From gars@speakeasy.org Wed Nov 14 00:54:47 2001 Date: 14 Nov 2001 03:00:42 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews09.046 WOTANGING IKCHE -- Lakota -- Common News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli -- Nahuatl -- For you we offer these words It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le -- Chickasaw -- Together We Are Talking Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark Native American News -- Language of the Occupation Forces ==>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 O +-----------------------------+ O o O | Much more happens in Indian | O o O VOLUME 09, ISSUE 046 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O November 17, 2001 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Cheyenne deer rutting moon +-----------------------------+ Potawatomi pne'kesis/moon of the turkey and feast <================<<<< >>>>================> This issue contains articles from www.pechanga.net; www.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; First Nations, Tennessee Indian Affairs, ndn-aim, and Our Red Earth mailing Lists; UUCP email 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.'" "You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered..... Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your Truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for the leader." Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate." "At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all,ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration." "We are the ones we've been waiting for." __ Hopi elder +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Journey | In the summer and early fall | The Bloodline | of 1998 the Treaty Unity Riders | | rode a thousand miles on horse- | For all that live and live by law | back, carrying a staff and | We Stand, we Call, We Ride | praying each step of the way. | For All that fear and fear by sight | | We Hear, we Listen, we Ride | These prayers were offered for | For all that pray and pray by strength| each of us, and that the Unity | We Feel, we Move, we Ride | of all Peoples might happen. | For all that die and die by greed | | We Hurt, we Cry, we Ride | Tatanka Cante forwarded this | For all that birth and birth by right | poem on behalf of all the Unity | We Smile, we Hold, we Ride | Riders that we might stop and | For all that need and need by heart | ask if the next words we say, the | We Came, we Went, we Rode. | next act we make is for the good | | of the People or is it from ego | Treaty Unity Riders | for self. +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! At the festival we attended this past weekend, a rollcall of veterans, active duty military, police, fire and EMT personnel was held, and a veterans dance sung in their honor. Among the veterans was a World War Two vet who had served with Patton and a Korean vet who tearfully said it was the first time anyone had ever acknowledged his sacrifice. I'm pleased we had an opportunity to thank both these men, and all others who came into the circle. I am disappointed it took 45 years to thank that Korean vet. How many more have never been thanked? I am asking each of you to personally seek out veterans and active duty military, police, fire and EMT workers and thank them for all they gave and continue to give. Keep them and their families in your prayers. Don't wait. We are losing 53,000 World War II vets every year. You may be too late if you wait even one more day, and that will be a shame and a disgrace. -=-=-=- There is constant pressure to drill for gas and oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in spite of the fact it is a direct violation of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Here in Georgia there is a barrage of ads on most major radio stations asking people to call a special 800 hotline to encourage congressional representatives to vote in favor of ANWR exploration. Of course, the 800 number is a screening operation to ensure that the only messages passed on are to drill. Too late we have discovered what happens to fragile ecosystems when they are interfered with, and their life cycles interrupted. There is a massive effort underway to restore the Everglades in Florida after dredging and channelization destroyed habitat and created a monstorous fire hazard. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a far more fragile system than even the Everglades. Call and/or write your Senators and Representatives today and ask them to oppose this lunacy. It would be far better to encourge conservation of existing resources with wise use of solar and wind power. California is now leading the way in that effort by granting up to 50% rebates on the cost of installing renewable energy sources for both residences and businesses. Other states are following suit with rebates, tax writeoffs and other incentives. Going off grid is NOT what the greedy gas, oil, and power companies want. It is what the Earth demands. =================================== If you have names and addresses of trustworthy collectors of food, money and clothing gifts at the various reservations please forward them soon. The winter winds already have come down from the north. -=-=-=- I send thanks to my friend, Crazy Bull, for passing along a contact for those who wish to donate food, clothing or fuel money to elders in need on the Rez's. Wopila Russell. Evelynn Charging P O Box #170 Lower Brule, SD 57548 if no answer call Grandmother Charging at Phone: 605-473-5377 the Golden Buffalo Casino 605-473-5577 -=-=-=- From: "Kay" For those of you who wish to 'Give A Gift,' here is the address: Eastern Cherokee Alliance 5411 Laureltree Place Louisville, Ky. 40229 Marty Soaring Eagle said he would distribute/deliver. 1-502-966-8046 Thank you Kay -=-=-=- From: "Nimchira" I am collecting items for the Rosebud Reservation if anyone is interested. Below is a small list of items needed before first snow fall. The first part of the list is what they need now, they have plenty of clothing so far....however there is a shortage of warm jackets, food is also an important need right now...... again, I thank you.... Nim Toiletries: Bath Soap Shampoo and Conditioner Deodorants Tooth brushes, Paste Feminine products Mens Shaving items Bath Towels and wash cloths Non-perishables Food items: Boxed goods Canned goods Bottled Water Baby foods Warm Clothing: Childrens Winter Wear in good repair Men and Womens Winter coats or jackets Gloves, mittens, scarves, hats [knit or crocheted] Other items of warm outer wear. Baby items, diapers Blankets, lots of blankets. For more information you can call Nimchira Webb at: 1-620-278-3842 Items can be left in care of: J. Porter Selman 217 So. 2nd. St. Sterling, Kansas -=-=-=- From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" Subj: Lame Deer Reservation Greetings Gary, I hope this finds you well. I have just received the address for your list(Lame Deer Reservation). I hope it is not too late!=20 There are a couple of thousand children there, many single mothers too. There is a shelter for children up to 15-16 years old. Ann gives them all the assistance she can. Beside toys, warm clothes like jackets, gloves, hats, socks, coats, etc for children and blankets, would be much appreciated. The toys will be distributed during the Christmas give away but the clothes and blankets will be distributed right away. Address for Truck (only): GPTA Building Cheyenne Ave and Ridgewalker Lame Deer, MT Please ask for Ann Booker Only Monday through Friday 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Someone looking for the building could ask anyone they see where the GPTA Building is and they should be able to direct them. Ann Booker works in the office where they work with assistance, etc. [If needed please contact thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr before the boxes arrive at the office and we can let Ann know in advance.] - Address for shipping items by mail: Ann Booker P.O. Box 1004 LAME DEER MONTANA 59043 Ann's home address is available off list for anyone who would like to send items by UPS (United Parcel Service), at the above email address. -=-=-=- From: dfinstead@setaim.com Elders and children will suffer this winter if they don't receive help. Warm clothing and blankets are needed as well as money for fuel. Also personal needs, soap, toothbrushes, diapers, etc. Please remember to send toys to the children for Christmas. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP AND PASS THIS ON TO OTHER LIST, FRIENDS AND FAMILY. >>>>>>> Bonnie Whitesinger Box 1073 Hotevilla, AZ 86030 Would be able to handle fuel donations for Big Mountain. > >>>>>>>>>>>>> There is a needs list on www.blackmesais.org/needslist.html Black Mesa Indigenous Support P.O Box 23501 Flaggstaff Arizona 86002 >>>>>> New Mexico Southwest Indian Foundation, 100 W. Coal, Gallup, NM 87301. > >>>>>> Eastern Cherokee Alliance 5411 Laureltree Place Louisville, KY 40229 Taking clothing, food, and toys >>>>> PINE RIDGE PTI Propane P,O, Box 1987 PIne Ridge, SD 57770 Ph: 1-605-867-5199 >>>> Bennett County Coop P.O. Box T Pine Ridge,SD 57551 ph: 1-605-685-6711 Fuel >>>> I have several families that I buy fuel for in Wanblee.(Pine Ridge) If you'd like to help out with that, it would be appreciated. The money goes directly to the Co-op in Martin, and they deliver the amount paid for, either by credit card, check or M.O. Contact me off list if you want to be a part of that. jdkc@woptura.com J. D. CHIPPS >>>>>> ROSEBUD RES. Alfred Bone Shirt P.O. Box 283 Mission, S.D. 57555, I can be contacted at this email address or by telephone 605-747-4443, For fuel >>>>>>>>> J. Porter Selman [Nim] 217 So. 2nd. St. Sterling, Ks 67579 All donations go to Rose Bud res. >>>>>>>>> ANGEL HAVEN MISSION C/OF GRACE DEEL RT 1 BOX 433 VANSANT VA >>>>> St. Bridgets Catholic Church General Delivery Rosebud Res., SD >>>>>>>>>>>>> ndn-aim list fund (Erth handles it, reciepts sent and amounts posted) For emergency assistance and fuel fund. ndn-aim fund c/o box 1334 Rapid City, SD 57709 I also have address to send clothing, food, ect, to Pine Ridge and Rose Bud (Carter Camp), I will give out off list. These are individuals who can be trusted to distribute to those with needs. You may contact me at dfinstead@setaim.com for these address. Dodie === To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@egroups.com 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 ---------- - Luana Reyes - Pawnees move ahead - Winnie Jourdain on Plan for New Clinic - Crossings - Yellowstone Grazing Decision - Indian Murder Trial hidden from Public opens in Brazil - Blackfeet Group wins Health Award - In Nicaragua Democracy - Bank's Goal is put to the Test to boost Rez Business - Request for Trust Fund - Candidate advocates Probe Rejected 'Decertification' of Tribe - Drilling in Arctic - Interior's Number Two break with Government Policy takes lead on Trust Reform - Alaska Federation of Natives - Navajo Police arrest Six Elder of the Year in Deaths of Four - Tohono O'odham/ - Native Woman sues Alaska Police Border Patrol at Odds - Native Prisoner - Fight to Protect -- Important Notice - Please Read Four-Corners Region -- Young Inuk - Bingaman asked to brutalized by Prison System freeze out Uranium Mining - History: Carlisle Indian School - Mohawk Way of Life - Rustywire: fouled by PCB Pollution Chrissy's Lemonade Stand - Wenatchee Band is - Poem: Listen still waiting for Promised Land - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Hog Factory Editorial - Native America Calling --------- "RE: Luana Reyes" --------- Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 10:20:46 -0800 From: Jess Hansen Subj: Crossing: WA - "Luana Reyes, 68, a leader in agency for Indian health" Mailing List: First Nations A crossing of moment... . _______________________________________________________________________ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/obituaries/134364758_obit10m.html Saturday, November 10, 2001 "Luana Reyes, 68, a leader in agency for Indian health" By SARA JEAN GREEN Seattle Times staff reporter SEATTLE, WA -- "Luana Reyes grew up poor. Her family lived mostly in tents in and around the Colville Indian Reservation. Even when they had a house, there was no heat, plumbing or electricity. Often, there was no food. She became the chief financial officer and director of headquarters operations for the Indian Health Service, a national agency within the federal Department of Health and Human Services. She oversaw the agency's $2.6 billion budget, money used to provide health and dental care to an estimated 1.5 million American Indians. Diagnosed in late September with sudden-onset aplastic anemia, which attacks bone marrow, Ms. Reyes died at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., Monday (Nov. 5). She was 68. Last month, after Ms. Reyes was admitted to the Georgetown hospital, President Bush announced that she was a recipient of the 2001 Presidential Rank Meritorious Award, presented annually to top federal managers for exceptional performance. Even if she'd lived to spend the $25,000 award, she probably would have given most of it away - to "Indians who needed it more than she did," said her brother, Lawney Reyes. Ms. Reyes was a lifelong advocate for Native Americans and worked tirelessly within the government to make sure treaty obligations to provide health care were met. Colleagues and family say her humility, drive and ability to empower others made her the kind of leader people followed. "There are literally thousands of Indians who are a lot better off than they ever were before because of her efforts," Lawney Reyes said." *Please. See. Complete at above URL* --------- "RE: Winnie Jourdain" --------- Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2001 13:02:29 -0600 From: "D. Mitchell" Subj: Fwd: Obituary: Winnie Jourdain, the Spirit of White Earth ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- From: (by way of tom kunesh) To: Tennessee Indian Affairs email list Paul Levy Star Tribune Published Nov 9 2001 Winnie Jourdain stood in her kitchen, eyes focused on a calendar written in her native Ojibwe. Jourdain was never one to let time stand still. But as she looked at the calendar, the woman known as the Godmother of Minnesota's White Earth Reservation reflected on what might have been. "Ojibwe's going to be a lost language eventually," Jourdain said a few years ago. "Very few of us speak it. When I was young, everybody spoke Indian. But no more. The language had a spirit to it. It was different. We may never see anything like it again." Much the same could be said about Winifred Jourdain, a civil rights pioneer in Minneapolis in the 1950s and '60s and a respected elder on the White Earth Reservation. She died Monday at age 101. A leader on Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey's human rights commission, it was Jourdain whose short, but passionate speech shamed politicians into letting an Indian center be built on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. "You took this whole country from us," she said. "All we want are a couple acres." "She illustrates the resourcefulness of our community," White Earth activist Winona LaDuke said of Jourdain. LaDuke, a two-time vice presidential candidate and founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project, long considered Jourdain a mentor. "She's prevailed through everything," LaDuke said. "She's the quintessential story of the Ojibwe grandma. And she's the smart aleck we all want to grow up to be." At 5 feet 1, with slightly slumped shoulders, Winnie was a tiny woman with a larger-than-life presence. Don't let the white hair and hesitant voice fool you, acquaintances would warn. Beneath her ever-present gray cardigan beat the heart of a lion. She was a walking encyclopedia, able to tell fascinating stories in an instant -- even as a centurian. She was born in a log house, heated by a wood stove and lighted by kerosene lamps. Water had to be hauled. The toilet was outdoors. There were no cars or roads. "If you were lucky, you had oxen to help pull the plows," she said. "My mom told us, 'Whenever you have guests at your house, always feed them and give them something to drink. You don't know how far they've come, and you don't know how far they have to go.'" Jourdain's life took major turns when her mother died. She was taken from her home as a teenager and sent to boarding school in Flandreau, S.D., 200 miles away -- where Indian children were to be assimilated into white culture. Her hair was cut. Her way of dress was changed. She was told she could no longer speak the only language she'd ever known, Ojibwe. But she defied the authorities, speaking Ojibwe whenever possible. Jourdain returned to White Earth, married and had a son. When her husband died of tuberculosis, Jourdain became a widow at 25. She moved to Minneapolis, looking for work. But she never forgot her mother's words. She remarried and had a second child, but her three-bedroom home near the corner of Franklin and Portland Avs. was often filled with as many as 18 people -- often White Earth natives looking for shelter and a new start. "The city was full of prejudice," Jourdain recalled. "I helped Indian people get jobs because my people needed help. Indian people were the last ones hired and the first ones fired. I wanted my people to be treated with respect." She kept Indian children in her home to make sure they stayed in school. She started a tutoring program for Indian students. She organized picnics, rummage sales and potluck dinners to help them buy books. When they graduated, she found places for them to live. Winnie and other Indian women made quilts, which they sold to buy books and eyeglasses for students. After spending nearly 50 years in Minneapolis, she moved back to White Earth. There, she was rarely addressed as Bwaan ikwe, which means Sioux woman. On the White Earth Reservation, she was simply known to all as Ma. Jourdain, who was with her family when she died in her White Earth nursing home, is survived by son Berman Fairbanks and daughter Lois Favorite, nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and three great- great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday at David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Services are at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, White Earth. -- Paul Levy is at plevy@startribune.com. _______________________________________________ TN Indian Affairs (tn-ind) mailing list tn-ind@mail.highertech.net ][ tn-ind-admin@mail.highertech.net http://mail.highertech.net/mailman/listinfo/tn-ind --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 08:19:11 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" November 7, 2001 Ernest Eddie Johnson Sr. BLACKWATER - Services for Ernest Johnson Sr., 48, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at Prewitt Assembly of God. Pastor Pauline Platero will officiate. Burial will follow at Grants Memorial Park. Johnson died Nov. 2 in Blackwater. He was born Nov. 5, 1952 in Prewitt into the Meadow People Clan for the Hairy Ones Clan. Survivors include his daughter, Pearlie Johnson of Grants; brothers, Herbert Johnson of Tenn. and Wilfred Johnson of Prewitt; sisters, Benita Delgarito of South Chavez, Ella Cooke and Harlinda Delgarito both of Blackwater and two grandchildren. Johnson was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Rena Johnson; daughter, Rachel Johnson and brother, Johnny Johnson. Pallbearers will be Fred Barney, Kirby Cooke, Rydell Jake, Sampson Jake, Gilbert Johnson and Bennie Loretto. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Eldrad Holyan PHOENIX - Services for Eldrad Holyan, 41, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at St. Marys Catholic Church, Tohatchi. Rev. John Mittelstadt will officiate. Burial will follow at Tohatchi Community Cemetery. Holyan died Nov. 4 in Mesa, Ariz. He was born Sept. 26, 1960 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Zia Clan. Survivors include his brothers, Alvin Holyan and Bobby Holyan Jr. both of Tohatchi and sisters, Raelene Holyan of Yah Ta Hey; Roberta Begay of Tohatchi; Marlo Deal of Crownpoint and Marty Whitehair of Jamestown. Holyan was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Ida Holyan; grandparents, Nanabah and Charlie Holyan, Alchedesbah and John Malone and. Pallbearers will be Christopher Bitsilly, Arvis Francisco, Alvin Holyan, Bobby Holyan Jr., Michael Holyan and Roy Holyan. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Valerie Jean Dabbs MARIANO LAKE - Services for Valerie Dabbs, 23, will be held at 10 a.m., Nov. 8 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Jones Dehiya will officiate. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery. Dabbs died Nov. 3 in Navajo, Ariz. She was born Feb. 2, 1978 in Gallup into the Meadow People Clan for the Edgewater People Clan. Dabbs graduated from Thoreau High School. She was self-employed as a silversmith. Her hobbies included traveling, collecting stuffed animals, cooking and listening to music. Survivors include her father, Julius Sr.; brothers, Patrick Dabbs, Julius Dabbs and Darwin Dabbs all of Mariano Lake; grandparents, Henry and Louise Dabbs. Dabbs was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Dabbs; brother, Darrell Dabbs; and grandparents, Mary Davis and Dan Thompson. Pallbearers will be Julius Dabbs Sr., Patrick Dabbs, Harold Thompson, Damon Thompson, Andy Thompson and Dennis Thompson. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Mariano Lake Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Laura T. Dabbs MARIANO LAKE - Services for Laura Dabbs, 55 will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery. Dabbs died Nov. 3 in Navajo, Ariz. She was born Nov. 19, 1946 in Rehoboth into the Meadow People Clan for the Start of Red Streak People Clan. Dabbs was self employed. Her hobbies included silversmith, traveling, gardening, reading and movies. Survivors include her husband, Julius Dabbs Sr. of Mariano Lake; sons, Patrick Dabbs, Julius Dabbs, and Darwin Dabbs; brothers, Harold Thompson of Tuscon, Ariz., Damon Thompson of Smith Lake, Andy R. Thompson of Casamero Lake, David P. Thompson and Dennis R. Thompson both of Mariano Lake. Dabbs was preceded in death by her son, Darrell Dabbs; daughter, Valerie Dabbs; parents, Dan and Mary Thompson; and brother, Wilbert Thompson. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Joe, Jerry Tully, Harrison Mariano, Art Charley, Jensen Dabbs and Harry Mariano. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Mariano Lake Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. John White RAMAH - Services for John White, 91, will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church, Ramah. Dan Lambson will officiate. Burial will follow in Ramah. White died Nov. 2 in Grants. He was born July 10, 1910 in Two Wells into the Meadow People Clan for the Sleeping Rock People Clan. White was a rancher and railroader. Survivors include his wife, Verda White; sons, Edward Martine of Alamo, Edgar White of Brim, Wash., Larson White Sr. and Emerson White both of Ramah; daughters, Evelynn Martine and Susie White both of Ramah; sister, Nellie Wilson and four grandchildren. White was preceded in death by his parents. Pallbearers will be Larson White Jr., LeAndrew Martine, Jerome White, Edgar White, Hose Phillips and Edwin Benally. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. November 8, 2001 Steven Paul Etsitty DURANGO, Colo. - Services for Steven Etsitty, 39, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 9 at Rollie Mortuary-Palm Chapel. Pastor Jones Dehiya will officiate. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery. Etsitty died Oct. 29 in Burnham Juction. He was born April 2, 1962 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Deer Spring People for the Big Water People. Survivors include his daughters, Kimberly Etsitty of Gamerco and Stephaine Etsitty of Pueblo, Colo., Laura Bonnoni and Elizabeth Bonnoni both of Durango; son, Marcus Chee of Durango; parents, Mae R. Tom of Mariano Lake and Francis E. Etsitty of Corn Fields, Ariz.; brothers, Alexander Etsitty of Chinle, Ariz., Matthew Etsitty of Winslow, Ariz. and Ricky Etsitty of Kinlichee, Ariz.; and sisters, Annette Greene of Mesa, Ariz., Ada Morgan and Etta Morgan both of Casmero Lake, Ida James and Ella Morgan both of Gallup, Emma J. Etsitty, Peggy Etsitty and Norma Lamone all of Mariano Lake. Etsitty was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Etsitty; son, Justin E. Etsitty; grandparents, Elizabeth and Earl Etsitty and Jennie B. and John Tom Sr. Pallbearers will be Chris Charley, Ricky Etsitty, Johnny Peaso, Elmer Tom, Leo Tom and Loren Tom Jr. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Carlson Smith Sr. CHINLE, Ariz. - Services for Carlson Smith Sr., 33, will be held at 10 a. m., Thursday, Nov. 8 at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saint, Chinle. Don Smith will officiate. Burial will follow in Chinle, Ariz. Smith Sr. died Nov. 2 in Ganado, Ariz. He was born Jan. 16, 1968 in Ganado into the Bitter Water Clan for the Mexican People Clan. Smith Sr. worked with Chinle Valley School as a residential aide and in the carpentry field. His hobbies included basketball, soccer, track running, football, baseball, swimming, hiking, site seeing, traveling and reading. Survivors incldue his wife, Elvira Ann Smith; sons, Kristopher Naashgali' Binali' Smith and Karlsen Smith Jr.; parents, Christine Bitsoi and Tucsohn Gee Smith; brother, Gilbert Gee Smith; and sisters, Sharon Bitsoi, Ophelia Smith Thinn, Jacqueline Smith and Diana Smith. Smith Sr. was preceded in death by his grandparents; Alth Tsedesbah and Nasgallini' Bitsoi and Alfred Gorman. Pallbearers will be Edmond Dion Bitsoi, Deswood Bitsoi Jr., Dannie Bitsoi, Tyrone Carroll, Sonny James and Harris Lee. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Elvin Keoni INDIAN WELLS, Ariz. - Services for Elvin Keoni, 91, will be held at 10 a. m., Saturday, Nov. 10 at Halleluia Church, Indian Wells. Burial will follow at Indian Wells Community Cemetery. Keoni died Nov. 4 in Shiprock. He was born Oct. 15, 1910 in White Cone, Ariz. into the Big Water People Clan for the Bitter Water Clan. Keoni retired from the Santa Fe Railroad. Survivors include his wife, Helen Keoni; sons, Eugene Keoni, Dennis Keoni, Wayne Keoni and Leonard Keoni Sr.; daughters, Pauline Begay, LaVee Keoni, Carolyn Ayze and Donna Yazzie; brother, Carl Nez; 28 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Wayne Keoni, Leonard Keoni Sr., Dennis Keoni, Kendrick Begay and Jerrod Keoni. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at the Keoni resident, Indian Wells. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Kate C. Tallsalt KAYENTA, Ariz. - Services for Kate Tallsalt, 79, will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9 at Norvel Owens Mortuary Chapel, 914 E. Route 66, Flagstaff. Burial will follow at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix. Tallsalt died Nov. 5 in Flagstaff. She was born in 1922 in Rock Point, Ariz. Tallsalt retired as Supervisory Instructional Aid from the BIA. She was a member of the auxiliary Navajo Nation Code Talkers Association. Survivors include her husband, Bert Tallsalt of Kayenta; daughters, Shirley Tallsalt of Belleview, Wash., Roberta Cowan of Phoenix and Priscilla Tallsalt of Tuba City, Ariz.; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. November 9, 2001 Evelyn Rose Eudy MANY FARMS, Ariz. - Services for Evelyn Eudy, 65, were held at 10 a.m., today at St. Anthony's Catholic Mission. Burial followed at family plot, Many Farms. Eudy died Nov. 4 in Many Farms. She was born Aug. 15, 1936 in Many Farms into the Salt People Clan for the Water Edge People. Survivors include her husband, Lester Terry Eudy; sons, Lowell T. Draper, Lloyd O. Draper, Frank Draper Jr. and John P. Draper; brothers, John Charles Sr. of Shiprock, Thomas Charles and David Charles both of Many Farms; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Eudy was preceded in death by her parents, John Shorty and Mary Taylor. Pallbearers will be Jones Charles, Lloyd Draper, John Draper, Dwayne Charles, Jay Draper, Jefferey Charles and Johnnie Charles. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at David Charles's resident. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Larry Dean Begay Sr. SANDERS, Ariz. - Services for Larry Dean Begay Sr., 43, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13 at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saint, Sanders. President Dan J. Garner will officiate. Burial will follow at Community Cemetery, Houck, Ariz. Begay died Oct. 30 in Portland, Ore. He was born Oct. 28, 1958 in Prescott, Ariz. into the Black Sheep for the Big Water. Begay attended school in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Sanders, Ariz. and Utah. He was employed with Union Pacific Railroad, Portland, Ore. His hobbies included fishing, jogging, playing basketball and listening to music. Survivors include his wife, Lenora B. Begay; sons, Francis Lewis Begay of Portland, Ore., Larry D. Begay, Lowell N. Begay both of Fruitland; daughter, Lori Blackwater of Black Mesa, Ariz., parents, Mary Jean Billie of Sanders, and Thomas Begay of Dinnehotso, Ariz.; and a brother, Robert Lewis of Sanders. Pallbearers will be Mark Lewis Jr., Gary Lewis, Anthony Marlow, Mark Lewis, Jimmy Yazzie and Michael Lewis. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saint, Sanders. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 10-11, 2001 Alyce Slim FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. - Alyce Roan Slim, 65, will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup. Father Diego Mazon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 at Lady of Blessed Sacrement Chruch, Fort Defiance. Slim died Nov. 5 in Tsaile, Ariz. She was born July 30, 1936 in Crystal into the Towering Rock People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Slim worked with Window Rock Unified School District, for the transportation department as a bus driver. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing and traveling. Survivors include her husband, Leo Slim of Fort Defiance; sons, Melvin Slim and Ronald Slim both of Fort Defiance; daughters, Geraldine Slim of Phoenix, Marlene Slim of Fort Defiance, Kimberly Houston of Gallup, Roberta Slim and Patrica Slim both of Crystal; brothers, Julison Roan of Fort Defiance and 12 grandchildren. Slim was preceded in death by her parents, Rena Mark and Chester Roan; sister, Julia Milford. Pallbearers will be Melvin Slim, Michael Slim, Timothy Slim, Frank Houston, Tim Milfred, Michael Joe and Darryl Williams. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Tiffany Nicole Lee Fort Defiance, Ariz. - Services for Tiffany Lee, 9, will be held at 1 p. m., Monday, Nov. 12 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup. Father Diego Mazon will officate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11 at Lady of Blessed Sacrement Chruch, Fort Defiance. Lee died Nov. 5 in Tsaile, Ariz. She was born July 16, 1992 in Fort Defiance into the Towering Rock People Clan for the Zuni Clan. Lee was a third grade student at Window Rock Elementary School. She was a member of the Youth Group. Her hobbies included biking, basketball and rollerblading. Survivors include her parents, Daniel Lee of Sanders, Ariz. and Marlene Slim of Fort Defiance, brother Brian Becenti of Fort Defiance Ariz.; grandparents, Eleonor Lee of Sanders and Leo L. Slim of Fort Defiance. Pallbearers will be Daniel Lee, Henry B. Joe, Clarence Montgomery, Phillip Smith, Vincent S. Bohanan and Nathan Deal. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Frank C. Todecheenie ROUGH ROCK, Ariz. - Services for Frank Todecheenie, 86, were held at 10 a.m., today at Rough Rock Friends Mission, Rough Rock. Mel Harrold officiated. Burial followed in Mid-White Valley, Ariz. Todecheenie died Nov. 7 in Chinle, Ariz. He was born Oct. 15, 1915 in Chinle. Todecheenie was a Navajo Code Talker. He attended Fort Apache School and was employed with Rough Rock Trading Post for 30 years. His hobby included reading books. Survivors include his sons, Johnny L. Todachine of Many Farms, Ariz., Lastarza Todecheenie, Michael Todecheenie, Ross Todecheenie, Tommy Todecheenie all of Rough Rock, Bing Todecheenie of Shiprock and Graziano Todecheenie of Teesto, Ariz.; daughters, Sandra Todecheenie, Maxine Todecheenie and Evelyn Todecheenie all of Rough Rock; brother, Tommy K. Begay; sisters, Susie Begay, Mary Jame Dalton, Margaret Dalton, Grace Oliver and Helen Bilta; 37 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Todecheenie was preceded in death by his wife, Mary T. Todecheenie and parents, Kescoli Begay and Alice Begay Kescoli. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2001 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- November 7, 2001 Weldon S. LaPointe PINE RIDGE - Weldon S. LaPointe, 44, Pine Ridge, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Cecelia LaPointe, Wolf Creek; four sons, James LaPointe, Darren Yellow Boy and Patrick Two Bulls, all of Wolf Creek, and Sheldon LaPointe, Oglala; three daughters, Tammy LaPointe, Wolf Creek, DeAnn Eagle Hawk, Oglala, and Avis LaPointe, Deadwood; five sisters, Gloria Sitting Crow and Brenda Shakespeare, both of Red Scaffold, Claudia LaPointe and Elizabeth Red Bull, both of Minneapolis, and Adele Red Bull, Pierre; three brothers, James Red Bull, Phoenix, and Oris Bear Stops and James Bear Stops, both of Rapid City; and five grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Darrell New officiating. Mike Little Boy will officiate at traditional ceremonies. Burial will be at Wolf Creek Community Cemetery. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. November 8, 2001 Rinard Harris Yellow Boy RAPID CITY - Rinard Harris Yellow Boy, 43, Rapid City, died Monday, Nov. 5, 2001, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Linda Yellow Boy, Wolf Point, Mont.; two sons, Rinard Yellow Boy Jr., Rapid City, and Darrel Bird, Wolf Point; three daughters, Cristy Yellow Boy, Catherine Yellow Boy and Carla Yellow Boy, all of Rapid City; two stepsons, Neal Iron Cloud and Thomas Iron Cloud, Wolf Point; one stepdaughter, Bonnie Iron Cloud, Wolf Point; six sisters, Denise Yellow Boy, Jessie Yellow Boy, Peggy Yellow Boy, Irma Swift Bird and Wanda Yellow Boy, all of Rapid City, and Victoria Castrejon, St. Paul, Minn.; two brothers, Calvin Yellow Boy and Royce Yellow Boy, both of Rapid City; and two grandchildren. A service will be at 7 p.m. today at Mother Butler Center in Rapid City, with the Rev. Carl Douglas officiating. One-night wake begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Billy Mills Hall, with Aberham Tobacco, the Rev. Darrell New and Keith Rich officiating. Burial will follow at First Body of Jesus Christ Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2001 Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Indian Murder Trial opens in Brazil" --------- Date: Wed 7 Nov 2001 08:18:46 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BRAZIL MURDER TRIAL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1642000/1642135.stm Tuesday, 6 November, 2001, 23:28 GMT Indian murder trial opens in Brazil The trial of four young Brazilians accused of burning to death an indigenous Indian tribal leader four years ago has opened in the capital, Brasilia. The 45-year-old man, Galdino Jesus dos Santos, was asleep at a bus stop in the capital when he was doused with petrol and set alight. The youths, all from prominent Brazilian families, deny intending to kill the man and say it was a prank that went wrong. If convicted, they face jail terms of 30 years. The crime caused outrage in Brazil. Indigenous groups said the killing symbolised the years of violence to which Brazil's indigenous community had been exposed. Hundreds of Indians wearing body paint and traditional costumes gathered outside Brazil's Supreme Court, where the trial is being held, to demand justice. One of the accused is the son of a federal judge. Galdino dos Santos was a Pataxo Indian chief from north-eastern Brazil. He had travelled to the capital to pursue his tribe's land claims. He died of burns that covered 95% of his body. Connections and influence The accused, all teenagers at the time, apologised to his family during the first day of the trial. Their lawyer has pleaded for the jury to convict them of bodily injury followed by death. The BBC's Brazil correspondent, Tom Gibb says the judge overseeing the trial evidently agrees with them. She ruled earlier in the case that they should be tried for the lesser charges. But the Supreme Court overturned her decision. Indigenous rights campaigners said the case also showed how money and influence count in Brazil's justice system. Copyright c. 2001 BBC. --------- "RE: In Nicaragua Democracy put to the Test" --------- Date: Thu 8 Nov 2001 08:09:44 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NICARAGUA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.sptimes.com/News/110401/news_pf/Worldandnation/In_Nicaragua In Nicaragua, democracy put to the test By DAVID ADAMS Copyright St. Petersburg Times, November 4, 2001 MANAGUA, Nicaragua -- I had a real sense of deja vu as I sat under a hot sun waiting for a political rally to begin here last week. I was listening to two women in their 40s describe their lifetime devotion to the Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN), the former guerrilla group that took power after the 1979 revolution. It was the sort of revolutionary socialist talk about poverty and social justice I remember having over and over again when I lived here in the 1980s. Both women wore T-shirts supporting Daniel Ortega, the former guerrilla commander who led the FSLN and is a presidential candidate again in elections today. Both bitterly described the 11 years since the Sandinistas were ousted in elections in 1990. "There's no work or free education or health services," said Socorro Leyton, 49. "We need another revolution for social justice." In numerous conversations over five days, I heard working-class Nicaraguans describe how their lives had gone backwards during a decade of democratic rule and a free market. Many said living conditions were better during the war years, when a U.S. embargo and support for anti-Sandinista Contra army reduced the country to economic ruin. "Despite the embargo, the government provided for everyone," said Leyton, echoing a common refrain. "The shops were empty but we all had something to eat. Now the shops are full but no one has any money." It's astonishing how little has changed in Nicaragua over the last decade. Sure, Managua now is dotted with a few sparkling new shopping malls, hotels and casinos. There's even a Hard Rock Cafe, built by a company with ties to the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It's also true that road surfaces have improved. There are even a few pleasantly landscaped roundabouts, or traffic circles. But, frankly, that's about it. Official statistics show modest economic growth in the last decade. The World Bank says the national poverty index dropped from 50 percent to 49 percent between 1993 and 1998. In rural areas, poverty has gone down, from 76 percent to 69 percent. Despite that, living conditions have worsened in many rural areas. For the first time, hunger is being reported in areas of the north hard hit by the slump in world coffee prices. Hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans have abandoned the countryside in the last decade, moving to the cities or neighboring Costa Rica. In the slum named United Nations on the outskirts of Managua, residents complained that after 11 years they still had no paved roads, running water or electricity. "There's no work in the countryside," said Norma Espinosa, 32, who moved to the city with her six children 18 months ago from the province of Rivas. Her husband is a security guard -- the only growth industry these days -- earning $130 a month. I found Espinosa at the local rubbish dump chopping up firewood from branches left from the garden trimmings of mansions in the plush neighborhood of Las Colinas next door. She lamented that she couldn't afford the $30 monthly fee to send her four school-age children to public school this year. It's not all the government's fault. Nicaragua has had its share of bad luck. In 1998, there was Hurricane Mitch and now the coffee crisis. Even so, with about $5-billion in foreign aid over the last decade (more than $1-billion from the United States), some economists estimate Nicaragua has received more donor assistance per capita than any country in the world. Many people ask where it went. But Nicaraguans haven't given up hope. I asked Sergio Ramirez, a former Sandinista leader and widely respected author and intellectual if the struggle for democracy in Nicaragua had any lasting positive results. He reminded me that Nicaraguans can be grateful for some things we might take for granted. Among them: a stable currency, free speech and a vigorous civil society, as well as a disciplined and professional army. These, of course, were things severely lacking during the Somoza dictatorship and under Marxist Sandinista rule. "It's a paradox," Ramirez said. "The revolution helped bring about liberties that it never espoused, and yet was unable to achieve the goals of social justice it really cared about." Copyright c. 2001 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved --------- "RE: Request for Trust Fund Probe Rejected" --------- Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 21:28:01 -0800 (PST) From: Paul Pureau Subj: Request for trust fund probe rejected Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.indianz.com/SmokeSignals/Headlines/showfull.asp?ID=law01/1172001 Request for trust fund probe rejected WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2001 After telling a federal judge it was moving to investigate allegations of misconduct against senior managers and attorneys and potentially take corrective action, the Department of Interior has rejected an internal probe over its handling of the trust fund. In August, Solicitor Bill Myers, the department's top legal official, referred seven incidents of wrongdoing for possible review. At the time, he said it was "incumbent on us to assure that all such allegations are investigated, and appropriate action taken based on the results of the investigation." However, Inspector General Earl E. Devaney, the department's top investigator, has now rejected most of the allegations sent his way. After looking into the incidents, he told Myers in an October 12 letter that no further investigation was warranted. That leaves just three issues for potential review and punishment by the Interior. Coincidentally, two of them -- the government's failure to perform an historical accounting on the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust and its refusal to report the numerous problems of a $40 million software system -- are matters for which U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has indicated he will hold Secretary Gale Norton in contempt. Given that Devaney rejected the other allegations because of similar investigations by outside sources, there is little likelihood he will probe the remaining three himself. According to a lawyer representing the IIM account holders, rejection is all but guaranteed. "This is typical of the Inspector General," said Washington, D.C. attorney Dennis Gingold. "They have never found a problem with anything." "This is business as usual, which demonstrates why they are not fit to be a trustee," Gingold added. On the heels of two critical court reports, Myers on August 17 asked the Office of the Inspect General to look into allegations dating as far back as two years. Subsequently, attorneys for the government told Judge Lamberth the Interior "has taken steps to address allegations of past misconduct." The incidents in question include the destruction of trust fund records against court orders, retaliation against a Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, lapses in computer security and misconduct of an attorney. In response, Devaney said none of these four referrals required action, citing ongoing or concluded investigations. According to Devaney, a former Interior attorney was investigated by "two independent organizations specifically chartered to look into ethical violations by attorneys." Therefore, he said the Interior need not question why Willa Perlmutter told Judge Lamberth the government was producing trust fund documents even though in February 1999 he held then Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of Treasury Rick Rubin and Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover in contempt for not doing so. With regard to Mona Infield, a BIA employee who is drawing an $80,000 annual salary despite never having been to work for more than a year, Devaney said the Office of Special Counsel, an independent government agency, is still reviewing the matter. Therefore, he said the Interior shouldn't consider if former Deputy Commissioner Hilda Manuel, former Chief Information Officer Dom Nessi and other senior management retaliated against Infield because doing so would "infringe on the jurisdiction" of the special counsel. Similarly, Devaney said he couldn't look into why the Interior still hasn't fixed computer security breaches even after his own office in December 2000 has said there has been "little progress." An Interior investigation would only interfere with Special Master Alan Balaran, said Devaney. Devaney was appointed to his post by President Clinton in 1999. Copyright c. Indianz.Com 2000-2001. 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: Drilling in Arctic break with Government Policy" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2001 08:11:20 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANWR" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.theday.com/news/ts-re.asp?NewsUID Drilling in Arctic seen as break with government policy By New York Times News Service Published on 11/13/2001 Washington - If Congress approves drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, it will be breaking with government practice of the last 35 years, which has limited when drilling may occur in refuges, the General Accounting Office has concluded in a report requested by an opponent of such drilling, Rep. Edward J. Markey. Oil wells are not uncommon in wildlife refuges around the country, and proponents of drilling have argued that if energy is extracted from refuges elsewhere, it can be extracted in Alaska, too. The General Accounting Office, the investigative and auditing arm of Congress, found that about 13 percent of the refuges, in 21 states, had some kind of oil and gas activity last year. But the office also found that since the passage of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, in 1966, the only leases that the government has signed for oil and gas exploration were in cases where drillers on adjacent private land were extracting fuel from under the refuges. In most of the others, the petroleum development preceded the creation of the refuge, or private companies already owned the mineral rights in the refuge. Opponents of drilling have generally argued that the Alaska refuge is a unique, fragile treasure that should not be threatened by an oil spill, or even by the infringement of industrial development. Markey, D-Mass., raised an additional point, that drilling in the refuge would set a bad precedent. "There has been a 35-year ban on drilling in any refuge in the United States, unless there is an oil company not in the refuge that has essentially put their straw down on their property, to come in sideways," he said. Proponents of drilling, he said, "very disingenuously argue that many refuges allow for drilling." "What they don't mention is that none of that permission has been granted since 1966," he said, "and that if the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge was made an exception, it would become a Trojan horse that could be used to permit drilling in the 297 other refuges that have been identified by the U.S. Geological Survey as having oil and gas potential." Copyright c. 1998-2001 The Day Publishing Co. --------- "RE: Alaska Federation of Natives Elder of the Year" --------- Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2001 08:11:20 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ELDER OF YEAR" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/735383p-783352c.html Phones keep ringing for AFN elder of the year RICHARD FRANK: In retirement, he still fills his days with community service. By Nancy Tarnai Fairbanks Daily News-Miner November 12, 2001 Fairbanks -- Richard Frank keeps six phones in his ranch-style Aurora home so he can be easily accessible to friends who need his help. "Somebody might need us," he said, cradling a cellphone. It's why he and his wife, Anna, don't mind the constant phone calls. After one or two rings he is on each call like a dispatcher, talking calmly and soothingly, answering questions, assessing the situation, dispensing advice. It's no surprise that the Alaska Federation of Natives has named him elder of the year. Frank, 74, is no longer a working man. But retirement hasn't slowed him down much. He fills his days with community service through veterans and Native organizations and often volunteers to help other people understand Native culture and ways. "It's been hard for me to get used to retirement life," he said. Nelson Angapak, executive vice president of AFN, said Frank was selected elder of the year because of his contributions to Alaska Natives. "He's willing to sacrifice his time to help other elders to understand business and land issues," Angapak said. "He's one of those folks who has helped greatly the understanding of Native people by the non-Native community." Frank was born in Minto. Raised there and in Rampart, he hunted, fished, mushed and trapped with his parents, Justin and Lucy Frank, and his nine siblings. He attended school in Rampart but quit after fifth grade, a decision that has bothered him all his adulthood. "Where I hurt the most is lack of education," he said. He eventually earned a high school equivalency diploma and said he is "self-taught in English and our Native tongue." At 13, he walked from Minto to Nenana to take a job with the railroad. By 14, he was working on the stern-wheeler Nenana as a deckhand. When he was almost 18, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was sent to the South Pacific. "It was altogether new," he said, recalling the devastation that war brought to the islands. "I saw hunger. Here in America we take everything too much for granted. We don't appreciate everything that is available to us." Frank, who served from 1945 to 1949, was an aircraft mechanic in a fighter squadron when he left the military as a sergeant with a chest full of medals. He couldn't wait to show the folks back home how far he'd come. "I was looking forward to talking to my dad and telling him where I'd been and the people I'd seen," Frank said. "I was going to tell him about the medals I'd earned." But Justin Frank died three days before his son got home. After leaving the military, Frank tried working for Boeing in Seattle but missed Alaska too much. "The boat life lured me back," he said. Frank made a career of boats, moving up from deckhand to pilot to captain. "I just liked the lifestyle of the boats." In addition to his stern-wheeler jobs, Frank served as chief of Minto from 1960 to 1963 and was president of Minto Village Corp. He was instrumental in getting the village moved after heavy flood damage in the late 1960s. In 1970, new Minto was settled 30 miles from the original site, and Frank helped high schoolers design the new town. He also was a heavy equipment operator and helped run electric lines to villages over much of Alaska. Other endeavors included operating a general store and a bus service in Minto. Frank learned to fly in the 1960s but put away his pilot's license after he had heart surgery six years ago. His last official job was as director of the Tanana Chiefs Conference's Alcohol and Drug Prevention program, which he ran for seven years until 1995. In his spare time, Frank has been known to hang around a dog yard or two. He said he learned "all the tricks of the trade" from Charlie Titus Sr. and Gareth Wright. He frequented sprint races, winning the Tok Championship and taking fourth in the North American in the mid-1960s. Frank and Anna married in 1955. They have two sons, two daughters and eight grandchildren. Anna is archdeacon of the Interior for the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska. The family has lived in Fairbanks since 1975. Even with all his accomplishments, Frank says, it is his family that brings him the greatest pride. "Marrying and bringing up our children was the best thing I did. All my kids are working. They're all involved," he said. "It's a great joy seeing my grandchildren." Another source of pride is his participation in the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. He stressed for years that retaining land was the most important thing for tribes. "I'm not totally satisfied with it," he said. "But we make do with what we've got. It's working out." Distributed by The Associated Press. Copyright c. 2001 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Tohono O'odham/Border Patrol at Odds" --------- Date: Tue 6 Nov 2001 07:42:58 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TOHONO O'ODHAM/BORDER PATROL" http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/breaking/1105TOHONO-ON.html Tohono O'odham, Border Patrol at odds Hernan Rozemberg The Arizona Republic Nov. 05, 2001 07:45:00 SAN MIGUEL, Tohono O'odham reservation - The school bus stops, kicking up a plume of dust in the middle of this vast, arid land of saguaro and mesquite. Matias and Valentina Valenzuela rush happily into their parents' arms. A few hugs and kisses later, the family begins the three-mile walk home. But tension soon seeps into the cheery scene. Though the Valenzuelas are members of the Tohono O'odham Nation walking on their own land, they must still be wary of confrontations with Border Patrol agents. That's because their trek home to a handful of scattered houses called El Bajio takes them across the U.S.-Mexican border, the White man's line that splits their vast reservation. And since armed U.S. agents began heavily patrolling the area in the 1990s looking for illegal crossers and drug runners, Tohono O'odhams ("people of the desert") say their traditional way of life has been shattered. Tribal members are constantly harassed and even arrested, they say, after failing to produce documents proving their legal entry into the United States. The result is that they're afraid to walk freely on their land, a 3- million-acre desert patch of cactuses, and mesquite and cottonwood trees that runs 76 miles along the border. About the size of Connecticut, it's the second-largest reservation in the country. To right this wrong, tribal leaders say, Congress should swiftly enact a bill submitted this year by Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz. The bill makes tribal membership cards equivalent to U.S. passports, allowing nation members to cross without hassle. The move is crucial, leaders say, because it affects a large part of the tribe's population and will prevent an already edgy situation from turning worse. "They're calling us illegal aliens in our own land," lamented Henry Ramon, 67, vice chairman of the 24,000-member Tohono O'odham Nation. "Where would I go if I was deported?" he asked. "This land is all I know." Ramon hopes that Congress will pass the bill as early as this session. But it's still sitting in the immigration subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee, far from a vote on the House floor, after which it would still need Senate approval. Even its sponsor is doubtful the matter will get swift attention. "There's too much stuff on the table now, the anthrax scare, the terrorist situation, the economic stimulus package, so it's hard to predict, but I'm still working on it," Pastor said through a spokeswoman. The tribe's traditional lands originally stretched from Phoenix to Hermosillo, Sonora. But in 1853, the Gadsden Purchase created the U.S.- Mexican border, and a reservation spanning two countries. Members never paid much attention to what they saw as the White man's line, especially after 1937, when Congress recognized the Tohono O'odham as a sovereign nation. Just like the Valenzuela children, kids from the Mexican side were bused across the border to attend school. Tohono O'odhams from the north crossed south for ceremonies while those in the south went north to visit family and get services in the nation's capital, Sells. No one worried about armed strangers demanding papers. But the recent stepped-up border enforcement has left tribal members angry at what they deem forced and unjust changes. "Everybody's so worried now. People here are so scared, they won't go north to see their families," said Pozo Verde resident Felix Antone, 65, governor of about 1,400 tribal members on the Mexican side. For most of her 68 years, Clemencia Antone moved freely in Mexico, Phoenix, Tucson, Sells and Eloy to work or visit relatives who live in Pozo Verde. Now she stays put in Eloy because she fears immigration officials might not allow her to return to the United States. Her fears have real roots. In 1997, she applied for a widow's pension at the Casa Grande Social Security Office. "I was told that I wasn't eligible because I wasn't an American citizen," Antone said. "As a little girl, I was on this side all the time. I grew up on this side and the only time I stayed down there was when mom was sick, and I felt like I didn't really belong on that side." When Antone developed health problems, federally funded medical facilities such as Phoenix Indian Medical Center deemed her "an illegal alien" ineligible for free health care offered to many Native Americans. Lorena Antone, 34, lives with her mother in Eloy. "We are Native Americans," Lorena said, "not Hispanic." The proposed new law directly affects Tohono O'odham in Mexico as well as 7,000 on the U.S. side who came from the south or who were born up north but can't prove their U.S. citizenship; thus can't get Social Security and other benefits. Valenzuela said he's been harassed when crossing north at San Miguel Gate to pick up his children. Others have told him stories of being arrested at gunpoint, then deported. He remains defiant. "I don't need to prove anything to anyone on my own land," said Valenzuela, 45, a Navy veteran who's actually half Tohono O'odham and half Pascua Yaqui, another tribe with members on both sides of the border. "This is where I'm from," he said, "this is where I'm raising my kids and this is where I'm going to die." But even granting U.S. citizenship won't solve the dilemma, said Charles Colbert, lecturer in American Indian studies at Arizona State University. He foresees a "political nightmare" in trying to determine who's an officially enrolled tribal member. There could be an explosion of fake tribal member cards for Mexican migrants, who already use reservation land to cross illegally to the U.S. side. That in turn would create further nightmares for U.S. officials, who would like to see a resolution for the Tohono O'odham but point out that the decisionmaking responsibility rests with Congress. A spokesman for the Bureau of Indian Affairs said the agency can't comment until asked for an opinion by Congress. Warren McBroom, assistant general counsel at the Immigration and Naturalization Service, has dealt with the tribe for three years. That's long enough, he said, to figure out that he's still confused about what exactly the tribe wants. Even if they all get citizenship, he pointed out, they'd still be crossing illegally at San Miguel Gate; they'd still have to go to a legal port of entry dozens of miles away. "Listen, we're cutting them a break by not arresting them there," McBroom said. "We've been going out our way for them. What's the holdup? We could find a way to solve the problem now, why have to wait for this bill?" Virginia Kice, spokeswoman for the INS' western region, noted that today's intensified border-security atmosphere isn't likely to change anytime soon. "We have a job to do, especially now that we're on a heightened sense of alert," she said. "But we're aware that our enforcement goes through their back yard. I'm sure they wouldn't be sorry to turn the clock back 20 years." Or 2,000 years. "We've been here since time immemorial," said Ramon, the point man in the tribe's well-organized citizenship campaign. "Long before someone created some line we still can't see." Reach the reporter at hernan.rozemberg@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8480. Arizona Republic reporter Betty Reid contributed to this article. Copyright c. 2001, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Fight to Protect Four-Corners Region" --------- Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 08:46:43 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FOUR CORNERS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.okit.com/news/2001/nov/protectrivers.html Native American Groups fight to protect Four-Corners region from dam and reservoir project November 9, March & Rally in Durango, Colorado MOAB, UTAH -- The Animas-La Plata (A-LP) project, one of the most controversial and contentious water development schemes in U.S. history, is the focus of a de-authorization campaign that will be launched November 9 by a coalition of Native American and non-Indian organizations. The project, which includes a dam, reservoir, pumping system, and water pipeline, was authorized last year by Congress without a hearing. Citizens have called foul, and are demanding that the government repeal the authoriz ation legislation. A rally will be held in Durango, Colorado on Friday, November 9 to announce the campaign and detail the proposed alternatives that the coalition supports. The central element of the A-LP project is Ridges Basin Dam and Reservoir near Durango, which would inundate valuable wildlife habitat and an area of great archeological and historic significance to the indigenous people of the Four Corners region. "We are energized by the support we're seeing for stopping this project, and doing what's right for our people and for the river," said Sage Douglas Remington, Director of Southern Ute Grassroots Organization and resident of Ignacio, Colorado. "Congress got hoodwinked last year into voting for the project without hearing from the people, but it's not too late to fix the mistake." Recognizing that numerous big dam projects have been shelved in the past, despite authorizing legislation, the coalition members are optimistic that they can persuade Congress to authorize an environmentally sound and socially beneficial alternative while de-authorizing A-LP. "The billion-dollar Auburn Dam in California has been stopped dead in its tracks for fifteen years because of citizen pressure," said Mike Black of Taxpayers for the Animas River, a leader in the effort to stop A-LP in his hometown of Durango. "Echo Park Dam in Utah, Orme Dam in Arizona, and Hooker Dam in New Mexico were all cancelled in the face of public opposition, and we'll do the same with A-LP!" A-LP would cost upwards of $500 million with no demonstrated need for the diverted and stored water. November 9 is the date when local water agencies must commit their token share of project costs. But Congress has not yet appropriated any of the 82 percent share of taxpayer funds necessary for construction to begin. A major concern with the project is the proposed destruction of a ancient burial ground in the reservoir site, considered by traditional people to be sacred. A large number of graves would be dug up for the Ridges Basin Dam. "We must protect the resting places of our ancestors," said Thomas Moris, Jr., President of the Din=E9 Medicinemen's Association, and a resident of Window Rock, Arizona. "Too many of our sacred places have already been drowned, we can't let them keep taking more." Morris noted that Navajo Dam on the San Juan River and Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River destroyed countless Navajo sacred sites. The medicinemen's association has called for decommissioning these dams and restoring the San Juan and Colorado as free-flowing rivers. "We must prevent additional damage," he said. Environmental groups are supporting the indigenous peoples' concerns, and calling for an overhaul of the federal Bureau of Reclamation, the agency responsible for development of most of the rivers of the West. The A-LP project's construction is scheduled to begin in the agency's centennial year, 2002. "We are asking the Bureau to shift away from reclamation toward restoration," said Owen Lammers of LIVING RIVERS. "The agency has never done the job it was given by Teddy Roosevelt in 1902, to promote small family farms; instead it has from the beginning acted as a subsidy for corporate agribusiness and real estate development. A-LP is one of the worst examples of this long, sad history." The coalition is calling for major changes in the way the Reclamation agency does business, including ending support for corporate farms and requiring mandatory water conservation measures to be put in place for the first time. In the Colorado River basin, the coalition wants a full review of the entire plumbing system--all the dams and diversions--and to take down some of the dams, including Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona. "They've had a century to get it right, and they've failed miserably at their charge," said Lammers. "The only thing they've really succeeded at is turning the rivers of the West into an elaborate, expensive network of pipes, ditches, and canals, and in driving numerous species to the brink of extinction." Native American Times is Copyright c. 2000-2001 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Bingaman asked to freeze out Uranium Mining" --------- Date: Thu 8 Nov 2001 08:09:44 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="URANIUM" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news01/110701_news_uranium.shtml Bingaman asked to freeze out uranium mining By Amanda Iacone Tribune Reporter WASHINGTON - Three Crownpoint residents have appealed to Sen. Jeff Bingaman in an attempt to keep uranium mining provisions out of his version of an energy bill. Rep. Heather Wilson, an Albuquerque Republican, included $30 million in funding for uranium mining research and cleanup in the energy bill (HR 4) she introduced this summer. Sen. Pete Domenici, also an Albuquerque Republican, included similar provisions in his Nuclear Energy Electricity Assurance Act. But several groups are working to prevent future leach mining in the Crownpoint area. About 15,000 people drink water from the Westwater Canyon aquifer - the source of an estimated 1 million pounds of uranium. "Our people could be wiped out," said Lynnea Smith, a 17-year-old senior at Crownpoint High School. Smith said she and other students are worried about future generations and if they would have to leave the area because of contaminated drinking water. Abandoned mines already litter the countryside, said Chris Toledo, a speech therapist from Crownpoint. She said fumes can be seen escaping the old mines during the summer, and several families have seen the effects of long-term uranium exposure - children born with mental and physical disabilities. "We already live with this stuff, why do we need more?" Toledo said. To obtain the uranium, mining companies pump liquid oxygen into the aquifer along with sodium bicarbonate to flush uranium molecules out of the surrounding bedrock, said Chris Shuey, an environmental health specialist working in conjunction with opposition groups. Other hard metals like arsenic flow into the groundwater along with the uranium 226. The sudden change in the groundwater's chemical composition turns the water into "toxic soup," Shuey said. The Westwater Canyon aquifer is the principle water source for Crownpoint, Church Rock and smaller outlying Navajo communities. Chee Smith, chapter president for Whitehorse Lake, said residents in his area travel 30 miles daily to get water for cooking and drinking from the aquifer. Lynnea Smith said she does not understand why Wilson would support funding that she says would encourage uranium mining. "It's going to be a slap in the face if Congress approves this," she said. The three Navajo delegates were in Washington on Tuesday to visit Bingaman, request grant money from the Public Welfare Foundation and testify before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, met with the delegates and told them the provision would not be included in the comprehensive energy bill that he and Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, are working on. Jude McCartin, a Bingaman spokesperson, said if an amendment were offered on the floor, Bingaman would not support it either. Domenici spokesman Chris Gallegos said it is too early to say if the senator will offer an amendment to Bingaman's energy bill. Gallegos said Domenici does not believe the funding would necessarily mean a new mining site at Crownpoint. "(Domenici) wants a coordinated plan to ensure that nuclear energy remains viable in the United States in the near and long-term future," Gallegos said. Wilson also supports nuclear energy use and sees a need for more uranium. "Nuclear energy is somewhere our nation is headed and needs to become part of our balance long-term energy plan," said Enrique Knell, a Wilson spokesperson. Knell said Wilson's bill included a provision that disqualifies the Crownpoint and Church Rock sites. Only mines operating as of July 1998 could receive some of the funding. But Shuey said Uranium Resources, Inc., based in Texas, would qualify to mine in Crownpoint or Church Rock. And its subsidiary company Hydro Resources, Inc. already has a permit to mine uranium but needs approval from the NRC to do so. In a two-front battle against new uranium mining, Congress is the newest front the Navajos have fought. For two years, opposition groups from the eastern Navajo Nation and elsewhere have tried to keep the NRC from allowing companies to mine uranium out of the Westwater Canyon Aquifer. The same delegation will testify at an NRC hearing Thursday in Rockville, Md., on Thursday, said Lisa Magnino a spokesperson for the opposition groups. Copyright c. 2001 The Albuquerque Tribune. --------- "RE: Mohawk Way of Life fouled by PCB Pollution" --------- Date: Thu 8 Nov 2001 08:09:44 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PCB POLLUTION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/110501/05mohawks.html Mohawks' reservation, way of life fouled by PCB pollution By LEAH RAE AND ROGER WITHERSPOON THE JOURNAL NEWS (Original publication: Nov. 05, 2001) ST. REGIS MOHAWK RESERVATION - A small inlet on the St. Lawrence River is so saturated with PCBs that scientists call it "Contaminant Cove." Turtles tested there were so full of the toxic oil that they qualified as hazardous waste. The sediment is so toxic it's been used in lab experiments. The Mohawks call it home. For more than 250 years the Mohawks have lived at Akwesasne, also known as St. Regis, at the northern tip of New York state. The land surrounds the St. Lawrence River and four other rivers feeding into it - the St. Regis, Grasse, Little Salmon and Raquette. "Whenever you were thirsty you just drank the water, wherever it was, from a stream or pond. It never hurt anybody in those days," said Betty Kelly, a retired Akwesasne school teacher. "If you were ice skating, you made a hole with your skate and you drank the water. ... Today, though, I think I'd go forever without a drink because of the dangers there." There are no easy comparisons between the experience at Akwesasne and other places where toxic dumping has turned the natural environment into a human health threat. Like the Hudson, the St. Lawrence is subject to fishing restrictions because of PCB contamination. Like the Hudson, the St. Lawrence is being dredged for polychlorinated biphenyls as part of a federal Superfund cleanup. But dredging won't reverse all the damage here. The St. Lawrence was more than just a resource for consumer goods. For 250 years, it was the center of this community. At Akwesasne, a community of more than 10,000 people, there is no town square or central monument. There is only the river. Another center of activity is Route 37, a wide thoroughfare on the American side where stores sell cheap gasoline and cigarettes. A huge pink casino recently opened up along that route. "If people aren't on the river anymore, people are going to forget the names of islands, the names of rivers, creeks. They all have Mohawk names," said Mary Arquette of the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment. "So if the language isn't used, if there's no opportunity to use it, then it dies. It goes extinct." One enduring tradition is a prayer called the Thanksgiving Address, whose verses speak to the elements of nature in reverence and gratitude. Children at the Akwesasne Freedom School recite it daily in the Mohawk language. "The love that our people have for nature is expressed in that Thanksgiving Address," said Katsi Cook, a Mohawk midwife who drew attention to the PCB problem in the 1980s. "And it's real. It's not some hippie thing, or New Age. Nothing New Age about it - it's about 1,500 years old." We are thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. The Mohawks, part of the Iroquois Federation, lived here for two centuries before they found themselves downstream of Reynolds Metals, General Motors and ALCOA. The industries were drawn to the banks of the St. Lawrence in the 1950s primarily because of the cheap power available through the Moses-Saunders Power Project. In addition, the St. Lawrence provided easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and, through the Great Lakes, to the heartland of America. All three manufacturing plants used PCBs extensively in their operations. The aluminum companies improperly dumped thousands of pounds of PCBs into the St. Lawrence, according to federal and state officials. In addition, the aluminum refining process produced a number of toxic substances, particularly fluoride, which poured from their unfiltered smokestacks. "At one point," said Mohawk attorney John Privatera, "there were 1 million pounds of fluoride a year coming from the Reynolds plant." The GM plant, next to the reservation on the banks of the St. Lawrence, used PCBs as a hydraulic fluid in its die casting machinery. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Attorney General's Office name GM as the biggest offender. The automotive company has 10 illegal PCB dumps on its 270-acre, riverfront site, said EPA spokesman Marlo Wieder. The company used the river, adjacent waterways and coves as dumps and settling ponds. In addition, she said, GM built 8-acre and 4-acre open pits where tons of PCBs and other chemicals were dumped. They stopped adding to the pits nearly a decade ago. "GM has two sites, and for about nine years they have not done anything about them," Assistant Attorney General Christopher Amato said. "They have provided various excuses to us, but none of them are particularly convincing." The dumps containing PCBs and other chemicals are still unlined, uncleaned and uncapped despite years of litigation. The Mohawks do not know when - or if - their land may begin to heal. Studies have also established a link between local fish consumption and levels of PCBs in the blood, but there is little information about the overall effects on human health. One project looked at PCB levels in breast milk and found the levels were within the average range. Studies are examining hormone function and behavior in young residents. Polychlorinated biphenyls probably cause cancer, and researchers are still trying to determine how the chemicals, in various mixtures, can affect growth and brain function. "The Native Americans have been here since time immemorial," said Tribal Chief Paul Thompson. "We've taken care of the environment - the land, the rivers, the air. Big corporations have created a grave injustice to the environment. Then Nature fights back." Akwesasne was a waterfowl and fish spawning habitat, said Ken Jock, environmental director for the Mohawks. "This area, to us, was a paradise. It's not like the Indian reservations out west, where they were forced from their homelands onto government lands that nobody else wanted." At first, the industries were welcome. It was anticipated, said Thompson, that many Mohawks would work at the factories. In reality, he said, more non-Indians worked on the reservation than the number of Indians who worked in the plants. "The entire GM facility was utilized for dumping - they dumped all over the place," Amato said. "They never got permits from the state for these facilities." John Hansen, attorney for GM at the Washington, D.C., law firm of Beveridge and Diamond, did not discuss GM's disposal practices. "The EPA has to approve work proposed for the site before we can actually do it," he said. "We are in compliance with the order that the EPA issued ... but there are many different pieces to these remedies and they are proceeding at different speeds. Some pieces have been completed and some pieces are still under way." As far as the eyes can see, the plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. On the reservation, the poisoned watershed changed the nature of the plants used for centuries by traditional Mohawk healers, who rely on the medicines provided in nature. "There is no good feeling about this," said Junior Cook, traditional medicine counselor at the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Health Service. "Everything has a spirit. Everything is alive, and you have to pick from a live plant and appeal to the spirit in the plant. But when the ground is poisoned, you can't use the water, you can't use the air, you can't use the plants. The spirit is gone and the earth is just going to die with the rest of it." A section of the reservation called Frogtown was once farmland, characterized by a single, overwhelming sound. "We didn't have lights, but you surely heard the frogs," Betty Kelly said. "Then, all of a sudden they were gone. We don't hear them anymore. We don't hear any crickets, either." Farms and vegetable gardens are covered with scrub brush and vines. The ponds are still. The loss is difficult for outsiders to understand, said Dana Leigh Thompson, who came to live with her husband's family at Akwesasne 23 years ago. "If the land in your community is poisoned, you can move a few miles away or to another city," she told reporters visiting the reservation. "But this is all we have. This is the Mohawks' land. If this is poisoned, we have nowhere else to go." We turn our minds to all the fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. Akwesasne residents once relied on salmon, bass, sturgeon, walleye, northern pike, whitefish, eel and perch from the river. "Fish feeds" served as family reunions, offering tastes of different delicacies. People had their own nets, boats and fish boxes, especially in the traditional fishing village of St. Regis. Outsiders would come in to buy fish. "Prior to industry coming," said Thompson, the tribal chief, "we survived off the land, and our main diet was the fish diet. That gave us the protein we needed." "Years ago," added sub-chief John Bigtree, "I raised 10 kids and we fished a lot. Then they got sick. They got upset stomachs, and some of them were throwing up. And I said, 'That's it.' We stopped eating fish out of the river." In the past, seine nets were set up along the shore in the spring, and were pulled in by men like Jerry King, a retired welder who still motors his homemade fishing boat out into the river each morning. He passes the spire of St. Regis church, the spot where Mohawks came 250 years ago with Jesuit missionaries from Montreal. The area was called Akwesasne, "Land Where the Partridge Drums." Out in the water, King's wooden boat glides over international boundaries. A narrow island to the west is in Ontario. Back on the mainland is a slice of Quebec with New York state beyond. But all King sees from beneath the visor of his red baseball cap is blue water and low- lying brush and trees, just like when he was growing up. "Looks the same. Only thing is, the water is polluted now," he said one morning. He was fishing with a pole and a pail of minnows at the back of his wooden boat, the only boat out on the water. King throws back what he catches, except when he's collecting samples for the tribe's environmental scientists. "Catch and release," he said, laughing as he threw a small bass overboard. The tribe issued fish advisories in the mid-1980s. Because of PCB contamination, women of childbearing age and children up to age 16 are advised not to eat any fish from the St. Lawrence. Men are advised to eat no more than one meal of fish a month. In recent years, Mohawk families have tried raising fish in clean ponds or floating cages, safely away from the sediment. Arquette's task force helps get these smaller projects going. Over on Cornwall Island, on the Canadian side, a larger effort is under way in a collection of ponds and indoor tanks. Lloyd Benedict is carrying on a five-year experiment to hatch and raise yellow perch that could be sold back to the community. "We do the American way," said Benedict, a former chief. "We take a bad situation and turn it into an industry." We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. "This is where we'd teach our kids to swim," Dana Leigh Thompson said one afternoon, standing in the tall grass next to Contaminant Cove. A child could easily wade across, around the rocks, to the tidy green lawn on the opposite bank. The grass slopes upward, concealing one of the dumps at the neighboring GM plant. News about the PCBs dumped at GM was just coming out when Thompson came to this Mohawk community. The dump was wide open, and considered a benefit to the Mohawks, who freely wandered through the muck looking for useful objects. The children, she recalled, would make forts out of the strong boxes that once contained machine parts. The PCBs and other chemicals in the dump came in many colors, she noted, and in a cruel irony, "when they came out of that dump they had face paint. They didn't know it was dangerous." Children are not swimming in the rivers the way their parents did. Pools are commonplace next to the ranch homes around the reservation. "We should be able to swim wherever we want," said 9-year-old Casey Cole Benedict, whose Mohawk name is Karonhiakwas. "It's not that way anymore." We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. The fluoride problem came to a head first, when the herds of cattle and horses began to die. The Mohawks sued the aluminum companies, and Reynolds spent millions of dollars installing scrubbers on the smokestacks, which no longer belch yellow smoke. The wake-up call for PCBs came in 1985, when state wildlife pathologist Ward Stone and Health Department chemist Brian Bush went to Akwesasne. Katsi Cook, the Mohawk midwife, visited Stone to talk about her concerns about PCBs getting into the food supply. "I was worried about the babies that I was delivering," she said. At the now-infamous cove, Stone saw children wading in mud that turned out to be hazardous waste. He found a turtle so toxic that it, too, qualified as hazardous waste. People knew that there were PCBs at the GM dump, but they didn't know how badly the area was poisoned. A group of summer interns collected animals for Stone in the late 1980s, and the numbers coming back on the shrews, mice, turtles, fish, frogs, rabbits, muskrats and ducks made the pattern clear. "The stories the animals had to tell us were just compelling," said Arquette, one of the interns and a Cornell student at the time. "We had no doubt about the extent of contamination, the effects on wildlife. We had thousands of animals." Most disturbing were the toxic turtles. Turtles don't move around much from year to year, and are considered indicators of the health of their immediate surroundings. They are also a religious symbol to Mohawks and other Indians, who believe the Creator formed Earth on a turtle's back. North America is frequently referred to as Turtle Island. The GM dumps are a continuing source of contention. The Mohawks and the state of New York want them cleaned up and contaminants removed. They refuse to allow GM to work on projects on the reservation until the source of pollution is removed. GM and the EPA want to cap the dumps, leaving the contents in place, and insert an underground wall to prevent further contamination of the watershed. "GM cannot do anything, in terms of remedial work at the site, without EPA permission," said Hansen, the GM attorney. GM removed some 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the St. Lawrence in 1995, and Reynolds completed its dredging in the summer of this year. Representatives of the state, the EPA, GM and the Mohawks met Thursday for the first time to attempt to work out a cleanup program satisfactory to all parties. On the Hudson River, EPA chief Christie Whitman is to issue final regulations this month ordering the General Electric Co. to dig up sediment in a 40-mile stretch of the river upstate. GE dumped the chemicals there for 30 years. The dredging will cost the company at least $460 million. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. On the eastern end of the reservation there is a sloping, brush-covered field ending at the banks of a tributary to the Grasse River. About 50 yards from the water is a small, shallow pool with tall strands of sweetgrass, used in basket making. Around the pool are small black ash saplings and other plants. It is a fledgling wetlands, filled with plants and trees that used to flourish on the reservation. "The kids designed the wetlands," said teacher Elizabeth Perkins of the Freedom School. "They drew what they wanted in there, how they wanted it and then came and planted them. The kids frequently had to peel off leeches after spending the afternoon working to reclaim the land. But their effort seems to be working. "We've lost whatever plants were in our wetlands," Perkins said. "But I think they can be restored." And at summer's end, the little pond, flanked with sage, rippled from the antics of hundreds of baby frogs. Copyright c. 2001 The Journal News, a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper. --------- "RE: Wenatchee Band is still waiting for Promised Land" --------- Date: Tue 6 Nov 2001 07:42:58 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WENATCHEE" http://tribune.colvilletribes.com/reservation.htm Wenatchee Band is still waiting for the land that was promised to them by the Federal Government NESPELEM, WA.-E. Richard Hart wrote a book about the Wenatchee Band based on the research he has done. He used this information to make a one-hour long Documentary Film about the Wenatchee Band. Tribal Members were given a sneak preview of the film when it was shown on Sunday, Oct. 14, here at the Tribal Longhouse. One of the main points Richard brought out after the film was shown was that Article 10 of the 1855 Walla Walla Treaty set aside a 23,000 acre Wenatchapm Fishery Reserve for the Wenatchee Band. A survey to set aside this land for the Band was never done after the Treaty was signed. The city of Leavenworth, WA., and where the Icicle River enters the Wenatchee River is included in this 23,000 acres of land. It was in 1892 that the Great Northern Railroad built a line that entered the Wenatchee Band's territory. The arrival of the railroad meant that their land would probably be invaded by white settlers. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs in 1893 ordered the Band's land to be surveyed. A Yakama Indian Agent ordered the surveyor to do his work at a place that was located many miles away from the 23,000 reserve that was promised to the Wenatchee Band in the 1855 Treaty. The Interior Department was being pressured by the greedy white settlers to ask the Wenatchee Band to give up their land. The crooked Yakama Indian Agent set up a meeting that was held and attended by a small group of Wenatchee Indians and by the Yakama Indian Nation. The Wenatchee Indians did not want to give up their land...so they left the meeting and returned home. Afterwards, U.S. Government Officials promised the Yakama Indian Nation that the Wenatchee Band would be given between 14,000 to 28,000 acres of land where they lived, and that each Indian would receive an allotment within this land...and the Wenatchee Band would not lose any of their treaty rights. The Yakama Indian Nation agreed to the terms, and the 1894 Act of Congress approved the agreement, and the Act also guaranteed that the Wenatchee Band would retain their fishing rights as well as their right to hunt, and gather traditional Indian food. TODAY...the descendants of the Wenatchee Band are still waiting for the Federal Government to live up to their promises. It's been 146-years since the 1855 Treaty...and 107-years since the 1894 Congressional Act was passed. One of the things that the 1894 Act did was separate some families. Today some family members may be enrolled members of the Colville Confederated Tribes...while the rest of the family are enrolled with the Yakama Indian Nation! Copyright c. 2001 Tribal Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Hog Factory Editorial" --------- Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 02:01:20 -0800 (PST) From: paul pureau Subj: Hog Factory editorial Mailing List: Our Red Earth ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- From: Carter Camp Relations; Because of the Tribal election the issue of the hog factory has been put on the back burner, but I would like to warn you that a Federal Judge is trying to force a settlement on the Tribe and everything seems to be hushed up. Without public input and discussion on any settlement it's a good bet the public will suffer. A few weeks ago while I was on a tour of the hog factory, I saw a truckload of partially grown pigs being trucked out to another Bell Farms hog factory. Because these pigs were obviously not going to market, I asked how the Tribe was being compensated, the consultant they had conducting the tour couldn't answer, but claimed they would produce the financial records showing the Tribe wasn't being ripped off. (He even promised to resign if they were not produced). However the meeting took place and no financial records were produced. Perhaps the Tribe is being compensated for these partially grown pigs, who knows? But I know they failed to answer any financial questions the Chairman of the Land Office asked them in the meeting. Also no financial records were produced despite the promise. I'm just using an example to point up some of the financial problems with the Hog Factory. There are plenty more, beginning with; why was a major portion of the Tribes' Mni Wiconi water project made available to Bell Farms specifically instead of being sold by bid? Is it normal business practice to pre-designate a major water project for one man and his company? In a previous letter I explained my objections to industrial pig factories on cultural and environmental grounds. Those reasons still exist, but I believe there are also some serious financial questions that need to be answered. As I read the contract, the Tribe has sustained most of the financial risk, provided the land, water and resources and therefore should receive the major share of the profits, giving Bell Farms 75% does not seem fair. All that Bell Farms seems to bring to the deal is pig farm expertise, for that they should be compensated at the going rate for managers of such facilities. Even the $7 million dollar loan Bell Farms got from a bank seems to be at least partially collateralized by Tribal trust property (the permanent onsite structures). Where the 75% figure comes from needs to be explained. Also it seems none of the Tribes expenses are coming out of the operating costs of the Factory, but ALL of Bell Farms expenses are paid for from the operating costs of the Factory, not by Bell Farms. All legal fees of Bell Farms are paid for out of the operating costs, meaning the Tribe pays 25% no matter what. But the Tribe pays for its own legal costs. The same goes for TECRO costs and many other things. It looks to me like the only expense Bell Farms has in this project is the one dollar per year lease money they pay for the land! Let's see... that adds up to a grand total of $15, right? But the Tribe is incurring many Hog factory related expenses which are not covered by operating costs as they should be if this is really to be a profitable partnership. From governmental expenses such as law enforcement and record keeping, to water testing and environmental cleanup, all of the Tribes' pig related expenses are paid for by the Tribe instead of being taken out of the operating costs of the project. Meaning more profit for Bell Farms and less for the Tribe of course. Whoever negotiated this deal for the Tribe did not seem to have the basic business skills needed to keep from being taken advantage of, and they very obviously did not know the intensive factory hog farm business. Too many business details were left out and apparently never negotiated. There was no cost-benefit analysis done for the Tribe before the project was approved, much less a contract signed. There is no onsite product or marketing monitor for the Tribe so no one knows how many pigs are fed or when and where they are shipped or sold. There does not seem to be even a proper definition of the word "profit" or how it will be figured, all that seems to be entrusted to the Bell Farms bookkeeper. Who knows exactly what Bell Farms fiduciary responsibilities to the Tribe are if they are not written down? Worst of all, the Tribes' sovereign immunity to suit was waived, putting Tribal assets, not related to the pig project, at risk. All Tribes should require a referendum vote before waiving sovereignty since Tribal Sovereignty is so vital in protecting Tribal assets, which belong to future generations not any government. As I said, a federal judge is trying to force this bad deal on the people and is delaying his ruling and that of the appeals court to put undue pressure on the Tribe. I hope this new Council will see fit to ask the hard financial questions about the pig factory contract and demand that the Court restore the Tribes sovereign authority to conduct its own business. ---- Carter Camp, Rosebud --------- "RE: Pawnees move ahead on Plan for New Clinic" --------- Date: Thu 8 Nov 2001 08:09:44 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PAWNEE CLINIC" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=778600&pic=none&TP=getarticle Pawnees move ahead on plan for new clinic 2001-11-07 By Dawn Marks The Oklahoman PAWNEE -- After waiting more than 20 years, the Pawnee Nation finally should get a replacement for its 73-year- old clinic. Officials are in the design phase for the Pawnee Health Center. Construction should begin in late spring, with completion due in December 2003. Muriel Robedeaux, project coordinator, said the project is subject to funding. The Pawnee Nation has waited many years to replace the building built in 1928 as a hospital. When the building was turned over to the Indian Health Service in the 1960s, the tribe was promised a new hospital, she said. However, members still were waiting when the hospital was downgraded to an outpatient clinic in 1981 and the tribe again was promised a replacement clinic, Robedeaux said. The center is the oldest of its kind in the nation, she said. "Most of the others have been replaced," she said. "The access is pretty horrible, especially for the handicapped and the elders. It's a beautiful facility, but it just costs so much to keep up with the new regulations. Plus, there's just not enough space for our clients." The 27,000-square-foot building also has had structural, electrical and mechanical problems. This time, the nation is on pace to replace that building, she said. "Some of (the clients and staff) are starting to get excited about it," Robedeaux said. "We're running with it and trying to make sure we get a facility that meets the needs of our people and also reflects our culture." The Pawnee Nation received $1.7 million in federal funds in the last year for the design process. Officials are waiting for federal legislators to sign the appropriations bill that would direct $5 million to the Indian Health Service for the first phase of construction, Robedeaux said. The 67,000-square-foot building will be built on tribal property and cost between $17 million and $20 million. Tribal officials expect legislators to designate funds in phases, she said. The health center will remain an outpatient clinic providing services such as dental, vision, X-ray and mental health. Copyright c. 2001, Produced by NewsOK/The Oklahoman and KWTV News 9. --------- "RE: Yellowstone Grazing Decision hidden from Public" --------- Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 19:38:44 -0800 (PST) From: Paul Pureau Subj: Yellowstone Grazing Decision Hidden From Public ------- FORWARD, Original message follows ------- --- Pat Morris wrote: Mailing List: ndn-aim YELLOWSTONE GRAZING DECISION HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC MISSOULA, Montana, November 2, 2001 (ENS) - An alliance of Yellowstone bison advocates is criticizing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for keeping the pubic in the dark on their plans to renew a grazing allotment on National Forest land that provides traditional habitat for Yellowstone's wild bison herd. The groups say the USFS failed to provide updates to the 67,520 people who commented on the Bison Management Plan developed by the state of Montana and several federal agencies including Yellowstone National Park and the USFS. "The Forest Service has abrogated its responsibility to the American public and to America's bison by avoiding public scrutiny of this critical issue and by downplaying the significance of its decision on the future of cows and wildlife on public lands," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The Fund for Animals. On September 28, the Hebgen Lake District of the Gallatin National Forest issued a scoping letter to 125 parties "seeking public comments on a proposal to continue livestock grazing on the Horse Butte allotment through reissuance of a term grazing permit." The grazing allotment permits 147 cow/calf pairs and 30 horses to range on 2,065 acres of National Forest land on Horse Butte Peninsula near West Yellowstone, Montana. The annual allotment returns $750.60 to the U.S. Treasury. Horse Butte provides winter range and spring calving habitat for Yellowstone's migrating bison herds and is also the staging grounds for Montana Department of Livestock bison haze, capture and slaughter operations. Since the mid-1980's, more than 3,000 buffalo have been killed to control brucellosis. The government estimates it will cost $2.6 to $2.9 million dollars a year to implement its' 15 year plan. "The federal government and the State of Montana are spending millions of our taxpayer dollars to implement their plan, surely they have some money left over to keep the public informed of how they are living up to their agreement," said Darrell Geist of Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers. In a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, The Fund for Animals, Schubert & Associates, The Ecology Center Inc. and Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers requested that the agency: * Invite the participation of the 67,520 people who commented on the Bison Management Plan for the State of Montana and Yellowstone National Park, and re-start the public comment period * Develop a website to facilitate public involvement in the Forest's proposal to reissue a grazing allotment for Horse Butte * Hold public meetings in West Yellowstone and Bozeman, Montana and other communities that have demonstrated an interest in this proposal "For more than a decade the Forest Service has been complicit in the destruction of Yellowstone bison for the sole benefit of ranchers and a handful of cattle," said D.J. Schubert of Schubert & Associates. "The Forest Service has an opportunity to ensure that bison, not cattle, are given priority on public lands outside of Yellowstone National Park and must engage all interested parties in this debate. Anything less is unacceptable." http://ens-news.com/ens/nov2001/2001L-11-02-09.html Enviro Briefs : a Service of Barefoot Connections Subscription information at:http://nativenewsonline.org/natnews.htm _________________________________________________ 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: Blackfeet Group wins Health Award" --------- Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 14:07:39 -0800 From: "Jess Hansen" Subj: MT. - "Blackfeet group wins award" Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?section=local Montana in brief/News Clips By Gazette Staff "Blackfeet group wins award" HAVRE, Montana - "The Eagle Shield Center on the Blackfeet Reservation has won a $200,000 award for its efforts to help elders overcome health problems. The center, which serves the Blackfeet and Blood people, is one of 13 community based organizations in the United States and Canada to receive a SHARE award from Glaxo-SmithKline and the University of Pennsylvania Institute on Aging. The money will go toward a wellness program featuring holistic healing, water aerobics, low-impact aerobics, exercises and nutrition education, director Connie Bremmer said." Copyright c. 2001, The Billings Gazette _________________________________________. 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: Bank's Goal is to boost Rez Business" --------- Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2001 08:19:11 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NA BANK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.argusleader.com/news/Mondayarticle2.shtml Indian bank's goal to boost reservation businesses STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS published: 11/12/01 Some tribal leaders skeptical BILLINGS, Mont. - American Indian tribes have not always had the easiest time persuading traditional banks to lend them money, even for some of their more basic needs. Now, the tribes are turning to themselves, opening what officials say will be the only nationwide Indian bank in the country. A dozen tribes and Alaska Native corporations have invested - reportedly about $1 million each - in the Native American National Bank, which this fall opened its first branch office in Browning, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. Organizers say the bank, with assets of about $25 million, will serve as an alternative lender for tribal governments in need of financial aid for reservation development projects. "The number one concern for tribes is lack of access to financing," said Tex Hall, chairman of North Dakota's Three Affiliated Tribes and one of the founders. But the bank also will serve another important purpose - giving the tribes a way to invest in their reservations and those of other tribes. "At the end of the day, we want to invest in something that gives back to us," Hall said. "If we create our own bank, we can come to ourselves." But Steve Emery, director of the Sicangu Policy Institute at Sinte Gleska University in Mission, wonders how the bank will be able to avoid the challenges that make other lenders leery of doing business on reservations. "I'm not sure how that answers the problem of how people who cannot meet the standards for commercial banks get access to credit. "If you take a greater percentage of high-risk loans, that downgrades your portfolio and likely your return," he says. Retail banking services eventually will be offered through branch offices as they are established. But the bank's initial emphasis will be on commercial banking and making loans for projects that "stimulate economic growth," said John Beirise, the bank's president and chief executive officer. Emery doubts the bank will ever be able to establish branches on reservations throughout the country. "How does this help Mr. and Mrs. Indian get credit?" he wondered. Native American Bancorporation, the bank's Denver-based holding company, is led by a board of tribal leaders, many of whom have extensive experience in operating such cash-heavy ventures as tribal casinos. Among the founding investors from the West are Arctic Slope Regional Corp. and Sealaska Corp., both of Alaska; the Blackfeet and Chippewa Cree tribes, both of Montana; the Eastern Shoshone Tribe of Wyoming; the Navajo Nation; the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota; and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado. In an article on the bank, the New York Times reported that the Cheyenne River Sioux are also investors. While tribal leaders and some experts say the bank has the ingredients to succeed, some industry officials and analysts also cite possible challenges. Among them: developing relationships among Indians and non-Indians, expanding the bank's deposit base and offering other competitive services that would make it an attractive banking option. Along those lines, one of the bank's first moves was to established a nonprofit community development corporation to focus on the needs of small businesses and tribal members, Beirise said. J.D. Colbert, president of the North American Native Bankers Association, a nonprofit group of Indian-owned financial institutions, said the national Indian bank is, among other things, an effort among Indian nations "to kind of consolidate some of the economic power and gains they have achieved." However, he said that alone does not guarantee all tribes will find it appealing. "I don't think tribes are going to do business with a bank just because it's tribally owned," Colbert said. Beirise agreed. "We have to be competitive with existing credit providers," he said. "Our objective is to assure there is competition for Indian business and to fill the gaps that exist" in serving Indians' needs. Tribal sovereignty, the often rocky reservation economies and sometimes turbulent tribal leadership have made some lenders leery of extending credit to tribes. Getting financing for casinos has never been much of a problem, but tribal officials say lenders are less gracious when it comes to financing projects such as new sewers, water systems or other infrastructure needs. "I think it's fair to say the gaping hole is serving the local needs of tribes and tribal members," Beirise said. "It's hard, as a tribe, to try to get loans from banks that don't understand the political realm of tribal governments," added Leo Kennerly, a tribal business council member from the Blackfeet reservation. Diana Yates, a financial services analyst with A.G. Edwards, believes the bank could succeed because its founders do know about the inner workings of tribal governments. "This is a chance to pool their resources across the United States and grow and learn and prosper," she said. Emery says the bank's success in part depends upon the extent with which it is able to insulate itself from frequent upheavals in leadership in some tribes. "They have to divorce it from tribal politics and run it as a bank," he said. Hall called the timing of the bank opportune. "There's a new movement in tribal governments. They're saying, 'It's a new century. Why are we still facing (high) unemployment?' " he said. "This is so ideal. This timing, it's a godsend." Executive offices of the holding company and bank will be in Denver, considered a more accessible site for more customers, Beirise said. Copyright c. 2001 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Candidate advocates 'Decertification' of Tribe" --------- Date: Mon 5 Nov 2001 08:23:35 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TERMINATION" http://www.indianz.com/SmokeSignals/Headlines/showfull.asp?ID=law01/1152001 Candidate advocates 'decertification' of tribe MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2001 With his sights on Congress but his campaign still focused on an issue that brought him to prominence, author Jeff Benedict is once again calling for the termination of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut. This time around, however, the man behind "Without Reservation" isn't labeling his solution with a term that would otherwise raise the eyebrows of potential colleagues on Capitol Hill. While acknowledging the idea is frightful, Benedict instead creates an entirely new name for terminating the federal trust relationship: "decertification." "Decertification scares people," Benedict writes in a November 4 editorial published in The New London Day. "It shouldn't." "Decertification means the Mashantucket Pequots would be reduced from a sovereign nation to a corporation," he continues, adding later that his proposal is not "anti-Indian" but "anti-fraud." Those are heavy words coming from a candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to run for Congress. Yet for Benedict, who claims the Mashantucket Tribe cannot document its genealogical relationship to the historic Pequot Tribe, they are nothing new. But considering that the last time he advocated termination -- in an editorial published in the same paper last year -- he didn't give his proposition an exact name, one might consider his latest salvo an improvement. And although he has said the Mashantucket Tribe isn't his only sticking point, his editorial makes clear it is the one on which he is banking his campaign. "Never underestimate the resolve of one leader," Benedict concludes, after criticizing Gov. John Rowland (R) and freshman Congressman Rob Simmons (R), whose seat is being targeted come 2002, for not trying to terminate the tribe themselves. Whatever the name, termination is yet another in a long line of failed policies, one that began in the 1950s as a way to assimilate tribes into mainstream society. The reservation system was holding Indian people back, the argument went. The premise soon proved faulty, not to mention fatal. Some of the nation's most successful tribes, such as Menominee Nation of Wisconsin, went from wealth and self-sufficiency to new levels of poverty, all thanks to termination. When the dust settled, more than 100 nations, tribes, bands, villages and rancherias lost their federal recognition. Some, like the Menominee, fought back and had their status restored, while others are still pushing. For the Pequot Tribe, says Benedict, termination is the only "honest" solution to problems local communities have faced with the advent of the tribe's successful casino. Oddly enough, however, Benedict's position puts him in an interesting place politically. After all, it took a Republican -- President Richard Nixon -- to stop termination and usher in a new era of self-determination. It took another Republican -- President Ronald Reagan, whose tribal policies are heralded today by the Bush administration -- to have the practice officially repealed. And when the Washington State Republican Party last year passed its own termination resolution, it caused such an uproar that the Republican National Committee -- along with Sens. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), two key lawmakers on Indian issues -- wrote tribal leaders, promising that the policy would never be brought back. Even former Sen. Slade Gorton, the Washington Republican who fought tribes on a number of fronts, said termination wasn't an option, no matter how large the dispute -- and he had some big ones. So where Benedict's campaign will go is murky. No doubt it will get him votes in his 1st Congressional District among those who oppose the Mashantucket Tribe's land-into-trust applications. But beyond southeastern Connecticut, his views are likely to raise serious objections, should he make it to Congress. Although he says only the Mashantucket Tribe is the only target of his final solution, tribes will be there to "organize" against any attack, said one advocate. "These things are cyclical," said former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover. "This neo-termination movement that we see coming from New England will be dealt with and we'll move on." Copyright c. 2000-2001 Noble Savage Media, LLC/Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Interior's Number Two takes lead on Trust Reform" --------- Date: Mon 5 Nov 2001 08:23:35 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUST REFORM" http://www.indianz.com/SmokeSignals/Headlines/showfull.asp?ID=law01/1152001 Interior's number two takes lead on trust reform MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2001 With a showdown looming in federal court, the Department of Interior is in a rushed but concerted effort to prove to a skeptical judge that the government is in charge of trust reform. By all accounts, it is a tough task for Secretary Gale Norton, her aides and her top officials. In just a little over a week, her defense team -- which has already faced criticism from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth -- must submit a response showing why she shouldn't be held in contempt for her handling of the assets of an estimated 300,000 American Indians. But Norton must also argue why Lamberth shouldn't place the system into the hands of a receiver, or outside caretaker. The government has so far resisted the notion and although Norton's new attorneys could change course, it is unlikely the Justice Department would make such a drastic move. To that end, Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles has quickly inserted himself into the debacle over the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust since being sworn in to his post in July. As number two in command at the Interior, Griles has taken the lead to reform -- for lack of a better term -- trust reform. By at least one public and embarrassing incident, the effort hasn't been a bursting success. A mass mailing Griles sent to 11,000 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Office of Special Trustee (OST) employees in response to special master Alan Balaran's recommendation of contempt caused a stir over anthrax in the Southwest as employees were sent home and told to burn a court order. Still, officials and senior management have noted potential breakthroughs. Mindful of a November 30 court hearing with Lamberth that could serve as the start of a criminal and civil sanctions trial, Griles will be looking to have the Interior speak in "one voice" and avoid a collision course with contempt, they said. "He has taken the lead in a very determined fashion," said one official in close contact with Griles. A key component of Griles' effort is an independent assessment of the government's High-Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) -- the blueprint to trust reform -- by EDS Corporation, a management consulting firm. Last Wednesday, top officials received an oral briefing from EDS, which is making a dozen or so specific recommendations covering everything from a $40 million software system widely seen as a failure to the cleanup of records dating back to 1887, when the IIM trust was initiated. According to officials familiar with the private briefing, none of the recommendations are a surprise to the government and are similar to concerns Congressional investigators have recently relayed to the Interior. The recommendations also follow steps Special Trustee Tom Slonaker has been taking since Norton in July issued a secretarial order to "streamline" trust reform, they said. Having cost the government $3 million, the review will include a "road map" that Norton's lawyers are expected to file in court next week. All told, it is hoped that EDS will bring "quite a bit of credibility" to the government's case, according to one official. Beyond Griles' undertakings, Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb has focused on reports by court monitor Joseph S. Kieffer III that have spelled out a particularly rocky relationship between the BIA and OST, which is overseen by Slonaker. To remedy problems that have festered over the years, McCaleb will be looking to make changes among his senior management team, which includes Deputy Commissioner Sharon Blackwell, that will demonstrate proof of leadership to Lamberth. Whether these latest rumblings will have an impact is an open question. A former lobbyist for the mining industry, Griles was a member of the Reagan administration, serving at the Interior -- along with Norton, incidentally -- when Congressional reports in no easy terms began broadcasting the failures of the IIM trust. Yet not much has changed since Griles was last in a position of leadership. Despite numerous investigations, acts of Congress, secretarial orders and court decisions, the government still can't provide any beneficiary with an accounting of his or her funds. But within the coming weeks, Interior officials insist the government will demonstrate its dedication to the trust. Changes that are occurring are "the reaction to some of the criticism" the department has faced, said spokesperson Keith Parsky. "The main message is: 'Yes, everyone takes this seriously,'" said Parsky. The Interior, of course, faces serious credibility problems that leave little room for failure. Whatever response the Bush administration has will depend on something that has so far proven difficult for the government to show: commitment. "We've got to follow through and do what we told the court we're going to do," said one official, acknowledging past failures. Copyright c. 2000-2001 Noble Savage Media, LLC/Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Navajo Police arrest Six in Deaths of Four" --------- Date: Wed 7 Nov 2001 08:18:46 -1000 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CAR JACK MURDER" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/breaking/1107navajoarrest07-ON.html Navajo police arrest 6 in deaths of 4 Associated Press Nov. 07, 2001 17:30:00 ROUND ROCK - Navajo tribal police have arrested six people in connection with the deaths of four victims whose bodies were found within days of each other and whose vehicles had been taken. The bodies of David K. Begay, 47, of Round Rock, and Gesbert Sam, 30, of Pinon, were found Saturday in a shallow grave along U.S. 191 after their vehicle was carjacked, said Lt. Ivan Tsosie, the Navajo Nation criminal investigator acting chief in Window Rock. And the bodies of Alice Slim and her 9-year-old granddaughter, both of Ft. Defiance, Ariz., were found last Monday in a wooded area near Tsaile, just 25 miles from where the first bodies were discovered, Tsosie said. Slim's stolen pickup was used in an Oct. 31 armed robbery in Red Valley, Tsosie said. The robbery forced the evacuation of the nearby Red Rock Day School, where a Halloween Carnival for 150 children and parents was being held. The truck was found Nov.1 on Navajo Route 12. The thieves had tried without success to burn the pickup, he said. The Navajo Nation Strategic Reaction Team, in full combat gear and armed with assault weapons, surrounded Round Rock residences to take the six defendants into custody Sunday and Monday, he said. Round Rock is 25 miles north of Chinle. The bodies of Begay and Sam were located a mile southwest of the Round Rock Trading Post, Tsosie said. Those killings are believed to have occurred Aug. 19, while the woman and child were believed stabbed to death Oct. 28. Teddy Orsinger, 35, Gregory Nakai, 18, and Jimmy Nakai Jr., 23, were arrested and charged with aggravated battery, the highest charge the Navajo Nation can bring for murder, police said. Arrested for investigation of armed robbery were Lezond Charles Mitchell, 20, along with Orsinger's 17-year-old son and a second boy who is 16 or 17, Tsosie said. The tribe and FBI are not releasing the juveniles' names. A seventh suspect, identified by police as Denive Leal, is being sought on charges including aggravated battery, Tsosie said. The warrants were issued by tribal Judge LeRoy Bedonie. The possibility of federal charges handled by the U.S. attorney's office in Phoenix was raised Tuesday by FBI agent Ed Hall. "I think it is a serious enough nature (for federal charges) to be considered," Hall said. Tsosie said: "We are recommending federal charges be filed." The Oct. 31 armed robbery occurred at the Red Rock Trading Post. Police allege three armed men wearing Halloween masks robbed the Red Valley store of gasoline and cash. The robbery began, police said, when a man walked up to clerk Charlott Yazzie, who was mopping the floor, and hit her on the side of the head with a rifle butt. Yazzie was told to cooperate, or she'd be shot, tribal police Lt. Clarence Hawthorne said in Shiprock. One man also was alleged to have held a pistol to clerk Kimberly Allen's head while ordering her to turn on the gas pumps. Yazzie and Allen were then tied up and locked in a back office, police said. "The whole motivation there was to rob the place. They (Yazzie and Allen) were lucky," Tsosie said. Copyright c. 2001, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Native Woman sues Alaska Police" --------- Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 19:28:37 -0000 From: "Paul" Subj: Native woman sues Alaska police Mailing List: ndn-aim URL http://www.indianz.com/SmokeSignals/Headlines/showfull.asp? Native woman sues Alaska police THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2001 Alaska Native artist Susie Silook has sued the Anchorage Police Department for failing to recognize she had been raped and not investigating it once police did find out. Silook had been taken into protective custody following a night of drinking in September 1999. She said police should have sought medical help for her because she had various injuries. Silook didn't report she had been raped because she had been drinking. In her suit, she seeks monetary damages and rape crisis training for police. ===== To subscribe to this group,send an email to: ndn-aim-subscribe@e