From gars@speakeasy.org Tue Jun 18 23:46:28 2002 Date: 19 Jun 2002 01:17:01 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.025 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 Acimowin -- Plains Cree -- Story or Account Native American News -- Language of the Occupation Forces Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2002 nanews.org ==>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 10, ISSUE 025 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O June 22, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Lakota moon of making fat +-----------------------------+ Yuchi cpaconendzo/blackberry ripening moon <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is produced in straight ASCII text for greatest portability across platforms. Read it with a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, Monaco, FixedSys or CG Times. Proportional fonts will be difficult to read. <================<<<< >>>>================> This issue contains articles from www.pechanga.net; www.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; Chiapas95, Iron Natives Net Rez, Indianz, Rez Life and Minnesota Indian Mailing Lists; newsgroup: alt.native; 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.'" "Our people are growing up to realize we mean more to this earth than just a welfare case. We have a history and a language, and nobody else has this particular history and language but us." __ Edward Moody, Nuxalk (Bella Coola) +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! On June 12, at Owlstar Trading Post - Daily Headlines... http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm... Janet wrote June 12, 2002 As I looked at today's news, I was struck by the number of stories about sacred land taken and misused. I'm rerunning a story about the Lakota refusal to accept court-ordered payment for the Black Hills as a counterpoint to similar claims now being pressed by the Blackfeet for the return of the Little Rockies, and the story of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, who did accept payment and are now using it to rebuild their sacred forests. South Dakota courts granted a temporary restraining order to the Yankton Sioux, insuring their disturbed remains along the Missouri River will be safe until a full trial on disposition of the site can be held. Meanwhile, the Wampanoag have reburied remains similarly disturbed. - Janet Janet does not mention Valley of the Chiefs (which the dominant society calls Weatherman Draw) in Montana, Sacred Blue Lake in Northwest New Mexico, or Zuni Salt Lake, which has just been placed in great jeopardy by approval of nearby mining ... the list is endless. The list is a sad, sad litany of Amerikka's disregard for that which is Sacred to the First Nations of Turtle Island, especially if there is one mineral that can be mined, or any other use that can be turned to corporate or political gain. Black Mesa and the Yellowstone Buffalo herd are bitter testimony to this. Even if it means loss of life or way of life, raping Mother Earth is the preferred path. It takes no more than a clear view of that which can only be coveted from afar. Witness the Pope Scope on Mt. Graham if you doubt even the top of a mountain is safe from wanton greed. When a state attorney can have the unmitigated gall to accuse the Yankton Sioux of planting their ancestors' remains along the Missouri where the wasicu want to harvest fill dirt to expand a recreation area it becomes apparent no lie is too absurd if it might open the door to yet another exploitation. Our children have been brutalized in boarding schools. Our women have been involuntarily sterilized in IHS hospitals. They've been browbeaten into abandoning their infants to be adopted by non-Indian people. If torture, genocide, and baby-stealing are acceptable to the invaders, why are we even a little surprised when the Secretary of the Interior mounts a tax-payer funded legal fight and risks openly committing contempt of court to continue stealing from the impoverished, even the now-drought-devastated Navajo? -=-=-=- Racism in South Dakota To: Keep Janklow From the Senate Please take a look at the petition posted at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/SDRacism/ If you agree, and most readers of this newsletter probably will, please consider signing the petition. I have.... signature #16 Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Night Owl gars@nanews.org (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@speakeasy.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30007, U.S.A. gars@olagrande.net ===w=w=== gars@sdf.lonestar.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Raymond Friday Locke - Indian Act Revisions fall Short - Ruby Tiger Osceola - Qualicum First Nation - Crossings wins River Battle - Gladys Tantaquidgeon turns 103 - Alaskan Native - DOI seeks removal of Exchange System in Peril Court Monitor - FBI Misconduct: - Judge halts digging at Burial Site You should have Listened - Little Rockies: - Native Prisoner A Sacred, Scarred Place -- Female Prisoner needs Pen Pals - Wampanoag lay Ancestors' Remains -- Help Needed: to Rest Westville Indiana Correctional - Blackfeet Spring Storm 2002 -- Help Needed: - Livestock Biz drying up Maine State Prison at Warren on the Navajo Rez - Rustywire: Bitter Winds - Corps of Engineers - Poem: Windows should consult with Tribes - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Guerrero gives Noble Hand Out - Elders tell Tribal Lore to Survivors on Using Plants - Ottawa plans new - Review: Windtalker Indian-Claims Agency - Help Save Indian Radio in NYC - First Nations work to take on - Native America Calling Family Services - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Raymond Friday Locke" --------- Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2002 20:50:43 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" Subj: Navajo historian Locke, 68, dies (Fwd) - - - - - - -- - - - - - - Subj: Navajo historian Locke, 68, dies fr.: http://www.azstarnet.com/star/sun/20616rRegionalBrfs.html Tucson, Arizona Sunday, 16 June 2002 Around the West CALIFORNIA Navajo historian Locke, 68, dies LOS ANGELES - Raymond Friday Locke, author of the definitive history of the Navajo people and a veteran editor at Holloway House, a Los Angeles- based publisher, has died. He was 68. Locke, whose 1976 "Book of the Navajo" is now in its sixth edition, died June 8 in Palm Springs of cardiac arrest, the publishing company announced. He was a resident of Studio City. A native of Montgomery County, Miss., Locke attended the universities of Mississippi and Wisconsin and, as an adult, became involved with Native American causes. He was a member of the Navajo Tribal Ad Hoc Committee studying the social, economic and cultural effects of the relocation of Navajos from their native lands to reservations. He also served on the boards of the Urban Indian Development Association and the American Indian Scholarship Fund. Locke's "Book of the Navajo" is used extensively as a high school and college textbook in Native American studies. Copyright c. 2002 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star. --------- "RE: Ruby Tiger Osceola" --------- Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 08:17:17 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUBY TIGER OSCEOLA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.naplesnews.com/02/06/florida/d623152a.htm Florida Seminole matriarch who preserved tribal culture dead at 106 Sunday, June 16, 2002 Associated Press TAMPA - Ruby Tiger Osceola, the oldest living Florida Seminole and matriarch of the tribe's Tampa reservation, has died at the age of 106. Osceola, who presided over a lineage of more than 100 children and grandchildren, died Thursday. Tribe members credit her with keeping their customs alive and teaching them to each new generation. "She was an idol," said Lilla Henry, one of Osceola's granddaughters. "We compared her to the Queen Mother for us. She was our matriarch." Born in the Florida Everglades, Osceola later lived in Bradenton and moved to a 9-acre reservation in Tampa in 1980. She moved 17 members of her family from Bradenton to help start the reservation. Today, there are nearly 200 Seminoles living on or near those 9 acres. "Whenever there were any major decisions, she was asked first what her thoughts were," said Keith Simmons, who is married to another of Osceola's grandchildren. "She moved everybody up here, and it was a better life for them." She also dedicated her life to teaching Seminole culture to each of her descendants: seven children, 31 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. "She wanted to make sure that they were all strong in their culture," Henry said. Osceola was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Osceola; her son, Albert Osceola; and five grandchildren. Her survivors include her four daughters, a brother, a sister, 26 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Services were held Saturday in Thonotosassa. Copyright c. 2002 Naples Daily News. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter or Glacier Reporter this week. Sandra Heavy Gun Sandra "Sandy" Kay Bouttier Heavy Gun, 56, died May 29, 2002, at Benefis East in Great Falls. Her funeral was held June 3 at Holy Family Mission with burial in Holy Family Mission Cemetery. She was born Nov. 4, 1945, in Browning. She and Curtis Heavy Gun were married in 1998 at Twin Lakes. She received her GED in 1999 and attended BCC. She enjoyed bingo, camping, Keno, video games, arts and crafts and being with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband; daughters, Lorie Gobert, Shelly Shouting of Cardston, and June Larance; sons, Willie LaBuff and James LaBuff; sisters, Elizabeth Brown of Great Falls, Patricia DeBoo of Valier and Belva Wenzel of Great Falls; brothers, Curtis Bouttier, Sr., and James Bouttier of Twin Cities, Ga.; 16 grandchildren; and four great- grandchildren. Day Family Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Cynthia Beverly Cynthia H. Beverly of Hurst, Texas, died May 10, 2002, after a short hospitalization. A memorial service was held in Fort Worth, Texas, where her son serves as one of the pastors. She was born Nov. 3, 1912, in Cut Bank, to James Logan and Ida Edith Hyatt, the youngest of six children. She later moved to Kalispell where she attended school, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1930. She attended college at Dillon and Havre, receiving a degree in education. She began teaching at the Chief Heavy Breast School on the Blackfeet Reservation. She later returned to Cut Bank where she taught second grade until her retirement. She married Henry H. "Perc" Beverly, who was employed by the Texas Pipeline Company, on May 27, 1939 in Shelby. They lived in Cut Bank until their retirements, after which they moved to Mesa, Ariz., where they resided until Perc died in 1996. At the time of his death, they had been married 56 1/2 years. Cynthia and her sister, Fern Symes, later moved to Austin, Texas, where she lived until her move to Hurst in 2000. Beverly was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cut Bank where she served as an elder and deacon, was a member of the church session, the women's circle and various committees. She was also a member of the Cut Bank Golf Club, Eastern Star, PEO, helped with the Rainbow Girls and was the first Girl Scout leader in Cut Bank. Later she was a member of The Church of the Master in Mesa. She is survived by a daughter, Nancy B. LaBrant of Burnet, Texas; a son, Bud Beverly of Hurst; three grandsons; two granddaughters; five great- grandchildren; a sister, Fern Symes of Austin; and nieces, nephews and friends. Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church in Cut Bank or to The Church of the Master Presbyterian Church in Mesa. Roselynn Eagle Feathers Roselynn Marie Eagle Feathers, 40, died at Benefis East in Great Falls on June 5, 2002. A prayer service was held June 7 at Glacier Homes Community Center. Her funeral was held at the Browning Evangelistic Center on June 8 with burial in North Starr Flat Cemetery. She was born Nov. 14, 1961, in Browning. She attended Haskell school, BCC and Great Falls Vo-Tech. Surviving are her partner, Durand "Smitty" Bear Medicine; her parents, Earl and Doris Old Person and Glenn Eagle Feathers; a daughter, Twila Dawn Day Child; sons, Taj' Dubray Eagle Feathers and Joseph Glenn Bear Medicine; sisters, Glenda Eagle Feathers, Giselle "Spring" Eagle Feathers, Misty Eagle Feathers, Cecille Eagle Feathers and Amanda Old Crow; brothers, Marty Eagle Feathers, Alfred Eagle Feathers, Earl Old Person, Jr., J.P. Eagle Feathers and Brian Old Crow; and a granddaughter. Day Family Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- June 14, 2002 Adela Archuleta ADELA ARCHULETA , 93, of San Juan Pueblo and originally of Ojo Caliente died Wednesday following a lengthy illness. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Celedonia Herrera; husband of 63 years, Jose Nemecio Archuleta; two sons- in-law, Al Disabatino and Delphine Herrera; and grandson, Mel Rael Jr. She is survived by her children, Fernando Archuleta and wife Tina of Albuquerque, Floriada Wells and husband Parker of San Juan, Alice Rael of Santa Fe, Frances Herrera of Denver, Virginia Salazar and husband Rey of Colorado Springs, Colo., Tina Disabatino of San Juan, and Sally Turner and husband Bob of Moreno Valley, Calif.; dear sister, Maria Archuleta of Ojo Caliente; 29 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Ojo Caliente Cemetery. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. Leon Guerin LEON GUERIN , 59, of La Villita died Wednesday following a sudden illness. He was originally from Las Vegas and moved to Cuarteles as a young boy. In 1982 he married Joyce and moved to Alcalde. He was a member of the San Juan Baptist Church, was very active in Jaycees, was president of the Fiesta Council and coached for 11 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Guerin; brother, Ray Lopez; mother and father-in-law, Elvie and Albert Babcock; paternal grandfather, Johnny Guerin; grandmothers, Susie and Margaret Guerin; and maternal grandparents, Salomon and Tule Hayes. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Guerin of Alcalde; children, Martina Padilla and husband Tommy of Chamita, Teofilo Guerin and Juan Marcos Guerin all of Alcalde; two grandchildren; mother, Constance Lopez and husband Joe of Quarteles; brothers and sisters, Patty Tate and husband Charles of Ardmore, Okla., Mike Guerin and wife Bertha of Hobbs, Aurilious, Benny and Sandra Lopez all of Quarteles; and many other relatives and friends. A rosary will begin at 8 p.m. today at the San Juan Church. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the San Juan Pueblo with burial to follow at the Villita Cemetery. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. Copyright c. 1997 - 2002 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- June 12, 2002 Fern M. Cuevas PINE RIDGE - Fern M. Cuevas, 51, Pine Ridge, died Friday, June 7, 2002, in Omaha, Neb. Survivors include three sons, Gary Fleury, Craig Fleury and Steve Fleury, all of Omaha; one daughter, Davene Fleury, Omaha; two brothers, Myron High Bull, Lame Deer, Mont., and Sylvester Thin Elk, Mission; two sisters, Delores Noralez, Alliance, Neb., and Lois Campbell, Lame Deer; and one grandchild. A one-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 13, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Burial will be at St. Anne's Catholic Cemetery in Wolf Creek. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Harry F. Byrd FLANDREAU - Harry F. Byrd, 89, Flandreau, died Monday, June 10, 2002, in Pine Ridge. Survivors include his guardian, Lucille Mesteth, Porcupine; one sister, Evelyn Galvin, Flandreau; and one brother, Sidney Byrd, Santa Fe, N.M. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. today at Porcupine Day School. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at the school, with the Rev. Simon Looking Elk officiating. Leonard Crow Dog will officiate at traditional services. Burial will be at Porcupine Presbyterian Cemetery. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. June 16, 2002 Alvina Amelia Babby HAMILTON, MT - Alvina Amelia "Sis" (Young) Babby died at the age of 93 on Wednesday, June 12, 2002, in Hamilton, Montana. She had resided at the Valley View Nursing Home in Hamilton since November 1999 in order to be close to her family. Alvina was born in Cody, Nebraska on February 23, 1909 and was raised on the Little White River southeast of present day Vetal in Bennett County, South Dakota. She was the second of six children born to Edward and Cecilia "Tiny" (Livermont) Young. She attended the Jelly Grade School in Bennett County, the Flandreau and St. Francis boarding schools and graduated from Martin High School in 1930. She then attended the Nettleton Business School in Sioux Falls, earning her stenographic certificate, and was employed at the Pine Ridge Hospital. She was a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. While working in Pine Ridge, Sis met and married Dennis Babby on March 29, 1934, in Hot Springs, South Dakota. They later renewed their marriage vows with Father Thomas J. Martin at the old Holy Rosary Mission Church in Pine Ridge. Dennis' work in the Bureau of Indian Affairs took them away from South Dakota in 1942. They lived and worked at many different locations over the years and spent WWII in Astoria, Oregon. Although unable to return to South Dakota to live, they always considered Bennett and Shannon counties as their home. Three of their four children were born in Pine Ridge and their fourth was born in Poplar, Montana. At the time of Dennis' death on January 25, 1994, their vows had lasted 60 years. Sis took immense pride in and was sustained by her love for the families from which she descended and never permitted the memory of those to whom she was related to slip away. Sis was a totally devoted wife, homemaker and mother. She was extremely protective of and patient with her family. Her greatest joy was always in meeting the needs of those she loved. She enjoyed cooking and baking; and her lifelong hobbies of needlework, sewing and crocheting were often recognized with blue ribbons at state fairs. Her unselfish love for and devotion to her family is her legacy. After her children were raised, Alvina did volunteer service with the Grey Ladies Auxiliary at the hospital in Bemidji, Minnesota and with the Altar Society and the Federal Employees Women's Auxiliary. Alvina is survived by her four children and their spouses: Wyman (Donna) Babby, LaVonne Hoselton and C. Joyce (Bruce) Peterson, all of Montana and Lloyd (Patricia) Babby of Idaho; a sister, Myrtle Schoenly of Martin, SD; a sister-in-law, Ramona (Blaine) Young of Rapid City; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Alvina was preceded in death by her husband Dennis; her parents; two brothers, Chester (Buster) and Blaine Young; and two sisters, Thelma Griffith and Leona Williams. Visitation will be held from 3 - 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at the Ziegler Funeral Home in Martin, SD. Vigil services will be from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father John J. Hennessy as celebrant. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Lunch will be served at the church immediately after the interment. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Beth Gary, Elaine Babby, Angela Babby, Lorna Babby, Cathy Claxton, Deanna Barham, Dan Hoselton, Bill Babby, Kathy Babby, Colleen Hayes, David Babby, Denice Soto, Christine Larson and Scott Peterson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin, SD. Copyright c. 2002 The Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- June 15, 2002 Roxie Ann Cranfield Funeral services for Roxie Ann Cranfield are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Swearingen Funeral Chapel. Rev. Kenneth Stafford is set to officiate. Burial is to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direc-tion of Swearingen Funeral Home. Cranfield died Friday, June 14, 2002 at her home in Seminole at the age of 69. She moved to Seminole from Oklahoma City 25 years ago. She was born Jan. 26, 1933 in Oklahoma City to Grover Cleveland and Edna Ruth (Warren) Ivers. Cranfield married Chester Cranfield on June 10, 1950 in Oklahoma City. She was a homemaker and a member of the Assembly of God Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Danny Arthur Cranfield in 2001; one grandson, Kirk William Cranfield; two brothers and one sister. Cranfield is survived by her husband of the home; one adopted son, Sammy Ivers of Prague; two daughters, Leanna Tiger of Seminole and Roxann Ginn of Sitka, Ala.; one brother, Warren Ivers of Tacoma, Wash.; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Casket bearers are James Tiger, Mike Tiger, James Tiger Jr., Van Ethridge, Michael Johnson and David Cranfield. Neomi Harjo Home services for Neomi Lee Dixon Harjo were scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday. She will be moved to Hitchitee United Methodist Church on Sunday at 4 p.m. Wake services will commence at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday with Rev. Mike Svitak and Rev. Mike Harjo officiating. Pallbearers will be the Seminole Chapter of the Viet Name Veterans. Honorary pallbearers will be the Ladies Auxiliary and Seminole Chapter of Viet Nam Veterans. Interment is to follow at the Hitchitee United Methodist Church Cemetery under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home. Harjo died Thursday, June 13 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa at the age of 61. She was born in Bentley on May 6, 1941 to Frank and Frances Jim Dixon. She was raised in the Strother area and attended Strother and Sequoyah Schools. Harjo married Charley Harjo were married on June 28, 1960 in Seminole. She was a lifetime member of the Hitchitee United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also a youth group leader. Harjo was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader and President of the Seminole Chapter Honor Color Guard and Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband of the home; two daughters, Gwendolyn Harjo of Glenpool and Cheryl Harjo of Okmulgee; one son, Charles Harjo Jr. of Kiefer; three brothers, Evan Haney, David Haney, and Joe Haney, all of Seminole. She was preceded in death by her father; her mother; her stepfather, Rev. Vernon Haney; one son, Victor L. Harjo; two sisters, Rose Haney and Elizabeth Perkins; and two brothers, Aaron Dixon and an infant brother, Daniel Haney. Copyright c. 1999-2002 The Seminole Producer. -=-=-=- June 11, 2002 Otis K. Begay MARIANO LAKE - Services for Otis Begay, 31, will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 12 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Pastor Harrison Tabaha will officiate. Burial will follow at private family cemetery. Begay died June 8 in rural New Mexico. He was born Oct. 6, 1970 in Gallup into the Meadow People Clan for the Two Came to Water People Clan. Survivors include his wife, Verna Begay of Mariano Lake; son, Kelsey Wade Begay of Mariano Lake; daughters, Amberlynn L. Begay, Briannalynn L. Begay and Tamara Kelli Begay all of Mariano Lake; parents, Eleanor Smith of Chinle, Ariz. and Kee K. Begay of Pinedale; step-parents George W. Smith and Ceya Begay;brothers, Lorren Cook of Iyanbito, Seymour Smith of San Diego, Calif., Shane Smith and Sheldon Smith both of Chinle, Ariz., Ethan Begay, Keevin Begay, Kurt Begay and Lyle Begay all of Pinedale; sisters, Chelsey Begay and Kimberly Begay both of Pinedale; and grandmother, Trixie Begay of Pinedale. Pallbearers will be family members. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Dan Frank Sr. RAMAH - Services for Dan Frank Sr., 74, will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gallup. Bishop Greg Doty will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Frank Sr. died June 9 in Albuquerque. He was born April 14, 1928 in Ramah into the Mexican People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Frank attended Albuquerque Indian School. He was a cattle rancher, rodeo livestock contractor, worked for Tribal Forestry, Navajo, N.M. as a mill worker, Union Pacific Railroad and Bureau of Indian Affairs as a heavy equipment operator. He participated in rodeos and traveled as a rodeo livestock contractor. His hobbies included deer hunting, steer roping, breaking horses and silversmithing. Survivors include his wife, Winnie S. Frank of Houck, Ariz.; son, Dan Frank Jr. of Omaha, Neb.; daughters, Clothida Nez of Houck and Wilhelmina Frank of Albuquerque; brother, Ben Joe Frank of Ramah; and six grandchildren. Frank Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Bah Chee and Frank Navajo. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mount Taylor Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Calvin Richard Nez HOUCK, Ariz. - Services for Calvin Nez, 8, will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gallup. Bishop Greg Doty will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Nez died June 6 in Sanders, Ariz. He was born Nov. 16, 1993 in Gallup into the Zuni People Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. Nez had just finished the second grade. His hobbies included horseback riding, bike-riding and tending to his livestock. Survivors include his parents, Clothhilda and Anthony Nez Sr. both of Houck; brothers, Cyrus, Anthony, Calsey, Casey, Jerel and Alex Nez all of Houck; sister, Tilia Nez of Houck; grandparents, Dan and Winnie Frank, both of Houck and Alice Muse of Sanders, Ariz. Nez was preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald C. Nez. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gallup. Mount Taylor Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. June 12, 2002 Nathan Bert Jim WIDE RUINS, Ariz. - Services for Nathan Jim, 15, will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, June 13 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sanders, Ariz. Elder and Sister Bird will officiate. Burial will follow at Community Cemetery, Wide Ruins, Ariz. Jim died June 8 in Tucson, Ariz. He was born June 16, 1986 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Enemy Bear People Clan. Jim attended Apache Elementary School, Farmington and Rough Rock, Ariz where he had just finished the 9th grade. He received numerous awards and was an artistst, drawing cartoons. His hobbies included bicycle jumping. Survivors include his parents, Suzie S. and Irvin Bert Jim Sr. both of Wide Ruins; brothers, Irvin B. Jim, Anthony B. Jim and Mathew B. Jim all of Wide Ruins; sister, Danielle Sue Jim of Wide Ruins; grandparents, John and Mary Silver of Wide Ruins, Dick Jim, Johnny Jim and Betty Whitey all of Huerfano. Pallbearers will be Alfred Jim, Casey Jim, Edison Jim, Allen Woody, Eddie Mark and Albert Silver. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Wide Ruins Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. June 13, 2002 Thomas George Gail RED LAKE, Ariz. - Services for Thomas Gail, 72, will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 14 at St. Michael Church. Father Gilbert Schneider will officiate. Burial will follow at the family plot, Red Lake, Ariz. Gail died June 9 in Gallup. He was born March 3, 1930 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Rock House People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Gail attended Fort Defiance Boarding School and Albuquerque Indian School. He was a rancher, farmer and was employed with the railroad. Survivors include his sisters, Ida Gail Organick and Nellie Gail Kenny. Gail was preceded in death by his parents, Hazbah and Joe L. Gail and brother, Richard Gail. Pallbearers will be Shea E. Longi, Benjamin L. Organick, Michael Kenn, Alvin Kenny, Rodney Kenny and Roger Kenny Sr. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- June 4, 2002 Nancy Bear Funeral services for Nancy Sue Hulbutta Bear are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church. Rev. Houston Tiger and Rev. Malcolm Tiger are set to officiate. A wake service is set for 6 p.m. tonight at Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church. Interment is to follow at Oakwood Cemetery under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home. Bear died Friday, May 31, 2002 at Sunset Nursing Home in Tecumseh at the age of 60. She was born in Wewoka on May 20, 1942 to Johnson and Sarah Tiger Hulbutta. Her family lived in Arizona for several years before returning to Oklahoma in 1960 and later relocating to Wewoka in 1964. Bear attended Gilbert Schools in Arizona. She worked in Kitchen management in the nursing home industry prior to retiring due to health reasons. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Johnny, Raymond, and Roman Hulbutta; and one sister, Semaria Grass. Bear is survived by one sister, Nelsie Yargee of Shawnee; and four brothers, Ramsey and Paul Hulbutta, both of Wewoka, Ron Hulbutta of Seminole and Jimsey Hulbutta of Oklahoma City. Pallbearers are Bear's nephews. June 11, 2002 Daisy Sandfur Funeral services for Daisy Lorene Sandfur were scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Victory Baptist Church. Tim Harjo, her grandson, was set to officiate. He was to be assisted by Corky Snodgrass and Gary Watkins, who are also her grandsons. Burial was to follow at Vamoosa Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home. Wake services were held Monday night at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel. It was conducted by Rev. John Campbell and the Hitchitte Women Singers. Sandfur died Saturday, June 8, 2002 at Shawnee Unity Health Center North Campus at the age of 73. She lived in Seminole County and Earlsboro before moving to Sunset Estates Nursing Home in Shawnee. She was born July 4, 1928 in Castle to Billy Spencer and Willie Mae (Johnson) White. Sandfur married Glen Sandfur on Dec. 19, 1950 in Seminole. He preceded her in death on Dec. 23, 2001. She was a homemaker and held to establish and operate food banks until her illness. She spent her life raising her 11 children and several grand-children. Sandfur was affiliated with several local churches. She attended high school at Chilocco Indian School. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three sons, Hubert Sandfur, Jimmy "Geronimo" Sandfur, and Benjamin "Buck" Harjo; and one brother, James Spencer. Sandfur is survived by a granddaughter, Brandy Harjo of the home; seven daughters, Nyeaka "Sue" Jimboy and Glenda "Glennie" Snodgrass of Konawa, Shirley "Chatee" Watkins of Ada, Rebekah "Becky" McBroom of Earlsboro, Beverly "Chick" Handshaw of Seminole, Myra Sheppard of Goodman, Mo., and Mary Ann Algood of Maud; one son, Frank Sandfur of Earlsboro; one adopted son, Bennie "Blue" Sandfur of Shawnee; four brothers, Jimmy Spencer of Midwest City, and Alfred Spencer, Benny Smith, and John Smith of Shawnee; 25 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. Copyright c. 1999-2002 The Seminole Producer. --------- "RE: Gladys Tantaquidgeon turns 103" --------- Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 08:17:17 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BIRTHDAY" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.theday.com/news/ts-re Gladys Tantaquidgeon, guardian of Mohegan culture, turns 103 By Karen Florin 06/15/2002 Mohegan - Gladys Tantaquidgeon, medicine woman of the Mohegan Tribe and respected guardian of Native American culture, turns 103 today. Tantaquidgeon, who lives with her 93-year-old sister Ruth on Mohegan Hill, will celebrate the milestone quietly with close friends and relatives and a cake, said her grandniece, Melissa Tantaquidgeon. The birthday coincides with the season opening of the tiny family museum for which Gladys Tantaquidgeon served as curator for many years and which contains many of her own Native American artifacts. Her brother, the late Mohegan Chief Harold Tantaquidgeon, and their father, John Tantaquidgeon, built the museum behind the family home at the corner of Route 32 and Church Lane in 1931, using local granite. Gladys Tantaquidgeon still takes an interest in the museum and sees to it that every visitor signs the guest book, according to Melissa Tantaquidgeon, the tribe's historian. "This museum is as much about Gladys' journey as it is about the journey of the Mohegan people," Melissa Tantaquidgeon said. Gladys Tantaquidgeon was born in New London in 1899, one of seven children of John and Harriet Fielding Tantaquidgeon. She is a 10th generation descendant of Uncas, the Mohegan sachem who settled at Fort Shantok. She devoted her life to reaching out to Native Americans and educating the community at large. She was an author, anthropologist and social worker. She joined the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1930s and also worked for the Department of the Interior's arts and crafts board. She helped teach tribes in North and South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming and helped to promote their arts and crafts. Throughout her life, as she traveled throughout Indian Country, Gladys Tantaquidgeon collected many of the treasures now on display in the three- room museum. Some of the Medicine Woman's favorite items are the small offering baskets that were traditionally left in the woods full of treats for the Little People, or Makiawisag spirits. The museum has baskets from 1840 to the present day. Tantaquidgeon also loves dolls made out of wishbones and taught many children how to make them, said her niece. She also treasures the woodcarvings made by her father and a beaded belt that was passed on to her through tribal matriarch Martha Uncas, who died in 1859, and Fidelia Fielding, the last speaker of the Mohegan-Pequot language, who died in 1908. Gladys Tantaquidgeon carefully guarded articles and documents belonging to the Mohegans. When the tribe was seeking federal recognition, she provided needed documents after retrieving them from Tupperware containers that she stored under her bed. Copyright c. 1998-2002 The Day Publishing Co. --------- "RE: DOI seeks removal of Court Monitor" --------- Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 08:19:49 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUST FUND CIRCUS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0617indianfunds-ON.html [Editorial Comment from Owlstar Trading Post - Daily Headlines http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm Commentary: It's hard to believe the latest request from the Department of Interior's attorneys. Their clients, the Secretary of the Interior and some of her subordinates, are charged with contempt of court. They've been caught not once, but several times, ignoring court instructions, trying to intimidate witnesses, destroying evidence, punishing those "bad" Indians who dared complain by literally starving them, and otherwise trying to escape justice. The court installed a monitor--a "watchdog" to protect the evidence and the funds due Indian clients from further mischief. In an act that gives whole new meaning to the term "chutzpah," Interior's lawyers have asked that the "watchdog" be removed because he's not impartial. My translation: He's doing his job far too well for their comfort. The Interior lawyers must think they can redefine both the term "watchdog" and the more dignified term, "monitor," just as Interior has tried to redefine the mission of "trustee." My understanding of monitors is that they are to report wrongdoing. Seems to me that in that role, Mr. Keiffer has done well. If he's outraged by the wrongdoing he's seen, and says so, that doesn't necessarily make him a bad monitor. It might just reflect the extent of the wrongdoing he's seen. As for watchdogs, good ones are not friendly to potential thieves and vandals, whether they be four-legged varmints or the two-legged variety. It'd be a poor farmer who shot the dog guarding his chicken coop because he barked too enthusiastically at the foxes. ...Janet] -=-=-=- Interior Department seeks removal of court-appointed monitor of Indian money Associated Press June 17, 2002 15:45:00 WASHINGTON - Government attorneys want a judge to call off a court watchdog who has harshly criticized the Interior Department's management of hundreds of millions of dollars of American Indian money. Interior Secretary Gale Norton's attorneys said court monitor Joseph S. Kieffer III is biased and has overstepped his legal bounds. "He has failed to respect the constitutional and statutory limits of this court's jurisdiction ... and has demonstrated a lack of impartiality that requires his disqualification from further participation in this case, " Assistant U.S. Attorney General Robert D. McCallum Jr. wrote in a filing submitted late Friday. Kieffer was appointed in April 2000 by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth - with the consent of the Interior Department - to monitor the department's progress in fixing mismanagement of royalties from Indian lands. Kieffer's scathing reports were the basis for a 29-day contempt trial against Norton earlier this year. Lamberth is considering holding Norton in contempt for failing to comply with the court-ordered overhaul of the trust fund and accounting of what the Indians are owed. The Interior Department is responsible for collecting royalties from oil and gas mining, timber harvesting, grazing and other uses of Indian land and distributing the money to the landowners. But for more than a century, the money was sloppily managed, with unknown amounts of money misappropriated, stolen or never collected. A class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 300,000 Indian account holders says the department squandered tens of billions of dollars. The attorney for the Indians, Dennis Gingold, said the attack on Kieffer is an act of desperation. "They've declared war on the court, which is extraordinary," said Gingold. "They know they're going to lose on the merits so they attack the individuals involved." Kieffer did not return phone messages. Copyright C. 2002, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Judge halts digging at Burial Site" --------- Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 08:00:03 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DIGGING HALTED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.argusleader.com/news/Wednesdayarticle1.shtml Judge halts digging at burial site John-John Williams IV Argus Leader Wednesday, June 12, 2002 Order bars work at rec area where remains found, lets tribe hold religious activities there A federal court judge granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday that halts further excavation at a site near the Missouri River where human remains were unearthed last month. After three days of testimony, Judge Lawrence Piersol rejected the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of South Dakota's repeated requests to dismiss the Yankton Sioux Tribe's request for a temporary restraining order. The tribe filed the lawsuit last week. It also wants Piersol to declare unconstitutional the recent transfer of shoreline property from the federal government to the state. Bonnie Ulrich, assistant U.S. attorney, argued that federal and state officials are following every step of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act. Ulrich added that work at the site has been stopped since last week. She also argued that moving bones and artifacts, which were unearthed May 14 at the North Point Recreation Area near Pickstown, was done to protect them. "There's nothing to stop," Ulrich said. "There's no showing of irrefutable harm." Piersol also stopped workers from moving dirt taken from that site to be used for fill at a campground registration area and a sewage dump station. "North Point has been there a long time without expanding its camping area," Piersol said. "The world isn't going to stop on that." Several supporters of the Yankton Sioux Tribe attended the proceedings and expressed relief at the outcome. "We got everything we wanted except for the return of funerary objects," said Mary Wynne, lawyer for the Yankton Sioux Tribe. "We certainly are glad. There's not going to be heavy equipment to crush bones out there again." The restraining order is in effect until June 28, at which time Piersol is expected to rule on a preliminary injunction. The injunction could stop all work at the site until the lawsuit is settled. In the meantime, the state has agreed to provide security at the site for another 30 days. Piersol also said that the harm to the tribe outweighed the harm to the defense because of the religious significance the remains hold to them. He added that members of the tribe should not be excluded from going to the site for religious activities. On Tuesday, lawyers for the state and the corps called witnesses who testified that they followed procedure when they removed three bodies from the site and shipped them to a secure, climate-controlled room in Rapid City. Michael Fosha, assistant to the state archaeologist, testified that bones at the site were disrupted by humans when he viewed them June 4. Fosha, who specializes in soil, said the soil around one of the skulls he observed was different from the soil surrounding it. "It was like the soil had been moved around them," Fosha said. "Someone had disturbed the site. The color of the dirt ... the placement of the dirt." Fosha also testified that he felt there were more burial sites in the area. "At the present time, it's my initial feeling that additional burial sites will be found," Fosha said. "This is a location where numerous individuals were buried." Sandra Barnum, staff archaeologist for the Corps of Engineers in Omaha testified that she removed at least three individuals and several artifacts from the site. She said she moved the remains because they were loose and she was afraid they would be harmed by the elements or stolen. Workers hired by the state to remove fill dirt at the recreation area uncovered funerary objects and bones thought to be the remains of two children and a woman last month. State officials had the remains transported to Rapid City, saying they first thought the remains were not Native American. Gov. Bill Janklow's press secretary, Bob Mercer, has said the state notified the tribe of the remains after determining they were Native American. Tribal members have said the transfer of the remains without notification violates federal law designed to protect cultural and religious sites such as burial grounds. They have asked that the remains be returned and reinterred. The corps is responsible for handling Native American artifacts and remains along the Missouri River, even though the land was transferred to the state earlier this year. After Piersol made his ruling, members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe rejoiced and reflected on the decision. "I think the irrefutable harm part was a real point to hear," Faith Spotted Eagle said. "I appreciated the recognition." Tribal member Judy Drapeau was worried about how Piersol would decide, but when she heard the decision, she was overwhelmed with joy. "I'm elated," Drapeau said. "It's stopping the excavation. I'm glad we can go home and know that they're okay for now." Ulrich and John Guhin, South Dakota Deputy Attorney General, declined comment. Reach reporter John-John Williams IV at jjwilliams@argusleader.com or 331-2328. Copyright c. 2002 Copyright Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Little Rockies: A Sacred, Scarred Place" --------- Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 08:00:03 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LITTLE ROCKIES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/ Little Rockies: A sacred, scarred place Story by BRETT FRENCH Photos by DAVID GRUBBS Of The Gazette Staff June 12, 2002 ZORTMAN - Jerome Main leans back, lacing his fingers behind his head. A powwow baseball cap shades his eyes. "I was born and raised here, I used to hunt here," he says of the Little Rocky Mountains surrounding this north-central Montana mining town. But the mountains Main cherishes have been scarred by a century of mining. Runoff from mine tailings have tainted the streams and ground water. And much of the land is owned and managed by the federal government. "It will never be the same," says Main, the Assiniboine representative to the Fort Belknap Reservation's tribal council. Despite the scars, the Little Rocky Mountains are still a wondrous place. The mountains have long been a cool oasis on the north-central Montana prairie, located between the Milk and Missouri Rivers and south-southeast of the larger Bears Paw Mountains. For Native Americans, the mountains are a focal point for religious ceremonies, sun dances and vision quests. According to John Brumley, a Havre archaeologist, there is evidence of natives using the area over the past 4,000 years. But the lure of gold has most dramatically shaped the mountains' modern history. In 1884 gold was discovered in Alder Gulch. Miners Pete Zortman and Pike Landusky were the first to strike it rich. Landusky was killed in a bar by Harvey Kid Curry, the outlaw who ended up with the infamous Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Zortman's and Landusky's names were later attached to two huge cyanide heap leach mines on the Little Rockies' southern face. The low-grade ore extracted from the mountains produced only about .015 ounces of gold per ton. So to make one small gold ring, miners had to process about 13 tons of rock. Yet the mine owners, Pegasus Gold Corp., still managed to pry out more than 1 million ounces before claiming bankruptcy, abandoning the mines and leaving the state with a mess. Seeking a return Despite the problems, Main and other members of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes of the Fort Belknap Reservation want the mountains returned. "We just want it back, it's Indian country," Main says. Most of the southern half of the mountains, about 25,000 acres, is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. The tribes own the northern portion of the prairie mountain range. The federal government carved out a section of the mountains in a disputed agreement in the late 1800s to acquire the gold underground. Even more than 100 years later, the treaty still angers tribal members who say their ancestors were forced to sign the deal or face starvation. Whether the deal was fair or not, Bruce Reed, BLM's Malta field manager, said the Little Rockies are not likely to be returned to the tribes. "The BLM is on record that we wouldn't support the return because of the value of the minerals," Reed says. It would also take an act of Congress. But Main is determined and confident. He hopes to see the lands restored to the tribes in his lifetime. If the Little Rockies were turned over, tribal council member Will Crasco says the land would be restored and developed for recreation similar to a national park. "Our feeling is that we can better serve everyone - Indian and non- Indian - with tourism, which is better than mining," Crasco says. "Mining is a one-shot deal and then you have to deal with the mess." With trails, hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding and all-terrain vehicle opportunities, the mountains offer a variety of options for recreationists. The annual gathering of the Gold Panners Association of America is also a draw. Bighorn sheep have been introduced and mule deer and the occasional elk can be found in the mountains. "It's sort of a general playground," says Rich Adams of the BLM. The area has two campgrounds, Camp Creek near Zortman and Montana Gulch near Landusky, which receive heavy use in the summer. "It's a beautiful place," says Brumley, who has explored the area for artifacts. "It's one of the only places in northern Montana with eroded limestone cliffs. Mission Canyon is one of my favorite settings in Montana." Cliffs crowd many of the narrow canyons that carve up the pine-covered high country. The range's peaks offer visitors wide views across the eroded prairie badlands. Despite the wealth of natural beauty, the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribal council members are saddened. "We'll never get it back to the way it was," Main says. "But we want to make the land whole again. We have to bring the land back as near as we can to its natural state." For more information, log on to: www.mt.blm.gov/ Brett French can be reached at 657-1387, or at french@billingsgazette.com Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Wampanoag lay Ancestors' Remains to Rest" --------- Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 08:00:03 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WAMPANOAG REMAINS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/solemnwampanoag11.htm Solemn Wampanoag lay ancestors' remains to rest The 18th century burial ground was unearthed by an excavator in 1999. By SEAN GONSALVES STAFF WRITER MASHPEE - It has been almost three years since excavators unearthed an unmarked 18th century Indian burial ground as they began digging a foundation on the last buildable lot in the Little Neck Bay Village section of New Seabury. Yesterday, after a traditional Wampanoag ceremony, the Mashpee Wampanoag descendants of those laid to rest on the Mizzenmast Lane property reburied the skeletal remains that were dug up by the excavators. The quarter-acre lot, which developer Steve Berish sold to a land preservation trust for $200,000, will be filled and converted into a memorial park. Accompanied by two Massachusetts Historical Commission archeologists, executive director of the state's Commission on Indian Affairs Jim Peters arrived at the site a little before 10 a.m. with three cardboard boxes. Inside the boxes were dozens of plastic storage bags containing the fragmented remains of nine unknown Wampanoag. Mashpee Wampanoag Chief Vernon Lopez lit a shell full of sage and, with a feather, waved the cleansing smoke over the 15 tribal members who came to help rebury their ancestors. Jim Peters, who is the son of the late John "Slow Turtle" Peters, a well-known Wampanoag medicine man and first executive director of the state's Commission on Indian Affairs, spread a gray blanket on the ground near one of the graves. He took the plastic bags out of the boxes, each one tagged with numbers identifying which remains came from which grave. Before carefully placing the bags on the blanket, he opened the bags to expose the remains to the sage now being feather-fanned into the bags by Chief Lopez. Peters' sister, Ramona Peters, a Mashpee Wampanoag tribal council member, led the ceremony with a prayer circle, asking for the Creator's forgiveness for disturbing the burial ground, which the Wampanoag consider to be sacred land. She offered thanks to Steve Berish, who worked with the tribe and state officials to sell the land to the Boston-based Trust for Public Land. Berish did not attend the ceremony. Ramona Peters also gave a brief eulogy for each of the nine unnamed Indians reburied yesterday. Before the sparse, fragmented remains were covered with dirt, Peters shared what details forensic archeologists turned up about the lives of those buried there. "At this gravesite," Peters said, "was a woman. We don't know her name but the archeologists say she was between 45 and 55 when she was buried. She had big soulful eyes and arthritis." Although several of the graves were those of children, most were the graves of adults ranging in age from 35 to 55. Also buried with the remains were the coffin fragments that hadn't completely decomposed. After excavators unearthed two skulls in August 1999, state police were called in to investigate. Detectives quickly determined that the Mizzenmast lot was not a crime scene, but an Indian burial ground. Seventeen graves were identified by state archeologists, nine of which were disturbed by the digging. State archeologists say the burial ground was a private family cemetery on the property of Roseanna Jonas, who owned 60 acres of land in the area before it became part of New Seabury, one of the Cape's premier private seaside resort communities. Jonas' great-great-grandson Richardson Jonas attended yesterday's ceremony with his wife and daughter. Jonas, who lives in Cotuit, said he remembers going down to Little Neck Bay with his father. "My father had a memory like an elephant but he never mentioned this. I don't think he knew," he said. What his father could remember, Jonas said, was that up until the early 20th century only about six Wampanoag families lived in the area. Jonas speculates that the graves are those of his family and probably several other tribal members who lived nearby. "It's been a long time," he said. "I'm thankful to Mr. Berish and the state and I'm happy that these people can finally rest in peace." Copyright c. 2002 Cape Cod Times. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Blackfeet Spring Storm 2002" --------- Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 08:19:49 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLACKFEET SPRING STORM" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://triangle.townnews.com/display/inn_glacier_reporter/news/news1.txt Agencies, volunteers come out in force to heal the 'Blackfeet Spring Storm 2002' BY JOHN MCGILL GLACIER REPORTER EDITOR Tuesday, June 18, 2002 Anyone familiar with the organization of fire fighting in Blackfeet country would find much in common with their operations at the Blackfeet Incident Command Center housed this week at Browning Middle School. Like a forest fire, the storm of the last several days that dumped many feet of snow on the mountain foothill communities of East Glacier Park, Babb, St. Mary and Heart Butte is being dealt with by an Incident Commander, Robert DesRosier of the Blackfeet Utilities Commission, who heads up an organized chain of command headquartered at BMS. Handling the "Blackfeet Spring Storm 2002," as it was designated Tuesday, are DesRosier, assisted by section chiefs with responsibility for the various aspects of a major weather disaster. George Heavy Runner is the section chief in charge of information; Roy Doore and Jennifer Sandoval are in charge of operations; Cameron Boggs is the section chief for planning; DeAnne Kipp heads up logistics; and Fred Guardipee is the person in charge of the medical section. In addition, Bill Upcheck of the Red Cross was on hand as section chief in charge of food and shelter. Each of these leaders, DesRosier explained, has several people working under them who carry out directions from the top. "It's a system designed to handle large incidents like this one," DesRosier said. "That way we know about our resources and manpower. It's really critical to keep the rescuers from becoming victims." With this kind of organization, DesRosier said, policy is decided at the top, then the section chiefs and their groups of workers can direct all energies toward carrying out the objectives. Besides the others, DesRosier added Glacier County Sheriff's Deputy Wayne Dusterhoff as the law enforcement representative, plus Ed Gierke of Montana Disaster Emergency Services and Jim King of Glacier County's DES. While the command center was originally set up at the Blackfeet jail, it quickly became evident that the space and facilities there would be inadequate so Browning Schools Superintendent Stan Juneau offered Browning Middle School as a location not only for the command center, but also to supply water, food and shelter to anyone needing them. "Today we're doing two things," the Incident Commander related, "trying to locate people who are in flood zones and trying to identify the zones of highest risk because the main thing we're doing is life safety. Property damage is there, but it has to be number two on the list." DesRosier said that while the situation is demanding the time and energy of hundreds of people, the entire effort is, up to this point, being carried out completely through donations and volunteers. "That's a problem in itself," he said, that limits the scope of his operation to the most pressing issue of all, preservation of human life. "The department of emergency services is now in lifesaving mode," said DesRosier. The commander said help had been received from Browning Schools for its command center, and from the Red Cross as well, but with the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council's resolution Sunday, June 9, declaring the reservation to be the scene of a weather disaster, the entire effort so far is the responsibility of the Blackfeet Natural Disaster and Emergency Services program. In addition, related Heavy Runner, plans were finalized Tuesday for the arrival of physicians from the Montana National Guard in a Blackhawk helicopter that could be used for search and rescue operations. DesRosier said he hoped to use another Guard chopper, a Huey, to get aerial videotape of the reservation, not only to inventory the situation but also to get evidence of its severity to use for getting some financial support. The biggest remaining problems as of Tuesday, said DesRosier, included the continued lack of power in Babb. "They've gone the longest without power," he said, in addition to having been completely out of communication with the outside world due to damage at the Tribe's relay tower at Chief Mountain Divide. "We've just established radio communication with them today," he said. Bulldozers had also been sent in Tuesday to dig out people stranded at Dog Gun Lake. Other worries involve heavy snow on upper Birch Creek and Blacktail, as well as the other mountain drainages of Blackfeet country which could release all the accumulated moisture quickly if the weather warms up, as it was expected to do by Wednesday. Kipp echoed an earlier statement from Juneau that the infrastructure is different than the way it was in the flood of 1964. "We've been training for something like this since last August," she said. DesRosier agreed, saying the reservation now boasts an organized and state-certified Type III DES team in place, happily just before it was needed. In other developments, DesRosier said he expected a shipment of 30,000 sandbags Tuesday or Wednesday to help deal with flooding, should it occur. Heavy Runner said the Blackfeet firefighters will be trained in carrying out anti-flooding duties. And in another echo from the 1964 flood when water became too polluted to drink, Heavy Runner said the entire reservation is currently under a boil order as a preventative measure. Safe water can be had at Browning City Hall; bring your own containers. Incident Command set up relief centers at Browning Middle School, as well as the East Glacier Park School and the Heart Butte Fire Hall. The Leanin' Tree Cafe in St. Mary, Heavy Runner said, had donated all its food to whoever needed it in the time of crisis, serving it up from one of the only buildings in the area that still had electricity. While the centers have experienced fairly heavy traffic from those needing food and water during the day, Heavy Runner said that so far most seem they'd rather spend the nights at home. Finally, Guardipee said six, two-man crews have been out dealing with the medical needs of those stranded by the storm. "So far it's mostly been medication refills, oxygen and dialysis," he said and added thanks to Leland Ground and Roy Ingraham of Oxygen Services for their donated time and equipment. Also, they set up a medical station at BMS for victims and for the volunteers "to make sure they're not at risk." While not all parts of Blackfeet country had been taken care of, people at the Command Center Tuesday were clearly glad of the progress made. But while the damage done to date was being repaired, everyone looked to the weather over the next few days to see if it was really over. Copyright c. 2002 Golden Triangle Newspapers. --------- "RE: Livestock Biz drying up on the Navajo Rez" --------- Date: Thu, 13 Jun 2002 08:11:22 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DROUGHT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.navajohopiobserver.com/navajohopiobserver/myarticles Livestock biz drying up on the Rez By S.J. Wilson The Observer A dozen or so men are seated around a makeshift conference table in the Tolani Lake Chapter House. Joe Yazzie, the chapter's vice president, presides over yet another meeting concerning the availability of water to about 750 families. But the biggest problem so far is obtaining water for livestock. As a result of the drought, chapter officials throughout northern Arizona are encouraging ranchers to reduce their livestock. According to Yazzie, many people are doing just that. He has noticed a lot of people hauling livestock to the livestock sale at Sun City, east of Holbrook. Still, there are others who are not. One problem Yazzie has noticed is the large number of wild horses that roam across the area. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Natural Resources would like to see chapters sponsor horse roundups, where hay incentives would be provided to encourage the sale of horses and burros. The chapter would receive three large bales of hay for each head sold. Tolani Lake is a community largely without water. The one windmill located across the highway from the chapter house was taken down because the water was contaminated. All that stands there now is a mismatched pair of containment tanks. Yazzie has learned that the community's shallow wells have dried up - even the one pond known for never drying up. "All the ponds are now mud. The livestock get stuck in them," Yazzie said. A visit with the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) revealed that water levels are down, and the utility won't be able to provide water for livestock. Yazzie wonders what people are going to do the chapter's only resource for water is in nearby Leupp. For livestock owners unable to haul their own water, the chapter has obtained an older water truck and, for $20 a load, is taking water to their animals. "The Navajo are known for their livestock," Velma Huskey said. She is the Community Services Coordi-nator for Tolani Lake Chapter. "It's hard for them to part with their animals. It seems they think about their livestock more than they do themselves. They don't understand [a request to reduce livestock]," she said. "At a recent meeting, people weren't as concerned about the drought itself, but wanted watering stations put out for the cattle." The same situation exists at Leupp. For David, * the lack of grazing made ranching hard enough. Then someone vandalized the solar-powered well his cattle depended on for water. As a result, David and his wife saw no other solution than to sell their cattle. "It's bad. People are selling cows with calves by their side for under $450," David said. Fortunately, he and his wife have jobs in nearby Flagstaff, although David works as a bus driver for a school and will have to seek other work over the summer. David attended a recent chapter meeting, and learned that the chapter had purchased a semi truckload of hay out of this year's drought relief fund. "Then they told us that they were selling the hay to the community for nine dollars a bail. In the past, hay from the relief fund was given to people who have livestock permits." David isn't the only one who wonders where the nine dollars per bail is going, or how the chapter considers the hay sale as a relief effort. But other ranchers see it differently. Leonard Chee has been a rancher his whole life. He believes that ranching is instrumental to the traditional Navajo way of life. "It's been good training for my children," Chee said. "Having livestock has taught them about responsibility and discipline, about the cycles of life and the behavior of animals." Chee knows that the market prices for cattle are dropping, and that he will have to sell part of his herd of cattle. He is already selling his goats and sheep to people within the community. He isn't blaming Window Rock, the chapter or even the drought situation for the necessary stock reduction. "We should do our part to help out," Chee said. As an example, he brought up his pet peeve. "People are driving all over the place! You see roads next to roads, places where people drive off the road, up onto hilltops, looking for their animals, shortcuts from one place to another." Chee would like to measure every single dirt road, short cut, and one- time pathways, add them up and figure out what the square mileage of land taken from grazing actually is. "I am educating people not to do it. We've all become so dependent on vehicles, and then there are all of the all-terrain vehicles people are buying. Running all over like that causes erosion and destroys plant life." Chee indicates a clump of saltbrush, a plant livestock depends on for sodium intake, that has been recently crushed by a trespassing vehicle. "Once a car drives over them, they die." Another solution Chee has considered is the recycling of wastewater. "You see ponds of it standing around. I believe the Nation needs to find ways to treat that water and reuse it. We need to get more serious about the environment." Chee stood above the Little Colorado River bed near his home, a bright emerald line stretching across the landscape, the only green to be seen. "People have a lot of ideas, but no one is moving on them. We have to do something. What are we leaving our children? We're not just hurting the livestock, but the wildlife as well." At one time, Chee said, large herds of antelopes, elks, beavers and herons populated this part of the Little Colorado basin. Now there is no water at all, and the river has not run this year. J. W. leans into the T-pole he has just finished pounding into the ground. He has spent most of the morning working on a fence designed to keep hungry rabbits, antelope and neighborhood cows out of the garden. Across the fence, as far as the eye can see, the landscape is a desert. J.W., another Leupp resident, admits that the land is badly overgrazed, and believes that the Navajo people should adopt voluntary measures to alleviate the situation. "First and foremost, people must voluntarily reduce their stock. Following that, communities must bind together and plan a rotational grazing plan where communal herds and flocks would graze together in designated areas to allow the land time to rejuvenate. Funds from the sale of some animals could be placed in a communal account from which the cost of supplemental hay and the purchase of water could be taken." The plan would also include a work plan where each member would spend a designated time to provide care to the common herd. Farmers and gardeners are suffering as well. Elaine Riggs and her husband have given up the livestock business. Now they are forced to haul water to water their trees and garden every other day. "It hasn't always been like this. Before, the rain and groundwater took care of this for us. Now we must get our water at the station on Leupp Road. I can tell you that it's getting expensive; the price is going up." Filling her 350-gallon tank once cost $3. This week it cost her $5.75. The price has nearly doubled. "I fear that the federal government is sitting back watching us here on the reservation to see how we respect and deal with the land. If they see us sitting back and doing nothing, I fear they will step in and we'll have John Collier, Jr," J.W. refers back to the forced livestock reductions that still haunt the psyche of the Navajo people. "They'll just come in and impose reduction and say this is how things are going to be," J.W. worries. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Those names marked with * or the use of initials indicate the use of another name to honor those peoples' request for anonymity.) Copyright c. 2002 Northern Arizona Newspapers, Inc. --------- "RE: Corps of Engineers should consult with Tribes" --------- Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 08:33:42 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MISSOURI SITES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/06/13/ Indians seek more management say on sacred sites along Missouri By CHET BROKAW Associated Press Writer PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should consult with Indian tribes to make sure burial grounds and other sacred sites along the Missouri River are protected, a federal council was told Wednesday. More than three dozen people attended a hearing held by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which will recommend ways for the corps to improve its preservation of historic sites along the shores of the six Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana. John L. Nau III of Texas, the council's chairman, said he realized the issue was important when he read a newspaper story Wednesday about a court case involving the unearthing of bones in a state recreation area on the Missouri River. The council will work with state and federal agencies to make sure such sites are treated as sacred, Nau said. The tribal, state and federal government must cooperate to protect those sites, he said. Kip Spotted Eagle of Lake Andes, a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, said young people are upset that bones were dug up because state or federal officials have not consulted with Indians about burial sites. Such incidents hamper efforts to lower the wall of misunderstanding between Indians and non-Indians, he said. "That wall is being built up again," Spotted Eagle said. "That wall will never cease to exist if this type of thing is allowed to go on." Low water levels on the drought-stricken reservoirs are exposing burial sites and other sacred places this year. The Advisory Council oversees a review process that requires federal agencies to consider so-called historic properties when planning projects. It will take written comments on the Missouri River until June 26. The council plans to recommend in August how the Corps of Engineers can improve its historic preservation work on the Missouri River. Meanwhile, the corps will soon issue its proposal for changing the Master Manual that guides how it manages the six Missouri River dams and the stretch of the river below the dams. Indians said the corps' revision of the manual has given little attention to sacred sites. Under a law passed by Congress, the corps also is transferring land along the Missouri River to the state of South Dakota and the Cheyenne River and Lower Brule Sioux tribes. Other tribes have gone to court to try to stop the land transfer to the state. The Corps of Engineers has responsibility for handling artifacts and Indian remains along the river, even though management of 22 recreations sites already has been transferred to the state. The state and the corps have signed an agreement meant to ensure that graves and archaeological sites along the river will be protected when the land is controlled by the state. The Yankton Sioux Tribe sued the state and the Corps of Engineers after human remains were found May 14 when contractors hired by the state were digging for a construction project at the North Point Recreation Area near Pickstown. The suit seeks to protect the site and to block the transfer of any Missouri River shoreline to the state. Many who testified at Wednesday's hearing said corps and state officials have not consulted with Indians who know where burial sites are located along the river. Some said the unearthing of bones near Pickstown could have been avoided if officials had listened to Indians. "We have dealt with the corps, and the corps has not dealt fairly with us," said Ellsworth Chytka of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Gen. David Fastabend, commander of the Northwest Division of the Corps of Engineers, said the agency did its own assessment and decided to set up a permanent cultural resource management program for the Missouri River. The corps needs to spend $77 million in the long term to protect cultural resources, but that money is not in the agency's budget, Fastabend said. The corps had previously allocated $500,000 a year for cultural resource management, but it is now reallocating money from other areas to make up to $3 million a year available, he said. Pemina Yellow Bird of the Mandan, Hidatsu and Arikara tribes of North Dakota, said the corps needs to follow existing laws that require it to protect sacred sites. The corps should be required to consult with tribes to identify and protect sites and to hire Indians as permanent staff to deal with sacred sites, Yellow Bird said. "These places you call historic properties, they're holy to us," she told the council. Peter Winham, assistant director of the archaeology lab at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, said the Missouri River may need its own institute to preserve sites and educate people about those sites. A long term effort is needed to make sure projects actually get done, he said. "The time for planning is over. We know what is out there. The tribes know what is out there," Winham said. "We need action." Copyright c. 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2000 Ravalli Republic and Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Guerrero gives Noble Hand Out to Survivors" --------- Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 11:12:18 -0400 From: joewest Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="OTTAWA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ Ottawa plans new Indian-claims agency Legislation would set up commission that aims to right wrongs done to bands By BRIAN LAGHI Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - Print Edition, Page A5 OTTAWA -- Ottawa is expected to unveil legislation this week designed to compensate Indian bands for historical grievances that include land swindles and other double-crosses often approved by the federal government itself. Senior Indian Affairs officials said yesterday that the government plans to bring in proposals as early as tomorrow that would create a new claims commission whose job would be to expedite long-standing complaints, many of which stem from the turn of the century. The commission would replace the Indian Claims Commission, which has been described by native leaders as toothless because it only has the power to recommend to the cabinet that a band be compensated. The new commission would have the power to impose awards. Its budget would be about $75-million a year and there would be a cap on the amount of cash to be distributed per claim. The new commission is part of a package, and the second portion is expected to be outlined by Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault next week. He plans to put forward changes to the Indian Act that would amend the way bands elect their councils, among several other notions. The new commission has been demanded by bands for several decades, and the issue came to a head during the Oka crisis in Quebec in 1990. At that time, the government established the ICC to hold hearings into various claims and then advise the government on whether it should negotiate compensation. However, the process has become mired in the bureaucracy, and many bands are distrustful of the process because so few claims have been awarded. There are currently 550 claims in the system, and native officials believe there could be another 1,000 to 2,000 to be filed. Mr. Nault has said he would like to have the proposals in the Commons before the end of the spring sitting so interest groups could have the summer to mull them over. He said yesterday that the legislation is "on track" but would not commit to a specific date. Native bands and organizations, including the Assembly of First Nations, have complained about the government's plans because Ottawa has been proposing a $5-million cap on individual compensation packages. The bands want to know whether legal costs and interest charges are included in the cap. Moreover, they are upset that bands may have to restrict their demands before they opt into the process. Bands are also upset because they believe the government wants the right to appoint the members of the new commission. The claims that would come under the commission would be historical grievances that include actions such as the illegal sale of reserve land to prairie farmers. Government expropriations of Indian land for military bases and other uses are also among the catalogue of injustices. In other cases, the government failed to adequately count the number of natives on a reserve, resulting in bands being shortchanged on the amount of land owed them. The commission would have no role in negotiating general land claims, such as the one agreed to with British Columbia's Nisga'a. The new system is expected to have two separate bodies. The first would be charged with mediating an agreement between the government and a complaining band; the second body would be a tribunal that would have the right to impose a settlement if the two sides cannot agree. Copyright c. 2002 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: First Nations work to take on Family Services" --------- Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 08:09:51 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FAMILY SERVICES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/abdt/ First Nations work to take on family services Model planned to oversee child-care programs run by provincial ministry Gordon Hoekstra Prince George Citizen Wednesday, June 5, 2002 First Nations groups in Prince George took the first steps Monday to aquiring control of services delivered now by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, an effort to reduce the number of children in care and increase their quality of life. Of the children in care of the B.C. government in northern B.C., 73% are aboriginal, while only making up 12% of the population. Members of the Urban Prince George Aboriginal Child and Family Commission signed a memorandum of understanding in a ceremony pledging to work together in the best interest of their families and children. The aboriginal groups include the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, Carrier Sekani Family Services, the Prince George Native Friendship Centre, the United Native Nations and the Nechako Fraser Junction Metis Association -- representing nine bands with members living in the city and a native urban service groups. Reaching agreement among the aboriginal groups was necessary before moving to the next stage -- planning a model to oversee child and family services like mental health, foster care, parenting, special needs, youth justice, and child and family protection. The model is hoped to be worked out a year from now. Implementation could be another year after that. "As a group, I think we're taking a step forward, and I'm looking forward to many more steps forward," Lheidli T'enneh chief Barry Seymour said at the ceremony at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre. Added the centre's executive director Dan George: "I'm confident we'll be successful." The aboriginal groups acknowledge that even though there's been three years of preliminary work, the real work begins now. While First Nations have experience in some areas like child protection through the Carrier Sekani Family Services, in other areas like mental health they don't have much experience, noted George HoLem, who chaired the urban aboriginal commission and is president of the United Native Nation, local 112. And there's some question of how Liberal budget cuts will effect services. But the disproportionate numbers of native children in care means First Nations must take control of services themselves, said HoLem. For example, where in the past a youth or child in trouble might be counselled by his uncles and other extended family and moved away from the source of troubles, today, he may be apprehended, put into youth custody, perhaps assigned to a foster home, and as a result, becomes dislocated from his culture and family and put into an environment that's "totally alien", observed HoLem. "How is a young person going to work through their issues when there's that type of serious impact on their lifestyle and existence," he said. The Ministry of Child and Family Development supports transfering services into the hands of First Nations. Ministry official Doug Hayman, responsible for northern B.C., said the idea is that eventually aboriginal agencies would be "full service," taking over everything the ministry is doing now. "It would mean that our resources would be transferred to those agencies, in time, as it unfolds, over the next few years," he said. "It's a big story. It's a big change." Copyright c. 2002 Prince George Citizen. --------- "RE: Indian Act Revisions fall Short" --------- Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 08:17:17 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN ACT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Indian-Act-Problems.html June 16, 2002 Indian Act revisions fall short of economic expectations:aboriginal banker OTTAWA (CP) -- As the political debate over revisions to the Indian Act heat up this week between aboriginal leaders and the federal government, both sides will likely still ignore an important issue according to one expert. No one is addressing the failure of the newly introduced legislation to provide the real economic tools native communities need to become more self-sufficient, says Brian Davey, head of a Bay Street aboriginal investment bank. "Providing enabling legislation that leads towards good governance is only 20 per cent of the solution that's required to build aboriginal communities," says Davey, chief executive officer and founder of First Nations Equity. "If you don't know what that final picture is going to look like, you can't measure whether or not the interim measures are pointing you in that direction." Davey, whose firm raises capital exclusively for aboriginal groups and companies, keeps a close eye on business dealings between the private sector and First Nations communities. He says many barriers still block business opportunities for these groups. Many aboriginal businesses trying to get bank loans have trouble qualifying due to provisions of the Indian Act that prohibit the seizure and mortgaging of personal property of an aboriginal person or nation, for example. He says the newly introduced First Nations Governance Act is too vague and doesn't provide real investment tools for aboriginal communities. "There's nothing there with respect to tax," he says. "Every government -- municipal, federal, provincial -- can use tax legislation to attract investment into their communities or into their provinces or country. You don't have that with First Nations, which is a vital tool." Nault defended the First Nations Governance Act -- which he introduced in the House of Commons on Friday -- from criticism that it impedes treaty and aboriginal rights. "How do you think we'll ever get to self-government or self-sufficiency if you don't have modern tools of governance?" he said Sunday on CTV's Question Period. Without these institutions, he said, you can't build a society that is stable enough to attract private sector investors. Investment leads to employment, reduction in welfare numbers and open market borrowing to First Nations governments. "(These institutions) don't exist today simply because we've never had an opportunity to give First Nations governments the place they deserve with the right kinds of tools to make those changes." But financial instruments that could open the doors to investment weren't included in the legislation, says Davey. For example, Canada doesn't have tax-exempt bonds for First Nations, which are used by bands in the United States to raise millions of dollars for infrastructure and housing. There are also no labour-sponsored equity funds for First Nations that could be sold to the general public. Almost a billion dollars in federal First Nations funds weren't transferred to aboriginal groups to manage, he adds. Municipalities are able to take surplus cash and invest it to generate a better return. He suggests First Nations could do the same by investing most of the money and lending out the rest for improvement or development projects in their communities. "I don't know why this was overlooked, " says Davey. He says some groups have gotten around these barriers in the past by setting up corporations to invest in joint venture agreements. Others negotiated so-called impact and benefit agreements, such as the Labrador Innu, who endorsed a key agreement with nickel giant Inco to develop the Voisey's Bay mineral deposit. But there's still a long way to go. "If your legislative arm only extends to the boundary of your reserve, then there's not much you can do, from a legislative standpoint off- reserve, to benefit your community," he says. Nault said Friday more legislation will be introduced in the fall to clarify the fiscal relationship between aboriginal groups and the federal government, part of a larger project to meet the Liberals' promises on native health care, water and education issues. Nault introduced a bill Thursday setting up a new system for settling First Nations specific claims. On Monday, he is expected to announce new government plans for aboriginal education, as well as addressing the Indian Act revisions in the House of Commons. He recommended the proposed legislation be reviewed by a House committee before its second reading Friday, saying it would allow aboriginal groups to have a say in changing the legislation. Copyright c. 2002, Canoe, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Qualicum First Nation wins River Battle" --------- Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2002 08:00:03 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="QUALICUM" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=6DB45A49-C656-45F2-9E2D-63F76EDAA720 Qualicum First Nation wins river battle Sandra McCulloch Times Colonist (Victoria) Tuesday, June 11, 2002 A dispute over who has dominion over a kilometre-long stretch of the Big Qualicum River was settled Monday in B.C. Supreme Court. The portion of river at issue lies within the Qualicum First Nation reserve and it's up to the band to determine who may fish, swim or boat there, Justice Dean Wilson decided. Lawyers for the federal and provincial governments, along with the Qualicum First Nation, presented Wilson with a consent settlement, marking the end of a two-year legal battle over who owns the riverbed. In the end, all parties decided that while the federal government owns the river and all of the reserve, it holds the land and waterway in trust for the Qualicum First Nation. It's good news for the Qualicum Nation, said Chief Barbara Burns outside court. "I'm pleased. Right from the beginning we thought it should go this way." Altercations between anglers and aboriginals have rubbed the community raw, she said. "People were being threatened in their own backyards," she said. The issue is about respect, not having exclusive access to the fishery, she added. Government lawyers maintain the case isn't precedent-setting, that each reserve with a river must be examined individually. The legal battle has cost the band $100,000 but the victory makes the fight worthwhile, said Burns. "This has been a long, hard haul and patience is an issue." The outcome doesn't sit well with recreational fishermen who for years have fished the river and consider it theirs. The anglers say the river is public property and they should not be banned from it. The settlement demonstrates that the attorney general of B.C. isn't prepared to defend public ownership of B.C. rivers, said Phil Eidsvik of the Fisheries Survival Coalition outside court. "It wasn't the government's river to give away -- it's the people's river. "Clearly the attorney general wanted to transfer the river (to the natives,)" said Eidsvik, calling the province's position "a disgrace." "What you're seeing is the attorney general playing games. ... Obviously the rivers of B.C. just aren't important to (Attorney General Geoff Plant)," said Eidsvik. The rights of these anglers were not tested in court in this case -- in fact, the lawyers excluded the issue specifically and said all they would deal with was whether the river was in the reserve. The province takes no position on the issue of anglers' access to the river, lawyer Jakob deVilliers said outside court. "This settlement does not deal with the issue of fishing." Court heard that much of the confusion over who owns the riverbed goes back to 1877, when surveyors drew up boundaries for Indian reserves. The Qualicum Reserve was described in documents as "200 acres more less on both sides of the Big Qualicum River." While the land on each side is clearly in the reserve, the issue is murky when it comes to the river itself and the bed beneath. A subsequent survey revealed that the reserve without the river included makes up 190 acres and the riverbed itself takes up seven acres. That would point to the river being included in the original description. Copyright c. 2002 Times Colonist (Victoria). --------- "RE: Alaskan Native Exchange System in Peril" --------- Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 08:50:19 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ALASKAN SUBSISTANCE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.adn.com/opinion/story/1234373p-1350618c.html Opinion: Native exchange system in peril Compass By Alan Borass (Published: June 10, 2002) Judging by letters to the editor there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about what subsistence means to Alaska's Native people. Subsistence is only partly about how wild foods are taken. The real point of subsistence is what happens after the food is caught. The State Division of Subsistence has compiled data on how Alaskans use wild food. We know the average Anchorage resident consumes about 222 pounds of meat and fish per year and, of that, only 19 pounds are wild foods. Rural Natives, on the other hand, harvest 375 pounds of wild meat and fish and consume very little grocery store protein. Not only is this almost 20 times the amount of wild food caught by the non-Native household, it is much greater than the total protein consumed by an Anchorage resident. Why? The answer is that Alaska Natives are harvesting more wild foods than they consume, and the excess is exchanged in a network that extends from a local village, to Anchorage, to wherever friends and family reside. Moose meat from Huslia is given to a cousin in a nearby village, or salmon from Koliganak is given to a daughter living in Anchorage. But that is only half of it. A gift given requires a return gift to restore balance, and to not repay a gift breaks the social dance of giver and receiver. Some day the cousin will return the gift of moose meat or maybe it will be beaver meat, and someday the daughter will return the gift of salmon perhaps by coming home to care for an aging mother. Unpaid gifts form bonds between people based on trust. To be an Alaska Native is to participate in gift exchange and the core gifts are wild foods. For thousands of years Native people in Alaska have been institutionalizing trust by exchanging wild foods. Sometimes gifts were exchanged as an expression of love, sometimes gifts were exchanged to form alliances, and sometimes gifts were exchanged to resolve disputes. But always the gifts involved the products of the land. Sometimes the gift- giving was formal as in potlatches, and sometimes it was as simple as showing up at someone's house announcing the magic words of unity, "I have some smoked salmon for you." Perhaps the salmon was a repayment for a past gift, or perhaps it initiated a new gift-giving cycle. Either way a bond, an obligation, and a commitment were formed through sharing food. The complex of people, land and wild foods formed a glue that held the people together based on the principle of reciprocity. Non-Natives might say "But I gave away half my salmon last year!" Yes, but you gave it away because your freezer was full and you wanted room for this year's catch, not because you wanted to participate in gift exchange for the sake of community solidarity. Now the glue of millennia is threatened to be undone. For the most part the anti-subsistence movement has been well-intentioned, advocating constitutional equal access regardless of scarcity. But the consequences of that argument are dire because it means the elimination of subsistence and destruction of the reciprocal exchange system that has been the foundation of Native Alaska's community cohesion for centuries. It doesn't matter that the food was obtained with a gun or a harpoon. What does matter is that Alaska has vibrant, energetic Native communities to parallel its non-Native counterparts. The only way to keep these intact is to preserve the traditional method of forming community cohesion through the exchange of wild food as gifts. We need to protect that tradition with a rural subsistence priority. And if a rural preference is put into law, it will certainly not be the first time in the history of this country that one group had preferential access to resources over another. Alan Boraas is a professor of anthropology at Kenai Peninsula College. Copyright c. 2002 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: FBI Misconduct: You should have Listened" --------- Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 15:09:12 PM EDT From: kolanews@coollist.com Subj: FWD: FBI Misconduct...You should have listened --------- Forwarded Message ----------- Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 11:37:23 EDT From: AIM4JUSTCE@aol.com Dear America: To those of us in the Native American community the revelations regarding FBI misconduct are laughable. We have been telling you since the 60's how FBI agents have infiltrated our reservations and communities and affected unspeakable acts of terror against our people. There are over 100 unsolved murders directly linked to FBI involvement for no other reason than power and greed. We thought when FBI agents shot and killed a young mother holding her infant child at Ruby Ridge you would listen. But you didn't. We thought when FBI agents incinerated over 80 people at Waco you would listen but you didn't. When the FBI crucified an innocent man (letting the true culprit escape) for the Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, we thought you might listen, But you didnt. It took September 11 to make you listen. Terrorist bombed the World Trade center in the early 90's and vowed to finish the job. They bombed military barracks in Saudi Arabia, and various U.S. embassies. They blew a hole in the USS Cole killing US sailors. The September 11 attacks on U.S. mainland could have and should have been foreseen and prevented. The blame lies directly at the feet of former FBI Director Louie Freeh. The blood of September 11th is on his hands. In the year 2000 while terrorist were infiltrating the U.S., going to flight schools, and planning the September 11 attacks, Freeh and a band of over 200 FBI agents marched on the WhiteHouse, invested thousands of hours lobbying President Clinton and other high ranking members of the Clinton administration to deny a parole request to a solitary Indian man who has sat in Leavenworth Federal Prison over 25 years for a crime (FBI files reveal) he did not commit. His name is Leonard Peltier. He is a hero to our people. On June 26.1975 Leonard Peltier was camping with a group of Indian people on the Pine Ridge reservation. FBI agents unannounced and unidentified commenced an assault on the encampment and a firefight broke out. Two FBI agents and an Indian man lay dead. Later a jury determined that the Indians acted in self-defense. Thus began a reign of terror against Indian people that culminated in the illegal arrest and extradition (from Canada) of Leonard Peltier. In typical J. Edgar Hoover style, The FBI then falsified information and intimidated witnesses to gain a conviction of Peltier for the deaths of the Agents. The FBI's own files conclude "we do not know who killed the agents" Yet Louie Freeh and his band of goons made speeches, established websites and intimidate President Clinton into denying a parole to this innocent man. They claim they were working "on their own time" but so were the terrorist. Leonard Peltier is beginning his 27th year as a hostage of The FBI. Its time Congress takes appropriate action to free this innocent man and dismantle the vile corrupt agency that let us down Sept 11. Matt Sherman Rep. National Field Office, American Indian Movement PO BOX 06167 Columbus, Ohio 43206 +=+=+=+ END STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM FREE UNITED STATES HOSTAGE LEONARD PELTIER #89637-132 +=+=+=+ Please do NOT reply to Subj: Native Prisoner Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 19:23:56 -0700 (PDT) From: "orion-c@webtv.net" Subj: For Pen Pal list Mailing List: Iron Natives Sheila R. Burke, 7398393 CCCF, Wilsonville, OR 97070 -=-=-=- Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 1:46 AM From: Subj: Native American Prisoner Support: Urgent Actions/News Mailing List: Iron Natives Forward from NAPS..... Native American Prisoner Support: Urgent Actions/News Name:Help Traditional Native American Believers! Prisoners Under Attack! Urgent Action:By John Rico Dog Tomahawk Alvarado #926648, Westville Correctional Facility, P.O. Box 473, Westville, IN 46391-0473 We are a traditional American Indian Spiritual Group at Westville Correctional Facility in Westville, Indiana. We come from many Nations, we are in unity and come together for traditional teaching, culture, Pipe ceremony and strength. We are under fire from the Chaplain Rev. Green who has taken it upon his self to try to force Christian beliefs against our will. Since taking over as Lead Chaplain, he has disrespected the honour and respect of our sacred beliefs by entering our closed prayer circle. We are not allowed to use the chapel in cold weather, but he has moved us to a part of the building that is out of the way. Chaplain Green has refused to allow our honouring ceremony that by policy is two times a year with a feast for both, but we can only have one a year. He has openly said he has no knowledge of our culture beliefs, or ceremony, but still tells us how and when to start our ceremony. He has interrupted our relaxation time when the men are allowed to speak openly about their problems and remove the negativity before our opening smudge and prayer. Smudging is to purify and the smoke from the sacred herbs carries the prayers to the Creator. This has never been a problem in the past, only since Mr. Green has come. We are denied the Inipi that is approved by policy. We need bands of spiritual color; black, yellow, white, green and blue. Tobacco, Kinnikinnick, corn pollen, corn meal and bearroot, rattles for ceremony, buffalo skull for our altar. We are given a hard time on getting in videos, audio tapes of traditional dance, teaching of history, language. And Elders speaking truth about our culture. On this note I need to let everyone know our Pipe carrier Dick Ferrer who is himself a Sundancer and also has been holding Iniipi ceremony for years, is very respected by the Lakota Elders and us. He is being denied by the I.D.O.C. to hold sweats here. This policy is now over 6 years old and has not been changed nor voided. These violations by Chaplain Green, Mrs.Buss and Mrs. Filbey are not because of security reasons. There has never been a fight or problems from us, only attempts by Chaplain Green to provoke us by his dishonourable action. In the past, Mrs. Doris Woodruff Filbey is quoted as saying that "I (Mr. Alvarado), should work within the prison to work out these problems". After years of trying to do so, being lied to time after time, and not seeing any progress on the part of the I.D.O.C, we have come to the conclusion that the I.D.O.C and Westville Correctional Facility are run by a pack of morons whose only goal is to steel all they can, and to rob the taxpayers of their money in the name of justice and correction. We are in prison as our punishment, not to be punished. Westville is a cesspool of corruption with an administration of moral degenerates. How can man come to a place like this and learn to walk the good road with people like this running the place? My only answer has to be from within - our ways - to return to our traditions and rebuild ourselves. In the past we have strayed from these types of problems, but when we see that the I.D.O.C.'s action is hurting the balance of my people, we feel we must speak. On April 21 - 2002 Chaplain Green scolded and desecrated the hoop by entering and yelling about a tape player. On April 22-2002 John Alvarado filed a letter of discontentment against Chaplain Green who states he is a Christian. Chaplain Green began by ordering the closing of American Indian service, in violation of the I.D.O.C policy and America's first amendment of the constitution that gives all, including prisoners, freedom of religion. But somehow Chaplain Green is not happy with just closing it down. I've received the first of three false conduct reports to get him removed from services if and when they resume. The sad part is that Chaplain Green tried to place one of his hand-picked offenders as spokesperson, but Mike, who has been here over a year, has only attended one Indian ceremony at Westville, which was on 25 May 2002. He did not know how to conduct the opening ceremony, and the sacred herbs, sage, cedar, sweet grass burned for him was rejected by the American Indians of the hoop and by the spirits of our ancestors. We have unity and we will stand strong, but at this time we are asking all spiritual people, no matter what race, to hear our cries and contact the people on the list below. Stand with us in the spirit of our ancestors. Mitakuye Oyasin Thank you, in spirit, John Rico Dog Tomahawk Alvarado # 926648 Westville Correctional Facility P.O.BOX 473 Westville IN 46391-0473 USA List of addresses, e-mails, phone numbers you can use to support us: Governor of Indiana Frank Obannon, 206 State House 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, USA, Phone: (317) 232-4567 Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, E-mail: senatorcampbell@senate.gov Dateline NBC, NBC News, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York NY 10112, Phone: 212664-7501, E-mail: dateline@nbc.com 48 Hours News Show, S. 24 west 57th Ave., New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212975-3247, E-mail: 48hours@cbs.com http://www.angelfire.com/wy/nainmatessupportgrp/index.html -=-=-=- Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 1:36 AM From: Date: Friday, June 07, 2002 Name: Mike Steps In It Walton, Clinton, Maine Subj: Native American Prisoner Support: Urgent Actions/News Urgent Action:Kwai Nidobak, Sacred Feathers is a small group of Native inmates at the Maine State Prison at Warren, Maine. These are people who wish to follow old-ways Spirituality. For several years we have asked for certain things to happen, such as the ability to smudge daily, wear Medicine pouches, and to be able to attend a Sweat Lodge. We heard today from the Deputy Warden, Al Barlow, that a Sweat Lodge has been approved, and will be allowed on the grounds at the new prison in Warren, Maine. The Sweat Lodge area will be the central place for smudging, Pipe Ceremony, and other ceremonial activities. Next week we will be allowed to have Pipe Ceremonies once again in the same area that the Sweat Lodge will be built in the near future. Tobacco is now contraband in the Maine prison systems, so this, in and of itself, is no small victory for which we are truly grateful. This Sweat Lodge will be the 1st of it's kind within the Maine prison system. The slow part will be for the writing of the Policies and Procedures manual by the prison officials, as this will be a totally new experience for the Maine government. A little of that was formulated today, Wednesday, June 5th, 2002. We are hoping to build and run the 1st Sweat Lodge in August, around the 24th. All items have to be paid for by the inmates, and the monies are really low. We are asking for help in the form of materials and or monies to enable the group to do this. The account number for money donations to the Sacred Feathers group is #2846. The group is currently trying to get a non-profit status, but has not done this as yet. Future donations will be tax deductible. If you can help, or know of any groups that can help, it would be greatly appreciated. I will be taking in the Alder poles, Grandfather Stones, Cedar, water bucket, and twine for the Sweat Lodge. Items still needed include the covers for the Sweat Lodge, Sage or Cedar for smudging, Sweetgrass Braids, monies for wood, and other items such as Deer Antlers, pitchfork, etc. Contact information to make donations and/or to write to the group: Sacred Feathers #2846 Rizzo 4577 MD 211T, Secretary Maine State Prison - 807 Cushing Road Warren, Maine 04864 Welalin - thank you for your time and understanding. Respectfully, Mike Steps In It Walton Clinton, Maine --------- "RE: Rustywire: Bitter Winds" --------- Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 08:19:15 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RW: Bitter Winds" http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/1574/ Navajo Spaceships, Star Mountain and Rez Memories An Online Writing Journal, Prose & Poetry by John Rustywire, Navajo Bitter Winds by Johnny Rustywire Grandfather, tell me about the people, the ones called Tsaa... There are no Tsaa People, there once were two brothers looking for medicine to help their sister who was ill and they travelled far and wide going from place to place to find a way to help her and in doing so met many people. When they found people they did not know there would go to the elder there, the Grandfather would say, you are strangers and do not belong here. The brothers would tell the story of how they came to be there, that they were seeking some knowledge to help their sick sister and had come this say to find what these people had to offer, to learn from them and the proper way of doing things. The Grandfather said, "Do you have gifts to bring", in this they said we do not have much but offer all that we have. In the distance was a rainbow and that had travelled on it and in doing so they had made a trail from it to there and that trail was their life, the rainbow fashioned by every twist and turn they had made in their travels, it spoke well of them. The Grandfather looked at this and said, "You have enough my children" and taught them in the way they should walk, teaching them about the things his people had to offer and sent them on their way. They came across one people, when they came upon them they sat in a place hollowed out by the wind, and when they announces themselves they said nothing, just sitting there throwing red sand all over themselves. They did not talk, or see them or listen to them, but just threw this sand all over and stirred up the dust. This was the place called Tsaa, the home of Bitter Winds, the winds that blow for no reason but to cause strife. The wind when it comes to you carries sand and if you are caught in it, it will sting your face, it will make you thing why are you here and where am I going, it is too much trouble to continue. But if you hang on it will blow over and be gone. It is always there this wind, so it is with life. Grandfather, why are they that way?. Son, it has always been so you will find it all through your life, there are those that are like that bitter wind, when they come to you, they bring nothing but stirred up dust and it will sting, it comes from a place where there are those people who do not see, or hear or listen and not matter what you say they will not listen, but just throw red sand all over themselves and stir up the bitter winds of life..........from the Navajo Way, a centuries old story in the songs and legends of the People, the Bitter Winds come still and so it goes on, but it will pass, there will be better days than this, let this one go by.... Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Poem: Windows" --------- Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 07:24:19 -0400 From: "Dreamwalker" Subj: Windows Windows There are all kinds of windows windows in our homes windows in our office but one window is clearer The window of the Soul the eye of Spirit the one True window opening onto forever This window and only this window allows us to see truth ultimate truth I have pondered this much especially lately and still it rings true Though we may never see though we may never understand everything is for a reason everything has purpose Most especially when we can not see most especially when we do not understand My window looks both ways into the future and also into the past it is the now that is hidden It is the now that counts what I see from my window what is important what I do with the knowledge Life is not about what is good or bad it is about what we do with what we are given It is always and forever about the higher good Though we may not see it though we may not understand it always and forever it is about what is best So everytime I look out my window I see what might be not what is but what could be What we can all accomplish if we but see what is and always the higher good It matters not what we feel cold as that may seem it matters what we do with that Always and forever what we do with what we have that is what we see if we look out the window The window of Spirit the window of Hope the window of today the window of the Circle. Crys The Tears/Dreamwalker~Lakota copyright 2000 --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 06:26:00 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAIIAN BOOK OF DAYS, week of June 24-30 IUNE (June) (Kaaona) 24 True dreams are born of sea spray, of ehukai. 25 Cherish three things above all else: the life of the land, the well-being of the spirit, and the love of those friends who are dearest to us. 26 Be one with the winds, and give your spirit wings! 27 The gifted storyteller brings the past to life. 28 In the chant of the ages lies the secret heart of the people. 29 The mountains stand like sentinels above my valley. 30 All space and time live within me. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Elders tell Tribal Lore on Using Plants" --------- Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 08:33:42 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="USING PLANTS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/native/ Elders Tell Tribal Lore on Using Plants by AP, The Associated Press Odanah, Wis. (AP) - Tribal elders hope a two-year project that included more than 200 interviews will pass along their knowledge of the use of plants to younger generations. Elders from 11 tribes in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota were interviewed as part of the project. The organizers are just beginning to draft the results. "I've been running projects for 30 years and it's been the hardest to coordinate - but the most awesome for the information gathered," said Jim St. Arnold, project coordinator with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. The project focused on the uses of plants - which plants were used for foods; how different saps were used; how people used things like wild bergamot, a type of evergreen, as a hair conditioner; and even how people used cattails and bull rushes to make mats. "It's part of maintaining our cultures, our traditions, because elders are very important to us," St. Arnold said. "We thought it was important we gather this information because a lot of our elders are passing on and are taking that knowledge with them." Plans call for presenting the information on a compact disc, a harvest calendar and a plant display that can be taken to schools as a way of teaching the younger generation about uses of plants and the threats to those plants' existence. The project was funded by a grant from the Administration for Native Americans. The interviews gathered information on more than 200 plants and plant parts used for food and other uses. Three of the elders who took part were Harold and Delma Crowe and their son, Clarence. Harold was born in Minnesota in 1919. His great uncle signed the treaty of 1837, one of the pacts that ceded much of northern Wisconsin to the U.S. government. "The real Indian was rich because he lived right off the earth," Harold said. Clarence talked about plants that tribal members used to harvest that are hard to find now, like hazelnuts, wild plums and gooseberries. He remembers picking cattail roots, drying them out and beating them into flour to make bread. It's important, he said, to let people know what plants are disappearing, so maybe something can be done about it. "The only thing that's good now is the wild rice," Harold said. "I'd like to pass my knowledge of the ricing business down to the younger generation." Copyright c. 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2002 iMinorities, Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Review: Windtalker" --------- Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 09:03:20 -0700 From: John Berry Subj: A "Windtalker Review" Mailing List: NetRez Courtesy of the American Indian Film Institute, myself and many members of the greater San Francisco Indian community, were able to see "Windtalkers" four days before it's release date this coming friday. Let's just say the audience was packed with Indians, and the ensuing cheers, laughter and silences probably occurred at moments in the film where your crowd probably won't do the same, unless you are at home with your tribe. "Windtalkers," is an MGM movie, a fictional movie based on fact, with input from the surviving Navajo 'Code Talkers,' about the Navajo Code Talkers in the Pacific during World War II. It's not "Wake Island," a classic Hollywood and Marine Corps PR film circa 1942, and that's for sure. However it is a Hollywood war movie, complete with graphic violence, and cowboy style marksmanship, ammo supply and overkill, which can be chalked up to director Woo, of "Broken Arrow", and "Face Off" fame. Not particularly for young kids, most adults should probably see it, just to realize that Indians participated in WWII, and to reaffirm that, 'war is hell'. Directed by John Woo, Starring Nicolas Cage, Adam Beach, a Saulteaux Indian from Manitoba, Canada, and Roger Willie, a Navajo, and Christian Slater, as well as 50 Navajo extras and a cameo appearance by Albert Smith, a veteran code talker. Smith, appears at the bus station on the Navajo Rez, early in the film where Beach playing Ben Yazzie, takes leave of his family. Willie, playing Charlie Whitehorse, is already on the bus, and some Indian humor makes it's early, but not only appearance. The movie follows these two code talkers quickly through training, along with some combat sequences with Nicholas Cage, who becomes one of the Code Talker bodyguards, along with Christian Slater. The ensuing invasion of the island of Saipan, some racism among the troops, a boy meets girl subplot, and the rest of the story follows, which I won't ruin for you by going into details. There are a couple of good scenes, where Willie playing his traditional flute, does a duet with Slater playing a harmonica and they eventually get it right. If you want to be supportive of Indian Actors and Indian topical movies from Hollywood, you should see this movie. Actually you should see the movie anyway, "all" of the cast did a good job. It's a movie about history, survival, friendship, duty and honor, with some Indian humor, about, above, and beyond the horrors of war. For those who don't know about the 'Code Talkers', well, here is your chance. Unfortunately, director John Woo, and the script writers, missed their chance to include 'Code Talkers' from other tribes - and there were many - it would have taken about 30 seconds. If you are expecting accurate depiction of unit tactics, and situations, let's just say it's Hollywood. John D. Berry, NAS Librarian, UC Berkeley, CA, June 11, 2002 "Wor