From gars@speakeasy.org Wed Oct 9 11:59:44 2002 Date: 9 Oct 2002 01:50:58 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.041 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 041 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O October 5, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Cherokee nvda udatanv/nut moon +-----------------------------+ Blackfeet sa'aiksi itaomatooyi/moon when ducks leave <================<<<< >>>>================> 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; ndn-aim, Big Mountain, Native Rights, Tn-Ind and Iron Natives Mailing Lists; newsgroup: soc.cultire.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.'" "A Sundance woman is like the morning star, filled with spiritual beauty, wisdom, and knowledge. Men and women are the most powerful of the polarities. We walk beside men as equal partners. It takes men and women who have respect and love for one another to live within the embrace of father sky and mother earth. Men and women have an awesome responsibility in maintaining the continuity of this life; the home is the most sacred place in the universe. I walk proudly beside all of you men." __ Dr. Henrietta Mann, Southern Cheyenne +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! The following editorial by Jeffery St. Clair/Counterpunch will be this issue's editorial. It clearly points out one of the many Bush and Norton directed environmental disasters. Bush Adm.: "Fish Don't Need Water" Something Rotten in Klamath by JEFFREY ST. CLAIR October 2, 2002 More than 35,000 fish lay dead in the bed of the Klamath River and the death count continues to rise. These are not just any fish. They are wild salmon, both coho and chinook, the very totems of the Northwest. They suffocated from lack of cool water. As the death toll mounted, Gale Norton, the grim boss of the Interior Department, acted befuddled and suggested that the die-off in these foul waters was a strange natural mystery. But there's no need to call in a fish coroner. The slaughter in the Klamath River was a deliberate act, connived at by the White House, the Interior Department and the gang of Klamath River basin irrigators who have run riot down in southern Oregon for these many years. "There are fish floating in every eddy," says Mike Belchick, a biologist with the Yurok Tribe. "Eyes popping out. Guts coming out. Scores of dead fish with moss on them. It makes me want to cry." Now water is being released from the dams upstream near Klamath Lake. But it's far too late and will do little more than flush the stinking corpses downstream, along with the daily brew of pesticides, cowshit, and fertilizer that accounts for the normal effluent from the fields of the Klamath Basin. Off course, it's the big fish kills that grab the headlines. And this was an unprecedented one: more than 30 percent of the entire salmon population of the Klamath wiped out in a single blow. Tribal leaders say there's no precedent for the death toll in history or myth. But the salmon of the Klamath River, once one of the mightiest runs on earth, have been dying out for decades in a slow, steady slide toward extinction. The gory frontpage photos of mass death send the wrong message, shocking, but oddly comforting to those responsible. They suggest a sudden catastrophic event, a singular tragic mistake. In fact, the salmon of the Klamath River, which flows some 200 miles from southern Oregon to the northern California coast, are the victim of a system that has conspired against them since the 1940s, at least. It is a system of industrial agriculture, backed by the federal government, that has been given free reign to dewater the Klamath River to irrigate cheap croplands of alfalfa, potatoes and onions. More than half the annual income from these farms and ranches come from federal crop supports, but apparently that doesn't obligate them to save the fish. The fact that the Yurok, Hoopa and Klamath tribes enjoy treaty rights to the river's salmon and depend on those fish for food, income and ceremonial rites has meant nothing to the masters of the river. This is story of a death foretold. Biologists have warned since the 1970s that big changes in river flows were needed to avert extinction of coho and chinook salmon and the Klamath River suckerfish. For eight years, Clinton and Babbitt did little for the salmon. Every proposal was a half-measure, which denounced by the Klamath irrigators, and followed by a quick retreat. The salmon stocks declined, the delicate coho, which thrives in cold, clear water, tottered toward extinction. By the time the Bush crowd took office there was no margin for error. A nasty drought in the summer of 2001 exacerbated the problem. When federal biologists called for the Bureau of Reclamation to dribble out more water for the fish, the Klamath farmers threw a fit. They organized a so-called "bucket brigade," a raid on the dams and pumps that diverted water into their parched fields. Threats were leveled against federal biologists, environmentalists and Indians. The sheriff of Klamath Falls joined in the fun, saying he wouldn't arrest any of the irrigators for monkeywrenching the water diversions. One of his deputies, Lt. Jack Redfield, even said at a rally of ranchers and farmers that he might tolerate some violence against Oregon environmentalists. Then he named two potential targets: Andy Kerr and Wendell Wood. "It won't take much from Andy Kerr or Wendell Wood or their like to spark an extremely violent response," said Redfield. "I am talking about rioting, homicides, destruction of property. Environmentalist who engage in tree sits and roadblocks to stop timber sale are now treated by like terrorists in several states, including Oregon and Idaho. Only last week, three Oregon forest activists were arrested on charges of torching logging equipment. They now face the possibility of 20 years in jail and $500,000 in fines. But the Klamath water bullies are accustomed to having their way. They convinced the federal government to turn over almost half of the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge to them, which is now farmed at the expense of native wildlife. They've gotten away with destroying federal property, killing endangered species and threatening federal officials. Instead of rebukes and arrests, Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, the Republican frozen food magnate, called them heroes. They even got reimbursed for their trouble to the tune of $4 million. The national press corps viewed this summer-long riot as a kind of quaint rural dust up, not much different than a fractious rodeo. At the time, the irrigators had conned the press into reporting that the water releases were all about saving the endangered suckerfish, a decidedly unsexy species also faced with extinction. The word salmon rarely made an appearance. In fact, the entire river system is a mess, on the brink of ecological collapse. Last spring, the Bush crowd decided that the Klamath farmers could have all the water they wanted, regardless of the consequences for salmon. In a March ceremony, Gale Norton presided over the diversion of water to the irrigators. The tribes and environmentalists showed up to protest. But it was to no avail. This summer was one of the driest and hottest on record. Biologists and tribes pleaded with Norton to release more water for the salmon. She refused. The Bush administration took the surrealistic position that fish don't need water. It's a position they still cling to. "If there is some evidence it's a problem, we'll take a hard look at it," said John Keys, director of the Bureau of Reclamation, only last week. "We've been saying since last year that we're not sure more water would do the fish any good." By August the temperature of the depleted waters of the Klamath River exceeded 70 degrees, a number considered lethal for migratory salmon. As the chinook and coho ascended the broiling river, they became disoriented, lethargic and began to perish from a host of diseases. Federal fisheries biologist Tom Shaw told his superiors that river conditions were "extremely lethal." His warnings were ignored. "They played Russian roulette with our fish and our fish lost," says Troy Fletcher of the Yurok Tribe. It wasn't so much a game, as a gameplan. All along the irrigators had plotted the final doom of the salmon, which were a looming impediment to their increasingly frail economic condition. With the troublesome fish out of the way, they believe that their precious system of dams, pumps and irrigation ditches will be safe from the lawsuits of the environmentalists and the tribes. Now the dead fish are being scooped up with bulldozers and trucked to a plant in Eureka, California where they will be rendered into fertilizer and no doubt end up back on some of the very fields that lead to their demise. Somebody should swipe a few of those carcasses from the banks of the Klamath, ship them to Washington and stuff them under Gale Norton's front porch, so that the unique odor of rotting salmon will haunt her the rest of her days. Copyright c. 2002 CounterPunch, PO BOX 228, Petrolia, CA 95558 -=-=-=- Winter is coming early to the north plains. Frost warnings and winter storm warnings are already a fact of life in the Dakotas and Montana. Elders in those areas already need assistance... remember Secretary of Interior Norton withheld checks after the court appointed monitor broke into DoI computers. If you know of a reliable point where funds can be sent to assist these precious elders please drop me a note at gars@nanews.org and make the subject (all caps) WINTER HELP. -----> this list will remain up through January -----> PLEASE email gars@nanews.org with any updates/additions Date: Tue, 01 Oct 2002 20:46:06 -0500 From: Dodie Subj: fuel fund Gary: At this time this is the only fuel fund I have. If I receive more I will pass them along to you. Thank you for including it. If you need addresses for donations just let me know. Dodie Ndn-AIM Fund c/o box 1334 Rapid City, SD 57709 At 04:20 AM 10/1/2002, you wrote: -=-=-=- Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2002 02:35:47 -0000 From: "Dodie Finstead" After less than one year, the Northern Cheyenne School, who this time last year had never received donations, with children often going without supplies and clothing, now have more than they can handle and store. They have requested that no more donations be sent to them at this time as Vicki gave us a head up on. I want to thank Vicki, they had not been able to contact us. My suggestion would be the other fund in MT or to Carter Camp if you were planning on sending to the Northern Cheyenne school. Please be sure if you send used thing they are in very good condition. If you do chose one of these two, please let them know you are sending things so they can be expecting them. Dodie >> Honor Your Spirit - Protect the Children % Sue Buck PO Box 901 Great Falls, MT 59403-0901 suemontana@mcn.net The same needs as the other school, clothing, school supplies, blankets, etc. Oh, don't forget the toys. :) Carter Camp P.O.Box 1012, Rosebud S.D. 57570 cartercamp@yahoo.com Carter and his wife distribute to families with children. So clothing for all age children are need, from infants up. The basic needs toys, blankets, warm things, diapers, panties, tooth brushes, hats, socks, etc. -=-=-=- Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 11:43:21 +0300 From: "Brigitte Thimiakis" Subj: IMPORTANT Note to Winter Request From: Sue Buck - Please Read, and Forward - IMPORTANT NOTE regarding the Urgent Winter Request for Donations for Children and Elders Recently we were all very happy to read that a large amount of donations was sent to the Northern Cheyenne schools in MT. This was great news! However, due to a recent inquiry about whether or not our project still needed donations, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that there are still great needs on the reservation. Please note that our request and aim is to try and help the abandoned children's shelter and elders' center on the reservation, which are totally separate from the Northern Cheyenne tribal schools. They have great needs (also for the most part, different from the needs of the tribal Schools). Please read our list below. These needs have not been catered for and these children and elders are still in need of warm clothing items for the winter. Toys are also much needed so that the children at the shelter can have a Christmas give-away . After reading our request below, please do everything you can to support these children and elders. Many thanks for your time and help, Respectfully, Sue Buck "Honor Your Spirit - Protect the Children" [ PLEASE FORWARD where needed - thank you ] Urgent Winter Request for Donations Greetings, If you wish to make a difference and help children and elders through the harsh winter months in Montana, please take the time to read this request. On behalf of reliable Northern Cheyenne contacts from Lame Deer, we are once again collecting donations for the children's shelter and senior citizens center on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Our goal is to collect new and good quality used items for the shelter and senior center, as well as toys which can be used for the children's shelter at Christmas time. The toys will be distributed during the Christmas give away but the clothes and blankets will be distributed right away. During Montana winters, the temperature can drop to 30 or 40 degrees below zero so warm winter clothing can be lifesaving. Often, when a child arrives at the shelter, all they have is what they are wearing. This is very sad, but it is the reality these children have to face. When a child leaves to go to a foster home, or some other place, the people at the shelter try to send a weeks' worth of clothing with the child so they will at least have something. In other words, what ever is sent to the shelter can be used and there is a great need. There is a very high turnover rate due to the extreme poverty in the Big Horn and Rosebud Counties. The senior citizens center is in special need of - blankets - warm winter coats also needed by the seniors are socks, gloves, boots, hats and scarves The children's shelter is in special need of - warm winter coats and clothing - a baby crib and related bedding - twin size bedding of all types, - blankets - toys The children range in age from 0 to 12 years. Since they have school for the children at the shelter, there is also a need for: - educational toys, - writing paper, - pencils, - crayons or anything else used in schools. They can also use grooming supplies like toothpaste, tooth brushes, soaps and shampoos, combs, hair brushes, hair barrettes, rubber bands or other types of hair or pony tail holders. Last but not least : pampers diapers or pull-ups. Please note that we have changed and reorganized our mailing instructions from those suggested last year. Contact suemontana@mcn.net for mailing information other than regular US Mail service. (Also please include your name and address if you would like for us to acknowledge/confirm receipt of your donations) Donations can be sent to the following address: Honor Your Spirit - Protect the Children % Sue Buck PO Box 901 Great Falls, MT 59403-0901 USA The priority of our group, "Honor your Spirit - Protect the Children" is to make sure all donations get to where they are supposed to and recognized. It is very important to us to make sure that everything is distributed fairly and to those in the greatest need. Additional contact information: Brigitte Thimiakis, Greece thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr Celine Branchard, France littlered@club-internet.fr Sue Buck, Project Coordinator, MT suemontana@mcn.net Thank you for any assistance you can give. 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 ---------- - Kathleen Merle Fleury - OAS wades into BLM/ - Crossings Tribal Cattle Battle in Nevada - Op/Ed: Interior's Oversight - Traditionalists to rally - Most Controversial Statement against Blood Initiative of our Time - Court moves BIA - Seminole protest BIA support Intimidation case Forward of Principal Chief - Lawsuit tackles Navajo - Official urges continuance Language ban in Workplace of Scope on Mt. Graham - LPDC Update - Colorado River Pipeline Advances - Native Prisoner - Occaneechi to get Seat -- Changing America's Prisons on Commission -- Penpal Requests - Lecture tells Indians' Side - Rustywire: The Field of History - Poem: To a Native Teenager - Recognition Plight - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Native Vets protest - This Week on First Peoples TV Pathetic Compensation Offer - Native America Calling - Wisconsin Oneidas Appeal - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Kathleen Merle Fleury" --------- Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2002 14:12:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KATHLEEN MERLE FLEURY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/10/02/build/tribal/ Former state Indian affairs coordinator dead at 58 Associated Press HELENA (AP) - Kathleen Merle Fleury, an educator and lawyer who served as Indian affairs coordinator for two governors, has died at age 58. She was born Aug. 10, 1944. She was a teacher for several years in Seattle and Spokane, Wash., before earning a law degree from the University of Washington. Fleury began work with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Billings in 1980 and was selected in 1990 by then-Gov. Stan Stephens to serve as the state's Indian affairs coordinator. Gov. Marc Racicot reappointed her in 1992. In 1996, Fleury became director of Native American Ministries for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Chicago, Ill. She later returned to Montana and was a tribal attorney for the Blackfeet Nation in Browning. Fleury is survived by her three children, Katie McLean, Jim McLean and Tony Rigler; her mother, Maxine Fleury, of Spokane, Wash.; seven brothers and four sisters. Her father, Ben Fleury, preceded her in death. Funeral services were Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Helena. Fleury's family requested memorials be made to Wakina Sky Learning Center in Helena. Copyright c. 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" Copyright c. 2002 Bismarck Tribune. -=-=-=- October 6, 2002 Robert Guy Stone, Sr. Robert Guy Stone, Sr., 68, of Tokio, ND, formerly of Fargo, ND died Wednesday, October 2, 2002 in Fort Totten. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Dakotah Oyate Lutheran Church, rural Tokio. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A Wake Service will be held Monday at the Dakotah Oyate Church beginning at 5 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8 p.m. Pallbearers will be Robert Guy, Jr., Shane Guy, Cody Guy, Terrance Guy, Shawn Guy and Suna Guy. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Brown, Elmer Brown, Calvin Smith, Mike Smith, Titus "Tonto" DeMarce, Archie Red Fox, Sr., Clarence Paul, Art Thompson and George DeMarce, Sr., Eunice Green, Priscilla Touche, Margie Ross, Katie Ross, Alice DeMarce, Marilyn Hanson, Barbara Meade, Jennifer Katherine Piro, Arlene Neer, Katherine Thompson and Colleen DeMarce, all the Elderly of the Spirit Lake Nation and the Fort Totten Health Clinic Staff. Robert M. Guy Stone was born on July 12, 1934, the son of Mary Stone. He attended school in Wahpeton for a time but resided in the Spirit Lake Nation and Fargo area most of his life. Robert was a family person who loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all his relatives. He enjoyed the cultural events and activities of the area and also the entertainment at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort. He always enjoyed visiting with family and friends in the area and around North Dakota. Robert is survived by his sons, John Guy of South Dakota, Duane (Elaine) Guy and Richard DeMarce both of St. Michael, Robert Guy, Jr. of Fargo, Elden Shane Guy of Fort Totten, Ryan Cody Guy and Michael Guy both of Fargo; daughters, Elaine DeMarce of South Dakota, Jody Ann Guy of Minnesota, Shelly Guy, Mary Guy and Rita Guy all of Fargo; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Guy of Tokio, Lee Guy of South Dakota, Jerome Guy of Montana, Donray Guy of Tokio, Richard Guy of Sisseton, SD; and sister, Ordelle Guy also of Tokio. Numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary Kay; great grandson, John Terrell Guy; sisters, Agatha Peoples, Madeline Guy and Donna Mae Guy; brothers, Greg Johnson and Ignatius Guy Stone; and aunt, Virginia Peoples. Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, is in charge of the arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 Devils Lake Daily Journal. -=-=-=- October 2, 2002 Madeline D. Janis PINE RIDGE - Madeline D. Janis, 42, Pine Ridge, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include her husband, Ival Janis Sr., Pine Ridge; three sons, Francis Janis, Michael Janis and Ival Janis Jr., all of Pine Ridge; one daughter, Jana Janis, Pine Ridge; her parents, Vincent and Lucille Brings Plenty, Pine Ridge; five brothers, Donroy Brings Plenty and Darrin Brings Plenty, both of Rapid City, Darrell Brings Plenty and Delano Brings Plenty, both of Pine Ridge, and Darrin Brings Plenty, Porcupine; and two grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Leon Matthews and the Rev. Agnes Tyon officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. October 4, 2002 Ruben Yellow Thunder Sr. MANDERSON - Ruben Yellow Thunder Sr., 48, Manderson, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include one son, Ruben Yellow Thunder Jr., Red Shirt Table; one daughter, Carmelita Yellow Thunder, Rapid City; his mother, Sylvia Yellow Thunder, Hot Springs; four brothers, Orville Yellow Thunder, Aurora, Colo., Thomas Yellow Thunder, Fort Thompson, and Curtis Yellow Thunder and Patrick Yellow Thunder, both of Hot Springs; two sisters, Genevieve Ribitch, No. Four Community, Pine Ridge, and Rita White Bear, Fort Collins, Colo.; and 12 grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Agnes Church Hall in Manderson. The second night will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Billy Mills Hall. Burial will be at Highland Community Cemetery in Hot Springs. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Arlene R. Valandra PINE RIDGE - Arlene R. Valandra, 56, Pine Ridge, died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Valandra, Pine Ridge; three sons, Alexander Bad Bear Jr., Winston Bad Bear and Edsel Bad Bear, all of Pine Ridge; four adopted sons, Lyle Jack, Don Chase, Austin Backward and Tom Goings, all of Pine Ridge; three daughters, Betty Bad Bear, Carol Bad Bear and Sharon Bad Bear, all of Pine Ridge; two adopted daughters, Cheryle Chase, Pine Ridge, and Nurse Muriel, Rushville, Neb.; three brothers, Joseph Fast Horse Jr. and Darrell Fast Horse, both of Pine Ridge, and Talbert Fast Horse, Rapid City; three sisters, Cecelia Spotted Bear, Fast Horse Creek, Patricia Red Eagle, Gordon, Neb., and Geraldine Fast Horse, Pine Ridge; 21 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Lakota Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Fast Horse Creek. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the church, with the Rev. Norman Cash and the Rev. Harold Ambrose officiating. Burial will be at Fast Horse Creek Cemetery in Wounded Knee. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Jacqueline S. Ten Fingers OGLALA - Jacqueline S. Ten Fingers, 31, Oglala, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Misty Whary and Mia Whary, both of Oglala; her parents, Richard Ten Fingers Sr. and Florence Ten Fingers, Oglala; seven brothers, Richard Ten Fingers Jr., Dean Ten Fingers and Scott Ten Fingers, all of Oglala, Ron Ten Fingers and Wilmer Ten Fingers, both of Pine Ridge, Javon Ten Fingers, San Jose, Calif., and Arpata McKay, Las Vegas; and four sisters, Wanda Ten Fingers, Pine Ridge, Sherri Ten Fingers and Denyse Ten Fingers, both of Oglala, and Delores Anderlik, St. Roberts, Mo. A one-night wake will begin at 6 p.m. today at Loneman School in Oglala. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the school, with the Rev. Robert Two Bulls officiating. Burial will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Cemetery, Drywood Community, Oglala. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 The Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- October 4, 2002 Waite Sixkiller Waite Gene Sixkiller of Miami died at 6:13 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. He was 56. Sixkiller was born Sept. 20, 1946, in Quapaw to Stan Waite and Shirley (Greenback) Sixkiller. He was a lifetime resident of the area. He served in the Army. He was employed by Don Humes. He married Fern Lynn in 1969 in Miami. She preceded him in death Jan. 13, 2002. Survivors include a son, Richard Sixkiller of Jacksonville, Fla.; a daughter, Veronica Thompson of Oklahoma City; a brother, Harvey Ed Sixkiller of Miami; and two grandchildren, Jeff Roberds of Jacksonville, Fla., and Amy Jo Roberds of Miami. The service is 2 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home in Miami with the Rev. Ron Peak officiating. Burial is in GAR Cemetery in Miami. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at the funeral home. Copyright c. 2002 Miami Herald/Miami, OK. -=-=-=- Copyright c. 1997-2002 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- October 03, 2002 Aaron Jon Benally Aug. 22, 1983 - Oct. 1, 2002 Aaron Jon Benally, 19, of Shiprock, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002. He was born Aug. 22, 1982 in Farmington to Johnson and Loretta Benally. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2002, at Maranatha Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 618 W. Arrington St., Farmington. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. Funeral services are under the direction of Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington, 327-5142. October 05, 2002 Louis Y. Tapaha Oct. 4, 2002 Louis Y. Tapaha Sr., 66, of Red Mesa, Utah, died at Shiprock Northern Navajo Medical Center Friday, Oct. 4, 2002. Funeral services are pending with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, 505-598-9636. Ann Marie Tso Oct. 2, 2002 Ann Marie Tso, 59, of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, in Farmington. Funeral Services are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Four Corner Christian Reformed Church in Teec Nos Pos. Reverend Paul Redhouse will officiate. Burial will follow at the Church Cemetery in Teec Nos Pos. Funeral arrangements are with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland. Helen C. Woody March 20, 1920 - Oct. 3, 2002 Helen C. Woody, 82, of Shiprock, passed away Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002, at Northern Navajo Medical Center. She was born March 20, 1920 to Chee Woody and Todacheenie Bitsie. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charlie Clah, a son Alfred, two daughters: Sarah Clah and Roselyn Morgan, two brothers: Frank Woody and Sam Lewis, and two grandsons: Shawn Morgan and Roland Blackwater. She is survived by two sons: Lee Clah Sr. and Martin Johnson Jr., both of Shiprock, two daughters: Minnie Woody and Annie W. Hayes, both of Shiprock, 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great- grandchildren. Helen was of the Kii yaa aanii/Taneez zhani Clan. She was homemaker and rug weaver. Funeral services for Mrs. Woody will be held Monday, Oct. 7, 2002, at 10 a.m., at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Chapel in Shiprock. Pastor Harry Chee will officiate and interment will be at Shiprock Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Warren Woody, Albert Hayes Sr., Martin Johnson Jr., Leroy Clah, Albert Hayes Jr. and Lionel Clah. Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Clah Sr., Tina R. Hayes, Alberta R. Hayes, Annie W. Hayes, Minnie Woody and Tashina L. Yazzie. The family wishes to thank Basin Home Health, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Medical/Surgical nursing staff, and Dr. Kelly for their wonderful care. Funeral arrangements are with Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Shiprock, 368-4607. Copyright c. 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- Copyright c. 2002 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- October 2, 2002 Helen Patten Helen Patten, passed away on September 30, 2002. She was born on April 24, 1909. Helen is a member of Laguna Pueblo and from the Village of Paguate. Helen is survived by her son, John M. Patten; granddaughters, Monica Patten, Melanie Patten, and Valerie Cook; great-granddaughter, Helen Vargas-Chaves, and she is also survived by Florence Reed. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of over fifty years, James Patten, and her son, Augie Patten. Helen graduated from the Albuquerque Indian School and lived the rest of her life in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She helped raise many children and was looked upon as a grandma by many. Helen is remembered by family and friends. Services will be held Wednesday, October 2, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, 1111 University Blvd. NE, with Pastor Byron Sarracino officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE Copyright c. 1997 - 2002 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- October 4, 2002 Kaare Evensen Jr. `Whitewind' A wake will be at 5 p.m. today at 140 County Road 316, Ignacio, for Kaare Evensen Jr., who died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002, at his home in Ignacio. He was 43. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ouray Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Evensen was born May 7, 1959, in Durango to Kaare Evensen Sr. and Martha Burch Evensen. He was a flute player, a spiritual counselor and an artist. He participated in the Sundance ceremony as a dancer, and he had recorded music with SOAR recording under the name "Whitewind." He cared for his family and friends in many ways. He was preceded in death by a brother, Chris Evensen; and a nephew, Clayton Baker. He is survived by a sister, Sanjean B. Bigpond of Bayfield; a brother, Sam E. Santistevan of Bayfield; five uncles; Vincent Grove of Ignacio, Leonard Burch of Ignacio, Everett Burch of Ignacio, Anthony Burch of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Chris Evensen of California; an aunt, Bertha Grove of Bayfield; a great-aunt, Sunshine Smith of Ignacio; five nephews; four grandnephews; seven nieces; eight grandnieces; and several cousins. Copyright c. 2002 the Durango Herald. -=-=-=- Copyright c. 2001 MyWebPal.com/Idaho State Journal/Pocatello, ID. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter or Glacier Reporter this week. October 3, 2002 Tyler Dean Boy Tyler Dean Boy, 9, of Great Falls, died Sept. 27, 2002 at Cut Bank Creek of natural causes. Visitation is being held through Oct. 3. Funeral will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at Calvary Assembly of God with burial following at Willow Creek Cemetery. Day Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Boy was born on Nov. 29, 1992 in Great Falls. He was a third grader in home school. He wanted to be a country singer. His biggest highlight was going to Nashville Tenn. and meeting Leann Womack and Trace Adkins. He loved country music, singing for his family, telling knock-knock jokes and loved his Papa. He is survived by his parents Anona Boy Wright and Brian Wright, grandparents James Boy Sr. and Betty Wright, uncles Al Boy, Jimmy Boy, Jason Kaline, Vern Wright and Tony Peterson, aunts Leona "Sweets" Kaline, Ruth Edwards and Lisa "Alice" Hernandez, cousins Valyon and Veldon Calica, Cody Boy and Allison Edwards. He was preceded in death by a grandmother Margaret Boy and an uncle Dallas Boy. Memorials are suggested to the Make A Wish Foundation or a charity of the donors choice. Melinda Era Henault Melinda Era (NewBreast) Henault, 64, of Browning, died of multiple organ failure Thursday, Sept. 26, 2002 at Benefis East Hospital in Great Falls. Funeral and burial took place Tuesday, Oct. 1 in Heart Butte. Day Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Henault was born in Big Badger on Nov. 30, 1943. She graduated from Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, S.D. and also LPN Nursing School. She worked as a LPN for the Blackfeet Nursing Home and many years for C. H.R. She was an active member of AA, church member at Little Flower Catholic Church, also St. Anne's Catholic Church, a cursillo member and a community wide supporter of all events for adults and kids. She loved to swim, travel with family and friends, eat out with family and friends, read and listen to gospel music. She is survived by sisters Loretta NewBreast Roundine and Cecile NewBreast Doore both of Browning and a nephew David "Pumkin" Roundine III. She was preceded in death by two husbands Daniel Boggs and Duffy Comes at Night. Copyright c. 2002 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- October 3, 2002 Edmond 'Eddie' Tallbull Edmond Tallbull, 60, of Billings, passed away Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at the St. Vincent Healthcare. He was born Aug. 8, 1942, in Crow Agency, the son of Henry and Clara (Littlebear) Tallbull. He grew up and was educated in in Busby, graduating in 1960. He entered the U.S. Army and worked as a mechanic and quartermaster supply clerk, receiving an honorable discharge in 1966. Edmond took nurse's training in Chicago and lived there for several years. He was a headsman of Dog Soldier Society, clerk typist for Busby School, Northern Cheyenne Foundation secretary and Community Action Program assistant accountant. He enjoyed playing piano and guitar. Edmond is survived by brothers, Raymond (Emma Jean) Littlebear, Richard (Jan) Littlebear and Cleavland Littlebear; sister, Delores (Sam C.) Hart; nephews, Regis and Vernon Littlebear, David Hart, Adrian, Frank and Tyron (Woodenlegs) Tallbull; nieces, Leann Littlebear, Tetona Modoc, Claudia Washington, Tamra and Loreen Littlebear, Patrice, Susan, Stacia and Jennie Hart; aunt, Nellie (Tallbull) Beartusk; uncles, Nelson, Jacob and Russell Tallbull; cousins, Lucille Lafrance, Benjamin Longjaw, Nancy Longjaw, Cheryl and Aron Johnson, Sr., and Barbara Myer; special friend, John Anderson. Wake services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at the Busby White River Mennonite Church. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the church. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. October 4, 2002 Mary Alice 'Marlene' Rides Horse Mary Alice (Marlene) Rides Horse (May 25, 1950 - Oct. 2, 2002) went to be with the Lord, Oct. 2, 2002. She was adopted in early childhood by Cyril and Arvilla Plain Bull. Marlene was truly a child of God. Her heart was bigger than one can imagine; her door was always open to those in need. She was a mother, a sister, an aunt and a grandmother who loved her family dearly. Although faced with life's every day challenges, her heart was with those she loved dearly. Her prayers were straight from the heart. Marlene was loved by many and a true testimony to all who came in contact with her. Marlene was preceded in death by a daughter, Carlene; her mother Aileen Not Afraid; her father Henry Rides Horse, Sr.; five brothers, James Sonny Bell Rock, Marlin Big Day, Duwayne Costa, the twins Garfield and Raypheal Plain Feather; Grandmother Rose Plenty Good Hugs, whom she adored. Survived by her husband Eugene Red Star, Sr.; daughter Tina (Elroy) Hendricks; son Vinnie Red Star; two grandchildren, Brianne and Elroy Hendricks III. Marlene raised her nephews, Mr. Woo and Gary Hugs, her nieces Valarie Hugs and Lashell Ybarra. She is also survived by uncles, Star Not Afraid and Leo Plain Feather; aunt Elizabeth Smart Enemy; brothers, Oliver Costa, Vidal Not Afraid, Sr., Bruce Big Hail, Sr., Manuel Covers Up, Sr., Bernard "Buzzy" Covers Up, Henry "Hank" Rides Horse, Jr., Harold Rides Horse, Robert "Hoss" Rides Horse., Sr.; her sisters, Lavern Costa Perez, Kevelene Rides Horse, Jolene and Patrice Not Afraid, Darlene Bird Faraway, Warlene Fights Well Known, Christine DeCrane, Ursula Rides Horse Russell, Regina Bends, Myrna Small, Tanya Quellette, Trudy Hatten, Shirley (Robert) Pickett and Ellie Rides Horse; adopted brothers and sisters, Larry, Gerry, Mary Rose and Terry Plain Bull, Nadine, "Viola" and Ethel Bird Hat, Teresa Haun, and Carla Monroy Wilson; Not Afraid, Plain Feather, Smart Enemy, Morrison, and extended families. A prayer service will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel, Billings. Funeral services will be at Plenty Coups High School, Pryor on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the Pryor Cemetery. Dean Three Irons CROW AGENCY - Dean Curtis Three Irons, of the Black Lodge District, was involved in a tragic automobile accident that took his life on Oct. 2, 2002. He was the first son and the third of nine children born to Clarence and Iris Iron Three Irons, living and growing up in the family home at Dunmore. At the time of his passing, he was 52 years of age. He was born Dec. 19, 1949, in Crow Agency, a clan member of the Ties the Bundle and child of the Greasy inside the Mouth Clan. He received his education through the 17-H School District, starting at the Crow School, on into Hardin High School and received his diploma in May 1970. He had a love for running that was evident when he was a young boy. He ran every chance he had, many times running from the family home in Dunmore to Crow Agency and back home, a distance covering approximately eight miles. The athletic talent and fine coordination he had was evident early in his youth when he played basketball and ran on the track team for the Crow School. When he started his high school years at Hardin, he participated in all the male interscholastic sports for the Hardin Bulldogs, being a three-sport letterman. He lettered three years in football as wide receiver, he lettered three years as a track team member, running the mile, he lettered two years in basketball, playing any and all positions he was asked to play. He was truly an all-around athlete. His natural talent and coordination made it easy for him to participate in any competition. He looked like a veteran of many years when he participated in the team roping for a short time. After his high school years, he continued playing basketball on a team known as the Garryowen Mustangs. This team won many tournaments and winning a National Independent Basketball Tournament. After high school, Dean went on to further his education, attending Haskell Junior College, Lawrence, Kan., majoring in business administration. He came back to Crow country and continued his education at Eastern Montana College. After this, Dean joined the work force, working in many positions for the Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Crow Tribal Government. He was a member of the Crow Montana Indian Fire Fighters, fighting wildfires all over the United States. He fought fire through the 2002 wildfire season. It was important to Dean that he was physically fit and that, coupled with his love for running, he participated at every opportunity in the area distance foot races, known as the 3K and 5K. Many times, Dean won these races. Many local people saw him as he made these runs to Crow Agency and back to Dunmore. When he was not running, he would be riding his bicycle. Though he owned a car, on trips to Crow Agency, were made by running or riding the bicycle. Throughout life, he participated in the Arrow Throwing competition for the Black Lodge District. He had some fine mentors in this game, his father Clarence and his maternal uncle, Wallace Iron, who were known for their pinpoint accuracy in this game. For many years, Dean served as coach of the Black Lodge youth arrow throwers, coaching his nephews (Daryl and Sean Three Irons and Conklin Big Lake), their friends and his sons, Emery and Jade, winning several championship titles for the District. He was a strong participant in some of the Crow Traditional religious ceremonies but he also enjoyed those times when he fellowshipped and attended church services at the Crow Foursquare. He loved the Crow language, listened and shared taped stories with his family, enjoying the humorous stories. Dean was given a colt by Jim Big Lake that was known as "Soap Creek Kitten." He devoted many hours grooming and training this colt. This colt went on to win a feature race of the annual Great Crow Fair known as the "Crow Bred Futurity" in 1983. Eight children survive Dean: Emery and Jade of Dunmore, Tanya Three Irons of Denver, Dean Jr. of Ft. Washakie, Wyo., Leslie (Stoney) Elk Shoulder of Dunmore, Kelly (Barry) Bright Wings of Crow Agency and Bradley and Stacie of Dunmore. From these children came six grandchildren. Sibling survivors are: Daisy (Ed Stamper) Three Irons of Rocky Boy, Avis, Lana and Keith Lenn Three Irons and Rachel (Corky) Old Horn of Dunmore, Wallace (Tana) Three Irons of Hardin, Darla (Samuel) Horn and Valerie (Jeffery) Stewart of the No Water District; two paternal aunts also survive him, Mae Fog in the Morning House of Black Lodge and Myrtle Elizabeth Smart Enemy of Pryor; and one maternal aunt, Ruby Iron Goes Ahead of Pryor. Dean was rich in relatives and also survived by the many brothers and sisters, cousins, and the treasured nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Crow Foursquare. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Copyright c. 2002 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- October 2, 2002 Elizabeth June Beeson Elizabeth June Beeson, 21-year-old daughter of Arlie and Myrna Beeson of Cutter/Upper Gilson Wash, died Sept. 21 at Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa following an unexpected two-week illness. She was born in Phoenix and was a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker. She grew up in the Globe-Miami and Cutter area and attended local schools. Recently she resided in the Gila River Indian community where she took care of her niece and nephew. Survivors include her parents, Arlie and Myrna Beeson; her sisters, Leona, Kimberlie, Amanda, Alana, Michele and Kelly; and her maternal grandmother, Myrtle E. Pete. Funeral services are pending with Bunker Garden Chapel in Mesa and will be announced as soon as possible. Copyright c. 2002 Arizona Silver Belt/Apache Moccasin. --------- "RE: Op/Ed: Interior's Oversight" --------- Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:09:15 -0700 From: "mikola 18" Subj: Op/Ed: "Interior's Oversight" Mailing List: ndn-aim http://ww.argusleader.com 9/25/2002 "Interior's oversight; It's time to give management of Indian trust funds to independent expert" Argus Leader Editorial Board "The recent decision to hold Department of Interior Secretary Gale Norton in contempt of court for failing to solve her department's mismanagement of Indian trust funds does not go far enough. The problems dates to the trust's beginnings in 1887, when Congress took 90 million acres of Indian land and gave it to homesteaders. Native Americans were left with 40- to 320-acre allotments of land that the Interior Department was assigned to manage for grazing, timber, and oil and gas drilling. It was the Interior Department's job to see that Native Americans received royalties for these activities - a job which the department never has done well. Much of the money was lost, stolen and went uncollected until 1996, when Indians sued the Interior Department for mismanagement of funds. Financial losses to the Indian community due to mismanagement are estimated at $10 billion to $40 billion. In 1999, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the Interior Department to fix the system and figure out how much is owed to individual Native Americans. Despite the order, few problems have been solved. Norton is the third Cabinet officer held in contempt over this issue. Former President Clinton's Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin were held in contempt of court in 1999 for the same reason. At that time, Lamberth also ordered the government to pay $600,000 in plaintiff's lawyer fees for failing to turn over documents. In addition to being found in contempt of court for mismanagement of royalties, Lamberth also ruled Norton failed to comply with his earlier order to account for the money in the Indian accounts. He also ruled that Norton committed fraud by misrepresenting the department's efforts to repair the trust and protect Indian money. "In my 15 years on the bench, I have never seen a litigant make such a concerted effort to subvert the truth-seeking function of the judicial process," Lamberth wrote. "The Department of Interior is truly an embarrassment to the federal government in general and the executive branch in particular." While Norton contends that she inherited many of the problems - which is true - it still was her job to fix them. Progress has been almost nonexistent. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W. Va., the senior Democrat on the House Resources Committee that oversees the Interior Department and Indian issues, is right: "While Secretary Norton inherited the long-standing problems with Indian trust fund management and the Cobell lawsuit itself, she has been found in contempt for actions taken on her own watch. If they were half as good at counting bucks as they are at passing the buck, we would be much better off." After all, the Interior Department has spent more than $600 million since 1996 trying to fix the accounting nightmare. Enough time - and money - has been wasted by the Interior Department. The Indian community has been patient long enough. They deserve better. If the Interior Department has not done an adequate job in 115 years, why is it still in charge of the Indian royalties? Although Lamberth has set a Jan. 6 deadline for the department to submit plans for overhauling the trust fund and a May deadline to determine what, if any other, court actions should be taken, this is too generous. It is time for the management of funds and the reconciliation of the books to be reassigned to an independent trust expert. The Interior Department has proved time and again that it simply cannot do the job." Copyright c. 2002 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Most Controversial Statement of our Time" --------- Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 19:53:22 EDT From: LAKOTAWAN@aol.com Subj: For the Flag Waving Indians Mailing List: ndn-aim Troy Black Feather: the Most Controversial Statement of Our Time? by BRENDA NORRELLSTRONGHOLD TABLE, S.D. October 1, 2002 Lakota elder Tony Black Feather told the United Nations that the American flag represents a racist nation that violates natural and spiritual laws, dishonors treaties and engages in a game plan of corporate greed.In his statement delivered to the United Nations and distributed here on Stronghold Table, Black Feather pressed for disarmament and peace as President Bush pressed for war in Iraq. Urging America to "come clean in the eyes of the world," Black Feather said people often ask him about the red, white and blue of the American flag" I tell them that the aboriginal Lakota people of this country look at this flag as a piece of red, white and blue cloth that stands for the foreign racist system that has oppressed Indigenous peoples for centuries. "For traditional Lakota people, that piece of red, white and blue cloth stands for a system and a country that does not honor it's own word. "Black Feather, in his statement to the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, said the flag represents a nation of dishonor. "If it stood for honor and truth, it would remember our treaties and give them the appropriate place under international law. But it doesn't. It dishonors its own word and violates its treaties, that piece of red, white and blue cloth. "On the Stronghold, Black Feather distributed his written statement, which was delivered to the United Nations in July, as he challenged the National Park Service in the Badlands. Ignoring demands from the tribe, the Park Service plans to excavate fossils in the burial grounds of the Ghost Dancers massacred here after they survived the massacre of Wounded Knee."America is a world problem," Black Feather told National Park Service officials leading a tour in the Badlands of the proposed excavation site on Oglala Sioux tribal land.Lakota gathered here say the bones of the Ghost Dancers, who danced here to bring back the buffalo and the old ways, are revealing themselves at this time for a reason. With a message for humanity and calling for disarmament around the world, Black Feather chastised the Park Service for entering sacred grounds in the Badlands with armed park rangers.At the resistance camp manned by the Tokala Warrior Society, the traditional Grey Eagle Society, Russell Means and others chastised National Park Service officials.Pointing out violations of federal laws, Lakota said the arrogance and racism is indicative of federal Indian policy and a nation that is spiritually bankrupt.Black Feather's comments on deception and the flag were representative of the situation here.Black Feather said of the American flag, "This colorful cloth represents imperialism with the professed Christian duty to destroy many races of peoples throughout the world, to illegally confiscate their possessions, property and even their lives when U.S. interests need to be served."It is their intention to establish one world government, based solely on the American system of corporate greed."The cloth represents a political language that is designated to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable. This piece of red, white and blue cloth represents a political system that is contrary to the principles of Natural Law and the moral principles, which govern a diversified humanity. "This piece of cloth misrepresents the human race. "As Lakota people, we engage in different actions to remember the Natural Law and to assert our rights." Black Feather said the takeover of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council offices and the current resistance on Stronghold Table asserts the rights of the Lakota people."As the aboriginal people of this land, we must understand and assert that it is under our care. The continents of the world belong to its aboriginal peoples. "Someday somebody will have to account for these violations of the Natural Law and violations against Creation that the piece of cloth has been responsible for. "The United States needs to come clean to cleanse its conscience in the eyes of the world. Only then will we have justice and balance in this world. "Black Feather's statement was among those of the Tetuwan Oyate Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council, delivered to the XXth Session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in July and on Stronghold Table in August. Brenda Norrell writes about Indian affairs and the American west. --------- "RE: Seminole protest BIA support of Principal Chief" --------- Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 08:29:56 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SEMINOLE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.news-star.com/stories/100202/New_25.shtml Seminole tribal members protest BIA support of principal chief By MICHAEL DODSON SNS Staff Writer Seminole tribal members expressed their displeasure with holdover Principal Chief Jerry Haney and the BIA in a demonstration at a BIA Wewoka office Monday. Carrying signs that read "Impeach Honka Haney" and "You're hurting your own people," some 45 Seminole tribal members demonstrated outside the Bureau of Indian Affairs Wewoka agency office Monday afternoon. They are upset over BIA support for holdover Principal Chief Jerry Haney in a long-running dispute over Seminole tribal leadership. Following a District of Columbia federal judge's ruling in Haney's favor on Monday of last week, Eddie Streeter, acting Wewoka agency superintendent, issued a statement backing Haney's claim to be the tribal leader. Jackie Warledo, spokesperson for Chief Ken Chambers, whom the BIA does not recognize, said the demonstration was peaceful and that the Seminoles were making a point. "It was in response to the BIA's most recent actions, to put another stalling tactic before the General Council is recognized by them," Warledo said. The Council is the Seminole Nation's legislature. Chambers' supporters have said they want the General Council to remove Haney's control of tribal affairs. They believe the BIA's process for recognizing lawful members of the General Council goes beyond what is necessary, Warledo said. "Most of the bands either have already had meetings or are scheduling upcoming meetings (to select Council representatives)," Warledo said. Warledo said the demonstration was more symbolic than practical. "It was to send a message from the people themselves that they feel that the Bureau is again stalling the recognition (and) defying a court order," she said. "We recognize that the BIA is assisting Jerry Haney in his stand against the (Seminole) people." Haney has said he is seeking another court order to force BIA law enforcement to remove Chambers and his supporters from tribal headquarters at Wewoka. "I don't believe he's going to get a federal court order," Warledo said. Asked if another election for the top two tribal posts is acceptable to Chambers' supporters, Warledo said, "That's certainly one of the options that was outlined in the remedy of the memorandum opinion that came from Judge (Reggie) Walton. And, that's certainly an option that the General Council will have to look at." Before the Council can act on anything, however, it must gain BIA recognition. At issue is the Seminole Nation's attempt to remove its Freedmen Bands. A Seminole Constitution amendment prevented them from participating, as candidates or voters, in elections held in 2001. As a result, the BIA refuses to recognize results of those elections, in which tribal members selected Chambers their leader. The federal government continues dealing with Haney as the holdover Principal Chief, the last leader chosen in an election the BIA recognizes. Copyright c. 1997-2002 The Shawnee News-Star. --------- "RE: Official urges continuance of Scope on Mt. Graham " --------- Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 08:22:02 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SACRED MOUNTAIN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3324427.html Despite opposition, university official urges that telescope project proceed Mary Jane Smetanka Star Tribune Published Sep 25, 2002 SCOP25 Opposition from environmentalists and traditional Apache tribal members should not stop the University of Minnesota from buying time on a powerful telescope being built on an Arizona mountain, a university official said Tuesday. Sandra Gardebring, the school's vice president for institutional relations, met with telescope foes and said she will recommend to interim President Robert Bruininks that the university go ahead with the Large Binocular Telescope project on Mount Graham. University regents are expected to vote on the issue at their October meeting. Last year, Hubbard Broadcasting donated $5 million for 'U' astronomers to buy time on what will be the world's most powerful telescope. Since then, university officials have been lobbied hard by those trying to stop development on Mount Graham. The mountain is considered sacred by traditional Apache people and has a delicate and unusual ecosystem that is home to an endangered species of squirrel. Gardebring was charged with investigating the issues for the university, and visited Arizona for four days in June. She said she concluded that the scientific opportunity is too valuable to pass up. "There is no question that traditional Apaches view it as a sacred site, and who am I to argue with that?" she said. "But it also has special value to the university. "Our value is to advance curiosity-driven research. This is a unique opportunity, and it has high value for what the university stands for." Sandra Rambler, former secretary of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, was one of three telescope opponents who met with Gardebring for an hour. "My heart is broken," she said. "It's like how our traditional people must have felt when Columbus came to supposedly find America. . . . It appears that the University of Minnesota is seeking an exemption to the cultural and religious laws of Apaches, and that's not right. "I am praying minds can still be changed and they will pull out and select another site." Opponents plan a demonstration outside of Hubbard Broadcasting studios in St. Paul today. Protests and vigils University astronomers were elated 21 months ago at Hubbard's donation, which they said would boost the profile of the department and put it in the forefront of its field. The gift would buy 20 days a year on a telescope that, when it is completed in 2004, will be many times more powerful and have sharper resolution than the Hubble Space Telescope. The $90 million telescope is the third to be built on the southeastern Arizona mountain. But since the 1980s, controversy about the site has led the Mount Graham Coalition, which includes environmentalists and some members of the two Apache tribes with reservations nearby, to try to halt the projects. Activists were infuriated by a 1988 federal law that allowed development on the mountain before completion of environmental reviews. The battle went to court several times. The coalition organized letter-writing campaigns and keeps a Web site detailing efforts to pressure universities and scientific groups to pull out of projects on the mountain. Though opponents say many universities have decided not to participate in the Mount Graham observatory, schools involved with the newest telescope appear to be standing firm. Three Arizona universities, partners in Italy and Germany, the Ohio State University and Notre Dame University remain committed, an observatory official said Tuesday. A decision by the University of Virginia is expected before January. Pressure on University of Minnesota officials intensified this year. In January, activists erected a tepee outside of the home of Mark Yudof, then president of the university, for a 24-hour prayer vigil. That same month, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council asked the university not to participate. In August, coalition and tribal representatives sat in on the regents' annual retreat in Brainerd, and traveled to Crookston to lobby regents and university officials at the board's September meeting. Access to the mountaintop is restricted, and Gardebring said she hopes that the university can use its influence to make it easier for Indians to go there for religious reasons. She also suggested that a cultural advisory group might be formed to advise the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory, which oversees the telescopes on Mount Graham. "The telescopes will be there, whether the University of Minnesota joins or not," she said. "We are looking for a middle ground." But Rambler said she believes that the telescope project might falter if the university pulled out. Joe Day, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, who also attended Tuesday's meeting, said that, though he is "99 percent sure" the university will commit to the telescope, he hopes it will not. "I'm disappointed that they don't . . . listen to traditional spiritual beliefs a little more than research," he said. "It's the same old battles, and oftentimes Indians come in second." -- Mary Jane Smetanka is at smetan@startribune.com. Copyright c. 2002 Minneapolis Star Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Colorado River Pipeline Advances" --------- Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 14:43:31 +0000 From: Robert Dorman Subj: BIGMTLIST Mailing List: Big Mountain ============================================================ Date: Sat, 05 Oct 2002 23:33:19 -0700 From: louve14@aol.com Subj: Arizona Daily Sun Story This story has been emailed to you by Sara Hayes. Colorado River pipeline advances By GARY GHIOTO 10/05/2002 Congress is expected to debate a water bill next week that could trigger an explosion of growth, prosperity and controversy in northern Arizona for generations. Lawmakers will consider legislation sponsored by Arizona Sens. Jon Kyl and John McCain resolving a water rights claim by the Zuni Indian Tribe. The bill also allows the Fort McDowell Indian Community to lease Central Arizona Project water to supply the Black Mesa and Kayenta coal mines on the Hopi and Navajo Indian reservations. The bill includes a pipeline to transport Colorado River water to the reservations. The estimated $100 million pipeline will allow Peabody Energy to stop pumping 1.3 billion gallons of pristine water a year from the N-aquifer to slurry coal from Black Mesa to the Mohave Generating Plant in Laughlin, Nev., said Hopi officials. "Our highest priority is to end pumping of the N-aquifer," said Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr. "The Hopi Tribal Council and the Water Team have worked long and hard to accomplish this objective in a way that also allows us to preserve the jobs and economic benefits that come with operation of the Black Mesa Mine." The Hopi Tribe earns an estimated $30 million annually from its coal contract with Peabody. Taylor said the legislation in Congress is "a very positive first step" in preserving the aquifer and maintaining the cash flow from Peabody. Though Peabody denies that its use of aquifer water is harmful, the Hopi Tribe says that seeps and springs on the reservation are disappearing due to depletion of the aquifer. The tribe gave Peabody until 2005 to find an alternative to pumping from the aquifer or lose its right to mine coal on reservation lands when the current contract expires. Hopi Tribe legal counsel Scott Canty said the pipeline will begin at a pumping station located on Navajo Nation land somewhere between Lees Ferry and Lake Mead. The federal Bureau of Reclamation is expected to release a study next week detailing the exact path of the pipeline. The plan calls for the drawing of 6,500 acre feet from the river annually, or about 2.1 billion gallons. "The aim for the Tribe is to get Peabody off the N-aquifer and to halt their pumping, but it will also have the secondary benefit of allowing the mine and the power plant to continue operating beyond 2005," Canty said. The California Public Utilities Commission is reviewing proposals to either shut down Laughlin's coal-fired plant or allow its principal owner, Southern California Edison, to install $58 million in pollution control devices. The Hopi Tribe's threat that it would effectively shut down the slurry pipeline supplying the plant in 2005 also prompted the regulatory review. Besides ending the drawing of aquifer water and giving new life to Peabody mining and the Mohave plant, the pipeline also will provide a stable and plentiful supply of water for Navajo and Hopi communities. The pipeline is being built with capacity to transport additional water that would be delivered in spurs from the main trunk line to thirsty reservation communities. "It opens the door for opportunities down the road to do things that the tribe cannot do now simply because it doesn't have the water to do it with," Canty said. The Hopi Tribe has no plans to use the water for large-scale irrigation. Instead, the water will be used for domestic purposes and economic development. "At Hopi, houses don't have running water in many cases," Canty said. In addition, the Hopi Tribe plans to use the Colorado River water to move forward with ambitious plans to build its own coal-fired power plant and sell electricity, Canty said. The Tribe abandoned the plan after opposition arose to the use of 800 million gallons of water pumped from the N-aquifer annually to cool the plant. "The tribe is now in the position to be able to do that project," Canty said. Spur lines from the reservation pipeline could be extended to communities like Flagstaff, said Canty. Environmental groups, such as Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club, have warned that pipelines from the Colorado River could fuel urban and suburban sprawl across remote areas like the Arizona Strip or undeveloped communities like Valle near the Grand Canyon. The Trust has blasted a plan to build a pipeline from Page to St. George, Utah, arguing it would spark uncontrolled growth. But Trust officials withheld comment Friday on the pipeline project now before Congress. Sierra Club organizer Andy Bessler said conservation and Native American groups, such as Black Mesa Trust, have been taken by surprise by Kyl's and McCain's legislation. "I guess we're upset that they've come out with a plan without consulting anybody except Peabody and Wayne Taylor. Kyl has been working for Salt River Project and Peabody for so long that it doesn't surprise me that he's bending over backwards. ... I'm skeptical that it will benefit the Tribe. I know it will benefit Peabody," he said. Peabody spokesman Vic Svec said the energy company is monitoring the legislation's movement in Congress. "Peabody is pleased by the progress parties and the federal government are making to resolve tribal issues regarding water supply. We continue to move forward on a number of fronts to allow for continued activities on the mesa for the benefit of everyone," Svec said. On Tuesday, Kyl's bill was approved by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It is expected to be submitted to the full Senate and, if passed, head to the House. Hopi officials and Kyl hope the House will quickly pass the legislation before Congress adjourns to allow members to go home and campaign. "It looks like if it's going to pass, it's got to pass next week out of both houses," said Canty. The main thrust of the bill is to settle claims by the Zuni Tribe over water rights in its religious lands in northeastern Arizona. The bill gives the Zuni federal funds to acquire water rights on the Little Colorado River to restore wetlands on lands designated by Congress in 1984 as "the Zuni Heaven Reservation." Copyright c. 2002 Arizona Daily Sun. _____________________________________________ Please visit http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/pagea~1.htm for more background on the Big Mountain relocation issue. To post to the list, email your message to redorman@theofficenet.com. To subscribe, send an email to: BIGMTLIST-subscribe@topica.com. --------- "RE: Occaneechi to get Seat on Commission" --------- Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 23:23:42 -0700 From: "mikola 18" Subj: "Occaneechi to get seat on commission" Mailing list: ndn-aim http://www.heraldsun.com September 20, 2002; 18:43 EDT "Occaneechi to get seat on commission" By BETH VELLIQUETTE The Herald-Sun HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- "When the General Assembly passed its budget Friday, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation took another step in its journey as a recognized tribe by North Carolina. Although it is an officially recognized tribe in North Carolina, it passed the second to last legal step toward becoming a member of the North Carolina State Commission of Indian Affairs. When the governor signs the budget, which he is expected to do next week, the journey will be over. The Occaneechi tribe will have one member on the commission, which is responsible for dealing with all Indian affairs, including assisting Indian communities and promoting the recognition and rights of Indians. "Once we get the seat on the commission, it will be a done deal," said John Jeffries, a spokesman for the Occaneechi. The tribe elected Jeffries son, Sharn M. Jeffries, to serve as the representative. "Whatever they decide, we'll have a vote," John Jeffries said. "It may not be much, but they'll hear from us." Because the commission fought recognizing the Occaneechi tribe for more than a decade, Jeffries said he hopes the commission members will now begin to accept the positive things the Occaneechi bring to the table. Archaeology classes from UNC have studied the tribe, graduate students are writing theses about the tribe, a man is writing a documentary movie about the tribe, and school children are writing reports about the tribe, Jeffries said. "People are calling me and saying we want to write about the Occaneechi," he said. The tribe holds three powwows a year, including the popular one in Hillsborough, and it has a recreated Indian Village along the banks of the Eno River in Hillsborough. "We're culturally inclined," Jeffries said. The Occaneechi filed its initial application for state recognition in 1990, but was turned down five years later by the N.C. Commission on Indian Affairs. Commission members -- drawn from the state's other Indian tribes -- claimed the Occaneechis hadn't done enough to show they had roots in North Carolina. An administrative law judge disagreed, and the Court of Appeals ruled that her decision merited automatic adoption because the commission dragged its feet in considering it. Late last year, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, ending the case. The Occanecchi tribe is now focusing on building its future, Jeffries said. A land fund has been started, and the tribe is looking for land in northern Alamance to keep as tribal lands. Members plan to build a cultural center there and hold Powwows. "We'll still have the Powwow in Hillsborough," he said." Copyright c. 2002 The Durham Herald. --------- "RE: Lecture tells Indians' Side of History" --------- Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 08:41:22 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUE HISTORY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/ Lecture tells Indians' side of history BY DONNA HEALY Of The Gazette Staff September 25, 2002 Crowds mobbing the train stations astonished the legendary Sioux Chief Red Cloud as he led a delegation of Sioux and Cheyenne to Washington, D.C., in 1870. The delegation doubted that so many white people could exist in the world. They surmised that white people packed up their cities the way tribes packed up their tepees and were following the train car from one city to the next. In Washington, D.C., tribal delegations often witnessed the full might and muscle of the fledgling nation. One treaty delegation was shocked by a tour of the city's arsenal. "It was like walking in a forest of guns," one delegate said. The tour was meant to be intimidating, said Herman Viola, curator emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution. Until the Civil War, no American Indian chief who had visited the nation's capital as a treaty delegate had ever waged war against the United States. The federal government realized it was cheaper to make friends, or to intimidate enemies, than to wage war. On Thursday, Viola will give a free slide lecture at the Western Heritage Center based on his book, "Diplomats in Buckskin." The book traces the clash of cultures, which played out in the nation's capital, as American Indians tried to defend tribal interests through diplomacy. The diplomats' story has often been overshadowed by the public's fascination with the bloodshed of the Plains Indian Wars, he said in an interview at the Western Heritage Center Tuesday. Viola, a small man with a bushy beard, relates history with the fluency of a gifted storyteller. In treaty negotiations, tribal delegations and government negotiators were as unevenly matched as they were in war. "From the start, the cards were really stacked against them," Viola said. The colonists who landed in Jamestown, Va., the first permanent English colony in the new world, tried their own version of ethnic cleansing in 1623. Settlers concluded peace negotiations by proposing a toast with drinks laced with poison. One colonist bragged about the incident in a letter to his brother in England, claiming that the poison killed 200 Indians. In Washington, negotiators sometimes cut dirty deals and exerted psychological pressure. "There are lots of examples of Indians thinking they made an agreement for one thing and when the agreement was put in writing, it was another thing," Viola said. The Indians negotiated without lawyers and relied on the rough translations of interpreters. It was the late 19th century before Indians were allowed to seek legal advice, Viola said. Although serving alcohol to Indians in Indian country was illegal, Washington negotiators plied Indian delegates with alcohol. Government documents record enormous liquor bills. Some treaties involved outright fraud. Georgia was so eager to rid the state of Indians that the state's negotiators cut a deal with four Cree chiefs who represented a single clan. Before the legitimate delegation arrived in Washington, the Senate ratified the bogus treaty. John Quincy Adams, who signed the treaty, described in his diary the enormous pressure exerted by the Georgia delegation. The leader of the legitimate delegation was so distressed that he tried to kill himself in his hotel room, Viola said. The delegation reluctantly signed a second treaty that required two-thirds of the tribe to leave Georgia. "Diplomats in Buckskin," like Viola's book, "Little Bighorn Remembered: The Untold Indian Story of Custer's Last Stand," offers the Indian perspective on events. "The most important thing people have to realize is there are two sides to every story, and the Indian side has never been told fully," he said. Viola, who was the Director of the National Anthropological Archives from 1972 until 1987, has written dozens of publications on American Indians and the American West. He is now consulting on an abridged edition of the Lewis and Clark journals and writing the story of a Masai warrior from Kenya who was the first member of his tribe to go to school. The Masai tribal member teaches school in Falls Church, Va., where Viola's wife also works. Copyright c. 2002 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Recognition Plight" --------- Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 08:43:22 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DUWAMISH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thewesterlysun.com/display/inn_news/news3.txt WEST COAST CASE SPOTLIGHTS TRIBES' RECOGNITION PLIGHT BY KATIE HAUGHEY - THE SUN STAFF WASHINGTON - Chief Si'ahl of the Duwamish tribe was the first to sign a treaty granting his and other tribes fishing rights and reservation land in 1855. Four years later, U.S. Congress ratified the treaty. Now, 147 years later, Cecile Maxwell-Hansen, Si'ahl's great-great-great- niece, is still struggling to get her Washington state-based tribe federal recognition. Hansen testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs last week, telling committee members of her tribes' dissatisfaction with the federal tribal acknowledgement process. "Our experience with the federal acknowledgement procedures has been bitterly disappointing and disheartening," Hansen said. Federal tribal recognition grants tribes access to federal health and education benefits, tax exemptions, and in some states, gaming rights. Political leaders, including bill sponsors Sens. Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman, both D-Conn., told the committee that too much of what the agency does is hidden from public view, and irregularities in applying recognition criteria have resulted in a system in which few people have faith. "If sovereignty and the right to self governance become the booby prizes for winning some bureaucratic crap shoot," Dodd said, "we will have failed both Native Americans and Americans in general. Hansen, a member of the Duwamish tribal council, said her tribe already feels the government has failed them. Like many others who testified at a hearing on two bills intended to "repair" the federal tribal acknowledgement process, said the Bureau of Indian Affairs recognition process is desperately broken and in need of fixing. But unlike political leaders offering testimony, Hansen said she thinks the process is unfair to Indians who have rich and proven history but are denied federal status. "We surrendered 54,000 acres of land, which is now Seattle, which is named for Si'ahl," Hansen said. "Tribes that were signatories to treaties and gave up their land or other rights should be presumptively federally recognized" she said -- adding the Secretary of the Interior should have to prove the Duwamish are not a federally recognized tribe, instead of the tribe proving they are. Marcia Flowers, chairwoman of the Eastern Pequot tribe of North Stonington, also said she has problems with the recognition process. She is part of a tribe recently included in a positive federal decision which joined her tribe with the Paucatuck Eastern Pequots to for the historic Eastern Pequot tribe. That decision has been the subject of much scrutiny and criticism because the BIA has never joined two tribes who filed separately for recognition. Connecticut officials contend the BIA, which found neither the Paucatuck Easterns or Easterns met all the mandatory recognition criteria on their own, relied too heavily on the state's recognition of the tribe when offering federal acknowledgement. State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who announced the state will appeal the Eastern Pequot decision, said legal arguments will include a substantial lack of evidence of distinct social community and political authority throughout the 20th century; and significant procedural irregularities in the BIA's judgment of the petitions. Flowers said her tribe has always been under colonial or state government and while the June 24 decision was unique, it is correct and based on facts. "The final determination is a thoughtful, well reasoned and detailed analysis of thousands of pages submitted by petitioners and interested parties," Flowers said. Her tribe's problem with the recognition process, she told the committee, is it takes so long. She said she sees need for change in a process that took 24 years and more than 40,000 pages of documents for her tribe. North Stonington First Selectman Nicholas H. Mullane II, who testified at the hearing, told the committee he hopes all sides can work together to fix the process. "If we resolve these problems now, maybe it won't take 24 years to recognize a tribe," Mullane said. Changes the bill proposes would allow more input from municipalities and other interested parties. Connecticut officials say they were not allowed access though much of the petition process until it was too late, and too much of the final Eastern Pequot decision was based on ill defined criteria. "We were denied documents essential to participate," Blumenthal said. Meanwhile, Hansen said her tribe is out of money to continue fighting for federal recognition. The Duwamish submitted their complete petition in 1988. In 1996, they were given a preliminary negative. The tribe was found to be lacking in three of the seven areas of mandatory criteria. Hansen said the errors were fixed and the tribe was granted a positive final acknowledgement that was promptly revoked when George W. Bush took office. Administrative appeals have proven unsuccessful for the Duwamish. "The tribe spent $750,000, we have no appeal left, and we're broke," Hansen said. A moratorium freezing any ongoing or potential tribal recognition decisions is scheduled for a Senate vote next week. The vote has been delayed over a week while all sides work on a compromise. Supporters of both the amendment and the two bills have repeatedly emphasized the legislation is not anti-Indian. "We cannot afford to build government-to-government relationships with tribes on shifting sands," Dodd said. "We need to make sure the foundations are solid - we need to make sure the BIA gets its facts right in every case." Copyright c. 2002 The Westerly Sun/Westerly, RI. --------- "RE: Native Vets protest Pathetic Compensation Offer" --------- Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 08:29:56 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CANADIAN ABORIGINAL VETS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Native-Veterans.html Native vets protest 'pathetic' compensation offer in bid to shame Ottawa October 1, 2002 OTTAWA (CP) -- Native war veterans protested on Parliament Hill on Tuesday but their mission for greater compensation had already failed. The seven men, two in eagle-feather headdresses with fur trim, did not get a meeting with Veterans Affairs Minister Rey Pagtakhan. The minister also held firm during question period that $20,000 offered to the vets last June was a gesture of good will that won't be changed. "And I'm pleased, Mr. Speaker, that the veterans have accepted the offer." A national roundtable struck by Ottawa in 2000 to study the issue recommended compensation of $120,000 each. But the government says it settled on the same amount that was paid to two other groups of under-recognized servicemen: Hong Kong vets and merchant marines. Native veterans sought up to $420,000 each plus interest for the value of land non-native soldiers received for their service but that was denied to aboriginals who lived on reserves. Non-aboriginal servicemen also got up to $6,000 to buy land and as much as $2,600 to start businesses and resettle. Their native counterparts -- if they were status Indians -- got up to $2, 320 when they returned from war, but none of the spousal benefits, education and training or jobs received by their comrades in arms. The men in their seventies and eighties -- the youngest was 69 -- paid their own way to Ottawa on Tuesday, said a spokesman for the group. "We have nothing. Completely nothing," said Grand Chief Howard Anderson, 78, a Second World War vet who heads the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association. "What can we leave our kids?" His group had threatened legal action but recently said old age was forcing them to reluctantly accept Ottawa's offer after an epic fight for compensation. Still, Anderson hoped Tuesday's protest and news conference would shame the government into doing more. One vet's placard read: "I was a POW in Germany and a prisoner on reserve." In addition to bigger cheques, native veterans want an official apology for the discrimination they faced coming home. "Absolutely pathetic is the only way I can describe it," said NDP MP Lorne Nystrom of the government's offer. "Very insensitive. "Here's a wrong that has to be righted, and it was not done." The Liberals are cynically short-changing a small group that lacks political power, Nystrom said. About 1,800 people -- 800 veterans and 1,000 surviving spouses -- would be eligible for compensation that's expected to cost $39 million. Estates of veterans or of their spouses who died after Feb. 1, 2000, when Ottawa struck a roundtable to study the issue, would also be paid. Copyright c. 2002, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: OAS wades into BLM/Tribal Cattle Battle in Nevada" --------- Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2002 14:12:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="OAS/BLM/SHOSHONE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2002/10/04/ OAS wades into BLM, tribal cattle battle in Nevada Associated Press 10/4/2002 Despite a protest and pleas from an international human rights panel, the Bureau of Land Management was moving ahead Friday with an auction of 227 cattle seized from two Western Shoshones accused of trespassing on federal land without a grazing permit. The Organization of American States'Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urged the U.S. Bureau of Land Management late Thursday to cancel the sale of the cattle confiscated from longtime tribal activists Carrie and Mary Dann of Crescent Valley. About 50 tribal members, state's right activists and others picketed the BLM state headquarters Friday with signs that read"Don't Buy Stolen Cattle, ""BLM Cattle Rustlers"and"Honor the Ruby Valley Treaty." But BLM officials said they expected the cattle to be auctioned off by the end of Friday. "We're going ahead with the auction,"BLM spokeswoman JoLynn Worley said. Faxed and hand-delivered bids were accepted through 9 a.m., with the winning bid likely to be announced Friday afternoon, she said. "OAS has no jurisdiction on this matter,"she said. The panel had asked the U.S. government to"take the urgent measures necessary to return the livestock previously seized from the Danns"until the commission prepares a report on related complaints from the Danns, said Santiago Canton, the commission's executive secretary. Canton relayed the information late Thursday to lawyers for the Indian Law Resource Center in Helena, Mont., and Western Shoshone Defense Project in Crescent Valley, who provided a copy to The Associated Press. It marks the third time in 15 months that the BLM has confiscated cattle in Nevada for trespassing on federal land without a grazing permit. Agency officials said the range is being damaged by over grazing. Tribal leaders said they had no immediate plans to ask a court to block Friday's auction in Reno, though they will consider future legal action and continue to press their case internationally. "We essentially have an injunction here,"said Julie Fishel, an attorney with the defense project. "It is not from a U.S. court. It is from the OAS, but as a member of OAS, the United States is obligated to abide by these decisions,"she told the AP. "If George Bush is going to run around and try to gain the support of the international community, he needs to respect the decisions of the international community." The OAS was established in 1949 and includes 35 nation members of the Western hemisphere, including the United States, Canada and Central and South American countries. The human rights commission was formed in 1959. BLM range specialists say the Dann's cattle are damaging federal land that has been legally allotted to neighboring ranchers. The tribal leaders maintain they are allowed to graze livestock independent of U.S. regulation based on their rights to the land under the Ruby Valley Treaty of 1863. They said that the OAS earlier concluded that the United States has failed to meet its obligations under international human rights law to recognize and protect Western Shoshone land rights. "If treaties are the supreme law of the land, then the U.S. is not abiding by its own Constitution,"said Lee Dazey, a spokeswoman for the defense project. "They did not agree to give any land to the United States in that treaty. The U.S. is directly contradicting the OAS finding,"she said. State's rights activists in Nevada _ who like the Indians refuse to recognize federal jurisdiction over the land _ have threatened to sue anyone who buys the cattle. But BLM officials said the threat did not seem to discourage bidders for the cattle seized last month from the Danns, sisters who have testified before a United Nations committee in opposition to U.S. policy toward Native Americans. "We've had quite a bit more interest than we did on the last auction, "Worley said. "Probably a dozen people have called"compared to only three sealed bids at the last sale in June, she said. In June, the BLM confiscated and auctioned cattle from Raymond Yowell and the Temok Band of the Western Shoshone. The first seizure was in July 2001, from two non-Indian ranchers, Ben Colvin of Goldfield and Jack Vogt of Lida. In another case last year, a federal judge sentenced Elko County rancher Cliff Gardner to one month in a halfway house for repeatedly trespassing cattle on national forest land. David Holmgren, a third-party gubernatorial candidate, and wife Jackie, both leaders of the Nevada Committee for Full Statehood, said they would join the Shoshone protest Friday outside BLM state headquarters in Reno. "These cattle are in excellent condition. How can they be in such good shape if the range is so devastated?"Jackie Holmgren said. "It is all a big lie. They are cattle rustlers,"she said. Holmgren, an officer of the Nevada Live Stock Association and Independent American Party candidate, said the state has no authority to sign documents verifying the federal government as the owner of the cattle, and buyers could be sued. But Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said in a letter to the state agriculture administrator that the BLM had followed proper procedures. Copyright c. 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal, a Gannett Co. Inc. Newspaper. --------- "RE: Wisconsin Oneidas Appeal" --------- Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 19:36:04 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WISCONSIN ONEIDA" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid Wisconsin Oneidas appeal By MIKE BILODEAU, Dispatch Staff Writer October 05, 2002 SYRACUSE - The Oneida Indian tribe of Wisconsin filed the beginning stages of an appeal Wednesday seeking to overturn U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn's September dismissal of the tribe's 57 lawsuits against property and business owners in Oneida and Madison Counties. Kahn said the tribe could not sue individual landowners. Kahn ruled that the lawsuits did not include the other two tribes of the Oneida Indian Nation, including the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and the Oneida of the Thames in Canada. Arlinda Locklear, attorney for the Wisconsin tribe, said the appeal will be filed over several months. Locklear said that the lawsuits were originally filed because the Wisconsin tribe was left out of the current negotiated settlement between the State of the New York, the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, and Madison and Oneida counties. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford, said the appeal was "destined to fail." "We have had enough of these mean-spirited and frivolous legal tactics designed to do nothing more than scare innocent landowners," Boehlert said. "Efforts should be focused on building on the progress already made toward reaching a fair settlement." Copyright c. 2002 The Oneida Daily Dispatch. --------- "RE: Traditionalists to rally against blood initiative" --------- Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 08:53:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLOODLINE http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/10/03/build/tribal/bloodline Traditionalists to rally against bloodline initiative By JOHN STROMNES The Missoulian October 3, 2002 PABLO - Indian traditionalists who say a proposed amendment to the tribal constitution threatens their way of life plan to demonstrate Friday at tribal headquarters in Pablo. Flathead Reservation opponents of the so-called Split Family Initiative have organized a "demonstration of unity" against the measure that, if passed by reservation voters this winter, would do away with a 40-year-old requirement that tribal members have one-quarter Salish, Kootenai or Pend Oreille blood to be enrolled in the tribe. "(We) will not tolerate subversion of the nations that comprise the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. We ... call upon all of our relatives to join us in the campaign against lineal descendancy. Together, we can defeat this measure ... "As the Ksanka (Kootenai) , Selis (Salish) and Qalispe (Pend Oreille) people, we will unite to demonstrate opposition to opening our rolls and prepare for the ensuing election," the group said in a press release. The demonstration starts at 8 a.m. and ends Friday afternoon. It will include a round dance outside the tribal government complex, speeches, singing of traditional songs, prayers and drumming. Plans also call for the unveiling of "The People's Sculpture" - described as a plywood structure of Indian peoples' silhouettes on which participants may write their names, enrollment numbers and other information showing Indian descendancy. At 1 p.m., demonstration leaders are scheduled to address the Tribal Council at its quarterly meeting. The constitutionally mandated quarterly meetings are opportunities for tribal members to bring any grievance or policy issue to the council in an open forum. But Friday's meeting is sure to be dominated by this issue. The Split Family Initiative was brought to a referendum after a third of eligible reservation voters signed petitions earlier this year. The election date will soon be set by the reservation's Bureau of Indian Affairs agent. If approved, descendants would still have to prove some direct Salish, Kootenai or Pend Oreille bloodlines from a great-grandparent, grandparent or parent. No other tribal blood would count toward this requirement. Since 1961 when the quarter-blood descendancy amendment was added to the tribal constitution, many people whose parents or brothers and sisters are enrolled have been denied membership because they do not have the appropriate degree of descendancy. This has resulted in suffering, divisiveness and hard feelings within families and throughout the tribal population generally. The Split Family amendment would resolve that. But by opening enrollment to any descendant of an enrolled member, past or present, the initiative has become the most divisive issue in recent memory within the tribal population. Traditionalists fear it will dilute their political power and culture, decrease the per capita payment to tribal members, harm the tribal resource base, and possibly end an energetic effort in recent years by the tribal government to buy back land sold years ago when the reservation was opened to white settlement. "The future of our Indian people is at stake," said Ruth Quequesah, one of the demonstration organizers in an e-mail message urging people to attend that was recently distributed to tribal members and others. Yet if the Split Family Initiative passes, tribal enrollment would increase substantially, perhaps even doubling from the current 4,000. And increased enrollment is sure to bring more federal money to the reservation, since funding for many federal programs serving Indian reservations is based on enrollment. Meanwhile, traditionalist opponents of the initiative, with the support of the Tribal Council, have proposed a different initiative that allows blood quantum from other tribes to count toward the one-quarter descendancy rule, thereby increasing tribal enrollment significantly, partially addressing the split family issue but maintaining the quarter- blood quantum requirement of the constitution. But according to federal rules governing such referendum elections, the first proposed initiative must go to election and be resolved before a competing initiative can go before voters. If the Split Family Initiative passes, it seems unlikely the alternative initiative would pass anytime soon. Last week, Bureau of Indian Affairs Northwest Regional Director Stan Speaks in Portland, Ore., directed Flathead Agency Superintendent Ernest "Bud" Moran to set an election date for the Split Family Initiative by Oct. 24. That means the election must be held sometime between that date and the first of the year. That directive prompted Friday's demonstration. Reporter John Stromnes can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or jstromnes@missoulian.com. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Helena Independent Record and Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Court moves BIA Intimidation Case Forward" --------- Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2002 14:12:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BIA INTIMIDATION" http://www.indianz.com/SmokeSignals/ Court moves BIA intimidation case forward FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2002 The federal judge overseeing the Indian trust debacle has cleared the way to probe the contemptuous behavior of Bureau of Indian Affairs officials who sent an employee home after she questioned efforts to fix the broken system. More than a year ago, the Bush administration sought to delay depositions of several current and former Washington, D.C., bureaucrats. Included are former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover, his former computer aide Dom Nessi, former Indian affairs commissioner Hilda Manuel and senior BIA managers. But in a court order signed Monday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth rejected the government's request. He said the matter can go forward because he has scheduled a third contempt trial against the Department of Interior. The trial will address the saga of Mona Infield, a computer specialist from Albuquerque, New Mexico. In spring of 2000, she disputed claims that the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System (TAAMS), a project overseen by Nessi and supported by Gover, was working. She also provided information which cast doubt on a move of the Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM), the BIA's computer network center that processes checks to Indian beneficiaries and tribes. Gover authorized the transfer from Albuquerque to suburban Washington, D.C., under the guises of improving security violations that left Indian money open to Internet hackers. After sharing her views, Infield was "exiled" to home duty, where she continues to draw an $80,000 yearly salary. According to court documents, Manuel -- described as the BIA's "Iron Fist" for her stringent management practices -- directed BIA subordinates to act. But Infield was vindicated by several scathing court reports that confirmed the failures of TAAMS and the lack of information technology (IT) security. Also, Lamberth on September 17 held Secretary of Interior Gale Norton and Indian affairs aide in contempt for not providing an accurate status of trust reform. "The 300,000 individual Indian beneficiaries deserve a better trustee- delegate than the Secretary of Interior," he wrote. Infield's trial is proceeding on the grounds that the Interior violated a court order that prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about the trust fund. Special Master Alan Balaran has already concluded there is "sufficient evidence" to support the case. Gover left his government post in January 2001 to join the Washington, D. C., law firm of Steptoe & Johnson. Manuel also worked at the firm up until her recent departure. Nessi managed the TAAMS project from its inception and was eventually promoted by Gover to oversee all IT issues at the BIA. But after he questioned the status of reform, he went onto another government job in July 2001. Deborah Maddox was the senior manager with direct oversight of OIRM throughout the debacle. According to a BIA source, she has been reassigned but this could not be confirmed. Infield's trial is scheduled for this December. Attempts by Secretary Gale Norton to settle the issue have not succeeded. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Noble Savage Media, LLC/Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Lawsuit tackles Navajo Language ban in Workplace" --------- Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 08:29:56 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LANGUAGE BAN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=49824 Lawsuit tackles Navajo language ban in workplace By HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services 10/01/2002 PHOENIX -- A Page restaurant is facing a federal court lawsuit over its refusal to let its Navajo employees to speak their own language on the job. Legal papers filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charge that the owners of RD's Drive-In fired two workers because they refused to sign a company policy that they speak only English while on the job. Two others then quit after the policy was enacted two years ago because they said they could not live with its terms. Mary Jo O'Neill, the EEOC's acting regional director, said this is the first lawsuit brought by his agency in the entire country that seeks to preserve the rights of Native Americans to speak their own language on the job. "It is amazing that, in a country that cherishes diversity, an employer will prohibit the use of indigenous languages in the workplace and terminate Native American employees who question whether that is lawful," she said. "In fact, in 1990 Congress enacted a statute specifically designed to protect and preserve Native languages." But Steve Kidman, who owns the restaurant with his father, said federal regulations permit English-only regulations when necessary for the functioning of the business. He said that is the case here. It will be up to a federal judge to sort out who is right. Kidman said he imposed the rule in June 2000 after getting complaints from several employees that Navajo-speaking workers were insulting them. He said the workers could hear their names being spoken but were unable to understand exactly what was being said about them. That, said Kidman, undermined crew morale. He said it would be like letting two workers whisper about a third. "If your two co-workers were in the corner, looking at you and whispering and giggling, it had that same kind of effect on our crew," he said. "And we were having a hard time maintaining enough workers because they would simply quit because they didn't want to work in that environment." EEOC attorney David Lopez disputes that Navajo-speaking workers were using derogatory terms about other employees. But Kidman produced a sworn affidavit from a current worker, a Navajo, who said other employees were "saying rude and sarcastic remarks about me in Navajo." Attorney David Selden, who represents the diner, said "the only real effective way the business could see to solve the problem was prohibiting people from speaking Navajo" while on the job. Selden also disputed the EEOC's contention that the policy applied to workers while on break. Selden also said the policy did not preclude employees from communicating with each other as all were fluent in English. He also said workers were permitted to use Navajo with customers as necessary. The lawsuit seeks both back pay and lost future pay, as well as an injunction against the restaurant precluding the owners from discriminatory practices. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Arizona Daily Sun. --------- "RE: LPDC Update" --------- Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 15:59:06 -0400 (EDT) From: IndigenousNews@webtv.net Subj: LPDC Update Mailing List: Native Rights LPDC Update Oct. 4, 2002 Dear Supporters, The first few weeks of Fall have brought significant developments in Leonard 's case. This update will be followed shortly by a summary of events happening on or around Oct. 12th, International Indigenous Rights Day, still called by some Columbus Day. October 8th HEARING IN ST. PAUL, MN- Come if you can! The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has agreed to hear Leonard' s appeal of the lower court's dismissal of his motion to reduce sentence. Leonard's legal team is very excited about this opportunity to get back in the courtroom. The arguments are strictly limited to 15 minutes for and against, with Eric Seitz and Bruce Ellison on Leonard's behalf, and with Lynn Crooks coming out of retirement to argue for the government. Dave Chief, Leonard's spiritual advisor, is coming to conduct ceremonies, and we expect a packed courtroom and a spirited vigil outside the courthouse. For supporters who live in or near St. Paul, we encourage your attendance. Details: Rally and Vigil 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Tuesday, Oct 8th Press Conference immediately following Warren Burger Federal Building 316 N. Robert St. St. Paul, MN 1999 HABEAS CORPUS MOTION DENIED A writ of Habeas Corpus filed in the U.S. District Court of Kansas, which had languished in the court for over three years, was denied by the Court. Leonard's legal team has appealed the denial, and will prepare a detailed brief in coming months. The writ challenges the US Parole Commission's repeated denial of parole, contrary to its own guidelines. he U.S. Parole Commission was set to be abolished on Nov 1, 2002, and there may be a call for urgent action next week to ensure that members of Congress do not rush through a bill to extend the life of the Commission through Nov. 1, 2005. We will update you as soon as we determine the best course of action to halt the continuation of this corrupt parole bureaucracy (even if Congress rejects the bid for the extension, the Dept. of Justice has in place a plan to create a new organization with a different name, but with, no doubt, all the same faces and policies as the current Parole Commission). <><><><< OCT 6-7 ANTIWAR EVENTS A number of Leonard's supporters will be bringing his presence to the many rallies this weekend to protest the planned war against the people of Iraq. Join them in NYC, SF and LA, or create your own presence on Leonard's behalf at any of the events happening under the Not In Our Name organizing effort: http://www.notinourname.net/events.html <><><><< On September 9th, Leonard's mother, Alvina Showers, passed on. The LPDC worked to gain travel access for Leonard to attend the funeral, which was denied. If you would like to write Leonard address your letters to: Leonard Peltier #89637-132 USPL PO Box 1000 Leavenworth, KS 66048 He can receive letters, paperback books, non-Polaroid photos, and US Postal Money Orders <><><><< Please join us in welcoming Leonard's daughter, Marquetta Peltier, to the defense committee. Marquetta is working as the LPDC co-coordinator. Her presence has provided an invaluable element to the work. We look forward to her leadership. In Solidarity, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee A LISTING of International Indigenous Peoples Day events will follow shortly. The LPDC postponed the annual grassroots fundraising events typically held on Leonard's birthday, Sept. 12th, in observance of the anniversary of 9-11. Until Freedom Is Won! The New Leonard Peltier Justice Campaign Leonard Peltier Defense Committee PO Box 583 Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-5774 http://www.freepeltier.org To subscribe, send a blank message to lpdc-on@mail-list.com --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2002 08:19:12 -0600 From: Janet Smith Subj: Native Prisoner ===== ----- Original Message ----- Date: Thursday, October 03, 2002 11:54 AM From: Linda C. Miller Subj: Changing America's Prisons Dear Friends: As Prison Reform Unity Day approaches, we are faced with the usual mix of enthusiasm from some states and silence from others. We are at a loss to understand why this is so, since it's universally acknowledged that no state has a prison system which respects the basic human rights of prisoners and their families. We know this is NOT ok with the folks who are receiving this message. Many of you are getting actively involved in demanding changes in America's penal system beyond exchanging e-mails, writing letters and signing petitions, but many more of you are not. Exchanging e-mails, writing letters and signing petitions are good steps to take, but let's be honest here, thus far these things have NOT brought about any noticeable changes. That's because a few e-mails, letters, and sparsely-signed petitions here and there are easily ignored - millions of voters standing in unity are NOT! A few e-mails, letters and petitions are not even local news. Millions of voters standing outside prisons, state capitols, court houses, at the graves of murdered prisoners all across the country on the same day would be INTERNATIONAL NEWS, and force our government to address the problems we and our loved ones live with daily. If you are tired of worrying about the safety of your incarcerated loved one; if you are tired of horrible visiting conditions; if you are tired of paying exorbitant long distance bills; if you are tired of state murder; if you are tired of the cruelty of Segregation Units; if you are just plain sick and tired of how you and your loved one are being treated, then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Coordinate or participate in a rally in support of the basic human rights of prisoners and their loved ones on October 19! There are at least TEN MILLION PEOPLE in this country whose lives are DIRECTLY AFFECTED by the inhumane conditions in America's prisons. Individually, we have no power. Small groups and organizations have little or no power and few, if any successes. But all of us together are a FORCE no politician can ignore. It's not going to happen overnight. Nothing this big ever is. Many people are reluctant to participate in public rallies for various reasons - although none that I've ever heard are valid. The bottom line is, if something is important to you, you will find a way to do it. We all have to talk to other prison visitors while we wait in line, and encourage them to participate in PRUP. We can't reach the people who aren't online without YOUR HELP! The prisons will change even if we don't all participate. The problem is that the changes will be for WORSE, instead of BETTER! If that's not ok with you, please participate in a Prison Reform Unity Day observance in your state. Please don't think that there will be enough people without you. Only YOU can fill your place in a rally, and it's going to take ALL OF US to get the job done! LINDA TANT MILLER ----- Original Message ----- Date: Friday, October 04, 2002 8:46 AM From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Penpal Requests Mailing List: Iron Natives Greetings, Here is a request from Manuel Redwoman, on behalf of 4 prisoners at Montana State Prison. Could you please add them to any relevant free list that you have access to? Stephen Bartle #42300 700, Conley Lake Road, Deerlodge MT 59722 David Jackson #38961 700, Conley Lake Road, Deerlodge MT 59722 Both of them will write anyone but are white so please put them on all free lists except Native American. Here are two requests from Native Americans: Ted The Boy #43758 26 years old 700, Conley Lake Road, Deerlodge MT 59722 Paul Wright #33372 29 years old 700, Conley Lake Road, Deerlodge MT 59722 For further information please write to them directly. Many thanks for your help, Brigitte thimiakischool@the.forthnet.gr JusticeforFirstNationsPrisoners --------- "RE: Rustywire: The Field" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 08:35:17 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE/FIELD" http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/1574/starship/field.html Navajo Spaceships, Star Mountain and Life An online journal- Star Mountain-Navajo Life The Field by Johnny Rustywire There is a field not too far off, it isn't exactly all green in color and it really isn't flat, but it is not too far off, just across the wash. Smoky was a smoke grey horse we had, he sure was feisty if you didn't handle him right like when we road him to the trading post he could get spooked and the next thing you knew you were going past the trading post hanging on for dear life with my sister hanging onto my pants trying not to fall off. The old folks waiting for the mail outside on the steps would just laugh. That was the kind of horse we had. We also had a Blackie, a big black stallion, but gentle and easy going. We used to ride him bareback and he wsa a good horse, but sure was slow. He sort of just ate his way to the trading post from home, going from plant to plant. When we finally got there he liked to stand by himself, we did not have to tie him up, he just stood there and waited for us by the door. I used to look at him and he would always be looking at the old barn next to RB's barn, that was the trader's name, RB Foutz, he had a few bales of hay there and you could see the loose bales laying on the ground and ol d Blackie always used to stand there and look that way, but he was sort of old and the fence was too high. Everyone once in a while we used to sneak over there and grab a handful of hay and give it him. Anyway, these two horses used to be in a small corral not too far from the house and my dad and grandpa used to use those old time yokes and plow you steered by hand. The field was across the wash and you see that wash is pretty steep, there is nice stream at the bottom which always had water in it and there was pond right there. We had put some good flat rocks across the stream so you could walk across to the other side. The trail to the field was well worn. I liked it and didn't like it at the same time. It was nice to walk in that pond, but usually we had to get water in buckets to carry to the field to water the plants there. That old plow was used to make rows for planting and with corn we used to stand behind my dad and follow him with a bag with a few kernels in our hand. We would plant them in the side of the furrow and had to be sure we didn't bury them too deep or too shallow. When you are small it takes a couple of years to get the hang of it, but you finally learn. When you do this you can see the trees growing at the edge of the field and you learn how every bush, every plant looks, because you stand there all day. At midday we would go home and eat and it was pretty good. My dad used to tell my aunts to help, so they could get an equal share of the corn once it was all grown, but we usually didn't see them around when it was planting time. I can see still my father with the horse reigns around his neck making the rows, doing that takes a lot of time, but somehow it got done. The pond at the bottom of the wash had two old buckets by it and we would have to take those buckets and dip them in the water and carry them up to the field. We used to put two buckes of water on each each plant. When you are small you think about the steps you take to carry the water, I remember it took about 300 steps to get the the field, I still remember each one. My foot prints are still there somewhere. That is what you call dry farming, when you had to water each plat twice a week. It was something we all did, everyone in the family. My sister during this time of the year sure liked going to the Christian Reformed Church for bible learning during this time every year, but after the growing season was over she wouldn't go anywhere but stay home. I kind of think she did that so she wouldn't have to carry water. One of the things that is good about it is you see those corn stalks grow and just before it is time to pick the corn, my dad used to take us out there and cut off a stalk at the root level and open it up for us. We used to chew on this part and it was sweet, like sugar cane, it sure was good. My grandma and mom used to go out and gather the corn pollen dusting eat plant top, I can still she the leather pouches they would carry and how they were all yellow colored inside. Sometimes I remember my grandmother, putting corn pollen on my head and on my tongue and blessing me, my mother used to do the same with us kids. That pollen came from our field, our work and was a part of our life. I still have those pouches and they are still yellow, it is our way of life even now that I am far from home. This is what I remember about that field just across the wash not too far from here.... Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Poem: To a Native Teenager" --------- Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 14:45:53 EDT From: Itsshngsprt2@aol.com Subj: To a Native Teenager (by Chief Dan George) In a message dated 9/2/02 4:58:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, ozi@ozramp.net.au writes: You are unhappy because you live far from the city that promises everything and you think yourself to be poor because you live among your people. But when you live like a person of city breeding you will not hear the plants say: eat off me, nor will you take from the animals because of hunger. The ground will be so hard that you will want to run from place to place, and when you have gone too far there will be no moss to rest on, nor will your back find a tree to lean against. Your thirsty throat will long to savor water from the cup of your hand; instead the liquid that lives in a bottle will burn your tongue, soften your mind, and make your heart ache for the sweetness of spring water. Tears will keep your eyes moist because a thousand small suns that never come nor go flicker everywhere. The wind will not carry messages from land to land, and the odor of countless machines will press on your chest like the smell of a thousand angry skunks. You will look at the sky to pray for soft rain; instead you will find above the tree tops lives another city that stands between you and the guidance of stars, and you will wonder where city people keep their dead. A longing will rise in your heart for the days of your boyhood, and your fingers will grip the sacred tooth you hid in your coat pocket. But the train that carried you into the city never brought the spirit along that guides lost hunters through the woods. Again and again your eyes will try to see the evening dripping off the sun like wild honey and your nostrils will quiver for the scent of water that tumbled through the canyons of your childhood. You'll stand at a corner amidst the noise and bow your head in despair because you are humbled by the desire to touch your father's canoe that he carved when you were born. Wherever you look there is nothing your eyes know, and when weakness settles into your legs you will recognize your brother by the shadow his hunched body casts in the corner of a street, in a city where people walk without seeing the tears in each other's eyes. Chief Dan George http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/deadmantalking/nativeteen.htm --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 06:10:12 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAI'I BOOK OF DAYS, week of October 14-20 OKAKOPA (October) (Ikuwa) 14 You speak, ... and I can hear your voice in the very silence of my soul. 15 How much more interesting is the tapestry woven of many colors than that woven of only one hue. 16 The wind whispers over the mountains and through the leaves of the trees below. 17 The land trembles -- Pele is awakening! 18 The ocean is the source of all life. 19 We bless the earth ... and are blessed by it. 20 If you would see all the world, climb to the mountain's pinnacle. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: This Week on First Peoples TV" --------- Date: Mon, Oct 7 08:03:22 2002 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WORLD LINK TV" Available on DirecTV (800-531-5000), Channel 375, and on EchoStar/Dish Network (800-333-3474), channel 9410 = = = = = = = = = This program's length is: 01:00 hour You can see this program at the following times: Thu, Oct 10, 10:00 PM ET (Thu, Oct 10, 7:00 PM PT) Fri, Oct 11, 4:00 AM ET (Fri, Oct 11, 1:00 AM PT) Fri, Oct 11, 10:00 AM ET (Fri, Oct 11, 7:00 AM PT) Fri, Oct 11, 4:00 PM ET (Fri, Oct 11, 1:00 PM PT) First Peoples' TV: Backbone of the World - The Blackfoot Veteran filmmaker, George Burdeau journeys home to his own Blackfoot reservation to explore his tribe's crucial struggle to forge a new identity. Under his guidance, a team of young Blackfoot filmmakers use a melange of documentary, experimental and cinema vérité formats to join the ancient legend of "Scarface" with contemporary stories that parallel the Native American experience. Literally backed up against a wall, the Blackfoot reservation lies in the great shadow of the Rocky Mountains - known to the tr