From gars@speakeasy.org Tue Oct 22 22:02:46 2002 Date: 23 Oct 2002 00:18:25 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.043 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 043 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O October 19, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Algonquin pepewarr/white frost moon +-----------------------------+ Cree opinahamowipizun/moon when birds fly south <================<<<< >>>>================> 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.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; ndn-aim, AmerIndian, Native Rights and Rez Life Mailing Lists; UUCP email IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org <================<<<< >>>>================> As historian Patricia Nelson Limerick summarized in The Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West, "Set the blood quantum at one-quarter, hold to it as a rigid definition of Indians, let intermarriage proceed as it had for centuries, and eventually Indians will be defined out of existence. When that happens, the federal government will be freed of its persistent 'Indian problem.'" "I hope the Great Heavenly Father who will look down upon us, will give all the tribes His blessing that we may go forth in peace and live in peace all our days, and that He will look down upon our children and finally lift us far above this earth; and that our Heavenly Father will look upon our children as His children, that all tribes may be His children and as we shake hands today upon this broad plain, we may forever live in peace." __ Chief Red Cloud (Marpiya Luta), Oglala +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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 report appeared in the Tuesday, October 22, 2002 issue of the "Yankton Press and Dakotan": Report On Treatment Of Indians To Be Released Next Summer VERMILLION (AP) - A report will be released next summer on whether American Indians are treated differently from white people in South Dakota's criminal justice system, a researcher says. Richard Braunstein, an assistant professor of political science at the University of South Dakota, has been collecting and studying data since May 2001. The first year was spent logging records from the Unified Judicial System, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the Department of Corrections into a computer database, Braunstein said. He said Gov. Bill Janklow gave researchers more time and money for the project because of its complexity. "No one has really accused of us of trying to censure bad findings, or crush the study in any way. But I can't imagine that people aren't out there thinking, 'Why haven't these folks produced anything yet? It must be a bad result that they're trying to hide,'" Braunstein said. "And I would encourage people to be patient. This is the first study of its kind in the nation." He said some Indian leaders want the researchers to give the findings to the Legislature. The governor commissioned the study last year. Steve Feimer and several research assistants are helping Braunstein. ------ end of article ------- I really have to wonder if Janklow, who has made a career of attacking Indians and Indian interests in South Dakota is beginning to fear the Indian vote. The fact that there is a concerted effort to get out the vote on the Rosebud and Pine Ridge only adds to my suspicions. In the past he could count on two things - 1 the anti-Indian vote was his and 2 - the Native vote would be so negligible he could safely ignore it. If current efforts to get out the South Dakota Native vote is successful this could mark the end of Janklow's rusty career, as did the Native vote in Washington state to another Indian hater, Gorton. I can only pray Janklow's fears are realized and his ouster does happen. -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- Winter is here. 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. -=-=-=- Date: Sun, 13 Oct 2002 19:39:02 -0400 From: "floyd perkins" Subj: Housing Dear Gary Greetings, my name is Alice Perkins. I am a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation. Recently, my husband and I started working with a couple of individuals out of Michigan and Denver, CO., to bring liveable, affordable housing to the reservation and to create jobs for our people. Our efforts have been rewarding, but we are struggling. Let me first give you an overview of our business. Our fund receives donated or we buy lowcost mobile homes (used) from individuals. We pay all the costs incurred to transport these homes to the Pine Ridge Reservation. Costs include labor, driver payment, fuel, food/shelter, cleanup cost, dumpster, permits, lot rent etc. The cost varies with each mobile home we get. After delivering the mobile homes to the reservation site, we inspect the homes for maintenance and repair needs such as hotwater heater, furnace, roof, plumbing, floor and windows etc... We fix these at our cost. Once the mobile home is in liveable condition, we sell it at the total cost we paid out for the home (delivery plus repair costs). These sales prices are affordable, ranging from $3500 to $6500. Since we hire reservation Lakota people to transport and repair these homes, we have created jobs for drivers, laborers, prep workers, contruction, plumbers, electricians, escort, ect... The mobile homes are for buyers who do not qualify for loans through the banks because of bad credit, no credit, slow credit or whatever the reason. And these people are on a fixed income. Our payments are set according to their income and what they can afford -- usually about $100 to $200 a month until paid in full. We work with the buyers so that their payments go towards owning their own homes, which otherwise would be impossible. This also helps to reestablish credit. We also receive donor-directed homes (all costs are covered by the donor, who chooses the individual who will receive the donated home). Our problem is that we need funds to continue our efforts. We are seeking donations to help with transportation costs and supplies such as hotwater heaters, furnaces--any help would be appreciated. Winter is coming and we have many families waiting for a home. We have approximately 110 families on our waiting list, all of whom are in great need of shelter. Immediately we need 3 furnaces and 5 hotwater heaters. Visit our web site at http://www.americanindianhousing.com We had a very nice lady help set this up for us. Thank you. Alice Perkins HC 64 Box 58 Batesland, SD 57716 (605) 685-3362 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 ---------- - Mohawk Nation mourns - AFN event expects 5,000 Roiane Brian Skidders - Herbicides driving - Crossings Columbia Indians from Homes - Beloved Elder - Sandias Claim approaches Final Drum on own Terms could be settled in November - Shoshones want - Agencies seek end Negotiated Land Settlement to Tribal Violence - Miccosukee have right - Native Prisoner to remain in Everglades -- Pen Pal request - Ventura signs order -- Update From Alex Montana recognizing Indian Bands -- Follow Up: Call for Action to - Interior Department statements support the Prayer Warriors Inaccurate, a Fraud -- Statement by Manuel Redwoman - Natives overlooked by U.S. ... Native American Grievances - Samish sue U.S. - Rustywire: The 'lectric for years of Missed Benefits - Poem: Give me the Wolf's Life - Piikani take over - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days own Child Welfare - This Week on First Peoples TV - Native Leaders angered - Native America Calling by Ottawa's Threat - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Mohawk Nation mourns Roiane Brian Skidders" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 08:51:10 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ROIANE" http://www.easterndoor.com/11-37/11-37-01.htm Mohawk Nation mourns passing of Roiane Brian Skidders By: Ross Montour His English name was Brian Skidders but since May 6, 2000 he carried the Mohawk Wolf Clan title of Orenrehka:was. Sadly, Skidders, who was condoled at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse just over two years ago, died suddenly last Sunday night as he was returning from a day of ceremony and evening of social dancing at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse in Akwesasne. He was just 42. Sunday morning marked the start of the Kariwiio, or Code of Handsome Lake recital. Skidders welcomed the speakers and delegates who arrived at the Akwesasne Longhouse from across Haudenosaunee territory. Representatives from each of the Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy had responded to the invitation wampum strings sent to each as a call to attend the recital of the Code instituted by the Seneca chief known by the title of Skennentariio or Handsome Lake in the early 1800s. At the conclusion of Sunday's recital, an evening of traditional social dancing was opened by the young Roiane. Tragedy struck soon after the conclusion of the social as Skidders was attempting to make his way to Cornwall. Arriving at the toll booth of the Three Nations Bridge, Skidders suffered a massive heart attack. Paramedics arrived promptly on the scene after receiving the call from toll-booth workers. According to Joyce Mitchell, Skidders was still conscious and responsive when he arrived at the Hotel Dieu Hospital. However, emergency room staff were unable to save him. Skidders was pronounced dead shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday. Skidders, known by his Mohawk name Tekanatsiasere, was the first Mohawk to be condoled as Roiane in over 30 years. When he was condoled in 2000, the Mohawk Nation Longhouse had been without a condoled chief for four years. Hundreds gathered with representatives of all six Confederacy Nations present in Akwesasne to witness the ancient ceremony. On Tuesday representatives from each of the Six Nations again gathered in Skidders' small Cornwall Island home, where he was laid out. This time the representatives had come to perform the ceremony to remove the title, Orenrehka:wa, from Skidders' brow, symbolized be the deer-antler kastowa (head-dress) worn ceremonially by Confederacy Roianes. While his term was brief, Skidders was active in his role. He traveled extensively to each Mohawk territory to encourage the Mohawks to unite together. Skidders hoped to encourage the traditional Mohawks to unite. His journey brought him to Wahta, Six Nations, Kanehsatake, Kahnawake and Kanatsiohareke. That journey allowed Skidders to forge a network of traditional Mohawk people who now meet in hopes of overcoming years of fractured relationship. Well-versed in his language and culture, Skidders also had served as principal of the Akwesasne Freedom School. A champion of independent schools, Skidders spoke on behalf of the school in forum discussions. Skidders said that one such forum: "The main concept we learned was that the educational problems were our problems and (called for) our solutions. That made us a stronger organization. Secondly, we developed an immersion program and established the first steps to 'reprogram' people away from colonialism. "Finally, we are developing an environmentally-based curriculum, we want to break down the walls of the institution and get our learning back into the natural world where it began." Skidders worked at the Mohawk Nation Office at the time of his passing. He represented the Confederacy in Geneva last year to support the United Nations declaration on Indigenous rights. Skidders also worked to find common ground with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in order to begin talks on land claims. The active Roiane also met with other elected councils in Kahnawake and Kanehsatake, as well as with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for the betterment of the Mohawk people and to lend guidance for the protection of Mohawk rights. Charlie Patton, a close associate, said of Skidders: "He kept us together. He went to all those (Mohawk) communities and met with all the Mohawks." Just two days before his ultimately death, Skidders had occasion to view a photo album which recorded his May 2000 Condolence. Skidders remarked last Friday: "Looking at the pictures, I am amazed to see all the people who were there at the Condolence. It makes me feel good to see everyone who was there." Mitchell noted her memory of Skidders, saying, "His heart was pure and his thoughts were only of a good mind. He was a man of respect and integrity, and the hearts of the Mohawk Nation are broken by his passing." MCA Chief Darren Bonaparte added his own words to the accolades being accorded to the fallen Skidders. Bonaparte offered: "Brian was condoled only a few years ago but has proven himself to have the kind of qualities you would want in a Roiane. He listened to all sides of a story, spoke calmly even in heated issues and was fond of using humour to make his point. "He was a fluent Mohawk speaker and was dedicated to his duties. He was always aware of the sacredness of his role as the only condoled Mohawk nation Chief and never wavered in performing those duties. He was a true follower of the Peacemaker, which is the highest praise any of us can earn." Skidders is survived by his beloved wife Marjorie Barnes, two sons, Sawentanon and Teiohontsiakwente, and daughters Nikaiataa and Niiohontaa. Funeral services were held yesterday at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse at 11 a.m. Copyright c. 1997-2000 The Eastern Door. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" October 15, 2002 Patrick Thunder Hawk PORCUPINE - Patrick Thunder Hawk, 60, Porcupine, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include one adopted son, Gary Moore, Mission; his mother, Lillian Thunder Hawk, Porcupine; three brothers, Francis Thunder Hawk, Pine Ridge, and Collins Gay and Victor Gay, both of Pine Ridge; and three sisters, Nancy Bush, Porcupine, Arlene Thunder Bull, Rapid City, and Myrna Garfield, Wolf Point, Mont. A two-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Porcupine CAP Office. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Porcupine CAP Office, with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl officiating. Burial will be at the Thunder Hawk Family Cemetery four miles south of Porcupine. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. October 17, 2002 Christopher Evans Fire Thunder II RAPID CITY - Christopher Evans Fire Thunder II, 48, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Bessie Rangel, Rapid City; two sons, Christopher Fire Thunder III, Sioux Falls, and Mahto Fire Thunder, Springfield; two daughters, Rachel Fire Thunder, Rapid City, and Clevia Fire Thunder, Denver; two brothers, Lloyd Larrabee, Denver, and Benjamin Fire Thunder, Rapid City; and five sisters, Marian Lynn Walker, Jackson, Tenn., Eileen Crandall, Lompoc, Calif., Darlene Fire Thunder, Rapid City, and Dawn Rae O'Banion and Donna Lynn O'Banion, both of Spring, Texas. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. today at Mother Butler Center in Rapid City. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Rapid City, with the Rev. Paul Sneve officiating. Burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City. Behrens Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements. October 18, 2002 Rita Ann Swiftbird LeBeau RAPID CITY - Rita Ann Swiftbird LeBeau, 63, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at her home. Survivors include five children, Monte LeBeau, Aberdeen, Jay LeBeau, Houston, Vanessa LeBeau, Montour, Iowa, Clint LeBeau, Castle Rock, Colo., and Tracey LeBeau, Washington, D.C.; one sister, Alta Shelton, Rapid City; one brother, Archie LeBeau, Eagle Butte; and eight grandchildren. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. today at Harvey V. Johnston Center in Eagle Butte. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the center, with the Rev. Norman Bluecoat officiating. Burial will follow at Mossman Cemetery in Ridgeview. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Glen A. Little Bear WOUNDED KNEE - Glen A. Little Bear, 36, Wounded Knee, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, in Wounded Knee. Survivors include his mother, Roselyn Little Bear, Wounded Knee; three brothers, Tim Romero, Rapid City, Dallas Yellow Shield, Wounded Knee, and Wayne Yellow Shield, Porcupine; and four sisters, Mary Palmier, Shirley Yellow Shield, Erma Yellow Shield and Sharon Condon, all of Wounded Knee. A two-night wake will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at Messiah Episcopal Church Hall in Wounded Knee. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at the church, with the Rev. Joe Brown Thunder officiating. Burial will be at Messiah Episcopal Cemetery in Wounded Knee. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Evelyn Atkinson PIERRE - Evelyn Atkinson, 92, Pierre, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at Maryhouse Nursing Care Center in Pierre. Survivors include one daughter, Grace Bad Moccasin; eight grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and 54 great-great-grandchildren. A two-day wake will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Sinte Gleska Multi-Purpose Room in Mission. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by traditional Native American services. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, at Sinte Gleska Multi- Purpose Room. Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery in Mission. Isburg-Hofmeister Funeral Chapel of Pierre is in charge of arrangements. October 21, 2002 Dorothy L. Gonzalez BLACK HAWK - Dorothy L. Gonzalez, (Lakota Winyan), 55, Black Hawk, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Campbell County Memorial Hospital in Gillette, Wyo. Dorothy Lois Gonzalez was born on February 17, 1947 to Gerry Conroy and Evelyn Bettelyoun-Conroy at Gordon, Nebraska. She graduated from Oglala Community High School at Pine Ridge, South Dakota in 1965 and from Black Hills State College in 1974. In 1966, while attending Black Hills State College at Spearfish, S.D., she married Mario Gonzalez. She dropped out of college for three years to be with her husband while he attended law school at the University of North Dakota from 1969 to 1972. Upon their return to South Dakota, she completed her studies at Black Hills State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1974. She worked for Oglala Lakota College on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from 1975 to 2002, except for a three-year absence from 1997- 2000. She was OLC Center Director for the East Wakpamni Center at Batesland, S.D. from 1975 to 1990. She also served as the Center Director for the He Sapa Center at Rapid City, S.D. from 1990 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2002. She was very well liked by her fellow center directors and students. She went out of her way to help hundreds of students graduate from college at both centers. She received numerous awards from OLC over the years, including Center Director of the Year (Staff Awards) in 1985 and 1987. Survivors include her husband, Mario Gonzalez, Black Hawk; two sons, Monte Gonzalez, Topeka, Kan., and Leon Gonzalez, Las Vegas, Nev.; four daughters, Petra Wilson, Henderson, Nev., Angela Gonzalez-Randle, Overland Park, Kan., Anna Gonzalez, and Nicole Gonzalez, both of Black Hawk; three sisters, Geraldine Red Owl, Kyle, Sandra Conroy and Karen Conroy, both of Black Hawk; and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and one brother. Indian wake services will be held at the Batesland, S.D. School Gym beginning at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, October 23, 2002, and at the Mother Butler Center, Rapid City, S.D. beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2002. Both Native American and Christian funeral services will be held at the Mother Butler Center at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2002. Graveside services will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery at Rapid City. Osheim-Catron Funeral Home in Rapid City is in charge of arrangements. October 22, 2002 Charles D. Winters Sr. PINE RIDGE - Charles D. Winters Sr., 58, Pine Ridge, died Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002, in Pine Ridge. Survivors include two sons, Charles Winters Jr. and Dwight Winters, both of Kyle; five daughters, Donna Winters, Rosebud, Deidra Winters, Oakland, Calif., Diane Winters and Shannon Winters, both of Rockyford, and Cassie Winters, Kyle; three brothers, Louie Winters and Willard Winters, both of Pine Ridge, and Geno Winters, Potato Creek; four sisters, Ellen Moves Camp and Bertha Two Bulls, both of Wanblee, Alma Winters, Pine Ridge, and Luccine Schaefer, Burns, Ore.; and nine grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Burial will be at the Winters Family Cemetery, Bear Creek, Wanblee. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Lisa Marie Jumping Eagle PINE RIDGE - Lisa Marie Jumping Eagle, 34, Pine Ridge, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include two daughters, Alisha Goings and Cassandra Goings, both of Pine Ridge; her parents, Delmas Jumping Eagle, Rapid City, and Louise Garnier, Pine Ridge; one brother, Verlyn Garnier, Fort Lewis, Wash. ; and one sister, Vicky Jumping Eagle, Pine Ridge. A one-night wake will begin at 3 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Makasan Presbyterian Church in Oglala, with the Rev. Asa Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Makasan Presbyterian Cemetery in Oglala. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- October 17, 2002 Ned Tsinnijinnie Ned Tsinnijinnie, 87, of Dilcon, died Oct. 14, 2002, at Winslow Memorial Hospital. Mr. Tsinnijinnie was born Oct. 15, 1914, in Kayenta. His clans were of the Bitter Water, born for the Tsinnijinnie and married into the Salt clan. Mr. Tsinnijinnie lived in Dilcon his whole life and was primarily a rancher of large livestock. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Alice Tsinnijinnie; five children, Sammy Jensen, Steven Jensen, Sallie Begay, Sarah Tsinnijinnie and Carol Paddock, all of Dilcon; 22 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren, all of the Winslow and Dilcon area. Mr. Tsinnijinnie was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters; a daughter, Jenny Paddock and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the First Indian Baptist Church, located on West Aspinwall in Winslow, with James Paddock officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Desert View Cemetery, with a reception thereafter at the Dilcon Nazarene Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Greer's Scott Mortuary Copyright c. 2000-2002 Arizona Daily Sun. -=-=-=- October 17, 2002 Ramona Frances Wilgus Final viewing and memorial service for Ramona Frances Wilgus, born Ramona Frances Puhuyesva, will be held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, at 2401 12th Street NW on Friday, October 18, 2002. Services will include a Memorial Service from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. Patrons are requested to begin arriving at 6:00 p.m. in order to be seated by 6:30 p.m. Ramona was a dear friend to the community as she worked in the capacity of educator with an emphasis on those less fortunate. She was also noted as an artist, poet, and storyteller, as well as mother. She was born of Alfred and Daisy Puhuyesva, September 11, 1942, in Keams Canyon, Arizona, upon the Hopi Indian Reservation. Ramona chose to be registered Hopi, as her father was, but was also of Isleta heritage on her mother's side. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BA in education in 1965. The same year she was married to Neal Fredrick Wilgus and began her journey to Albuquerque. In the winter of 1978, she gave birth to her only son, Warren Asa Wilgus. Directly related survivors are her mother, Daisy; brother, Frank Puhuyesva; and her son, Warren. She was teacher, friend, companion and mother. She will be missed. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th NW, Albuquerque, 343-8008. October 21, 2002 Robert Ernest Romero Robert Ernest Romero, "Bobby", 51, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend was called home to be with the Lord our Savior, Saturday, October 19, 2002, with his loving family by his side. He was born March 15, 1951, and resided in Albuquerque. Bobby was honored by former President Ronald Reagan for outstanding service on behalf of Crime Victims in Washington, DC on April 13, 1984. He also served as a Taos Pueblo police officer. He is survived by his mother, Claire P. Romero; his two brothers and seven sisters, Sandra McNaughton and husband, Pat, Jeri Samora, Michael Romero and wife, Cordie, Norma Romero, Ronald Romero and wife, Theresa, Joyce Valdo, Linda Saiz and husband, Art, Jeanette Pearcy and husband, Ron and Beverly Dodson and husband, William; godson, William Robert Pearcy; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry A. Romero; brother, Christopher E. Romero; two nephews, Alex Romero and Jeremy Samora; and two nieces, Lucy Pacheco and Paulette Samora. Rosary will be recited Monday, October 21, 2002, 7:00 p.m., at Holy Ghost Church, 833 Arizona SE, with Father Tom Mayfeske reciting. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 22, 2002, 9:00 a.m., at Holy Ghost Church, with Father Tom Mayfeske, Celebrant. His final resting place will follow at Cochiti Pueblo Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Romero, Ronald Romero, Ron Pearcy, William Dodson, Dan Morgan, Gene Morgan, Richard Romero, Richard Archuleta and Pat McNaughton. Honorary pallbearers will be William Pearcy, Johnny McNaughton, Augustine Samora, Michael Jerry Romero, Wayne Morgan, Luciano Pacheco, Jerry Romero and Domenic Dodson. Friends may visit one hour prior to rosary at the church. French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE. Copyright c. 1997 - 2002 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- October 15, 2002 - 11:57:43 PM MST Dennis Benally Aug. 23, 1953 Dennis Benally, 49, of Shiprock passed away at Northern Navajo Medical Center. He was born Aug. 23, 1953, in Aneth, Utah, to Chester and Fannie Benally. Funeral arrangements are pending with Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, Shiprock, (505) 368-4607. Bronson R. Jim Nov. 6, 1985 - Oct. 14, 2002 Mr. Bronson R. Jim, 16, of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, in Phoenix. He is survived by his mother, Merda Lee Torres and father, Anderson Jim Jr.; one brother, Nathan A. Jim; and two sisters, Misty D. Jim and Jasmaine L. Jim. Funeral arrangements are pending with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Nelson Jim Sept. 15, 1925 - Oct. 13, 2002 Nelson Jim, 76, of Hogback passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. He was born Sept. 15, 1925, in Horse Shoe Canyon. He was the son of Tall Jim and Mary Jim of Hogback, who are also with our Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by his son, Quincy Jim; daughter, Roxanne Jim; sister, Ida Begay; and brother, Paul Jim. He is survived by his wife, Louise M. Jim of Hogback; son, Floyd Jim of Lupton, Ariz.; son, Calvin Jim of Hogback; daughters, Christine and Ashley Aspass of Grand Canyon, Ariz.; daughter, Christina and Harold Garcia of Barstow, Calif.; son, Austin and Cornelia Jim of Farmington; daughter, Rosalyn and Lorenzo Benally of Hogback; daughter, Francine and Herman Kiefert also of Hogback; three brothers, Louie Jim, Lee Jim, and Harrison Jim; 33 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at the Open Bible Baptist Church in Waterflow, (505) 598-5019. Interment will follow at the family cemetery in Horse Shoe Canyon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louise M. Jim, P.O. Box 62, Waterflow, N.M. 87421, (505) 368-5692. Thank you all for your love and support. October 22, 2002 Gilbert Curley Feb. 14, 1945 - Oct. 20, 2002 Gilbert Curley, 57, of Two Grey Hills passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002, at Newcomb. He was born Feb. 14, 1945, at Two Grey Hills. Funeral services will beheld at 10 a.m., Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Toadlena. Interment will follow at the family cemetery in Gray Mesa. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, Shiprock, (505) 368-4607. Copyright c. 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- October 22, 2002 Mark Andrew Tiger Mark Andrew Tiger, 35, of Shawnee died Monday in an Oklahoma City hospital. He was born Oct. 11, 1967, in Maywood, Calif., the son of William Alexander and Wanda Sue (Wood) Tiger. Tiger attended school in Fort Yates, N.D. He was employed by Rogers Construction and was a member of Sallateeska Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include three children, Markie Danielle Tiger, Anndee Rose Tiger and Wambdiska Sioux Tiger, all of Fort Yates,. N.D.; five brothers, Charles Tiger of Florida, Boyd Tiger of Prague and Tony Tiger, George Tiger and William Jacob Tiger, all of Shawnee; four sisters, Jimmie Carol Dover, Leonna Tiger, Robin Tiger and Channa Albert, all of Shawnee; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other family members and friends. A wake service will be 7 p.m. today. A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sallateeska Baptist Church in Shawnee. Burial will be in Johnson Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Sallateeska Baptist Church, 45703 Garrett's Lake Road, Shawnee, OK 74802. Arrangements are being handled by Gaskill-Owens Funeral Home. Copyright c. 1997-2002 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- October 17, 2002 Betty (Carnagey) Graybill Kellogg Graveside service for Betty Jean (Carnagey) Graybill, 63, will be today at 2 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston. Shoshone Funeral Service in Kellogg is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Graybill, who was born in Harrison Flats, Idaho, died Tuesday. She graduated from Kootenai High School in 1957 and was a lifelong area resident. Mrs. Graybill married Jerry Graybill in 1957 and was a homemaker. She had worked as a checker at Barney's Soopermarket in Pinehurst, Excell Foods in Wallace and Safeway in Kellogg. Mrs. Graybill enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking and traveling. Survivors include her husband; two sons, Edwin Graybill of Buhl, Idaho, and Larry Graybill of Post Falls; a daughter, Lyla Red of Buhl; her father, Shirley Carnagey of Osburn, Idaho; a brother, James Carnagey of Florida; five sisters, Eunice Cowles of Bremerton, Irene Sonnickson of Coeur d'Alene, Mary Bailey of Eagle, Ore., Ruth Montgomery of Lewiston and Reeva Williams of Osburn; and five grandchildren. -- Spokane, Wash., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and the Inland Northwest Copyright c. 2002, The Spokesman-Review. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter or Glacier Reporter this week. October 17, 2002 Henry Evans Henry Evans, 90, of Badger Creek, a retired worker of Great Northern Railroad, died Oct. 6, 2002, at the hospital in Browning of natural causes. He was a well-respected elder of the Blackfeet Tribe, who believed in his traditional ways. He was one of the oldest members of the Crazy Dog and Rough Rider Societies. He was also a member of the Slick Foot Society. A memorial mass was held today, Oct. 10, 2002 at 2 p.m. with burial following at St. Ann's Cemetery. Day Family Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Evans was born Nov. 8, 1911. He married Annie Irene Fast Buffalo Horse on Oct. 9, 1936 in Heart Butte. She passed away in 2001. He attended school at Holy Family Mission. He worked for Great Northern, Hungry Horse Dam and Tiber Dam, also as a Forest Ranger, he worked in road construction, was a fire fighter, carpenter and cattle rancher. He built the first Tribal Offices in Browning and Heart Butte. He had many hobbies and interests including, Pow-wows, dancing, singing, rodeo, horseraces, handgame, arts and crafts, checkers, cribbage, going for rides to the mountains and picnicing, He loved his home at Badger Creek, enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He lived life to the fullest and made each day count. He is survived by daughters Carmaleta Blackcrow of Hayes, Marie Blacktongue of Seattle Wash., Mary Evans and Annie Evans; sons Henry Evans Jr., LeRoy Evans and Patrick Evans; adopted children Ester Spotted Bear, Rena Running Rabbit, Rose Evans, Frank Evans, Wanda Bird and Yvonne Spade, Felix Running Crane; 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Annie Fast Buffalo Horse Evans, sons Galen Evans and Kenneth Evans. Copyright c. 2002 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- October 17, 2002 Dennis Charles Burland Dennis Charles Burland, 54, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 15, 2002, at the family home in Kalispell. Dennis, the son of Lloyd "Sonny" Burland and Alta (McDonald) Burland, was born in Missoula on Nov. 15, 1947. Dennis grew up in St. Ignatius and Ronan, where he was one of the first students at Kicking Horse Job Corps. While at Kicking Horse, he and his brother started the rodeo program in 1966 and '67 and he received his GED. Following the Job Corps he went to Bismarck, N.D., where he went to the United Tribes Technical Center before joining the Army in 1967. For the last 18 years, Dennis worked for the Forest Service in Bigfork, retiring in 2001. He was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Dennis loved to shoot pool and was on pool teams for the Pablo Bar and the Rainbow Bar in Kalispell. Dennis loved life and people. He was loved for his sense of humor and good nature and will be especially missed by his co-workers, friends and "Bud" friends in Bigfork, Liquid Louie's in Condon, and Rainbow Bar and Nickel Charlie's in Kalispell. As a young man Dennis married Marsha (White) Bosnick and they started a family. To this union two children were born, Brandy and Chad. However, as with many things in life, not everything works out and they later divorced. On Feb. 13, 2002, Dennis remarried to his longtime companion, Donna Hill of Kalispell. Dennis was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his mother, Alta. He leaves behind his wife, Donna Burland of Kalispell; daughter, Brandy and Steve Murphy of Couer d'Alene, Idaho; son, Chad and Heather Burland of Couer d'Alene; father, Lloyd "Sonny" Burland of Ronan; a sister, Charlotte "Babe" Rose of St. Ignatius; a brother, Gary Burland of St. Ignatius; stepdaughter, Corrina (Hill) Gutknecht of Missoula; four grandchildren, Katelyn of Idaho, and Nichole, Kristina and D.J. of Missoula; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A wake started Wednesday at the Foster and Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius and will continue today, moving to the Longhouse at 5 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. today in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius with wake closing starting at 10 a.m. Friday in the Longhouse. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission with Father Andrew Maddock, SJ as celebrant. Pallbearers will be Gary Hill, Don, Lloyd, Rick and Duwayne McSloy, and Chuck Schulz. Honorary bearers are Ted Richardson, Dave Liebhardt, Elmer Archambeau and his McDonald and Burland relatives. Interment will follow the Mass in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery where military honors shall be presented. Memorials may be sent to Donna Burland, 111 S. Cedar, No. 10, Kalispell, MT 59901. Copyright c. 2002 Daily Inter Lake/Kalispell, MT. -=-=-=- October 17, 2002 - 12:50 am Betty J. Pearson CROW AGENCY - Betty J. Pearson, 84, of Crow Agency, formerly of Bartlesville, Okla., died Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002. Cremation has taken place in the Bullis-Eastern Montana Crematory. Private disposition will take place at a later date. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin in charge. October 20, 2002 Garland Victor Door PRYOR - Garland Victor Door, Sr., 43, of Pryor, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002. Born on April 4, 1959, in Crow Agency to James and Elizabeth (Spotted) Door. Iichinna Kaaeesh "Leads the Horse" was his Indian name given to him by his late clan uncle, Joe Alden. He was a member of the Big Lodge Clan and a child of the Bad War Deeds Clan. Garland participated in the Sun Dances, the Native American Church and sweat lodge ceremonies. He was also a member of the Night Hawk society. He received his education at Crow Agency, Pryor Elementary, Norman (Okla.) Junior High, Seely Lake, and graduated from Hardin High School. Garland was very active in boxing and football while at Seely Lake. During his high school days he ran track and cross-country and participated in wrestling and basketball, and was an AAU champion in wrestling at Hardin High School. He attended Powell Community College where he joined the rodeo club. Garland was a jockey at a young age, being noted for his exceptional horse riding skills. He placed first and set record times while riding in Helena and Miles City for horse owners Gene Hamilton and John Mehling. One of the mounts was Vino's First. He won Crow Breed 1976, owner Sam Birdinground. He then took up the challenge of bull riding and was a champion bull rider several times. He broke and trained many horses during his lifetime. He was proud to pass on his talents with horses to his sons, Buddy and Caleb at Wallace Red Star's ranch. He was very proud of his children and their many accomplishments, namely Sarah and Farrah representing the Pryor District as princesses. Spending time with his grandson, Zeph, made him smile. Garland also taught and danced the Crow-style War Dances with his sons. Garland was one of the first boxers that participated in the State Games boxing tournaments in Billings. "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" and other shows were lucky to have Garland's talent as a stuntman. Garland received his truck-driving certificate from Sage Trucking Driving School. He worked at various ranches, and for many years, at the Bill Wilcutt ranch. Garland is preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and James Door; his brother, Marvet; sisters Maude and Lynette; and his nephew, Jarvis Door. Survivors include his wife, Laurie; children Sarah (Carl) Monroy, Farrah, Garland Jr. ("Buddy"), and Caleb Door; grandson Zepheniah Latrell Monroy, whom he cherished; brothers Donald and Garret, Sr.; sisters Linda (Grant) Bull Tail and Doris (Lee) Plain Feather; Donna (Gavin) Jefferson and Jessica Plain Bull; various nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles Gladys Jefferson, Sandra (Myron) Shield's, Victoria Reed (Harlan), Ada and Peggy White, Raymond (Otellia) White, Mervin (Rebecca) White, Kenneth (Barbara) Spotted, Kenneth (Fannie) Plenty and Howard (Vivian) Shane. Special Clan Uncle, Owen Snell, Jr., he highly respected and took him as a father. Garland is also survived by members of the Plain Bull, Onion, White, Real Bird, Spotted and Red Star families. Adopted Tobacco Society Relatives, David (Lenora) Turns Plenty, Samuel (Janine) Turns Plenty; Sylvia, Charlene, Persine, Louise, Mary, Avalone, Wayne, Vernie, Chester Turns Plenty, and Raonone Dawes Scott. The family is extending special recognition to his life long friends, Preston Onion, Curtis Real Bird, Jimmy Real Bird, and Berdict Two Leggins. Goodbye to a loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, son-in-law, and friend. He was a hero to his children. We will miss you. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Beloved Elder approaches Final Drum on own Terms" --------- Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2002 09:06:08 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="" http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforksherald/news/opinion/4338684.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Beloved elder approaches final drum on own terms October 22, 2002 Lateman Fox, my relative, drew a line last week that said enough is enough. He stopped his kidney dialysis and began to prepare himself in the traditional way to cross over. He's had diabetes for many years. Lateman married into the Spirit Lake Dakota Sioux tribe and lived at Fort Totten, N.D., most of his adult life with his wife, Winona, and their 10 children. My brother took me to their house one day several years ago. They welcomed me as a part of their family, and I have felt at home at their place since. If he is sleeping or in his bedroom when I get there, he hears me talking in the kitchen and wheels his way to the table. He had both legs amputated a few years ago, and if he had not chosen to quit dialysis, he next would have lost his hands. Diabetes is a relentless and cruel disease. Lateman, who is 74, grew up in the bottom lands with the Missouri River meandering freely through his community called Nishu (which means arrow in Sahnish). This, of course, was long before the river turned into Lake Sakakawea. One day, he mapped the area that is covered by water and told me the families' names of the people who used to live there. He loves to tell us stories about those days when, as kids, he and others rode bareback through the willow and tall grass. It was nothing to walk 10 miles to the neighbors, even when it was 20 below, he said. Lateman's grandfather was Plenty Fox, and his father was Joe. These men taught and trained him in the traditional ways of the Sahnish - the way it was some 50 years ago. They took him to ceremonies that were sometimes five days long. Those old ways and ceremonies were powerful, he used to tell me. When people came to him and asked him about a ceremony or an old way, he tells them what he knows. If they questioned him about it or said they heard it a different way, he always said with raised and emphatic voice, "I know. I was there!" I remember the bottom lands, too. I remember the old medicine hall where the ceremonies were held. I was a child then, and the hall looked like a giant rounded butte sitting proudly in that wonderful land near the river. By that time, it was growing old, and people were beginning to move away from the traditions and ceremonies. Lateman remembers sitting in ceremony with his grandfather and father, and hearing those "old guys" tell them we were losing our Sahnish ways. Sunday, Lateman told me that he has been drumming, singing and composing traditional songs for 70 years. He started when he was 4 years old. He has an encyclopedia of songs in his head. He sat with the Sundance singers during the summer and drummed at powwows all across the United States. I remember at one of those powwows, in Grand Forks, he was irritated at the drummers and singer's lack of understanding of the traditions and meaning of the drum. Lateman has recorded some of those songs, and lately we have been trying to get as many as possible on tape. About three years ago, I did a story on Lateman and his skills as a drum maker. He has made many drums that are all over the country, he told me. He is also a drum keeper. For a native community, that is an important role, because the drum is a voice and spirit that must be tended to. Sometimes, when I visit him, I sit at the kitchen table, phonetically writing Sahnish words and trying to say them with the same accent that he speaks with. When I first saw Lateman after so many years, I was struck at how much he looked like my father and that he has the Sahnish temperament, too. He grew up with English as a second language. His grandfather talked to him in the language, so for him, his grandfather was final as far as word pronunciation goes. Sometimes non-natives would come to him to learn the culture and language. But what irritated him, he would say, is they didn't listen. One of those people was an anthropologist from out of state, who told him that he cut his words short. In other words, he wasn't speaking Sahnish correctly, the man said. Lateman told him he learned from his grandfather. "Who did you learn from?" he asked the man. You can hear Lateman on the Dakota Science Center's Nature Shift Web site called Wounded Hawk (www.natureshift.org). He says a Sahnish prayer before the beginning of the program. I try to remember all the things that he told me about the ceremonies and traditions. As he makes his way toward the other side, I realize soon I will no longer hear his laugh when he hears me say my Sahnish words with my North Dakota accent. And I realize the rest of his stories will be lost, too. ChituunataraakaNIt (all my relatives) Yellow Bird writes columns. Reach her at 780-1228, (800) 477-6572 ext. 228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com. Copyright c. 2001 Grand Forks Herald and wire service sources. --------- "RE: Shoshones want Negotiated Land Settlement" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 19:52:12 +0200 (CEST) From: Agnes Wittmann Subj: Shoshones want negotiated land settlement ICT Mailing List: ndn-aim Shoshones want negotiated land settlement October 15, 2002 - 12:00pm EST by: Valerie Taliman/Southwest Bureau Chief/Indian Country Today NEWE SEGOBIA, Nev. - International opposition to Senate Bill 958, the Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act, is growing in response to an appeal from Yomba Shoshone Chairman James W. Birchim to stop legislation sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., from being passed in the Senate. The bill is now on the Senate floor and Reid is pushing for it to be passed by unanimous consent instead of by roll-call vote, a move opposed by five of the Western Shoshone tribes who have passed resolutions opposing the distribution. Earlier this week, Chairman Birchim sent letters of appeal to tribal leaders throughout Indian country asking for their support in opposing the bill after the Senate Indian Affairs Committee allowed the bill to be favorably reported out of committee with no opposition. "S. 958 is a bad bill," Birchim said. "It will distribute the entire judgment fund 100 percent per capita, leaving nothing of Western Shoshone ancestral heritage for our future. Senator Reid publicly stated that it S. 958 will finally resolve the Western Shoshone land claim issue, but the bill makes no mention of preserving our treaty rights. "Nor does it provide for return of lands to the Shoshones or provide for any economic development funds to our tribal governments. Once the distribution is underway, the United States will tell the world that the Shoshones have been fully compensated, however dishonest that characterization may be." Reid's bill intends to distribute some $138 million under the Western Shoshone Indian Claims Commission Judgment Fund by paying eligible tribal members about $20,000 each. The ICC judgment amount represents roughly 15 cents per acre for only 24 million acres, not the 60 million aces of ancestral lands that the Shoshone tribes documented in their claim. Earlier this year, Reid and a small committee of Western Shoshone, who favor accepting the money, conducted a "straw poll" that asked tribal members from nine Western Shoshone bands if they wanted $20,000 payments from the ICC award. Approximately 1,500 Western Shoshone voted in favor out of a total of 6, 500 eligible voters, but the straw poll cannot be construed to be a legal referendum, according to Yomba tribal administrator Geoffrey Bryan, who noted serious flaws in the voting process in a Sept. 24 letter to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. "Not all eligible voters were notified about this election or given the opportunity to vote," he said. "Only 23 percent of our people voted in favor, but Reid called this a majority. That's not true. The vote was not widely publicized and the poll only lasted for a few hours. Eligibility to vote was not certified and there were no independent monitors. Those in favor were the ones who certified the votes." Bryan said the most troubling aspect of the straw poll is that it bypassed Western Shoshone tribal governments, five of whom passed resolutions opposing monetary distribution. Instead they want a negotiated settlement with the federal government that provides for "culturally and economically viable land bases for Western Shoshone people." The majority of Shoshone leaders fear that the monetary judgment will forever take away their claim to ancestral homelands and leave them with inadequate land bases out of the millions of acres that would be taken. Currently, there are several small reservations comprising about 24,000 acres, mostly near mining towns. "Where is respect for government-to-government relations?" Bryan asked. "All we are asking for is a reasonable solution to establish adequate homelands for our people. It's wrong to force money down our throats and ignore the rights of our tribal governments and people." Fresh opposition is being fueled from tribal leaders across Indian country who say that if Congress can force the Western Shoshone to accept a land claim judgment, a dangerous precedent is being set for other tribes like the Sioux Nation who have refused to accept money for their claims to the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota. Oglala Sioux President John Steele publicly denounced the actions of Sen. Reid last week in a radio commentary on KILI radio, which is broadcast throughout Lakota territory. In an interview with Indian Country Today, President Steele said, "Senator Reid is using a small band of Western Shoshone nation to forcibly distribute their judgment monies from the Court of Claims. There are a lot of other tribes in similar situations including the Sioux Nation. "We have two dockets, 74a and 74b for claims to the Black Hills. If the Western Shoshone money can be forcibly distributed using small bands and an unofficial referendum, then this could happen to the Sioux Nation. I am going to be contacting Senators Campbell, Johnson and Inouye to voice a protest to get this stopped. It sets a very bad precedent." The United States is once again ignoring the treaties, ignoring the rights of Indian people and unilaterally is trying to take Indian lands, he said. "We are still fighting the same fight - it's about taking Indian land. Throughout history, they have passed their own legislation to satisfy Article Five of the Constitution that requires compensation for real property taken. But they are forgetting that other nations are watching the United States violate our human rights. Where are justice and democracy in all this? The Oglala Sioux Tribe is going to fight to stop this injustice and we hope all the other Indian nations stand up and use whatever means possible to seek justice for our people." Well-known native activist Winona LaDuke also is advocating against passage of the bill. She characterized it as a "classic David and Goliath battle" in which the United States is "shamelessly violating the human rights of the Dann sisters and all Western Shoshone by seizing their ancestral lands in return for a pittance in compensation." LaDuke said thousands of native and human rights activists all over the world are watching the U.S. government's actions and pointed out the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found the U.S. has violated the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man by denying the Western Shoshone their indigenous land and treaty rights. Support is also coming from the National Congress of American Indians, the Inter-tribal Council of Nevada and several non-Indian organizations like the Nevada Livestock Association, Friends of First Nations and Amnesty International. Jonathan Hurd of Friends of First Nations, based in Ogden, Utah, who was on the Dann ranch during the recent cattle confiscation said, "The U.S. government has been stealing native lands for over 200 years and the importance of this case is that they are not done yet. To see what our government is doing to these elders - and what the Senate and House are getting ready to do - breaks my heart. I hope and pray if we can let enough people around the world know about this national disgrace, we can stop it." Carrie Dann said they appreciate and honor the people who are standing up in support of them, whether it is because of their belief that what is being done to the Western Shoshone people is wrong or whether it is because they are frightened that it may be their property rights that are taken away next. "It's time the U.S. sat down with the Western Shoshone and discussed the future of our homelands," she said. "Not only would that would be in the best interest of the Western Shoshone people, but also the American public. It's their tax dollars at work. For almost thirty years now the federal government has devoted millions of dollars attempting to remove two grandmothers from our homelands and to destroy our livelihood. It's about time the American citizens stood up and said enough is enough." --------- "RE: Miccosukee have right to remain in Everglades" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 08:11:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MICCOSUKEE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/4330151.htm Residents have a right to remain in Everglades Re: U.S. Rep. Peter Deutsch's Oct. 15 column, Congress must restart Everglades restoration: The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians lives in the Everglades. We remember well Deutsch's support for National Park Service efforts to stop the housing of tribal members in our traditional homeland. Fortunately, Congress passed a law that clarified our right to live on the border of Everglades National Park in perpetuity. The same interests now want to force our neighbors from their homes in the 8-Square-Mile Area located outside the park. Deutsch says that removing one-third of this predominantly Hispanic community is necessary to restart Everglades restoration. The opposite is true. The obsession with removing people from this area has prevented Everglades restoration from ever getting started. Congress authorized the Modified Water Deliveries Project in 1989. Its purpose was to restore more-natural flows to the Everglades and the park. The project would benefit 900,000 acres of Everglades wetlands, including tribal land. The Corps told Congress that the project would be completed by 1997. However, 13 years later, it is mired in political quicksand while the Everglades continues to die. Delay is the enemy of the Everglades. The tribe knows firsthand the damage being caused by the failure to complete the Modified Waters project. Vast areas of tribal Everglades and tree islands, integral to our way of life, are being lost forever. The critical habitat of the endangered snail kite is being destroyed. Even our neighbors in the city and on farms are in greater danger of flooding because this vital project has not been completed. The quickest, cheapest and most humane way to start Everglades restoration is by protecting the 8-Square-Mile Area with a levee. That is what Congress told the Corps to do in 1989. That is still the only legal thing to do. Last July a federal judge ruled that the Corps has no authority to implement its plan to forcibly remove people from the area. The obsession with the 8-Square-Mile Area must end. The Broward community of Weston was built on the Everglades. Deutsch certainly would never advocate the removal of the 15,000 homes there. It's time that he and others admit that the attempt to acquire 100 homes and businesses in this area, on higher ground outside the flow path of the Everglades, is not necessary for restoration. It has only prevented it from ever beginning. BILL CYPRESS Chairman, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Copyright c. 2002 The Miami Herald. --------- "RE: Ventura signs order recognizing Indian Bands" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 08:09:39 -0400 From: Donna Subj: Ventura signs order recognizing American Indian bands Mailing List: AmerIndian Ventura signs order recognizing American Indian bands The Associated Press Published Oct 17, 2002 RED WING, Minn. - Joined by the state's American Indian leaders, Gov. Jesse Ventura signed an unprecedented executive order Wednesday recognizing the state's government-to-government relations with Indian tribes. It was the first such tribal recognition by a Minnesota governor in state history, Ventura and tribal leaders said. "This is a proud day for the state's native people in Minnesota and state government as well," Ventura said. Leaders from Minnesota's 11 federally recognized reservations presented the governor with gifts including wild rice, a woven blanket and a birch-bark basket before Ventura joined them and traditional Indian dancers as they danced hand-in-hand around the Prairie Island Community Center. "You will always be welcome in Indian country," Prairie Island President Audrey Bennett told the governor. She said no other Minnesota governor has done as much to respect their sovereignty and improve the relations with tribes. "You have set a standard that future administrations will be asked to live up to. For that, we forever thank you," said Bennett, who also is chairwoman of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, which is the official liaison between the tribes and the state. The executive order recognizes a "unique legal relationship" with tribes and the "inherent sovereignty of Indian tribes and their right to existence, self-government and self-determination." The tribes say it is recognition from the state they have long sought. The order serves as an important symbol of respect and sets up a framework that acknowledges the tribes as self-governed, they say. "I hope that today we have done something that will help to build an even stronger foundation for respect, trust and cooperation between our respective governments," Ventura said. However, it was not clear whether a chief executive order has any standing on tribal relations. A spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office said they were unaware what legal effect an order would have unless it was authorized under law. After signing the order, Ventura acknowledged that he didn't know much about Indians when he became governor in 1999 and said the state and tribes have not always agreed. During his first year, he was harshly criticized by tribal leaders when he wrote a letter to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to oppose an application by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux to put land into trust. Ventura had said putting the 776 acres into trust would harm the local governments by exempting the tribe from paying property taxes and adhering to local zoning laws. And in March 1999, the leader of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe wrote a letter to Ventura saying she was offended by his criticism of Indian sovereignty and treaty rights while he was in Washington, D.C., for a national's governor's conference. Mille Lacs Chief Executive Marge Anderson also said was denied a meeting with Ventura because she was told he didn't speak with anyone affiliated special-interest groups. Almost four years later, the current Mille Lacs leader, Melanie Benjamin, praised Ventura for recognizing tribal government as a legitimate government and called Wednesday's executive order "a very historic time for us." Ventura also received acclaim for inviting tribal leaders to the governor's mansion in St. Paul - the first invitation for some of the bands. "This order gives us hope," Bennett said. Renee Ruble may be reached at rruble@ap.org Copyright c. 2002 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Interior Department statements Inaccurate, a Fraud" --------- Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 08:22:44 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DoI LIES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.journalstar.com/native.php?story_id=30476 Tribes:Interior Department statements inaccurate, a fraud BY JODI RAVE LEE / Lincoln Journal Star October 14, 2002 The U.S. Interior Department sees the 560 "detailed accounting statements" it mailed this week as progress in its attempt to reconcile hundreds of thousands of trust accounts it manages for tribal citizens. "It's historical. It's the first group of account holders that will receive a reconciliation of their account," Interior Department spokesman Dan Dubray said Thursday. "There's a lot of myth building that the department can't conduct an accounting." But the department's critics say the statements are inaccurate and unreliable. "It's close to the worse fraud they've perpetrated in this case today," said Geoffrey Rempel, an attorney in the Cobell vs. Norton class-action lawsuit, which is seeking an accounting of the department's Individual Indian Money trust fund account. The department collects and distributes lease payments and royalties for tribal members who own trust land. The account statements mailed this week come on the heels of Interior Secretary Gale Norton being held in contempt by a federal judge Sept. 17 as part of the Cobell suit. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said the department failed to comply with his order to account for money in trust accounts and that it lied about its efforts to fix the trust fund system. Cobell's attorneys requested a temporary restraining order Sept. 20 to prevent the distribution of 7,900 historical account statements, like the ones mailed this week to 560 account holders -- mostly minors -- on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. The statements are supposed to provide an audited, reconciled balance of money that is held in trust by the government as part of a 1997 judgment award to the White Mountain Apache Tribe. The government manages the money for minors ineligible to receive per capita payments from the judgment. About 3,000 minors on the White Mountain Reservation eventually will receive a 10-page packet of information describing their account statement. "This is just our first step in our effort to provide an accounting to as many IIM account holders as quickly and efficiently as possible," said Bert Edwards, director of the department's Office of Historical Trust Accounting. Said Rempel:"These statements have been admitted by the secretary to be entirely inaccurate and unreliable. They can't verify a single balance on behalf of any beneficiary." Anyone can dispute the statement within 60 days, Dubray said. Tens of thousands of "special deposit" accounts, like the ones belonging to the White Mountain Apache, exist where money isn't linked to individual land payments. These special deposit accounts are typically viewed as easier to manage than the land-based accounts. Indeed, Dubray said, the department's biggest challenge lies in providing accurate statements for land-based accounts, the heart of the department's historical accounting and record-keeping problems for individual trust funds. But even its effort to reconcile the simplest of special deposit accounts is under fire. "This is unlawful," said Rempel. "We will be moving to have Burt Edwards, Norton and all her council held in civil and criminal contempt. They knew they were transmitting inaccurate accounts." Reach Jodi Rave Lee at 473-7240 or jrave@journalstar.com Copyright c. 2002, Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Natives overlooked by U.S." --------- Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 08:51:10 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="IGNORED PEOPLE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.journalstar.com/native.php?story_id=32203 Speaker: Natives overlooked by U.S. BY JODI RAVE LEE / Lincoln Journal Star The poor state of health care in Indian Country is a reminder of U.S. failure to live up to its treaty obligations to Native people, Carole Anne Heart told minority health conference participants Wednesday. Tribes exchanged about 400 million acres of ancestral lands in return for payments, including health care and education provisions, an agreement that exists today. But Heart questioned the deal. "The U.S. government hasn't been living up to its payments, so maybe we should go and get our land back," said the executive director of the Aberdeen Area Tribal Chairman's Health Board, an organization that serves 18 Great Plains and Midwest tribes. "Give us some of our land back and maybe we can do a better job than what you've been doing for us." Heart was the keynote speaker during the two-day Nebraska Minority Health Conference in Lincoln. The event drew 500 participants to discuss ways to better serve the poor. The group typically receives low quality, substandard health care, according to a recent congressional report, "Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care." Heart spoke of Native issues and encouraged others to think of this country's first inhabitants. "Each one of you can do something to raise the health standards for Indian people," said Heart. "Every single government agency needs to get on the bandwagon ... encourage all of you to partner with us and assist us to get better healthcare for our people." Native people anchor a long list of death rates for all races. Among the 1994-1996 list: * Tuberculosis, 533 percent higher * Diabetes, 249 percent higher * Suicide, 47 percent higher * Infant mortality, 3 times higher For many health care advocates attending the conference, a lack of money was cited as the most common barrier to adequate treatment. Native people's greatest defense is prevention, like eating healthfully and exercising 20 to 30 minutes a day, said Roger Trudell, Santee Sioux Tribe Chairman and health center director. "Take more responsibility for yourself to make yourself a healthy person." The Lincoln Indian Center operates health intervention and prevention programs for youths and elders. "My major health concern is where we're just plagued with diabetes and heart disease," said Kay Bursheim, Lincoln's Indian Center executive director who voiced concern for Indian Country's future leaders. "We need to mentor them to lead a healthy lifestyle." For sick urban elders, the road is bumpier. Even though about 60 percent of Natives live off the reservation, most Indian Health Service money is sent to reservation clinics and hospitals. That means an elder who can't afford to pay for medication locally must be bused to the Indian Health Service hospital on the Winnebago Reservation 110 miles away to get their prescriptions filled. "When you're just getting by, you don't have the infrastructure to provide the level of needed care," said Donna Polk-Primm, executive director of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, which assists the medically underserved. That might mean it takes a month to get an appointment for a headache. Or it might mean the only form of treatment is an emergency room visit. Native people deserve better, said Heart, who tried to help others understand U.S. trust responsibility and treaty obligations. "We have a unique relationship with the U.S. government, unlike any other group in the country," she said, noting the U.S. Constitution, which states that Congress has the power to provide for the defense, general welfare and to regulate commerce with tribes. Said Bursheim: "Our treaty is our lifetime insurance policy. Native American people should be able to go anywhere to receive health service." But treaties aren't enforced because state and national decisionmakers "choose to ignore or are ignorant of the treaties." Reach Jodi Rave Lee at 473-7240 or jrave@journalstar.com. Copyright c. 2002, Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Samish sue U.S. for years of Missed Benefits" --------- Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 08:51:10 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SAMISH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/91377_samish16.shtml Samish Indians sue U.S. for years of missed benefits For unknown reasons, tribe was officially extinct for 3 decades By PAUL SHUKOVSKY SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER October 16, 2002 The tale begins in 1969, when a low-level clerk in the Bureau of Indian Affairs typed up a list of recognized tribes and simply dropped the Samish Indian Nation off the list for reasons that are lost in time. Since then, that list has taken on a life of its own. And for almost three decades, according to the U.S. government, the Samish people no longer existed as an Indian tribe. That means during that time, the Samish got none of the benefits of federal recognition, including health care, low-income housing assistance or money to meet educational needs that are grounded in the government's promises made in treaties in the 1800s. "The government," said Samish tribal Chairman Ken Hansen, "had no right to do what it did to us." So the Samish -- native people of the San Juan Islands and western Skagit County -- have now sued the United States for arbitrarily consigning the tribe to 27 years of official extinction. The Samish are demanding that the United States compensate the tribe for damages suffered over those years in legal limbo. Although the suit does not specify an amount, the loss of routine funding for a recognized Indian tribe over 27 years could run into the millions of dollars. 'Still digging out' "We have people who are still trying to dig out from that time period," Hansen said. "People were denied higher education funds, Indian Health Service and housing funds. Every program that went as a matter of course to other tribes, our people were deemed ineligible." The Samish have retained a Harvard University economist "to try and understand what can be done to rebuild the community, to rebuild people's health," Hansen said. "I don't know if there is any way to make it right. For some of us, it's less about the money and more about continuing to set the record straight about the contemptuous way in which we were treated." A spokesman for the Bureau of Indian Affairs could not be reached to comment on the suit, filed Friday in Washington, D.C. 3 other tribes in legal limbo The Samish were officially recognized as a tribe in May 1996, but not before spending years in court. The decision forcing the BIA to recognize the tribe came only after a U. S. District Court judge in Seattle ordered that the tribe be given a formal administrative hearing. Along with that order, issued in 1992, Judge Thomas Zilly excoriated the BIA. He said the agency had "prejudged" the case against the Samish and violated the U.S. Constitution by summarily ruling the tribe extinct. Zilly subsequently slapped a contempt-of-court citation on the lead government lawyer in the case. But it was later lifted, and the lawyer was banned by Zilly from ever working on Samish matters again. Although the Samish are grateful for Zilly's ruling, Hansen maintains that "not much has changed" as a result of that court victory. "Regrettably, some of the same people who caused this problem for us in 1969 are still at the BIA, still doing damage to other tribes," he said. "I'm thinking about Duwamish, Chinook, Snohomish." Those three tribes, all of Western Washington, now find themselves in the same legal limbo the Samish endured for 27 years. And Hansen says the tribe is still suffering. The tribe, for example, has waited for three years for the BIA to review and approve its constitution and membership role -- basic documents integral to the day-to-day operation of the tribe, he said. The tribe's attorney, Craig Dorsay of Portland, said yesterday that the tribe is still being funding at minimal levels under a BIA formula for "new tribes." "The new-tribes funding has been minimal at best," Dorsay said. "When a tribe gets recognized, the bureau is supposed to meet with the tribe, determine their needs, and submit a budget to Congress. But the bureau has never done it." Said Hansen: "They are not funding us properly and they are not getting things done." 2 other suits filed Recently, Dorsay filed a separate suit for the tribe in U.S. District Court in Seattle seeking an injunction essentially ordering the BIA to do its job. And although Zilly's ruling led the Samish to regain federal recognition, it did not restore their treaty rights, such as fishing and hunting. The Samish have filed a third -- and separate -- lawsuit to restore those rights. That issue is now before U.S. District Judge Barbara Rothstein of Seattle. In the meantime, the Samish have been negotiating with 22 other Western Washington tribes to see whether those tribes would support or oppose the Samish legal efforts to get back their treaty rights. The Samish face opposition from seven or eight of those tribes, Dorsay said. Such negotiations are difficult because the other tribes would have to share Puget Sound's depleted fishing grounds with the Samish if they regain their treaty status. It's likely that Rothstein will hear oral arguments in the matter in the next several months. "We bless Judge Zilly for what he did, but we had no concept of the roadblocks we'd run into from the bureau for which no one can provide an explanation," he said. "Just once, we'd like to see the bureau get one thing right." P-I reporter Paul Shukovsky can be reached at 206-448-8072 or paulshukovsky@seattlepi.com Copyright c. 1999-2002 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. --------- "RE: Piikani take over own Child Welfare" --------- Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 11:14:05 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PIKANII CHILD WELFARE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/leth/local_news.php Piikani take over own child welfare Chief sees transfer of services out of government hands as opportunity for band to strengthen families By DELON SHURTZ Lethbridge Herald BROCKET -- Pearl Calahasen was only admitting the obvious when she said government is a poor substitute for a parent. Calahasen, minister of Aboriginal Affairs for Alberta, made the comments Wednesday on the Piikani reserve during a ceremony to transfer authority for child welfare to the band. "An elder once said, 'When I heal myself, I heal my family. And when I heal my family, I heal my community.' This agreement speaks to a process of individual, family and community healing," Calahasen said. An agreement signed by Iris Evans, minister of children's services, Sandi Williams of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Piikani Chief Peter Strikes With A Gun officially gives Piikani Child and Family Services authority under the Child Welfare Act. "You have control over decisions that affect the lives of your children, " Calahasen said. Strikes With A Gun, regaled in full Indian headdress, explained tribal elders initiated the process as far back as 1985, after which band council commissioned a study on child welfare. And although the band's child and family services have been able to offer various programs and services, it didn't have legislated authority to do much more. "Today we have the opportunity to strengthen the families," Strikes With A Gun said. "Our children are our most important part of tomorrow and today." Evans, who, during part of the ceremony, shared a puff on the traditional peace pipe, said all parents, whether native or otherwise, constantly face challenges raising their children. She expressed confidence, however, in the band and its newly acquired status. Sandra Grier, director of Piikani Child and Family Services, played a pivotal role in achieving independence for the department. She noted before the ceremony that although the department offers many preventive programs and services, it lacked any real teeth to protect children. "Now we have full authority to act," Grier said. "If a child is in need of protection, we have the authority to apprehend." Later in the day, Evans visited police headquarters in Lethbridge where she officially recognized members of the Lethbridge FAS Youth Justice Committee for their work pioneering the alternative justice program. The committee got national recognition in August when Const. Jim Olsen, who helped spearhead the project, received with the National Youth Justice Policing Award, presented by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. The committee provides positive alternatives for teens with fetal alcohol syndrome who run afoul of the law. The group includes several community partners including Crown prosecutors, probation officers, child-welfare officials and local school districts. Any questions? Contact the writer at delon.shurtz@lethbridgeherald.com Copyright c. 2002 Lethbridge Herald. --------- "RE: Native Leaders angered by Ottawa's Threat" --------- Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 08:28:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TREATY TALKS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Treaties-Stalled.html Native leaders angered by Ottawa's threat to disengage from treaty talks VANCOUVER (CP) -- Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault has been musing for some time -- again as recently as last week -- about the federal government walking away from treaty talks that are unproductive throughout the country. But native leaders complain his pronouncements are too vague, and that's left them perplexed, frustrated and seeking more information. "There's virtually no progress," Nault said recently. "We will ask for certain requirements to be met and if the requirements aren't met, then we'll walk away." The federal government spends $70 million annually funding native claims negotiations. Ed John, a leader of the First Nations Summit, the B.C. native organization overseeing dozens of treaty talks in British Columbia, wants an explanation from Nault. "We have sent a letter requesting clarification from him as to his statements," said John. "We'd like to know precisely what he's talking about." The threat to walk away also was brought up a few months ago when Nault met with the summit and with B.C. Attorney General Geoff Plant, who was not available to comment on Nault's latest threat. Treaty talks under the auspices of the B.C. Treaty Commission have been underway for about a decade, with not a single treaty having been reached in a province where virtually none were signed after the arrival of Europeans. "He (Nault) said then that if the treaty commission is not doing its job, where they should be advising some groups to disengage, then he indicated they were in the process of reviewing a number of tables and would be disengaging from those tables," said John. The federal minister has indicated that talks seem to be stalled in about 30 tables across the country. Neither John nor the Assembly of First Nations has any idea of which ones the minister is talking about and a spokesman in his office wasn't saying, either. Alistair Mullin declined to be specific about which negotiations are going nowhere, but indicated they involve the entire gamut of negotiations -- on self-government as well as specific and comprehensive claims. "We've been looking at what the current status of these tables is and we're doing it on a case-by-case basis," said Mullin. "There is no list of them made up as yet." The federal government is concerned about spending millions of taxpayers' dollars without any tangible results, he said. "While we are sitting at a table . . . and we've been there for quite some time, we're using resources in our own department which could be put to better use elsewhere," he said. The First Nations are also spending borrowed money. "The negotiating team for the First Nations is punching the clock as well and they're borrowing against the cost of any eventual settlement. So the longer this goes on the more of that settlement they're burning up," said Mullin. He suggested the government is also concerned about accusations of bad- -faith bargaining. "That's been poisonous to the relationship in the past." If the federal government does decide to take a break from any talks, Mullin said the postponement would be for "as long as it takes for us to look at our position, or the other side to look at their position, or us to deal with other issues." The Assembly of First Nations, the national representative of First Nations in Canada, expressed frustration at the minister's comments. Spokesman Don Kelly said Prime Minister Jean Chretien talked about working in partnership with First Nations following the government's recent throne speech. "So we don't see how this fits with that and in fact the minister seems to be closing the door on partnership," said Kelly. The assembly said delays in progress at treaty tables is often the fault of the federal government because they "come with limited or narrow mandates that don't get to the heart of the issue and First Nations are not prepared to negotiate away their rights." The federal government already decides which First Nations it will engage in claims negotiations. "In fact, with land claims, the federal government is already judge and jury in the process," said Kelly. "And now the minister wants to be judge and jury and executioner and terminate processes that aren't getting the results he thinks they should be." John expects that First Nations in B.C. will hear soon about which treaty tables the minister is talking about, but also says natives have legal rights that governments must respect. "The legal reality is that, politically the governments may be pushing us around, but the courts are saying, 'These people have a legal interest in land.' "It's an enforceable interest and if the government is not prepared to sit down with us and iron matters out in a good faith way, then the courts will not be too favourably disposed to look at governments and their arguments in the courts that they've been making." Copyright c. 2002, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: AFN event expects 5,000" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 08:11:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="AFN CONVENTION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/1994412p-2096093c.html AFN event expects 5,000 Hot issues likely to include possible change in status of tribes. By Joel Gay Anchorage Daily News October 20, 2002 Politics, economics, art and health highlight the annual convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives this week, but concerns about the future of tribal status will likely permeate the six-day event. The convention, which begins Monday at the Egan Center in downtown Anchorage, is part business and part social, said AFN spokesman Mike Irwin. Nearly 5,000 people are expected to participate. "It's probably the highlight of the year for many, many Alaska Natives," Irwin said. In addition to the crowds drawn to Anchorage, other people will watch it on television or listen to statewide radio broadcasts scheduled all week. The event includes cultural activities such as dance performances and the biggest arts and crafts show in the state, but at its heart it's a convention, Irwin said. Delegates from Alaska's tribes and regional corporations will spend much of the time discussing issues that confront Natives, including health, housing, sanitation and education. One overarching concern this year is that the changing political landscape in Washington, D.C., could affect Alaska tribes, Irwin said. "We might be seeing a watershed shift starting to happen" that could give Alaska Natives different tribal status than tribes in the Lower 48. That could negatively affect such bedrock programs as Indian Health Services, he said. "It's a major challenge to understand it all," Irwin said, and will be a subject of hallway discussions all week as well as of a special conference report Friday afternoon. Another hot topic is whether the convention will endorse a gubernatorial candidate. A candidate forum at 3 p.m. Friday will be followed by debate among delegates over whom, if anyone, to endorse, Irwin said. The convention begins on less contentious footing: the Youth and Elders Conference. In round-table discussions and talking circles, groups of youngsters and seniors will talk about wellness, changing communities, motivation and topics like "What does it feel like to be an elder?" Concerts Monday and Tuesday nights will give the younger set the opportunity to clear their heads of all the business. A steady stream of speeches and presentations will mark the main convention, which begins Thursday morning. Anchorage Mayor George Wuerch will start things off with a welcoming address, followed by Gov. Tony Knowles discussing relations between the state and its Native residents. AFN president Julie Kitka will give an overview of the year and a look ahead for Alaska Natives. The keynote speaker is Paul Okalik, premier of Canada's new and largely Native territory Nunavut. At 10:15 a.m. Thursday, he will address delegates on the convention theme "Our Children, Our Spirit, Our Lives." Alaska's congressional delegation will take the podium that afternoon. The day ends with AFN's citizen of the year and Denali awards. Friday features numerous special reports, including one at 9:30 a.m. on building a strong economic base for Natives given by Carl Marrs, president of Cook Inlet Region Inc. and spokesman for the presidents of Alaska's 12 Native regional corporations. At 2:10 p.m., the Alaska Legislature's Bush Caucus reports to the convention, followed by the gubernatorial forum at 3 p.m. After five days of talking, listening and hallway debating, delegates come together Saturday to vote on a host of resolutions. It's the delegates' way of weighing in on issues such as tribal sovereignty, subsistence and other matters, Irwin said. The afternoon ends with presentation of the AFN President Awards and a final dance performance. The convention caps off with a banquet Saturday night. The week's worth of business is balanced by a steady diet of cultural activities. Every morning and most afternoon sessions begin with a dance presentation. The popular Quyana dance show has performances Wednesday and Thursday nights. Tickets go fast, however. A big draw to the convention is the Native Arts Fair, which runs Thursday through Saturday in the lower level of the Egan Center. Expect to find arts and crafts from every corner of Alaska for sale, often by the people who made them. Reporter Joel Gay can be reached at 907-257-4310 or jgay@adn.com. Copyright c. 2002 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Herbicides driving Columbia Indians from Homes" --------- Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 16:33:01 -0400 (EDT) From: IndigenousNews@webtv.net Subj: Columbian Indians say herbicide spraying driving them from homes Mailing List: Native Rights Sent in by Eulynda....thanks Colombian Indians Say Herbicide Spraying Driving Them from Homes By Roberto Rojas Monroy EFE News Service BOGOTA, Oct 18, 2002 -- Indian families are streaming out of Colombia's southern jungles, saying aerial herbicide spraying to destroy coca leaf crops - a tactic insisted upon by the United States - is poisoning their food and sickening their children. The low-flying aircraft fumigating the jungle, where thousands of hectares of coca leaf plantations are hidden among fields planted with food crops, are being regarded as more and more of a menace by peasants in the Colombian province of Putumayo. The Kofan, Inga and Colono Indians residing in the area, which borders Ecuador and Peru, have begun to abandon their lands with hundreds of children and women suffering the ill effects of Glyphosate spraying. According to the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of Colombian Amazonia, these migrants have been pouring into Puerto Asis, Valle de Guamuez, San Miguel and Orito and the other towns that dot the jungle region. The refugees say the spraying is affecting family gardens, poisoning chickens and pigs and contaminating rural fish farms and aqueducts. Colombia's narcotics police have as their goal the eradication of some 14,000 hectares (54 square miles) of coca leaf and poppies in the shortest time possible. According to various sources, Putumayo contains more than 60,000 hectares (232 square miles) of coca plantations and hundreds of laboratories for refining the crop into cocaine. Residents, backed by several non-governmental organizations, are complaining about the effects of spraying thousands of liters of the herbicide Glyphosate on the land. A bulletin from the U.S. Embassy in Bogota says that Washington "takes these reports of the effects of Glyphosate on human health very seriously and has commissioned two studies" on the issue. Washington has provided Bogota with more than $1.3 billion in support of the so-called Plan Colombia, the main aim of which is to fight drug-production and trafficking. The Bush administration insists that aerial spraying of herbicides - which is also used in Bolivia and Peru - is the only effective means of destroying plantations of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine. According to studies by the Uribe Cualla Toxicology Clinic in Bogota "it cannot be established that aerial spraying has been the cause of illnesses reported by some residents of Putumayo." The clinic's analysis indicates that more than half of the residents surveyed reported having used the "extremely toxic" pesticide Paraquat on their food crops, while "91 percent of respondents said they used no type of protection" when they sprayed. The current fumigation operations are being carried out in areas where Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents and United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries are active. Both groups profit from the trade in illegal drugs. "We are going to end this business in Putumayo. This is the commitment of the new administration" of President Alvaro Uribe, Gen. Teodoro Campo, the commander of the national police, said recently. Those reporting incidents linked to the aerial spraying say the herbicides "have caused respiratory, intestinal and skin problems," in addition to contaminating water supplies. According to Valle del Guamuez regional Ombudsman Leandro Romo, "scores of Indians and peasants are leaving their small farms and heading toward urban centers in the municipalities and towns in neighboring Ecuador." Copyright c. 2002 EFE News Service. --------- "RE: Sandias Claim could be settled in November" --------- Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 18:09:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SANDIAS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://kobtv.com/archive/2002/october/19/sandias.htm Sandias ownership claim could be settled in November 10/19/2002 17:43:22 (Undated-AP) -- A settlement of a dispute over the western face of the Sandia Mountains is ready to be taken up by Congress after the November 5th election, according to Jude McCartin, a spokeswoman for Senator Jeff Bingaman. Sandia Pueblo officials, Bingaman and Senator Pete Domenici reached an agreement on October 4th to resolve the long-standing dispute. McCartin says a bill containing the agreement was approved by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday. McCartin says that paved the way for congressional approval. The land dispute dates back to a federal survey of the pueblo's boundaries 150 years ago, which the tribe says was erroneous. The pueblo sued the US Forest Service in 1994, claiming ownership of 9,900 acres on the west face of the Sandias. Copyright c. 2002 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2002 KOB-TV Interactive Media, a division of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. --------- "RE: Agencies seek end to Tribal Violence" --------- Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 09:09:16 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=50975 Agencies seek end to tribal violence By LARRY HENDRICKS and MICHAEL MARIZCO Sun Staff Reporters 10/17/2002 Tribal authorities from a variety of social service and law enforcement agencies descended on Leupp Tuesday to begin working on answers to escalating violence in the southwestern region of the Navajo Nation. The meeting comes in the wake of a family feud in the Leupp area that has resulted in gun play. This is not the first time these agencies have met to combat escalating violence in the area. The last time officials met -- May 2000 -- efforts died off and resulted in nothing being done. Hopes this time center on sustaining the effort in order to have impact. So far this year, 34 murders on the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation have been reported to federal authorities in charge of investigating and prosecuting felony crimes on the reservation. There were a total of 31 murders reported for the same area in 2001. There were a total of 20 murders on the entire Navajo Nation reported for the year 2000. A substantial portion of all serious crimes on the reservation -- some estimates put it at 100 percent -- are alcohol-related. All those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting acknowledged an increase in violence has been taking place. "When we try to address it ourselves, nothing comes of it," said Marlene Granger, a social worker in Leupp for the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services. "We've got to do something." The meeting, which took place at Leupp Schools, Inc., included more than 50 law enforcement, social services and emergency services staff. Coconino County Supervisor Deb Hill and a representative from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office were also in attendance. All agreed at the outset that no single agency would be successful at combating the problems. It would take a concerted effort from all to effect any reduction in violence. The meeting was broken into three sections: problem identification, community education and resolutions. STRETCHED THIN The first section centered on addressing the scope of the problem. "The issue in front of us is very serious," said Al Yazzie, case worker for Child Protective Services in Leupp, who facilitated the meeting. Walter Bighorse, criminal investigator for the Dilkon bureau of Navajo Police, identified three problems with respect to law enforcement: a shortage of police officers, no jails in the southwest area and no courts. "We have no way of holding individuals for any period of time," Bighorse said, adding that people arrested must be driven sometimes up to 100 miles to be jailed and attend court proceedings. And as for police response times, Bighorse said that is a problem as well. There are eight police officers and four sergeants for the entire southwest area of the Navajo Nation, which stretches from Leupp to Greasewood to Jeddito and beyond. There are one to two officers per shift for the entire area. People who are suspected of serious crimes, which are prosecuted federally, are often put back out on the street within a day. Bighorse said Navajo police must receive permission from federal prosecutors before they can arrest somebody. CULTURE DILUTION The group also discussed more far-ranging problems, primarily the changing Navajo culture and parenting skills. "I'm sitting here and wondering what we are addressing," said Cecilia Kescoli, acting managing director for the southwestern division of social services. "A lot of what we're discussing has to do with who we are and our culture. It's in how we talk to our children." Kescoli stressed that the more inherent problem lies in the different mannerisms of the youth today. "We're dusting off our table and not looking at what's underneath," she said. Lt. Dwayne Billsie argued for stronger community policing. "They're more mobile now than we were when we were kids. They're mixing with other nationalities and learning things we don't teach here." One example he pointed at was graffiti. Billsie said 10 years ago gang problems were nonexistent on the Rez. Today, the reservation operates a gang task force with federal authorities. Susie Wauneka, director of the Navajo Housing Authority, agreed, questioning the lack of community involvement. "Our children are acting out," she said. She pointed at a lack of supervision, a lack of security and demanded that families should be more responsible for their children. At the same time, Wauneka said the community of neighbors needs to help the families more. "If we just blame our neighbors, that's not ownership. That is apathy," she said. MAINTAINING MOMENTUM The educational section focused on identifying communication media to get the information out to the community. And, once the community had knowledge, it would be imperative to get them involved -- a problem in itself with high levels of apathy and fear of retaliation in the community. The third section touched lightly on possible resolutions to the problem of violence. How to fund any effort that will come out of the meetings was the primary topic discussed, and included a variety of federal and state funding sources. Subsequent meetings will be focused more on coming up with strategic plans to address the growing violence on the Rez and involving the community in the dialogue. Cora Phillips, NDSS supervisory social worker in Leupp, said the first attempt at this type of effort happened in May 2000, after a 14-year old girl was raped in broad daylight. That effort failed to sustain itself. "There needs to be some seriousness to this whole effort," she said, adding that sustaining this effort was the crucial task Tuesday. When asked if the effort would sustain itself this time, Lt. Ivan Tsosie, overseer of the Criminal Investigation unit on the Navajo Nation, only shrugged. "We'll see. These types of meetings have a way of keeping momentum for six months, maybe." Still, he was optimistic. "But the important thing today is, they're talking. We used to have a problem just getting people to attend these meetings." The next meeting for the burgeoning committee will be 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Leupp School, Inc. People interested in helping the effort are encouraged to call Marlene Granger at (928) 686-3263. Reporter Larry Hendricks can be reached at lhendricks@azdailysun.com or 913-8607. Reporter Michael Marizco can be reached at mmarizco@azdailysun.com or 556-2257. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Arizona Daily Sun. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 08:19:12 -0600 From: Janet Smith Subj: Native Prisoner ===== Date: Friday, October 18, 2002 4:28 AM From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Pen Pal request Greetings, Here is another request from a Native American at Montana State Prison. Please help him find pen pals by adding him on pen pal lists available or writing to him. Daniel Belmarez #26160 700, Conley Lake Road, Deer Lodge MT- 59722 Thank you for your help, Brigitte ====================================== Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 5:30 AM From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Update From Alex Montana Please forward - Thanks. ============== From Valerie Scott, NAPS ======================== Update From Alex Montana, Eastham Unit, Texas I wish to thank each of you for having given of your time and effort in helping me with this case. Unfortunately, prison officials have steadfastly refused to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the matter, claiming no wrong doing on the part of Officer Holloway (formerly Hewett). With no further administrative action deemed necessary by prison officials, it appears my next recourse to bring light upon this matter is through the judicial system. I am in the process of filing what is known as a "writ of habeas corpus", challenging the disciplinary hearing that resulted in my loss of trustee status, good-time credits, recreation and commissary privileges, and being demoted from minimum to medium custody, under a claim of violation of due process. I am confident that I can present a case supporting my claims. Federal law requires that a disciplinary hearing must first be attacked via a writ of habeas corpus, before a prisoner can proceed with a Section 1983 Civil Rights suit, alleging constitutional violations. Hence, upon success with the writ, I can then file the 1983, seeking individual damages against Officer Holloway and other prison officials, who arbitrarily and with malicious intent abused their position to cover-up what actually took place. Despite the legal action I am taking, I urge all of you to remain involved, by staying updated through NAPS' website (http://www.hri. ca/partners/naps/). Valerie has done a great job in posting information, keeping everyone informed, and communicating with prison and state officials. Many of you have done much as well, and I am extremely grateful for your generous aid. I ask that you urge others to sign the petition (http://www. petitiononline.com/ajm40/petition.html), as this document is to eventually be presented to certain state officials, in the hope of prompting their intervention, calling for a fair and impartial investigation. Your help continues to be of strength to me, thus I hope to continue counting on you. In the struggle, Alex Montana ===== NAPS (Native American Prisoner Support) http://www.hri.ca/partners/naps/ URGENT!!! Sign petition for Alex Montana: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/ajm40/petition.html ======================================= Date: Thursday, October 17, 2002 11:07 AM From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Follow Up: Call for Action to Support the Prayer Warriors Follow Up on Call for Action supporting The Prayer Warriors at Montana State Prison: Three days ago we requested your support with phone calls and letters to Kevin Phelan, Chancellor, and Supervisor of Father Pins. (There is now an email address to contact him, please see below). The first responses from Kevin Phelan attempted to excuse or justify Father Pins concerning the cancellations of the Sweat Lodge, and to deny the ongoing discrimination. He argued that Father Pins does a lot in support of the Native American prisoners, but that it is not his duty or responsibility to do this. They both deny the injustice and the discriminative acts that regularly take place and violate the religious rights of the Native American population at Montana State Prison. We are *very* concerned by this situation as the constant discrimination has become very hard to accept by the Native American prisoners. Their daily struggle for their religious rights has put them in dire danger of retaliation that can affect their whole lives. We are asking you to please take the time to email Kevin Phelan as soon as possible to express your concern and complain about the ongoing religious discrimination against the Native Americans prisoners at Montana State Prison (MSP). A few facts: Father Herbert Pins is a Catholic Priest and the Chaplain at MSP. He is the person in charge of the Native American spiritual ceremonies; as such, he should ensure *equal* Religious Rights for all inmates at Montana State Prison. He is an employee of the State of Montana and was appointed to work as a religious co-coordinator at Montana State Prison. He does not have the right to discriminate but has an obligation to cater to all religions.In spite of this, he pursued taking away the cedar, sage and sweet grass from the Native Americans. Father Pins *knows* that Native American prisoners lose their time because of his canceling their ceremonies, and because he uses their time for Catholic Services. It is up to him to do what is right. There have been numerous reports of such cancellations. The last two cancellations of the Sweat lodge ceremony in a row are just an example. The Native American prisoners were again denied the Sweat Lodge ceremony, and twice in a row, on October 5th and 12th, 02. The prison and Father Pins claim that an AA meeting caused the first cancellation. Yet it could easily have been held in the High Support Building, or in the visiting room. Why was "Discovery Weekend" not held during regularly scheduled Catholic services or on different nights other than the Sweat Lodge time ? Why deny this ceremony to the same group of prisoners again? Please request Chancellor Phelan to investigate thoroughly into this matter and to put an end to this pattern of discrimination. Please remember to express your concern in a respectful way, so as to protect the prisoners. If you email him, please do not forward him this call for action or our email address. Thank you for your consideration. Please contact Kevin Phelan (Father Pins's Supervisor) at: kphelan@diocesehelena.org You can also call him, or send him a letter at: Kevin Phelan, Chancellor Catholic Diocese of Helena PO Box 1729 Helena, MT 59624 Phone number : 406/442-5820 The Prayer Warriors thank you for any assistance you are able to give to this most important request. *Please help the Native American prisoners to have and keep the Sweat Lodge on Saturdays as they are entitled to.* =========================================================== Background Information : Montana State Prison has a great number of First Nations/Native American prisoners (about 17 percent of inmates at Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge). This prison has a history and pattern of racial profiling which has been recorded in studies, reports and media articles; many violations are documented in a trail of prison paperwork. While the Constitution of Montana states that each citizen has Equal Religious Rights, Montana State Prison still considers the Spiritual needs of Native Americans less than important; prison staff often break their own rules by not respecting the policy, then retaliate on the Native American prisoners who ask for their religious rights to be respected. Justice For First Nations Prisoners Network justicenetwork@ifrance.com ======================== Date: Sunday, October 20, 2002 5:24 PM From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Statement by Manuel Redwoman From: justicenetwork@ifrance.com [Please share with other supporters - do NOT send to officials - Thank you] Below is a statement by Manuel Redwoman. He wrote and sent it to us to be shared with you, in spite of the high risk of retaliation against him by the prison and Department of Corrections. Without your support, he will probably be sent to MAX again, indefinitely. We will soon issue a new request for support, asking you to please send a new letter to the official. Manuel is taking these issues on his shoulders by putting himself on the frontline. It takes a lot of courage, especially after all the months and years he has spent in solitary confinement. Please read his statement. As Manuel does in his letter, we would like to thank you once again for your time and great support. with respect, < Manuel Redwoman Support Network> If you wish to help Manuel Redwoman and the Prayer Warriors at MSP please contact us at justicenetwork@ifrance.com ============================== Statement by Manuel Redwoman, October 14th, 2002 Greetings, The listed items below are issues that need to be addressed. We would like to address them now, so that we can be the people our ancestors and elders wish us to be, by following the path of spirituality in which they have made possible. Conflicts in policy and indifference in treatment of the Native American population compared to the rest of the population here at Montana State Prison show a pattern of bias and abuse of rights that others are freely given. These issues must be addressed and resolved by the administration or department responsible for ensuring that the MSP budget adequately deliver the religious programs and services. To address and resolve these issues will also help each inmate on his personal journey of rehabilitation and spirituality. Secondly, this saves tax payer money and will greatly increase the individuals chances of successfully adjusting once they are returned to the communities of Montana Native American Grievances 1.) Our dream catchers, rattles, medicine wheels, bone chokers, and medicine bags are confiscated under the pretense that policy MSP 5.6.1 states that these items are store bought and must be ordered through the Catholic priest, Father Pins, or such items will be considered contraband. However, Prison policy MSP 5.6.1 does not mandate this, nor does it state that such items must be store bought and not hand made. All the policy mandates is the following: Personal Articles: those religious items, artifacts or materials deemed necessary by the governing body of each faith group for religious practice in an inmate's cell. These articles must fit into the designated storage area for personal possessions as outlined in MSP Policy 4.1.3 "Inmate Personal Property." 2.) Our feathers and medicine bags have been confiscated by correctional staff under the pretense that because they have beads on them they are finished hobby. Policy does not state that these items cannot have beads upon them when in fact it is part of the Native American culture, due to the fact that the colors and designs represent that person's standing and clan within the tribe. However, the Catholics and Buddhists are allowed to have beads and such items are not taken as finished hobby. Double standards such as this are common, unless of course if you are of other faith than Native American. 3.) When the Native Americans create a self-help group meant to help rehabilitate Native Americans, even after approval for the group to have weekly function, obstacles are put in place to discourage Native Americans. Example: Vets group is allowed 51 inmates per sponsor and the Catholics even far more, while the Native Americans can only have 15 per sponsor. Once again why the double standard? 4.) When Native Americans have their annual open house, which is their spiritual gathering, they are told that they cannot have children attend under the age of 12 years and are not allowed to give gifts to their guests, although it is a strong part of the Native American culture. The administration informs the Native American population that if they allow this to take place, it would violate prison policy MSP 5.5.101. However, when the inmate council has the annual open house, which is family day, they are not held to the same High Standards as the Native American population, although it is in violation of prison policy, they are allowed to have children under the age of 12 years and are allowed to give gifts. 5.) Prison policy MSP 5.6.1 Religious Programs and Services provide that the MSP budget shall provide for the adequate delivery of religious programs and services. However, MSP has not provided a budget to allow access to Native American Spiritual leaders to come into Montana State Prison, as do other chaplains of other religious faiths, to assist Native Americans in their practice of their religious beliefs and to meet with Native American inmates when they need the assistance of a spiritual leader. They do however, pay the father and priest as state employees which would seem discriminative when those same people take the scheduled religious time of Native Americans to schedule their own activities. 6.) Native Americans placed in temporary lock-up and maximum security are not allowed to have medicine bags, sage, cedar, sweetgrass or juniper nor are the Native Americans allowed to practice their religious beliefs, due to the denial of these items. They also must wait at least months at a time to pray with the sacred pipe because the Catholic Father Pins dictates, denies, and demands that the spiritual beliefs of Native Americans will only happen when he is ready. He also sets a limit, then does not follow through with his own guidelines or self-made schedule in which they can practice their religion. Other faiths are allowed access to their bibles, medallions, crosses and spiritual literature. When these issues are brought up the council or members of the group who inquire about all the violations and double standards, they are immediately locked-up without write ups then given long terms in max or sent to regional jails to try to block legal action against administration or awareness as to what really goes on. 7.) The high side Prayer Warriors are told that they must order their own religious supplies and accouterments from approved vendor and that no outside organizations can donate our medicines and herbs. However, prison policy MSP 5.6.1. Religious Programs and Services mandate that donated religious supplies and accouterments, such as items needed for prayer times, must be from a certified national body of a particular religious group. All such donated items must have prior approval from the security major or designee for entry into MSP, must be stored in the RAC building or other authorized area and must not be given for personal retention. The Prayer Warriors on the High Side feel that under this policy that the tribes and Indian alliances should be allowed to donate our religious supplies with prior approval from security major. 8.) For a number of years the Sweatlodge Ceremony has been cancelled due to other religious faiths (Catholic) having an open house in RAC building. And the only reason that the Sweatlodge Ceremony is canceled is because security does not want High Side inmates with Low Side inmates. This takes place due to having to have bathroom access for the inmates attending the Sweatlodge Ceremony. The High Side Prayer Warriors wish to eliminate this problem by being allowed to purchase a portable toilet for use during the Sweatlodge Ceremony. This would eliminate any security concerns. However, this situation would not arise if these events were not continuously, maliciously, and intentionally scheduled only on the days that were meant and scheduled for Native American religious and spiritual time. No other religion loses as much time as the Native Americans. To allow Father Pins and the administration to continuously do this is a denial of religious rights. For any member or director of corrections to say that the Sweatlodge has only been cancelled once is inaccurate, and by looking back at all the days lost, the inaccuracy is easily proven. Montana State Prison cannot force inmates to switch religions but this is exactly what is intended by the numerous v