to lands taken by
the USA. The Indian Claims Commission (ICC) was founded to handle these
claims by compensation only and thus finally legalizing the loss of land
and treaty rights. In this context it has to be noted that due to their
status as wards, Indian Nations had no free choice of legal representation.
Instead, contracts with lawyers were arranged and controlled by the Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) until 1968. In this manner, the BIA in 1947
arranged a contract between a Washington law firm and only one of die
Western Shoshone bands, namely the Temoak Band, in order to file a
petition in the Indian Claims Commission to solve the issue of their land
rights as guaranteed in the Treaty of Ruby Valley. With this contract, the
Temoak Band became the sole representative of the Western Shoshone Nation,
of which it only was a small portion. This procedure was never authorized
by the Western Shoshone as whole, who on the contrary tried to stop the
lawsuit. Their effort to stop the proceedings and dismiss the Washington
claims attorneys were denied by the Claims Commission and the U.S. 
Department of Interior itself. However, as a result of the Temoak petition
to Indian Claims Commission, the Western Shoshone were meant to be
compensated against their will for land they allegedly lost in 1872. For
the valuation of the land the ICC and the claims attorneys stipulated a
fictitious date of taking by "gradual encroachment" (1872). This Argument
is disproved by the fact that 90% of Western Shoshone Territory is
officially regard "public land" and is not in private non-indian hands.
Despite these facts, in 1979, the Court of Claims awarded $26 Million U.S.
for the taking of Western Shoshone land, but more than 80% of the Western
Shoshone voted against accepting e money which still remains in the U.S.
treasury. In December 1991, the 9th Circuit Court even ruled that the
claims award, which the Shoshone never accepted, has also extinguished
subsistence rights like the right to hunt, fish and gather. On grounds of
the findings by the Indian Claims Commission, whose procedure can
certainly be regarded as questionable and subsequent rulings of U.S. 
Courts based on the ICC decisions, the BLM feels authorized to label
Western Shoshone cattle ranching on their own lands as "unauthorized
livestock grazing on public lands" and thus considers the payment of
grazing fees a just obligation for Western Shoshone ranchers and herdsmen.
However, the legal inconsistencies of the case elaborate further: In the
course of the Claim proceedings another case o Western Shoshone land
rights emerged. Mary and Carrie Dann, members of an extended Western
Shoshone family called the Dann Band and Alternative Nobel Peace
Prize winners, have their ranch in Crescent Valley in the heart of Western
Shoshone Territory.  In 1973, they were approached by the BLM to apply for
grazing permits and to pay grazing fees. They argued that their cattle is
grazing on Western Shoshone land, yet they were sued for trespassing in
1974 - a case which is known as "USA vs. Dann". In April 1980 the Federal
District Court of Nevada ruled that the Dann still own the land when they
were sued for trespass, but that they lost it in December 1979 due to the
Claim award - which they never accepted.  However, from now on it is
presumed in the proceedings that the award extinguished Western Shoshone
land rights. When this case reached the Supreme Court, the Danns argued
that the United States would lack proof that they legally obtained title
to Western Shoshone lands - which even the Indian Claims Commission only
could justify by assuming "gradual encroachment" on their lands. However,
the 9 Circuit Court argued that "payment of the award established
conclusively that a taking occurred" - thereby again ignoring the fact
that the money still rest in the U.S. treasury. The court even ruled that
the Danns are banned from raising the issue of the title to their lands.
At the same time, the decision allows the Danns to graze only 21 head of
cattle. According to a study on land use, already in the 1970s a ranch
with less than 500 head of cattle could hardly exist in Nevada. Getting
personally acquainted with the land rights- and treaty Situation in
Western Shoshone Territory, Dr. Rogalla concluded that the Western
Shoshone are in danger of losing their self-sufficiency and subsistence,
to become in stead a people without a and base and thus dependent on
welfare. In the meantime, the case of the Western Shoshone also received
international attention and has become widely known within those United
Nations bodies dealing with Indigenous issues and human rights. In his
"Study on treaties, agreements and other constructive agreements between
States and indigenous populations" (UN Document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1992/32), the
Special Rapporteur, Dr. Miguel Alfonso Martinez, raised the issue of
violations of Western Shoshone treaty rights and the proceedings of the
Indian Claims Commission (first progress report). He subsequently
concluded, "The Treaty of Ruby Valley (1863, 18 Stat. 689) between the
Western Shoshone Nation and the United States continues to be abrogated by
actions of the United States Bureau of Land Management". (Third progress
report; UN Document E/CN.4/Sub.2/1996/23) UN Special Rapporteur Erica-
Irene Daes also referred to the case of the Western Shoshone in the
framework of her "Preliminary working paper Indigenous Peoples and their
relationship to land" UN Document E/CN-4/Sub, 1997/17, 20 June 1997). She
analyses the case as follows; "A particular problem that has been
repeatedly brought to the attention of the Commission on Human Rights and
the Subcommission is the use or misuse of claim procedures to deprive
indigenous peoples of their rights or their claimed rights to land
resources. .... When such claims are taken to conclusion and award of
compensation is made, the payment of the award effectively extinguishes
the indigenous title to the land in question.  This has occurred even in
situations where the Indian nation or tribe is still in possession of the
land. Thus, these "claims" processes are actually continuing to deprive
Indians of their lands. The problems created by fraudulent and improper
claims are aggravated by de lack of proper legal procedures in the claim
process. Processes such as that of the now defunct Indian Claims
Commission in the United States did not ensure that claimants had proper
authority to act for the tribe concerned. Procedures did not give the
tribes concerned proper notice or opportunity to be heard. The Commission
in more than one case permitted lawyers to act in direct opposition to
their nominal client tribes and even permitted lawyers to carry on money
compensation claims after the claimant tribes had dismissed the lawyer in
an effort to stop the claim. Although the Indian Claims Commission itself
no longer exists, the cases that it handled and the problems it created
continue. Some notable cases that remain unresolved are the Black Hills
claim ... and the Western Shoshone case ... . In the latter case, some
Western Shoshones are remained in possession of certain areas of the land
supposedly taken by United States and are resisting government efforts to
interfere with their use of the land."
Conclusion:
  In light of the various investigations (conducted by Members the
European Parliament as well as by United Nations Special Rapporteurs) of
the legal implications of confiscating Western Shoshone livestock and
demand grazing fees from the owners of such cattle by the Bureau of Land
Management one needs to conclude the following: Western Shoshone land
rights are based on the Treaty of Ruby Valley concluded in 1863. The
validity of Western Shoshone land and treaty rights as such has been
confirmed by the Federal District Court of Nevada ruling of April 1980
according to which the Danns still owned their land when they were sued
for trespassing by the BLM in December 1974. The only court argument for
alleged loss of Western Shoshone title are the proceedings of the Indian
Claims Commission which - as documented inter alia in two United Nations
reports - amount to a miscarriage of justice. On the grounds of the
findings of the Claims Commission, Mary and Carrie Dann have even been
barred from ever raising again the issue of title to their lands. Moreover,
we have received information on further increase of conflict by the BLM:
On February 19th, the Bureau of Land Management issued an "unauthorized
use notice and order to remove", again accusing the Western Shoshone that
they would be in trespass by grazing their cattle on so-called public
lands and ordering them to remove their livestock. Furthermore, the BLM
announced that "failure to comply with the notice may result in
impoundment of unauthorized livestock". However, the BLM gave the Shoshone
a five-day deadline to present documentation why they do not consider
themselves making unauthorized use of "public land". On February 23, the
Western Shoshone National Council along with members of several tribal
councils presented such legal documentation to the BLM in Elko, Nevada.
These documents included:
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787,
The Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo of 1848 (and in particular its article 11),
The Nevada Territorial Act of 1861
The Treaty of Ruby Valley 1861
  Nevertheless, there might be an increasing danger of implementing BLM
demands by force. In light of this situation we would urge you to deal
with the issue of Western Shoshone title to their lands by entering into
negotiations with the legitimized successors of the Western Shoshone
entity which signed the treaty 1863 on the basis of the continued validity
of the Treaty of Ruby Valley. Such negotiations would certainly contribute
to a just conflict solution between both parties instead of viewing the
Bureau of Land Management as the appropriate agency of the Department of
Interior to take action on the ground. The fact that the Western Shoshone
never ceded or sold their land nor accepted compensation as imposed on
them by the Indian Claims Commission needs to be officially accepted and
implemented in the relationship between the Western Shoshone and federal
agencies. Thus, we call for a halt on further BLM attempts to confiscate
Western Shoshone livestock and demand grazing fees from Shoshone ranchers
living in the Shoshone settlements of Southfolk, Wells, Odgers Ranch and
Dann Ranch.
2) The interest and involvement of United Nations bodies clearly show that
the case of the Western Shoshone raises serious human rights issue. It
would be most appropriate, within the framework of the "International
Decade for the World's Indigenous People" (1995-2004), to solve an issue
relating to one of the principle concerns Indigenous peoples worldwide,
namely land rights.
  Undoubtedly, the United States of America as "the cradle of democracy"
can provide a role model of conflict resolution between Indigenous peoples
and nation states, by acknowledging existing treaty and land rights as in
the case of the Western Shoshone. We certainly hope to further communicate
with your office on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Nuala Ahern, MEP                      Hiltrud Breyer, MEP
Delegation for the Relations w/ the US Committee on the Environment
 1)      We are aware that the Tribal Councils of Duckwater, Temoak and
Yomba withdrew from the Western Shoshone National Council. However,
according to our information. The people of Yomba requested to be
represented in the National Council regardless of the withdrawal of the
Tribal Council and had their request granted. Although the Temoak Tribal
Council did not return to the National Council, it nevertheless cooperates
with this body.
 2)      We are aware of the fact that in the meantime the Duckwater and
Yomba Tribal Councils are cooperating with the BLM due to continued
pressure of this agency. However as can be clearly derived from the legal
facts as explained above, such cooperation of single tribal councils does
not solve the overall issue of continued land and treaty rights of the
whole Western Shoshone Nation - and thus hardly can serve as a positive
example of conflict resolution of this matter for the Southfolk, Wells,
Odgers Ranch and Dann Ranch communities or the Western Shoshone National
Council as a whole.

--------- "RE: Beware the Wolf Who Smiles" ---------

Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 00:15:54 -0800
From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.)
Subj: "Beware the wolf who smiles": Shooting the messenger

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
"BEWARE THE WOLF WHO SMILES": NATIVE RIGHTS LAWYER CHALLENGES LAW SOCIETY
[S.I.S.I.S. note: The following letter by Native rights lawyer Dr. Bruce
Clark to Harvey T. Strosberg, treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada,
was written in response to Strosberg's article "Supporting the need for
Aboriginal legal expertise," which appeared in the March/April 1998 edition
of the Ontario Lawyers Gazette, published by the Law Society of Upper
Canada.]

October 1, 1998
Dear Mr. Treasurer:
  I have read the above-mentioned article. In it you say "Case Law
regarding Aboriginal rights, while currently in its infancy, will continue
to grow and evolve in meaning and definition," a viewpoint which
reiterates the attitude occupied by the Supreme Court of Canada in 1990s,
as typified by the line of decisions, running from Van der Peet to
Delgamuukw.
  In truth the said case law is voluminous in both Canada and the United
States, and indeed in the latter country it has been estimated by
constitutional law scholars that fully 1/4 of the formative constitutional
law decisions of the Supreme Court have related to that topic, so
structurally fundamental has it been to the evolution of constitutional
law relative to civil rights and land law throughout North America.
  The constitutive cases establish in simple, clear and plain terms that
the onus of proof is upon the Canadian and American governments to
establish an Indian treaty purchasing a given disputed territory, (1)
before an independent and impartial third-party tribunal as distinct from
a court or agency of those governments, (2) failing which the territory is
reserved for Indian use in general, (3) and the premature (prior to
treaty) application of federal law to such territory prima facie
constitutes fraud (4) and arguably complicity in genocide. (5)
Unconstitutionally, both Canada and the United States criminally preempt,
with the knowing complicity of their courts, the said law from
consideration, specifically by applying federal law to unpurchased Indian
territory in willful blindness to the constitutional law, thereby
committing the crimes sanctioning the breach of the constitutional law.
  Full particulars of some at least of the hundreds of secondary cases,
and of the few determinative constitutive legislative instruments running
from the papal legislation Sublimus Deus of 1535 to and including the
Constitution Act of 1982, may be found in pending Discipline File No.
D110/98 in the matter of Law Society of Upper Canada v. Bruce Clark,
pursuant to which the society is seeking my disbarment for "scandalizing"
the courts and the legal profession in virtue of "unbecoming" conduct,
namely, my expression on behalf of native clients, who are victims of the
said crimes, of the above legal opinion in courts of law and written
publications, in an attempt on their behalf to apprehend the said crimes
and, in the process, to rehabilitate justice as the application under the
rule of law of truth to affairs.
  While your statement, Mr. Strosberg, that the case law "is in its
infancy" is profoundly wrong and misleading, your statement that the case
law "will continue to grow" is profoundly perceptive. The legal
establishment in Canada, led by the Supreme Court and professional leaders
such as you, systematically and methodically are engaged in a process of
fomenting litigation and proselytizing legal education legal education
based upon the fraudulent premise that there is a clean slate upon which
to write an alternative definition of the law, on a case by case basis, in
criminal wilful blindness to the existing law that indicts the legal
establishment, and which it is your purpose to suppress, to the prejudice
not only of native victims but also to the trashing of the rule of law.
  For these reasons your article cloyingly is offensive when it
disingenuously, self-righteously and self-servingly concludes:
  "The Law Society has committed itself at long last to work in earnest
with Aboriginal peoples to investigate the best ways to promote positive
change, and to invest in new partnerships and ventures with Aboriginal
peoples through the legal system and education. We trust that the
profession will join and support us in this vital initiative."
  The sentiment there expressed puts one in mind of the function of the
"big lie" in countries with a history of genocide. As the Law Society
itself held on June 19, 1996 in relation to an earlier attempt to disbar
me:
  "The genocide of which Mr. Clark speaks is real, and has very nearly
succeeded in destroying the Native Canadian community that flourished here
when European settlers arrived... We are sympathetic, moreover, to Mr.
Clark's assertion that the courts have been unwilling to listen to his
argument."
  The New York Times "International Section" of January 13, 1996 had an
article entitled "Berlin Journal: Exoneration Still Eludes An Anti-Nazi
Crusader." It concerned Carl von Ossietzky who won the 1935 Nobel Peace
Prize. He was convicted and imprisoned for opposing as unconstitutional
some of the practices introduced into Germany's domestic legal system by
the Third Reich, spent time in jail, and died of mistreatment in 1938. The
article noted:
  "The German judicial system has never faced the facts of its role in the
Nazi period.... The judiciary considers itself a nonpolitical branch of
the Government and has never looked self-critically at what it did in the
service of an unjust regime..."
  In sum, your article brings to mind a traditional Indian aphorism:
Beware the wolf who smiles.
Very truly yours,
Bruce Clark
cc: The Editors, Ontario Lawyers Gazette.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
Numbered footnotes containing precedents and authorities available upon
request from S.I.S.I.S. - mailto:sisis@envirolink.org
DEFEND DR. BRUCE CLARK FROM PERSECUTION:
Dr. Bruce Clark continues to be harassed and persecuted by the Canadian
legal and political establishment for his challenge to the colonialism,
fraud, treason and genocide by the Canadian state and judiciary. For
further information see:
    http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/sov/confjudg.html
Clark/legal archives:
    http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/main.html
Law Society of Upper Canada web site - http://www./suc.on.ca/
Harvey Strosberg - mailto:treasurer@lsuc.on.ca
>From the Law Society of Upper Canada motto: "Upholding the independence,
integrity and honour of the legal profession for the purpose of advancing
the cause of justice and the rule of law."
"Kill this Clark and smear the prick and everyone with him." -- Dennis
Ryan, RCMP Gustafsen Lake Crisis Management Team, Sept. 1995, remark
disclosed during the Gustafsen trial.

"You have created the appearance of an outrageous abuse of judicial power
... an arrogant and hateful tyrant determined to humiliate Indians and
destroy the professional and personal reputation and the livelihood of
their lawyer. Do you expect Indian peoples to believe they can receive
justice in your court? And where will Indians obtain independent,
courageous and effective counsel to represent them in your courts?"
-- Ramsey Clark, ex US Attorney General and counsel to Leonard Peltier,
letter to Judge N. Friesen, regarding the treatment Clark received in
Friesen's courtroom in Sept. 1995.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
    S.I.S.I.S.   Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
        P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
        EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org
        WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html

--------- "RE: Wild Rockies Alerts Digest" ---------

Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 09:17:32 -0600
From: Wild Rockies Alerts <wild-rockies-alerts@vortex.wildrockies.org>
Subj: Wild Rockies Alerts Digest - 10/01/98

  UUCP email

Wild Rockies Alerts Digest - Thursday, October 1, 1998
  FUND FILES SUIT TO STOP JACKSON HOLE BISON HUNT
          by "Wild Rockies InfoNet" <news@wildrockies.org>
  WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT COMMENTS DUE
          by "Wild Rockies InfoNet" <news@wildrockies.org>
  SAVE ALASKAN OLD GROWTH FORESTS
          by "Wild Rockies InfoNet" <news@wildrockies.org>
  Key Yellowstone Lands at Risk - your calls NEEDED!
          by "Wild Rockies InfoNet" <news@wildrockies.org>
  OpEd: Logging on Public Lands
          by "Wild Rockies InfoNet" <news@wildrockies.org>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: FUND FILES SUIT TO STOP JACKSON HOLE BISON HUNT
From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <news@wildrockies.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 15:44:42 -0600
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 1, 1998
CONTACT: Andrea Lococo, 307-859-8840
         D.J. Schubert, 602-547-8537
FUND FILES SUIT TO STOP JACKSON BISON HUNT
  WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, in U.S. District Court for the District of
Columbia, The Fund for Animals and several individuals filed a lawsuit
against the federal government to halt a public bison hunt scheduled to
begin this Saturday at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
  The Fund for Animals claims that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service, in carrying out an
interagency plan to kill bison, have violated the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal laws by preparing an Environmental
Assessment that fails to consider feasible, nonlethal alternatives, and
by failing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for this
controversial bison killing program. In addition, the plaintiffs claim
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has violated NEPA by failing to
conduct any environmental review before carrying out a program to
provide "supplemental feed" to elk.
  Says Andrea Lococo, Rocky Mountain Coordinator for The Fund for Animals'
Jackson office, "If the agencies don't want bison on the Refuge, they
should stop their elk feeding program that attracts more bison and
increases bison productivity. The agencies are directly responsible for
creating an artificially high bison population and now they want to
further victimize bison by allowing sport hunters to slaughter them.
This bison hunt is illegal and immoral, and it simply must be halted."
  The Jackson bison herd management plan calls for the herd to be reduced
to an arbitrary number of 350 to 400 animals. Two hunting permits will
be issued this Saturday for two bull bison, and the agencies plan to
issue a total of 35 permits this fall. The Fund is concerned that this
hunt will be especially unsporting because the bison in the Jackson herd
are very accustomed to human presence.
  Although a purported justification for the bison hunt is to reduce the
risk of brucellosis transmission to cattle in the Jackson area, D.J.
Schubert, a wildlife biologist representing The Fund for Animals, points
out, "There has never been a single documented case of bacteria
transmission from wild bison to domestic cattle, and the agencies should
not use brucellosis as a scapegoat for a public sport hunt. If it is
even possible for wildlife to transmit the bacteria to cattle, the
agencies should be much more concerned about the 8,000 elk on the Refuge
as opposed to the relatively small bison herd."
  A copy of the 22-page lawsuit filed today is available by calling The
Fund at 301-585-2591.
http://www.fund.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT COMMENTS DUE
From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <news@wildrockies.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 15:50:21 -0600

WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT COMMENTS DUE
Time to Send in Your Westslope Cutthroat Trout Comments
  On June 10, 1998, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published their
90-day finding of the petition to list the westslope cutthroat trout (WCT),
Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, as threatened throughout its range and
designate critical habitat for the subspecies under the Endangered Species
Act.  After a complete review of our petition, the agency has determined
that it "provides substantial scientific and commercial information to
indicate that listing of this subspecies of cutthroat trout ... may be
warranted."  This is the first administrative hurdle in the ESA listing
process and we have successfully demonstrated that their is adequate
evidence to show WCT are imperiled.
  As a result of the finding, the public has been invited by the Fish
and Wildlife Service to provide data, information, technical critiques,
comments or questions relevant to the petition as part of the next hurdle,
the 12-month finding.  The deadline is October 9, 1998. The petition and
its bibliography are available at AWL's home page: www.mcn.net/~amwild/.
Send your comments to:
Chief, Branch of Native Fishes Management
Montana Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Office
4052 Bridger Canyon Road
Bozeman, MT 59715
mailto:lynn_kaeding@fws.gov

  The ESA requires the Service to determine whether a species is threatened
with extinction as a result of any of the five following factors.  Any one
factor or a combination of several would cause eventual extinction of the
subspecies if were not protected under the ESA. In your comments please
reiterate the following points:
  Present or threatened destruction, modification or curtailment of its
habitat or range.
  Many scientific studies indicate that the demise of WCT can be attributed
to widespread habitat destruction and loss due to: excessive sedimentation,
logging, roadbuilding, grazing, dams, irrigation and mining. Habitat
destruction is an ongoing threat to WCT's existence.
  Over utilization for recreational, scientific, educational or commercial
purposes.
  WCT are substantially more vulnerable to angling than rainbow, brook and
brown trout. Catch and release regulations for WCT has not been implemented
throughout its range.

Disease or predation.
  Introduction of exotic fish such as brown or brook trout that predate on
WCT is ubiquitous throughout the native's range.  Where this has occurred in
conjunction with habitat degradation,  the waters are made even more
suitable for the non-native fish to the continued detriment of WCT.
Whirling disease is a continuing threat, a recent study indicates WCT are
extremely vulnerable to the disease. As additional field work is completed,
more waters throughout WCT's range are being found to be infected by the
disease.  There is no known cure at this time.

Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.
  There is no comprehensive strategy to protect and restore WCT throughout
its range. Federal Land Management Plans do not have adequate standards and
guidelines to protect WCT  habitat from being degraded and populations to
become fragmented.  The failure of the States to enforce the Clean Water
Act within WCT's range has led to the impairment of thousands of miles of
stream segments, as well thousands of acres of lakes currently or
historically occupied by the subspecies.

Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.
  Hybridization with introduced non-native fish such as rainbow and
Yellowstone cutthroat trout is one of the most significant threats to the
continued existence of WCT.  Harm from hybridization includes loss of
genetic variation through reduction in population size and loss of genetic
integrity. Also, most surviving populations are physically separate. This
fragmentation causes reproductive isolation and the inability to repopulate
areas after disturbances that lead to reduction in, or extirpation of,
local populations. Lastly, hatchery programs have been used for over 50
years to enhance WCT populations.  These programs have not been successful
and some have been detrimental to wild populations.  In fact, in Idaho, WCT
brood stocks were discovered to not even be genetically pure.
LET USFWS KNOW THAT THIS SPECIES NEEDS PROTECTION UNDER THE ESA!!!
American Wildlands
mailto:Ament@aol.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: SAVE ALASKAN OLD GROWTH FORESTS
From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <news@wildrockies.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 15:54:11 -0600

SAVE ALASKAN OLD GROWTH FORESTS
Stop the Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw roadless area timber sales in Alaska's
Tongass National Forest.
  The Tongass National Forest is wrapping up the Environmental Impact
Statement on yet another old-growth timber sale.  Comments are needed by
October 16, to prevent the logging of 3700 acres of temperate rainforest
and the construction of 51 miles of new roads proposed in the Forest
Service preferred alternative. The proposed sale area is located about 80
miles south of Juneau.

Background:
  The fog-shrouded coastal forests of Southeast Alaska are probably the
only place in the world where you could see deep-blue glaciers, 400 year
old spruce trees, bald eagles, a family of grizzly bears and humpback whales
all in the same day.  Alaska has vast protected wilderness areas, which
provide habitat for healthy populations of salmon, grizzlies, marbled
murrelets, northern goshawks and other species pushed to the brink of
extinction by logging in the lower 48.  These forest preserves also support
more sustainable jobs in the fishing industry and the tourist economy.
  However, a flight over the Tongass would reveal enormous clearcuts, most
of which were logged to feed the Alaska Pulp Mill and the Louisiana-Pacific
owned Ketchikan Pulp Company.  Both of these mills are now closed, as
Southeast Alaska continues its transition away from a resource extraction
economy, to an economy based on tourism, fishing and value-added timber
processing.
  Unfortunately, the Forest Service is acting like nothing has changed.
They are still offering massive old-growth timber sales, like Port
Houghton/Cape Fanshaw, which was proposed in 1993, before the big mill
closures.  It seems that they intend to follow the same foolish path that
has led to the decline of salmon and other old growth dependent species in
the Pacific Northwest.
  According to the EIS, portions of the sale area were considered for
Wilderness designation during the debate over the Tongass Timber Reform Act
of 1990.  Unfortunately, Port Houghton/Cape Fanshaw were not protected as
Wilderness.  Now the Forest Service's preferred alternative calls for 51
miles of new logging roads, 72 stream crossings, and cutting 78 million
board feet of timber.  That is almost as many board feet as the infamous
Cove/Mallard timber sale in Idaho.
  "Traditional clearcutting is a useful option for the old-growth western
hemlock and Sitka spruce stands in the project area, where wildlife and
other resource objectives do not rule it out," says volume 2 of the Revised
Draft EIS.  Most of the 3700 acres will be clearcut, which must mean the
area's importance for wildlife and tourism do not "rule it out."  Clearcuts
visible from the entrance to the popular Tracy Arm Fjord Wilderness Area
remain in the logging plan, despite protests from local tour operators.
  The proposed sale area supports a diverse a group of species including
salmon, wolves, mountain goats, river otters, marbled murrelets, bald
eagles and many others.   It contains three rare northern goshawk nests,
which are disappearing even in Southeast Alaska due to the destruction of
old-growth forest habitat.   The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is
concerned that the sale will harm winter habitat for mountain goats.  Even
whales could be impacted by sediment from clearcuts and logging roads
washing into salmon streams.  "Killer whales frequent the area feeding on
the abundant salmon," says the Revised Draft EIS, Volume 1, 3-30.)
  Forest Service officials sometimes think nobody is paying attention to
what is happening to our public lands up in Alaska, and they need to hear
from you.  Please contact the Forest Service and ask them to adopt the "no
action" alternative, which would cancel this disastrous project.
Please direct comments to:
Tom Parker
USDA Forest Service
PO Box 1328
Petersburg, AK  99833-1328
phone:  907-772-5974
fax:  907-772-5997
mailto:tparker/r10_stikine@fs.fed.us
The deadline is October 16.  Why not send a quick note or email today?  For
more info contact Matt McGovern-Rowen at the Native Forest Network,
542-7343 or mcgov@wildrockies.org.  Thank you.
Sincerely,
Matt McGovern-Rowen
Office Coordinator
Native Forest Network
P.O. Box 8251
Missoula, MT 59807
(406) 542-7343 / fax (406) 542-7347
mailto:mcgov@wildrockies.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Key Yellowstone Lands at Risk - your calls NEEDED!
From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <news@wildrockies.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 16:02:33 -0600

Key Yellowstone Lands at Risk - your calls NEEDED!
YELLOWSTONE WINTER RANGE AT RISK!  Please Make 2 Calls Today!
  A large parcel of private land along Yellowstone National Park's
northern border is up for sale.  Money for its purchase has been allocated
from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.  However, conservative
congressmen bent on budget-cutting and opposed to federal land acquisition
are trying to hold up this important purchase, and it could fall into the
hands of unscrupulous developers.
  The land is owned by the Church Universal and Triumphant (CUT).  In
the early '80s, the Reagan administration killed public acquisition of the
former Forbes Ranch, including this land near Yellowstone, and CUT bought
it.  Now Oregon land broker wheeler-dealer Tim Blixeth (pronounced
Blix-death) is looking to make big bucks by buying this property and
developing it.  Blixseth made millions buying, logging and selling off Plum
Creek's former inholdings in the Gallatin National Forest.  Now he is
developing an exclusive, rich-people-only ski resort on formerly wild
Pioneer Mountain, near Big Sky, Montana.
  The land for sale is very important to a broad array of wildlife,
from bison to grizzlies, as it is immediately adjacent to Yellowstone's
northern border.  The land contains a lot of key winter range for elk,
antelope and other critters as well as some of the finest habitat along the
Yellowstone  River.  Hundreds of migrating bison have been shot there over
the last ten years due to CUT's intolerance for wildlife.
  This land should be acquired via Land and Water Conservation Funds.
Unfortunately, federal purchase of this land is taking a back seat to
competition with the Gallatin Land Exchange and purchase of land near
Lindberg Lake in the Swan Valley.
  Calls are needed to Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep Rick Hill to let them know
that the members of the public want the CUT lands purchased and set aside
as federally protected wildlife habitat.
Burns' office - 202-224-2644
Hill's office - 202-225-3211

For Wild Yellowstone,
Phil
Phil Knight
Native Forest Network
Yellowstone Branch
PO Box 6151
Bozeman, MT 59771-6151
(406) 586-3885
mailto:pknight@wildrockies.org
Visit:
The Native Forest Network Northern Hemisphere Web Site - newly reorganized
and updated!  http://www.nativeforest.org
The Native Forest Network Southern Hemisphere Web Site
http://www.nfn.org.au
The Northeast Forest Practices Campaign Web Site
http://www.nativeforest.org/neforest/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: OpEd: Logging on Public Lands
From: Wild Rockies InfoNet <news@wildrockies.org>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 16:08:55 -0600

Missoulian, 9/29/98, editorial page
Logging on Public Lands:
Economic future doesn't rely on welfare for big corporations
By Jake Kreilick
mailto:jkreilick@wildrockies.org
  As the next millennium approaches, the policies governing our nation's
public lands are finally being reexamined.  This long overdue evaluation is
critical given the conflicts emerging over the management of our forests,
watersheds, fish and wildlife, and most importantly, how these policies
affect our local and regional economy.
  Since arriving in Montana, I have witnessed wholesale changes in the
timber industry which have dramatically impacted our forests, our economies
and our lives.  The "cut and run" logging frenzy of the 1970's, 80's, and
early 90's on corporate timberlands and national forests--thanks to the
likes of Plum Creek, Champion, and Crown Pacific--forced the issue of
community stability and environmental destruction to the forefront of public
consciousness.
  The folks who live in the communities most affected by the federal timber
sales program must recognize that the changes occurring in the resource
extractive industries have been in the works for a long time.  In reality,
just as the cities of the Rust Belt experienced, corporate profits, trade
policies and demographics play a more important role in the shaping of our
local economies than environmental restrictions.
  Given the current configuration of the timber industry, the federal timber
sale program on national forests represents a classic case of corporate
welfare, in which corporate profits are placed ahead of the sustainability
and economic prosperity of our communities.  The federal logging program
creates more economic harm than good, hurts communities, diminishes private
property values, displaces both private lands timber harvest and production
of non-wood substitutes, and destroys forests that are far more valuable to
the local economy left standing.  To some this statement may seem a wild
assertion; however, when placed in the context of Montana's economic
future, ending commercial logging on national forests will provide Montana
the best opportunity for long-term economic development and stability.
  The economics of western Montana are in the midst of a transition period.
Economic development is no longer directly tied to the extraction of
natural resources, nor should it be.  The notion that a constant supply of
trees, for example, guarantees that the number of timber-related jobs will
be maintained no longer applies to a timber industry which is constantly
employing labor saving technologies and is extremely susceptible to
worldwide boom and bust cycles.  To illustrate this point, the General
Accounting Office reports that if timber harvesting across the nation were
to increase 55% over the next fifty years, timber industry employment would
still fall 27% due to the mechanization of sawmills.  The reality is that
the big players in the timber industry pay more attention to the trends on
Wall Street than the needs of Main Street in Superior or Libby.
  To insure the economic prosperity of Montana we must work together to
maintain the foundation upon which our future economy will be built. "The
Northern Rockies' real economic base," says Thomas Power, Chairman of the
Economics Department  at the University of Montana, "is the natural
landscape that attracts and holds residents here while supporting them
physically and spiritually in a way found in few other places in this
nation."  The new economic reality throughout the West is that a healthy
economy depends on a healthy environment.  We need to end the
environmentally destructive and fiscally irresponsible timber sale program
on America's national forests to preserve our true economic base in Montana.
  Given that only 3.9% of our nation's timber comes from national forests,
we simply do not need to log our national forests to supply our demands for
wood.  Last Fall, Jim Leach (R-IA) and Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) responded to
the public's call to get the federal government out of the logging business
by introducing The National Forest Protection and Restoration Act.  This
bill would end commercial logging on national forests while redirecting the
current taxpayer subsidy towards worker retraining, non-wood fiber
research, deficit reduction and fixing government payments in lieu of taxes
to local governments with set annual appropriations to state and county
governments.
  The question which needs to be asked is, "What does this mean to the
communities of Montana?"  First, Montana can still have a sustainable and
productive wood products industry.  Approximately 80% of the timber cut in
Montana comes from lands other than national forests.  Ending the
subsidized logging of national forests would increase the value of timber
on private woodlots and corporate timberlands--lands that provide the best
growing conditions for timber.  The timber industry must also take the
responsibility to encourage the development of value-added wood products
industries in Montana such as the building of log homes, cabinets and
furniture.  The development of value-added wood products industries in
Montana will provide the well paying jobs required for a healthy economy.
Exporting raw logs from Montana robs Montana workers of vital economic
opportunities and only benefits the profit margins of large timber
corporations such as Plum Creek.
  Second, more work is required in restoring our national forests in Montana
than in cutting them down.  The bill would establish a National Heritage
Restoration Corps focusing on a scientifically based restoration program in
which displaced timber workers would be given hiring preference to repair
roads, improve trails, thin stands and implement prescribed burning to
restore biodiversity to our national forests.
  Third, the allocation of funds for non-wood fiber research could provide
a much needed boost to the economies of Montana's agricultural-based
communities.  Agricultural products such as straw, wheat, and kenaf provide
excellent fiber sources which can be made into paper, liner board and other
products traditionally made from wood pulp.
  Finally, our national forests provide countless employment opportunities
in areas other than timber harvesting.  In fact, according to the Forest
Service, only 3% of the jobs on national forests are related to logging.
Meanwhile, business opportunities on national forests in recreation,
fishing, and hunting continue to grow.  Non-timber forest products such as
wild edible mushrooms, berries, and medicinals contribute millions of
dollars to the economies of the Northwest.  Clearcuts, landslides, and
silt-choked streams represent a direct threat to the majority of Montana
families who make their living on national forests.
  It is misguided to believe that the American taxpayers should continue to
subsidize the logging of their national forests.  No industry has scarred
the mountainous landscapes of our region or impacted our communities to the
extent which the timber industry has.  Ending the logging program on
national forests will foster the creation of new, sustainable economic
opportunities for many Montana communities while ensuring that we protect
our true economic base--a natural landscape that is both priceless and
irreplaceable.
--Jake Kreilick is the acting director of the national Zero Cut Campaign and
works for the Native Forest Network in Missoula, Montana.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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--------- "RE: Onondaga Smoke Shops" ---------

Date: Saturday, October 10, 1998
From: Kenneth Kappelmeier
Subj: Onondaga Nation news

  UUCP email

Four shops opened in November, Smoke Signals (ran by my sister Michelle
Papineau and 10 other people), O.R.'s (ran by Oliver Hill and 5 other
people), Drive-in Cigarettes (ran by Wealthy and Rob Bucktooth and
family, related but not affiliated with Freem's) and Shenandoah Smoke
Shop (ran by the sons of Leon Shenandoah, late Tadadoaho).  One dollar
>from every carton sold by the 4 shops went directly to the people who
signed up for disbursement.  First disbursement was December 15, 1997,
which each Onondaga (Woman, Children, and Men) received $20 who had
signed up.  Next two months was $30 to each Onondaga; for a family of
four came to $120 a month.
  The shops were adding another $1 per carton for March, onward to go
towards legal defense and programs for the People, but they were burnt
down on March 2.  Onondaga County Sheriffs stood by and watched.  FBI
refused to do anything, although their presence was around for a couple
of weeks. They were investigating a electrical tower which was Sabotaged
around mid February, and of course blamed on the shops and their
supporters.  It is still unsolved.
  You are already familiar with the events of the blockade of ' 93
and ' 94; this was the prelude to the actions of New York State in the
following years.  Governor Coumo threatened to use military force for
collecting taxes on cigarettes and gasoline.  The operation was to be
called "Operation Gallant Piper."  George Patakai backed down on that
plan, but tried to pressure and extort the Native People of the alleged
State of New York to pay taxes.  Secret negotiations were held with the
self-proclaimed leaders of Onondaga and the rest of the Six Nations.  
Of all the legal and illegal Chiefs of the Confederacy, only one stood
against the secret meetings with NYS, Bill Lazore, Eel clan.  Early 1997
saw many Womens Councils, and People's Councils against NYS, the Chiefs
council and secret meetings.  The People of the Seneca Nation supported
by a overwhelming majority of the Six Nations People, protested NYS
actions.  NYS Thruway and Rt. 17 were closed down by tire fires and
massive amounts of the People.
  On May 8, 1997 about 10 people, myself included started a protest
fire along Interstate Rt. 81.  A non-violent protest turned bloody.  May
18, 1997 we held a "Confederacy Gathering" to discuss among the People
the problems facing us.  Over 100 NYS Troopers marched in on us while
while a ceremony was being held and beat our Women, Children, Elders 
and Men.  24 were arrested (4 of them children).  All charges were
dropped for everyone else except myself.  Probably because Kenneth
Papineau is my father.  Alson Gibson signed the papers to allow the
invasion by NYS. On July 2, 1998 I was acquitted by a jury trial of 2nd
degree Felony assault against a police officer and Misdemeanor assault,
with the intent to cause serious bodily harm.  No charges are pending
against any of the State Troopers.  In fact the NYS Trooper investigating
the case (Salvator Valvo) was fired for being critical.  Lawsuit is
pending, next hearing September 25 in Federal Court, Syracuse.
  Please leave a snail mail address to send papers and video, glad
to supply any info you seek.
Nyaweh,
Kenneth Kappelmeier
P.O. Box 261
Onondaga Nation, 13120

--------- "RE: Makah Ask Sea Shepherd to Haul Anchor" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 00:27:19 -0800
From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.)
Subj: Makah ask Sea Shepherds to go

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
HAUL ANCHOR WATSON TOLD
Associated Press, October 16, 1998
  Neah Bay, Wash. - Makah Indian leaders have asked the anti-whaling Sea
Shepherd Conservation Society to take its two boats elsewhere. "It is time
for your organization to stand down and leave us along," the Makah Tribal
Council said in a letter faxed to Sea Shepherd's Los Angeles offices. The
original, signed by council president Ben Johnson Jr., was to be hand
delivered yesterday to group leader Paul Watson.
  The Makah are responding to a publicity campaign focused on their first
whale hunt in more than 70 years. Sea Shepherd has had two boats anchored
off the Makah reservation at Neah Bay since late September. The whaling
season began Oct. 1, but a Seattle newspaper reported yesterday that a
provision limiting the hunt to migratory whales probably means it won't
start till next month. Sea Shepherd has vowed to disrupt the hunt, but
Watson also says his group would "immediately withdraw from opposition" if
the International Whaling Commission gave the Makah Tribal Council
permission to conduct the whale hunt.
  The Makah and the US government say permission came last year when the
IWC let the US and Russia share a grey whale quota between the Makah and
the Chukchi of the Far East. "This is the official position of the US
government and [it] has been upheld by the federal courts," the Makah
letter said.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
DEFEND ABORIGINAL TREATY AND CULTURAL RIGHTS - TELL WATSON TO LEAVE MAKAH
        mailto:SeaShepherd@seashepherd.org
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed
a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
    S.I.S.I.S.   Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
        P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
        EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org
        WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html

--------- "RE: Chaco Canyon Crumbling" ---------

Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 14:49:04 -0500
From: "John Berry"<berryj@okway.okstate.edu>
Subj: (FWD)Indian News 10-23-98, pt.1
------- FORWARD, Original message follows -------
   Roger Iron Cloud
   FirstNations Listserv
   202.358.3252
   rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov

Time & Tourists Wear on Ancient Structures:  Southwest History Crumbling 
These great treasures from our past are falling apart. Walls have collapsed,
artifacts have been stolen, and even some foundations are eroding. 
By Lee Dye
c. ABCNEWS.com
10/22/98
  Thirteen centuries have come and gone, but time hasn't yet erased a
legacy. Despite the harsh environment, and the trampling feet of more than
20 million visitors a year, thousands of magnificent structures built by
early Americans still stand.
  Ruins throughout the Southwest attest to the craftsmanship of
generations who created masterpieces with an architectural flair still
mimicked today.
  At Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico, they built apartment houses
that towered five stories above the canyon floor more than a thousand
years ago. At Mesa Verde in Colorado, they carved their homes into the
face of the canyon walls. At Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, they built
pueblos at the foot of a wall of rock that reaches for the sky, above a
river that brought life to the desert.
  But for reasons not clearly understood, these mysterious early Americans_
the Anasazi_abandoned all their dwellings hundreds of years ago. Many
scholars believe they joined other tribes, notably the Pueblo Indians or
the Hohokams, who built vast irrigation projects centuries before
Europeans appeared.
  Many of those early structures were so cleverly built that they still
persevere, becoming America's equivalent to the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Time Takes Its Toll
  But these great treasures from our past are falling apart. Walls have
collapsed, artifacts have been stolen, even some foundations are eroding.
  In 1993, employees at three historical sites in New Mexico_Aztec Ruins
National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Salinas
Pueblo Missions National Monument_got together and began comparing notes.
Many key structures within those parks were starting to fall apart.
  Weather and erosion were the main reasons_drenching thunderstorms,
blistering temperatures and fierce winds that sandblast structures. In
some cases attempts to preserve the buildings have backfired, causing more
harm than good. And the loving attention of millions of visitors simply
wears the buildings down.
  Reports of the deteriorating condition of many of the structures caught
the attention of policy makers in Washington. Former National Park Service
director Roger Kennedy labels the situation "an undeniable crisis in care.
"
  Last year, the service launched a crash program to deal with the crisis,
called Vanishing Treasures. It appealed to Congress for $3.5 million to
begin a 10-year program to battle the problem.
  It got less than a third of that.
  Many wonder if they have any chance of preserving these monuments.

An 'Emergency Situation'
  We're in an emergency situation," says archaeologist Todd Metzger, who
coordinates the Vanishing Treasures program.
  Part of the problem, Metzger says, is the park service is so strapped
for funds that nobody really knows even which structures are the most
endangered. Just to inventory them offers a formidable challenge.
  Many of the ruins are in 41 national parks, but thousands of others dot
the Southwest, with many inaccessible.
  In some cases, the park service has been its own worst enemy.
  The centerpiece of Utah's Hovenweep National Monument is a tall square
tower built in the 13th century. But about three decades ago officials
detected a twist in the tower, possibly because the sandstone base was
eroding. In 1960, the park service built a concrete wall around the
sandstone slab to protect it from further erosion.
  But the weeds grew and soon obscured the wall. Three decades later
someone cut the weeds and discovered that the rate of erosion had worsened,
possibly due to the wall itself. Scientists are not sure why, but salts
from the cement may actually have accelerated the erosion.
  Mary Griffitts, a geologist at Mesa Verde National Park, found that when
she just brushed her hand over the rock, it was so unstable that grains
flaked off.
  In a desperate effort to save the tower, Griffitts coated the rock with
a thin waterproofing resin, ethyl silicate. The technique appears to be
working, but it's little more than a stopgap measure.
  Finding solutions that help, rather than hurt, is expensive and requires
an expert's touch. Few are willing to lock themselves into seasonal jobs
with questionable funding, so the labor pool is dwindling and aging. The
average age of craftsmen skilled in preservation techniques is 55, and
younger workers are hesitant to enter the field.

Preserving History
  Some ruins have been modified over the years, lessening their
archaeological integrity. That's led the park service to prohibit
reconstruction and aim instead at preservation.
  What's still there tells a remarkable story.
  One of the buildings at Chaco Canyon had more than 600 rooms, and was
the largest apartment complex in the United States until near the end of
the 19th century.
  Rocks had to be quarried and carried by hand for several miles. Though
they had no beasts of burden, the Anasazi built roads up to 32 feet wide,
carefully engineered and stretching straight as an arrow for more than 200
miles across the desert.
  They journeyed more than 50 miles to the great forests of the north to
cut down towering ponderosa pines with their stone axes and then carry
them by hand all the way back, some weighing thousands of pounds, to serve
as beams in the roofs of their dwellings.
  Why, and even how, they managed all that remains a mystery of Chaco
Canyon. The mute testimony, however, may disappear.

--------- "RE: Gustafsen War Criminal Promises Programs" ---------

Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 00:26:57 -0800
From: SISIS@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.)
Subj: Gustafsen war criminal Dosanjh promises anti-racism programs

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
[S.I.S.I.S. note: Although he orchestrated one of the most appalling
attacks on aboriginal people in recent Canadian history, namely the
month-long armed siege against Shuswap traditionalists at Gustafsen Lake in
1995 (see http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html), BC's NDP
Attorney General and Human Rights minister Ujjal Dosanjh presents himself
as a champion of aboriginal rights. Following is the latest example of the
NDP AG's breathtaking hypocrisy at a forum on the Penticton Indian
Reserve's En'owkin Centre. This article does not however mention whether
Chief Philip or anyone else at the En'owkin Center raised the issue of
Dosanjh's implication in hate crimes at Gustafsen, or why he continues to
refuse the still growing call for a public inquiry into all aspects of the
Gustafsen Lake matter.]

DOSANJH PLEDGES GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO FIGHT RACISM AGAINST ABORIGINALS
Kahtou News, October 1998, Page 9
  Penticton - Proactive government and support to combat widespread and
systemic racism against Aboriginal People was promised by Ujjal Dosanjh,
Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, human
rights and Immigration. Dosanjh was addressing the Okanagan Aboriginal
Forum on Hate Crime, the fourth in a series of such forums cosponsored by
the Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Immigration. "As a
society, we have made strides towards reconciling injustices that have
occurred against First Nations Peoples," said Dosanjh. "I pledge to you
here today that I will do my part, as will my ministry staff, to
aggressively launch and support programs to counter racism and facilitate
your goals and aspirations."
  The Penticton forum was co-sponsored by the En'owkin Centre, an educational
institution located on the Penticton Indian reserve that provides education
and race-relations programs and services. Penticton Chief Stewart Philip
says government-facilitated forums like these, which acknowledge and
counter racism in the Aboriginal community, are an important building block
toward reconciliation. "There is rampant poverty in First Nations
communities. Our formerly thriving society and culture have been
eradicated," said Philip. "Before we can begin to solve these problems, we
must acknowledge racism exists within all levels of today's society. I
welcome the support the ministry is offering, because I believe life's
successes and failures depend on building relationships," Philip added.
  The Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Immigration has
co-sponsored three previous forums on hate crimes in the Aboriginal
community in Vancouver, Prince George and Prince Rupert. Following the
Penticton event, future forums are planned for Nanaimo and the East
Kootenays. The forum series recommendations and final report will be
utilized to provide the BC Hate Crime Team, the Ministry Responsible for
Multiculturalism and Immigration, the BC Human Rights Commission and other
government agencies a better understanding of issues facing members of the
Aboriginal community.
  The ministry is currently funding 10 projects totalling approximately
$85,000 that are variously focussed on education of First Nations issues
and anti-racism and bridge building between Aboriginal Peoples and the
broader community.
:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:
    S.I.S.I.S.   Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty
        P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2
        EMAIL: SISIS@envirolink.org
        WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html

--------- "RE: Update on the Minnesota Wolf" ---------

Date: Sat, 24 Oct 1998 17:50:55 -0500
From: "Jean BraveHeart" <jbraveheart@sprynet.com>
Subj: Fw: MWA Newsletter-Fall 1998
------- FORWARD, Original message follows -------
Newsletter - Fall 1998
Minnesota Wolf Alliance
PO Box 6351/Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 8371754
Director: Jean Brave Heart
Asst Director: Jan Attridge
jbraveheart@sprynet.com
http://www.nnic.com/mnwolves/

Update on the Minnesota Wolf
  We are still recuperating from the Wolf Roundtable Meetings that were
held all summer.  We did manage to keep wolf hunting in Minnesota at bay
for another five years.  We were very disappointed that in the plan
farmers could shot wolves if they were in the act of attacking their
livestock.  We also do not like the fact that dog owners can kill wolves
if they are attacking their dog.
  Of course this management plan that was created this summer will not be
final until it goes to the legislature in January of 1999.  At that
point the legislature can make changes if they want to.
The Minnesota Wolf Alliance will be at the legislature to make sure that
the plan comes out with the wolves best interest in mind.
  Restoring the Wolf-