From gars@speakeasy.org Tue Sep 3 22:44:14 2002 Date: 3 Sep 2002 23:47:05 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.036 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 Dineh jii' adah' ho'nil'e'gii ba' ha' neh -- Navajo Nation -- What's Happening among The People News Okla Humma Holisso Nowat Anya -- Choctaw -- People(s) Red Newspaper 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 036 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O September 7, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Anishnaabe manoominike/rice moon +-----------------------------+ Blackfeet iitaomatapapittssko/moon when leaves change <================<<<< >>>>================> 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; Rez Life, Tn-Ind, Chiapas95-English & ndn-aim Mailing Lists; newsgroups:alt.native,soc.culture.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.'" "No one understands a culture as well as somenone who grew up in it. Even though other people's hearts can be in the right place, there are certain things about the culture that they aren't going to comprehend." __ Dr. Carolyn Barcus, Blackfeet, President of the Society of Indian Psychologists +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Here on Turtle Island we are rapidly approaching autumnal equinox, that time when the green ones will prepare themselves for the long rest of winter, the winged ones will be casting their eyes to the sky as they get ready for another long flight and the four legged ones shed their short coats for long ones and many fatten for the long sleep. This is a reverant time. Our ancestors planned many of our most Sacred practices to coincide with the cycles of Sun, Moon and Earth. This time of preparing for winter is among those most Sacred of times. Give to them in a good way. My half-side, Janet, and I will have the honor of sharing this time with our brothers in the ironhouse. We will join them in song, dance and prayer. This year we will be able to do this on September 22 - the exact day when Mother Earth has no tilt and night meets day in perfect balance, and the night of the 21st will be that of a full moon. Canning produce for personal use during the winter or as give-aways will give strength to the change of seasons; and remind us to be thankful for the many gifts Creator grants us. I send well wishes to all who join us in this celebration of life, and ask that you include all you can in yours. 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 ---------- - Tribe mourns Crash Victims - Tribes Consider importing - Crossings Medicines from Canada - Livestock Sales used - CNRL will work with to ease Drought Impact Blueberry River First Nation - Running Cranes gather for Honoring - Escalation of - Receivership: Hostilities in Chiapas The Path to True IIM Trust Reform - Tribal Law Enforcement - Recognize the other gets $1.2 Million in Grants American Indian Code Talkers - Reservation Landowners - Healing Pole makes Stop in S.D. sue Federal Bureau - Means Announces plans - Pueblo could block to seek OST Presidency Recreational Access - Rodeo-Chediski Fire Damage/ - Cherokees named in $78 Million Suit Restoration surveyed - Man admits shooting - The Fire isn't over at BIA Officer's Vehicle on Fort Apache Reservation - Candidate blocked - Hate Notes left at Native Center Access to DOC Records - Flathead Agency Tribal Enrollment - Native Prisoner change Vote -- Parole to Canada - White Earth posts -- Mr. Redwoman: Tribal Hunting Land B. Slaughter's letter - Pine Ridge revival: - Poem: Fault-Line Indian enterpreneurs at work - Rustywire: Wahoo - College seeks to begin new - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days Crow Farming Tradition - Teachers of Yaqui Language replaced - Tea might be OK'd - Tribal Elder fights for Religious Practice to save dying Language --------- "RE: Tribe mourns Crash Victims" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 08:58:02 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HIWAY DEATHS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.chronline.com/news/news1.html Tribe mourns crash victims August 29, 2002 Chehalis indians: Women killed on I-5 Saturday worked in tribal clinic; four-day 'nondenominational' fire lit By Brian Mittge The Chronicle OAKVILLE - On a normal day, Valerie Stuber and Jeri Cozad would be doing their part to patch up scrapes and heal broken lives in the medical and substance abuse clinics on the Chehalis Indian Reservation. This Tuesday only memories of the two, and that of Cozad's daughter Michele Ross, were present as the tribe ritually mourned the three who died in Saturday's massive Interstate 5 crashes in Centralia. Tribal members are keeping a round-the-clock vigil at a four-day bonfire lit in the tribal smokehouse. Daytime visitors quietly dropped handfuls of tobacco or cedar boughs on the fire as they prayed. At night community members sang by the fire and prayed in a sweatlodge a few miles away. Outside the clinic, a table was covered with flowers, stuffed animals and other tokens of devotion. The crash victims weren't Chehalis Indians, but tribal members said Tuesday they were a part of the community. "They might as well have been family," said Rick Hill, a fisherman and drum maker. He said Stuber's husband and tribal clinic physician, Dr. Paul Stuber has also been devoted to tribal members. "Four days is nothing for what these people have done for our community," said Mark Colson, who helped organize the bonfire and ceremonies. The tribal business council offered the option of a paid week off for clinic staffers, and the tribe sent a small delegation down to family members of the deceased in Longview and Kelso. The tribe offered prayers from a variety of Christian and traditional denominations over a set of Pendleton blankets, then sent them down with clinic staff to the families of the victims in Longview, according to one of the clinicians, who declined to be identified. "The blanket represents the prayers and hugs of this community to these families," said the clinician, who is not a tribal member. "They have no idea how many people in this community are praying for them. Their loss is our loss." Across the ballfield in the tribal smokehouse, smoke and prayers wafted through a grove of oak trees and tribal members came and went, drinking coffee, eating sandwiches and offering support to each other as they gathered at the fire. "We saw some relationships mend last night," said Colson. This four-day bonfire is actually a "modified replica" of a tradition from the Potawatomi tribe in Oklahoma, Colson said. It is being used for the first time on the Chehalis reservation because it is a "nondenominational" service that wouldn't seem slanted toward Shakers, Protestants, Catholics or those who try to follow traditional Chehalis Indian ways. "We do this for the whole community and not just one branch," Colson said. It's for "anyone touched by the people. It's a place to have closure and pray." Brian Mittge covers local government for The Chronicle. He may be reached by e-mail at bmittge@chronline.com, or by telephoning 807-8237. Copyright c. 2001 The Chronicle/Lafromboise Newspapers, Inc. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" August 27, 2002 Chrystal Dunn Funeral services for former Cromwell resident Chrystal Janelle Dunn are scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Stout-Phillips Chapel in Wewoka. Rev. Mike Harjo is set to officiate, with assistance from Bill Hobia. A wake service is planned for Tuesday evening at the Stout-Phillips Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Interment will be at Snake Creek Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of the Stout-Phillips Funeral Home of Wewoka. Dunn passed away Aug. 24, 2002, in Talihina, at the age of 32. She was born July 28, 1970, in Oklahoma City, to Reuben Dunn Sr. and Geraldine Harjo Dunn. While growing up in the Cromwell area, Dunn attended Butner public schools. She was employed by the Choctaw Nation Health Center as a certified nurse's aide. She was preceded in death by her sister Fanny Estell Marlow; her paternal grandparents Noah and Louisa Dunn; and her maternal grandparents Charlie and Mary Harjo. She is survived by three sons, Derrick Jones, DeMontre Jones, and Roger Jones, all of Talihina; her daughter Kyonnea Dunn, Talihina; her father Reuben Dunn Sr., Oklahoma City; her mother Geraldine Harjo Dunn, Shawnee; four brothers, Daniel Dorsey, Shawnee, Christopher Adkins, Miami, William Marlow, Okla-homa City, and Reuben Dunn Jr., Shawnee; and three sisters, Christine Blalock, Miami, Edith Scott, Iowa, and DeWanda Mar-low, McLoud. Pallbearers will be Donald Hale, Lance Watson, Alvin Dor-sey and Bruce Pipkin. Howard Walkingstick Funeral services for former Seminole County resident Howard Chandler Walkingstick are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Barnard Memorial United Methodist Church in Holdenville. Rev. Joe Robinson is set to officiate. Interment is to follow at Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home. Walkingstick died Saturday, Aug. 24, 2002 at the age of 87. He was born in Tahlequah on Jan. 7, 1915. He graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1932. Walkingstick attended Okmulgee Business College before leaving in 1935 for George Washington University. He graduated in 1946 as a professionally trained social worker. He left Washington for Chicago when World War II was declared. He volunteered into the Army in May of 1943 and was discharged in June of 1946. Walkingstick returned to his federal job in Chicago where he also did volunteer work, which led him to the University of Denver School of Social Work. He received his Masters in 1949 and was detailed to Albuquerque Bureau of Indian Affairs, the United Pueblo Agency. After working in many states with Native Americans, he retired at Anadarko on Oct. 30, 1970 where he had been since 1954. Walkingstick was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis, the Oklahoma Welfare Association, and many other organizations. Most recently, Walkingstick lived in Holdenville where he was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a regular at Kiwanis and the HSPS as well as the Elks Lodge and bingo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon R. and Re-becca (Chandler) Walkingstick and eight siblings. Walkingstick is survived by one sister, Galela Walkingstick. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2000 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- August 28, 2002 Joe Redhorse Benally July 30, 1909 - Aug. 25, 2002 Joe R. Benally, 93 years old, of the Burnham-Bisti area died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002. He was born July 30, 1909. He is survived by eight children, Kenneth, Betty, Glenn, Wilson, Patty, Priscilla, Esther and Julius; a number of grandchildren; and his younger brother, Redhorse Benally. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Annabelle, in 1996, and a son, Kee, in 1993. As a young man, our dad trained and broke horses and was known for his expertise in horse evaluation for a task. He grew up with cattle and other livestock. He was a member of the Methodist Church since 1960, and attended area Christian churches and revivals, a faithful member to the end. In his prime, he was a very hard worker, rising before sunup and going to bed early in order to be up early and have a long day. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home. Pastor Raymond Henry will bring a message. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Matthew Benally, Patrick Benally, Nolan Benally, Rafer Benally, Derrick Abeyta and Carlton Bizardi. Honorary pallbearers will be his children, Kenneth, Betty, Glenn, Wilson, Patty, Priscilla, Esther and Julius. Following the services there will be a dinner at the San Juan Episcopal Mission south of San Juan River. Arrangements are with Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, (505) 325-8688. Calvin Dean Peshlakai Jan. 13, 1967 - Aug. 25, 2002 Calvin Dean Peshlakai, 35, of Hogback died Aug. 25, 2002, in Farmington. He was born Jan. 13, 1967, in Shiprock, the son of LeRoy Harry and Sarah Jackson. He is survived by his wife, Gloryana Manuelito; his mother, Sarah Jackson and stepfather, Herbert Jackson; father, LeRoy Harry; three daughters, Cassandra Mary Peshlakai, Autum Breeze Peshlakai and Kia Ann Peshlakai, all of Fruitland; four brothers, Manuel and Elroy Harry, Earl Victor and Mike Jackson; and two sisters, Laura J. Benally and Kendra Standingsoldier. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Jay J. Reuben, Melissa Reuben and Krystopher J. Reuben; two aunts, Tonita Joe and husband, Edward Joe Sr., of Hogback, and Ella Vicenti and husband, Clyde, of Dulce; and numerous other relatives. Calvin was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary F. Peshlakai; uncle, Peter Peshlakai; aunt, Lucy Harry; and numerous other relatives. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Shiprock Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with burial at Shiprock Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Clyde B. Vicenti, Edward Joe Jr., James Standingsoldier, Jay Reuben, Terry Benally and Nathonial Peshlakai. Honorary casket bearers are Earl Victor, Mike Jackson, Tonita and Edward Joe Sr., Manuel Harry and family, Elroy Harry and family, Laura and Jonathan Benally and family, Gloryana Manuelito and family, LeRoy Harry, Sarah and Herbert Jackson, Robert Pettigrew, Ella and Clyde Vicenti and family, and Kendra and James Standingsoldier. Arrangements are with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home in Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Dan N. Benally Sept. 26, 1914 - Aug. 25, 2002 Dan N. Benally, 87, of Red Valley, Ariz., died Aug. 25, 2002. He was born Sept. 26, 1914, in Red Valley. He is survived by two sons, Clarence and Harry; three daughters, Lula Tsosie, Bessie Chee and Della Etcitty; and four brothers. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Shiprock, with Father John Paul Sauter as celebrant. Rosary will be said at 9:30 a.m. before Mass. Funeral services are with Chapel of Memories in Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Copyright c. 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- August 28, 2002 Edgar Nez Edgar D. Nez, 73, died Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, in Teesto. Mr. Nez was born May 29, 1929, in Fingerpoint. A Medicine Man, Mr. Nez also worked for Santa Fe Railroad for 27 years before retiring in May 1980. Mr. Nez is survived by wife Betty Nez of Teesto; daughter Delores Captain of Albuquerque; daughter Carol Hernandez of Winslow; daughter Gereldin Werito of Tohajiilee, N.M.; daughter Katherine Woody of Teesto; sons Alex D. Nez of Indian Wells; son Leonard D. Nez of Tohajiilee; son Johnathan D. Nez of Tohajiilee; brother Kee Nez George of Castle Butte; brother Ross D. Nez of Teesto; 22 grandchildren; and 26 great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Greer's Scott Mortuary Chapel in Winslow. Interment will follow at Desert View Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Greer's Scott Mortuary. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Arizona Daily Sun. -=-=-=- August 29, 2002 Jennie Bullis Jennie Bullis, 84, of San Carlos died Aug. 21 in Globe. She was born in San Carlos and worked as an assistant at Older Adult Care in Bylas. She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church and the Catholic Church of Bylas. Survivors include two daughters, Joann Newton of Bylas and Carmelita Victor of Cutter; 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, Aug. 28) at St. Charles Catholic Church in San Carlos. Interment will follow in San Carlos Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Lamont Mortuary. September 1, 2002 Catherine Virginia Case Catherine Virginia Case, 68, of San Carlos died Aug. 23 at Chandler Regional Hospital. She was born in San Carlos and was a lifelong area resident. Mrs. Case is survived by two daughters, Matilda Bowman of Whiteriver and Lily Ann Alden of San Carlos; three sons, Alonzo Case Jr. and Lorenzo Case of San Carlos, and Anthony Case of Peach Springs; two brothers, Henry Hinton and Albert Harris of Bylas; one sister, Lula Russell of Bylas; 26 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A wake will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 at the Catherine Case residence on Mormon Hill Road in San Carlos. Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Catherine Case residence. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, at World Evangelist Revival Church in San Carlos. Interment will be in San Carlos Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Lamont Mortuary. Copyright c. 2002 Arizona Silver Belt/Apache Moccasin. -=-=-=- August 28, 2002 Jacqueline Williams POCATELLO - Jacqueline Williams, 53, died early Sunday morning, August 25, 2002, at her home following an extended illness. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho on March 18, 1949, to Simon Williams and Irene Shay Williams. She attended Tyhee Elementary, Hawthorne Junior High and graduated from Highland High School. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and held various callings including Relief Society President, first counselor in the Relief Society and spiritual living teacher. She was also gospel doctrine teacher, and taught Sunday school to the 13- and 14-year olds. She was a hard worker throughout her life. She had excellent typing skills and worked in various secretarial positions, the last of which was secretary in the facilities department with Indian Health Service. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Tia, Tashelle and Reese. She is survived by her father, Simon Williams and her children, Daniel Broncho, Carmela Williams, Candice Broncho, Tara (Manuel) Tinajero, Darla Reyes, Jack (Lisa) Galloway and Shellie Galloway. She is also survived by sisters, Geraldine Williams and Shirley Williams; and one Aunt, Ida Murillo. She was preceded in death by her mother, Irene. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Broncho. A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, August 27, 2002 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Henderson-Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 North 15th Ave., Pocatello. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 28, 2002, at 2 p.m. in the Fort Hall LDS Branch Chapel, Yellowstone Ave., Highway 91, with President Merlin Blad conducting, where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Burial will be in the Gibson Cemetery, where the casket will not be open prior to interment. Arrangements are under the direction of the Henderson-Cornelison Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. Copyright c. 2001 MyWebPal.com/Idaho State Journal/Pocatello, ID. -=-=-=- August 28, 2002 Irma Florence Reddoor POPLAR - Irma went home to be with our Heavenly Father on Aug. 23, 2002. We will miss her dearly. Our consolation is that she is enveloped in love, peace and joy of the Lord. Her faith was the backbone, which withstood physical and earthly obstacles, and allowed her to humbly and gracefully cope with the obstacles in dignity. She was born in Poplar to David L. Reddoor, Sr. and Mabel Geraldine Shields on Nov. 9, 1935. Irma grew up in the Poplar, Chelsea and Fort Kipp areas. Irma attended school in Oglala, S.D.; Poplar; Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota and graduated from Brockton High School. She also attended Cook Christian School in Arizona 1954-1955. Throughout life Irma attended UCLA, Southern California and graduated from NAES in Poplar. Irma served in the United States Navy from Sept. 23, 1955, to Oct. 3, 1957. Irma married Robert E. Binder, Sr. on June 15, 1957. They had four children. They lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Hawaii and California. Irma and Robert became life long friends and established a mutual respect and support for each other. Irma married Thomas Frazier around 1979 and eventually returned to Montana. Irma participated and had membership in various organizations. A few mentioned are Dakota Presbytery Elder-Deacon Association, Lindsey Ladies Aid, Dakota Choir, Nathan Crazy Bull Post, Women's Warrior Society and Ladies Groups in Albuquerque. Irma's most significant accomplishment was her walk with the Lord, and she was always happy to share that. She loved singing Dakota Hymns. Irma was always filled with laughter and love and will be best remembered by that. She kept in touch with many and often seemed to know just when to call or write someone. Hawaii was her fond place, and it was right that she just returned from there. She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Rev. Basil and Blanche Melbourne Reddoor; maternal grandparents, Andrew and Florence Lambert Shields; father, David L. Reddoor, Sr.; mother, Mabel Shields Reddoor; sister, Mary Mabel Reddoor; brother, Gabriel Andrew Reddoor; brother, Timothy Reddoor, Sr. Irma is survived by son, Robert E. Binder, Jr. (Martha) of California; daughter, Debra Running Bear (Manuel) of New Mexico; son, David W. Binder (Kathy) of California; daughter, Lisa Asad (Asad Mushtaq) of Poplar; special friends, Robert E. Binder, Sr. of California and Shirley Nordwick of New Mexico; sister, Abigail Reddoor and family of Poplar; brother, David L. Reddoor, Jr. of Arizona; maternal aunties, Gwendolyn Mail and Eunice Shields-Alfrey, both of Poplar; grandchildren, Robert E. Binder III, Katerri Binder Rodriguez, Melissa Binder, Lamont Running Bear, William Binder, Bonnie Binder, James Binder, Ben Binder, Gabriel Beauchman, Jr., Adam Binder, Hannaha Binder and Ahmed Mushtaq; great-grandchild Avery; numerous more grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. She will be missed by her cousins, numerous relatives, and her many special friends. Memorial services will be held at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Poplar on 7:30 p.m. Thursday, with a dinner following. Funeral services will be held at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church at 10 a.m. Aug. 30 with burial at Chelsea Cemetery. August 30, 2002 Josephine Louise Spotted Wolf Cooper - "Holy Walking Woman" BUSBY - On Wednesday morning, Aug. 28, 2002, our loving mother passed from this world to continue her journey, surrounded by the love of her children and family. She was born to Patrick and Jean Walters Spotted Wolf on March 29, 1935, in Lame Deer. Josephine was a proud direct descendant of Chief Whistling Elk and Chief Spotted Wolf, of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, who participated in the battle of the Little Big Horn. She attended St. Labre, Busby and Colstrip schools. In her younger years, she was an avid horsewoman and worked on the family ranch. She competed in the Miss Indian America title in Sheridan, Wyo., in the early 1950s. On Sept. 27, 1954, she married Bob Cooper in Rapid City, S.D. The couple made their home in Gillette, Wyo., for 26 years. During this time Josephine worked at Boyd's Supermarket as the deli manager and at various other restaurants. The family spent a lot of time boating together at Keyhole Reservoir. In 1981, Josephine moved back to the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. In 1987 she married William "Bud" Speelman in a traditional Cheyenne ceremony, officiated by the late Austin Two Moons, Sr. Bud passed from this life in 1988. Josephine had many accomplishments in her career, but she was most proud of the deli she started and managed at the Cheyenne Depot in Lame Deer for eight years. She was a very hard and dedicated worker. Socializing with her "bingo friends" was a big part of her life. She was always in the mood for bingo and a good laugh at the Charging Horse Casino or Doc and Eddy's. There was nothing that made Jo more proud than her family. She had a bragging story, with pictures, for every one of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. Her love for her family was so strong that she would have done anything for them. Survivors include her children, Donna (Mike) Hurff of Busby, Donald Dale (Marlene) Cooper, Barbara (Craig) Weber and George (Lori) Cooper, all of Gillette, Wyo., and Shawna (Ken) Cooper of Billings; her step-children (whom she took as her own), Michael Cooper of Sheridan, Mary Ann (Leon) Milacek of Lyons, Colo.; brothers, Clarence (Adeline) Spotted Wolf of Ashland and Clifford Spotted Wolf of Lame Deer; sisters, Ruby Flying and Aladine (James) Spang, both of Lame Deer, Eldora (Jesse) Bement of Ashland; uncle, David Glenmore of Busby; 14 grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; extended families include the Glenmores and Real Birds. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Bobby Cooper and Patrick Cooper; sisters, Mollie Small and Beatrice Rowland; brother, James Spotted Wolf Sr. The family would like to thank Dr. Arpin, Dr. Meyers and the St. Vincent ICU nurses for all their care and support. Mom, it broke our hearts to let you go. We know you are in God's bands and free of pain. We love you very much and you will always be a part of our lives. Rosary will be Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Lame Deer. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Lame Deer. Graveside visitation 9-10 a.m. with burial at 10 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette. Dahl Funeral Chapel in Hardin is handling the arrangements. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- August 28, 2002 Robert E. Mitchell ROCKY BOY -- Robert E. "Bobby" Mitchell, 66, a Marine Corps veteran and night watchman for the Rocky Boy Health Board, died of a heart attack Monday at his home. His funeral is 11 a.m. today at the Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy, followed by burial with military honors in Rocky Boy Cemetery. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Survivors, all of Rocky Boy, include sons James Dean Mitchell, Jeffrey Four Souls and Grant Saddler; brothers Russell James Mitchell and Wallace Paul Mitchell; daughters Candy Carter and Rosa Jarvey; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Copyright c. 2002 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Livestock Sales used to ease Drought Impact" --------- Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 08:11:26 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DROUGHT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thenavajotimes.com/tribalnws.html Livestock sales used to ease drought impact By Marley Shebala The Navajo Times TUBA CITY Aug. 22, 2002 The cow made it about seven feet into the corral from the livestock trailer before going down. It never got up. A pair - a cow and a calf - were in a little better condition. They moved about the corral eating hay but the backbone and ribs of the cow could be clearly seen. Dr. Joe Bahe, a Navajo Nation veterinarian working in the Tuba City office, said the pair were "emaciated." When asked if the cow and pair were suffering, Bahe immediately said, "If you were starving, you'd be suffering." But even though the pair were starved, they were among 425 head of cattle, horses, sheep and goats that were auctioned off at the emergency Navajo Nation livestock sale here on Monday. The livestock brought in a total of $83,610.53 to about 220 owners from the western portion of the Navajo reservation. The Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture, which sponsored the livestock sale, also paid the owners an additional 10 cents per pound for their animals. The 10 is encouragement for livestock owners to bring their animals to livestock sales sponsored by the department. The incentive is part of the $2.9 million in emergency drought funds OK'd by tribal council on July 15. Drought in third year Bahe said the people need to reduce to their livestock because the land cannot sustain the animals. This is not the first year that the reservation's in a drought, he said. Bahe said the drought is in its third year and this year it's the worse. He said livestock owners need to feed and water their animals and not just turn them loose on the land, where there's no water or grass. Bahe said there were some pretty good cattle and pairs brought into the livestock sale and they were bought for 91 cents a pound. If livestock owners want to get a good price for their animals, they need to show responsibility, which means they need to cull out the undesirables, he said. Bahe said the cow that went down should have been culled a long time ago because it was old. Other cattle that need to be culled are the ones with bad teeth, bad teats or are wild, he said. The livestock owners also need to get their animals vaccinated and it should be done in the neck or other subcutaneous areas, not in the prime cut areas, such as the loin and back area, Bahe emphasized. He said the owners should also castrate, de-horn and wean their animals early. Cattle buyers are also looking for crossbred heifers because they're stronger, not runty and they have longer frames, said Bahe. Uniform product He said the long-range goal of the Agriculture Department, under the directorship of John Blueyes, is to work with livestock owners so they eventually produce a uniform product. Bahe said that means the cattle are the same size and color. He looked over the cattle that were penned at the livestock auction and noted that they were all different sizes and colors. Bahe said there are pockets across the reservation where some livestock owners and livestock associations are responsible for animals - and then there are the owners and associations that will not change. Bahe said there's an individual in Dennehotso that owns several sheep. The sheep are fed hay in the morning and then they're let loose but the only green vegetation in the area is greasewood, which is poisonous, he said, and so the sheep die. But then it's the Agriculture Department, their staff and the veterinarians that get the blame when an animal goes down or dies, he said. Bahe and Blueyes, in separate interviews, said livestock owners think the veterinary offices have "miracle shots" that can bring their animals out of starvation. "Veterinary care is not a panacea," said Blueyes. Over carrying capacity He noted that the current legal carrying capacity of the reservation is 125,000 horses, cattle, sheep and goals. The Agriculture Department suspects that there are more than 200,000 animals on the range, said Blueyes. He said that means that the land is supporting more than 75,000 over the legal limit. Bahe noted that the legal limit or permitted animals is based on the condition of the reservation range in the 1930s and 1940s. The council needed to pass the new grazing act to get this situation under control, he said. Bahe said the tribal lawmakers decided to have the people vote on the grazing act and so now it's up to the people to help the land that they call Mother Earth. He said the Agriculture Department will be doing its part by sponsoring more livestock sales, which will reduce the number of animals on the land. Bahe added that more livestock owners are asking for sales. Roland Bennett of Cow Springs said he brought his cattle to the sale because of a very "simple" reason - the drought. Bennett said he got between 82 and 91 cents a pound for his animals, which made him happy. He said there are other livestock sales around the reservation, but the buyer sets the price. At this sale, the animals were auctioned to the highest bidder, said Bennett. Thinner animals Marvin Roberts, a buyer from the Phoenix and Texas area, said he usually buys livestock from the reservation and notices that this year's animals were a lot thinner. And that's because there's nothing on the land for them to eat and there's no water, said Roberts. He bought about 300 head of livestock and was figuring out which ones could survive the 70 to 100 mile trip to the yard. Roberts said some of the cows looked too weak to make it. Blueyes said the Agriculture Department's veterinarians check all the animals at the livestock sales the department sponsors so the buyers are treated fairly. He said when animals that are sold at reservation auctions don't make it back to the buyer's yard, it gives Navajo livestock a bad reputation. Ray Castillo, an Agriculture Department extension agent, said an animal that went through the department's auction in Leupp never made it to Texas. The cow that went down at the Tuba City sale was not sold and its owner later picked it up. Copyright c. 1999-2002 Navajo Times/Navajo Nation. --------- "RE: Running Cranes gather for Honoring" --------- Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 08:58:02 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PIKUNII HONORING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/glacier_reporter/ Running Cranes gather for honoring, transfer of sacred objects BY JOHN MCGILL, GLACIER REPORTER Thursday, August 29, 2002 It was a triple event that brought the Running Crane clan together at their family campground near Twin Lakes at Heart Butte last Saturday. The surviving elder, William Running Crane, passed down two objects to his sons. Joe Bear, or Walter Running Crane, was given his father's pipe, and Roger "Sassy" Running Crane received the elder's warbonnet. And finally Glenn Rhodes, ex-son-in-law, was there to present a plaque to William and the family from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., declaring the family's name will appear on the Honor Wall of the National Museum of the American Indian. Earl Old Person was on hand with the Rawhide Orchestra - Al Potts, Kenny Arnoux, Kenneth Old Person, Joe Old Chief and Windy Old Chief - both to provide the singing and drumming appropriate to the event and to perform the ceremonies attendant to changing ownership of sacred objects. Members of the family came from all over Montana, said Marilyn Rhodes, William's daughter, as well as Washington, Wyoming and South Dakota. Since there were three things to get done, she said it was decided to combine everything into one family gathering. While thunderstorms threatened in the mountains, the scene on the forested hills of the Running Crane land was idyllic. Just the right temperature, light breezes and partly cloudy skies, along with the intense quiet of the place, lent an atmosphere of calm and dignity to the affair. The Rawhide Orchestra opened with singing; then Earl Old Person introduced the warbonnet transfer by singling out veterans among the assembly (Al Potts, George Jay, Joe Bear and Philip Dog Gun) and having them dance in honor of William and Roger. Old Person said it was William who had given the vets in his family the strength and courage to meet their duties. Old Person explained the ceremony for transferring warbonnets is practically unknown in the present day. He said he'd learned the process from an elder in Canada long ago, and he worked with Joe Bear and the smudge to effect the transfer in a good way. Then Roger pushed William in his wheelchair around the circle in an honor dance, followed by members of the family. Father Dan Powers spoke, saying that despite the fact William is now confined to the wheelchair, "he is not powerless. He is powerful. And some of that power has been given to Sassy," who he enjoined to use that power for the good of all. Glenn Rhodes has been coming to Blackfeet country since he was a boy, said his ex-wife Marilyn. He danced with Wades In The Water and his wife back in the 1950s, she said, and was friends with many of the Blackfeet elders including the Stands Alones from Canada, Nora Spanish, Mary Johnson, George and Molly Kicking Woman, and Cecile Horn. Glenn said, in his presentation to William, that he'd given money to the Smithsonian before but realized he could make several donations to the National Museum of the American Indian and thereby get the names of all his Blackfeet friends included on the Honor Wall. He said that while some of the names on the wall will be of people "who just wanted to see them there," his additions will be of people who he feels should truly be memorialized in that place. Marilyn said some members of her family are discussing going to the nation's capital to see their names included on the Wall. William, for example, is honored along with his wife, Helen, who died in 1995, and their whole family. "I heard this morning from Babe Gopher in Great Falls, " she said, "and the Stands Alones are talking about it, too." Hearing the songs, watching the dance and experiencing the silence and beauty of the surroundings, it was hard to believe everyone would be traveling back to a 21st Century world in a day or two. And it was difficult to decide which world was more real. Copyright c. 2002 Golden Triangle Newspapers. --------- "RE: Receivership: The Path to True IIM Trust Reform" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:18:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RECEIVERSHIP" http://www.indiantrust.com/ Receivership: The Path to True IIM Trust Reform By Elouise Cobell The closer Interior Secretary Gale Norton comes to being held in contempt, the more myths and untruths we hear about the future of the Individual Indian Trust. It's critical that we keep the facts - not the myths and the politics - in focus. Contempt for Norton and the chances for true reform of the IIM trust are related. If the Court holds Norton in contempt, the judge will be much freer to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the broken trust system is fixed, including appointment of a receiver for the rehabilitation of the IIM Trust under the direction and control of the court. Norton's big weapon to try to stave off contempt and receivership is her BITAM proposal to reorganize her trust responsibilities. By mixing both tribal and the IIM trusts together in her plan - which under the law must be managed separately - she violates the most fundamental trust duties and well-settled principles of trust law. She also is attempting to divide Indian Country. And keeping Indian Country divided is the oldest and most cynical trick in Interior's bag. The best way to keep united is to deal in what's real. Here are some very important points to remember: The Cobell lawsuit only involves the IIM trust. Our legal battle has nothing to do with the tribal trusts. We have fought in court for nearly six years on behalf of the 500,000 individual Indian trust beneficiaries. Only Norton's proposal unlawfully lumps the two together. Receivership will not sever the trust relationship; it will enhance the trust relationship. The Cobell plaintiffs have asked that the IIM Trust be put in the care of a receiver appointed and supervised by a federal court. To ensure that the United States government properly discharges its trust duties, we desperately need highly skilled crisis managers who report to the court. These court officers can put the trust on a solid footing, with at least the controls and accountability that a commercial trust uses to protect people's money. At no point will the trust relationship be cut off. The trust will continue to be managed by the government. But until it is fixed, the administrator will be the Judicial Branch of the government because the Executive Branch is unfit. Unlike tribes, IIM trust beneficiaries cannot place their trust funds in private banks or money markets. The IIM trustee is the United States government and its three branches. The trust duties are delegated to the Interio r Secretary. And, when the delegate fails - as the Secretary has done here -- the Judiciary must intervene directly to ensure that the trust obligations owed by the United States are discharged properly and solely in the best interests of the individual Indian trust beneficiaries. Simply put, your car doesn't change owners just because a member of your family is at the wheel. The receiver will be both a court officer and an experienced professional. The Interior Secretary has failed at her fiduciary duties. If the court agrees that a receiver is needed - as we hope and expect - the court will appoint the receiver and will decide how receivership is structured. This court officer will be a trustee-delegate too, whose duties and responsibilities are delegated to him from the court, free from politics and other bad influences. Interior does not deserve "one more chance." Interior has had so many "last chances," it defies the laws of nature. One of Norton's top aides, James Cason, and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Neal McCaleb testified Feb. 26 to Congress. In their own testimony, they said, "GAO audits of 1928, 1952 and 1955, as well as 30 Inspector General reports since 1982 had found fault with management of the [trust] system." That first, incomplete audit report was 72 years ago. There's a pattern here. It is time to put the IIM trust in competent, professional, accountable hands and make it into a proper trust. "The Secretary basically admitted that [her] department is unable to conduct a historical accounting of these trust funds," says Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), ranking member of the House Resources Committee. "That being the case, I think it is time the department stop wasting taxpayer dollars on hare-brained schemes and more consultants and begin serious settlement negotiations with the plaintiffs." Only a receiver can bring about true trust reform. Whatever Norton says, her department lacks the tools and the will power to turn the IIM trust around. The IIM trust has been a bureaucratic and political football for more than a century. The trust fiasco is a direct product of its environment: turf battles, budget battles, power struggles and politics. As the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said in an editorial, "It is senseless to tolerate this record any longer. [The judge] needs to remove this problem from the political arena." After fighting and winning in court for almost six years, we are drawing close to our goal of forcing real reform of the IIM Trust. No one should be distracted by the myths. Even some of our opponents are giving us credit. "I think the Cobell lawsuit is a blessing," the BIA's McCaleb told the National Congress of American Indians recently. "It focused national attention on this issue. Five years ago, nobody knew, so nobody cared outside of Indian Country. Now they do." Copyright c. 2002 Blackfeet Reservation Development Fund, Inc. --------- "RE: Recognize the other American Indian Code Talkers" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CODE TALKERS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/3904147.htm Recognize the other American Indian code talkers By BERNARD BOSSOM and WILLIAM C. MEADOWS Wed, Aug. 21, 2002 Many Americans have recently been introduced to the American Indian code talkers of World War II. However, like the blind man who touched an elephants trunk and described that animal as being long and tubular, the current vision of the code talkers is incomplete. There were 17 tribes, not just one, that provided our military forces in the battlefield with this direct form of voice radio communication. When Indian code talkers were brought into battlefield communications, their monitored messages became wholly incomprehensible to the enemy. Their codes were never broken because the enemy didnt realize that the languages used and the codes built upon them were the languages of different American Indian tribes. Traditional techniques used code books by both the sender and the receiver and could take a half-hour or longer to understand. The code talkers, however, would speak, and the listener would translate into English immediately. Code talkers were used in World War I, too. Fifteen Choctaw from the Oklahoma 36th Infantry Division were first used on Oct. 28, 1918, in an assault that overwhelmed the German troops at Forest Ferme in France. They spoke in their everyday language (unencoded everyday language is called Type 2 messaging) and were viewed as responsible for the halt of many German offensives and for important advances by American forces. As word spread in military circles about their success, other Comanche, Cheyenne, Cherokee, Osage and Yankton Sioux were recruited by other units. Ironically, at this same time, the U.S. governments official Indian assimilation policy was marked by the prohibition of the use of their native languages by Indian children and adults. The object of this policy was to wholly eradicate the Indians cultures, religions and languages and forcefully promote Indians assimilation into the white society and to adopt the English language. This policy was largely a failure. In 1940 the U.S. Army viewed the Nazi conquests as a forecast of an imminent war in which the U.S. would become involved. It recruited Indians to develop new codes that were built upon their native languages. These codes were even more confounding to a listener -- even from the same tribe -- who was not trained. (The code built upon a native language was called Type 1 messaging.) This program included 17 Chippewa and Oneida, 17 Comanche, 19 Sac and Fox (Mesquakie) and, later in 1941, 11 Hopi. During World War II the Assiniboine, Cherokee, Chocktaw Kiowa, Pawnee, Sioux (both Dakota and Lakota), Menominee, Muscogee Creek and Seminole were also recruited for Type 2 code talking. Upon learning of the Armys success, in 1942 the Marine Corps recruited 420 Navajo and began to train them in Type 1 code talking. The Navajo code talkers performance at Iwo Jima was so critical in that battle that Major Howard Conner stated, "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken the island." When World War II ended, a threat of war with the Soviet Union loomed. All code talkers were sworn to secrecy. They took this pledge seriously. In 1997 a reporter telephoned Clarence Wolfguts of the Pine Ridge Sioux to schedule an interview, having learned that he had been a Sioux code talker in World War II. Wolfgutss wife told the reporter that he had made an awful mistake. "Clarence," she said, "was never any code talker." As it turned out, Wolfguts was a member of the Pine Ridge Sioux code-talker team. For 53 years of marriage, he never broke his pledge of secrecy -- not even to his wife. The Navajo served in the Pacific both in the Corps and, together with Muscogee Creek, in the Navy. Lakota were Army code talkers in several Pacific Island battles. Muscogee Creek were used in the battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. Comanche served with the Fourth Signal Company in the Fourth Infantry Division Motorized in Europe. The Navajo have received deserved honor for their military service. However, similar recognition waits for those of the other 16 tribes. In 1963 Gen. Charles de Gaulle, then president of France, created the new Ordre Nationale du Merite (National Order of Merit), the third highest medal awarded by the French government. Among its first recipients chosen for this high honor in the First Rank were the Comanche code talkers whom de Gaulle acknowledged as being invaluable to the Allied victory in France. The code talkers continued to work throughout World War II and, later, some served in the Korean War and in Vietnam. During their long service, their codes were never broken and, while many were killed in combat, not one of them was ever captured. Bernard Bossom is executive director, and William C. Meadows is director of research, of the national Native American Veterans Oral History Project. Copyright c. 2001 miamiherald and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Healing Pole makes Stop in S.D." --------- Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 08:51:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HEALING POLE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.yankton.net/stories/083002/new_20020830057.shtml Healing Pole Makes Stop In S.D. Friday, August 30, 2002 MARTY (AP) -- A "healing pole" built by the Lummi Indian Nation of Washington state for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks made a stop at the Yankton Sioux Tribal Headquarters in Marty. The 13-foot-high healing pole is an intricate carving of an eagle, a bear and a bear cub, representing the men, women and children who suffered and died as a result of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York. When several Lummi representatives brought the healing pole to Marty on Wednesday, the Yankton Sioux tribe got a chance to pray and meditate in its presence. Tribal Chairwoman Madonna Archambeau said it was a powerful experience. "In your heart, it makes you feel good, that something so drastically happened there on the 11th -- that we could be a part of it too for the healing process," she said. The carvers of the pole, Jewell James and Charles Miller, said the totem will be unveiled and installed Sept. 7 in Sterling Forest, northwest of New York. Copyright c. 2002 Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. --------- "RE: Means Announces plans to seek OST Presidency" --------- Date: Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:58:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MEANS" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.imdiversity.com/Article_Detail.asp?Article_ID=12620 Means Announces Plans to Seek OST Presidency by AP, The Associated Press Rapid City, S.D. (AP) - American Indian activist Russell Means is planning to run for president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in the election this fall. Means, who recently lost a bid to run for governor of New Mexico, announced his intentions Thursday during a meeting in South Dakota with regional National Park Service officials. The park service and the tribe are at odds over a planned fossil excavation in the South Unit of the Badlands National Park. The excavation involves land that belongs to the tribe. Means, who was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, also ran unsuccessfully for the Libertarian nomination for president in 1988. Copyright c. by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2002 iMinorities, Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Rodeo-Chediski Fire Damage/Restoration surveyed" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RODEO-CHEDISKI" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/20821RArizonaWildfires.html Rodeo-Chediski Fire damage, restoration surveyed Efforts to salvage lumber begin By Alisa Blackwood THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOENIX - Logging to salvage wood from burned ponderosa pine trees is one of the immediate goals of tribal, state and federal officials, a panel said Tuesday during a gathering designed to provide damage assessments and present rehabilitation efforts related to the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. It began as two fires and quickly merged to form the largest blaze in Arizona history, scorching nearly 469,000 acres as it burned in late June and July. More than half the fire was on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, which relies heavily on timber as one of its main sources of income. The tribe lost $152 million worth of timber to the fire, said Ben Nuvamsa, superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the reservation. "As soon as the tree dies, decay begins to set in," he said, explaining why officials need to act quickly to salvage potentially valuable wood from the burned trees. The tribe has two mills, which would have to work double shifts to handle the large amount of wood, some of which would still have to be sold off the reservation, Nuvamsa said. There is an estimated 192,000 acres of salvageable timber on tribal land, he said. Up to 180 people could be hired in Cibecue to work the mills, but the tribe needs outside funding to put loggers back to work, said tribal Chairman Dallas Massey. The tribe already has approved one sale and hopes to begin logging within a month, Nuvamsa said. John Bedell, supervisor of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, said there likely also will be a salvage sale of dead timber that was burned on U.S. Forest Service land. He said 136,000 acres of commercial forest earmarked for logging was burned. Officials are hoping to get a decision on logging proposals through the National Environmental Policy Act program by Dec. 15 and to start logging in March, Bedell said. He said no new roads would be created, no unburned trees would be touched and cultural sites would be protected during the salvage logging. Following the panel's presentation, which was organized by Sen. Jon Kyl, R.-Ariz., five members of the Arizona congressional delegation drafted a letter urging an emergency finding that would allow for post-burn timber harvesting in parts of Northern Arizona affected by the fire. The letter was sent to the undersecretary for natural resources and the environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "Clear scientific information exists which indicates that an effective program designed to remove many of the dead trees will assist in the restoration of an area destroyed by fire, reduce fuel loads, increase public safety and can prevent the introduction of insect infestations that can further cripple an already unstable environment," the letter said. Long-term effects of the fire and restoration efforts also were presented by the panel. The Forest Service is concentrating its restoration efforts in two phases: short-term and long-term, said Bob Leverton, the National Fire Plan Coordinator for the Forest Service. During the next six months, the priority will be to hold the soil in place that was hardened by the fire and as a result won't absorb water normally, causing runoff, he said. Rehabilitation could take anywhere from one to five years, Leverton said. Plans include replanting trees and rebuilding roads and campgrounds. Copyright c. 1999-2002 AzStarNet/Arizona Daily Star. --------- "RE: The Fire isn't over on Fort Apache Reservation" --------- Date: Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:58:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FIRE-2" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0901cibecue01.html 'The fire isn't over' on hard-hit Fort Apache Reservation Judy Nichols The Arizona Republic Sept. 01, 2002 12:00:00 CIBECUE - People here don't use the word recovery. It won't happen in anyone's lifetime. In fact, the White Mountain Apache tribe is still working to halt the continuing destruction of the "Rodeo-Chediski" fire. While communities north of the reservation rebuild homes, the tribe is faced with halting the inevitable erosion of earth from the denuded hills, rebuilding an ecosystem and harvesting the dead trees that once were a legacy for their children. Overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, the tribe will, for the first time, sell logs to outside companies. "The fire isn't over here," said David Raney, a forester for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, looking across the blackened, baked earth of Grasshopper Buttes. Around him, in what was once the largest stand of ponderosa pines on the continent, trunks rise like charred telephone poles, needles and branches burned away. The latest analysis shows that, of the nearly 470,000 acres that burned, 300,000 were on tribal land, BIA forester Jerry A. Drury said. About half of that burned with high intensity, killing all the trees. It left about 800 million board feet of dead timber, far more than can be handled at the tribe's mills in Cibecue and Whiteriver. "Together they can process about 55 million board feet a year," Drury said. "Even with double shifts, that could only be increased to about 90 million board feet." Only a fraction of what stands dead on the hills. So for the first time in its history, the tribe has reluctantly voted to sell logs. In the past, it sold only processed lumber, providing jobs for its financially strained communities. Drury said the BIA will issue its timber sale plans by the end of the month. And in a first in Arizona, the tribe voted to allow helicopter logging in the steepest burned areas. While loggers rush to bring in trees, Raney is in a race to save the soil. "It can take 100 years to regrow a tree," he said. "It can take 300 to 500 years to replace soil." On Tuesday, Raney will start aerial mulching, dropping 40,000 bales of straw from nets under a helicopter. "We drop them from a 100 foot sling, at about treetop," Raney said. "When they hit the ground they explode like a bomb - mulch everywhere." The mulch will hold moisture so it can soak into the ground and help hold the dirt in place, providing a place for the grass seeds dropped last month to grow and, eventually, a home for new pine seedlings. Leonard Gregg, the tribal member charged with starting the "Rodeo" fire to gain work as a firefighter, remains in jail awaiting trial. His attorney did not return calls seeking an interview. No charges were filed against Valinda Jo Elliot, a White woman who started the signal fire that sparked the "Chediski" fire. Meanwhile, the sound of chainsaws and the smell of sawdust fill the forest above Cibecue. For the past three weeks, Tom Holl, of Pinetop's Canyon Creek Logging, and his crew of 28 loggers have been cutting. They hike the ashy hills looking for trees marked in blue paint, which means cut. Trees marked in yellow are to remain. "They're marking anything with any chance of living," said Holl, who along with his father has worked in these woods for 32 years. "They're hoping that if it even lives a year, it can put out some seeds." Because of the glut of trees and a limited time to harvest them before they deteriorate, loggers are first taking the largest trees, those 16 inches or more in diameter. One man can fell between 40 and 60 trees a day. They work carefully in an area made dangerous by Douglas fir trees whose bases are burned through, knee-deep holes where stumps burned down below ground, and sapling stalks that puncture the tires of skidders dragging the logs to the road. "My guys all look like they're walking out of a coal mine at the end of the day," Holl said. In Cibecue, supervisor Delbert Wallen Sr., who has worked at the mill since it opened in 1963, vacillates between pride in the high-quality lumber coming off the line and sadness in the sight of burned logs piling up in the yard. "It hurts to see something like this," he said. Copyright c. 2002, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Hate Notes left at Native Center" --------- Date: Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:58:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HATE NOTES" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/1702898p-1819699c.html Hate notes left at Native center TARGET Surveillance cameras caught act on film, official says. By Zaz Hollander Anchorage Daily News September 1, 2002 The two hand-lettered notes turned up on the door of the Alaska Native Heritage Center on Thursday. The words in green marker on one read, "HAVE SOME PRIDE KILL A TRIBE," and it was signed C.A.A.N, according to a center official. The other note explained the acronym: "COALITION AGAINST ALASKA NATIVES." Both were written on sheets of paper in green marker and appeared after the center closed Thursday night, said Lonnie Jackson, the center's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Center security guards discovered the notes while locking up and notified the Anchorage Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was the first time the center has been the target of an apparent hate crime, Jackson said. He's never heard of the group that signed the notes. People at the center aren't frightened by the notes, he said, but they're not shocked either. "Am I surprised that it happened? No. It's just the tone of the way Anchorage is right now, and it's been for a long time now." The center's 24-hour surveillance cameras filmed whoever distributed the notes, he said. Security has been increased at the center in case the suspects want to try again. Anchorage police are investigating. Center staff members notified other Native groups in town, Jackson said. None reported any similar notes. He said he couldn't discern the precise age of the note writers from the writing. "It definitely was adolescent or immature." Reporter Zaz Hollander can be reached at zhollander@adn.com or 907-257-4591. Copyright c. 2002 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Flathead Agency Tribal Enrollment change Vote" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ENROLLMENT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/08/20/build/tribal/enrollment.php?nnn=5 Tribal enrollment change to go to vote By JOHN STROMNES The Missoulian PABLO - A constitutional referendum with far-reaching implications for the future of the Flathead Reservation will go before voters of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes soon, possibly by Oct. 15. The measure would open enrollment to anyone who can prove lineal descendancy from Kootenai, Salish or Pend d'Oreille bloodlines - mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, even great-grandparents. Ernest "Bud" Moran, Flathead Agency superintendent, released a letter Monday from Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Director Stan Speaks in Portland, Ore., saying a petition drive by the Split Family Support Group had gathered enough signatures in the last nine months to force the election. A total of 1,062 signatures was required, and 1,112 of 1,330 signatures submitted were ruled valid. Some were disqualified as duplicates, some signers withdrew their signatures and 14 were disqualified because they signed "a petition carried by a non-member at a basketball game on Feb. 7, " the BIA said. The BIA threw out a similar petition drive two years ago by the Split Family Support Group because of technical flaws. There is no firm estimate of the effect on enrollment the referendum may have if passed. But there is no question it would increase tribal enrollment substantially above the current 6,900 members, perhaps to 8,000 or more. It also would lower per capita payments to currently enrolled members. Now, a one-quarter degree of blood quantum or descendancy from Salish or Kootenai parentage is required for new tribal members. That means many children are denied membership even though a parent may be enrolled. Blood from other tribal affiliations is not counted under current CSKT rules. This has created enmity and hardships within families, has been culturally divisive and should be ended, according to Split Family supporters. "It will put families back together, enroll all those children who have been denied enrollment who have brothers and sisters enrolled, and it will perpetuate the tribe for many generations. And it does not discriminate against anybody who is eligible to be enrolled," said Regina Perot of Polson, a leader of the Split Family Support Group. Opponents believe expanding the enrollment would dilute membership benefits, and be harmful to traditional culture. Perot said she expects an election to be called by mid-October. Moran said it may take longer - perhaps into early 2003, to fulfill the notice and procedural requirements. Meanwhile, the BIA has denied a competing referendum proposal advanced by tribal elders and supported by the Tribal Council. It would have maintained the one-quarter-degree blood quantum requirement, but allowed descendancy from people of other federally recognized tribes to count toward meeting that requirement. Only Salish and Kootenai descendancy currently is recognized. Speaks cited federal regulations in denying that request. Rules state that in instances where conflicting proposals to amend a constitutional provision are submitted, the first proposal received must be acted on first. Other proposals shall be considered, but must be resubmitted only after action has been taken on the first proposal. Tribal members who oppose the Split Family proposal and support counting other Indian blood for enrollment, have scheduled a series of informational meetings for tribal members. The first is Tuesday in the Elmo Community Center. Another is scheduled Thursday at the People's Center in Pablo. The third forum will be held a the St. Ignatius Community Center on Tuesday, Aug. 27. A fourth will be Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Arlee Indian Senior Citizens Center. All meetings will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Perot said no meetings to bring the Split Family proposal to the tribal public have been scheduled, but such forums will be scheduled. They likely will include a televised forum on the SKC-TV low-powered community-access TV station that is available across most of the Flathead Reservation. Reporter John Stromnes can be reached a 1-800-366-7186 or jstromnes@missoulian.com. Copyright c. 2000-2001 Montana Standard and Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: White Earth posts Tribal Hunting Land" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:18:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POSTED HUNTING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5234642 White Earth posts tribal hunting land By: ERIC HAHN, Staff Writer September 02, 2002 Some areas of reservation off-limits to non-tribal members Crews began posting "no hunting" signs on White Earth Indian Reservation's tribally owned land last week. The posted land will be reserved for hunting by tribal members only. The decision to post came from members complaining about the land being overcrowded with hunters. White Earth's Director of Natural Resources John Annette said he remembers the comments of one of the tribe's elders in particular. "He says I can't even get in there," Annette said. "That's what planted the seed." When the tribal council announced its decision to post this spring, it caused a stir among some hunters who weren't members of the tribe. They thought they wouldn't be able to hunt on the reservation at all. But tribally-owned land, the only kind posted by the tribe, only makes up about 8 percent of the 1,300-square-mile White Earth Indian Reservation. Non-members will be able to hunt on the reservation, Annette said, just not on tribally-owned land. "I think there was some misinformation put out there - not by us," he said. Annette said he no longer encountered any negative comments once people understood what's going on with the hunting restrictions. "I've has some calls and questions, but once we explain it to them, they're fine with it," he said. Most of the tribal land being posted is in the reservation's center. "This is going to be a long process," Annette said; completing it will take about two years. My initial order was for 500 signs," he said. "I just wanted to see how that was going. I put in an order for 500 more this morning." But, he said, just because some tribal land is not yet posted doesn't mean it's legal for non-members to hunt on it. "It's still (incumbent on) the public to know what land they're on,' Annette said. Using global positioning technology, posting crews always know what land they're on. Annette said the GPS equipment would help officials know exactly what land is what, and where to post. "We're being precise on our posting," he added. White Earth Department of Natural Resources conservation officers will be patrolling the areas during hunting season, checking for licenses. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be enforcing the "no hunting" policy as well. "This is a cooperative effort," Annette said. To hunt on tribal land, enrolled members will need a White Earth license. Reservation officials are also considering allowing first- or second- generation descendants of the tribe to hunt on the tribal land. They would have to buy Minnesota licenses and abide by the state's regulations and shorter seasons. With less crowding on the land and an abundance of deer, Annette said this fall should make for a good hunting season. "The deer populations are very healthy due to the mild winters we've had," he said. Copyright c. 2002 Detroit Lakes Tribune. --------- "RE: Pine Ridge revival: Indian enterpreneurs at work" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PINE RIDGE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://indiancountry.com/?1029852871 Pine Ridge revival: Indian enterpreneurs at work Second of a series August 20, 2002 - 10:04am EST by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today KYLE, S.D. -- Mona "Sissy" Patton owns a Lil' Angels convenience store in Kyle. It provides groceries, gasoline, snacks and treats and a place to congregate for the residents of Kyle. Patton started her work career at the Sioux Nation Shopping Center in Pine Ridge as a teenager. She said she went to work everyday after school. Patton spent some years off the reservation and returned to open Lil' Angels, named after her daughter. That was 11 years and three expansions ago. The business still suffers from the lack of infrastructure. The only restroom facility is for the employees because its septic system is inadequate for the general public, she said. But that doesn't stop Patton. She led the way to install sidewalks in Kyle, so the elderly could go for walks that are needed to help resist the disease diabetes. With her help Kyle now has a fire department with two trucks. The volunteer department raises money to keep the trucks functional by selling fishing worms in Patton's store. Now the work begins to finance a building to house the trucks. That is why Patton is in Kyle -- she believes in the community. To improve a community is to uplift the spirit of the community. A project to place a walking bridge in Kyle failed because a government entity didn't follow through. Patton said the National Guard had a walking bridge that would work, but things fell through between governments. "A lot of change is scary to some people," she said. Patton said that most people view economic development suspiciously. The tribal interest is more important than economic interest. Patton says that tribal government should not be continually addressing crisis issues. She said that, on top of being financially strapped, the council has much to do in many areas and can't address all the pressing issues. "The more people that get involved, the better the money will be utilized," Patton said. "There can be a lot of change when the people become more educated and tired of wanting money." Lil' Angels employs 54 people, mostly part time. Patton said some people are single with children; the flexibility of part-time work, maybe 30 hours per week, works best for them. "We work with them to make life good, not miserable. We need to count on people that know their jobs. We need to have good dependable workers," she said. When her business first started, Patton said there was very little money. But with determination and family it worked. Patton used the Oglala Lakota College carpentry program to build the building. She said she worked around any problems and the college students and local people helped with the store. "I'm still viewed as being rich, but I put most of the money back into the store. People don't realize what a business can really do for a community," she said. Patton looks to the future and anticipates the needs of the community. In addition to her support for the fire department and sidewalk, she also installed 24-hour gasoline service for Kyle. Lil' Angels gives youth a chance to work and gain experience. "I give them an all-around experience," she said. Employees stock shelves, greet customers, work the cash registers and make some snacks and food for customers. "I'm a role model for the youth. I don't drink alcohol or take drugs. All young people have hopes and dreams. They want to buy a used trailer to live in or a car. We also encourage them to go to college or get a GED. Education is part of employing young people," Patton said. Patton employs some young people from the Youth Opportunities program on the reservation. It's a training program for her. And what is her next project? A bowling alley, perhaps. Besides the business, what does Patton want to see more than anything? "I want to see the people come together to work for the fire department. We applied for the grant from the Empowerment Zone in 1999 and finally in 2002 we got the grant." Copyright c. 2002 Indian Country Today. --------- "RE: College seeks to begin new Crow Farming Tradition" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:18:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROW FARMING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/ College seeks to begin new tradition of Crow farming By CARRIE MORAN McCLEARY For The Gazette September 3, 2002 BLACK CANYON - Like those who came before them, in a culture of traditions, folks at Little Big Horn College are turning to their elders for answers. And Joe Medicine Crow, a tribal historian, had some answers for LBHC officials, Montana State University and ranchers who want to know why so few Crow Indians look to agriculture as careers. A chat with many older people on the reservation will bring memories of the farms on which they grew up - primarily small subsistence farms that had a few cows, a large garden, hay and, of course, horses. Medicine Crow, 89, remembers those farms and when so many of his fellow tribesmen left them. His vivid and saddest memory is the one he says broke the heart of the Crow people. "In 1919 the farmers complained that the Indian ponies were eating up all their grass they were paying 30 cents an acre to lease," Medicine Crow said. About 1920, the Bureau of Indian Affairs superintendent ordered the roundup of all Indian ponies on the Northern Cheyenne, Crow and Wind River reservations. Many of the horses roamed across the reservation, often unbranded. A rancher contracted to exterminate all wild horses. Tribal members had two months to find their horses and bring them in. "These horses were tough," Medicine Crow said. "We had to fight all these stallions. Finally, about one week later we brought home only about 30 or 40 head. A lot of people got them in and branded, but most didn't." The rancher's cowboys killed the wild horses and received government pay of $4 per pair for ears cut from the ponies. "Some Indians did it for a while, too," Medicine Crow said. "But the government only gave them $2 each pair, and then the elders told them, 'Stop that. These are your brothers,' so they did." The cowboys also tired of the horse deaths, so the rancher brought in gunmen from Texas. "It was terrible," Medicine Crow lamented. "You go out there, and there were dead horse everywhere. And soon all those horses were gone, and they started to come in and get the horses at our places." Finally, the government called a halt. Officials said 44,000 horses were killed, "but it was way more than that," Medicine Crow said. He said this tragedy, followed by insensitive opportunists who hauled wagonloads of horse bones to Billings fertilizer plants, was just one reason the Crow turned away from farming. He said many farms were deserted during the Dust Bowl when the wage labor of the Indian Emergency Conservation Works program, the reservation version of the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Projects Association, came to Indian country. Medicine Crow said Crows left their farms "Grapes of Wrath"-style and moved into tarpaper-shack "dog towns" near the IECW camps. Little Big Horn College Professor Tim McCleary said the 1930s and early '40s were actually somewhat of a boon for the Crow. "The reservation had never experienced large-scale wage labor before," he said. "People left their farms and moved to town. But many returned to their allotments while on leave from work .... For their white neighbors experiencing the Depression these were hard times, but the Crows had never had money before." Medicine Crow said some Crows did return to their farms after "the dust," but found their equipment vandalized, stolen or in ill repair. Tenacious farmers who returned to the land found additional heartbreak. "For the next couple years we had a little water again but the Mormon crickets came," he said. "You could hear them coming, and, when they left, there was nothing left." Crows began leasing their lands to neighboring non-Indian farmers who could get loans at the bank and often had the expensive equipment needed to farm larger tracts of land. "For all practical purposes, that dry spell killed Crow Indian farming," he said. Now, Gail Whiteman, LBHC agri-business curriculum development project coordinator, said most Crows look to agriculture to ranch, rather than farm. LBHC launched the agriculture program last spring. Whiteman said she would love to have 20 students this fall but so far has 10. Registration continues through Tuesday. "I will be happy with 10. It takes time to get this going," she said. She said today's obstacles for Crow producers include lack of a land base, financing and a history of farming in their families. U.S. Department of Agriculture subsidies "don't reach far enough to educate people," she said. "Not having any agriculture in the families for the last 80 years, with that history of how to fill out the mountain of paperwork, the bookkeeping and the business sense is a real obstacle," she said. Farm Service Agency Public Affairs spokeswoman Heidi Brewer said Big Horn County farmers accessed just $15 million in federal farm funds in the 2002 fiscal year. Of that, about $356,000 was earmarked specifically for American Indian programs. But she said all of these programs are open to all races. Brewer said producers in Big Horn County can seek help at their local Farm Service office in Crow Agency or Hardin. And LBHC has two other programs in-house that can help producers looking to get started. The Crow Land Owners Association helps Crow land owners understand their rights as land owners and programs available to help them use their land. And the Farm Service Agency liaison helps producers understand the paperwork needed to access its programs. Whiteman wants Crow ranchers to take more control of their ground, so each would have a sustainable smaller operation they could handle themselves. "Then have those producers form a co-op, and they would have maybe 15,000 calves, so when buyers come they are competing for 15,000 calves, not 150 head at a time," she said. Whiteman also want to get high-schoolers into 4-H and Future Farmers of America; "get them into youth loans so they can raise some livestock; and get them acclimated to the ag way of life." She envisions an Apsaalooke 4-H chapter that fits Crow culture and competes nationally with other reservations and tribal colleges. Her short-term goals include continuing to write grants in cooperation with agriculture college staff at Montana State University. She is working on an articulation agreement between LBHC and that institution and seeking its advice for scholarship and grant possibilities. She would like to have an experimental station and an arena for equine classes. "We live in the golden triangle of agriculture in Montana. We are a land-grant college," Whiteman said. "And we need to be an agriculture college." Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Tea might be OK'd for Religious Practice" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:23:56 -0400 From: Donna Subj: TEA MIGHT BE OK'D FOR RELIGIOUS PRACTICE Mailing List: Rez Life from the tn-ind mailing list tn-ind@mail.highertech.net ==================== TEA MIGHT BE OK'D FOR RELIGIOUS PRACTICE A Santa Fe-based group might get permission to drink a hallucinogenic tea called hoasca.: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n1531.a01.html US NM: Tea Might be OK'd For Religious Practice URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02.n1531.a01.html Newshawk: The War on Drugs IS Terrorism Pubdate: Sun, 18 Aug 2002 Source: Santa Fe New Mexican (NM) Contact: letters@sfnewmexican.com Copyright: 2002 The Santa Fe New Mexican Website: http://www.sfnewmexican.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/695 Author: Tom Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/spirit.htm (Spiritual or Sacramental) TEA MIGHT BE OK'D FOR RELIGIOUS PRACTICE A Santa Fe-based group might get permission to drink a hallucinogenic tea called hoasca. U.S. District Judge James Parker says he is leaning toward granting the group's right to use the tea, based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Parker last week issued a 61-page memorandum opinion and order in a lawsuit filed against the federal government and scheduled a Sept. 3 hearing to determine how to implement his order. Jeffrey Bronfman, a member of the Canadian family that founded the Seagram's whiskey brand, used to host ceremonies near his home in Arroyo Hondo, near Santa Fe, where participants would drink the tea made from two Amazon plants containing N.N. dimethyltryptamine, or DMT. On March 21, 1999, U.S. Customs Bureau and other federal agents seized 30 gallons of tea shipped from Brazil to Bronfman's office on the north side of Santa Fe. No one was charged or arrested. The arrest was not publicized. On Nov. 21, 2000, Bronfman, as president of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal (Portuguese for "Central Beneficial Spirit United in the Plant"), or UDV, sued the U.S. Department of Justice for confiscating the tea. His complaint compared UDV's use of hoasca to that of the Native American Church's use of peyote. During hearings last fall, UDV's attorneys brought into the Albuquerque federal courtroom hallucinogen-containing plants purchased at Albuquerque nurseries. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officials admitted they knew phalaris grass and San Pedro cactus were available for sale on the Internet and elsewhere, but said they had not tried to prosecute the sellers. Brazil, where UDV's rites originated, has legalized hoasca for religious purposes. Some nations allow it to be imported and used by religious groups. Early this year, UDV suffered a setback when three branches of the Native American Church filed a friend-of-the-court brief that said UDV was "distorting and misrepresenting ... the nature, legal history and status of the Native American Church" in seeking an exemption to use a controlled substance under the equal-protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Parker rejected the group's Constitutional and international-law claims, but found merit with UDV's claims based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The brief from the Native American Church branches took no position on the RFRA. The 1993 law was responding to a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the state of Oregon for denying unemployment benefits to a man who was fired from his job because he used peyote in Native American Church rites. Its sponsors were strange bedfellows: Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in the Senate; Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., in the House. A Christian Science Church Web site says the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1997, regarding a case involving the city of Boerne, Texas, "virtually abandoned the requirement that the government show a compelling reason to restrict religious practices." However, "the Government has failed to carry its heavy burden of showing a compelling government interest in protecting the health of UDV members using hoasca or in preventing the diversion of hoasca to illicit use," Parker said in the UDV case. "In addition, the Government has not demonstrated that prohibiting the UDV's ceremonial use of hoasca furthers an interest in adhering to the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The Court thus does not reach the question of whether the Government has employed the least restrictive means of accomplishing its stated goals." Elizabeth Goiten, a Washington, D.C.-based assistant U.S. attorney assigned to the defense of the government in the civil case, said Parker originally set the hearing for Monday, but he agreed to wait until Sept. 3 after a telephone conference last week. She declined comment on Parker's order. UDV lawyer John Boyd of Albuquerque called the apparent decision a victory for religious freedom. He said he expects the hearing will concern what kind of system the government must set up to "allow a religious use of hoasca and also satisfy the government's concern that it not be subject to diversion." ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> For Rezlife egroups http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rezlife --------- "RE: Tribes Consider importing Medicines from Canada" --------- Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 18:19:22 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="REZ-ALL DRUG STORE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/ Tribes consider importing medicines from Canada Associated Press August 24, 2002 PABLO (AP) - The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council is checking the law and old treaties to see if it can import prescription medicines from Canada and resell them on the Flathead Reservation at bargain prices. The tribal council agreed Thursday to research the idea. It was advanced by Brian Schweitzer, who organized bus trips to Canada for senior citizens to buy medicines when he was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2000. Many prescription medicines are much cheaper in Canada than in the United States. The import-resale operation could become a $100-million-a-year business, Schweitzer told the tribal council Thursday. He said the prescription drugs could be resold at a modest markup to tribal members and other U.S. citizens for about half the price paid by consumers in this country. The council, through Chairman Fred Matt, instructed managing attorney Ranald McDonald to research case law since Jay's Treaty of 1796 and give the council a legal opinion. Several council members expressed interest. Schweitzer suggested the tribes initiate a test case, notifying federal authorities in advance and being ready to file suit if the government blocks the drugs at the border. The tribes could resell the drugs to pharmacies, medical institutions and individuals all across the United States until Congress changes the law to address current pricing inequities, Schweitzer said. At the very least, he said, it would force Congress to review pharmaceutical pricing. U.S.-made drugs in Canada, Mexico and other countries throughout the world cost about half what they cost U.S. consumers, he said. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal government has taken over health care on the reservation and is struggling to cut costs. About 10, 000 people are covered under the tribal health compact with the federal government. Schweitzer is not running for political office and said he has no political motive in making the proposal to the tribes. The high cost of prescription medicines was a major element of his Senate campaign, and he said he is still angry that U.S. consumers must pay more for U.S.-made medicines than people of other countries. He said the North American Free Trade Agreement allows free trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada, but Congress prohibited the re-importation of prescription drugs to the United States. Schweitzer said the Hellgate Treaty of 1865, which recognized the sovereignty of the Flathead Nation, offers a loophole on the import restrictions: Such imports may be legal because of aboriginal trading rights. Jay's Treaty, one of the earliest treaties between England and the U.S. government after the Revolutionary War against England, guarantees that Indians may "freely carry on trade or commerce with each other" across the border of what is now Canada and the United States. Schweitzer emphasized he is not a lawyer. But he said that provision seems to provide at least for "aboriginal trading rights" between U.S. tribes like the Kootenai and Blackfeet, who have long trading associations with related tribes and Indian bands north of the U.S. border. The Kootenais of Idaho and Montana, for example, have cultural, language and family ties to the Kootenais of British Columbia. The same is true of the Bloods and Piegans of Canada and the Blackfeet of north-central Montana. These cultural relationships presume commercial and trading relationships, and predate Montana statehood and national boundaries by hundreds and perhaps thousands of years. Schweitzer said there is also legal precedent for allowing such trade. The Canadian federal government allows Piegan and Blood Indian farmers to bring wheat directly across the border to sell in Shelby. All other wheat farmers must pool their wheat with the Canadian Wheat Board and may not sell it independently in the United States under penalty of Canadian law. Copyright c. 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: CNRL will work with Blueberry River First Nation" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:18:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CNRL/BLUEBERRY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=C71FF42E-45E2-4B6D-BAE3-D59BD87C6A12 CNRL will work with band By Michael Purvis Alaska Highway News Tuesday, September 3, 2002 Oil giant Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) will attempt to continue talks with the Blueberry River First Nation, despite the band's decision to oppose any new applications for oil and gas rights on the reserve, said a CNRL spokesperson. Blueberry chief Malcolm Apsassin issued an ultimatum to the Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) on Friday: force oil companies to consult with chief and counsel, or the band will pull out of their agreement with the province on oil and gas rights. The Blueberry reserve is located approximately 5o kilometers north of Fort St. John on the Alaska Highway. Apsassin told OGC staff at a meeting Friday morning that the band will oppose current applications for oil and gas permits on their traditional territory until consultations with industry take place. Randy Stamp, CNRL's district manager in Fort St. John, said the company has been consulting with the First Nations, including the Blueberry band. "We're always consulting with First Nations - we've met with them in the last couple of months," Stamp said, noting that company representatives met with the band last week. Apsassin could not be reached for comment late Monday afternoon. Stamp said the company will continue with ongoing talks with the band's chief and council. "That's all you can do," he said. In his statements to the OGC and Minister of Energy and Mines Richard Neufeld, Apsassin relied on last Monday's decision by the B.C. Court of Appeal to uphold a ruling in February which asserted that the province and Weyerhauser had a duty to consult with the Haida before granting the company rights to a tree farm on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Apsassin insists that even if applications for oil and gas projects are on privately owned land within the band's traditional territory, the band has treaty rights which should be addressed. A spokesperson for Neufeld's office has said the ministry will be addressing the issue. CNRL currently doesn't have many outstanding projects in the Blueberry area, said Stamp, but they will continue to submit applications. "We have to submit our applications to the OGC, that's who we get our approval from," Stamp said. Blueberry band members, including Apsassin, blockaded a CNRL compressor station for several months last year in protest over deals made by then- chief Norman Yahey. Yahey's signing of a memorandum of understanding with the provincial government on oil and gas rights in October also caused a backlash from some band members. Copyright c. 2002 Alaska Highway News. --------- "RE: Escalation of Hostilities in Chiapas" --------- Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 20:08:16 -0500 (CDT) From: owner-@eco.utexas.edu (Chiapas95-english) Subj: Escalation of Hostilities in Chiapas:Urgent call Mailing List: Chiapas95-English This message is forwarded to you by the editors of the Chiapas95 newslists. To contact the editors or to submit material for posting send to: . Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 13:50:28 -0700 Sender: (News from the Global Exchange Mexico Program) To: (News from the Global Exchange Mexico Program) From: Mexico Program Friends, We bring you this report about the recent escalation of hostilities in Chiapas including the dispatch of more soldiers of the Mexican Army to the conflicted Selva Lacandona (Lacondon Jungle) region. Representatives of over 30 human rights organizations in Chiapas are responding to the increase of of hostilities, confrontations, harassment and assassinations in indigenous communities. On August 28 two human rights accompaniment and observation caravans left San Cristo'bal de Las Casas, Chiapas for the municipalities of Ricardo Flores Magon, San Miguel and Olga Isabel to investigate the current situation in the region. We will continue to bring you updates. In this update please find: 1) Background information and current reports 2) Action YOU can take 3) Press Communique issued by on August 27, 2002 by human rights organizations in Chiapas 4) Conflicts in Chiapas signal lack of dialogue, AFP - 8/30/2002 For more information please contact Carleen at carleen@globalexchange.org. -------------------------- 1) Background information and current reports In the last two weeks, the conflict in Chiapas has escalated, culminating in confrontations, forced displacement and the murders of 3 Zapatistas. The Human Rights Center 'Fray Bartolome de las Casas' reports that the number dead is 5. Old paramilitary groups have reactivated, while others, like the OPDIC, have appeared publicly for the first time. The paramilitaries' actions have been complimented by the deployment of hundreds of additional Mexican soldiers throughout the "canyon" region of Chiapas. The Mexican Army has advanced its positions throughout the conflict zone, establishing new check points and bases, ensuring the movement of paramilitary groups. Several Zapatista communities have fled because of paramilitary violence, while others are currently occupied by the Mexican army. This latest round of displacement occurred on the heals of the United Nations Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons, Dr. Francis M. Deng's visit to Chiapas. The appearance and reactivation of paramilitary groups is reminiscent to the conditions of fall 1997, prior to the massacre at Acteal. These actions represent an escalation not yet witnessed during the Fox administration and mark a new stage of counter-insurgency warfare against Zapatista communities. Coincidently, the recent wave of violence has occurred primarily in and around the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. The predominately Zapatista communities located Montes Azules have been accused of environmental crimes and are under threat of "relocation." These recent events seriously threaten the fragile peace process in Chiapas, which has been hindered since the passage of the Indigenous Rights and Culture counter-reform law in 2001. Continued paramilitary and military violence will only exacerbate the already tense situation. Human rights groups in Mexico are calling on the Mexican government to take urgent steps demilitarize indigenous communities and to punish and dismantle paramilitary groups before the peace process can resume. --------------------------- 2) Action YOU can take --- Travel to Chiapas and volunteer as a human rights observer: Global Exchange continues to facilitate for Human Rights Observers to participate in 'Peace Camps' in Chiapas. The communities need human rights observers in all of the communities listed above. For more information about applying as a Human Rights Observer, please visit: or write to mexico@globalexchange.org --- Contact the Mexican government and express your concern for the peace process in Chiapas: Fax, call and email the Mexican embassy in your state/country. More information and sample text is below. --- Donate to local communities in Chiapas: As a result of the recent paramilitary violence and military occupation, several indigenous communities have been forced from their communities, and lack both food and medicine. Local organizations are coordinating collections for food, medicine and clothing to be delivered to the newly displaced communities. If you would like to make a financial donation to support this process, please contact Global Exchange's Mexico program for more information (email mexico@globalexchange.org or call 415.255.7296 x 239) To contact the Mexican government call, email, fax or write to your local Mexican embassy. In Washington DC you can reach the Embassy at: 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, t. (202) 728 - 1600, e. mexembusa@sre.gob.mx. For a directory of consulates in the United States visit: http://www.embassyofmexico.org/english/consulados/listofconsulates.htm You can use the text below as guidelines for your message to the Mexican government. Shortly we will post a fax action on the Global Exchange site. In the meantime your action is needed to pressure the Mexican government, the Governor of Chiapas and the Supreme Court to intervene in the escalating situation in Chiapas. Human rights organizations in Chiapas have complied this list of demands: To President Vicente Fox We call on President Fox, as commander and chief of the Mexican Armed Forces, to halt all military actions in Chiapas, considering that the Law for Dialog and Reconciliation is still in force. The increased militarization only contributes to the deterioration and radicalization of the conflict in Chiapas, further distancing the possibility of true peace in the state. We also call for President Fox to testify on the military strategy initiated during the last 15 days, deploying hundreds of additional soldiers to the conflict zone. Finally, we call on President Fox to take the necessary measures so that soldiers who commit human rights violations be punished. To the Chiapas State government of Pablo Salazar To Governor of Chiapas Pablo Salazar We call on Governor Salazar to investigate the Organization for the Defense of Indigenous and Farmers Rights (OPDIC) and its leader Pedro Chulin, as well as other known paramilitaries organizations. These groups have, and continue to operate with absolute impunity. We call Governor Salazar to prioritize the investigation into the murder of Jose Lopez Santiz, former inhabitant of the community 6 de agosto, municipality of Altamirano. Lopez Santiz' murder, as well as the homicides in the community of Amaytik, continue in the shadow of impunity. To the Supreme Court We call on the Supreme Court to recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples as an integral component to true peace. We ask that the Court emit a favorable ruling with respect to the Constitutional appeals process against the Indigenous Rights and Culture counter-reform bill, as an unmistakable example of their vote for peace. --------------------------- 3) Press Communique issued by on August 27, 2002 by human rights groups in Chiapas San Cristo'bal de las Casas, Chiapas, August 27, 2002 PRESS COMMUNIQUE URGENT CALL! To Organizations To the People of Mexico To National and International Civil Society The below-signed organizations are making a call for urgent mobilization, because of the intensification of the war climate - the confrontations, harassment and assassinations in indigenous communities, which have taken place during the month of August in: San Antonio Escobar, Quexil, Palestina, La Culebra, Arroyo Granizo, Chamizal Ach'lum, Monte Li'bano, Taniperlas Ejido, Censo, Santa Elena, Monte Li'bano Ejido, Lacando'n and Santo Domingo, Reforma K'an Akil, Yocnabil, Pamala', Nuevo Guadalupe, 6 de Agosto Nuevo Centro de Poblacio'n, El Salvador Poblado. Communities surrounding and included within the Autonomous Municipalities of Ricardo Flores Mago'n, 17 de Noviembre, Francisco Go'mez, San Pedro Polho', Francisco Villa, Primero de Enero, Olga Isabel, Che Guevara, Vicente Guerrero, Miguel Hidalgo, Lucio Caba~as and San Manuel. It is in these areas where the paramilitaries have reactivated their actions, in full and open provocation against the Autonomous Municipalities, laying siege to communities, blocking accesses, attacking and assassinating EZLN members, authorities and support bases, under the repeated cover of the Mexican Army, which is openly occupying these indigenous territories. Except for Polho', all of the rest are in the coveted Selva Lacandona. These incidents have caused the forced displacement of entire families, under conditions of food shortage, precarious sanitary conditions and their being uprooted from their communities. By agreement of the signatory organizations, we respectfully and fraternally are calling on you to: 1. Initiate a campaign of denuncias regarding these events. 2. Organize, on an urgent basis, a caravan to Chiapas for the observation and accompaniment of the affected communities. 3. To collect foods and medicine for the affected communities. We are providing you with ENLACE CIVIL's information as a contact in order to coordinate with us regarding the requested Caravan: enlacecivil@laneta.apc.org, telephone: (011) 52 (967) 678-2104 Sincerely, Education for Peace Collective (CEPAZ), K'inal Antzetik, Community Defenders Network, Enlace Civil, Center for Political Analysis and Social and Economic Research (CAPISE), Council of Organizations of Indigenous Traditional Doctors and Midwives of Chiapas (COMPITCH), Fray Bartolome' de las Casas Human Rights Center, Miguel Agusti'n Pro Jua'rez Human Rights Center, Center for Economic and Political Research for Community Action (CIEPAC), CEDIAC, Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada Human Rights Center, Global Exchange, Commission for Community Reconciliation (CORECO), Training and Development A.C. (FOCA), Los Altos Regional Coordinator for Civil Society in Resistance, "Luna Creciente" Cultural Space, Community Communication Promoters A.C., "All Rights for All" Network of Human Rights Civil Organizations, Fray Francisco de Victoria Human Rights Center O.P.A.C., "Oscar Arnulfo Romero" Solidarity Committee. Social Development for Indigenous Mexicans (DESMI), Appropriate Technology Exchange (ITA), Chiapas Civic Alliance. --------------------------- 4) Conflicts in Chiapas signal lack of dialogue AFP - 8/30/2002 Recurring conflicts between rival groups in the southernmost state of Chiapas that this week killed three people highlight the consequences of the lack of dialogue between the federal government and the Zapatista guerillas, local sources say. The most recent violence occurred in the "autonomous municipalities" of Ocosingo and Altamirano, independently governed areas set up by Zapatista rebels after the1994 indigenous uprising. In regard increased tensions in the region, the leader of the organization for Indigenous Communities, Porfirio Encino, said Zapatista support bases had "hardened their position as part of their resistance strategy." He claimed the recently set up rebel checkpoints around Zapatista communities are a source of friction among regional inhabitants, not all of whom are Zapatista followers. Local priest, Gonzalo Ituarte, blamed the "incredible deterioration" in the socio-political situation in southeastern Chiapas as a reaction to the closing of political means of negotiation. An Indigenous Rights Bill passed in Congress last year was met with hostility by the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) who claimed it did not meet their demands for increased autonomy and land rights. A 1996 accord, which was signed by both the government and the Zapatista rebels, has yet to be fulfilled. The polarization and tensions that in recent months have affected jungle communities in Chiapas, provoked a recent warning from Felipe Arizmendi, the Bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas, the main site of the 1994 rebel uprising: "The seed of hate and violence has been sown in many hearts, which makes us fear that, at any moment, we could see the repetition of such terrible events as that of Acteal," he said. In Dec. 1997, 45 Indians were murdered in the highland village of Acteal by paramilitaries. ############################################################# This message is sent to you because you are subscribed to the mailing list . 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Previous messages are available from http://www.eco.utexas.edu/faculty/Cleaver/chiapas95.html or gopher to Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics, Mailing Lists. --------- "RE: Tribal Law Enforcement gets $1.2 Million in Grants" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAW GRANTS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.ashlandwi.com/placed/index $500,000 goes to Bad River Steve Tomasko The Daily Press Tuesday, August 20th, 2002 09:42:51 AM Eight tribal law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin have garnered over $1. 2 million in federal grants for hiring new officers, buying new equipment and training. The grants were announced by U.S. Senator Russ Feingold. The $l,223,189 in grants are distributed through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program under their Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP), which supports Native American law enforcement agencies. The COPS program is administered through the Department of Justice. Wisconsin Native American organizations and communities being awarded the COPS TRGP grants are: * Bad River Band of Lake Superior: 2 grants: $122,918 for equipment and training and $230,424 for hiring. * Bad River Chippewa Department of Natural Resources: $152,490 for equipment and training. * Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission: $302,488 for equipment and training. * Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior: $75,432 for equipment and training. * Lac Courte Oreilles Conservation Department: $24,660 for equipment and training. * Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin: $119,259 for equipment and training. * St. Croix Tribal Police Department: $192,146 for equipment and training. * Stockbridge-Munsee Community: $3,372 for equipment and training. Bad River tribal grant writer Nancy Merrill said they were very excited about getting the grants. Besides buying equipment, the money will enable them to hire one full-time and one half-time officer to complement the three officers and chief they now have. "This will help us greatly," she said. She said kudos go to Essie Leoseo who actually wrote the grant proposals as she is new. Feingold said "COPS grants ... are a great example of federal assistance without federal interference." The COPS program was passed by Congress in 1994 after it was proposed by former President Clinton in his State of the Union Address. Since then, the COPS Office has awarded over $6 billion in grants to more than 11,300 state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation. More than 300 Wisconsin communities have benefitted from over $70 million in COPS grants. Copyright c. 2002 The Daily Press/Ashland WI. --------- "RE: Reservation Landowners sue Federal Bureau" --------- Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:10:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FORT HALL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/native/Article_Detail Reservation Landowners Sue Federal Bureau by AP, The Associated Press Pocatello, Idaho (AP) - Hundreds of Fort Hall reservation landowners have filed a class action suit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for allegedly violating the Federal Privacy Act. U.S. district Judge R. Lynn Winmill certified the class action suit last week. The Fort Hall Landowners Association originally filed the lawsuit in 1999. The suit alleged that Fort Hall Indian Agency staff released their names, addresses and ownership information to Idaho Power Co. when the company was seeking to renew a right-of-way easement for its Brady-Fremont Power Line. The complaint was later amended to include other landowners and charges that agency staff had been violating privacy laws for years by releasing names and addresses to non-Indians who wanted to lease land. Winmill gave the landowner's attorney's 10 days to tell the Bureau how they intend to notify all of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. After notification is made, any member can request that the court exclude them from the suit. Copyright c. 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2002 iMinorities, Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Pueblo could block Recreational Access" --------- Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:10:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SANDIA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/native/Article Pueblo Could Block Recreational Access Unless Legislation Changes by AP, The Associated Press Sandia Pueblo, N.M. (AP) - Sandia Pueblo wants more autonomy in ceremonial hunts and guarantees land will not be developed in legislation over control over the west face of the Sandia Mountains. The pueblo said it could block access to popular recreation trails and picnic areas or sue the federal government unless changes are made to the bill that covers the pueblo's claim to nearly 10,000 acres on the mountain on the edge of Albuquerque, pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano and the pueblo's attorney, David Mielke, said. Paisano said the pueblo possibly could close a frequently traveled road across pueblo land if there's no resolution by Nov. 15, the expiration of a land claim settlement agreed to two years ago. "Will this road close down Nov. 16? Probably not," Paisano said. "But they took this from us. This is something we're not going to roll over and play dead on. We've compromised. It's a good deal. They should take it." He said the Tribal Council directed him to protect the mountain at whatever expense, no matter how long it takes. Spanish settlers promised the mountain to the tribe and Congress later recognized the pueblo's claim. But a surveyor mapping the mountain in 1858 stopped short of its crest, cutting about 10,000 acres off the claim. The tribe sued in 1994 to reclaim the land, now part of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and Cibola National Forest. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., dismissed all appeals to the pueblo's claim and sent the case to the Interior Department. Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt issued an opinion supporting the pueblo's claim before leaving office. The pueblo, the U.S. Forest Service and Sandia Peak Tramway Co. negotiated a settlement that would maintain the land as national forest with guarantees to Sandia Pueblo that the land would not be developed, that the pueblo could veto new uses of the forest and that pueblo members would have access for hunting and gathering and religious purposes. The legislation, which would ratify the settlement, would guarantee the tribe access to the mountain for religious ceremonies and other purposes, but the Forest Service would own the land, to be called the T'uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area, and the public would have access. The bill has cleared two committees and is to go to the Indian Affairs Committee after August's congressional recess. Sens. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said they're willing to consider changes to the legislation Bingaman sponsored. Bingaman said he won't be able to give the pueblo an answer before September. Paisano said the pueblo could return to negotiations if the deal falls through, but would not give up so much in new talks. The most significant concession under the current legislation was the pueblo dropping its ownership claim. Paisano said he doubts the Tribal Council would restrict access to homeowners in two private subdivisions, but could decide to prevent members of the general public from crossing tribal land, thus restricting access to trail heads and picnic grounds. "The general public's use, that is something we would really have to look at," Paisano said. The pueblo also could decide to argue in a new federal lawsuit that opinions from a federal judge and the Interior Department solicitor support the pueblo's ownership. However, Mielke said the pueblo prefers changes to the legislation over a new lawsuit. The pueblo wants a guarantee of no further development and wants the government to buy _ or reimburse the pueblo for buying _ a 160-acre tract within the claim to prevent its future development. The pueblo also wants more autonomy in traditional hunting. The current bill would require it to develop hunting rules similar to the state's and submit its plan to the state and Forest Service for comment. Sandia Pueblo already agreed to limit hunting to that tied to religious practices. It does not want to divulge details of religious practices in submitting hunting rules to the state and federal governments, Paisano said. The pueblo wants the legislation to include details of a negotiated management plan that spells out how the pueblo and Forest Service would collaborate on changing existing uses, such as reconfiguring trails or expanding parking lots. Paisano said pueblo members are concerned about a trail being rerouted and ending up close to a pueblo shrine. Copyright c. 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2002 iMinorities, Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Cherokees named in $78 Million Suit" --------- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 08:19:01 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHEROKEE SUED" http://www.indianz.com/ http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=905058 Cherokees named in $78 million suit 2002-08-21 By Adam Wilmoth The Oklahoman TULSA -- Premier Construction Services of Tulsa has filed a lawsuit against Cherokee Nation Industries seeking $77.5 million in actual and punitive damages on charges of fraud and breach of contract. Premier Construction president Steve Abbott filed the suit in Tulsa District Court claiming that Cherokee Nation Industries had agreed to supply hundreds of workers to change signs, paint stores and otherwise transform 350 Texaco Express Lube and convenience stores to Shell stores. Premier Construction made the arrangement through Trammell Crow on behalf of Shell Oil Co. Abbott claims that Cherokee Nation Industries, which is owned by the Cherokee Nation, backed out of the deal 10 hours before the project was to begin, causing both Cherokee Nation Industries and Premier Construction to lose the $34 million job. Cherokee Nations Industries deferred comments to the Cherokee Nation. "The Cherokee Nation disputes all the facts of the case," tribal spokesman Mike Miller said. "We believe the lawsuit will be dismissed. It's groundless and frivolous." The suit asks for more than $7.5 million in actual damages it says were lost when the construction firm was dropped from the contract, $20 million for future losses because of a damaged relationship between Premier Construction and Trammell Crow and $50 million for future losses because of the company's damaged reputation within the industry. "In my industry, this particular glitch permeates throughout the entire industry from coast to coast. Within three or four days, I'm sure everyone in the industry had heard about what happened," Abbott said. "Nobody's going to go on record saying that because of this glitch they're going to blackball me, but the bottom line is that's exactly what's going to happen." Abbott said he does not blame Trammell Crow for firing his company and immediately naming another company to complete the project. "We're in an industry that demands compressed times and absolute drop dead dates," he said. Abbott claims that David Stewart, then chief executive of Cherokee Nation Industries, contacted him about supplying the workers on the 350 stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona and California. He said he does not know why the company backed out of the deal but that it would have been very profitable. "It's unlimited because if they would have established themselves as a major player in corporate imaging, they would have been able to position themselves for future work in this field," he said. David Stewart, former chief executive of Cherokee Nation Industries and current chief executive of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, did not return phone calls Tuesday. Premier Construction was incorporated in Oct. 2001, shortly before reaching its agreement with Cherokee Nation Industries, Abbott said, but it had operated under the name CSI for nearly 10 years. Cherokee Nation Industries is owned by the Cherokee Nation and specializes in telecommunications, medical services and cable and wire harness manufacturing. Copyright c. 2002, Produced by NewsOK. --------- "RE: Man admits shooting at BIA Officer's Vehicle" --------- Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:10:35 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SHOOTING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/ Man admits shooting at BIA officer's vehicle A Crow Agency man who fired a sawed-off rifle at the back window of a patrol vehicle from an overpass pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges stemming from the assault. Charles Lance, 24, pleaded guilty to all three counts in an indictment alleging that on March 18, he assaulted a federal officer, possessed a sawed-off rifle and possessed an unregistered firearm. Lance told U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull that the patrol car was moving when he sighted the vehicle in the shotgun's scope from an overpass about 200 yards way and squeezed the trigger. Assistant U.S. Attorney Klaus Richter said evidence at trial would show that, at about 3:30 a.m., Bureau of Indian Affairs Officer Edward Eastman was on routine patrol in a marked vehicle when he heard a loud explosion in his vehicle. Eastman stopped and discovered a bullet hole in the rear window. The bullet was stopped by a cage behind the front seat. Footprints in the snow led investigators from an overpass to a housing area at Crow Agency where officers found Lance and two juveniles. Officers also recovered the rifle, a 30-06 caliber Savage Arms. Richter said the barrel was 13.5 inches long , which is shorter than the legal length of 16 inches. And the rifle was not registered. Cebull set sentencing for Nov. 13 and ordered Lance to remain in custody. Lance could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the assault count and 10 years and a $10,000 fine on each of the firearms counts. Copyright c. 2002 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Candidate blocked Access to DOC Records" --------- Date: Tue, 03 Sep 2002 08:18:43 -0700 From: Janet Smith Subj: Lakota Journal Article/DOC Issue - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CORRECTIONS RECORDS BLOCKED" http://www.lakotajournal.com/Front%20Page.htm Gubernatorial candidate blocked access to DOC records By Ruth Steinberger Lakota Journal Correspondent Aug. 30 - Sept. 6, 2002 HURON - Pat Haley (D-Huron) served in the South Dakota House of Representatives and in the Senate. He is concerned about how the upcoming elections may impact Indians and of the importance of looking at the past records of individual candidates on the issues effecting tribal communities. He was in the South Dakota State Legislature from 1991 through 2,000 and was the House Minority Leader from 1997 through 2,000. He served on the Legislative Executive Board from 1991 to 1996. The Legislative Executive Board is a 15 member board. Members are elected by their political caucus and the primary function of this board is to manage legislative business out of session. That board prepares the legislative budget, and makes decisions that affect legislation that impacts tribal communities, including the selection and organization of interim committees. Interim committees hold hearings on issues of significance, including racial profiling, transportation issues including the dangling objects bill, and issues concerning nursing homes and education. Despite record amounts of testimony on tribal issues during the last session, not one bill that received support based on the merits of its importance to tribal people made it out of committee. Haley explained, "Good information on Indian issues in Pierre is very bad. I don't think the average South Dakota legislator knows much about Indian issues, or even really cares very much. It's not that they're necessarily cold hearted, some are, however for most it's just not their issue." He cited that while discussion increased drastically under former Governor George Mickelson, those who were on the committees were ready to stop changes from taking place. He said, "Then Janklow was elected. He likes to have complete control and any discussion simply became rhetoric." Right now both parties are vying for the Indian vote. However, Haley pointed out that for the most part the candidates running for office have a track record that they should stand on and which needs to be considered when tribal members cast a ballot. He cited some examples. Haley said, "If Ron Volesky wins, I think you'll see a change in how the Attorney General's Office deals with the reservations. There will be an attempt to find common ground." He added, "There's a responsibility for the candidates to learn about the cultures that make up over 10% of our state." Haley explained that while he was in the legislature he asked for a full disclosure of the finances of the Department of Corrections (DOC). He said that specifically projects including the house building at Springfield and the rewiring of schools in South Dakota were alleged to have oddities concerning the vendors used to procure building materials used