From gars@netcom.com Thu Apr 29 12:08:58 1999 Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 19:31:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews07.018 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ O ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) O o O / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ O o O (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' O o o o o O ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ VOLUME 07, ISSUE 018 O o O / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' May 1, 1999 O o O / /-< / /--/ /-- Choctaw mulberry moon O __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, Potawatomi strawberry moon KANOHEDA ANIYVWIYA Ha-Sah-Sliltha Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin Un Chota Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min Aunchemokauhettittea Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli ( 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, Big Mountain, Paths-L & Nat-Film Lists; Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty; UUCP email; Newsgroups: alt.native,soc.culture.native Articles appearing have been previously posted for public dissemination and/or permission for inclusion has been secured. Letters of authorization are on file. A list of those granting permission to repost their words in this issue are listed at the end of part A. I thank each of you for allowing your words to be shared with the people. IMPORTANT!! ----------- To all who send copywrite protected articles, make very sure you have permission from the copywrite holder (a newspaper, the AP, a magazine, an author) because a new law is now in effect that says you can be prosecuted even if there is no monetary gain. Just because a newspaper has a website where it posts some or all of its editions does not grant permission for their redistribution. Be careful and be sure you pass on the items you do with full permission. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <----<<<< >>>>----> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@netcom.com ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org ++ There is also a hyperlinked version of the Current Issue at http://bearvisions.com/NativeNews/NEWS.html Borries Demeler advises AISESnet doesn't exist anymore, instead there is now NativeNet where people can search for archives of Wotanging Ikche issues: _ All past AISESnet archives (1992-1998) can now be found in: http://aises.uthscsa.edu/discussion/ _ All new messages will be archived in: http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nn-dialogue/archive.html The mailing address for AISESnet/NativeNet the lists have changed. Please make a note of the new address. The old address aisesnet_discussion@listserv.umt.edu should *NOT* be used any longer. Instead please use: nn-dialogue@nativenet.uthscsa.edu Downloading Wotanging Ikche on AOL From: MAANG1419@aol.com Just thought I would share some info. I could not download on to a .txt because I kept getting the message (when I tried to retrieve it) that the text editor could not handle the volume. This time I downloaded it on to a .doc and when I retrieved it out of file manager, IT WORKED. "I was hostile to the white man...We preferred hunting to a life of idleness on our reservations. At times we did not get enough to eat and we were not allowed to hunt. All we wanted was peace and to be let alone. Soldiers came...in the winter..and destroyed our villages. Then Long Hair (Custer) came...They said we massacred him, but he would have done the same to us. Our first impulse was to escape...but we were so hemmed in we had to fight. After that I lived in peace, but the government would not let me alone. I was not allowed to remain quiet. I was tired of fighting...They tried to confine me..and a soldier ran his bayonet into me. I have spoken." __ Chief Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! I'm only going to use it once, and that is to make the ignorant aware of what I am referring to ... Squaw. It is not, in that form, an Indian word, any more than is Flathead what the Salish and Kootenai call themselves. It is, however, a French corruption of an Algonquin word for woman that in its most polite connotation has come to refer, in crude offensive terms, to female genitalia throughout Indian Country. Furthermore, it is not appropriate for use as a geographical, place or enterprise name, including a new horse racing facility in Ft. Worth, Texas. Hey! Cow Town, get a clue! Peace! Night Owl , , Gary Night Owl gars@netcom.com (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@nanews.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30187, U.S.A. gars@igc.apc.org ===w=w== Fax: 770-528-9643 ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Utes in Billion-Dollar Battle - U.N. Committee Criticizes Canada - BIA Lease Review - Menominee Treaty Right Fails Won't Include Role for Utah - Kickapoos Say - Dineh Intervention on County Officials Intruding Religious Intolerance - O'Odham Peoples - BIA Shoots Takeover of INI Office Pauline Whitesinger's Horse - Timbisha Shoshone Reclaim Homeland - Bucket Line Needs Funds - A Look Ahead to the 2000 Census - Isleta Suit Seeks Cash For Land - Tribes Seek Tougher Grave Law - Laframbois Island - Why Leonard Is Still A Prisoner - Cultural and Natural Resource Issue- Note from Harvey Arden - Vow to Protect Newborn Buffalo Regarding Leonard - Benefits of Bison on - Bear Lincoln Manslaughter American Indian Life Case Dismissed - Delaware - Native Prisoner Child Development Office Opens - Monster, Skinwalkers & Such - Byrd Plans Defense for - Sports Warriors Show Olympic Promise Court Hearing - Cherokees' Games More Than Sport - Cherokees Set Hearing to - Listen to Your Elders End Council Boycott - Poem: Flowers and Songs - UN Asks About Dudley George from Youths and Inmates - Activists Join Forces - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days on UN Report - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Utes in Billion-Dollar Battle" --------- Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 23:36:24 EDT From: MarthaET@aol.com Subj: Utes in billion-dollar battle v. Amoco et al Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) >From Victor's pechanga.net Utes in billion-dollar battle By Electa Draper Denver Post Staff Writer April 11 - As the Southern Ute Tribe and the non-Indian residents of southwestern Colorado attempt to reap the wealth of the region's vast energy resources, they find the harvest blighted by 100-year-old conflicts. "Whether (the Utes) fought with the madness of desperation or in dense ignorance of the power of the United States government, it does not matter. Nothing but certain overthrow and extinction awaited them," The New York Times editorialized Oct. 9, 1879, shortly after the Meeker Massacre. It was this Ute attack on an Indian agent that made it politically possible for the U.S. government to strip the tribe of millions of acres. Yet the Utes would survive, divided into three Indian nations in Colorado and Utah. The spoils of modern victories, to be won in courts, lie below ground. The lawyer for the 1,300 Southern Utes prepares to go to the U.S. Supreme Court April 19 to fight Amoco Production Co. and several thousand non-Indians for valuable natural gas found within tribal coal beds. The coal lies under 200,000 acres of farms and ranches, many still owned by descendants of the homesteaders who succeeded in dislodging Utes from their ancestral lands and early reservations. These landowners believe they own the natural gas, whether it is extracted from coal or other rock formations. For many hundreds of years, seven bands of Utes roamed all of what is now Colorado, from the San Luis Valley to the western edges of the San Juan mountains, throughout the valleys of the Gunnison, Uncompahgre, Yampa, Grand and San Juan rivers. They traveled in circuits through northern New Mexico, almost as far south as Santa Fe, and, they ranged into the Uintah Basin in northern Utah. Into the 1600 and 1700s, Utes hunted and traded with little interference from the Spanish explorers and settlers. Indeed, the Spanish introduction of the horse transformed the Utes into fierce hunters. "The Utes became raiders, moving out of their mountain fortresses to raid other Indian groups or ... villages to the south," reads "The Southern Utes," a thin volume published in 1972 by the University of Utah with the cooperation of the tribe. The Mexican War and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo that ended it in 1848 gave the United States New Mexico and part of future Colorado territory. In the treaty, the United States agreed to honor the massive land grants, millions of acres, made by the Spanish and Mexican governments to their citizens. Ute raids on these growing settlements had begun in the 1830s and continued unabated as the United States took over. On Dec. 30, 1849, Indian agent James S. Calhoun arranged the first treaty between the United States government and the Utes at Abiquiu, a town on the Chama River north of Espanola, N.M. "The Utes recognized the sovereignty of the United States and agreed not to depart from their accustomed territory without permission," the history says. "The Utes also agreed to perpetual peace and friendship with the United States, to abide by U.S. law, and to permit citizens of the U.S. government to establish military posts and agencies in their country." This treaty did not define the boundaries of "accustomed" Ute territory. Encroachment by the beneficiaries of Spanish and Mexican land grants continued to provoke Ute raids, followed by punitive U.S. expeditions. To protect settlers from Ute raids, Fort Massachusetts, later renamed Fort Garland, rose along Ute Creek near the base of Mount Blanca. U.S. Indian agencies, which operated to provide the Utes rations in exchange for their land concessions, often ran out of money and supplies because of mismanagement. Resentment over such failures and the stronger military presence in Ute territory flared into the Ute War of 1854-55. The Utes attacked Fort Pueblo on the Arkansas River and killed all its inhabitants on Christmas Day 1854. The Utes then attacked settlements in the San Luis Valley. Over the next few months the Ute warriors, who numbered in the low hundreds, conceded victory to the U.S. Army and asked for peace. A treaty was signed months later in the fall of 1855. However, exploding numbers of settlers in the territory brought Utes and whites into repeated conflict. The U.S. government became determined to solve "the Ute problem" by removing them from the San Luis Valley and confining all bands to a single reservation. Representatives of the seven bands of Utes met in Washington, D.C., in March 1868 with Gov. A.C. Hunt of the Territory of Colorado, Kit Carson and N.G. Taylor. They negotiated a treaty that created a single reservation for all the Utes that encompassed roughly the western third of Colorado. Many U.S. officials did not believe the mountainous lands west of the San Luis Valley were worth fighting over. The U.S. government told the Utes that the reservation would be theirs forever, protected from white trespassers. U.S. officials selected Ute leader Ouray to represent the Indians. Almost immediately after the signing of the treaty, miners began swarming into the San Juan Mountains in search of gold and silver. The U.S. government, unable or unwilling to stem the tide of miners, called Ute leaders together to negotiate for the land under exploration. In 1873, the Utes signed the Brunot agreement, in which they gave up claim to the San Juan Mountains, a large rectangular cutout from the middle of the reservation. President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law in 1874. New Mexican settlers pressured the U.S. government to force Utes still living in New Mexico to move to the reservation in Colorado, a move accomplished by 1878. Meanwhile, residents of the new state of Colorado began calling for the ouster of the Utes. In September 1879, the Meeker Massacre became the rallying cry. Indian agent Nathan Meeker at the Northern Ute agency in White River (near present-day Meeker) plowed prized horse-grazing lands to press the point that the U.S. government wanted the Utes to become farmers. Ute warriors killed Meeker and eight young men who worked for him. They took three women and two children, including Meeker's wife and daughter, captive for 23 days. The Utes trapped the U.S. troops sent to rescue the agency for six days before relief arrived. A national uproar ensued. In 1880, Ute leaders bowed to an angry nation and agreed to relinquish all claims to their reservation in Colorado. The New York Times estimated the Utes gave up 11 million acres of land. "We may probably conclude that one of the most serious Indian troubles of the year has been safely passed over or postponed," the Times wrote Aug. 6, 1880. "Yet, the most that can be said of this vaunted settlement of the Ute problem is that it has cunningly used the outbreak of a single band of Indians to despoil the whole tribe of its ancestral homes in the alleged interests of peace for the future. No man can pretend that Utes have not as good as legal title to their entire reservation as any house owner has to his dwelling place in New York." The bands of Northern Utes and the Tabeguache or Uncompahgre Utes moved to the Uintah Reservation in northeastern Utah within two years. Removal of the three Southern Ute bands did not proceed as planned. Designated lands were too poor for agriculture, which the Utes were supposed to pursue. Several proposals for small new reservations in Colorado and in southern Utah fell through, at times because white settlers or cattle companies demanded the lands for themselves. It was 1895 before a bill was passed that would locate Utes on a fragment of old reservation in southwestern Colorado, a strip 110 miles long and 15 miles wide north to south, but the special reservation status was removed from the land. Ute families were to apply for individual, limited allotments of land for farming, and any lands not allotted would be opened to white settlement. Almost half the Utes voted against the accepting the deal. By April 1896, the 371 Utes who cooperated received a total of 73,000 acres. The Utes who opposed the agreement, the Weminuche band led by Ignacio, established a camp in the southwestern corner of the old reservation. The U.S. government allowed the band to remain there and hold their lands in common. Three bands of Southern Utes were now divided into two groups. The home of the Weminuche band would later become the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. The Muache and Ca pote bands would become known as the Southern Utes. The white settlers had 523,000 acres of Southern Ute lands they could lay claim to in 1899 when President William McKinley signed the proclamation opening the reservation. Under the Restoration Acts of 1937 and 1938, more than 220,000 acres ignored by homesteaders were restored to the Southern Ute Reservation. The Ute Mountain Utes gained 30,000 acres. The aftermath of the extended period of white settlement on Southern Ute lands is the infamous checkerboard reservation of almost 700,000 acres. In very rough terms, the Southern Ute Tribe controls more than 300,000 acres with both surface and mineral rights intact. Public lands managed by the federal government account for about 70,000 acres. Private non-Indian landowners own surface and mineral rights on perhaps more than 100,000 acres. But there are some 200,000 very troublesome acres, where non-Indians hold surface rights and most mineral rights. However, the tribe owns the coal and claims to own natural gas taken from the coal. The coal estate was split off from those 200,000 acres in the early 1900s. The federal government reserved the coal for itself in the Coal Land Acts instead of handing over all the mineral rights to homesteaders. Then, in 1938, in the spirit of restoration of Indian lands, the federal government conveyed its interest in coal to the tribe, sowing a seed that would ripen into the billion-dollar battle over coal-bed methane of 1999. Copyright 1999 The Denver Post. --------- "RE: BIA Lease Review Won't Include Role for Utah" --------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 17:10:34 -0700 From: Tom Schlosser Subj: [Fwd: BIA lease review won't include role for Utah] Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) Judge Won't Let Utah Review Goshute Lease for N-Dump BY JIM WOOLF THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Utah will not participate in the federal review of a lease the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes signed with a private company proposing to store high-level radioactive waste on their land, a federal judge has ruled. But U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball said he wants to hear more arguments before ruling on the state's request to make public the terms of that lease between the tribe and Private Fuel Storage (PFS) -- a consortium of eight electric utilities with nuclear-power plants. Copies of the lease obtained under the Freedom of Information Act have the amount the tribe will be paid blacked out. Federal officials claim this is private business information exempt from public release. Kimball also agreed to combine the state's lawsuit with a similar suit filed by another group of Goshutes angry about their leaders' decision to lease land for the storage of such dangerous material. The dissident Goshutes also want to know how much the tribe is being paid by PFS. Philip C. Pugsley, an attorney for the state, said he "disagrees strongly" with Kimball's decision to prevent Utah from participating in the review of the Goshute lease."We'll probably appeal that in due course." Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt has been outspoken in his opposition to the storage facility, throwing as many obstacles as state officials can dream up. Participation in the federal lease review would give state officials another forum to voice their concerns. Although the lease was signed by the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes and PFS, it must be approved by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. That agency has given its preliminary approval to the lease. But final approval will be conditional on the completion of an environmental impact statement and a decision by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the waste can be handled safely at the site. In arguments before the court, attorneys for the state said they wanted to be involved when the Bureau of Indian Affairs makes its final decision on the lease. They want the agency to be very careful and demanding in its review. But federal attorneys said Utahans can voice their concerns during the environmental review and the safety study. If they don't like the results, the decision can be challenged in court. They said it would be unfair to let state officials sit with federal regulators when they make the final lease decision. Kimball, in a decision issued Friday, agreed with the federal attorneys and excluded the state from these deliberations. c. Copyright 1999, The Salt Lake Tribune --------- "RE: Dineh Intervention on Religious Intolerance" --------- From: "Robert Dorman" Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 14:39:49 -0800 Subj: Dineh Intervention on Religious Intolerance-UNCHR Mailing List: Big Mountain List Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 02:27:44 MST From: "Marsha Monestersky" Dear Big Mountain supporters, This is the full text of the Dineh intervention on Religious Intolerance to the 55th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights Oral Intervention of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church Submitted to the 55th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights Geneva Switzerland April 13, 1999 Read by Liberato C. Bautista and Peggy Francis Scott Dear Madam Chair: I am speaking on behalf of the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. Our church has a long standing commitment to and solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and against religious intolerance. It is our church's policy "to support the needs and aspirations of America's native peoples as they struggle for their survival and the maintenance of the integrity of their culture in a world intent upon their assimilation, Westernization, and absorption of their lands and the termination of their traditional ways of life" (1996 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, p.181). Ms. Peggy Francis Scott continues my statement: The traditional Dineh living in Black Mesa, a remote region of northeastern Arizona, in the United States are a spiritual people whose identity, ways of being, and ways of knowing and doing are intimately bound to the land. Dineh religiosity is inseparably bound to the land. Every fabric of Dineh daily life is intrinsically woven to this land and the earth. We come before you as a people proud of our tradition and our religiosity. But we also come with wounded souls and broken spirits. Our religious identities and constructions are intimately tied to the land we live on. When our land is wounded, our religion is wounded. When our spirits are broken, our spirituality is broken. Madam Chair, The traditional Dineh welcomes the report of Mr. Abdelfattah Amor [Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance on his visit to the United States early last year (E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.1)]. Mr. Amor inscribed in his report some of the hitherto unheard voices, pleas and dreams of Indigenous Peoples of the world. His visit in Black Mesa is historic and symbolic in that, at a low point in the struggle of our people, he lifted our hopes, awakened our dreams, and lent an understanding ear to our prophecies. But more remains to be said about the Dineh situation. Mr. Amor is on target in his observation that the jurisprudence of the US Supreme Court points to "no enforceable safeguards for worship at sacred sites" (52-55). In our case, Dineh sacred sites intermingle with our homes, livestock, and farms. Today, more than 12,000 Dineh have been relocated from their homes, plucked away from their livelihood and their sacred ritual and burial sites. Our religion binds us inseparably to our land which we believe is sacred. Coal mining violates the integrity of our land and therefore tears apart every fabric of our religious identity. The Navajo relocation program instituted by the US government deprives our people of ancestral lands and their inherent property rights. It also severs our sacred ties to our land and denies us the venue to practice our religious ceremonies. The unsustainable environmental practices of runaway multinational mining corporations inflict environmental racism upon us. Current US governmental laws such as the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the Antiquities Act remain to be enforced. Madam Chair, The US government must recognize that no territorial settlement should ever deprive Indigenous Peoples of their right to remain on their traditional land or to practice their religion thereupon. Our land is sacred and we do not believe it should be expropriated from us. The US government cannot and must not subordinate our survival as a people to economic interests whose dividends we do not partake from. The tribal councils operate on behalf of these economic interests more than in support of Indigenous Peoples interests. Our religious ties to our land requires that we remain its caretakers. This is the instruction given to us by our Creator. We do not want US governmental laws to deny us our religiosity. We are a people who wish to be in community with other peoples of the earth. We wish to manage the bounty of our land for ourselves and our children's use. We, much like you, wish for a good education and a religiously tolerant world for our children. We wish for a life in which we are able to sustain our livelihood and practice our religiosity, in order to live in peace, dignity, security, and harmony. How we use our land and grazing areas must be a decision our people make. The barbed wire fencing of our lands forces us to live as prisoners and trespassers on our own ancestral land. Mr. Bautista will conclude this statement: Madam Chair, We wish to draw your attention to the reference in the Report about the Dineh being a "small religious minority in a democracy shaped by the will of the majority." Why was "religious minority" used in the same sentence as "democracy"? The Dineh are part of the US democratic process, that is clear. They could be described as a minority within that majority. But what is meant by describing the Dineh as a "religious minority?" We ask, a religious minority of what majority? Who is the religious majority in the United States? This reference may serve to further marginalize the Dineh. The United Methodist Church prays for a rule of law for all peoples based on respect for justice, human rights, religious freedom and tolerance. We therefore lend our continued support in strengthening the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance. We urge the Commission to mandate an extension of the investigation of religious intolerance in the United States. In addition, we support the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur to change his title to Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief. We further support the call of our colleague indigenous NGOs for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights. Thank you Madam Chair and distinguished delegates. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church 777 United Nations Plaza New York, New York 10017 USA Tel: +212.682.3633 Fax: +212.682.5354 Web: www.umc-gbcs.org The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is the international public policy and social advocacy agency of The United Methodist Church. It is an international NGO in consultative status (roster) with ECOSOC. This statement is released on the approval of The Rev. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett, General Secretary of GBCS. Only the General Conference of The United Methodist Church speaks for the entire denomination. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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: BIA Shoots Pauline Whitesinger's Horse" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 18:10:03 -0700 From: redorman@theofficenet.com Subj: ALERT-BIA Shoots Pauline Whitesinger's horse From: "Marsha Monestersky" ALERT to Big Mountain Supporters, Carlos Begay told me that he went to see Pauline Whitesinger, an elder matriarch of the Big Mountain Community yesterday, Sunday, April 25. He relates the following, Pauline, unable, to speak, read or write English, showed him that she had circled the dates, April 18-20 on her calendar. She says, this is when the US Department of the Interior's Hopi Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Area Agency confiscated her cow and killed her horse. Pauline received no prior warning from the BIA to indicate that they would confiscate her animals, but when she was unable some of them, she feared that they might have been confiscated. While at the Hopi BIA Area Agency she saw her cow in the impoundment yard along with 3 other animals belonging to someone else. Impoverished and unable to pay for the release of her cow, she was forced to leave it there. That same day, when she returned home, her granddaughter told her that she heard a high powered gun shot while she was out sheepherding. Pauline and her granddaughter set off to investigate. What they found close to where her granddaughter was sheepherding was her horse was shot, laying there dead. Pauline says that she believes it was the BIA Ranger that shot her horse because she saw a lot of tracks of a BIA Ranger on horseback and an impoundment trailer. Pauline said the quantity of tracks indicated that her horse must have been running not walking and when the BIA Ranger and impoundment trailer were unable to catch her horse they must have just shot it and left it there to die. Currently, her horse is still lying where it was shot, its remains mostly gone, devoured by hungry coyotes. Members of her family are currently traveling to the BIA in Keams Canyon to find out why they shot Pauline`s horse. Judith Nies in a "Native American History" states, "1863-1864. The war against the Navajo. The Navajo Long Walk and imprisonment at Bosque Redondo. Kit Carson drove the Navajo from their lands by destroying their means of survival. His army killed thousands of sheep, poisoned wells, burned orchards and crops, destroyed hogans and livestock shelters, and anything else that was of value to the Navajo." The elders believe that the starvation policy imposed upon them by the BIA continues the tradition of Kit Carson and the Long Walk. We need your help to pressure the BIA. Please call, fax and send letters to the following: Robert Carolin, Acting Supertindent U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Hopi BIA Agency P.O. Box 158 Keams Canyon, AY 86034 USA Phone: 001 (outside the U.S.) Phone: (520) 738-2249 Fax: (520) 738-5187 Hilda Manuel U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs 1849 C Street, NW Mail Stop 4140 Washington, DC 20240 Phone: 001 (outside the U.S.) Phone: (202)716-3602 Fax: (202) 208-5320 Wayne Nordell U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Phone: (602) 379-6600 Fax: (602) 379-6835 Thank you for your help. Posted by Marsha Monestersky Temporary e-mail in Europe: mmonestersky@hotmail.com April 26, 1999 --------- "RE: Bucket Line Needs Funds" --------- Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1999 00:13:19 -0700 From: redorman@theofficenet.com Subj: Bucket line needs funds for delivery to rez Mailing List: Big Mountain List From: PAPAPOSSUM@aol.com Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1999 01:01:08 EDT please foward or publish Dear friends I now have a 20 ft trailer load of clothing, fire wood, building insulation, dishes and lots of good things. I need to raise $500 quickly to make a delivery to reservation if you can; please help. If you cannot help I will understand. I know lots of charities are asking for money right now Your Friend Jim papapossum please send tax deductible donations to Bucket -Line TO The Elders in care of First security Bank 2050 N main Layton utah 84041 --------- "RE: Isleta Suit Seeks Cash For Land" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 09:00:44 -0700 From: Tom Schlosser Subj: Isleta authorized to pursue new Indian Claims Commission-type suit Tuesday, April 20, 1999 Isleta Suit Seeks Cash For Land Aboriginal Territory Stretches Into Texas By Leslie Linthicum Journal Staff Writer Beaten at the Border 50 Years Draw a clockwise circle beginning at Tijeras Canyon, over to Las Vegas, down to Tatum and into West Texas, over to south of El Paso, up to Mount Taylor and back again through Trinity: Albuquerque to the canyon. That is roughly the loop of land Isleta Pueblo claims as its rightful traditional territory. It encompasses between 20 million and 30 million acres the pueblo says the U.S. government took illegally and should now pay for. It takes roughly half of New Mexico and a couple of chunks of Texas. The pueblo is suing the federal government for taking the lands through the establishment of national forests and military bases and the granting of homesteads and mining, grazing and oil and gas leases. In its lawsuit, the pueblo asks to be paid "just compensation" for the property. The lawsuit does not name a price. The land includes Conchas Lake, Elephant Butte reservoir, the Manzano Mountains, the The Nando Lincoln National Forest, a long stretch of the Rio Grande, White Sands Missile Range, the Mescalero Apache Reservation and pieces of West Texas. The pueblo's official boundaries now stretch over 211,000 acres in Bernalillo, Valencia and Torrance counties, spanning the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque and climbing to the ridge of the Manzano Mountains. A lawyer for the pueblo said the lawsuit is a routine claim to aboriginal lands, the term that describes the territory that a tribe traditionally lived in or used for hunting, fishing or gathering plants and minerals. The Isletans' claim is very different from a claim by Sandia Pueblo that it owns and should be granted clear title to and control over a large swath of land that stretches from the pueblo north of Albuquerque to the top of the Sandia Mountains. "They're not asking to have this land back," David Mielke, the lawyer for Isleta said. "It's just a matter of money." On Thursday, the pueblo and the federal government asked a federal judge to allow them until January to try to settle the case. Judge Christine Miller of the United States Court of Federal Claims put the case on hold in December for six months when the parties said they might be able to settle the lawsuit. They have asked for an extension of that order until Jan. 15. The Department of Justice has denied Isleta's claim that its aboriginal lands extend to the boundaries it has outlined. In a response to the lawsuit filed with the court in the District of Columbia, Justice Department attorney Daniel Steel said the government denies that Isleta Pueblo "ever owned, used, occupied, possessed, exercised dominion over, or held aboriginal title to 'substantial portions' of the land identified." Indian tribes have long maintained that the land their ancestors used before white people migrated to North America from Europe is rightfully theirs. In 1946, Congress passed the Indian Claims Commission Act, which provided a forum for tribes to sue the federal government to recover damages for the loss of tribal lands. The deadline for claims expired in 1951, but Isleta Pueblo received special permission in 1996 to make a claim after it argued it missed the deadline because of incorrect advice from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. That opened the door for Isleta's lawsuit, which was filed in 1998. The pueblo's claim excludes Spanish land grants because it only applies to lands the pueblo was entitled to when those lands came under control of the United States government. Mielke, the Albuquerque lawyer representing Isleta, also represented Sandia Pueblo in its successful lawsuit that sought control of the west side of the Sandia Mountains. The federal government is appealing a judge's ruling that sided with Sandia's claim, and the parties are in mediation. Mielke said Isleta's claim includes territory in which Isletans have traditionally hunted or traveled and lands occupied by members of other pueblos who migrated to Isleta. "Isleta was a large pueblo, and it ended up being a melting pot of sorts as other pueblos disbanded and migrated to and settled at Isleta," Mielke said. The area that current pueblo members' ancestors used actually extended well beyond the area the pueblo is claiming, Mielke said. "There's evidence that Isletans went as far as Oklahoma to hunt buffalo," he said. Mielke said the government's "taking" of the land occurs when "someone else fences it, uses it and excludes Isletans from it." A monetary value for land under the Indian Claims Commission Act is set based on what resources the land contains. Land that held a large gold mine would be valued higher than grazing land, for example. Zuni Pueblo won a similar right to make a tardy land claim in 1978. In a settlement, the Zunis received about $25 million -- $1.69 an acre for each of some 15 million acres the pueblo said it lost. Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999 Albuquerque Journal --------- "RE: Laframbois Island" --------- From: "Robert Quiver" Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 14:53:31 PDT Subj: Laframbois Island PRESS RELEASE - April 21, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Info: Charmaine Whiteface, Media Coordinator Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council (605)399-1253 Pierre SD - In the midst of drum beats and sacred songs, approximately 200 people stood around a large campfire and watched as the seven Lakota men occupying a Spiritual Camp on LaFramboise Island in the Missouri River were inducted into an ancient warrior society. The sacred ceremony was held on Apr 20, following a day-long meeting of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council. In their fourth week of tending the First fire of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council fires of the Lakota Nation), the men were named members of the "Most dependable Warriors Society" (called Fool Soldiers by the 1st white men) because of their dedication the the Great Sioux Nation as exhibited by their presence on the Island. They are building awareness of the transfer of almost 200,000 acres of land along the Missouri River to the state of SD, The Cheyenne River and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes. They are also educating the public to the violation this land transfer is to the Ft Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868 which were made between the US and the Great Sioux Nation. (GSN) Although the Cheyenne River (CRST) and Lower Brule Sioux Tribes (LBST) are also part of the GSN, their govt's which agreed to the transfer were created in 1934 by the US under the Wheeler-Howard Act, aka the Indian Reorganization Act. Many members of those two reservations have protested their govts participation in the passage of this piece of federal legislation. A dozen horseback riders from Cheyenne River in support of the Spiritual Camp, and two adult volunteers who work w/ youth were also recognized and will receive eagle feathers. The ceremony was conducted by Harry Charger of the Sans Arc band which is located on the Cheyenne River Reservation, while most of the seven inductees are Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation. Members of the Great Sioux Nation contend the land area including the Missouri River was held in common by all of the Sioux bands (tribes). The US House of Representatives in Jul 98 recognized the complications inherent in the bill w/ the treaties, and refused to pass the CRST, LBST, and State of SD Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Restoration Act, aka the Mitigation Act. But under the steerage of Minority Leader Sen Tom Daschle, D-SD, the piece of legislation was attached as Title VI of the 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Act last fall. With the enormity of the fed. budget, most Congressmen failed to cross-reference any treaty obligations at that late date following months of the Presidential impeachment hearings. Peter Capossela, an attny working w/ many of the Sioux tribes, explained a discrepancy in Title VI which was overlooked in its passage. The transfer of the land is authorized under Sec 605(a). However, Sec 605(h) allows for the protection of Native American gravesites uinder the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. According to Capossela, the NAGPRA applies only to federal and tribal land but not state land. This leads to the question of how Native American graves in this specific land area along the Missouri River will be protected. A Kansas archaeologist unearthed a human skull and some other bones just days prior to the mtg, according to an article in the Pierre newspaper, the Capital Journal, on Apr 19, 1999. The BHSNTC contends that the find clearly shows a need for a consistent application of the NAGPRA along the Missouri River. That need would be thwarted by the transfer of the land to the state. The 7 warriors were further buoyed by the passage of a resolution by the BHSNTC designating Laframbois Island a sacred site and Tribal Cultural property. Such a designation is allowed under the National Park Service's regulations for sites eligible under the National Register of Historic Places because of the "cultural practices or beliefs of a living community that are rooted in that community's history." Tim Mentz, Historic Preservation officer for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, stated that more than 700 sites can be found in the land area to be transferred. The US Army Corps of Engineers which manages the land in question asked for the removal of the camp by Apr 20. The designation by the BHSNTC protects the camp and the men from any removal until the issue is resolved. Representatives of the BHSNTC will be attending a forum sponsored by Congressman Patrick Kennedy, D_RI, on tribal rights and Sovereignty in Washington DC on May 12, 1999. They hope to bring the issue of the violation of the treaties with the passage of the federal budget will to the attention of federal lawmakers. Another gathering is planned on Laframbois Island for Apr 29, the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Ft Laramie Treaty of 1868. --------- "RE: Cultural and Natural Resource Issue" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 12:03:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Larry Kibby To: president@whitehouse.gov Subj: Cultural and Natural Resource Issue Mailing List: Paths-L Date: April 20, 1999 From: Larry Kibby, Program Director Western Shoshone Historic Preservation Society Elko Indian Colony 1581 Pinenut Circle Elko, Nevada 89801-2577 TO: President William Jefferson Clinton White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D. C. 20500 RE: Buffalo Slaughter Dear President Clinton: The Western Shoshone Historic Preservation Society(WSHPS) by way of an Official Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) and Resolution(May 26, 1998), as a Representative of the Elko Band Council(EBC-IRA), a Constituent of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada(IRA-Government to-Government Executive Order's April 1994-1998), does hereby direct this authorized letter to the Office of the United States President. Mr. President, historically, and contemporary, within the Culture of the Native American Indian Ancient Customs and Belief, the Buffalo has a unique and valued importance to the Native American Indian and such is the significance, that the recent "Slaughter of 50+ Buffalo" by the "Montana Department of Livestock", and continued promotion and or advocacy directed at further killing of Buffalo, warrants this letter to the Office of the Whitehouse and the President of these United States. Mr. President, many of the Sovereign Nations of the Native American Indian today as in the past like their Ancestor's still utilize the Buffalo as a principle resource in which furnishes them with food, skins for tee-pee's, clothing items, bones for scraping tools and other utensils, and the skull is utilized in religious ceremonies, such as the Sun Dance, however, it must be noted, that the Tribes "Do Not" kill an abundance of their Buffalo, but do so by way of Traditional Ceremony and for ceremonial purposes, and finds this "Slaughter of Buffalo" by the Montana Department of Livestock to be a very serious "Criminal Matter" that does need to be stopped. Historically, the Buffalo has gone and is now undergoing a very serious devastating encounter, not only by Rancher's, but by State and Federal Government Officials, to the point where history is in fact repeating it's-self in such a manner, that once, from the grasslands, Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains was home to over 30 million plus Buffalo that were reduced to almost 500 due to a "Slaughter Policy" by such companies as Union Pacific Railroad, as well as for other adventure seeking reason's, which did not promote any manner of justice for such activity, then, and today. Mr. President, as a Traditional Sun Dancer, I request that the Whitehouse and the Office of the President, to view the following respects, and begin an immediate process of legal action that would stop this criminal act and note some of the following reasons: 1) Federal (public) lands should be used for wild buffalo instead of being leased at below cost value to a few cows. 2) The financial burden to the taxpayers of the United States regarding the management of buffalo is unacceptable. Federal agencies should be using financially responsible alternatives instead of wasting taxpayers monies slaughtering wildlife. 3) The people of the world care for the buffalo and will not continue to stand by and watch them be slaughtered. There are sound biological principles that should override egotistic/back-door politics. The recent actions by the Montana Department of Livestock taken against the 50 buffalo is a criminal act and the White House, Office of the U. S. President, and the National Humane Society should be aware that: 1) 6 buffalo have now died as a result of inhumane treatment incurred while captured by the DOL. 2) Two of these animals "tested negative" for brucellosis, were released and died as a result of injuries incurred in the facility. 3) 71 Buffalo were crammed into a "Tiny Capture Facility" by the DOL that did cause injuries that led to the death of some. 4) calves that lost their mother during the "Slaughter" have not been provided proper means of food by the DOL and many of these will eventually die, because their needs are not being adhered to. 5) The buffalo on Horse Butte suffer from the tortuous hazing tactics of the DOL. The aggressive action by the Montana Department of Livestock towards the Buffalo in Yellowstone must be stopped and a policy of justice be established that would allow the Buffalo to prevail unmolested and without prejudice, for the Buffalo is a part of America's unique Heritage, as it is a unique part of the Culture of the Native American Indian, of which the Buffalo is and has always been an intricate respect of the Ancient Customs and Belief's. Mr. President, as a Traditional Sun Dancer, I request you to provide a course of action which will put a stop to the unnecessary activity directed at the Buffalo by the Montana Department of Livestock, in which the Slaughter of Buffalo, is in fact not a valid factor, nor are there any just policies establish that would declare such action as a relevant respect in the preservation and protection of the Buffalo. Mr. President, your immediate attention and response is necessary regarding this matter. Thank you. Sincerely, Larry Kibby, Program Director Western Shoshone Historic Preservation Society Elko Indian Colony 1581 Pinenut Circle Elko, Nevada 89801-2577 *************************************************** * http://personalweb.sierra.net/~kibbey/main.html * * Larry Kibby, Program Director * * WSHP * * Elko Indian Colony, Elko, Nevada * *************************************************** To subscribe to the "Paths-L" mailing list send a message to Majordomo@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net In the body of the message type: subscribe paths-l To unsubscribe type: unsubscribe paths-l (no subject is necessary for the message). ---------------------------------------- To subscribe to the "Leonard Peltier" mailing list send a message to Majordomo@YvwiiUsdinvnohii.net In the body of the message type: subscribe Leonard peltier To unsubscribe type: unsubscribe Leonard peltier (no subject is necessary for the message). ------------------------------------------ To subscribe to the "Campaign for Medical Treatment" email list send a blank message to peltier-fast-request@iww.org with just the word subscribe in the subject line. ------------------------------------------ To subscribe to the "Leonard Peltier Defense Committee" email list, send a blank message to lpdc-on@mail-list.com To unsubscribe, send a blank message to lpdc-off@mail-list.com --------- "RE: Vow to Protect Newborn Buffalo" --------- Date: Saturday, April 24, 1999 From: Buffalo Folks Subj: Buffalo Field Campaign vows to protect newborns Buffalo Field Campaign formerly Buffalo Nations P.O. Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Phone (406) 646-0070 Fax (406) 646-0071 E-mail buffalo@wildrockies.org. Pregnant females and calves die at DOL's hands Buffalo Field Campaign vows to protect newborns For immediate release : April 24, 1999 Contacts : Sarah K. Chalmers, Kelly Needs (406)646-0070 West Yellowstone, MT - The recent abuse of buffalo by the Montana Department of Livestock gives rise to a growing concern for pregnant buffalo preparing to give birth. One calf who was orphaned when the DOL sent it's mother to slaughter, recently died. This calf struggled for weeks on highway 191. This calf was not alone this winter. As well as orphaned calves, the Department of Livestock's hazing last week resulted in the deaths of two pregnant females on the butte. Although they escaped the hazing, the subsequent loss of support from their herd made it impossible for them to survive. Six buffalo died as a direct result of last weeks hazing. The DOL has claimed responsibility for the four that died while in their capture facility, but not for the two that died after being released onto Horse Butte with massive bodily injury from gore wounds incurred in the DOL trap. "The Department of Livestock is incapable of "managing" the Yellowstone buffalo herd. No animal should be treated this way," said spokesperson Sarah K. Chalmers. Buffalo choose Horse Butte for a calving ground every year. Their birthing period depends on the weather and availability of food. Horse Butte provides an ideal calving ground. During last years mass hazing operation by the DOL, three females hid in the woods and gave birth to their calves. They spent a little over two weeks recovering from the birth and strengthening the young calves before heading back to the park. 96 buffalo have died as a result of actions taken by the DOL this year. In none of these deaths was there any danger of brucellosis transmission to cattle, as no cattle were present when the animals were taken for slaughter. "The persistence of the DOL in killing all pregnant females makes one wonder if they are actually involved in population control, rather than disease management. The Yellowstone herd is in no need of culling this year. They are in need of space to graze and give birth and survive this winter with new calves to strengthen the herd as they return to the park," Chalmers said. Two females have already calved on Horse Butte this week. Volunteers for Buffalo Field Campaign have witnessed these births and realize the need to keep their distance. "We will protect these new lives from the assault of the Department of Livestock to the best of our ability. These mothers should be able to birth in peace without being hazed and later dying at a slaughterhouse, days from giving birth," stated Buffalo Field Campaign volunteer Kelly Needs. Fears that cattle may transact brucellosis from the fetal matter left by buffalo is unfounded as the brucella organism is only active for a few hours once exposed to sunlight. Cattle do not return to Horse Butte until mid-June. Harassment of buffalo on Horse Butte is unnecessary if the goal of the DOL is to keep Montana cattle brucellosis-free. The cattle being brought to Horse Butte in June are from Idaho and must be vaccinated before crossing the state line. "The brucellosis scare is a ruse. Not to protect cattle, but to eliminate buffalo from coveted grass lands," spokesperson John Reese stated. Video Footage Available upon Request. Scanned still photos available >from our website. URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo Buffalo Field Campaign (formerly Buffalo Nations) PO Box 957 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Phone: 406-646-0070 FAX: 406-646-0071 email: buffalo@wildrockies.org URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo ______________________________________________________ Buffalo-talk is a service of Buffalo Field Campaign and the Wild Rockies InfoNet. URL: http://www.wildrockies.org Subscribe: mailto:Buffalo-Talk-on@vortex.wildrockies.org Unsubscribe: mailto:Buffalo-Talk-off@vortex.wildrockies.org News Submissions or Problems: mailto: buffalo-talk@wildrockies.org ______________________________________________________ Please take 20 seconds and add your voice to those who speak FOR THE BUFFALO! Petition URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/buffpet Please pass this URL on to 94 friends,family and groups around the web in honor of the 94 buffalo have been slaughtered this year! Can we stand by and do nothing? ______________________________________________________ We have posted new video clips for an "in the field" look at the buffalo and their plight with the Montana Department of Livestock Please stop by and see it! http://www.wildrockies.org/buffalo --------- "RE: Benefits of Bison on American Indian Life" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:09:57 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-24-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Herd manager sees the benefits of bison on American Indian life BY JOE DUGGAN c. Lincoln Journal Star 4/23/99 When the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska decided to buy bison five years ago, it asked Louis LaRose to be herd manager. The former director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs knew little about bison, but in his gut, he knew the tribe needed them. He accepted the job. So when a concerned neighbor had a question about the animals, he approached LaRose. "He said, "Louis, what are you going to do if they stampede?'" LaRose said Wednesday during a speech at Love Library. "I said, "I'm going to get the hell out of the way. What do you suppose I'm going to do: Stand there waving my arms to try to stop them?'" One minute, LaRose had his audience laughing with his characteristic humor. The next, he commanded thoughtful silence as he spoke about the trials and joys of reconnecting bison to Plains Indian nations. LaRose spoke Wednesday afternoon at the Great Plains Art Collection Gallery during the Paul A. Olson Seminars in Great Plains Studies. The man with the quick smile and a tuft of gray hair on his chin has come a long way since he started managing that bison herd. He serves as president of the InterTribal Bison Cooperative in Rapid City, S.D., and project director of the Northern Plains Bison Education Network in Bismarck, N.D. In his official capacity, he works on several bison-related issues, from starting new herds on tribal lands to generating support for bison research to dealing with the "white tape" of federal meat inspectors. The cooperative also has waged a legal fight against the killing of free-range bison by Montana agricultural officials who fear the animals that leave the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park will spread disease to cattle. And he continues to manage the herd at Winnebago, which now numbers 65. Along the way, he has witnessed many benefits of renewing the historical relationship between bison and Indian people. For example, LaRose said, the leaner bison meat, when combined with improved diet and exercise, is helping tribal members fight diabetes and heart disease. On the reservation, the meat is prescribed like a pharmaceutical for people with health problems. It has also reinforced the importance of environmental land practices to provide the bison with native grasses. Having the herd near Winnebago has been spiritually uplifting for the elders and it has helped connect youngsters with their collective past. "The buffalo are coming back," he said. "And they're making us look back to the history. They're making us look back to the heart and soul of who we are. And it's showing us that many of the ways of the past are best for us." The Winnebago bison herd also helped some of the tribe's most desperate youth. As part of a youth-employment program, LaRose was given several undisciplined young men to help work the herd during the summer. He recalled initial struggles of trying to work with the youngsters. He almost gave up, but decided to try an impassioned ultimatum: Follow my rules, learn to work like a man and I will give you my respect. If not, leave. To his surprise, all of the youngsters accepted his challenge. "They wanted to prove to me," he said. "They wanted to be men. They ended up proving to themselves." --------- "RE: Delaware Child Development Office Opens" --------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 15:47:44 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-15-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Delaware Child Development Office Opens c. Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise 4/13/99 The Delaware Tribe Child Development (DTCD) office has recently opened the No Weta Child Care Center at 1 Industrial Park Road in Nowata, OK. The hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children newborn to age 12. The center officially began its operation on Monday, March 15 when it opened its doors to school age children who were on spring break. Infant and Preschool age children were admitted on Monday, March 29. "We are still in the process of hiring more staff," said DTCD Director Sherry Rackliff. "The skills and qualification standards required to operate this type of facility is high. Finding skilled qualified applicants should apply. DTCD is a federally funded program through the Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF). It is funded under the management of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. The service area for DTCD is Washington, Nowata, Rogers, Northern Tulsa and Craig counties in Oklahoma and Montgomery and Labette Counties in Kansas. The determination for service or assistance is based on the order of need. It is Delaware tribal member preference first, then Native American, followed by those whose families receive state assistance, have special needs and then all others requiring child care services. DTCD offers a variety of services to children. These include: Child care tuition assistance for low income Native American children, quality early childhood programs, quality programs, parent education resources, teacher/ community training, collaboration with other community agencies and a family child care home provider network. The Delaware Tribe has received two contracts from the state of Oklahoma to provide a type of mentoring service to recruit and train family day care home providers. 15 homes per contract will be maintained and monthly In home visits and weekly calls or letters will be required. During the in home visits, the Child Care Specialist will provide activities that correlate with the age of the children the home. Future DTCD facilities will include a center at the planned Tribal Complex in Bartlesville, OK, and a site in Chelsea, OK. A series of special programs will be offered this summer in the Oklahoma/Kansas service areas such Oklahoma Union School Age Care (SAC) and Caney Valley SAC. For information about the Delaware Tribe Child Development Programs. call (918) 336-7657. For information about No-Weta Child Care Center, call (918) 273 2602. --------- "RE: Byrd Plans Defense for Court Hearing" --------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 15:47:44 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-15-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Byrd plans defense for court hearing c. Tulsa World 4/14/99 TAHLEQUAH -- Cherokee Chief Joe Byrd will defend his retention of two "suspended" district judges on the grounds that they were denied due process of law by the tribe's supreme court. A Cherokee Nation representative confirmed Tuesday that Byrd will attend a 3 p.m. Friday hearing before the tribe's supreme court to answer charges that he paid the jurists despite the court's contention that they had been placed under suspension. The court suspended the two judges after they refused to conduct legal proceedings at the downtown courthouse, where the high court, officially called the Judicial Affairs Tribunal, is based. The judges established a district court at the Cherokee Nation's tribal headquarters. The representative of the tribe's law and judicial department said the judges, DeWayne Littlejohn and Tina Jordan, were denied due process hearings under the federal Indian Civil Rights Act. The representative also said that removal and suspension of judges is vested in the tribal council and not in the supreme court. Byrd and his general counsel, Rex Earl Starr, were ordered by Chief Justice Philip Viles Jr. to make court appearances Friday. --------- "RE: Cherokees Set Hearing to End Council Boycott" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:09:57 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-24-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Cherokees set hearing to end council boycott c. Tulsa World 4/23/99 TAHLEQUAH -- A hearing on a petition to force six boycotting members of the Cherokee Nation council to attend meetings will be heard Friday by a tribal district judge. The boycotts have left the 15-member council without a quorum of 10 several times during the past year. The petition was filed by Ed Crittenden, who said the councilors are being paid $1,400 a month while they refuse to attend meetings. The tribe has been in turmoil for two years over allegations of misuse of funds against the administration of Chief Joe Byrd, who has denied the allegations and blamed politics for them. The councilors said they have boycotted meetings to stop the Byrd majority on the council from implementing laws that the boycotting members consider to be against federal guidelines and the tribe's constitution. - - - - - - Ruling on tribal meeting attendance petition delayed c. Tulsa World 4/24/99 TAHLEQUAH -- A Cherokee Nation district judge on Friday delayed a hearing on tribal council attendance until May 28. Ed Crittenden has filed a petition seeking to force six boycotting council members to attend meetings. The councilors said the petition should have been filed in the tribe's supreme court. --------- "RE: UN Asks About Dudley George" --------- Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 23:00:49 -0500 From: sisis@envirolink.org (S.I.S.I.S.) Subj: UN asks about inquiry into Dudley's murder :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:Forwarded message:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 21:07:01 -0500 From: Bob Olsen Subj: UN Asks About Dudley George http://www.canada.com/newscafe/getcp.asp?bk=3Dworld&sk=3D990326/w032635.html UN committee wants to know about Dudley George inquiry UNITED NATIONS (CP) - The 1995 killing of Ontario native protester Dudley George came up Friday when a United Nations committee asked Canada how it's living up to the terms of an international covenant on political and civil rights. The UN Human Rights Committee asked the Canadian government whether an inquiry has been held "into the circumstances, including the role and responsibility of public officials, of an incident in which a police officer shot dead Mr. Dudley George ..." While the UN committee is supposed to query all signatory countries on how well they are observing the covenant, the question about George gave a boost to Canadian petitioners seeking a public inquiry into his death. During a clash at Ipperwash Provincial Park Sept. 6, 1995, an Ontario provincial police officer shot and killed George during a protest. It was believed to be the first killing of an indigenous person this century in Canada in a land-claims dispute. George was 30 or so native men, women and children who protested the destruction of burial grounds in the park on Lake Huron. The case was brought before the UN committee after 3 years of fruitless legal battles by the Coalition for a Public Inquiry into the Death of Dudley George, a non-governmental organization headed by Ann Pohl of Toronto. Pohl said in an interview Friday the UN committee was "very enthusiastic" in bringing the case to the attention of the Canadian government. The query about George was one of more than two dozen written questions the 18-member committee had for the Canadian government delegation, headed by Rob Watts, assistant deputy minister on Indian affairs. Some of the questions were read out one after another without waiting for an immediate reply from the delegation while a few were answered promptly at the closed session, witnesses said. "When they (the Canadian delegation) go home, they will receive concluding observations from the committee in a couple of weeks," said Pohl, who attended as a petitioner. "It had happened before that Canada had been taken to task by the UN on aboriginal issues and had decided to act on it. I believe they will in this issue." Pohl said her group provided information to the UN committee and the reception has been "extremely heartening." The coalition alleged in a brief filed to the UN committee that Canada violated several provisions in the covenant, including the right to life and treatment of protesters. The committee's other questions cover a wide range of topics - from native rights to gender equality, from the right to privacy to the treatment of detainees. It sought information on the outcome of an investigation into the Canadian military's "use of lethal force" while on a UN mission in Somalia in 1993. And it asked what measures have been taken to prevent child prostitution in Canada. The Canadian Press, 1999 :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:End forwarded message:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: [S.I.S.I.S. note: In Ontario, both opposition Liberal and NDP parties support an inquiry into Dudley George's murder at Stoney Point (aka Ipperwash) in 1995, an inquiry thus far refused by both the federal and provincial governments. By contrast in BC, there is a coordinated and well orchestrated coverup of the Gustafsen Lake standoff which occurred simultaneously to that of the Stoney Pointers. Both groups pledged mutual solidarity at the time and this solidarity continues between those who actually made the stands, including members of the George family. The deputy secretary general of the UN, Louise Frechette, was Canada's deputy minister of Defence at the time of the Gustafsen siege, and facilitated Canadian Forces involvement in that operation along with former Ambassador to the United States, General Jean De Chastelaine, who wrote the "Standing Orders" for "Op Wallaby" and CF involvement.] More more information on the Stoney Point and Gustafsen Standoffs: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustmain.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Ipperwash/arch01.html :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: S.I.S.I.S. Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty P.O. Box 8673, Victoria, "B.C." "Canada" V8X 3S2 EMAIL : WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html --------- "RE: Activists Join Forces on UN Report" --------- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 06:35:35 -0300 From: Larry Innes Subj: News: Indigenous Activists join forces on UN report Mailing List: INNU-L RIGHTS: INDIGENOUS CANADIANS JOIN FORCES WITH NATIVE AMERICANS By Mark Bourrie 04/13/99 Inter Press Service Copyright 1999 Global Information Network OTTAWA, Apr. 13 (IPS) -- Indigenous leaders in Canada have forged a political link with their counterparts in the United States in the wake of a U.N. report that listed Canada's treatment of aborigines as the country's most pressing human rights issue. Yesterday, Phil Fontaine, head of the Assembly of First Nations which represents more than 300 Native communities in Canada, announced a formal partnership with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), based in the United States. Fontaine said the two organizations would press for full self- government and sovereignty for all native North Americans. He said the group also would seek partnerships with aboriginal groups in Mexico. The Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Committee said in a report last week that the Canadian government had failed to implement recommendations of the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples -- proof that Ottawa was not complying with the international covenant on civil and political rights. The Royal Commission, made up of eminent native leaders, lawyers, and academics, recommended full self-government, control over resources, and a separate traditional legal system. It also recommended major improvements to native health care. The United Nations also called on both the Canadian federal government and the administration of the province of Ontario to establish an inquiry into the 1995 police shooting of Dudley George, an Ojibwe man who died while protesting the seizure of native land on the shore of Lake Huron. George's death has been the focus of Native protests in Canada, despite the conviction of a police officer for manslaughter. Indigenous leaders claimed the police attack on the protesters was orchestrated by senior politicians and government officials and they hailed the U.N. report as an important blow for Native rights. "This is above our expectations. It's a great day for the rights of all aboriginal people," said Armand McKenzie, a lawyer for the Innu Council of Nitassian, which represents 7,500 people on the coast of Labrador, one of the most isolated and inaccessible places on Earth. There are no roads or railways into the Innu territory, and coastal ship traffic is limited to about four months a year. The Innu have fought for years against low-level training flights by NATO fighter pilots. "We will no longer be beggars in our own homeland. We have the right to benefit. This is important because it said the government has to revoke its practice regarding the extinguishment of aboriginal rights," he said. Other native leaders said the U.N. report could spur the Canadian government into implementing reforms. "This is a very stern rebuke, it's a drubbing," said Andy Orkin, legal advisor to the Grand Council of Crees, which is locked in a battle to keep power companies from damming the rivers in its territory. The 12,000 members of the Cree first nation have one of the country's highest levels of alcoholism and suicide. "This is a pretty important development, and a pretty sad one. Canada plays international human rights boy scout, but to get a ruling like this in our own back yard demonstrates considerable hypocrisy," he said. Fontaine, whose group has been losing clout with the Canadian government during the current Liberal administration, declared that Canadian indigenous communities could get the attention of the world by allying itself with Native Americans. "What we're doing is in our recognition that there is strength in numbers, there is strength in organizing ourselves better, there is strength in elevating our issues so there is international attention given to these issues," he said. "Reports such as the one out of Geneva reinforce what we have been saying about our situation in Canada, which is no different from the position in the United States. It's of the utmost importance to us to go where we need to go. "I think one thing that has worked against us is that we've restricted and confined ourselves domestically when it's clear that international attention is what drives efforts internationally. It's just time to do this." Fontaine said that " bringing our considerable resources together will make things better for us." NCAI president Ron Allen said a partnership between the two groups would also help indigenous people get more attention from the United Nations. "Beyond those in North America, we have indigenous brothers and sisters around the world. They are fighting for sovereignty, for protection of their land bases and their cultural ways of life. As we join forces, that message becomes a common message that is heard both in the capitals of Canada and the United States, but also in international forums such as the United Nations," he said. A Canadian government spokesman said some of the U.N.'s criticisms were being dealt with through new self-government initiatives. --------- "RE: U.N. Committee Criticizes Canada" --------- Date: Monday, April, 12 1999 From: Native Americas Journal Subj: U.N. Committee Criticizes Canada -=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=- The following article is provided by Native Americas, published by the Akwe:kon Press at Cornell University. For more information on how to stay informed of emerging trends that impact Native peoples throughout the hemisphere visit our website. URL: http://nativeamericas.aip.cornell.edu -=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=- U.N. COMMITTEE CRITICIZES CANADA By Paul Barnsley / Windspeaker An international panel of judges and human rights experts told Canada it needs to get serious about protecting the human rights of Indigenous people within its borders. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concluded its autumn session on Dec. 4, by issuing conclusions after listening to reports from five nations, including Canada. The committee released its findings after listening to weeks of reports from nations that are parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which has 137 signatory nations. Every five years, states that have ratified the treaty must report to the committee and answer questions. During this session, Canada was criticized by the committee for not following the committee's 1993 recommendations. That was the last time Canada appeared before the committee, "when it adopted policies at federal, provincial and territorial levels which exacerbated poverty and homelessness among vulnerable groups at a time of strong economic growth and increasing affluence." The committee approves of several Supreme Court of Canada rulings dealing with equality provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and praised Canada for appointing a Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. But it slammed Canada for not taking steps to make the terms of the international treaty binding within its boundaries, citing the lack of legal recourse under Canadian law for those who might claim that the covenant has been violated. The committee also chided Canada for failing to make legislative or constitutional changes that would allow the federal government to pressure provinces that violated the terms of the covenant, noting that under the present arrangement provinces could not be forced to comply. The committee acknowledged the gross disparity between Aboriginal people and most Canadians and urged Canada to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The committee report frowned on Canada's policy of extinguishment of Aboriginal rights, and raised questions about the federal policy of devolving programs to provincial governments, asking what the federal government could or would do if provincial governments violated the terms of the covenant. The committee also inquired about the self-determination ambitions of Canada's Aboriginal peoples and what rights the Aboriginal peoples of Quebec would have if Quebec separated. Federal officials assured the members that Canada has reversed the trend towards social spending cuts and pointed to Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart's Agenda for Action with First Nations as proof that Canada was addressing the problems. The Grand Council of the Crees was the only Native group that attended the committee meetings. Grand Chief Matthew Coon-Come summed up his impressions of Canada's answers to the committee during a speech at Carleton University in Ottawa on Dec. 10, calling the committee report "one of the most significant developments in recent years concerning the human rights of Aboriginal peoples in Canada." Coon-Come launched his own stinging indictment of Canada's reaction to the report. "The reaction of the government was swift and predictable," he said. "Ministers Herb Gray and Lloyd Axworthy stated that the U.N. committee had relied on 'outdated' data, thus implying that things are now fine." The Grand Chief argued that things are not fine. He stated that an analysis of spending on First Nations programs showed that per capita spending for Native people has dropped by three percent since 1993, while per capita spending for non-Aboriginal Canadians has risen over the same period by 24 percent. "We are growing tired of the propaganda that is being used to continue to oppress and dispossess us," he said. "By short-changing Aboriginal peoples in the way federal governments do as compared to per capita spending on non-Aboriginal Canadians, the federal government is actually enriching the federal treasury at our expense." --------- "RE: Menominee Treaty Right Fails" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 08:07:30 -0700 From: Tom Schlosser Subj: Menominee treaty right fails where Mille Lacs succeeded Mailing List: TRIBALLAW (triballaw@thecity.sfsu.edu) U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear Menominee Indians' hunting, fishing bid Pat Doyle Star Tribune April 20, 1999 In a case that demonstrates crucial differences between American Indian treaties, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a bid by the Menominee Indians to fish and hunt outside their Wisconsin reservation without state regulation. The court without comment let stand a federal appeals court ruling that rejected the Menominee treaty claim and drew a sharp contrast between it and the successful claims of Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In the Chippewa cases, the Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings that said the tribes retained broad fishing and hunting privileges under a treaty signed in 1837. Trials were held that resolved unclear language of that treaty in favor of the tribes, including the Mille Lacs band. But the treaties signed by the Menominee in 1831, '36, '48 and '54 contained language that clearly ended fishing and hunting privileges outside their reservation, according to the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That court said the Menominee claim should be dismissed without a trial, and the Supreme Court decision Monday effectively upheld it. Menominee Vice Chairman Wendell Askenette said the tribe was "very disappointed and even dismayed" by the high court's decision. "We felt we were going to be given the opportunity to present our argument." Wisconsin Attorney General James Doyle called it "an extremely important ruling" for the state. "In fact, it's one of the first of its kind in the country." Federal courts "said they were not going to rewrite treaties, they were going to follow the plain language of the treaties as written." The 1831 treaty signed by the Menominee gave them fishing and hunting privileges on the east side of the Fox River and Green Bay "until it be surveyed and offered for sale by the President." The appellate court noted: "The Wisconsin land east of the Fox was shortly thereafter surveyed and offered for sale to white settlers." The 1831 treaty also gave the Menominee hunting privileges west of the Fox River "until the President of the United States, shall deem it expedient to extinguish their title." The Menominee argued that the language was similar to a provision in the Chippewa treaty. But the appellate court said the Menominee lost their hunting privileges to lands west of the Fox when it ceded the land in the treaties of 1836 and 1848. In contrast, federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin ruled that the fishing and hunting privileges of the Chippewa were not abrogated by subsequent treaties and proclamations. The Menominee gave up land in a deal that initially called for them to move to an unspecified location in Minnesota. They didn't want to go, and the federal government later relented and gave them a reservation in Wisconsin instead. -- The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 1999 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Kickapoos Say County Officials Intruding" --------- Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 23:18:51 -0500 From: hdqrs@worldnet.att.net Subj: Kickapoos say Brown County officials intruding in tribal affairs Kickapoos say Brown County officials intruding in tribal affairs By MICHAEL HOOPER The Capital-Journal HORTON -- Some unwanted guests have been coming through the doors of the Golden Eagle casino, and they aren't there to gamble. Instead, Brown County officials are stepping onto the reservation of the Kickapoo Tribe to serve court documents aimed at repossessing vehicles and garnishing the wages of some of the tribal members employed at the casino. The northeast Kansas tribe says the county is illegally intruding, and on Tuesday it filed suit in federal court in Topeka to stop the forays onto reservation land. Named as defendants were Sheriff Lamar Shoemaker, County Clerk Lela Smith and Brown County District Court. Tribal officials say the county isn't following proper procedure when it delivers civil court orders for back child support, unpaid debts, the repossession of vehicles and the like. "If they're not going to follow proper protocol, then we're not going to honor them," Fred Thomas, tribal chairman, said in an interview Wednesday. Thomas said anyone who needs to collect a debt from someone on the reservation should file a claim in Kickapoo Tribal District Court, not in Brown County District Court. County Attorney Kevin Hill declined to comment on the suit, saying he hadn't seen it. Shoemaker also declined to discuss the suit. However, he did say state law requires the sheriff to deliver court orders for garnishments. "We've been following state law," Shoemaker said. "We serve them as we get them." Thomas said the tribe is asserting its right to self-government as allowed by federal and state law. According to the Kickapoo suit, an 1854 treaty gave the reservation land to the tribe as a "permanent homeland over which the tribe could exercise its powers of self-government." The tribe has its own tribal court system and police department. In 1861, the suit says, Congress passed the Kansas Enabling Act, which authorized Kansas to become a state. The act "expressly excluded the Kickapoo reservation from the territorial limits and jurisdiction of the state of Kansas," the suit says. Also in 1861, Kansans adopted the state constitution, which "excluded the Kickapoo reservation from the territorial limits and jurisdiction of the state of Kansas consistent with the state's Enabling Act," the suit says. "We're not an entity of the state," Thomas said. "Our treaty is with the U.S.government." Thomas said the tribe has been a leader among Indian nations in its efforts to reach self-determination and self-government. The tribe was the first to start a casino in Kansas when the Golden Eagle opened on May 18, 1996, on the 142nd anniversary of the 1854 treaty signing that fixed the boundaries of the Kickapoo reservation. The casino, located six miles west of Horton off K-20 highway, has more than 400 employees. Copyright 1999 The Topeka Capital-Journal --------- "RE: O'Odham Peoples Takeover of INI Office" --------- Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 09:24:35 -0500 From: "Frank Blazquez" Subj: O'Odham Peoples Takeover of INI (BIA) Office Tiahui, Some news from the dividing line (border). borderlines UPDATER April 16, 1999 O'Odham Peoples In Sonora, Mexico, Take Over INI Office Reported by: Blake Gentry* Edited by: George Kourous An occasional electronic service of the Interhemispheric Resource Center's (IRC) U.S.-Mexico Borderlands Program. For more information read the footer of this message or visit our website at http://www.zianet.com/irc1/ Our apologies for any duplicate postings. CONTENTS: 1. O'Odham In Sonora, Mexico, Take Over INI Office 2. Simultaneous Takeovers by Other Indigenous Groups Elsewhere 3. List of Demands of the O'Odham People 4. Key Contacts ----------------------------------- O'ODHAM IN SONORA TAKE OVER INI OFFICE Mayo and Guarijio Traditional Indigenous Governments Expand Takeover by Blake Gentry* Native peoples in the Mexican state of Sonora have initiated a peaceful campaign in order to voice grievances against the Instituto Nacional Indiginista (National Indigenous Institute, INE), a branch of the Mexican federal government roughly equivalent to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. On April 5 some 50 members of the Mexican O'Odham peoples peacefully took over the INI office in Caborca, Sonora. They demanded a meeting with a representative from INI headquarters in Mexico City, and the government responded by sending two representatives to negotiate on Sunday, April 11. The talks continued until 2:00 a.m. on Monday, April 12, at which point the participants signed the minutes taken during the meeting, which detail the O'Odham demands (see below) and note the government's presence at the meeting. The demands were contained in a document that the federal representatives were to give to the government agencies responsible for agrarian reform and to Sonoran municipality presidents, who in turn were to distribute the O'Odham demands to all municipal sub-offices. A call for a forum to be sponsored by INI to discuss the political, economic and social rights of the O'Odham in the future was also included. The petition in the minutes stated that signatures from the other government agencies would need to be completed by Wednesday the 14th "or other actions will be taken." There are nine O'Odham villages in Sonora represented by elected traditional leaders. The O'Odham in Mexico have lost much of their ancestral homeland to mestizo cattle ranchers and farmers; today the tribe is left with less than 1,800 acres, which is not enough to support the subsistence farming pursued by the O'Odham for generations. As a result, many O'Odham have scattered, becoming migrant workers or following the pull of cities like Hermosillo and Caborca. The O'Odham, like many indigenous groups elsewhere in Mexico, have for years struggled to assert themselves within the vertical and exclusionary power structured by Mexico's ruling PRI party. SIMULTANEOUS TAKEOVERS BY OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ELSEWHERE IN SONORA On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., a large group of Mayos, together with a smaller group of Yaquis, took over the INI office in Etchojoa, Sonora. Simultaneously, a group of Guarijios took over an office in San Bernardo, Sonora. Demands made by these Sonoran groups are similar to those made by the O'Odham in Caborca. O'Odham sources report that the central demands of all the involved tribes, represented by their traditional leaders, include: recognition by the federal executive branch (INI) and state level officials of democratically elected traditional native governments, recognition of elected indigenous representatives to the county (municipalidad) delegation to the state legislature, the protection of traditional lands and executive branch involvement in solving ongoing land disputes, and fiscal support for the Consejo Tradicional de los Pueblos Indios de Sonora, the independent Traditional Council of Indigenous Peoples of Sonora. Other specific grievances particular to each tribal nation were listed (see the O'Odham's demands below). The Mayo delegation for the Etchojoa INI office takeover and the Guarijo delegation for the San Bernando INI office takeover over have since moved to Hermosillo, where the main Sonora INI office is. Early April 16 a delegation of O'Odham departed to join them there. Negotiations with representatives of the executive branch and the governor's office (Sonora) were scheduled for late afternoon on Friday, April 16. Part of the O'Odham remain in Caborca to ensure the negotiations take place in Hermosillo. LIST OF DEMANDS OF THE O'ODHAM PEOPLE Unofficial Translation: Pliego Petitorio del Pueblo O'Odham Political Proposals: * Recognition of and respect for our Traditional O'Odham Authorities * Respect for the Patrimony of the land and Sacred Sites * Constitutional Recognition of Bi-nationality * Economic assistance to resolve the legal problem of land in the community of San Francisquito, Quito Vac, and other communities * Authorization of the current budget of the Traditional Council of Indigenous Peoples of Sonora (request attached) * Formation of a COPLADES sub-committee for the Indigenous Peoples of Sonora * Recognition of the Proposal of the Regidores [councilmen] of the O'Odham Communities in [the Municipalidades of] Plutarco Elais Calles, Saric, and Altar Economic Proposals: * For Profit Enterprises and Projects: Agricultural, cattle, tortilla factory, food stores, restaurants, hostels, dredging of cattle ponds, etc. Social Proposals: * Assistance Programs in housing, health, education (bilingual & bicultural education, O'Odham language text books), neighborhood streets, potable water, dry goods store, electricity, rural telephone, legal aid program to resolve persons legal status (birth certificates), land in Sonoyta, Puerto Penasco, and Caborca to form O'Odham Communities. Cultural Proposals: * Aid for Vikita Ceremony, with O'Odham materials for the ceremony * Cancellation of permits to individuals for alcohol sales during traditional community festivities of San Francisquito and El Carrizalito Legal Proposals: * Resolve the legal petitions against Rodolfo Parra Yon, filed on the 8th of August, 1991, Petition # 114-91 submitted to the Public Ministry of Caborca, file # 488-93 * Response to the cattle problem of San Francisquito such as: Lack of Attention, Theft of Cattle, Clarification of the duties of the Public Cattle Agent * Technical Legal Assistance to resolve the problem of paying tax on lands in San Francisquito and its annexed land, El Carrizalito. ----------------------------------- CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION: Blake Gentry, for the O'Odham in Mexico Voice: (520) 623-9165 (day) (520) 884-5202 (night) Jose Garcia, Governor of the O'Odham in Mexico (011) 52-637-21-109 (Spanish calls only) ----------------------------------- *NOTE: This article was authored by Blake Gentry on behalf of the O'Odham in Mexico with some assistance by the editorial staff of the IRC's U.S.-Mexico Borderlands Program. ABOUT US: The Interhemispheric Resource Center (IRC) is a non-profit policy research institute dedicated to providing information and progressive analysis to citizens, activists and policymakers regarding U.S. Foreign policy, environmental and economic justice, and sustainable development. The IRC's U.S.-Mexico Border Project seeks to provide information and analysis regarding the way these issues play out in the U.S.- Mexico borderlands. borderlines and INCITRA (Information for Citizen Transboundary Action) are the two major components of the Border Project. borderlines is our primary publication, consisting of a monthly print edition focusing on one specific border topic, and occasional electronic updates. INCITRA's mission is to function as a clearinghouse of information and resources related to sustainable development issues in the U.S.-Mexico border region and to respond to the needs of border citizens with appropriate and useful information related to the struggle for environmental, social, and economic justice on the border. Funding for the IRC's Borderlands Project is provided by The Ford Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and the Kellogg Foundation. CONTACT INFORMATION: IRC Borderlands Project P.O. Box 2178 Silver City, NM 88062 Voice: (505) 388-0208 Fax: (505) 388-0619 Email: irc1@zianet.com borderlines online: http://www.zianet.com/irc1/bordline INCITRA online: http://www.zianet.com/irc1/incitra --------- "RE: Timbisha Shoshone Reclaim Homeland" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 10:53:01 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)ACF 1stNations - Part 1 ___ _ _ __ _ _ / __(_)_ __ ___| |_ /\ \ \__ _| |_(_) ___ _ __ ___ / _\ | | '__/ __| __|/ \/ / _` | __| |/ _ \| '_ \/ __| / / | | | \__ \ |_/ /\ / (_| | |_| | (_) | | | \__ \ \/ |_|_| |___/\__\_\ \/ \__,_|\__|_|\___/|_| |_|___/ >>>-------------------> < > <--------------------<<< Death Valley Tribe reclaims homeland Timbisha Shoshone will help manage Calif. National Park By Deborah Hastings c. Associated Press 4/19/99 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. -- When the strangers shimmered into view, wearing uniforms and guns, tribal elders feared the cavalry had finally come to run them off their land. For centuries, only the Timbisha Shoshone pulled life from Death Valley. No one else wanted this 130-degree desert. It was 1933. The outsiders were U.S. Park rangers. The Timbisha cowered, certain they were about to be spit out and their land swallowed by white men thirsty for real estate. They were half-right. More than 2 million acres of their homeland were seized for something called a national park. But the tribe wasn't expelled, as others had been. It just seemed that way. When the rangers weren't telling them to move, the borax miners driving 20-mule teams were shooing them to new sites. Eventually, they were shunted to a 40-acre sand bowl. Only 45 remain -- most on welfare, a few holding low-level Park Service jobs -- and the wind blows constantly through their collection of ramshackle trailers. "It's been a long history of harassment," says tribal chairwoman Pauline Esteves, who was 10 in 1933 and still remembers the rangers' coming. But now, perhaps times have finally changed for the Timbisha, the last tribe living in a national park without land rights. In February, its leaders reached a precedent-setting agreement with the U.S. Park Service that grants thousands of acres to the tribe, as well as considerable say over how it is used. Under the agreement, the Timbisha would receive 300 acres at Furnace Creek, the park's main tourist center, which gets thousands of visitors , mostly in the cooler winter months. Using private investment and Housing and Urban Development funds, the tribe wants to build homes, a government center, a gift shop, a medical clinic and a motel with cheaper rates than Furnace Creek's current low of $99 per night. The tribe also would get more than 7,000 acres outside the park from the Bureau of Land Management. The Timbisha Tribal Council is considering building restaurants and motels on the land, located in California and Nevada, especially along the lonely desert stretches of Nevada's north- south U.S. 95. The Timbisha also would get a share in managing a 300,000-acre cultural and land preservation area bearing their name inside the Death Valley National Park. But the tribe, chairwoman Esteves said, is interested in more than land and money. Some 300 Timbisha are scattered across the country, driven from their homeland by poverty. "We want all the Timbisha people to come forward again on their own land," Esteves said. "They've had this feeling that they have no identity. A lot of them have said they will come back if this agreement goes through. We want tribal members to build these places and to run them." The Timbisha find the name Death Valley insulting. Forty-niners named it when several perished seeking a shortcut to Gold Rush country. "Where we live is not dead; it is alive," said tribal spokeswoman Barbara Durham, who was born here, as was her mother. For 66 years, Esteves has watched her tribe dwindle as tourists tramped across land she and other Timbisha believed was theirs. But she does not forget what her mother said when a young Esteves asked, "Aren't we supposed to go, too?" "No. We stay. You don't leave your homeland." --------- "RE: A Look Ahead to the 2000 Census" --------- Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 10:36:08 CDT From: dev Subj: A LOOK AHEAD / Hoping to avoid a repeat of the 1990 undercount onreservations, estimated by government officials a t 12%: Native Americans,U.S. Join Forces for 2000 Census (Fwd) Mailing List: Minnesota Indian Affairs This might be one of the most important messages ever sent over the airwaves. Could something like this lead to Termination? Termination of tribes? Termination by "Appropriation"? http://www.latimes.com/CNS_DAYS/990419/t000035121.html http://www.pechanga.net/native_americans.htm Los Angeles Times Monday, April 19, 1999 A LOOK AHEAD / Hoping to avoid a repeat of the 1990 Undercount on Reservations, estimated by government officials at 12% Native Americans U.S. Join Forces for 2000 Census By ANNETTE KONDO, Times Staff Writer It's a government line that Native Americans have heard before: trust us. But Ron Andrade, an American Indian tribal specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, and Native American leaders say the minority has too much at stake--including millions of dollars in federal funding and political clout--to risk an inaccurate tally in the 2000 census. "Come up to the 1990s and you have guys like me saying, 'Trust me,' " Andrade said recently. "They go, 'Oh no, we aren't going to do that.' " Inaccurate numbers could lead to "statistical extinction" of her people, said Glenda Ahhaitty, who serves on the Los Angeles City-County Native American Indian Commission and a Census Bureau advisory committee on Native Americans. Census officials say they think their 1990 count missed 12.2% of the nation's Native Americans living on reservations. (They also think they missed 4.4% of African Americans, 5% of Latinos and 0.7% of whites.) Although Los Angeles County is home to the largest urban Native American population in the United States, the exact number is disputed. The bureau says there are 45,508 Native Americans in the county based on race. But a 1997 report by the City-County Native American Indian Commission contends the Census Bureau's number of 76,899 based on ancestry provided a better snapshot of the community. Andrade has spent the last year working out of the Census Bureau's regional office in Van Nuys, meeting with tribal governments on reservations throughout Central and Southern California. At times, he said, he has had to gently coax proud egos to forgo the old ways. Instead of writing an obscure clan name on government forms, he urges them to use one of the region's 45 federally recognized tribal names. But the new way can sometimes open old wounds to a time when unrelated tribes were forced to live together on reservations. "One woman told me, 'Don't call me Morongo,' " he said, recalling a visit to the Morongo Indian Reservation in Riverside County. Andrade said the two reached a compromise. She used a hyphenated name combining Morongo and her clan name. While many Native Americans are trying to recapture their culture, Andrade said, the Census Bureau sends the opposite message, telling them to ignore their tribal or clan names and use only those categories in the bureau's database. It doesn't always work. "Some of them say, 'Well, just change your computer system,' " Andrade said. A 1994 federal law allowing tribal governments to review address lists and maps to ensure their accuracy prior to the count should improve the 2000 census, Andrade said. Reservations can be a hodgepodge of dusty, pocked roads, sometimes without street signs or addresses. Enumerators often missed residents in 1990 because they lacked housing information. On some Southern California reservations, the undercount was as high as 60% to 70%, Andrade said. A canvasser might think it was impossible for someone to live on some desolate, rocky road. "But they do," Andrade said. "And by having the tribe work with us, they can say, 'Yeah, someone lives up that road.' " Crossed Signals Create Dead-Ends Other reservation information also needs to be updated, Andrade said. When the Census Bureau sent a letter this year to the Captain Grande reservation in San Diego County, it never received a response. That's because no such tribal government exists, Andrade said. It was split into two reservations, Viejas and Barona, decades ago. In Central California, the Census Bureau still lists some reservations as rancherias, a Spanish-based term that may offend Indians. But an accurate count of urban Native Americans may be the most difficult task. They often travel frequently between city and reservation, making the itinerant population easy to miss. A growing number intermarry with non-Indians and may not list "Native American" as their race on census forms. In many cases, full-blooded Native Americans can have Hispanic surnames, leading enumerators to assume they are Hispanic, said Rose Clark, a Navajo psychologist with United American Indian Involvement, a social service agency in Los Angeles. And some Native Americans of mixed background may check the box on census forms asking if they are of Hispanic origin, which means they would not be counted as an Indian, said Clark, a consultant on the city-county Indian commission census study. More Choices May Mean Less Power The Census Bureau is also including an option next year that will allow respondents to check more than one racial category. But some minority group leaders fear it will dilute individual race counts, such as Native Americans. The key number is race, which is used for federal funding and reapportionment, Andrade said. A concern among Native American leaders is that their people may not know the difference between race and ancestry. Dave Rambeau, executive director of United American Indian Involvement, said funding at the agency remained flat after the 1990 census. The agency provides primary dental and health care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation and mental health services for the county's Native Americans. "We're concerned that if we don't get a fair count of American Indians, our money base will dwindle again," said Rambeau, a Paiute who is originally from Bishop. Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times. All Rights Reserved --------- "RE: Tribes Seek Tougher Grave Law" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 08:04:19 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-21-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Tribes Seek Tougher Grave Law .c The Associated Press By PHILIP BRASHER 4/20/99 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Thousands of Indian remains and sacred artifacts haven't been returned to tribes because of delays by museums and loopholes in a federal grave-protection law, a Senate committee was told Tuesday. Some 14,000 human remains out of 200,000 identified nationally have been returned to tribes under the 1990 law, authorities say. Many of the remains that haven't been returned can't be identified by tribe. But tribal leaders told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act is too narrowly written, and the National Park Service has too little money and staff to enforce it. "We will not rest until we have brought each of our relatives home and buried them," said Tex Hall, chairman of North Dakota's Three Affiliated Tribes. The law covered remains and artifacts held by federal agencies and federally funded institutions or excavated from federal land. Hall worries that the law won't protect remains or artifacts at hundreds of sites where his tribal ancestors lived along the Missouri River in South Dakota. The sites are on land the federal government is turning over to South Dakota's state government under a law enacted last year. In another case, a Maryland college sold at auction a hair-fringed buckskin shirt that purportedly belonged to the Sioux leader Crazy Horse. Washington College of Chestertown, Md., claimed it wasn't covered by the law. A lawyer representing Crazy Horse's descendants told the committee the college sold the shirt without responding to his requests to determine whether it was authentic or if it was protected by the law. The auction house did not identify the buyer. "The shirt for all intents and purposes is gone, and we don't know where," said attorney Robert Gough, a member of South Dakota's Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The descendants filed a federal lawsuit against the college earlier this month and also have asked the National Park Service to penalize the private school. College officials issued a statement Tuesday that maintained they "acted in full compliance" with the law and are cooperating with federal officials investigating Gough's allegations. The shirt was cleared for auction by the U.S. attorney's office in New York. Spokesmen for organizations of museums and archaeologists told the committee the law is working as intended, but they agreed with the tribal leaders that it should be broadened beyond federal lands. "Repatriations of human remains and cultural items, from both museum collections and new excavations, occur regularly," said Keith Kintigh, president of the Society for American Archaeology. "Most of these repatriations result from mutual agreements between tribes and museums and agencies." --------- "RE: Why Leonard Is Still A Prisoner" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 16:36:49 GMT From: aws2@is2.nyu.edu (Anthony W. Smith) Subj: Why Leonard Is Still A Prisoner Newsgroup: alt.native The government says it has no political prisoners that is, a person incarcerated thus persecuted, for holding certain political beliefs. But there are. Leonard may not have been arrested for harboring any political beliefs thechnically speaking, but he was singled out as the culprit of the shooting of the FBI agents, because he was a charismatic leader who fought against the beating death of a local Native elder. He was quite eloquent in his day, and perhaps the fuzz figured if they got him they could make an example of him. So they accused him of the murder though they had evidence he did not commit it and though it came out in a local state trial that the Feds coerced a mentally unstable woman to testify against him. This is a terrible scary thing, that the gov. could set up and imprison anyone at any time. Leonard's views were not about "politics". Not about legislation or communism or republicans but about just not wanting people to abuse him as a Native about not wanting to be beaten and thrown into a trunk of a car and getting away with it because you were white. His fight like Mandela was for the Human right to be left alone if ur innocent. But he is going to stay there because we don't reach out as natives to the world but to other Natives who lets face it ain't got no power either. Steven Segal the martial arts actor wanted to do a film on Leonard's life as he says he is part native as well. The gov. balked and the studios backed down. They knew if this story of federal style fuzz abuse went public, the US would look like crap. And it is the "public" part that scares them. They don't want this issue to come mainstream in the homes of school kids and black politicians, prime time TV. They don't want this to become an American issue like Mandela became or the civil rights movement was. They don't want people who love "injuns", these days in wake of Dances With Wolves, to see the gov. treats us like nothing still, after all this time. So they discouraged Segal from shooting and the studios told him his career would be shot, and he backed down. The gov. knew Segal could bring so much attention and favor to Leonard's call. They know that when an issue of racism or unjust incarceration gets thrown in the public eye and Johnny Q. Public gets involved they better get straight.They want Americans to believe they have control in their gov.....NOT! In all the Peltier rallies I've been to, I have never seen Natives extensively reaching out to the non skin world. The only time they do is when they want to use an auditorium or equipment or something like this. We should include others in our issues and conversations as well. WHY? Because federal corruption ought to be a universal issue and because there is power in numbers. We should adopt other peoples methods of struggle for the same reasons. Why don't we have a million skin march? why don't we join with other minorities and make waves? I'm not talking about just using AIM which was BTW associated with the Black Panthers along time ago, I'm talking about networking as individuals or having AIM networking with others in a very open big way? When i go to Leonard rallies I notice the same faces, the same methods of advertising, the same routes, they sing a little song do a little dance, say the same things about the same people. The organizers (some are just egotistical hacks)get on stage and talk about all the they did which ain't jack since Leonard is still in jail. To top it off they get up there and almost brag about what they did and exclude others from the contribution list as if they deserve an award. The award should be success. The gathering almost serves as a social rather than a rally, with all the anti gov rhetoric somehow acting as both a reminder of and defense against gov. abuse.(Being reminded of a abuse is not a defense.) A warm feeling gets over the crowd they move to the music, they go home and say,"gee the gov. is fucked". Then....... sleep. Whats this? That ain't no revolution! We should take what info we gat at the rally to the public to the streets! Walk with some Afro AMericans (not necessarily Farrakhan), we should embrace those blacks who are proud of their native ancestry and want to help us, we should walk with the Puerto Ricans who are trying to reclaim their Taino history, we should fight with our brothers be they Asian, European, mixed or not. Our "brothers" are those who think like us, native or not. By doing this we cannot loose our identity that is separate from our allies ( a fear some skins seem to have).For you are what you are no matter what you do or hang with, you are you. If Lakota joined Anishinabe, or if a Mandan some Taino group in New Jersey or if some Crow joined a "black Cherokee" group in Los Angeles to fight a common enemy, it doesn't mean either group would loose its uniqueness. Indeed we will see inherent likenesses to or allies more than anything else, not contrived likenesses. Whats wrong with that? At the last rally I went to in NY, Theresa Liano said the Peltier committee didn't want to go to Harlem, even though a huge space was offered. Yes I know lots of Harlem is dangerous, but thats not what scared folks off. They just didn't want to be associated with blacks, they didn't want their struggle to be equated with black struggle.They liked the air of saying "at least we are not as bad off as they are". Thats a mistaken thing to think. In truth Afro Americans are the most powerful minority in the US and it is their movement that allowed for all the civil liberties we as NAtives off the res enjoy! Their movement was responsible for any form of racial sensitivity or Political correctness that comes along now. If you are Asian, NAtive or from India ought to know it is the black civil rights movement that encouraged AIM, that made it harder for people to call us names in public and get away with it. So what if folks think we "act like blacks" if we have a million skin march lets say. It ain't about being black, its not a black thing. Civil unrest is as American as apple pie, it is a human natural phenomena that arises when your needs of survival and well being are threatened.It is no different from the phenomena that caused the creation of AIM. Revolution and rally is an American thing, not a black thing it is the voice of the "oppressed", no matter what color that voice is. And the resistance can be spread over many colors because it ain't just about the gov. abusing natives. Its about the gov. abusing civil human rights and breaking the laws of its own so-called prized constitution in order to do that. That makes it a universal fight. For if the gov. can illegally seize, entrap and destroy the body, life and liberties of Leonard Peltier,and pretend it is "legal" and make it appear to be legal, it can and will do it to anyone.And that is as scary as hell. No man or body of state should have such corrupted dominion over other men and women with such impunity. Clinton has given us nothing but lip service over this. We need voice in government. Hey there may be a native way to protest as well. All I am saying is we should find our allies who often are not in our community and fight along with them. We don't and so Leonard is still in the can. Mandela was released because the whole world rallied behind him. Who in the world ever heard of Peltier? Take it to the public man, take it to the streets. The government fears unity. --------- "RE: Note from Harvey Arden Regarding Leonard" --------- Date: Sat, 24 Apr 1999 15:47:16 EDT From: JTRoad@aol.com Subj: Note from Harvey Arden [Editorial Note: The book Harvey refers to, "Travels in a Stone Canoe", co-written with Steve Wall, is an anthology of the path they were put on that lead to their acclaimed book, "Wisdom Keepers". I urge you to read both. I strongly recommend the purcahse of Leonard's book! gary] Hey Gary-- Leonard's book will be out in a few weeks. You might be interested in an on-line interview I just did...CLICK ON Interview with Harvey Arden [annonline.com] It's mostly about my book TRAVELS IN A STONE CANOE but there are some heartfelt words about Leonard as well. Saw Leonard in Leavenworth last week. His spirit is undiminished, and his hopes are high that his new dedicated and very active LPDC staff--Gina Chiala, Keith McHenry (of Food Not Bombs) and Pat Benabe--plus the release of PRISON WRITINGS: MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE--plus the forthcoming feature film (more on that later)--plus the support of people like YOU--will actually WIN HIS FREEDOM in the near future! Did I send you Desmond Tutu's quote on Leonard's book?-- "A deeply moving and very disturbing story of a gross miscarriage of justice and an eloquent cri de coeur of Native Americans for redress and to be regarded as human beings with inalienable rights guaranteed under the United States Constitution as any other citizens. We pray that it does not fall on deaf ears. America owes it to herself." (From a letter of March 5, 1999 to Andrew Miller, Editor at St. Martin's Press from Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond M.Tutu) - Desmond Tutu High praise has also come from Sherman Alexi, Peter Matthiessen, Ramsey Clark etc. The book will be out in just a few WEEKS now! I think it will shake the conscience of America. It's a flaming arrow aimed at the circled wagons of American injustice. (You can quote ME on that!) Did I send you the following announcement? ......................................................................... What can you do TODAY to win Leonard Peltier's freedom? Become, as Leonard says, "an army of one"--in concert with millions of other "armies of one." To begin, HELP GET THE WORD OUT! Order advance copies of Leonard's book PRISON WRITINGS: MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE directly from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC). The book will be published by St. Martin's Press in June, and can now be ADVANCE-ORDERED from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee--$25 each, which includes shipping. LPDC's tel#: 785-842-5774. Their address: PO BOX 583, Lawrence, KS 66044. E-mail: LPDC@idir.net. By buying now IN ADVANCE from LPDC, profits go directly to the accelerating struggle for Leonard's freedom--and freedom for all political prisoners. LPDC will also arrange best discount on bulk orders to groups and organizations who want to sell the book. Also recommend people subscribe to LPDC's bimonthly newsletter SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE--$12; $7 for seniors; $22 internationally; free to prisoners. Every issue has a personal message from Leonard--and great articles about THE STRUGGLE. Any additional donations to LPDC right NOW, even five bucks, can make a BIG difference! Contact LPDC and make reservations for the major LEONARD PELTIER ORGANIZING CONFERENCE to be held this coming June 25-27--24th anniversary of the Incident at Oglala--at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. Help us make it a GIGANTIC success! Further information on the LPDC website at: http://members.xoom.com/freepeltier/index.html--or click Leonard Peltier Please forward this message. Spread the word to all you know! In the spirit of Leonard Peltier, /Harvey Arden Editor of Leonard's new book --------- "RE: Bear Lincoln Manslaughter Case Dismissed" --------- Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 02:25:31 GMT From: nwilson@mcn.org (Nicholas Wilson) Subj: Bear Lincoln Manslaughter Case Dismissed Newsgroup: alt.native Bear Lincoln Murder/Manslaughter Case Finally Over Native American Man Originally Charged with Murdering Deputy by Nicholas Wilson (condensed from an Albion Monitor article published 4/26/99) UKIAH, California -- Supporters of Bear Lincoln were jubilant April 23 as they heard a judge dismiss the last charge against him, ending his four-year ordeal over charges of capital murder of a deputy sheriff. A deputy attorney general told the judge he had decided that a manslaughter charge could not be proven. The judge immediately dismissed the case in the interest of justice. The Lincoln supporters who filled the small courtroom to capacity could barely contain themselves, and cheering erupted when the brief hearing was over. Asked if he expected this outcome, Lincoln remarked, "I was expecting a dismissal because the A.G.'s office never really had anything to work with. There was no evidence in the beginning. I never should have been tried, and I never should have spent one day in jail. There was a lot of evidence of a police cover-up, a mass cover-up. There was evidence of a police ambush, police murder, police brutality, police perjury, law enforcement tampering with the jury. That's why it was dismissed today; they were forced to dismiss." On September 23, 1997 a jury acquitted Lincoln, a Wailaki-Concow tribal member of the Round Valley Indian Reservation, of murder in the April 14, 1995 shooting deaths of Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Davis and Bear's friend Leonard "Acorn" Peters, who was killed by Davis. The jury hung 10-2 for acquittal on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and while in most cases a retrial would be unlikely where the jury leaned so strongly toward acquittal, this high-profile case of an Indian charged with capital murder of a law enforcement officer was always heavily politicized. Former D.A. Susan Massini announced on the eve of her campaign for re-election that she would retry Lincoln. Massini lost the election to Norman Vroman, who had said during the campaign that he would not be inclined to retry Lincoln. Then Massini took the case away from her successor by referring it to the Attorney General's office for possible prosecution by the state. After the dismissal of charges by the state, Vroman commented, "I'm very happy that this painful chapter in Mendocino County's history is closed. I look forward now to a healing process." Lincoln's lead attorney J. Tony Serra had to miss the final hearing due to an appearance in another case. Later he said, "that's twice on major cases that I wasn't able to be there when the case ultimately got dumped." The first time was when a D.A. dismissed a murder case against Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton after a jury split 11-1 for acquittal. Asked if he put the Bear Lincoln case in the same category of major cases as the Huey Newton case, he replied, "Sure. Any time when it's death penalty, especially when it's a minority person, you could lose. So to win a death penalty case is always major. We said at the beginning that it was a cover-up, this was a police murder, and they sought to cover it up by an act of racism, charging an innocent person with a death penalty case just to cover their own wrongdoing, and that would be the worst possible thing any law enforcement agency could do." Lincoln said he didn't feel completely safe from a possible revenge attack. "The battle is still there with law enforcement," he said. "I believe if they caught me at the wrong place at the wrong time I'd probably be shot to death, you know, or beaten to death. We just have to come together and be strong and stand against corrupt law enforcement." Lincoln is still bothered that his close friend, Leonard "Acorn" Peters, who had committed no crime, was killed by the deputies. Lincoln said, "I'd like to see an investigation, but I don't think that's going to happen because law enforcement doesn't prosecute their own. I'll continue to speak out against police brutality, police murder. We've been seeing like in New York with Amadou Diallo, and with Tyisha Miller in Riverside, just murdered by the police for no reason. And so I'll be doing as much as I can to expose corrupt law enforcement and to help as many people as I can." Lincoln turned himself in to face prosecution in August 1995, and was held in jail over two years until the end of his murder trial, when he was freed on bail. Asked how his life is going now, Lincoln replied that he is raising and breeding his Appaloosa horses. "With this good spring weather I'm ready to grow some good organic vegetables again, and go back to being a peaceful organic vegetable farmer." ..................................................... For the full version of this story, including many more details, and for full background and articles covering the case over the past four years, see the Albion Monitor online at http://www.monitor.net/monitor. The Lincoln case coverage is a free public service of the Albion Monitor, a subscriber-supported progressive electronic newspaper on the World Wide Web since 1995. No password is required for the Lincoln stories, but most of the other content of the Monitor is available only to subscribers who pay a small annual fee for a password. However, there are always free stories, clearly marked, available from the front page, so don't be afraid to try it out. For a complete background on the Bear Lincoln case from the archives of the Albion Monitor, please see http://www.monitor.net/monitor/rv/rv-background.html --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Sun, 25 Apr 99 0817:10 GMT From: Janet Smith (evestar@juno.com) Subj: Contacting those in the Ironhouse UUCP email Tell a Native American Prisoner someone cares! The following is a portion of the list of Native American Prisoners incarcerated in prisons throughout the United States. The full list is found at the Native Prisoners Pen Pal list the following web site: http://www.brooks.simplenet.com/penpal.html. The list is compiled from contributions by Wotanging Ikche readers, other friends and from Laura Brooks' research on Native American Spiritual Freedom in Prison. If you know of a Native prisoner who would like to be included here, please e-mail Janet Smith at jans@atlcom.net. My thanks to Laura Brooks for giving this list a home on the web. Marsh, Gregory Paul Miller, Dwayne CN-1653 D/B 28 #202-560 10745 Rt. 18 PO Box 511 Albion, PA 16475-0002 Columbus, OH 43216 Date of Birth: 7/29/71 Date of Birth: 8/31/64 McNiel, Rickey Dale Means, Clifton #195-544 #55868 N.C.F. 4008 Cooper St. PO Box 546 Jackson, MI 49201 Norton, KS 67654-0546 Ancestry: Cherokee Date of Birth: 12/1/70 Ancestry: Cherokee Mello, William D. E-46820 Midkiff, Lawson Alfred C.S.P. Sacramento A-5-226-L 2294 Slagle Rd. Represa, Ca. 95671-0066 Leesville, LA 71446 Ancestry: Blackfoot / Cantonese Miller, Robert L.R. Mason, Steve #191-152-MC #658401 PO Box 740 Rt. 2 Box 500 London, OH 43140-0740 Teague, TX 75860 Ancestry: Cherokee Reminder and Caution: It is common for prisoners to be moved abruptly. If your correspondent suddenly quits writing, don't assume it's by choice. Inquire about his location and situation -- often the prison chaplain can help you with this. If you know a prisoner on our list has been moved, please let me know. If your correspondent requests that you send him anything, particularly ceremonial items, check the prison to ensure the requested items are not contraband. Sometimes items of religious significance that are ordinarily banned may be given to the prisoner by the chaplain. --------------------------------- Please especially remember - this is the "Year of Leonard". Leonard Peltier #89637-132, Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66048 --------- "RE: Monster, Skinwalkers & Such" --------- Date: Fri, 05 Mar 1999 01:02:39 GMT From: "rustywire" Subj: Monster, Skinwalkers & such... Newsgroup: alt.native Baseball season at Shiprock high would be after school. My cousin Michael and I would play ball with the team. We lived in Toadlena, about 45 miles South of Shiprock. The school had an arrangement with the Trailways bus that stopped at Bonds & Bonds store, the old store by the bridge. Those kids who lived far away could catch the bus at 7:00 PM south toward Newcomb and Sanostee and get a meal at the cafe. We used to ride that bus to Burnham Junction, now there is a Thriftway gas station and laundry there, but then there was nothing. When we got off the bus we used to begin running home toward Toadlena. We used to run 150 while lines, it takes three strides to cover the distance between lines and we had done it many times before and would run like crazy then walk five spaces. When the moon was out it was easy, we would run until someone came by and gave us a ride. Sometimes we got a ride sometimes we didn't. This one night we got off the bus we started to run, it was about 8:00 and we kept going and no one was on the highway. There was no moon and we had a hard time seeing what was in front of us. All we could see was the lights way off in the distance looking like stars from way off. We ran for long time down the middle of the road it was hard to see the lines it was so dark. After a while we settled in and realized we were going to have to cover the 16 miles home on our own. As we ran, could hear some noises coming from the sage brush but couldn't see what was there. We thought this area is flat and no one lived around this spot, we knew all the families, the closest ones were the Jumbos and they lived South of road across the wash about a mile. We would run then stop and listen. It was so dark. We did not show each other we were afraid, we couldn't do that, but man you could sure hear us breathing. We got past the road that wen to Two Grey Hills and kept going. All of a sudden a big black shadow emerged in front of us, not on the side of the road but right there in the middle. We were running pretty good and it stood up in front of us. It was just big, black and we thought of monsters, a lost skin walker or some creature of the night had finally found us. We stopped and it stood there silent, just a big hulking dark thing. We didn't say a word, just stood there and listened. Then we heard it make it's sound. It went MOOOO. We dropped dead in our tracks and started to laugh it was a cow in the middle of the road, and so we took off again and got home by 11:30 or so. Such was our brush with monsters that night...... --------- "RE: Sports Warriors Show Olympic Promise" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 08:04:19 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-21-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov NASC "Sports Warriors" Show Olympic Promise by Mo Smith April 18, 1999 Brandon Leslie is back! WALNUT, CALIFORNIA, - Brandon Leslie (Navajo), attending Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (S.I.P.I.) in Albuquerque, NM ran an impressive 10,000 meters at the 1999 Mt. Sac Relays with a time 29:29 in the Men's Invitational Division. This was Brandon's first attempt at 10,000 meters on the track. His outstanding performance gives him an automatic qualification for his Junior College National Championships scheduled for May... Brandon hopes to make another attempt in early June to qualify for the USATF National Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 10,000 meters which is scheduled for June 24-26, 1999 in Eugene, OR. Brandon need to run 29:10 for an automatic qualification. Posey misses Olympic Trials Qualifier by only 3 minutes. BOSTON, April 19, 1999 - Janice Posey (Navajo) was the 9th American Women, 27th Women over-all, to cross the finish line at the 103rd B.A.A. Boston Marathon. At her first attempt in the 26.2-mile race, Janice turned in a time an impressive time of 2:53:39. For a good portion of the race, Janice looked like she might qualify for the "2000 Olympic Marathon Trials" at her first attempt. At the half-way point (13 miles) she was on 2:42 marathon pace, then at mile 17, a cramp in her right leg developed which forced her to stop and stretch it out... "I felt great! Heartbreak Hill was not as bad has people described. After mile 17, I somewhat lost my focus and was not aware of my pace. However, overall, I felt great and now I know that I'm capable of a lot faster," Posey said. Janice prepared for Boston with minimal mileage (55 per week) because of full-time teaching responsibilities at Rough Rock High School on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Now, with a marathon under her belt, she plans to train full-time and work part-time. Her next marathon attempt will be in October at either the Twin Cities Marathon or Chicago, both are flat and fast. --------- "RE: Cherokees' Games More Than Sport" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 08:04:19 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-21-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov CHEROKEES' GAMES MORE THAN SPORT ASPECTS OF THE TRIBE'S HISTORY WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE TRI-STATE INDIAN ARTIFACT EXHIBIT. April 16, 1999 BY BOB DREITZLER c. DISPATCH PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- According to Cherokee legend, the first stickball game was played between birds and four-footed animals to settle an argument about which group was the best. They called their game "the little brother of war." "It was like war, but in a ballgame sense," said R. Michael Abram, a medical doctor and authority on Cherokee culture from Cherokee, N.C. Unlike games and sports played in mainstream America today, the Cherokees incorporated all aspects of their culture into their games and sports, Abram said. Indian games dealt with legend, religion, music, dance, medicine and other beliefs such as taboos against eating certain foods, he said. Abram will give talks about Cherokee games and other aspects of Cherokee culture Saturday and Sunday during the Tri-State Indian Artifact Exhibit at Shawnee State Park Resort, 14 miles west of Portsmouth. The show, in its fourth year, is education-oriented. It attracts artifact collectors, archaeologists and people interested in American Indian culture. There are no display fees or admission charges, and participants do not buy, sell or trade artifacts. No bones are permitted. Abram will discuss Cherokee clothing, baskets, pottery, medicine, religion, musical instruments, war weapons and tools. He also will talk about the tribe's forcible removal to Oklahoma in 1838, known as the Trail of Tears. "I will show that you can't talk about one aspect of Cherokee culture without touching on the others," Abram said. Among the artifacts Abram will use to illustrate his talk will be the stone discs the Cherokee used in playing Chunkey. The game was played by rolling a disc on a level surface. Players would toss 7-foot poles down where they thought the chunky stone would stop, betting on the outcome. Gambling always has been a part of the Cherokee culture, Abram said. In addition to practicing medicine, Abram and his wife, Susan, also operate the Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery, devoted to the work of living Cherokee artists. The Abrams have collected contemporary Cherokee art and craftwork for more than 25 years. Abram, 53, also does consulting work with museums and American Indian groups. --------- "RE: Listen to Your Elders" --------- Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:23:20 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-26-99 Roger Iron Cloud FirstNations Listserv 202.358.3252 rironcloud@acf.dhhs.gov Listen to your elders By NELLIE KELLY c. Tulsa World 4/25/99 Kiowas teach language and culture to younger generation His classroom contains no books, and he lectures without notes. But students jot down his words with a sense of urgency. They know that their class and the man teaching it are important. If he doesn't teach now and if they don't learn now, no one else ever will. The man sitting at the front of the class is 69, and diabetes slows him down more than he'd like. He wears a hearing aid and complains that he has no teeth to smile with. He knows that he and his generation are fading. That's why Evans Ray Satepauhoodle, a Kiowa elder, drives 40 miles from Hominy to Tulsa each week to teach a native language class to younger Kiowas. "Maybe it's not too late," he said. Often, his cousin, 70-year-old Perry Aunko of Tulsa, meets him to assists with the class and to teach his specialty -- Kiowa Christian songs and native dances. The two men, who call each other "brother" and speak half in Kiowa and half in English, view teaching as a mission that few others can fulfill. They're trying to start a prairie fire of interest in native ways that will spread to the younger generation. Of the 10,000 Kiowas, only about 500 speak and understand the Kiowa language. All of the native speakers are at least 60 years old. "We are the last line," Satepauhoodle said. Satepauhoodle started the Kiowa class five years ago. He had retired, and when his health started to decline, he realized the importance of getting involved in the Native American Church and sharing the language. The Kiowa group has met in a vacant office building, break rooms of offices and at Rogers High School. Two years ago, the students found a permanent home at the University of Tulsa, where they meet in a classroom free of charge. The students, who range in age from 20 to 40-plus, don't receive college credit; they come simply for the joy of learning. Attendance ranges from six to 20. The class covers a variety of topics, from songs and dances to history and the meaning of names. Students particularly enjoy learning simple words and phrases so they can speak in Kiowa. "If you can't talk, you lose direction," said Kiowa student Bob Unap. "This isn't just a language. It's a lesson in life." Now Unap wishes he had learned more from his father, who spoke Kiowa. "My father always taught me that one of these days you'll want to know this, and it will be gone." Few think they'll ever speak Kiowa fluently, but some want to sing native songs. Others want to learn more about their ancestors' ways. "My number one goal is to be able to pray in my Kiowa language because this language is something God gave only to us," said Leon Hawzipta. "Our songs and traditions he gave only to us." Above all, the students want to hold on to a culture that could easily disappear if they don't preserve it. "For all practical purposes, it's gone," Satepauhoodle said. "We're trying to salvage what we can." Much of the Kiowas' history is oral because they don't have a written language. When the students write Kiowa words during Satepauhoodle's class, they're using English letters that approximate the sounds of Kiowa. Without elders like Satepauhoodle and Aunko, Kiowas might forget their legends and history: The way the white census-takers couldn't spell or pronounce Aunko's real last name -- Auhn-ko-hol-hal, meaning "he killed him readily in the middle of the road" -- so they shortened it to Aunko. Or how Satepauhoodle's ancestors insisted that their name be left intact to preserve its meaning, "fuzzy bear." If Kiowa culture wanes, young Kiowas might grow up to think that "how" is a legitimate Indian greeting. Or that the drum beat that Indians play in movies is real. Those are what Satepauhoodle calls "John Wayne" Indian culture. "The top and bottom line is identity so we don't have to learn Kiowa from Hollywood," he said. Identity is a precious and fleeting commodity among many American Indians. "Our people today are the most confused people in the world," Satepauhoodle said. "They always have been and they are today." To alleviate the confusion, the Kiowas need their language to flourish and stay as green as the cedar tree, an important icon to American Indians because it symbolizes life. "What little we know we pass on," Aunko said. "It makes me proud that I can still speak the language. It's a sentimental thing and a treasured possession." But it's a treasure the two elders are happy to share with all who will listen. --------- "RE: Poem: Flowers and Songs from Youths and Inmates" --------- Date: Fri, 23 Apr 1999 14:01:46 -0500 From: "Frank Blazquez" Subj: Poetry (Flowers and Songs) from Youths and Inmates [Editorial Note: My humble, sincere thanks to the children and to those caged in the iron house for granting permission, through Frank, to share their heart words. Each, in his/her own way is much closer to the truth than most of us dare come.] Gary, Tiahui y Kualli Tonalli (Good day), Here is a collection of some of the flowers and songs (poetry) that we have received from Mexika youths and inmates from across the country. We now are in communication with well over 200 Mexika inmates, who are serving time for such petty crimes that it makes my heart hurt. These poems and songs are written with a renewed spirit of indigenous awareness and Mexika Consciousness as many of our young people are finally waking up to the fact that we are native to this land, we have always been here and we are not to be called "Hispanics" or "Latinos", both labels of European origins. Our youth have to connect with our true cultural identity in order for us to stop the ASSIMILATION and AMERICANIZATION process, which has been a very spiritually destructive force as you can plainly see in the culture around us. Thanks you for the opportunity to post these words. Our Mexikayotl Will Never Perish... Tekpatltzin mexicapride@earthlink.net Three Nahuatl songs by Jose R. incarcerated in California 1. Nicuicani axcan nicuicani axcan Nicah nepohualiztli Mexika nicah nepohualiztli Mexika Intla moztla nimiquiz intla moztla nimiquiz Niyah nochipa Mexika niyah nochipa Mexika Nicuicani axcan nicuicani axcan Nicah nepohualiztli Mexika nicah nepohualiztli Mexika translation: The People Song I sing today, I sing today I am proud to be Mexika, I am proud to be Mexika! If tomorrow I die, If tomorrow I die I will still be Mexika, I will still be Mexika I sing today, I sing today I am proud to be Mexika, I am proud to be Mexika! 2. Temazkalli (Sweat Lodge) Song Huehueteotl*, nimitzhuen inon cuica maca Ixtlan, Tlazohkamati cencah hualiztlipal iniqueh temeh inic titochipahua queh! translation: Huehueteotl*, I offer you this song in the purpose of giving thanks for preparing these stones so that we may purify ourselves! * the name is changed during the seven times this song is sung. Huehueteotl, then Tlalok, then Huizilopochtli, Quetzalkoatl, Tezkatlipoka, Tlatecuhtli and Ometeotl. The song is sung in the sweat lodge as the first seven grandfathers (stones) are brought in. 3. Women and Children Song Hey hey nimachti hey palin yah cihuah yah ihuan hey coconeh hi-a!! Hue-o-hey atlhui in teyolli hey liztli quintocti yah Haha hi-a!! moyol tahtah Coltzi hah cotlah quita maquin nemi hi-a!! Hey hey Ihuan yah cuacualtzin tahin yoltin huah hi-a!! translation: I pray for the women and children who are the heart of the people! Keep them in your heart Grandfather! Let them live with your beauty in their hearts!! ----------------------------------- by Natane "Ollin Tochtli" Blazquez, high school student in Illinois (age 14) "People of the Sun" Brown and Red in color Strong in spirit filled with warrior souls never to diminish, never to finish, but to grow fighting against hate fighting for unity struggling to hold on struggling, struggling to be who we truly are Now how do we stay Mexika inside? Now how do we stay strong in spirit? Because it is our turn to take over and follow OUR ancestors, not spaniards or religious Europeans. We fight with our minds, traditions and our Mexika warrior spirit. Never to diminish, never to finish but to always listen to their voices telling us to hold on Spread the Mexika spirit everywhere and then see what it will bring!!! ----------------------------------- por Jose "Miztli" Boner incarcerated in Iowa (age 20) "Not Hispanic, Not Latino" We sleep in a bed of lies with assimilation as a pillow Our Nation was once as great as the beauty of Xochimilco Beauty as a rose the subject of my poetical prose, the reign of Quetzalkoatl in time now froze. I am not Hispanic! For I am not from Spain- I am Mexika! Worshipper of Tonatiuh Worshipper of Tlalok god of rain. ----------------------------------- by Barry "Ozomatli" Garcia incarcerated in Iowa Today the "Azteca-Mexica" warrior prepares to be sacrificed so the Sun may rise again, so our people may live another day. The warrior is brave and confident in his steps, for in his heart he has no regrets. Today the greatest honor is bestowed upon him, for the sacrifices of his life, symbolizes he is the greatest warrior of his tribe. Now let him fly to his creator on the wings of his radiant war robe. ----------------------------------- por Jose "Miztl" Boner incarcerated in Iowa "Viva Los Zapatistas!" Viva los Zapatistas! We are strong We are brave Born men but made slaves many graves have greeted mis compadres Emiliano Zapata proud to be indio en su corazon el padre de la revolucion in his spirit I write this poetical song they have oppressed us for too long... in his name our spirits will be strong. ----------------------------------- by Antonio Laravie (Mexika/Lakota) incarcerated in Nebraska DIRECTIONS On this Medicine Wheel of Life The Holy Man The Wicasa Wakan Says: The West, the setting Sun Is our past Its color is Black It's where the Thunder Beings Live And over there The East, the rising Sun Is our future Its color is yellow It's where the Buffalo Nation lives And between the rising and setting Sun There is a Road It is the Road of selfishness Of greed Of destruction Of illusion Of deceit Of oppression Of defeat It is the Road The White man Followed to arrive Here on Turtle Island It is the Road he continues To travel And Turtle Island is Ravished in the wake Of his doings The Black Road This Road Is filled With trappings With glitter With promises Of a life that's better With riches With rewards All that's required Is your LIVING soul An exchange Nothing more. ----------------------------------- And last a personal statement by Ramiro Rodriguez incarcerated in Illinois (age 24) "To commemorate the brothers and sisters who have fallen, either to death, addictions or imprisonment, I am writing this short yet elaborate articulation of the sentiments that intrude my mind every minute, every hour and every day." "I am one of those that have fallen to death, addictions or imprisonments. Realistically, we have all fallen to our own death or imprisonment. But there are those, like myself, who have had their physical being descend to their demise." "Yet, all you who are listening to this, all of you who are reading every word, syllable and sentence of this expressive revealing of my consciousness, have also plunged into your own extinction or captivity. Not in the physical sense. I am talking about the soul, the mind and the heart. I am talking about our Spirit." "We have had to endure the hardships that this country---and all the Americas, for that matter, have forced upon us. We have been struggling since the day we were born, since the day we were conceived. Our ancestors perished so their children could prosper. Yet, where is our prosperity? Guns, rape, violence, drugs, etc. Is this our wealth? Are these the things our ancestors have given up their lives for us to have? If not, where are these things coming from? Who is destroying our Brothers and Sisters with these make believe riches?" "You know the answer. We all know the answer. Yet, we are all hypocrites, including myself, because we do nothing to stop the genocide which is occurring in all of our races." "For me, this is an angry moment because these deaths, these addictions, these incarcerations, should have never occurred. I am most angry at myself. Because I fell victim to the hate that this country was founded on. I have left behind two beautiful children. I have left behind a girlfriend. I have left behind a family who have tried to accept me, despite all the turmoil I have put them through. I have left behind friends who have supported me, regardless of all my faults." " And yet, I still do not have enough love for myself. I am sorry." "In time, we will find an end to all this madness. I give my love to all those who have passed on to more peaceful realms. I give all my love to those that have been enslaved by the system." --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Apr 99 03:43:00 GMT From: dfsanders@genie.com Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAIIAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of May 4-10 MEI (May) (Ikiiki) 4 There was never a dreamer, never a visionary, who did not know the virtues of nature. 5 Find the perfect music of the spirit, and know fulfillment. 6 Dance the joy your heart feels. 7 Feel the winds blowing through you, cleansing your spirit of all sorrow. 8 The joyous heart has as many blessings as the stars in the sky, na hoku. 9 Give me the wings of a bird, and I will possess all the world! 10 My heart leaps with the dolphins in the incredible blue of the ocean. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon, 26 April 1999 15:39:14 -0400 From: Janet Smith (evestar@juno.com) Subj: Upcoming Events UUCP email Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 15:34:52 -0500 From: "Vikki M. Howard" Subj: Indian Month Mailing List: Minnesota Indian Affairs American Indian Month 1999 - Saint Paul & Minneapolis Opening Day ceremonies: Saturday, May 1, 1999 11a.m. -1p.m Science Museum of MInnesota-Auditorium Reception to follow in Arts & Science Center 10th Street & Wabasha Saint Paul. May 1 & 2 Honor the People Pow Wow Winona State University Maxwell Field, Winona, Minnesota 507-457-5245 Monday May 3- Open House and Dance Demonstration Center for Lifelong Learning 11am - 3pm 1030 University Avenue West ******* Feast at 12:30p.m. Tuesday May 4- Without Reservation: Brule's Story 7pm The Ordway Music Theatre 345 Washington Street, St.Paul.MN. Tickets $14-$19 Children 4-17 half price Info: 651-224-4222 Wednesday May 5- Chili & Fry Bread Feast American Indian Housing Corp. 11:00am-Field next to the Mpls. Indian Center *** Free! Thursday May 6- Youth Honoring Night Awards Ceremony and Feast Grades k-12 5:30-8:30pm Arlington Senior High School 1495 Rice Street Sponsored by St.Paul Public Schools Indian Education Program 651-293-5191 Friday MAY 7- First Annual Pow wow-Minneapolis Community & Tech College 1501 Hennepin-Minneapolis, Grand Entry: 1pm & 7pm Sunday May 9- Mother's Day Celebration Mille Lacs Museum 12 - 5pm Wednesday May 12- Service Providers Open House- 9:30am-11:00am 2300 15th Aveneu South-Sponsor: Mn. Indian Women's Resource Center Thursday May 13- Spring Feast Women of Nations/Eagle's Nest Shelter 6pm - 8pm 627 Smtih Avenue - Hall-St. Paul, MN. info:Beryl 651-222-5830 ext107 Wednesday May 19-Family Bingo with Healthy Nations 7pm -9pm Seating at 6:30pm Minneapolis American Indian Center 1530 East Franklin Thursday May 14- All Nations Culture Fair-Mounds Park All Nations Magnet School 1075 East Third Street, St.Paul, Mn. 6:30pm - 8:30pm Vendors & Food Friday May 15- American Indian OIC 20th Anniversary Open House 12 NOOON- Feast 1845 East Franklin Minneapolis Saturday May 22-Leech Lake Enrollees are invited to a picnic at Waubun Park 11am - 3pm Next to Minnehaha Falls- Minneapolis Thursday May 27- Indian Taco Feed & Community Forum "Improving Police, Medical and Court Response to American Indian Victims of Violence" 5 - 7pm Hubbs Literacy Ctr. 1030 University Avenue West St.Paul, MN. Friday May 28- Center School Spring Festival 2421 Bloomington Avenue Minnneapolis 721-1655 Friday - Sunday May 28-30 Leech Lake Traditional Spring Pow Wow Cass Lake, MN. Sunday May 30- Guest in the Gallery: Mona Smith Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul Filmmake will discuss a film of her choice. Monday May 31- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe AMVETS Memorial Pow Wow 12 - 6pm Mille Lacs Museum grounds Hwy 169, 12 miles north of Onamia, Mn. Adults $5.00 3$ for children 6-12 ++For further information contact Greg Barrett: 651-290-4849. =================================== Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 14:24:07 -0800 From: "Randy" Subj: Pow Wow May 7-9 on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska Newsgroups: alt.culture.alaska,alt.native,own.natives,soc.culture.native 1st Annual United League of Native Nations Gathering In Soldotna Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula, 9mi east of Kenai Alaska. Located along the Sterling Highway. Mother's Day Weekend, May 7th, 8th & 9th Sponsored by: 7th Generation Drum Group Fireweed Dancers w/ Elder Louise Rhodes Soldotna Equestrian Association The purpose of this particular Pow Wow is to celebrate and honor the women of our communities on Mother's Day Weekend. We hope to bring together the many people, native and non-native in a Drug and Alcohol free environment for all of the families and peoples to come together and enjoy. Location: Soldotna Rodeo Grounds, camping on site. Booth space available: $15.00 per day. Table & chairs not provided. Call for booth information: (907)283-9442 Gathering Agenda: May 7th, Friday 3:00 - ? Travel Day - Welcoming people to the Pow Wow May 8th, Saturday 10:00 Begin Pow Wow with a Prayer 10:15 Grand Entry - Pow Wow Begins! 2:00 Memorial Dedications 5:00 Break for POTLUCK Dinner 6:30 Resume Pow Wow until ? May 9th, Sunday 10:00 Begin Pow Wow with a Prayer 10:15 Grand Entry - Another Pow Wow day! 12:00 Break for Mother's Day Lunch 3:00 Giveaway for Mothers 6:00 Gathering Closing e-mail for info: rcj@alaska.net =================================== Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 11:13:12 -0700 From: "Harry D." Subj: SEMINAR AT LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE My associate partner and myself have been invited to present the following. It has been made open to the public. Leech Lake Tribal College, Route 3, Box 100, Cass Lake Minnesota (218)335-2828 Presents The Power of a SECURE MIND-- a Native Perspective Would you like to know the answer to the following questions? 1. Why do many Natives experience powerful spiritual insights in their sacred ceremonies, and still live psychologically dysfunctional lives on a day to day level? 2. Why is there so little respect among our community members? 3. Why do the children not listen to their parents? 4. Why are drugs and alcohol, suicides, sexual abuses, family violence symptoms and not THE CAUSE of the problem? 5. Why do the People whom are so spiritually wise, have weak teamwork skills? - Learn how to be secure more of the time - The connection between the mind, secure thoughts and a secure community - Self-esteem for the Children "People have to remember that the children are our future, think about it for a while, what we need is a cure, while the children are unsure, before it is too late, And they take over." .........Myrtle Smith, 1998, Member of Samahquam The Innate Native Health Realization Model will change your community. Experience the Principles of this Model -- the understanding of the Principles empowers all listeners. This model's success is transferable to your Native community and will provide the cure and prevention that you have always dreamed of. Keith Blevens, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Tel: (360) 466-2300); and Harry Derbitsky of ACT Training Inc (Tel: (604) 943-8720) have successfully provided services of counseling and community education sessions to the members of the Native communities of Tsawwassen, Samahquam, Douglas, Skatin, Mt. Currie+ Head of the Lake School. Date: Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8. Time: 9:00 - 12:00 and 1:30 - 4:00 =================================== Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 11:09:13 -0700 From: Shane Jimerfield Subj: SOUTHWEST WILDERNESS WORKSHOP The SOUTHWEST WILDERNESS WORKSHOP Saturday 5/1 - Sunday 5/2 Albuquerque, NM Sponsored by the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, the Southwest Forest Alliance and The Wilderness Society Where: Lovelace Education Center, Alb, NM (write for directions) When: Saturday, May 1, 8-5 Sunday, May 2, 8-1 Cost: FREE! Speakers Include: Mayor Jim Baca - Alb. Mayor, Former Dir. of BLM Dave Foreman - Chairman of the Wildlands Project Dave Parsons - Dir. of FWS Wolf Release Program Heidi McIntosh - Utah Wilderness Leader Pam Eaton - Regional Dir. (4 Corner States) of The Wilderness Society Pete Morton - Resource Economist for TWS Jim Jontz - Dir. of American Lands Ken Rait - Dir. of Oregon Natural Resource Council, Amer Heritage Forest Campaign to come, contact annecarl@swfa.org or nmwa@earthlink.net =================================== Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 07:54:43 -0400 From: Biah Yazzie Seminole Subj: psa... updated pow wow info Meherrin Spring Festival Saturday May 1st....Tribal Grounds, Winton Head Male Dancer: Keith Anderson, Cherokee Head Lady Dancer: Biah Seminole, Cherokee MC: Michael Butler,Ojibwe Host Drum : RedWolf Dancers raffle and giveaway Vendors contact: Meherrin Tribal Office (252) 398-3320 Grand Entry 11:00 am dancers must be in full regalia to dance ....and must dance in order to be eligible for raffle ......... ------------------------------------------------------------------- The American Indian Society of Washington D.C. Mothers Day Traditional Pow Wow May 8 & 9,99 at Indian Pines Sat May 8,10 am to 6 pm Sun, May 9, 10 am to 4 pm Grounds open at 10 am Grand Entry at 12 Noon for more information call 301-877-9616-vendors by invitation only ------------------------------------------------------------------- 23rd Annual Odawa Pow Wow, Ottawa Ontario Canada. May 28-30th Dance Competition all Categories Grand Entry Friday 6:00 pm (no points taken) Saturday 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm Sunday 12:00 pm Drum Contest No phone in registrations Gates Open Friday at 4:00 pm Saturday at 9:00 am Sunday at 9:00 am Ottawa-Nepean Tent and Trailer Park 411 Cordstown Road. Rain Out Location: 50 Cedarview Road Nepean, Ontario. Camping available first come first serve $15.00 per day. Showers available for campers. For more information, call and ask for a Pow wow committee member: Odawa Native Friendship Centre 12 Stirling Ave Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Y 1P8 Telephone (613) 722-3811 or Fax (613) 722-4667 Odawa Native Friendship Centre is not responsible for Personal loss, Injury or Damages. ------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cathedral Lakes May-Day Celebration (Pow Wow) will be held May 21, 22 & 23, 1999, Keremeos, Southern B.C. Canada, in the beautiful Ashnola Valley where you will be surrounded by cliffs and there is plenty of camping along the Ashnola River. HOST DRUM: 1995/96/98 World Class singing Champions - High Noon, Hobbema, Alberta, Canada MASTER OF CEREMONIES: Jerry Meninick - Yakama - Toppenish, Wa. U.S.A. ARENA DIRECTORS: Alex O. Shepherd - Paiute/Navajo - St. George, Ut. U.S.A. HONORARY DRUM: Dine' Nation Jr.'s - Tuba City, Arizona, U.S.A. SPECIAL GUEST : LITEFOOT - Concert Saturday evening. GRAND ENTRIES: Fri. -7:00 pm. Saturday & Sunday - 1:00 pm. & 7:00 pm. HAND DRUM CONTEST - Northern style JUNIOR JAMES SPECIAL - Boys 5 years old and under ADULT CATEGORIES: Mens:- Traditional, Grass & Fancy Womens:- Traditional, Jingle & Fancy TEEN CATEGORIES: Boys:- Traditional, Grass & Fancy Girls:- Traditional, Jingle & Fancy JUNIOR CATEGORIES: 7 - 12: Boys:- Traditional, Grass & Fancy Girls:- Traditional, Jingle & Fancy ADULT GOLDEN AGE: Mens: - Combined Womens:- Combined STICKGAME TOURNAMENT Starting Saturday, May 22/99 at noon. HORSE RACING 99 Sat & Sun, May 22 & 23/99 at 4:00 pm. And MUCH MUCH MORE. ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS $100. per day or $275. for the weekend FOOD CONCESSIONS $100. per day or $275. for the weekend Please pay before set up - provide your own generators FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OR FAX - JAY BEGAYE AT 1-250-499-7056 NO COLLECT CALLS -PLEASE! ------------------------------------------------------------------- AMERICAN INDIAN FESTIVAL at Chesapeake City Park Saturday,May 29 10am - 6pm Grand Entry 12 Noon Sunday,May 30 10 am - 6pm Grand Entry 1 pm Storytelling, Traditional dancing, Demonstrations, Arts/Crafts, Food and more..... Co-Sponsored by Nansemond Indian Tribal Association & Chesapeake Parks & Recreation..for more information call (757) 382-6411 ------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FIRST ANNUAL "Bishigendan Akii" AMERICAN INDIAN FESTIVAL sponsored by Norfolk Festevents and na-va'-kee August 28th Saturday....10:00 AM-6:00PM Townpoint Park.....Norfolk Va Head Lady Dancer: HELENE FORTUNE, Rappahannock Head Male: VINNIE KITCHEYAN, Winnebago/Apache Host Drum: TONE PAH HOTE Invited Drum: REDWOLF Arena Director: MAX LITTLE, Seminole ***VIVITA COLOR GUARD*** MCs: JOHN JEFFERIES, Occaneechi MICHAEL BUTLER, LCO Ojibwe vendors for more information contact biah seminole..757-425-7992 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Help Protect America's Heritage Forests at http://www.ourforests.org =================================== Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:37:40 -0500 From: berryj@okstate.edu Subj: Harvard University Powwow 5th Annual H A R V A R D U N I V E R S I T Y P O W W O W Saturday, May 1, 1999 Grand Entry at Noon. Ends at 7:00 p.m. Sever Quad, Harvard Yard (Quincy Street) Cambridge, MA Rain Location: Radcliffe Quadrangle Athletic Facility, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA Host Drum: Three Winds Drum Head Man Dancer Aaron Terrance Mohawk Head Woman Dancer Ursula Dillard, '00 Navajo Arena Director Brian Anderson, '00 Southern Ute Emcee Leroy Little Bear Blackfeet Honor Guard: The Wichita Intertribal Warrior Society Honor Guard Featuring the dance troop The Keepers of the Eastern Door (Mohawk) Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. For more information, call Kasy Wood at the Harvard University Native American Program at (617) 495-9058 or kay_wood@harvard.edu. Sponsors: Harvard University Native American Program - Native Americans at Harvard-Radcliffe - Student Association Cabinet (GSE) - HGSE Student Affairs Office - Native American Law Students' Association - Harvard Indigenous Peoples n(HGSE) P Native American Health Organization (HMS) - Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology -------------------------------------------------------------------- Harvard University Native American Program Read House, Appian Way Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 495-4923 fax (617) 496-3312 WWW site: http://hugse1.harvard.edu/~nap/ =================================== 6th Annual Warrior Society Powwow Kapiolani Park Honolulu, Hawaii The Intertribal Council of Hawaii is sponsoring its 6th Annual Warrior Society Powwow, May 22nd & 23rd at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaii (island of Oahu). All tribal leaders, veterans, drums, dancers, vendors (NA owned and operated), and Royalty are invited. Our Maui chapter is sponsoring its 3rd Annual Maui Powwow the previous weekend (May 15th & 16th) at the Eddie Tam Memorial Park in Makawao (island of Maui). Both of these powwows are non-competitive, social powwows. Our Special Guests this year will be Charlotte Black Elk (visit this website for more information on Ms. Black Elk: and Chief Oliver Red Cloud, great-grandson of Chief Red Cloud, Oglala and Steve Reubens, great great grandson of Chief Joseph, Nez Perce. Powwow Staff Head Man Dancer - Randy LaBatte, Dakota Head Woman Dancer - Naomi Stevens, Cherokee M.C. - Leo Shepard, Paiute Arena Director - Tom Roland, Lakota Drums - Standing Horse and Red Nation Jrs. Our Color Guard this year will be the Native American Veterans Color Guard from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. This is a great opportunity to visit Hawaii and learn about the indigenous cultures of the Pacific along with attending a great powwow. If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please contact Bill Tiger at (808) 947-3206 or Ron Neal at (808) 242-9217 for the Maui powwow. For vendor fees and information please call Bill Tiger. For travel info. contact Mary Tiger at (808) 941-5033. Intertribal Council of Hawaii 1307 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, Hawaii 96826 Fax (808) 951-5019 Visit our powwow website: http://members.aol.com/cactussun/ich.htm = = = = = = = = The Intertribal Council of Hawaii (ICH) is seeking Native organizations, businesses, Nations and individuals to advertise in our Powwow Program(s). For the price of one ad you get exposure in both the Maui AND the Oahu Powwow Programs! Below are the ad rates. Business card size (2 x 3 1/2) - $50 Quarter page (4 3/4 x 3 3/4) - $75 Half page (7 1/2 x 4 3/4) - $100 Full Page (7 1/2 x 10) - $200 If you have any questions or would be interested in receiving an Advertising Packet, please give me a call at (808) 523-9765 or send me an email with your address. You may also mail your check or money order to me at: Kent Gearhiser, 1655 Makaloa Street, Suite 813, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. The deadline is May 1st. Below is additional information on our powwow. Kent Gearhiser ICH Program Committee =================================== Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 09:20:00 EDT From: Wanige@aol.com Subj: Alabama, Kentucky, & Tennessee More Spring Events of Native American Interest for Alabama, Kentucky, & Tennessee Note: the following abbreviations may be used in the accompanying text: AD - Arena Director, HD - Host Drum, HM - Head Man, HG - Head Gourd Dancer, HL - Head Lady, HS - Head Singer, HH - Host Motel, ND - Northern Drum, SD - Southern Drum, FP - Flute Player, ST - Story Teller, MC - Master of Ceremonies, GE - Grand Entry. Also Note: some events are not strictly of Native American origin, but may be of interest to enough readers to include their listing in these pages. Such events will be prefaced with the following symbol: (**). Some events are subject to cancellation or postponement, so be sure to call ahead before you go. Apr. 29-May 1: (**) Native American Gathering & Welcome, Tellico Plains, TN. Sponsored by the Tellico Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, this event is aimed at welcoming the Cherokee & other displaced First Nations people back to their homelands. There will be arts & crafts vendors on hand, and all downtown merchants will be open. Hours are 11am-8:30pm Thursday & Friday; 9am-9pm, Saturday. Saturday's scheduled events include: Demonstration Dancing by Bo Taylor of the Eastern Band Cherokees at 9am, noon & 4:30pm; The Jody Brown Family, a Native American Gospel group, will perform at 10:30am; Storytelling by Freeman Owle of the Eastern Band Cherokee at 1:30 & 3pm; Music from local entertainer, David G, at 6pm; and at 7:30pm, Wolf Patterson, a Native entertainer of the Ditadaht Nation in Canada, will be performing. The Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual out of Cherokee, NC, will also have a booth set up. More info: (423) 253-9246, (888) 924-6687, http://ns.tellico.net/~tellicoplainscc/, or tellicoplainscc@tellico.net. Apr. 30-May 2: Native American Pow Wow, Calhoun Co. Fairgrounds, Anniston, AL. HM: Anthony Waters, HL: Donna Dulaney, AD: D.R. Tucker, MC: Gary Smith, HD: Southwind; Honor Guard provided by Native American Warrior Society; Special Entertainment by Ditadaht singer/entertainer, Wolf Patterson. Vendor spaces still available. On-site camping for vendors only. Schedule: Friday, 9am-3pm, Students Day/5pm-9pm, general admission; Saturday, 10am-8pm (GE: 11am); Sunday, 10am-5pm (GE: noon). HH: Ramada Inn Anniston (256) 237-9777. Info: Mark & Ruth Davis (256) 820-7814. May 1-2: Creek Removal Commemorative Motorcycle Ride & Festival, begins at 7am at Ft. Toulouse, near Wetumpka, AL, and follows the 188-mile route of the Mitchell Trace to the Oakville Indian Mound Park in Oakville, AL. All riders are welcome to join for all or part of the ride that commemorates the Creek people who were forcibly removed from their Alabama homeland in 1835 & 1836. The Festival, at Oakville Indian Mound Park, will be 9:30am-6:30pm on Saturday, & 10am-5pm Sunday. There will be Traditional Creek Dancing, Fancy Dancing, Story Telling, Flint Knapping, Basket Weaving, Native American Food & Craft Vendors. Drums include Caney Creek Singers & White Horse Singers. Native American Warrior Society Color Guard will be on hand, and there will be Gourd Dancing to honor all veterans. Honored guests include: Jimmy Sanders, master artist & tanner; Dan Townsend, renowned Native American shell carver; outstanding flute player & recording artist, Larry Campbell; Johnny Hawk's traditional Creek Dance Team; & ALLVETS, national veterans organization. Camping is available, along with hot showers & restrooms. Info: Larry Smith (877) 818-3120, (256) 773-7611, or (256) 350-9162 or SoColors@aol.com. Vendor spaces may still be available. May 1-2: Bridgeport Native American Day, at Russell Cave National Monument, Bridgeport, AL. Info: Jan Newman (205) 495-2672. May 1-2: (**) Cosby Ramp Festival, Kinnevista Hill, Cosby, TN. See April 24 entry (above) for description of ramps. Activities include: beauty pageant, entertainment, ramps & eggs, BBQ pork & chicken, pone bread, pinto beans, fried fatback & homemade desserts. Info: Duane Click or Jerry Cody (423) 623-0786 or 623-5725. May 5-7: (**) Poke Sallet Festival, on the Town Square, Gainsboro, TN. Another wild food of the southland! Activities include music, food, contests, arts & crafts. Info: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 827, Gainesboro, TN 38501 (931) 268-0971. May 6-8: Southeastern Indian Cultural Festival, Anniston Museum of Natural History, Anniston, AL. Speak with Native History enactors in period clothing, visit a Creek hunting camp, listen to story tellers & observe dance demonstrations. There will also be hands-on activities for children, with demonstrations of Native American life skills, etc. Price of admission includes entrance to the museum exhibit hall. Info: Anniston Museum of Natural History, (PO Box 1587) 800 Museum Dr., Anniston, AL 36202 or (256) 237-6766 for Lisa Worsham. Call (800) 489-1087 for a visitor's guide. May 7-9: American Indian Celebration Pow Wow, Knoxville, TN. Sponsored by the East Tennessee Indian League, the event (which was previously held at the World's Fair Site) will take place at the Knoxville Farmers' Market, next to the Knoxville Crossing Mall (formerly known as East Towne Mall). MC: Jo Jo Rice (Oto/Sauk-Fox), HM: Lowery Begay (Navaho), HL: JoAnne Steele (Lakota), Sr. Princess: Kikki Standing Deer (Ponca/Cherokee), HD: Cedar Tree Singers. Over $7,500 in prize money, with Dance, Drum, Hoop, & Tipi competitions. Reserved pow wow seating (bring lawn chairs/blankets). Camping & restrooms onsite. Contact/information: Traders, (423) 687-9675 or rlspi@icx.net; Drums & Dancers, (423) 609-7009, (423) 579-1384 or jrouam@lock-net.com; Tipi Owners, (423) 475-9286 or TWDBear@aol.com. Website: http://www.wisdomkeepers.org/etil/ May 7-9: Mothers Day Weekend Pow Wow, Cahaba Shrine Park, Huntsville, AL. Info: (256) 859-4470 [Park], or (256) 379-4751 [Karen]. May 8: (**) International Migratory Bird Day, Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, TN. Includes interpretive programs & nature hikes, with bird viewing & identification. Info: Teresa Bidez or Sherry Sparks, Ocoee Whitewater Center/Cherokee National Forest, Route 1, Box 285, Copperhill, TN 37317 (423) 496-5197. May 14-16: Lawrence County Schools' Indian Festival, Oakville Indian Museum, Oakville, AL. Info: (256) 905-2494. May 14-16: Sequoyah Caverns Spring Pow Wow, at Sequoyah Caverns, Valley Head, AL. HD: Southeast Sunrise Singers, HM: Gary Thunderwolf, HL: Jacquie Ravenheart Saeger, HH: Quality Inn, Fort Payne (800) 228-5151. Info: Sally Eastman (256) 635-0024. Sponsored by the Cherokee Tribe of Northeast Alabama. On-site camping available. May 18-20: Trail of Tears Association Annual Conference, Sweetwater, TN. Includes lectures, workshops, fellowship. Info: (931) 946-7848 or 948-7846. May 22-23: East Hickman County Pow Wow, Wrigley's L.A. Miller Ball Park, Lyles, TN. HD: Bull Run Singers; Guest Drums: Eagle Scouts, and Redhawk; MC: Eddie Nickens; ST: Rogers Clinch; HM: Ken Carpenter; HL: Dorothy Duckepoo; Sr. Princess: Olivia Breeden; Jr. Princess: Bethany Baker; Head Veteran: Clayton Priest. Info: Sheila or Grady Jones (931) 670-5465. May 28-30: All Nations Salt River Pow Wow, Shepherdsville, KY. Info: (502) 331-9792. Ongoing: Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Vonore, TN. Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and open daily, except for Thanksgiving & Christmas days. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., noon-5pm. Info: Sequoyah Birthplace museum, Citico Road (PO Box 69), Vonore, TN 37885 (423) 884-6246. For more information on Tennessee events, contact the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, 5th Floor, Rachel Jackson Building, 320 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243. For more information on Alabama events, dial 1-800-ALABAMA. Note: This newsletter is published free of charge to all those seeking information on Native American events in the Southeast. You may feel free to copy or pass this information on to anyone who you feel is interested in such events. To have your e-mail address added to or deleted from this list, simply send a message to wanige@aol.com, stating your wishes. You may also send updates, cancellations or additional pow wow or festival information to this address. ----------------------------------- Subj: Carolina/Virgina Spring Events Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 12:00:37 EDT From: Wanige@aol.com Events of Native American Interest in the Carolinas, Virginias & Maryland Apr. 30-May 2: Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally, Cherokee Ceremonial Grounds, Cherokee, NC. Info: (800) 438-1601. Apr. 30-May 2: Native American Indian Association Pow Wow, at the Metrolina Indian Center, Charlotte, NC. Native dancers only. Winners must show proof of tribal affiliation. Info: Letha Dial (704) 331-4818, fax: (704) 331-9501 (M-F, 8-5). May 1: Meherrin Spring Festival, Meherrin Tribal Gounds, Winton, NC. Info: Denise or Terry Hall (252) 332-6992. May 1: Virginia Beach Veteran's Honoring Pow Wow, Mt. Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, VA. Info: Donald Brightpath ((757) 497-7654. or (757) 471-5884. May 1: Occaneechee Heritage Festival & Pow Wow, Occaneechee State Park, Clarksville, Va. [No pets allowed, no vendor spaces open] Info: (804) 374-2210. May 1: Frisco Native American Museum Intertribal Journey Home Pow Wow, Cape Hatteras School, Buxton, NC. Info: (252) 995-4440, fax: (252) 995-4430, or journeyhome@nativeamericanmuseum.org. May 1-2: Janes Island Pow Wow, Janes Island State Park, Chrisfield, MD. Info: (410) 623-2660. May 2: Waynesville Ramp Festival, at the American Legion Field, downtown Waynesville, NC. Local music & entertainment; noon until 5:00pm. Info: (828) 456-3517. May 6-20: Contemporary Cherokee Masks & Maskmakers, at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee Indian Reservation, NC. Info: (800) 438-1601. May 7-31: Lynn Lossiah,author/illustrator of The Secrets & Mysteries of the Cherokee Little People, will be in residence at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee, NC. Info: (800) 438-1601. May 7-9: Lumbee Tribal Pow Wow, Robeson County Fairgrounds, Lumberton, NC. Info: (910) 521-2462 or 521-8602. May 8-9: Occaneechee State Park Heritage Festival & Pow Wow, Clarksville, VA. Info: John Blackfeather (919) 732-8512, or Occaneechee Ranger's Office (804) 374-2210. May 8-9: AIS of Washington, DC, Mother's Day Pow Wow, at Indian Pines, Ruther Glenn, VA. Info: Chuck Tsinnie (301) 877-9616. May 14-16: Honor the Ancestors Pow Wow, in memory of Russel Two Feathers. At Tomahawk Park, near Copley, WV. Sponsored by Mother Earth Beat & Tomahawk Park. Host Drums: Mother Earth Beat, Two Feathers; Guest Drum: Red Bird Singers; Invited Drums: Turtle Clan Drum, Buffalo Drum, New Village Singers; HM: Larry Two Rivers; HL: Bonnie Red Basket; MC: Stewart Many Hands; AD: John Shadow Eagle; Security: Tony Little Goat. Info: Mel Charlton (304) 683-3647 or Sandy Little Robin (304) 349-2088, or charlton@cwv.net, or, Mel Walking Bear (304) 253-7351, ext. 1431; or wkngbear@gwv.net. May 14-16: Tuscarora Nation Annual Gathering, Cory Road, Maxton, NC. Info: Leon Locklear (910) 844-3352; fax: (910) 844-3940. May 15-16: Richmond Community College Pow Wow, on the RCC campus, Hamlet, NC. Info: Jim Davis (910) 582-7000. May 15-Oct. 25: Oconaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee, NC, open daily, 9:00am-5:30pm. Features & activities include guided tours of an 18th century Cherokee village, a seven-sided council house, artisans demonstrating their crafts, explanations of culture & lifestyles. Located on US Hwy. 441, adjacent to the Mountainside Theatre. Info: Oconaluftee Indian Village, PO Box 398, Cherokee, NC 28719 (828) 497-2111 or cheratt@dnet.net. Website: www.dnet.net/~cheratt. May 21-23: Upper Mattaponi Spring Festival, Sharon School, King William, VA. Info: (804) 769-2408. May 21-23: Art Show by Luzene Hill, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee, NC. Info: (800) 438-1601. May 22-24: Monacan Indian Nation Pow Wow, Elon, VA. Info: Daniel Red Elk (804) 384-4676, or Monacan Tribal Office (804) 946-0389. May 28-31: Art Show by Marina Robbins, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Cherokee Indian Reservation, NC. Info: (800) 438-1601. May 29-30: Memorial Day Weekend Pow Wow, Cherokee Ceremonial Grounds of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, Cherokee, NC. Info: Eddie (888) 291-0632, or Mary Jumper (828) 497-2822. For further info on this & other events on the reservation, contact: Cherokee Tribal Travel & Promotions, PO Box 460, Cherokee, NC 28719, or (800) 438-1601, (828) 497-9195/fax: (828) 497-3220. Website: www.cherokee-nc.com. All events subject to re-scheduling or cancellation. May 29: Upper Mattaponi Spring Festival & Pow Wow, King William, VA. Info: Roland Adams (804) 769-2408, Jean Adams 769-0881 (evenings), or 769-0041. May 29-30: Indian Creek Native American Festival, Chesapeake City Park, Chesapeake, VA. Free admission. Info: Bill Petree (757) 421-3145, or (757) 393-1637. May 29-30: Monacan Indian Pow Wow, Amherst County, VA. Info: (804) 929-1792 or (919) 779-5044. May 30: All Nations Indian Club Spring Pow Wow, Preinkert Field House, University of Maryland campus, College Park, MD. MC: Sam Windyboy (Chippewa/Cree); HM: TBA; HL: TBA; Head Gourd Dance Singer: Michael Rose; HD: Silver Cloud Singers (New York City); AD-Northern: Clayton Old Elk (Crow); AD-Southern: Don Neconie (Kiowa). Gates open, 10am; Gourd Dancing, noon; Grand Entry & competition dancing, 1:30pm. Info: (703) 222-9101. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Robert Dorman, Robert Quiver, Janet Smith, Buffalo Field Campaign, Debra Sanders, Larry Innes, Martha E Ture, Larry Kibby, Tom Schlosser, Roger IronCloud via John Berry, Johnny Rustywire, Dev, Frank Blazquez, Paul Barnsley/Windspeaker/Native Americas Journal, Anthony W. Smith, Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty, Nicholas Wilson, Harvey Arden, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//-