From gars@speakeasy.org Sat Jul 21 03:39:12 2001 Date: 25 Apr 2001 02:17:53 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews09.017 W O T A N G I N G I K C H E Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin KANOHEDA ANIYVWIYA O It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le Ha-Sah-Sliltha O o O ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min Un Chota O o O Aunchemokauhettittea O o o o o O VOLUME 09, ISSUE 017 O o O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse April 21, 2001 O o O Ximopanolti tehuatzin, Kiowa leaf moon O inin Mexika tlahtolli Ho-chunk planting corn moon ( N A T I V E A M E R I C A N N E W S ) ==>If you want your Nation represented in the banner of this newsletter<== email gars@nanews.org with the equivalent of "News of the People" in your tribal language along with the english translation +-----------------------------------------------------------+ | Much more happens in Indian Country than is reported | | in this weekly newsletter. For daily updates check | | http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm - also events | +-----------------------------------------------------------+ This issue contains articles from owlstar.com; ndn-aim, First Nations, Native Rights, Big Mountain, KOLA Newslist, LPDC and Our Red earth mail lists; UUCP email; http://www.newsminer.com/ http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?section=local&display= content/local/layoffs.inc http://www.yankton.net/stories/042301/new_0423010010.html http://www.allthingscherokee.com/Articles/gene_040101_quantum.html IMPORTANT!! ----------- 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@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org As historian Patricia Nelson Limerick summarized in The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West, "Set the blood quantum at one-quarter, hold to it as a rigid definition of Indians, let intermarriage proceed as it had for centuries, and eventually Indians will be defined out of existence. When that happens, the federal government will be freed of its persistent 'Indian problem.'" "The problems that the legal world system imposes upon the natural Indian religions are many and varied. And they have been a matter of grave concern and discussion by Indians who still adhere to their traditional way of worship and belief. The legal world system is engaged in a one-sided covert war with the Indian religion. Evidence of this one-sided war is manifold. The persecution and prosecution by the many legal institutions, such as schools, courts, against Indians who wear long hair is only one example that has existed in full force since 1776. It is ironic that the descendants of those first Pilgrims, who came here supposedly seeking religious freedom, should continue to deny that freedom to the original inhabitants of this land. ..." __ Yet Si Blue (Janet McCloud), Tulalip, Thanksgiving Day 1993 +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! What became of shame? Is it no longer felt? What became of respect? Is it no longer given? Of course, the above questions only apply to a few, or at least that is my sincere prayer. Still, for a few the questions, sadly, must be asked. There was a time, not too distant, when a person would not consider vile gossip about another, knowing it would come back as disdain from the entire community. I thought for a long time it was a problem unique to the internet where being faceless lends itself to having no face to hide, and the same false bravado seen in dogs that bark at strangers, then hide under or behind the nearest refuge. Unfortunately, I have seen the same cowardly name calling and argument baiting at events. I now realize it is the same loss of community that poisons the dominant society spilling over into Indian Country. I cannot tell anyone who reads this what he or she must do. I will ask that you please consider the harm your words bring to another before you speak or write them. Ask the words you might offer to make us come together, rather than drive another wedge among the smallest minority in this land that was our ancestors' and whose blood was shed so we might live today. Ask of yourself the same standards you believe were handed down to you, so there might be a seventh generation that can look back on us with pride. Do you really want to be the reason your children's children discover shame? Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Night Owl gars@nanews.org (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@speakeasy.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. gars@olagrande.net ===w=w=== gars@sdf.lonestar.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Florence Whiteman - URGENT: Justice New Mexico-Style - Alaska Natives Organize Boycott - Forgotten Victims over Racism - Peltier: - Shawnees help Bury Children's Remains Haskell Indian Nations University - Group Seeks to End Indian Names - Peltier Update: Case Status - Mt Graham: - Peltier Update: Remaining Avenues Apache Powerline Lawsuit - Native Prisoner - Crow to Layoff Some Workers -- Native American Prisoners - Miami Tribe Seeks Support Victims of Racism in Montana - Hopi say Evictions -- Native American Rights Violated at Big Mountain Imminent in Montana State Prison - Walmart: Grave Robbing Bastards -- Montana Native American - Paiutes/Feds Clash over Water Prisoner Penpals - Tribal Representatives - History: Carlisle Indian School Study Water Rights - Rustywire: Old Indian Land - Chippewa Ready for Spearfishing - Poem: Leaving Oklahoma - Siksika Artifacts Recovered - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Blood Quantum: Why It Matters/ - Native America Calling Why It Should Not - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Florence Whiteman" --------- Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001 05:51:18 -0400 From: "Janet Smith" Subj: obituary April 24, 2001-Florence Whiteman, historian, teacher and last of the Northern Cheyenne warrior women, died Sunday evening in Billings at St. Vincent Hospital. Whiteman was born July 17, 1926, the first child to James and Sally Crazy Mule Bites, who named her Meome' Ehne' E - "Appears in the Morning Woman." Whiteman was featured in several documentaries and books, including Herman J. Viola's "Little Bighorn Remembered" in 1999. A wake will be at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Allen Rowland Memorial Gym in Lame Deer. --from the Billings Gazette Janet Smith Owlstar Trading Post http://www.owlstar.com --------- "RE: Alaska Natives Organize Boycott over Racism" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 06:57:58 -0400 From: Pat Morris Subj: Alaska Natives Organize Boycott over Racism Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.newsminer.com/ Natives organize economic boycott Activists cite racism as a growing problem By DAN JOLING Associated Press Writer ANCHORAGE--Alaska Native activists announced Saturday they have formed a boycott committee to take economic measures that will advance civil and human rights of Alaska Natives. Group members say they are planning boycotts that will not end until the Legislature passes a hate crimes bill and racism diminishes throughout the state. John Tetpon of Anchorage, one of six members of the Economic Boycott Committee, said committee members have not yet agreed on action. "We're going to first focus on the visitor area, tourism probably, patterned after the people in South Carolina who boycotted South Carolina over the use of the flag," Tetpon said. That state experienced boycotts over use of the Confederate flag in positions of state sovereignty, including the capitol. Tetpon said the committee may try to discourage Outside groups from considering Alaska as a host for conventions or other meetings. Group member Desa Jacobsson of Juneau said committee members are still planning strategy but individual Alaska businesses could be targeted for a boycott. The action also could take the form of encouraging rural Alaskans to stay out of urban areas for meetings, instead gathering in Bethel, Nome, Kotzebue or Barrow, Jacobsson said. Tepton, who is a spokesman for the Alaska Federation of Natives, said the committee is not affiliated with any other groups. Other members of the committee include Robert Willard of Juneau, the state's first Alaska Native state trooper; longtime Anchorage resident Donna Mae Willoya; Diane Benson of Wasilla, who led a protest against portrayal of Alaska Natives in a poem by a University of Alaska Anchorage creative writing professor; and Ole Lake, city manager of Hooper Bay. In a press release, group members said the formation of the committee comes on the heels of a Jan. 14 drive-by paintball attack on Alaska Natives in Anchorage that the participants videotaped. An Eagle River man has been charged with seven counts of misdemeanor assault in the case. Two underage teen-agers with him were expelled from school for the rest of the school year and may face proceedings in juvenile court, which is not open to the public. Jacobsson criticized the Anchorage Police Department for not solving the slayings of four Alaska Native women and for what she said was a lack of attention to rapes of Native women. But Tetpon said group members are most frustrated with racism that has persisted since they were children and is now affecting their grandchildren. "I think things have gotten worse than when I was going to school," he said. "There's a lot of racial animosity against Native children. Why do they deserve that? What did they do?" As an example, he noted a 50 percent dropout rate of Native children in Anchorage schools. "It's not because they can't do academic work," Tetpon said. "It's because of the atmosphere in schools. It has to change. Why hasn't it changed in 30 or 40 years?" Ask Anchorage's Native children what problems they face, Tepton said. "My guess is they would list racism as one of the issues they have to deal with on a daily basis," Tetpon said. Tetpon said the problem is not just in Anchorage but throughout Alaska. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> http://wolfseeker.com http://www.geocities.com/wlfskr http://forums.delphi.com/Wolfseeker <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> "On the ragged edge of the world I'll roam. And the home of the Wolf Will be my home." Robert Service <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@egroups.com Archived on line at: http://www.eScribe.com FREE LEONARD PELTIER --------- "RE: Shawnees help Bury Children's Remains" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 07:36:08 -0500 From: John D Berry/grad/res/Okstate Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-15-2001 ----- Forwarded by John D Berry/grad/res/Okstate on 04/16/2001 07:37 AM Shawnees help bury children's remains By AP 4/14/01 BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) -- The Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma helped rebury the remains of two American Indian children uncovered on the Western Regional Jail site, Regional Jail Authority Director Steve Canterbury said. Also participating in Tuesday's ceremonies was the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation. The burial occurred about a month before the authority expects to start construction of a $19 million regional jail near the Merrick Creek exchange of Interstate 64. "We wanted to do everything properly, and we wanted to do it before construction of the jail began," Canterbury said. As the 35-acre site was being prepared, archaeologists found that a pre-Civil War cemetery on the property had been placed over a prehistoric American Indian hunting camp. The childrens' remains were found last July after the cemetery had been relocated and archaeologists were performing a final examination of the area, Canterbury said. They were wrapped in a blanket inside a World War II vintage ammunition box. A note in a plastic bag inside the box said the remains had been found within a few miles of the cemetery along a river bank by a man looking for arrowheads. The note added that the man said he felt it would be more proper to place the remains in the cemetery, Canterbury said. --------- "RE: Group seeks to end Indian Names" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 14:54:34 -0400 (EDT) From: IndigenousNews@webtv.net Subj: Group seeks to end Indian Names Mailing List: Native Rights Sent in by D. Walters of Aajigaaning Aim +++++++++ Friday, April 13, 2001 Group Seeks End of Indian Names WASHINGTON (AP) - Saying the use of Indian names and mascots may violate anti-discrimination laws, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights called for an end to their use by non-Indian schools, colleges and universities. The group's recommendation Friday does not carry the weight of law, but Indian groups working to get schools to shed the names saw it as an endorsement of their effort. "I think it's going to make a big difference," said Cyd Crue, president of the Illinois chapter of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media. "I realize it's not the end of stereotypes in sports, but I think it was really important that a federal commission get involved and make a statement to move our country toward more equality and social justice." The commission said Indian names and mascots could be viewed as "disrespectful and offensive" by Indian groups and can create "a racially hostile educational environment that may be intimidating to Indian students." American Indian activists and others complain the mascots are disrespectful, asking schools to get rid of the names and mascots. Though hundreds of teams still use names such as Indians and Braves, school districts, colleges and universities have changed their team names at the urging of Indian groups. The St. John's University Redmen are now the Red Storm, while Stanford fans cheer for the Cardinal instead of the Indians. Miami of Ohio has also changed its nickname from the Redskins to the RedHawks. This week, the Afton, N.Y., school board voted unanimously to stop using an Indian mascot and logo for its sports teams, doing away with the mascot, logo and "Indians" nickname after this school year ends. Last week, New York State Education Commissioner Richard Mills sent a letter to school districts urging them to drop Indian names, symbols and mascots. -- FREE LEONARD PELTIER! http://www.setaim.com/ Printed for educational purposes only: The news that is reported is not necessarily the viewpoint of IndigenousNews --------- "RE: Mt Graham: Apache Powerline Lawsuit" --------- Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 14:47:37 -0400 From: KOLA Subj: Mt Graham: Apache powerline lawsuit Mailing List: First Nations From: "Robert Witzeman" Please distribute this info to [y]our friends The powerline lawsuit motion for preliminary injunction by the Apache Survival Coalition, Apaches For Cultural Preservation and the Mount Graham Coalition- plaintiffs v. John McGee, Eleanor Towns and the U.S. Forest Service, defendant and the University of Arizona-defendant Intervenor will be heard Friday, April 27, 2001, 3P.M. in the chambers of Judge Frank Zapata, federal courthouse, Tucson, 405 W. Congress Please pass this on to any of your friends who would be kind enough to show up in court in support of the traditional Apache people and the irreplaceable mountain ecosystem under attack by the U. of Arizona and their Forest Service cooperators. For additional info contact: Robert A. Witzeman, M.D. 4619 E. Arcadia Lane Phoenix, AZ 85018 tel. 602 840-0052 fax 602 840-3001 witzeman@home.com or Apaches for Cultural Preservation Wendsler Nosie Box 0766 San Carlos, AZ 85550 tel. 520 475-2494 apaches4cultural@theriver.com url: INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> KOLA Information: http://users.skynet.be/kola/ KOLA Petitions: http://kola-hq.hypermart.net KOLA Greeting Cards: http://users.skynet.be/kola/cards.htm <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!! NO TELESCOPES ON MOUNT GRAHAM!!! NO DUNBAR RESORT IN THE BLACK HILLS!!! <+>=<+>=<+>=<+>=<+> Apaches for Cultural Preservation was founded by Wendsler Nosie Sr. and Ernest Victor Jr. because of the need to educate Apaches from various Apache reservations. History books today, do not cover the impact or aftermath of the Great Apache Wars and their effect on today's life on the reservation. Currently, there are many Apaches who still experience post war syndrome including denial. The denial that such a tragic event took place, and the realization that they have been stripped of their Cultural and Traditional ways. Apaches for Cultural Preservation is working with the young native people, teaching them to preserve what is left, such as Traditional ceremonies, songs, language, foods, spirituality, and Sacred sites. Nosie and Victor have strongly encouraged all ethnic groups to participate and learn their own spiritual gift that Usen(God) had blessed them with in the beginning of creation. All members of ACP have worked hard through out the year with inviting, sharing, and educating all people through out the world. ACP has constructed a monument in Old San Carlos which honors all those fallen Apaches who stood for who they were and lost their lives. Currently, the struggle to save Mt. Graham,Dzil Nchaa Sian, from desecration is a major focus. A need for all people such as yourself to do what you can to save this Holy Mountain in North America. Ernest Victor Jr. Apaches for Cultural | Cibecue | Mt. Graham Sacred Run Phone: 520-475-2494 Fax: 520-475-2494 P. O. Box 766 San Carlos, AZ 85550 Email: apaches4cultural@theriver.com --------- "RE: Crow to Layoff Some Workers" --------- Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 10:17:46 +0100 From: "anne.bates" Subj: Crow to lay off some workers Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?section=local&display= content/local/layoffs.inc Crow to lay off some workers The Crow Tribe said it must lay off a portion of its 1,100 employees this week to help the tribe live within its means. Spokesman Leroy Not Afraid said the cutbacks began Tuesday and would continue through the week. He said leaders hope to rehire many of those placed on "furlough" in coming months. "We don't have an exact number yet," he said and refused to speculate how many workers would be sent home. "Our goal is to live within our means as a nation." To do this, the tribe needs to lay off at least 300 employees, said the tribe's former accountant, John Donham, who quit ear lier this month after a bitter falling out with the tribe. In early March, Donham warned tribal leaders that a massive layoff was needed to help the tribe make ends meet. Nearly 70 tribal employees were laid off in mid-March because of budget problems. About one out of six enrolled tribal members living on the reservation work for the tribe. The cuts were made throughout tribal offices, at all levels of pay and position, Not Afraid said. New tribal leaders took office in July and raised the minimum wage for its employees by nearly $2, to $7 an hour. Although the tribe's finances were in disarray - current leaders blame previous leaders - employees were hired and paid through the winter. Not Afraid said the current tribal chairman, Clifford Birdinground, promised to keep a full staff through winter. "We maxed out at 1,100 this winter to make sure families had heat for the winter, warm clothes, food. According to Crow culture, we do not let our people go without during the winter months," Not Afraid said. "Regrettably, spring has arrived and we need to furlough some employees... We encourage those individuals to apply for unemployment benefits." Although critics have accused tribal leaders of wild spending, the tribe's poor financial position comes from a $26 million debt left by previous leaders and a recent federal court decision limiting the tribe's ability to tax businesses on the reservation, Not Afraid said. Despite the ongoing financial crisis, tribal leaders are working hard to make cash available to meet the needs of the tribe, said Gordon Jackson, Crow Agency superintendent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "They do have money on the horizon," he said, adding that the BIA is working to approve an agreement between the tribe and Conoco over right- of-way payments. A new accounting firm has also been hired - Ribail, Stauffer and Associates, of Spokane - and work is being done to stabilize tribal finances, Jackson said. Freedom for Leonard Peltier, Standing deer & Red Hawk http://members.tripod.com/sapawiyaka/bio.html LAKOTA, DAKOTA, NAKOTA SPIRITUAL GROUP JAMESON ANNEX SOUTH DAKOTA STATE PENITENTIARY Native American Inmates And Families Support Group www.angelfire.com/wy/nainmatessupportgrp/index.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@egroups.com FREE LEONARD PELTIER --------- "RE: Miami Tribe Seeks Support" --------- Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 16:05:40 -0400 (EDT) From: IndigenousNews@webtv.net Subj: Miami Tribe Seeks Support Mailing List: NativeRights From the Bloomington-Normal Illinois ++++++++++++ Miami tribe seeks support By KURT ERICKSON Springfield bureau chief SPRINGFIELD -- Unsure of their chances in a court of law, members of an Oklahoma-based Indian tribe are looking for help in the court of public opinion. Locked in a legal battle with 15 Central Illinois landowners over an attempt to reclaim land it says it never relinquished, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma is planning to release a glossy brochure in the coming weeks detailing its history as a once-influential tribe. Along with offering readers the tribe's version of its plight, the document is being crafted as an olive branch to the state in an attempt to settle the lawsuit. "The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma wishes to come to terms with the people of Illinois so that once again the heritage they share can be celebrated," notes a summary of the document obtained by The Pantagraph. In addition to outlining the tribe's case, the executive summary also raises the specter of casino gambling as a way to settle the lawsuit. Although tribe officials have said in recent months that a casino isn't a key to any settlement, the document appears to revive interest in a gaming facility. "A resort development in the claim area could create jobs, cultural attractions, tourism and new tax revenue from gaming in an area that does not now have a riverboat casino," the summary notes. Attorney Tom Osterholt, who has been handling the lawsuit on behalf of the tribe, referred questions to tribe spokesman George Tiger, who did not return several telephone messages. While the document will be distributed to members of the Illinois General Assembly later this month, some lawmakers already are dismissing the brochure as little more than a public relations gambit. "As far as I'm concerned, I would respectfully listen, but it changes absolutely nothing," said state Sen. Judy Myers, R-Danville, who is trying to help the landowners fend off the tribe. Among other things, Myers has moved legislation through the Senate that will set up a legal-defense fund for the landowners. State Rep. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, who also represents portions of the area being targeted by the tribe, said the document likely will not change his mind about the lawsuit. "If they believe they have a legal case, they should pursue all legal remedies," Rutherford said. "The landowners are the innocent bystanders in this. "Obviously, I will take a look at it, but it doesn't deter my belief that the landowners need to be removed from any fault in this. The court case should be dealt with between the United States and the Miami Indians, not the landowners." The timing of the release of the brochure will coincide with the state's plan to file a motion to dismiss the court case. Last week, a federal judge in Benton ruled that Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan can intervene on behalf of the property owners. The tribe said the state's involvement could put at risk millions of acres of land along the state's eastern borders. In the executive summary of the document, the tribe notes that it has been pursuing an out-of-court settlement with state officials since 1997. "The Miami Tribe continues to seek a settlement and is willing to accept compensation and/or tribal land in lieu of taking the homes of innocent residents of East Central Illinois," the tribe says. --------- "RE: Hopi say Evictions at Big Mountain Imminent" --------- Date: Fri, 20-Apr-2001 17:46:09 GMT From: Robert Dorman Subj: newswire update about Big Mountain resisters Mailing List: Big Mountain ------------------------------------------------- From: Black Mesa support RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATED! LAND STOLEN THROUGH UNFAIR TRADE AGREEMENTS! IS THIS NOT AN EXAMPLE OF GLOBALIZATION? Hopi say evictions at Big Mountain 'imminent' by Brenda Norrell Today staff BIG MOUNTAIN, Ariz. - Navajos facing forced eviction appealed to the United Nations in Geneva in April, as the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal that relocation violates the religious rights of Navajo, in the case of Jenny Manybeads vs. United States. U.S. District Judge Earl Carroll in Arizona also lifted a 1977 injunction, which now authorizes the Hopi Tribe to enforce its grazing laws -livestock permits and impoundments - on Navajos living on Hopi Partitioned Lands (HPL). Cedric Kuwaninvaya, chairman of the Hopi Land Team, said the U.S. Supreme Court decision means time has run out for Navajos who refused to sign 75-year lease accommodation agreements with the tribe. "Denial of the Manybeads appeal makes imminent the eviction of Navajo individuals on the HPL without a lease agreement with the Hopi Tribe," Kuwaninvaya said in a written statement. Carrying their fight for human rights to Geneva, Kee Watchman of Cactus Valley community, told the United Nations Human Rights Commission in its 57th session in April, that Navajos have suffered for 30 years, enduring constant harassment and threats because the energy industry seeks Navajo coal. "The United States government, for reasons of its own policy, is actively and knowingly destroying our families, our livelihood, our sacred places and our way of life." Watchman told the United Nations that Peabody Coal Co. seeks the "rich and low sulfur coal that lays beneath our feet." In his address on religious intolerance, Watchman said deep injury will result if the Hopi proceed with a plan to construct a cellular tower on a peak over "the shrine called 'Dzil'na Sa i' or Big Mountain," without consultation with Navajos living there. Representing the Indian Treaty Council, Watchman asked for an avenue of appeal to an international tribunal where the United States and its officials would be held accountable for their actions. Meanwhile, at Big Mountain, Bahe Katenay said, "The people's way of life is constantly under attack." He said the people are disappointed with the court decisions, but they will not give up the struggle to remain. "The feeling is that the American government doesn't want to hear about our culture and history and why we want to stay on the land to protect it." Katenay said Dine at Big Mountain believe both court decisions are a direct reaction to success in creating international awareness about the coal industry's intent to remove Navajos to permit mining of the Black Mesa coal beds. "The people are going to be living with more fear that evictions will take place, but they will try and stop the eviction in any way that they can." In nearby Kykotsmovi, the Hopi celebrated both court decisions as victories. After more than two decades, the Hopi regained full control and jurisdiction over grazing on Hopi Partitioned Lands when Judge Carroll lifted the 1977 injunction. "It is an indisputable fact that we have been second-class citizens on our own lands for too long," Chairman Wayne Taylor said. Taylor congratulated the U.S. Supreme Court for refusing to overturn the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ruling in Jenny Manybeads vs. United States. Navajos filed the suit in 1988, based on their right to practice traditional religion on sacred land, challenging the 1974 Navajo Hopi Settlement Act that resulted in Navajo and Hopi partitioned lands. "Their action threatened to undermine Hopi sovereign authority to use and control its own lands and threatened the implementation of a settlement that took years of compromise between the Hopi and Navajo," Taylor said. "We want our children to put the Navajo-Hopi land dispute behind them and chart a different history of peace between both tribes." Hopi elders Dan Evehema and Thomas Banyacya, however, stood with Navajos for decades and supported their struggle to remain on the land. Before their deaths two years ago, Evehema and Banyacya said the order of the world will be upset and mankind would suffer great calamities if Navajos are forced to relocate. On Black Mesa, Glenna C. Begay, Navajo, who lives less than two miles from Peabody Coal mine, said the dust in the air, water, soil and plants has made the people sick with respiratory diseases. Ancestral burial sites have been destroyed and precious water is used to "flush coal to the Mohave Generating Station in Nevada" by way of coal slurry. Saying the people have suffered long enough from chemical spills and hazardous waste spills, she said it is time to close Peabody's two coal mines on Black Mesa. "The beautiful landscape is gone forever." The Navajo Nation defended mining leases as a means of employment and revenues, with the majority of the tribe's $100 million annual income derived from coal, oil and gas royalties and taxes. It has filed suit against Peabody, claiming Peabody and two energy providers conspired with a former BIA official to deny the tribe a fair 20 percent royalty rate for coal. After the Navajo Nation filed the $1.8 billion lawsuit, it was joined by the Hopi Tribe. Peabody denies the conspiracy, pointing to its charitable contributions and royalty payments, as California's demands for Arizona water and coal-powered electricity increased in 2001. After the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal, Navajo President Kelsey Begaye extended his sympathy to Navajo families living on Hopi Partitioned Land. Begaye said the decision was hard to accept, but families have fought valiantly to preserve Dine sacred ways. "I want to extend my appreciation to the families who were involved in this case and their attorneys for setting forth a great effort to protect our way of life." The U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona and Hopi Tribe said eviction of Navajo families who refused to sign 75-year-leases by Feb. 1, 2000, will proceed by court action. On Black Mesa, Norman Benally appealed for international support in the three-decade long battle. "We have exhausted our strengths to protect our homelands." ===== Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) is a group of individuals acting to support the sovereignty of the indigenous people affected by mining activities on Black Mesa, who face forced relocation, environmental devastation, and cultural extinction at the hands of multi-national corporations, and United States and tribal governments. http://www.blackmesais.org ========================================= Please visit http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/pagea~1.htm for more background on the Big Mountain relocation issue. To subscribe, send an email to: BIGMTLIST-subscribe@topica.com. --------- "RE: Walmart: Grave Robbing Bastards" --------- Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 18:26:08 From: KOLA Subj: Walmart, Grave Robbing Bastards <+>=<+>KOLA Newslist<+>=<+> >From: AIM4JUSTCE@aol.com >From: ILFORCE@aol.com True to their reputation of deceit, lies and betrayal, the slimy vermin of Walmart has yet been caught in another act of deception and double dealing near Morgantown, WV. The Walmart ghouls have begun raping a sacred indigenous burial site after promising the community they would not. As has been the case throughout history, those whom we entrusted to protect Indian interest have turned their guns on us in favor of capitalist greed. Those government and community representatives who pledged their unswerving support of Indian ideals now lie in bed with Walmart in an orgy of greed, money and treachery as they attempt to sodomize our people once again. I know many who read this have fantasized about fighting for the cause of our people, our culture, our dignity. You have spoken of the horrors heaped upon our people over 500 years. The horror still exists! Here and now! Will; you continue to talk or will you respond to an imminent call to action. Will you make history or will you be content to read about it? Those wishing to (Literally) stand with us and defend the honor and dignity of our ancestors near Morgantown, WV are urged to respond to ILFORCE@aol.com and be available for upcoming actions that will not be openly posted. We are the 7th generation! We will not go away! THE INDIGENOUS LIBERATION FORCE EXISTS TO IDENTIFY, CONFRONT AND NEUTRALIZE THAT WHICH THREATENS OUR PEOPLE AND TO PROMOTE OUR POLITICAL STRENGTH VIA TRADITIONAL MEANS! Madage Moniga "Walks on Wind" === [from Dianne Howard. Thanks!] << The following notification was sent to Susan Pierce of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (State Agency) April 20, 2001. --- Ms. Pierce: We have received reports that excavation and other activities are taking place on the Straight property on Rt. 705 Monongalia County WV. Without question this is a violation of your March 6, 2001, directive which prohibits this activity. It is also a direct violation of law as indicated in your letter to Sen. John Rockefeller last year. We trusted that your office possessed the authority and willingness to enforce your directives and applicable laws. If you or your office is either unwilling or unable to do so, we need to know immediately so we can plan accordingly. Also, if Gloria Gozdick is considered the "qualified archaeologist" indicated in your March 6, directive we wish to strongly object. Her bias towards Wal-Mart, West Virginia University Foundation, and the University is evident! Her findings have been brought into question by reputable archaeologist. She is a paid consultant of Walmart and certainly should not be counted on to render evenhanded reports. This is a case of the fox guarding the hen house. We look to you for immediate protection of this sacred site. - Indian Heritage Conservancy- American Indian Movement -END Friends again our trust has been betrayed. Again, in our willingness to believe in common decency, we have been lied to and duped by those who promised to protect Indian interest. The sacred prayer pole which stood proudly to honor our relatives buried within the Fort Hill site lies crushed beneath the wheels of Walmart's paid ghouls who dig upon our burial site. Please call WV DIV. of Culture and History and demand it be stopped. 304-558-0220 Please call the WV Attorney general and demand action 304-558-2021 FX 304-558-0140 Please call the Monongalia Prosecuting Attorney and demand that these grave robbing bastards be brought to Justice. 304-291-7250. And please be ready to respond to our call to action which appears to be imminent. Monogalia County is about 75 miles south of Pittsburgh PA on I- 79. -If you think its terrible what was done to Indian people please remember...its still going on! -Matt Sherman National Field Office American Indian Movement Dennis J. Banks, Director- -please distribute widely- Pilamaya <+>=<+> KOLA Information: http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm --------- "RE: Paiutes/Feds Clash over Water" --------- Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 07:57:25 -0500 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PAIUTE WATER" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm Paiutes, feds clash over water for endangered fish Jeff DeLong Reno Gazette-Journal Wednesday April 4th, 2001 Pyramid Lake Paiutes say more water must be released into the Truckee River to prevent a massive die-off of an endangered fish, but federal wildlife officials have denied the request, citing drought conditions. Tribal officials said Tuesday they want the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to release enough water from Stampede Reservoir to allow for successful spawning of cui-ui, a sucker fish that normally spawns from Pyramid Lake up the lower Truckee River this time of year. "The tribe is saying we've got our share of water up there - release it," said Elwood Lowery, executive director of Pyramid Lake Fisheries. "We're saying go ahead and release the water for the fish." Fish and wildlife officials insist Stampede Reservoir lacks enough water to support a cui-ui spawn without ultimately turning the reservoir into a "puddle." Drought conditions have dried up other sources of water that might normally help supply a spawning run, as Reno now is experiencing its second driest season on record. "We do believe there's a sufficient amount to support a spawn run but by mid-summer there would be no water in Stampede. You'd be left with a puddle," said Randi Thompson, spokeswoman for U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "There's just not enough water." Federal biologists also fear that early release of Stampede's water under drought conditions will dry up the lowest reaches of the Truckee River later in the summer, causing significant ecological damage. They say the cui-ui population is healthy enough that loss of a spawn cycle this year would have relatively little impact. Both sides insist their strategy offers the best hope to avoid a die- off of a thousand or more fish. By not releasing water into the river, Fish and Wildlife officials say the cui-ui would be discouraged from attempting to spawn under dangerously dry conditions. "It is our position that making water releases from Stampede Reservoir during this severe drought and under poor fish passage conditions will encourage cui-ui into potentially massive mortality," Bob Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife field supervisor, wrote in a March 29 letter to Tribal Chairman Alan Mandell. Tribal officials insist the fish will attempt to spawn in any case and unless more water is made available, they will become trapped in pools downstream of the reservation's Marble Bluff Dam. There they could die in oxygen-starved water or be eaten by the thousands of pelicans that migrate to the Pyramid Lake area to feed on migrating fish. "We know the fish are going to run regardless," Lowery said. "They just haven't figured out yet when to make their move." Although the federal government controls all water releases from Stampede, the Paiutes are about to take greater control. Under a first- of-its-kind pact between the federal government and an Indian Tribe that was signed in 1999, the Pyramid Paiutes will be given control of water that originates outside of the reservation and is earmarked to help endangered fish species. The debate comes as the tribe finishes work on a management plan for Truckee River water to be used to aid the cui-ui and another endangered fish, the Lahontan cutthroat trout. Until the management plan is finished and approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the federal government remains "in the driver's seat" concerning releases from Stampede Reservoir this year, Lowery said. Tribal officials suggest the government is exaggerating potential impacts to Stampede and say water needed for a ninth consecutive spawning of the cui-ui should be released at once. "If there's a fish-kill, we don't want to be in the co-pilot's seat," Lowery said. Pyramid Lake's Cui-ui --------------------- o Cui-ui are the largest of the genus chamistes, or lake sucker. They live up to 50 years and can weigh up to 7 pounds. They live mostly on zooplankton. o Habitat: They are found only in Pyramid Lake. Studies estimate more than 1 million adult fish live in the lake. o Life cycle: Cui-ui spawn primarily in the Truckee's lower 12 miles in April and May. Females produce 25,000 to 186,000 eggs. It takes three or four weeks for eggs to hatch, with larvae then floating down the river to the lake. o History: Cui-ui fossils 2 million years old have been found only in basins of ancient Lake Lahontan and now-dry Winnemucca Lake. Water diversions for agriculture nearly destroyed the cui-ui in the late 1960s. They were listed as endangered in 1967. Pyramid Lake ------------ o Length: 27 miles. o Width: 4-11 miles. o Maximum depth: 350 feet. o Surface area: 117,000 acres. Copyright c. 2001 Reno Gazette-Journal --------- "RE: Tribal Representatives Study Water Rights" --------- Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:13:10 +0100 From: anne.bates Subj: Tribal Representatives Study Water Rights, Land Issues 04 Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.yankton.net/stories/042301/new_0423010010.html Tribal Representatives Study Water Rights, Land Issues By CHET BROKAW Associated Press Writer PIERRE -- Representatives of the Oglala and Rosebud Sioux tribes are recommending that their tribes not agree to any settlement of their water rights until their land claims are settled. Officials of the two tribes met recently to discuss Lakota water rights. They plan to present resolutions to both tribes that would ask the federal government to negotiate a settlement with all Sioux tribes on all outstanding claims on land, natural resources, sovereignty and water rights. Frank Means, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, said the group discussing the issue must develop a strong position for presentation at a water rights meeting to be held May 1-2 in Rapid City. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is sponsoring the meeting. In a written statement, Feemont Fallis of the Rosebud Tribe said federal officials are wrong to try to quantify Sioux water rights before land claims are settled. The Sioux continue to pursue claims involving 48 million acres in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming. The land includes the Black Hills and the Missouri River shoreline that is being transferred from the federal government to the state. The Black Hills and the rest of western South Dakota were reserved for the Lakota in the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. After gold was discovered in the Black Hills, however, the land was taken from the Lakota in 1877, and the Lakota were forced onto smaller reservations. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 upheld an award that with interest has grown to about $600 million, but the high court did not call for returning the Black Hills land. All the Lakota tribes have refused the money, saying they want the land back. Some measures introduced in Congress about a decade ago sought to return 1 million acres of federal land in the Black Hills to the Sioux, but those measures failed. Oglala Sioux Tribal Attorney Mario Gonzalez said the underlying land claims must be settled before the tribes can deal with water rights. "The quantum of Sioux Water rights cannot be determined until the quantum of Sioux territory is completely settled between the Sioux tribes and the United States government," Gonzalez said in a written statement. Fallis and Means plan to present resolutions to their tribal councils asking that the federal government join the tribes to negotiate a settlement of claims dealing with land, water and other issues. That settlement would then be ratified by Congress. ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@egroups.com Archived on line at: http://www.eScribe.com FREE LEONARD PELTIER --------- "RE: Chippewa Ready for Spearfishing" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 07:33:26 -0500 From: John D Berry/grad/res/Okstate Subj: (FWD)Indian News 04-14-2001 ----- Forwarded by John D Berry/grad/res/Okstate on 04/16/2001 07:34 AM Chippewa ready for spearfishing By Robert Imrie Associated Press 4/13/2001 Wisconsin's six Chippewa bands intend to spear walleyes on 283 northern lakes this spring, or 34 more than a year ago, the state said Thursday. "The number of lakes is up a little bit, but nothing major,'' said Doug Beard, treaty fisheries coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources. Under a formula for sharing the resource with hook-and-line anglers, the tribe's request to spear 45,321 walleye this spring means daily bag limits for anglers will be three walleyes on 137 lakes, two walleyes on 140 lakes and one walleye on three lakes, Beard said. One of the prime walleye lakes -- the Turtle Flambeau Flowage in Iron County -- has a three-fish daily limit. The remaining 576 inland lakes in northern Wisconsin have daily limits of five walleyes for the rod-and-reel season that begins May 5, Beard said. Two bands -- the Bad River and Lac Courte Oreilles -- gave the state the required 48-hour notice before they venture onto their first lake for the 17th modern-day spearfishing season, Beard said. Spearfishing may start this weekend, but it probably won't be widespread until late next week, Beard said. Some northern lakes remain locked in ice. Exercising court-affirmed 19th century treaty rights, Chippewa Indians generally start spearfishing for walleye in mid-April when the ice melts off some 200 of the best fishing lakes in the northern third of Wisconsin and walleyes venture to the shallow waters to spawn. Off-reservation spearfishing resumed in 1985 after federal courts ruled the tribe retained special hunting, fishing and food-gathering rights in treaties that ceded millions of acres of northern Wisconsin land to the federal government. A year ago, the Chippewa speared a record 30,367 walleyes, in part because ice melted early, then the weather cooled and the spawning season was lengthened, Beard said. In 1999, spearers took 26,294 walleyes. Last year after spearfishing concluded, daily bag limits on 79 lakes were raised after the Chippewa speared fewer walleyes than requested, the DNR said. Any re-evaluations done this year will be announced in May, the agency said. Other Chippewa bands with spearfishers are the Lac du Flambeau, Mole Lake, Red Cliff and St. Croix. --------- "RE: Siksika Artifacts Recovered" --------- Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 22:35:36 -0700 (PDT) From: WarFeather Subj: Siksika artifacts recovered (followup) Mailing List: Our Red Earth Siksika artifacts recovered Headdresses seized at border, 27 years after they vanished Emma Poole Calgary Herald; Southam Newspapers The mystery surrounding the disappearance of two native Canadian headdresses almost 30 years ago has ended with the arrest of a man who tried to smuggle them into the United States. The headdresses, made in the early 1800s, were last seen on the Siksika Reserve near Gleichen, 90 km east of Calgary, in 1974. "We can't even say how they left the reserve but we're satisfied they're cultural property and they have cultural value," said Calgary RCMP Cpl. Dave Ingram. "They're a significant part of Canadian history, and this gentleman was trying to unlawfully export them." Mounties seized the headdresses and arrested a Montana man last year at the Coutts border crossing, but they couldn't lay charges until this week when the artifacts were authenticated. Siksika members called police after a U.S. man tried to sell the bundles back to the tribe last year. Band council member Wil Willier said a headdress is "a living being. It's like a child, you take care of it. It's used to pray." The two separate pieces are worth $85,000, but their historic value can't be measured. The red bird and yellow bird headdresses originate from the Motoki Society, which roughly translated means Women's Buffalo Society. The society, which is exclusively open to women, functions as a way of praying for the health and well-being of all. Ingram said the headdresses will remain with the RCMP until the case is over. At that time, Siksika members must apply to get them back from the government. John Flaherty, 68, of Great Falls, Mont., has been charged under the Customs Act, the Cultural Property Export Import Control Act, and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation and Interprovincial Trade Act. ===== Iron Lodge Prison Project http://www.geocities.com/ironlodge/ Our Red Earth http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurRedEarth --------- "RE: Blood Quantum: Why It Matters/Why It Should Not" --------- Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 07:57:25 -0500 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLOOD QUANTUM" http://www.allthingscherokee.com/Articles/gene_040101_quantum.html Thanks Evening Rain for URL Blood Quantum - Why It Matters, and Why It Shouldn't by Christina Berry "You're an Indian? What part?" That's the universal question many mixed-blood Native Americans are asked every day. How many times have you mentioned in passing that you are Cherokee to find your conversation interrupted by intrusive questions about percentage? How many times have you answered those questions? Well stop! That's right -- stop answering rude questions. Have you ever been talking to someone who mentioned that they were part Hispanic, part African-American, part Jewish, part Italian, part Irish, part Korean, etc.? Have you ever asked them what percentage? Hopefully your answer is no, because if your answer is yes then you're rude. It would be rude to ask someone how Hispanic they are, but we accept that people can ask us how Cherokee we are. This is a double standard brought about by our collective history as Native Americans, and is one we should no longer tolerate. The history of blood quantum begins with the Indian rolls and is a concept introduced to Native Americans from white culture. Throughout Native history blood has never really been a factor in determining who was or was not included in a tribe. Many Native American tribes practiced adoption, a process whereby non-tribal members would be adopted into the tribe and over time become fully functioning members of the group. Adoption was occasionally preceded by capture. Many tribes would capture members of neighboring tribes, white settlers, or members of enemy tribes. These captives would replace members of the tribe who had died from war or disease. They would often be bestowed with some of the same prestige and duties of the person they were replacing. While the transformation from captive to tribal member was often a long and difficult one, the captive would eventually become an accepted member of the tribe. The fact that the adoptee was sometimes of a different ethnic origin was of little importance to the tribe. It wasn't until the federal government became involved in Indian government that quantum became an issue. One of the attributes collected on a person signing one of the many Indian rolls was their quantum. However, this was highly subjective as it was simply a question that the roll takers would allow the people to answer for themselves. I know for a fact that this was known to be incorrect because my own ancestors' quantum is recorded incorrectly. My great grandmother and her sister are listed with generationally different quanta even though they were sisters with the same mother and father and have the exact same quantum. In this day and age, however, quantum is important in many ways. In order to become a registered member of any federally recognized Indian Nation you must first get a CDIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood). This CDIB is issued by the BIA and simply states that the United States government certifies that you have a specified degree of Indian blood and are a member of a given federally recognized tribe. Once you have a CDIB you can become a recognized member of that tribe. Without a quantum you cannot become a registered member of a tribe. In addition, many Indian tribes include their own quantum restrictions. The Eastern Band of the Cherokees requires that you be 1/16 or higher to join, and the Keetowah band requires a blood quantum of 1/4 or higher. The Cherokee Nation, on the other hand, has no quantum restrictions. The majority of the Cherokee Nation has 1/4 or less Indian blood. When considering these numbers it is important to remember that the Cherokee were in direct contact with white settlers prior to the American Revolution. Many prominent Cherokee families included intermarried whites very early on. The Ward family -- descendants of Nancy and Bryant Ward (an Englishman) -- is a good example. My own ancestor, Granny Hopper (daughter of Old Hop), married a Scottish trader (McDaniel). The Cherokee culture has been intermarrying with white culture for over two hundred years, so many families have some very confusing fractions to spit out every time someone asks, "How much Indian are you?" Many Indian people today would like to see the emphasis on blood quantum fall by the wayside. Blood quantum is a sterile, inhuman way of calculating authenticity. When you ask a person how much Indian blood they have, you expect an answer. If they answer your question with a small percentage or if they refuse to answer, you immediately question their authenticity as an Indian. Never mind -- that blood quantum is completely irrelevant to Cherokee culture. Throughout history the Cherokee people have believed that if you're Cherokee, you're Cherokee. If you're not, you're not. Percentage doesn't matter. In addition, many people now make a distinction between quantum Cherokees and cultural Cherokees. How Cherokee you are is more determined by how you live, how active you are in the tribe, how you grew up, and what you know of Cherokee history, culture, and language. Blood quantum, while it appears harmless, has had a very negative effect on many Indian Nations. In many cases the issue of quantum has divided full-bloods and mixed-bloods, causing resentment. The issue also divides tribal members and non-members on the issue of proof. From a historical and cultural perspective, the idea of blood quantum is dangerous. Blood quantum is a scientific, government-approved method of determining blood purity and race purity. One of the most frightening examples of a government's interest in blood purity comes as recently as the Twentieth century in Nazi Germany, when Hitler wanted to create an Aryan master race. The consequence was that millions of people were killed because they were not Aryan. While Nazi Germany is an extreme example, blood quantum is nonetheless a clinical, inhuman, and careless way to determine the ethnic authenticity of a person. We are not Gregor Mendel's cross-pollinated pea plants; we are people. Our ethnicity and cultural identity are tied to our family history, our surroundings, our own hopes and expectations, and our self-identity. To measure our "Indianness" by a percentage is to completely eliminate the human element. And to allow others to judge us based on a number is to continue a harmful trend. Launch a quiet protest against the reliance on blood quantum to measure Indian authenticity. The next time someone asks you what percentage Cherokee you are tell them that they are asking a rude question and don't answer -- because the answer doesn't matter. Either you are Cherokee or you're not. --------- "RE: URGENT: Justice New Mexico-Style" --------- Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 00:15:09 EDT From: JTRoad@aol.com Subj: Justice New Mexico-style--Welcome to conscience-free America The following EMERGENCY message is forwarded from Tilda Sosaya, NM PRUP Coordinator. PLEASE HELP SAVE BEAR EAGLE! Native American inmate, Elton Bear Eagle Chavez, is on a hunger strike. Today he removed the glucose IV from his arm at a prison infirmary. He is a member of two "target groups" - Native Americans, and "jailhouse lawyers"... they have been targeted especially for the "special control unit" in Santa Fe and for out-of-state placement. Since legislature ended on March 17th - just one month - there have been three inmate deaths in this state ... soon perhaps another. Department of Corrections Native American Coordinator, Jerry Mondragon, visited Bear Eagle last Thursday at the infirmary at the prison in Los Lunas and told him he should eat or he'd die (yes, I'm paraphrasing, but not too broadly) - the DOC would not change the policy - no sweat lodge, no smoke. Right after close of the legislative session, the DOC began implementing the new prison classification system which determines the security level of inmates. Typically, the most heinous criminals are housed in "special control" or super-max confinement. Unfortunately the Special Control Unit currently functioning in Santa Fe - the South Unit, and the North Unit - are draconian dungeons - solitary confinement - all the way. In the Santa Fe North unit, where Bear Eagle had been and where other inmate target groups are housed, the inmates are all locked down 24/7, except for a few hours per week for showers. They are constantly alone, with little or no human contact except for the occasional medical exam or the touch of the guard putting handcuffs on the inmate. With the new classification system, they rescinded the smoking "privilege" - including herbs and tobacco the smoke of which IS the rising prayer to almost every indigenous person in the USA. Bear Eagle had been in Santa Fe North Unit, where most of the young guys, labeled members of security threat groups, have been super-maxxed, along with the inmate legal experts. The law libraries are now closed in ALL prisons in this state ... and one inmate can no longer assist another in the legal process. Inmate literacy is way below the national average - about 40% are functionally illiterate so that one who is able to read and write the law inside is highly valued in the social environment of the prison. Anyway, Bear Eagle went on a hunger strike in late March to protest the prohibition on sweat lodge and smoke ...he was moved from S Fe North to Los Lunas infirmary about 1.5 weeks ago. Bear Eagle removed the glucose IV from his arm, and he is not taking water. He will die soon - we must do something ... it is unconscionable. The DOC is breaking the law ... Federal law - religious freedom is being denied and Bear Eagle will die for the cause. We need to get to the media - NOW! Call the Governor's office - he's out of town but bug the staff - there must be an office of Native American Affairs ... and the Department of Corrections - let's flood them with calls telling them to restore the religious rights of this man and all other Native Americans inside New Mexico Prisons. The phone number to the Governor's office is: (505) 827-3000; also, call the Lieutenant Governor, Walter Bradley: (505) 827-3050; call the Secretary of Corrections, Rob Perry, or Deputy Secretary Donna Wilpolt at (505) 827 - 8709. PLEASE HELP SAVE ELTON BEAR EAGLE CHAVEZ!!! HE IS DYING IN OUR BACKYARD!!! Sincerely, COPA! NM, Board of Directors: Tilda Sosaya, Suzann Trout, Dwight Duran In Solidarity, Linda Tant Miller STORM AMERICA'S BASTILLES! Prison Reform Unity Day 2001 is 7/14/2001! CONTACT prup@justice.com Visit PRUP 2000 Web site: http://www.prup.net "To be silent in the face of injustice is to be an accomplice to evil. I will not be silent." Lori Berenson - January, 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@egroups.com Archived on line at: http://www.eScribe.com FREE LEONARD PELTIER --------- "RE: Forgotten Victims" --------- Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 15:16:27 -0400 (EDT) From: IndigenousNews@webtv.net Subj: Forgotten Victims Mailing List: NativeRights Sent in by Sharon Green of Gathering Place First Nations ++++++ Gathering Place First Nations Canadian News SPECIAL :Forgotten Victims Gathering Place First Nations Canadian News SPECIAL APRIL 17 2001 Please see * and ** Forgotten Victims Thursday, April 19 on APTN This week on "Contact," a chilling tale of murder and sexual violence known by few Canadians. It's the story of a serial killer who, unlike others who bear the name, remains largely unknown. His name is John Martin Crawford, and, for the number of people he's been convicted of murdering, he's second only to Canada's most notorious serial killer, Clifford Olson. Yet, in spite of this horrific distinction, Crawford's killings have been largely ignored in this country. So have the people he killed. Their names are Shelley Napope, Eva Taysup and Calinda Waterhen, and, during one grisly Fall in 1992, Crawford ended their lives. They were not the first. In 1981, Crawford also took the life of Mary Jane Serloin. All of Crawford's victims were Aboriginal, all were women and all were from the rougher, seedier parts of town. In a country where death makes the news everyday, the deaths of these women went by seemingly unnoticed by Canada's national news gatherers. Was it because their deaths were not considered "newsworthy" enough to elicit the kind of sympathy extended to the victims of similar murder sprees? Some people believe it's because they were poor, and because they were Aboriginal. Questions still linger. Could this happen again? Have any lessons been learned from these tragic incidents? Why did these murders not garner the national attention other serial killings have? Was it racism? This Thursday April 19, at 3 p.m. eastern, noon pacific, join us on "Contact" as we pose these and many other questions to Saskatchewan journalist Warren Goulding about his new book "Just Another Indian: A Serial Killer and Canada's Indifference." Find out the story of how these women came to fall prey to Crawford, how he was caught, and the reactions of police and media. As always, if you'd like to take part, the toll-free number to call in is 1-877-647-2786. - - - - - - - - - - - - In other programming notes... This Sunday, Rick Harp joins In Vision host Carol Adams for a special look at the 2001 Summit of the Americas, happening this week in Quebec City. We'll have a post-Summitt wrap up of the negotiations and the protest and what this new Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) could mean for Indigenous peoples. Will the FTAA will bring greater prosperity or greater poverty for Aboriginal peoples? Tune in on Sunday, April 21 at 8 pm eastern, 5 pacific to hear reports from Quebec and analysis in Winnipeg. As well, "Contact" hits the road for its final show of the season Thursday,April 26. We'll be broadcasting live from Vancouver in the VTV studios. If you'll be in the Vancouver area that day, email to reserve your spot in our studio audience. You can also call Naomi at 204-947-9331 x 232. Hope to see you there! ("Contact" reruns Thursday evenings at 8 p.m. eastern, 6 p.m. pacific. "Contact" can also be heard in a live 'simulcast' on NCI-FM, Manitoba's Aboriginal radio network.) Meegwetch, Naomi Clarke Writer/Researcher CONTACT *If you would like our News and Special Reports sent out to you, your family , friends or to your list Please Ask.... We would be more then happy to send it to anyone but Please Respect that this is someone's work and Ask......Contact me at sharon.green@sympatico.ca **This news letter is c. And is the property of Gathering Place First Nations ,Ca and Canadian Aboriginal .Com Compiled by Sharon Green Printed for educational purposes only: The news that is reported is not necessarily the viewpoint of IndigenousNews ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To subscribe from this group, send an email to: NativeRights-subscribe@egroups.com --------- "RE: Peltier: Haskell Indian Nations University" --------- Date: Wed, 18 Apr 2001 19:09:24 -0500 From: "LPDC" Subj: Peltier - Haskell Indian Nations University Mailing List: LPDC Dear Friends, Below is a statement written by Leonard Peltier for the students of Haskell Indian Nations University of Lawrence, Kansas. As we work on our restructuring plan for the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, we will forward Leonard's statements to you, to keep you abreast of his participation and support of important issues. Feel free to use the statements in any outreach work you might be doing. Our restructuring plans are moving along. We are currently working on the development of a lobbying team, an organizing team for national LPDC events, and strategies to broaden our network, as well as legal research and other efforts. We will update you on some of the details in the near future. We believe the LPDC has the potential to be a more forceful and effective organization, if the proper planning is done. Please stay with us through this quieter research and restructuring phase. We want to make sure a strong foundation is in place before the next major campaign is launched. Thank you for your continued support. In Solidarity, LPDC PS We are also revamping the web site and will let you know when it is complete. STATEMENT FROM LEONARD PELTIER TO HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY STUDENT BODY Dear Brothers and Sisters, I want to begin by thanking the Dine' Club for including my case in the agenda for tonight's event. I am always happy to see Native youth take the initiative to reach out to their peers and inspire them to be socially conscious and active. Each and every one of you should understand and embrace your ability to make a difference for our people. You have already begun, just by taking the important step of getting your college education. I want to encourage you to stay in school and graduate so that you can use the skills you gain for bettering your communities and your own lives. I also want to encourage you to learn about the struggles of our recent history, which have brought about some positive changes for our people. When I was your age, having pride in your culture, in being Indian, was not popular at all. Nor was the teaching of our history in schools, available or documented. Many of the positive social programs that exist today, including those that help Native youth attain higher education, were virtually non-existent. These changes were not handed to us. Of course, we still have a very long way to go before justice for First Nations is truly achieved. The fact that I have written you this statement from a prison cell is evidence of that. However, it is important that as young people, you not take for granted the progress we have made. This progress was made by the sacrifice and struggle of our people in the late 1960's through the 1970's. The American Indian Movement and other Native groups of that era, were made up of ordinary people like your mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles; people who committed themselves to making life better for you, the future generations. If you learn about this recent history, both from the obstacles we faced, and the positive accomplishments that we achieved, you will be better prepared to work for social change. Lastly, I want to encourage you to write to me about the realities that you are facing today. Your perceptions and ideas are important to the future of our people. Also, communicating with those on the outside is an important way for me to stay in touch with the current state of affairs in Indian Country, and see if there are ways that I can help. In closing, I want to tell you how proud I am of each of you. Whether you choose to study business, social work, teaching, ecology, art, or history, I believe you will be a gift to our people. In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Leonard Peltier To write to Leonard Peltier: USPL Leonard Peltier #89637-132 PO Box 1000 Leavenworth, KS 66048 Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-5774 www.freepeltier.org --------- "RE: Peltier Update: Case Status" --------- Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 11:55:50 -0500 From: LPDC Subj: Peltier update - case status Mailing List: LPDC We have put together an update on the case of Leonard Peltier which outlines the legal status of the case, remaining avenues, and a plan of action. We will send it out to the list in sections. Feel free to forward the information for outreach purposes - reformat it for print - or send our office a self addressed envelope and we will send you a formatted packet which you can copy and distribute. Thank you. In Solidarity, LPDC CASE STATUS Leonard Peltier has never received a fair trial and his most obvious avenues for legal redress have been exhausted. The jury that convicted him never knew about any of the abuses that were involved in the FBI's investigative process, nor were they able to consider the barred and concealed evidence which firmly supported Peltier's innocence. Despite this, all of Leonard Peltier's attempts to obtain a new trial have been unsuccessful. As of yet, the courts have utterly failed to bring him justice. New evidence must be acquired to make a new trial possible. POST TRIAL DEVELOPMENTS * In 1978 Leonard Peltier appealed his conviction. He argued that Judge Benson's rulings, which banned key defense witnesses, barred critical evidence, and unduly allowed the prosecution to enter inflammatory evidence, made a fair trial impossible. Peltier also argued that the United States had no jurisdiction to try him because his extradition from Canada was obtained illegally and should have been reversed. A new trial was denied. * In the early 1980's a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit forced the release of over 12,000 FBI documents, which contained substantial new evidence supporting Peltier's innocence. Most important, the defense obtained a previously concealed ballistic report, which thoroughly refuted the government's most critical piece of evidence, thus absolving Peltier as the shooter. Based on this and other new evidence, Peltier filed a motion for a new trial and in 1985, the Eighth Circuit Court held oral arguments. During these arguments U.S. Prosecutor Lynn Crooks admitted, "we can't prove who shot those agents." In its decision, the court found that the jury might have acquitted Peltier had the FBI not improperly withheld evidence "casting a strong doubt on the government's case." Yet, a retrial was denied based on an over strict reading of a legal standard for a new trial. Judge Heaney, who authored the decision, has since voiced his firm support for Peltier's release through Executive Clemency. * In 1990 Peltier filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, arguing that the prosecutor's admission during the 1985 oral arguments clearly exonerated him from the crime he was convicted of. But, the government argued that Peltier was equally culpable for the deaths of the agents, whether he shot them at close range or merely participated in the long range shoot-out. They argued that even if he did not shoot the agents, he was still equally guilty as an aider and abettor. However, who he aided and abetted, how he aided and abetted them, and why, has never been established. Furthermore, Peltier's co-defendants were found innocent on grounds of self-defense for the very same involvement for which Peltier is now imprisoned. Plus, over 40 people participated in the shoot-out according to FBI documents, and Peltier alone, is being held responsible. Despite all of this, the courts again denied a new trial. * In November of 1993 Leonard Peltier filed a petition for Executive Clemency with then President Clinton. An intensive campaign was launched and supported by Native and human rights organizations, members of Congress, the international community, church groups, labor organizations, luminaries, and celebrities. The Peltier issue escalated into a national concern. The FBI, fearful that Peltier would be released, responded by launching a major campaign of disinformation in both the media and among key government officials. As it became clear that President Clinton intended to make a decision on the case as the end of his term in office neared, the FBI went even further and marched in front of the White House to discourage a positive decision. Despite strong arguments that fully justified a grant of clemency, and despite overwhelming support for clemency from many of Clinton's friends and allies, Clinton failed to act on the request, buckling under FBI pressure. Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-5774 www.freepeltier.org To subscribe, send a blank message to < lpdc-on@mail-list.com > --------- "RE: Peltier Update: Remaining Avenues" --------- Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2001 12:06:00 -0500 From: LPDC Subj: PELTIER UPDATE - Remaining avenues Mailing List: LPDC UPDATE ON THE CASE OF LEONARD PELTIER CONTINUED: REMAINING AVENUES PAROLE Leonard Peltier is not only eligible for parole, but he is long overdue. In 1994 the U.S. Parole Commission examined Peltier's conduct since his imprisonment, factored this with the severity rate of the crime he was convicted of, and determined that he became eligible for release after 188 months (almost 16 years) of imprisonment under Parole Commission guidelines. Since then, Leonard Peltier has undergone one full parole hearing and three interim parole hearings(1) and has been arbitrarily denied parole after each. His next full hearing is scheduled for 2008. According to law, the Parole Commission is required to justify their reasons for denying a prisoner parole beyond what the guidelines set forth. However, the commission has failed to articulate any rational reasoning for doing so and in fact have demonstrated blatant racial discrimination and animus toward Peltier(2). Despite Peltier's admirable human rights work from behind bars, his mentoring of other prisoners, his good conduct, his serious health risks, and his twenty-five years of imprisonment, the Parole Commission has indicated that they will not consider releasing him as long as he maintains his innocence. In 1999 Peltier's attorneys filed a petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus with the district court in Topeka Kansas, arguing that the Parole Commission has denied Peltier parole arbitrarily, capriciously, and in violation of the United States Constitution. The judge has yet to make a ruling. He could either demand the parole commission release Peltier, instruct the parole commission to accelerate Peltier's next full Parole Hearing date, or dismiss or deny the petition altogether. Footnotes: 1. The Parole Commission is required to hold an Interim Parole Hearing every two years to determine whether there are any new circumstances which justify a change in the original parole hearing decision. During interim hearings, prisoners can also raise allegations of any errors made by the commission in their original determination. 2. In 1998 a parole examiner stated, "I realize that you are what is often called a Native American who is also called an Indian. . . . but the facts of this case are that someone killed these individuals, that they are dead, that they were in fact murdered, and someone from that Nation, someone present on that date, that appears to have been a part of your nation committed these crimes. . . .unfortunately you, Mr. Peltier, are the one and only person who was convicted in this matter . . . ." PAROLE OBSTACLES *The FBI has been granted "victims rights" by the Parole Commission, which means, because two FBI agents were killed, the FBI as an entity, can intervene in Peltier's parole process. The Parole Commission gives very heavy weight to a victim's position, and of course, even heavier weight to the FBI's wishes. The FBI voices strong opposition to Peltier's parole release every time he is considered. *In 1984 the Comprehensive Crime Control Act was passed. This act set forth the total abolition of the U.S. Parole Commission, and made effective mandatory minimum sentencing on a federal level. The act did not apply to anyone convicted before its passing. These prisoners are referred to as "old law" prisoners and they remain eligible for parole. Congress scheduled the Parole Commission's abolishment date for 1992 and mandated it to immediately give all old law prisoners their probative release dates. However, as the commission's final abolishment date neared, they requested a five year extension, due to the heavy case load of old law prisoners still in the system. The extension was granted and the abolishment date was postponed until 1997. As 1997 neared, the commission requested another extension, and the abolishment date was again postponed, this time until 2002. However, very few old law prisoners have been given their probative release dates and most have been denied parole beyond what the guidelines mandate, without justification. It appears that the Parole Commission, motivated by self interest, is denying prisoners parole in order to stay in power. The Parole Commission is currently scheduled to be abolished next year, however thousands of old law prisoners remain in the system. Quite obviously the Parole Commission intends to seek yet another postponement and meanwhile, thousands of old law prisoners are being illegally detained, including Leonard Peltier. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT - 6000 FBI DOCUMENTS Because the courts only allow an issue to be litigated once, new evidence is needed in order to obtain a retrial for Leonard Peltier. That new evidence likely exists in the over 6,000 documents still being withheld by the FBI. In the early 1980's, pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act Lawsuit, over 12,000 of these documents were released. But, the FBI continued to withhold over 6,000 documents in their entirety and another 6,000 in part, for reasons of "national security" and "ongoing" police investigations. The first batch of documents proved that: 1. Peltier did not fire the fatal shots. 2. The FBI intentionally withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense. 3. The FBI agents had undeniably followed a red pickup (not a red and white van) onto the ranch, a vehicle that could not be tied to Peltier. 4. The FBI had framed Peltier: Several other suspects with more evidence against them existed, but were never indicted. One document stated the FBI's intention to "develop evidence to lock Peltier into the case." 5. The prosecution colluded with the FBI and the Canadian prosecutor to present falsified evidence to the Canadian court and obtain Peltier's extradition. 6. Without justification, the FBI forewarned the trial judge, who later warned the jury, of possible AIM violence, thus creating a prejudicial atmosphere in the courtroom. 7. The FBI had Peltier under surveillance for his AIM involvement years prior to his arrest. 8. The FBI had been preparing for a paramilitary operation on the Pine Ridge reservation weeks before the shoot out and had been closely surveillancing AIM activities there. 9. The FBI considered AIM a threat to the United States and covertly sought to destroy the movement. We can only imagine what might be contained in the rest of the documents. Because 25 years have passed since the shoot-out, some of the legal justifications available to the FBI for withholding documents are no longer officially valid. Therefore, new Freedom of Information Act requests have been filed and we can expect another lawsuit to take place in the future. Meanwhile, we can also pressure the United States Congress to pass an act to declassify the documents. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS/HEARINGS Certainly, the Pine Ridge "reign of terror" of the 1970's is one of the most disturbing civil rights chapters in U.S. history. Yet, no government agency has ever recognized the grave human rights abuses which occurred, nor taken steps to prevent such abuses from reoccurring. This, combined with the continued imprisonment of Leonard Peltier, sends a disturbing message - collective dissent could bring devastating repercussions to those living on isolated reservations. Still today, many who lived through that era fear violent backlash for voicing even the slightest of criticism toward the U.S. government. We want to pressure Congress to hold investigational hearings into the human rights abuses that occurred on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, including: *The violence perpetrated by the Tribal Chairman and the GOON Squads upon the traditional people of Pine Ridge * The relationship between the FBI and the GOON squads * The lack of oversight from the United States government * The FBI's neutralization tactics against the American Indian Movement * The framing of Leonard Peltier * The FBI's ongoing efforts to cover up and continue Peltier's unjust imprisonment The House Judiciary Committee of Congress has the power to initiate such investigations. However, they are currently split in their positions about Peltier - most of the Republicans sympathize with the FBI and most of the Democrats with Peltier. Unfortunately, the Republicans are the current majority and the Democrats cannot initiate an investigation without their approval. This means obtaining hearings will be difficult unless the balance changes - which it very well may after the next election. But, this does not stop us from working toward the investigations. We can use this time to do necessary outreach to our representatives, building up substantial pressure and awareness so that when the shift occurs we will be ready. The more support we can garner from House and Senate members - both inside and outside the Judiciary Committee - the better. Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-5774 www.freepeltier.org To subscribe, send a blank message to < lpdc-on@mail-list.com > --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon, 23 April 2001 20:55:07 -0530 From: "Janet Smith" Subj: Native Prisoner News Tell a Native American Prisoner someone cares! -- - - - Peltier, Leonard #89637-132 Box 1000 Leavenworth, KS 66053 Birthday: 9/12/44 Ancestry: Ojibwa-Lakota -- - - - Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 23:20:05 +0300 From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" Subj: Native American Prisoners victims of Racism in Montana-urgent request Greetings, Letters to officials regarding the situation in Montana State Prison are needed to put added pressure. Please email and snail-mail a letter similar to the one below or use it as a sample. In addition, please forward it to as many people, lists and media as you can. The Brothers in MSP are depending on all of us. Thank you, Respectfully, Brigitte >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. To: WardenMike Mahoney Montana State Prison 400 Conley Lake Rd. Deer Lodge, Mt. 59722 Dear M. Mahoney, I am writing in regard to Mr. Manuel Redwoman, # 24 920, who is currently held in Administrative Segregation in the Maximum Security Unit at Montana State Prison, under unjust and biased circumstances. Mr. Redwoman is a Native American prisoner with a clean record. He has not had as much as a write up in 34 months. He was held in the Maximum Security facility for several weeks until he was finally given his re-classification papers, due to uncountable requests and letters sent from the States and Europe. Other Native Prisoners are still locked up in the same conditions. One of them has been held there for 4 months, without a write-up, and has not been issued his re-classification papers yet - which is against the prison policy. In fact, it seems that all but one of the Prayer Warriors (the Native Spiritual Circle) are currently held in MAX, including the pipe carrier and the drum keeper. In spite of Deputy Warden Cathy Redfern's public advice, Mr. Redwoman is now being denied the Release of Information he has repeatedly been asking for. In addition, he is denied the practice of his Religious Rights. Last week he had to send this medicine bag out of the prison: even though it is allowed by the policy as one of the sacred personal spiritual belongings, the guards continuously made fun of it and disrespected it! Other Native American prisoners were forced to give the guards their sacred herbs, even though they are also allowed according to the policy since they are essential to the smudging ceremony for Prayers. Even the Chaplain, who has always supported them, has repeatedly been refused access to the Native American prisoners in this unit. These prisoners' religious rights are shamelessly being violated. This is a blatant case of discrimination against them because of their race, culture and spirituality. This injustice seems to be a recurrent pattern in Montana State Prison, as researches and articles have indicated in recent years. Mr. Redwoman's rights are violated daily; so are the Prayer Warriors'. Mr. Redwoman is very traditional, and has always been deeply involved in his Spirituality. It is a way of life to him. How is any rehabilitation possible when his spirituality is continually disrespected? When his efforts to honor it and lead a better life, and help other people around him, are ignored and trampled on by unjust, biased and unlawful measures taken by prison staff and officials? We have documents proving that the has been doing very good in school, and keeping his record clear for 34 months, which is a major achievement considering a write-up can be issued for something as small as a bed not well-made. Is this the way prisoners are encouraged to become better individuals so that they can re-enter society as an asset to the community? Or are encouragements only for those who happen to be White or Christians? And is this not an outraging case of Racial Profiling, as research and investigations have reported? The justification presented to keep Mr. Redwoman in Ad/Seg, locked up 23/7, does not stand. All the documents prove that everything was started by retaliation on the part of one counselor who would not hold the MTR group sessions Mr. Redwoman had paid for. The day he made a complaint regarding this was the same day he was sent to temporary lock-up by the same counselor, Mrs. Deb Hust, on February 22nd. At the same time, the Classification Manager was stating he had a very clear record, had been attending school without fail and encouraged him to keep up his efforts. In spite of this, Mrs. Hust is now trying to have him stay in MAX for a whole year, in conditions similar to the "Hole". His only "crime" is that he dared to speak up and ask for Native American rights to be respected. Are the prison officials and staff not required or supposed to set an example to the prisoners, by respecting the existing rules and laws? It seems there is a constant attempt on behalf of the prison to destroy the Native American Spiritual Circle. All this happened as the Prayer Warriors were trying to organize a Gathering to take place in March, and looking for a sponsor. Of course this Gathering could not take place since all the Prayer Warriors but one are locked up in MAX now. What is more, their spiritual ceremonies and spiritual support are denied to them. Last, Mr. Redwoman's mailed is tampered with by one of the Sergeants as additional persecution, and in an attempt to isolate him more. Not only are International Human Rights organizations and Support Groups monitoring Montana State Prison and the way Native American Prisoners are the victims of racism, prejudice, discrimination and ignorance, but we intend to bring this to the attention of the media locally and nation-wide. We are requesting a full and detailed investigation of this situation. Please release Mr. Redwoman from the Maximum Security Unit into open population immediately, and give him his Rights back, as well as to all the Native American Inmates who are unjustly held in MAX. We look to hearing from you shortly. Yours Sincerely, Name Address CC: - Department of Corrections Legal Unit 1531 11th Ave. Helena, MT 59612 - Office of Indian Affairs Room 202 State Capitol P.O.Box 200503 Helena, MT 59620 FAX: 406-444-1350 - COORDINATOR Donald "Louis" Clayborn 406-444-3702 - Joan Hurdle State Representative of House District 13, Montana P. O. Box 1991 Billings, MT 59103 hurdle@mcn.net - Max Baucus United States Senate 511 Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In addition to hard copy letters sent by snail mail, you can also email your letter: a.. Warden Mike Mahoney: (406) 846-1320, ext. 2200; mmahoney@state.mt.us b.. Deputy Warden Myron Beeson: (406) 846-1320, ext. 2454; mbeeson@state.mt.us c.. Deputy Warden Cathy Redfern: (406) 846-1320, ext. 2455; credfern@state.mt.us d.. Address: 400 Conley Lake Road; Deer Lodge, MT; 59722 ACLU: Beth Brenneman: bethb@aclumontana.org Reporter Ron Selden: infoman@qwest.net >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> And please email us separately/privately at thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr so we can keep a record of the letters sent. THANK YOU very much for your support and assistance, on behalf of Manuel Redwoman and the Prayer Warriors -- - - - Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 23:20:17 +0300 From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" Subj: Native American Rights violated in Montana State Prison Please raise awareness about this outraging situation! Thank you, respectfully, Brigitte >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MONTANA, year 2001: Why are Native Americans still treated as lesser human beings ? Mr. Manuel Redwoman, # 24 920, 34 years old, is currently held in Administrative Segregation in the Maximum Security Unit at Montana State Prison, under unjust and biased circumstances. Mr. Redwoman is a Native American (Northern Cheyenne) prisoner with a truly clean record. He has not had as much as a write up in 34 months. He was held in the Maximum Security facility for several weeks until he was finally given his re-classification papers, due to uncountable requests and letters sent from several countries including European countries. Other Native Prisoners are being locked up in the same conditions. One of them has been held there for 4 months, without a write-up, and has not been issued his re-classification papers yet - which is against the prison's own rules. In fact, all but one of the Prayer Warriors (the Native Spiritual Circle are currently held in MAX, including the pipe carrier and the drum keeper.) Mr. Redwoman is now being denied the Release of Information he has repeatedly been asking for. In addition, he has been denied the practice of his religious rights. He has had to send this medicine bag out of the prison: even though it is allowed by the policy as one of the sacred personal spiritual belongings, the guards were making fun of it and disrespecting it. Other Native American prisoners were made to give the guards their sacred herbs, which are allowed according to the policy, since they are essential to the smudging ceremony for Prayers. These prisoners' religious rights are shamelessly being violated. This is a blatant case of discrimination against them because of their race, culture and spirituality. Even the Chaplain who has always supported them is continually discouraged from visiting them now. This injustice seems to be a recurrent pattern in Montana State Prison, as researches and articles have indicated in recent years. Mr. Redwoman's rights are violated daily; so are the Prayer Warriors'. Mr. Redwoman is very traditional, and has always been deeply involved in his Spirituality. It is a way of life to him. How is any rehabilitation possible when his spirituality is continually disrespected? When his efforts to honor it and lead a better life, and help other people around him, are ignored and trampled on by unjust, biased and unlawful measures taken by prison staff and officials? We have documents proving that the has been doing very good in school, and keeping his record clear for 34 months, which is a major achievement considering a write-up can be issued for something as small as a bed not well-made. Is this the way prisoners are encouraged to become better individuals so that they can re-enter society as an asset to the community? Or are encouragements only for those who happen to be White or Christians? And is this not an outraging case of Racial Profiling, as research and investigations have reported? The justification presented to keep Mr. Redwoman in Ad/Seg, locked up 23/7, does not stand. All the documents prove that everything was started by retaliation on the part of one counselor who would not hold the MTR group sessions Mr. Redwoman had paid for. The day he made a complaint regarding this was the same day he was sent to temporary lock-up by the same counselor, Mrs. Deb Hust, on February 22nd. At the same time, the Classification Manager was stating he had a very clear record, had been attending school without fail and encouraged him to keep up his efforts. In spite of this, Mrs. Hust is now trying to have him stay in MAX for a whole year, in conditions similar to the "Hole". His only "crime" is that he dared to speak up and ask for Native American rights to be respected. Are the prison officials and staff not required or supposed to set an example to the prisoners, by respecting the existing rules and laws? It seems there is a constant attempt on behalf of the prison to destroy the Native American Spiritual Circle. All this happened as the Prayer Warriors were trying to organize a Gathering to take place in March, and looking for a sponsor. Of course this Gathering could not take place since all the Prayer Warriors but one are locked up in MAX now. What is more, their spiritual ceremonies and spiritual support are denied to them. Last, Mr. Redwoman's mailed is tampered with by one of the Sergeants as additional persecution, and in an attempt to isolate him more. We are requesting a full and detailed investigation of this situation, as we believe it is long overdue and a shame. Not only are International Human Rights organizations and Support Groups monitoring Montana State Prison and the way Native American Prisoners are the victims of racism, prejudice, discrimination and ignorance, but we intend to bring this to the attention of the media locally and nation-wide. Brigitte Thimiakis Gambetta 61 Thessaloniki 54 642 Greece tel: 030-31-854-047 -- - - - Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 13:54:36 +0300 From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" Subj: Native_American_prisoner_penpals Greetings, I hope this message finds you well. I would be very grateful to you if you could put these Brothers' names and addresses on your penpal list (or forward it to someone who has one). They are currently incarcerated in the Montana State Prison Maximum Security unit and their religious and civil rights are violated by the officials and guards. We have launched a letter campaign to protest against their racist policy and the retaliation after theses Brother's efforts to strengthen the Prayer Warriors Circle. The prison is isolating them and persecuting them, so having a penpal would be a wonderful moral support to them. Jim Buccelli Gary Cobell # 22294 # 43869 (age 35, Flathead Rez) (Blackfeet, age 22) Willie Scheaffer Scott Charlie, # 40586 # 43566 (age 24, Hidatsa) (Flathead rez, age 19) There address is: 700 Conley Lake Road, Deerlodge - Montana 59 722 Please let me know if they can be put on your penpal list, and/or if you can forward them onto to other lists. Thank you very much in advance! respectfully, Brigitte --------------------------------- Please especially remember Leonard. Leonard Peltier #89637-132, Box 1000, Leavenworth, KS 66053 --------------------------------- Dear Janet, Eddie Hatcher was moved from Central Prison in North Carolina to a county jail. His new address is: Eddie Hatcher, Robeson County Jail,122 Legend Road, Lumberton, NC 28358. Thanks, Marsha Shaiman On Indian Land, PO Box 2104, Seattle WA 98111 --------------------------------- Standing Deer's new address: Robert H. Wilson #640539, Estelle Unit, 264 FM 3478, Huntsville, TX 77320-3322 --------- "RE: History: Carlisle Indian School" --------- Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 23:19:52 -0400 From: Barbara Landis Subj: History: Carlisle Indian School, April 13, 1888 INDIAN HELPER [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ----------------------------- ~~ FOR OUR BOYS AND GIRLS ~~ ========================== VOLUME III CARLISLE, PA. FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1888 NO. 35 ========================== BOY AND MAN. ------------ The kind of a boy often shows us the man, For boys are the stuff men are made of, The boy who will do all the evil he can Makes the man we may well be afraid of. The boy who delights to learn all that is good, And does it as far its he learns it Will make such a man as gains honor of God, And blessing of man as he earns it. Then what kind of a man are you going to be A blessing or curse to your fellows? The day is approaching when many will see; But can you not even now tell us? ------------ TWO CARLISLE INDIAN BOYS STOP UNDER THE WALNUT TREE, AND TALK. ------------ The one is a large, fine looking young man. He has a mind full of good intentions, a body full of energy and a heart full of GRATITUDE. The other young man is also large and fine looking, but he has a slothful disposition. He is always dressed neatly though. Indeed he likes fine clothes and he wants all the nice things he sees, but he wants them to come to him. If they don't come to him without his having to work for them, he growls. He would like a good education, too, but because his teacher can't pour knowledge into his head as molasses is poured into a pitcher, with very little effort on his part, he complains. This boy knew nothing, at least, very little when he first came to Carlisle. He has never studied hard, neither has he ever done his best, at anything, except at grumbling. But he has learned a great deal, anyhow, in spite of his indifference and carelessness. Yes, he is in the high school. He has learned to speak fair English and understands well. He has been here several years and has had the comforts of a good time, but he is a person who does not know what GRATITUDE means. Let us hear how he talks! The Man-on-the-band-stand may have heard the following conversation between the two boys: "Do you like this place?" asked the ungrateful youth of his friend as they sat down together on the flower-bed under the large walnut tree. "Yes, indeed. Don't you?" was the quick reply. "No, I guess I don't! I think I might have learned more had I gone to some other school." "Why didn't you go to some other school in the first place? "Well, you see, I didn't have any money, and I knew nothing, and I couldn't get in any other school away from home without money and without knowing more than I did. I didn't even know enough to earn money on a farm, and, besides, I was afraid to work among white people. "Have you any money now?" "Not much. I have earned over one hundred dollars in all, I think, since I came here, but I bought this suit, and this watch, and lots of neckties, and several pairs of shoes." "You didn't have to buy them, did you?" "No. I suppose not." "The clothes I have on, which the Government gives us, are good enough for me," said the honest boy. "I don't like that clothing," said the grumbler. "It is not good enough for me. I want finer goods." "Yes, I know; you wear good clothes right along. I can't afford it; and besides I would rather keep my money for something more useful. Maybe I shall need my money, very much, when I get through school, to help start me in business." "Pshaw! I don't look so far ahead as that. I'm going to have a good time as long as I have to stay in this mean, old place." "I don't like to hear you talk that way about this place which has done so much for us." "What has this place done for me?" said the grumbler with a saucy air. "You said you didn't know anything when you first came, you were afraid to work for white people, so I didn't have any money. Aud you know that you are not afraid to work for white people now, because you have (Continued on Fourth Page.) =========================================== (p 2) The Indian Helper. ----------------------------- PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY, AT THE INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA. BY THE INDIAN PRINTER BOYS. ----------------------------- Price: - 10 cents a year. ============================== Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss M. Burgess, Manager. ============================== Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================== THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The-Man-on-the-band-stand, who is NOT an Indian. ============================== The INDIAN HELPER is paid for in advance, so do not hesitate to take the paper from the Post Office, for fear a bill will be presented. =============================== Frank Conroy wishes to come back from Pine Ridge Agency, Dak., to what he calls his good Carlisle home. He finds he must have more education to get on well. ------------ Harry Raven writes from his home at Cheyenne Agency, Indian Territory, that he wishes he was at Carlisle. He is still not very well. He speaks encouragingly of a number of Carlisle pupils who are at home and doing well. ------------ Joe Schweigman, of Rosebud Agency, Dak., who attended this school with Peter Douville, and until his sudden and unexpected death worked with him in Mr. Jordan's store at Rosebud, writes thus tenderly of his loved friend: "I am very sorry to tell you that I have lost my mate. It goes hard with me for Peter was my true friend, and I know I shall never have another friend as good and true as Peter was; but I know he is gone where he shall live a happy and everlasting life. ------------ Greeting From Peter Powlass. Dennison Wheelock, Frank Lock, Levi Levering, Fred B. Horse, H.G. Logan, Carl Leider, Frank Jannies and Yamie Leeds, - Comrades: I acknowledge the duly arrival of your kind letters through courtesy of S. Powlas. I have you all in kindest recollection and wishing you as a school ever to continue to prosper as a great instrumentality through which the United States Government are educating the hands and minds of the children of the American forest. May the three Debating Societies at Carlisle Indian School be crowned with success. Oneida, Wis., April 5, '88. ------------ School Room Sentences. The words in italic are those given by the teacher for her Indian class to put into sentences: A *quadruped* animal cannot do as much as a man who has two legs. *Origin*-beginning: I am *origin* to learn my lessons. The *origin* of the year is past. *Abandon*-to leave: Some boys and girls are to *abandon* for their homes. You see, boys and girls, sometimes we think we know the meaning of words but when we come to use them we show what we don't know what they mean at all. When such sentences as the above come from the class, they show the pupil has tried his or her best, but how thankful we should be to have a teacher to correct such funny mistakes. Let us be careful in our use of big words out of the class lest we make some very queer mixtures. In the class, we may try our best, feeling sure that our teachers will kindly show us if we make the wrong use of words. ------------ Don't think because you are going home in June that it makes up the difference whether lessons are well learned or not. That is the very reason you should study harder than ever. Jim Given's time in the town high school is as short as ours, but the Man-on-the-band-stand never saw Jim study so hard as he does now every day. He is not getting work because the school year is on the last half. ------------ At a party given by Miss Leverett in her rooms Saturday evening, quotations and guessing the authors formed part of the entertainment. Mrs. Campbell won the prize for guessing the greatest number. There were several who came near getting the booby prize. The Man-on-the-band-stand is first-rate at quotations, and he likes cake and ice-cream, too. ------------ All hands are generally tired by the time the INDIAN HELPER mail finds its way to the bags each week, but refreshed by such glorious drafts of "ice-cold lemonade made in the shade," as we were treated to last week by Miss Rote. We felt rested immediately, and could have addressed 10,000 more papers as well as not. But where are the 10,000? ------------ The ladies and gentlemen who went from here to attend Miss Willard's temperance lecture in town last Thursday night, had enough water before they got back. It was mixed with fire, too-electric fire; for they were caught in quite a thunder shower on their way out. ------------ Mr. Albert Miller, a Stockbridge Indian, of Keshena, Wisconsin, brought to our school his two daughters, Florence and Orpha Miller, and Mary Johnson and Martha Doxtator of the same tribe. ====================================== (p. 3) Keep your part of a bargain! Read the story on our first page. Wouldn't it be well if we entered chapel a little more quietly? --------- The chest weights in the gymnasium are all up and in working order. --------- April Red Man will be out next week, and will be full of interest this month. --------- Mr. Jordan and boys are making a new road from the Guard House to the railroad. --------- The Printers have organized a base-ball nine. Now, look out! We are going to beat somebody. --------- The field back of the hospital is now the base-ball ground. The carpenters are fencing it in with the uniform fence. --------- Mr. Choate was out Monday, and took pictures of the new buildings, the choir, and an interior view of the printing-office. --------- Miss Patterson spent a day at Atlantic City, this week. A few minutes at the sea-shore is very beneficial to health, especially at this time of year. --------- The two boys who thought they would take a spring trip west, a foot and of their own accord, returned to us in good condition, having had enough of tramp life. --------- The Indian Athletic Base-Ball Club beat the town high-school nine, last Saturday, by a score of 48 to 2. They expect to play a Dickinson College class nine tomorrow. --------- Miss Crane has moved into the guest room in the teachers' quarters, Miss Seabrook has taken Miss Crane's old room and Miss Irvine has the room vacated by Miss Seabrook. "A fair exchange is no rubbery." --------- At the sociable last Friday night, Levi St. Cyr, Timber Yellow Robe and John D. Miles had a walking match. They walked three times around the gallery amid the enthusiastic cheers of the 400, looking up. Who beat? Why, Levi. --------- Joe Stewart takes Ben. Thomas' place as Sergeant of Company E. Ben left the printing office to try his hand at farming for a few months. We are glad he had the chance to go, and hope he will work as faithfully at farming as he always did at printing. --------- The Apache girls in No. 1, who have been here about a year, are coming up nicely in number work. They can add, subtract, multiply and divide correctly and rapidly, any number as high as 11, and they use rightly all the signs when working at the board. The big cistern is full - 60,000 gallons of water. --------- Wm. Steele says he wouldn't run away from this place for $100. --------- Number 6 can now turn out just as fine looking slates as any other school room. --------- What Miss Frances E. Willard said to the school will be printed in the April Red Man. --------- Some little boys had their hats trimmed with dandelions, on Sunday, the first we have seen this year. --------- Miss Sparhawk took Miss Crane's place in school this week, the latter not having entirely recovered from a brief illness. --------- The end of our school year is fast coming. The time is short, but we can learn a great deal yet before vacation comes if we get right down to study. --------- Herman Young, William Black Eagle, Thomas Brown and James Blackbear went home, this week, to Pine Ridge Agency, Dak. They were not in good health. --------- William Crow is decorating the lamp shades round-a-bout with real hand painting. He is not very Well and is obliged to study at the hospital. How nice that he can employ his time so usefully! --------- Rev. Mr. Gravatt, of Hampton Institute, spent a few days with us. Mr. Gravatt's earnest remarks before our pupils Saturday and Sunday evenings were well appreciated, and made a lasting impression. --------- Sociable? Yes, indeed! And everybody had a good time last Friday evening in the gymnasium. We are learning how to behave gentlemanly and lady-like at our monthly sociables, and we enjoy them all the more. --------- A new sewing-machine in the room over Mr. Standing's office! It can ruffle, and tuck, and gather, and frill and gore and cut on the bias and we forget all the rest, but it has a feller; *that* we remember, and it is a wonderful machine. --------- Mr. Gould has gone to Mt. Vernon Barracks, Ala., and to Ft. Pickens, Fla. The little Apache boys here sent the following message to their parents and friends held at Mt. Vernon as prisoners of war: "Tell them we like here, good eat, good clothes, good house." --------- As the Man-on-the-band-stand passed through the school rooms two or three times this week he found the scholars plodding away. Some were at hard examples in Arithmetic, others were studying Geography and History, while nearly all were busy pushing knowledge into their heads. ====================================== (Continued from First Page.) learned enough English to understand them. The training you here received gave you the courage to go to work on a Columbia county farm, and to go to school with white children, as you did last year." "Well, that is nothing." "No; that is nothing to an ungrateful boy. I tell you the training we here receive, and the teaching we get in school beats any other of this grade that I ever heard of." "I don't think so," answered the grumbler. "What do you know about it?" earnestly asked the brave young man, who was standing up so nobly for Carlisle. "Know! I know there are better schools than this." "What did Frances E. Willard say about our school, when she spoke to us in the gymnasium?" "I forget." "Well, I don't forget. Don't you remember she said that she had been in every state and territory in the United States, and that she had visited many Indian schools and other schools, and that she thought we had one of the best schools she ever saw?" "Oh, yes, I remember something about it." "Well, she ought to know what good schools are, don't you think?" "I don't care what she said. I believe, any how, if I had gone some place else to school I would know more now," he stubbornly held. "I once thought myself, of leaving this school and trying to find a better one, but, when I came to inquire around, there was no other place I could go, where I could work my way to an education as I can here." "That's just what I don't like." "I know you don't like work, but as long as I am able I would rather work and earn my way, than to depend upon another person's money for my education." "Pshaw! I don't believe in that! There are lots of rich people in the world. I wish some of'em would send me off to school." "I am ashamed of you, really. Do you think any one would ever help you if they knew that you carried with you such a spirit." "I wouldn't let'em know it. If I only had some of their money I'd show'em." "What would you do?" "Why, I'd go to a higher school where I could learn faster, don't I tell you?" "Yes, and squander other peoples' money, and wear fine clothes and make a fool of yourself. My friend, are you in the highest class in this school?" "No, not the highest." "Do you stand at the head of the class you are in?" "No, not at the head." "Do you always have perfect lessons?" "No, I miss pretty often." "Then how could you keep up with a class in a higher school, if you can't do it in this school?" The poor fellow could say no more and hung his head in shame but the Carlisle hero fired away at him: "Knowledge comes by hard work, and a lazy fellow who has to be continually pushed by his teacher will never learn fast, I don't care what school he goes to. There is no use talking, the road to success is not easy, and no matter where we are, hard, faithful, earnest, honest work will lead us to what we want to be. I it is the lazy fellows who do the growling. We have hundreds of boys and girls here who never complain and they study and work hard. They are getting ahead and proving to themselves and others of better mind than you, my friend, that this is ranked among the best of schools. After this remark the boy so full of courage and gratitude walked off in disgust leaving his ungrateful companion angry because he didn't know more, and muttering because he could not blame anyone but himself. -------- Square Word. 1. * * * * 2. * * * * 3. * * * * 4. * * * * My 1 is something we have at Carlisle, that waves in the breeze and proclaims to the world that we are a Government Institution. My 2 is that way horses will get if they are not kept in good shoes. My 3 is a word which ends most prayers. My 4 is a name that men are sometimes called. --------- ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S ENIGMA: Logomachy. --------- ANSWER TO ENIGMA IN No. 32 HELPER: The Star Spangled Banner. ================================= STANDING OFFER: - For FIVE new subscribers to the INDIAN HELPER, we will give the person sending them a photographic group of the 13 Carlisle Indian Printer boys, on a card 4 1/2 X 6 1/2 inches, worth 20 cents when sold by itself. Name and tribe of each boy given. (Persons wishing the above premium will please enclose a 1-cent stamp to pay postage.) For TEN, Two PHOTOGRAPHS, one showing a group of Pueblos as they arrived in wild dress, and another of the same pupils three years after, or, for the same number of names we give two photographs showing still more marked contrast between a Navajoe as he arrived in native dress, and as he now looks, worth 20 cents a piece. Persons wishing the above premiums will please enclose a 2-cent stamp to pay postage. For FIFTEEN, we offer a GROUP of the whole school on 9x14 inch card. Faces show distinctly, worth sixty cents. Persons wishing the above premium will please send 6 cents to pay postage. --------------- For a longer list of subscribers we have many other interesting pictures of shops, representing boys at work, schoolrooms and views of the grounds, worth from 20 to 60 cents a piece, which will be sent on request. ------------------------------ At the Carlisle Indian School is published monthly an eight-page quarto of standard size, called THE RED MAN, the mechanical part of which is done entirely by Indian boys. This paper is valuable as a summary of information on Indian matters and contains writings by Indian pupils and local incidents of the school. Terms: Fifty cents a year, in advance. SAMPLE COPIES SENT FREE. Address, THE RED MAN, Carlisle, PA. For 1, 2 and 3 subscribers for THE RED MAN we give the same premiums offered in Standing Offer for the HELPER. ======================================================================= Transcribed from the newspaper collections of USMHI, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA. For more info see http://www.carlisleindianschool.org. - Barbara Landis --------- "RE: Rustywire: Old Indian Land" --------- Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 21:56:11 -0000 From: rustywire@hotmail.com Subj: old indian land Mailing List: ndn-aim Yesterday a tribe received the largest single piece of land returned to any tribe in over a hundred years. It was a news story about the return of the 87,000 acres of land returned to the Ute Tribe yesterday by Bill Richardson. There were alot of people there all ready for the signing of a document, some posturing and posing for pictures congratulating each other on the work they did to complete the transfer. There were people from all the Utah congressional offices, people from BLM, some Senator, people from the State of Utah, Cheeses from the BIA and the Department of Energy and some folks from Bruce Babbitt's Office. The tribal council was there with the BIA Superintendent for the agency. The head of DOE, Bill Richardson made introductions and spoke a little bit about the efforts of all those involved, the tribal chairman spoke as well talking about the vision of tribe's leadership in seeking the return of the land. There was a color guard of Indian veterans, a tribal elder who offered a prayer and gray haired tribal senior citizens brought over from the nursing home to sit in the front row. At the back of the auditorium leaning against the doorway stood a man who listened for a little bit and then left. Everyone in the building was there, the offices were all empty. All the workers were there to get something to eat in the foyer and were sitting inside the auditorium. There was free coffee and donuts. A thought came to mind about a time six years ago. At the national archives a box of old records, one of many were being studied to find some documents on the Old Uncompahgre Reservation. There on the papers were signatures of Ute Indians, Uncompahgres who had consented to the allotments given to them along the White River, they names and X marks were all similar. What was it about things remembered that the older Utes over the years had said that their people did not agree to the opening up of the reservation to settlement in 1905. This was the land where they were driven to, when gold and silver were found in the mountains of Colorado, there would be no longer hunts for buffalo on the plains East of Denver, nor winter at a valley still called the Garden of the Gods. Only the names of the peaks bear the names of their old leaders like Shavano. The story of their lives are etched in the rivers, valleys and springs there. They left that place over Blue Mountain pursued by settlers looking to fight Indians and came to the Uncompahgre in 1880. They lived in places like Bitter Creek, Rabbit Mountain, and Hill Creek. Then it too was taken away. It is like that some things just won't fade away, they live on. The taking of Indian land is like that, Indians remember. They call their land Noohrahvoop. The taking was on these papers. In the silence of a quiet corner notes and taking the time to read and study them took place. Page by page they were copied. In those the story of how the Uncompahgres lost their land and later the oil rich Naval Oil Shale Reserve was taken as well. The documents spoke about how this was done and the lands were taken by the government. Old files have strange things in them, old, faded, tatters sometimes with odd notes and bits of paper. It is like a puzzle, one sits there and studies them and from earlier research realized that there the oil shale reserves taken by the US for the Navy in 1912 and 1916 were taken from the Utes themselves. Later on another trip to the Federal Record Center it was found the by statute, federal and state law that any lands taken from Indians could be returned to them when it was considered "excess property". I had read an article that the Navy was going to turn over Naval Oil Shale reserves all over the country to the BLM and Dept. of Energy. There were two that dealt with former Ute Lands, one West of Denver and the other in Northeastern Utah. A third which would have gone to the Wind River Arapahos and Shoshones had already been transferred to the BLM. Thoughts came to mind on what were the guidelines used, what priorities were there involving the federal agencies and what if any claim would those tribes have to reacquire the lands. What would be the genesis to get these lands back to the tribes. A research folder called Naval Oil Shale Reserve was added to a box containing jurisdiction research issues on tribal lands where the tribes were involved in a 17 year court fight with the State of Utah over jurisdiction involving lands, taxation, criminal and civil jurisdiction which would have significant impact on pending legislation on their indian water rights claims involving 150 million dollars or more. It was November and the snow was falling as these files were studied while eating a box of chicken on a motel bed along I-70 in Denver. Later while surveying a tract of land for a friend, a Ute Indian who was running for tribal councilman a break was taken in the high country, a place called the Little Water Valley where the forest meets the cedars and there are high plains of grass. It was while tracing out an Indian land boundary that there was some talk over hot coffee and a sandwich about the old reservation boundaries and the happenings surrounding the loss of the Old Uncompahgre. The loss this Ute knew well from his own family history. There are some things that remain long in the memory of a family when they talk about the old places they used to roam and they were taken. "You know I found some things about what happened back then when they took the land, but not just that...about the possibility that the land could be returned back to the tribe. if there was an effort to do so. It would take someone on the council, the business committee of the tribe to do this..." The day went on and the survey stakes were put on the ground, the Indian land was reclaimed from the neighbors who were watching from their windows far off. The possibilities were discussed, the way the land was taken, the fact the US was getting rid of the reserves, their first priority was to sell them. It would take an effort to enter in and make a claim for the land, that it would be restored. At nightfall he said, "If I get on the council I will remember this talk..." In Salt Lake after working late the two had dinner late and a friend joined them an elderly man with White Hair and gray eyes. They three were friends who had worked on different projects together from time to time. This White Hair had gone to school with some boys who were now were Senators and he spoke to them by first name. As the conversation went on the subject of the oil shale reserves came up and the Old Uncompahgre. They talked about the possibilities the money from royalties would have with the tribe, a boon for education, resource protection and source of income where gambling in a state where such things were outlawed. White Hair asked, "Do you have the paperwork to back up what you are talking about?" The researcher said...yes. The Ute from Little Water Valley got on the council and worked for the tribe to seek a resolution to acquire the property. As time went on the folder got thicker, and the idea took form and shape. White Hair used his influence and contacts in Washington to arrange a meeting with DOE. An opening during the holidays provided the tribe with a half hour slot to meet with Richardson to discuss the return of the land. Whitehair made a number of calls and an audience was arranged with support from congressional staffers. A long red eye flight with tribal leaders to pitch the idea went to Washington and Richardson listened. That was two years ago. The Ute from Little Water Valley did not get re-elected but his efforts to restore the lost lands went on. A new group stepped in and the claim to the old lands became a reality. The thoughts and visions that were diagramed out on sheet of yellow paper in a motel room on a winter night became a reality yesterday. Standing at the back of the room the speeches went on and in looking around Whitehair was not there nor the ma