From gars@speakeasy.org Wed Nov 13 11:51:40 2002 Date: 13 Nov 2002 02:06:52 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.046 WOTANGING IKCHE -- Lakota -- Common News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli -- Nahuatl -- For you we offer these words It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le -- Chickasaw -- Together We Are Talking Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark 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 046 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O November 9, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Mvskogee ehole/frost moon +-----------------------------+ Potawatomi pne'kesis/moon of the turkey and feast <================<<<< >>>>================> 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; www.pechanga.net; ndn-aim, Frostys AmerIndian & Iron Natives 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.'" "When the buffalo went away, the hearts of my people fell to the ground and they could not lift them up again." "After this, nothing happened. There was little singing anywhere." __ Chief Plenty Coups, Crow +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Senator Tim Johnson was re-elected by a 528 vote margin, and credit for that win belongs to the voters on Pine Ridge, and to some extent on Rosebud and Cheyenne River. The Indian vote re-elected Johnson, and a grateful Johnson has publicly acknowledged that gift and pledged to help his Native constituency in return. Similar Native influence was felt in many states, particularly those with large Indian populations like New Mexico, Montana, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Most notable are the handful of Native brothers and sisters who have stepped into positions in local and state governments for the first time, many spurred to serve by injustices they observed in their home communities for many years. I stand in honor of my brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers who made the effort to use the dominant society's tool as a weapon to defend our Red Nations. This is all good. I will also tell you we must not stop here. The next election will be in two years, and many state government positions, as well as the full U.S. House of Representatives, some Senators, and the Presidency will be up for the national vote. Watch carefully what those now in these positions do in these two years. Also watch carefully as new candidates, especially those from Native communities, grow into increased potential, and encourage and support those whose honor and commitment prove them worthy. Do not, as may have happened with many this past election, be stampeded by an aura of emergency 22 months from now in September and October 2004. The Republican party scored a very heavy national win in this election based largely on the public's perception that the nation's security is at stake. That victory has emboldened them to claim a mandate for initiatives that almost certainly were not on the minds of voters. They are emboldened to help their corporate friends exploit the Arctic National Wilderness and other fragile ecosystems with no regard for and no safeguards against the harm they may do. They show no concern that that many of these places are sacred to one or more tribes. Interior Secretary Norton is attempting to trick individual Native people into signing off on their portion of the Indian Trust mess for mere pennies on the dollar. It is disgraceful the levels of contempt she shows for the Indian Nations she is supposed to support and direct. Do not be deceived by her tricks and lies. Neither should you turn your back to Bush/Cheney. If they are willing to send youth to Bagdad to die in a house-to-house battle like Leningrad in World War II, they surely won't be concerned with writing off the less than one percent of this nation that is represented by Native Nations. Never, ever forget the "Indian Question" remains unanswered to the likes of these until the answer is "No Indians." -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- 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, construction, 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 -=-=-=- *** NEW ITEM *** Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 07:33:45 EST From: Dnnfvpks@aol.com Subject: WINTER HELP >To: gars@nanews.org Dear Gary My name is Dianne Mountain. I'm with Wolf Band of Norfolk, Va. and Tidewater Native American Support Group of Virginia. I'm writing a request for help on the Rosebud Reservation, Norris S.D. our group helps out as much possible with assistance to our extended family at Norris. I work with an elder and she helps distributes clothing, money to the children and elders in her community. I would love to give you her address so that if you can help with some fuel assistance that would be a blessing. They can only get a delivery where they are at if there is at least 5 other family in need for fuel. Your help would be very much appreciated. Blessings Dianne Mountain Teresa Ammiotte PO Box / House #15 Norris , S.D. 57560 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 ---------- - Cherokee Councilor Harold Phillips - Nov. 11 bittersweet - Crossings for Native Veterans - Bill offers 'Extinguishment' - Gangs on rise in of Trust Fund Claims First Nations Communities - Lakota Fund makes - A Must Read: Pine Ridge Business Grow The Rights of Indians and Tribes - Senator Johnson pledges - Body of missing Turtle Mountain to repay Indians Ojibwe Man found - Frustrated Indian Voters - Court rejects Lawsuit - U.S. Rep. Pat Williams filed by Native Inmates defends Indians - Committee to address - Two Pueblo Governors Indians in State Prisons on Transition Team - Bad Deal from Federal Prison Service - New Zuni Exhibit - Native Prisoner uses Returned Artifacts -- Pen-Pal Request - American Indians -- Looking for Relatives honor Chickasaw Astronaut -- New Retaliation against the - Uniting the Condor & the Eagle Prayer Warriors at Montana State - Still no deal between - Rustywire: Night Ceremonial Shubenacadie Band & DFO - The Truth of El Mozote - Nunavut needs Economic Aid - Poem: El Mozote (et al) to break Dependence - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Ottawa halts Self-Governace Talks - This Week on First Peoples TV --------- "RE: Cherokee Councilor Harold Phillips" --------- Date: Fri 8 Nov, 2002 08:39:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JIGGS PHILLIPS" Cherokee Councilor Phillips dies after 17 years on council By: Betty Smith, Press Staff Writer November 08, 2002 Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Harold "Jiggs" Phillips, 73, died Thursday. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Westville High School Auditorium, under direction of Hart Funeral Home of Westville. Phillips was a retired administrator, teacher and coach at Westville Public Schools, where he had graduated from high school years earlier. He received his master's degree in education administration from the University of Arkansas, where he first attended on a football scholarship. Phillips had served on the tribal council since 1985, when he succeeded John Ketcher. He represented District 2. Ketcher became deputy chief under Wilma Mankiller, and now again serves on the council. "He was one of our best - dedicated, hard-working, and really served the people of his district and the others," Ketcher said Friday morning. A lifelong resident of Adair County, Phillips was the grandson of Jim Shell, an early day Cherokee minister and original enrollee. He and his wife, Virginia, also a tribal member, had three children. Phillips suffered from a chronic blood disease, councilors said. He did not discuss his condition much, but they knew the illness had grown more severe in recent weeks. "He turned for the worse in recent days," Ketcher said. "We got word on Wednesday that he was not likely to make it through the weekend." Ketcher had a high regard for Phillips as a man and a fellow councilor. "He really thought things through and didn't jump at things as they came up," he said. "People of the area depended on him, and he came through for them." Councilor Don "Chief" Crittenden and Phillips were close friends. "We grew up together, went to high school together. We grew up together, went to high school together. We played football, basketball. We've been friends all our lives," Crittenden said. He called Phillips a "top man," and a very likable person. "He did what he had to do," he said. "He's had a good council time during his tenure. We hate to lose him." Crittenden and Phillips were fishing buddies, and frequently brought home a good catch. They used to save the fish and hold fish fries several times a year. Ketcher recalls that they served some of the best fish he has sampled. Crittenden also has had health problems recently, suffering a stroke. But he has been attending council meetings and helping take care of tribal business. "I'm doing better, and I'm going to be 100 percent," he said. Councilor Barbara Starr Scott, who has served on the council with Phillips for a long time, called him "a very faithful servant of the Cherokee people." "He's been a very loyal council person. He will really be missed by the council and the Cherokee people," she said. Phillips is the second tribal council member to die in slightly more than a year. Dorothy Jean McIntosh died in October 2001 of a sudden heart attack. "We just barely made it a year, and we lost another one," Ketcher said. After McIntosh's death, the Tribal Council adopted a policy to replace members who die. Prospective councilors must apply for the position and be interviewed by a committee. After that, the council names the replacement. Councilor Buel Anglen was appointed earlier this year to replace McIntosh. He had been a candidate against her when she was elected. Copyright c. 2002 Tahlequah Daily Press. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" November 9, 2002 Delma Little Dog Delma Little Dog, 75, McLaughlin, S.D., died Nov. 7, 2002, at a Mobridge, S.D., care center. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Messiah Church, rural Little Eagle, S.D. Further arrangements are pending with Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge. Copyright c. 2002 Bismarck Tribune. -=-=-=- November 7, 2002 Bernice DeCory RAPID CITY - Bernice DeCory, 69, Rapid City, died Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include seven children, Patricia LeBeau, Coleen Steele, Michelle DeCory, Martin DeCory, Roxanne Jumping Elk and William DeCory, all of Rapid City, and Julie LeBeau, Sioux Falls; one brother, Donald Glenn, Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Cecil Miller and Rosalie Glenn, both of Rapid City; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A wake service will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Rapid City. Services will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the church, with the Rev. Paul Sneve officiating. Burial will follow at Kyle Cemetery. Larry Thompson Sr. HOT SPRINGS - Larry Thompson Sr., 52, Hot Springs, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2002, in Deadwood. Survivors include his wife, Helen Thompson, Hot Springs; three sons, Larry Thompson Jr., Terry Thompson and Barry Thompson, all of Hot Springs; five daughters, Dina Thompson, Lorna Thompson and Virginia Thompson, all of Rapid City, Tracy Thompson, Pine Ridge, and Jessica Thompson, Hot Springs; his mother, Matilda Thompson, Mission; six half brothers, Stan Pineaux and Carl Pineaux, both of Rapid City, Joe Pineaux and Larry Pineaux, both of Mission; Lester Pineaux, Pierre, and Merle Pineaux, Rosebud; three half sisters, Carmen Pineaux, Rapid City, and Sally Pineaux and Genny Pineaux, both of Mission; and 13 grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 3 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. November 12, 2002 Wayne Holy Rock MANDERSON - Wayne Holy Rock, 61, Manderson, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, in Porterville, Calif. Survivors include one brother, Morris Holy Rock, Manderson. A one-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. today at St. Agnes Church Hall in Manderson. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the church, with the Rev. Joe Brown Thunder officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery, Grass Creek, Manderson. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- November 9, 2002 Salton Martin Salton Martin, 69, of San Carlos died Oct. 29 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. He was born in San Carlos and was employed by the San Carlos Apache Tribe. He is survived by his wife, Victoria P. Martin of San Carlos; two sons, Ricky Martin and Bradley Martin of San Carlos; two daughters, Cornelia Bush and Mary Jane Papija of San Carlos; his mother, Hazel Martin of Globe; two sisters, Virginia Stanley of Salt River and Veronica Miller of San Carlos; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral service for Mr. Martin was conducted Nov. 3 at Burdette Hall in San Carlos. Interment was in San Carlos Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Lamont Mortuary. Copyright c. 2002 Arizona Silver Belt/Apache Moccasin. -=-=-=- November 12, 2002 Michael E. Diaz MICHAEL E. DIAZ , 49, of Alcalde died Sunday following a sudden illness. He was a plumber by trade and was a resident of Alcalde all of his life. He was preceded in death by his mother, Cecilia Diaz; brother, Ruben Kelly Vigil; paternal grandparents, Pedro and Melissa Diaz; and maternal grandparents, Delfido and Rafaelita Garcia. He is survived by his father, Abel Diaz of Alcalde; son, Michael A. Diaz of Alcalde; daughter, Lori Ann Diaz of Las Cruces; brothers and sisters, Johnny Vigil of Alcalde, Eddie Diaz and Frances Martinez of Chimayo, Lorraine Patterson and husband Charles of Albuquerque, and Christine Montoya and husband Victor of Santa Fe; two grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Public visitation will be at 6 p.m. today at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in San Juan Pueblo with a rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan with interment to follow at the San Rafael Cemetery in El Guique. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. Copyright c. 1997 - 2002 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- November 6, 2002 Christina John Garnenez June 15, 1940 Nov. 01, 2002 Beloved mother, sister and grandmother walked into the gates of Heaven on Nov. 01, 2002, with family members by her side. Christine was born in Newcomb on June 15, 1940, to Jim and Lucy John. She is survived by her four sons: Robert Jr., Roland Sr., Rod and Raybert Bahe; five grandchildren, Camille and Coby of Utah, Kyle, Roland Jr. and Gregory, also of Shiprock; sisters Maxine Peterson and Evelyn George; brothers David John, Richard John and Billie Damon Sr.; step- children Terri, Lavone, Alvis, Lorenzo, Melvin Garnenez, Sawnt Nelson and Mary Jane Woody. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sam Garnenez Sr., her parents Jim and Lucy John, and granddaughter Julianna Maria Bahe. She worked for the Navajo Nation for four years as a Navajo Police dispatcher, Shiprock District, and then with Food Distribution for 27 years as a nutritionist. She traveled all over the reservation teaching food preparation. She was an adamant Two Grey Hills rug weaver. Her rugs have been shown and sold all over the country. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at the Kirtland LDS Ward 123 Building with Herbert Clah officiating. Pallbearers will be Myron John, Raymond Dale, Billy Daman Jr., Ricky John, Marty John, Dusty Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be sons Roland, Raybert, Rod and Robert; also Kyle, Roland Jr. and Gregory Bahe, Richard John, Billie Damon Sr., David John, Earl John and the remaining immediate family, the Garnenez children, Lavone, Terrie, Alvis, Lorenzo, Mary Jane, Sawnt, and Melvin. Arrangements under the care of Chapel of Memories. November 7, 2002 Jason Yazzie - Nov. 2, 2002 Jason Yazzie, 17, of Sheep Springs died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2002, in Sheep Springs. He is survived by his mother, Lillie Yazzie of Sheep Springs; his fianc, Natasha Yazzie and their daughter, Valentina Jeff Yazzie of Hatch, Utah; three brothers, Bronson Enrico of Denver, Colo., Tracy Bryant and Robertson Yazzie, both of Sheep Springs. Also surviving him are two sisters, Lenora Enrico of Sheep Springs and Valda Yazzie of Hatch, Utah. He is preceded in death by his father, Jefferson Yazzie Sr., and three brothers, Tony Enrico, Jefferson Yazzie Jr. and Nelson Bryant. Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, starting at 11 a.m. at the Pentecostal Church of Sheep Springs with Pastor Daniel Jones of the Rough Side of the Mountain Church of Hatch, Utah, presiding. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in Sheep Springs with pallbearers being Bronson Enrico, Tracy Bryant, Robertson Yazzie, Alfred Yazzie, Wilburt Johnson and Jamison Bebo. Honorary pallbearers will be Jessy Thomas, Lamuel Thomas, Danny Yazzie, and Roger Tsosie. Funeral arrangements are with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. November 8, 2002 Roland Cruz Joe Nov. 29, 1966 - Nov. 7, 2002 Roland Cruz "Charlie" Joe, 35, of Shiprock died Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002, at Shiprock Northern Navajo Medical Center. He was born Nov. 29, 1966, in Shiprock. Funeral services are pending with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Copyright c. 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- November 7, 2002 Helen D. Tahe MEXICAN SPRINGS - Services for Helen Tahe, 86, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Tohatchi Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Howard Begay will officiate. Burial will follow at Tse Des Tsoi Family Cemetery, Mexican Springs. Tahe died Nov. 1 in Albuquerque. She was born July 20, 1916 in Chuska Mountain into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan. Tahe was a Navajo Foster grandparent, senior citizen council president, senior companion, CAC and NAIWA member, rug weaver, herbalist and spiritual leader. Survivors include her son, Joe Dawson of Mexican Springs; daughters, Ruth C. Bates, Tillie Beleen, Betty T. Bitsie, Agnes J. Thompson and Edith L. Willoughby all of Mexican Springs; 17 grandchildren and 28 great- grandchildren. Tahe was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Etsitty and Charley Sam; son, Stanley Catron and daughter, Mary Catron. Pallbearers will be Norman Bates, Clinton Beleen, Virgil Dahozy, Shawn Dawson, Darrick Thompson and Marlon White. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Timothy Lee Sr. CHINLE, Ariz. - Services for Timothy Lee Sr., 81, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Upper Room Mennonite Church, Salina Springs, Ariz. Jimmy Tsosie will officiate. Burial will follow in Black Mountain, Ariz. Lee Sr. died Oct. 31 in Phoenix. He was born May 15, 1921 in Salina Springs, Ariz. into the Dear Springs People Clan for the Many Goats People Clan. Lee Sr. was employed with the railroad, he was a farmworker and sheepherder. He was a member of the Cottonwood Senior citizens. Survivors include his two sons, one daughter, and brother, Dan Lee of Salina Springs. Lee Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Bah Lee and Hasteen Yazzie Begay; brothers, Natha Lee, Eugene and Bennie Lee and sister, Alice Lee. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Begay, Joseph Nez and Edison Willie. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 10, 2002 Sharon Celine Easley GALLUP - Services for Sharon Easley, 59, were held at 11 a.m., today at LDS church, Gallup. President Milton Watts officiated. Burial followed at Sunset Memorial Park. Easley died Nov. 1 Madras, Ore. She was born May 3, 1943 in Shiprock into the Cherokee Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. Easley did beadwork, crocheting and silversmithing. Survivors include her sons, Roy A. Talk of Provo, Utah, Ray A. Talk of Bend, Ore., Roland A. Talk of Albuquerque, Ronald A. Talk of Roseville, Ohio, John C. Bahe Jr. and Jason D. Bahe both of Chinle, Ariz.; daughter Elizabeth S. Easley of Moriarty; brothers, Alvin B. Tsosie of Laguna, Davy Tsosie of Tempe, Ariz., Melvin D. Tsosie, Calvin Tsosie and Irvin Tsosie, all of Gallup; sisters, Belva Marcum of Jackson Hole, Wyo., Rosemary Talk, Lilian Hudson, Edna Quintana and Bernice Tsosie all of Gallup; and 16 grandchildren. Easley was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Laurie Smith and Naswood Tsosie and daughter, Annie Laurie Talk and one grandchild. Pallbearers will be Alvin B. Tsosie, Melvin D. Tsosie, Ronald A. Talk, Roland A. Talk, John C. Bahe, Jason D. Bahe, Brad R. Talk and Allen R. Talk. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Tikee Endito SMITH LAKE Services for Tikee Endito, 57, will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Highland Church, Smith Lake. Pastor Bob George will officiate. Burial will follow at Smith Lake Community Cemetery. Endito died Nov. 3 in Smith Lake. He was born April 18, 1945 in Smith Lake into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Endito attended school in Brigham City, Utah and Thoreau High School. He was employed with Union Pacific Railroad and enlisted in the Marine Corp. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Endito of Thoreau; stepdaughters Virginia Charley of Smith Lake; Jan Wilson, Carolyn Begay, Jariss Henio and Geneva Begay, all of Thoreauand sister Carrie Endito james of Smith Lake. Endito was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lucy Endito. Pallbearers will be Tim Smith, Paul Endito, Kevin Charley, Calvin Charley, Calson Charley and Edison Sloan. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Smith Lake Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Annabelle Begay OAK SPRINGS, Ariz. - Services for Annabelle Begay, 52, will be held at Saturday, Nov. 9 at St. Michaels Church. Burial will follow in St. Michaels Cemetery. Begay died Nov. 6 in Gallup. She was born April 6, 1950 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Edgewater People Clan. Survivors include her husband, James Begay Sr. of Sanders, Ariz.; sons, James Begay Jr. and MacKenzie Begay both of Oak Springs; daughters, Suzanne Begay, Jamie Begay and Asela Begay all of Phoenix; sisters, Mary Emma Tsosie, Mary Jane Sanderson, Mary Ann Edsitty, Martha Moms, Mary Alice Tsosie, and Maxine Barbone all of Oak Springs and one grandchild. Begay was preceded in death by her father, Juan Tsosie. Pallbearers will be James Begay Sr., Levin Morris, Juan Morris, Harrison George, Thomas Begay and Jeremy Begay. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Oak Springs Chapter House. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. November 10, 2002 Ray Perry ALBUQUERQUE - Services for Ray Perry, 54, will held at 10 a.m., today, Nov. 9. Burial followed at Naschitti Community Cemetery. Perry died Nov. 3 in Albuquerque. He was born April 27, 1948 in Shiprock into the Towering House People Clan for the Salt People Clan. Perry graduated from Intermountain in 1967. He was employed as a carpenter and served on the Greasewood Boarding School committee. His hobby included sports. Survivors include his wife, Pearl Perry; son, Ryan Perry; daughters, Rachel Salvador and Rayetta Perry; brothers, John Willetto and Peter Joe; and five grandchildren. Perry was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Perry and Randy Perry and mother, Chinbah Perry. Pallbearers were Ryan J. Perry and Mark E. Salavador. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- November 7, 2002 Rueben Hairyback Rueben Hairyback, lifelong rural Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Ponca Indian Baptist Church. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel. November 10, 2002 Darlene Enriquez Darlene Enriquez, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2002, at her home in Huntington Park, Calif. She was 55. The funeral was scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002, at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Long of Oklahoma City officiating, assisted by the Rev. Francine Biggoose. Burial will follow at the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Darlene Blevins was born on Oct. 30, 1947, in Pawnee, the daughter of Johnny Blevins and Thelma Smith Perez. She grew up in White Eagle and attended Chilocco Indian School. On Feb. 13, 1970, she married Sonny Santos Enriquez. He died, and she moved to Huntington Park, Calif. In 1973, she was united with Charlie Mauser, and the couple continued to make Huntington Park their home. She was a member of the Ponca Tribe and enjoyed her friends. Survivors include two daughters, Allison Enriquez of Oklahoma City and Julia Cardenas of Del City; three sons, Michael Garcia and Donald Suggs, both of Oklahoma City, and Timothy Hale of Sallisaw; her mother of Oklahoma City; three sisters, Tina Dilbeck of Midwest City, Chela Martinez of El Segundo, Calif., and Amelia Warrior of Oklahoma City; three brothers, Thomas Roy of Ponca City, and Donnie and Bruno Bermea. both of Oklahoma City; six grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. In addition to her first husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Roy, and one sister, Adeline Smith. Isa Attocknie Brave Scout PAWNEE -- Isa Attocknie Brave Scout, resident of Pawnee, died Nov. 7, 2002, in Tulsa. She was 64. The funeral will be at noon Monday, Nov. 11, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock with the Rev. Lynn Eaves officiating. Burial will be in Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee. Isa Attocknie Brave Scout was born April 7, 1938, in Browning, Mont., the daughter of Paul Attocknie and June Daily Attocknie. She is a member of the Comanche Nation and an Otoe tribal member. She spent her earlier years in various states and attended schools in Pawnee, Anadarko and graduated from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. She married Lloyd Elm, and they lived on the Onondoga Reservation where she was employed in Indian education through Title IV Program. She returned to Oklahoma and worked for the Indian Health Service. She married Ted Brave Scout in 1985 in Eureka Springs. Ark., and they lived in Pawnee. She was a member of the A won on dah hey chapter of the Native American Church. She was a secretary to the American Indian Exposition in 1998, and enjoyed dancing, traveling, and traditional tribal cultural activities. Survivors include her husband of the home; children, Paula Hayward, Lloyd Elm Jr. and Patricia Elm, all of New York, Nadja Jones of Oregon; Ted Moore Jr., and Randy Moore, both of Pawnee, Sydna Yellowfish of Oklahoma City, and Tracey Moore of Pawhuska; four brothers, Paul J. Attocknie of Pawnee, Michael Attocknie of Elk City; Christopher Attocknie of Lake Tahoe, Nev., and Anthony Attocknie of Oklahoma City; four sisters, Mary Denise Attocknie of Tahlequah, Susie Attocknie of Oklahoma City, Dena Attocknie of Greenland and Margarite Attocknie of Durant; 22 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Vivian Attocknie. Copyright c. 1998-2002 The Ponca City News. -=-=-=- November 12, 2002 Billy Clayton Perry Billy Clayton Perry of Miami died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, at Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami. He was 73. He was born Sept. 8, 1929, in Pontotoc County, Okla., to Lee Henry and Mae (Alexander) Perry. He was a resident of Miami since 1978, moving from Los Angeles, Calif. He was a member of the Chickasaw nation. He attended Sequoyah Indian College in Tahlequah. He was a member of the Baptist Indian Church in Ada and was a WWII Marine Corp veteran. He retired in 1978 as a member of the Teamsters Union Local No. 357 in Los Angeles. He was a volunteer for the TEAL Project as a clanfather, 1999 volunteer of the year for the Ottawa County Boys and Girls Club. In high school he was active in sports, playing football, basketball and baseball. He loved to play horseshoes and most of all liked to play the horses. He married Joyce Whitecrow on Sept. 16, 1950. She survives. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Leroy Perry and Robert Perry, and a son, Casey Clayton Perry. Additional survivors include five sons, Allen Perry of Miami, Michael Perry of Commerce, Jeff Perry of Miami, Scott Perry of Miami and Steven Perry of Miami; four daughters, Toni Raishart of Miami, Lisa Spano of Hesperia, Calif., Ginger Keyes of North Miami and Dolly Pewitt of Miami; two sisters, Pauline Williams of El Reno, Okla., and Lois Reed of Lexington, Okla., and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. at the Council House Cemetery with Indian rites conducted by Jay Whitecrow. Interment will be at Council House Cemetery northeast of Grove. Pallbearers will be Allen Perry, Mike Perry, Jeff Perry, Scott Perry, Steven Perry, Bimbo Raishart and Doug Pewitt. Honorary pallbearers will be Toni Raishart, Dolly Pewitt, Ginger Keyes, Lisa Spano, Ardis Perry, Bari Perry and Lisa Perry. The body will lie in state at the Doug and Dolly Pewitt residence at 1615 Washington Blvd. in Miami. Arrangements are under the direction of Paul Thomas Funeral Home of Miami. Marcella Elaine Buzzard Fox Marcella Elaine Buzzard Fox died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002, at her home. She was 46. Fox was born Dec. 11, 1955 to Willie Fox and Maxine Buzzard Fow. She was a homemaker who loved to cook and sew. She was a member of Hillside Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Tara O'Field and Kerrie Fox of Jay; a son Mark Beamer of Jay; six sisters, Wilma Kirby, Marcia Davis, Wanda Davis, Linda Hawk and Darlene Fox, all of Jay, and Beverly Fox of Colcord; two brothers, Billy Fox of Centerton, Ark., and Richard Fox of Sedalia, Mo. ; and a grandson, Brett O'Field of Jay. The service is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Sycamore Baptist Church with the Rev. Steven "Chuck" Glass officiating. Burial is in Round Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home in Jay. Copyright c. 2002 the Miami News Record/Miami, OK. -=-=-=- November 11, 2002 Gene Edward Chapman WOLF POINT - Gene Edward Chapman died on Nov. 8, 2002 at the Northeast Montana Health Services Facility in Wolf Point. Gene was born July 30, 1934 at Cordell, Okla., the son of Chester and Pauline Chapman. He was raised in Oklahoma and graduated from high school May 19, 1942 at Dill City, Okla. In 1954, he married his first wife, Betty, and from this marriage they had three children: Gary, Stanley, and Janet. In 1969, he met Maybell and their relationship began. On Dec. 27, 1986, they were married. Gene worked various places throughout his life as a baker, factory worker, vice-president of an insurance company, went to school for Culinary Arts in Billings, and worked for A & S Tribal Industries for 10 years. The remainder of his life, he worked around the Poplar and Wolf Point areas. He knew many people, was very friendly, and always willing to help out when needed. Gene enjoyed watching old western movies, baking and cooking and walking. Preceding him in death is one son, John; granddaughter, Nickcole; and mother, Pauline Henry Chapman. Survivors include his father, Chester Chapman of Phoenix; his wife, Maybell of Wolf Point; children, Gary (Karen) Chapman, Stanley (Virginia) Chapman all of Clinton, Okla., and Janet (Michael) Macy of Lawton, Okla.; stepdaughters of the Wolf Point area include Karen Duboise, Karla Duboise and Candy (George) Blount; 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sisters, Dana L. (Harry) Kemp of Tacoma, Wash., Patsy (John) Norton of Phoenix, Barbara (George) Barnes of Alpine, Texas, Peggy (Elwyn) Hall of Phoenix; brothers, C. W. Dub (Nancy) Chapman of Glendale, Ariz., Gerald (Shirley) Chapman of Midwest City, Okla., and Steven Henry (LaDora) Chapman of Queen Creek, Ariz. Visitations will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov 13, at the Clayton Memorial Chapel with Pastor Kenny Azure, Sr. officiating. Interment will be in the Poplar City Cemetery. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 6, 2002 Thomas Lynn Tope POLSON -- Fort Benton native Thomas Lynn Tope, 55, of Polson, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday while participating in a sporting clay tournament in Polson. His funeral is 2 p.m. Saturday at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. A reception will follow the services. He is survived by his life partner, Gayle Brueggeman-Tope at the family home in Polson, three children: Jon Tope and Rene of Eureka and his three children Jordan and Taylor, Tanya Sherwood and husband Josh and their children Kadin and Madison all of Eureka, Matt Tope of Eureka and his daughter Brittany, two stepsons, Ryan Brueggeman of Polson and his daughter Lauren and Kyle Brueggeman of Polson, two brothers Rocky Tope of Anchorage, Alaska and his daughter Lindsey and Billy Tope of Eagle River, Alaska and his children Jesse and Haley. He is also survived by Elsie Brown of Dayton; two aunts, Pat Johnston of Fort Benton and Aime Grande of Great Falls, cousins, family and thousands of friends. Tom was born July 3, 1947, to Bill Tope and Alice (Lindsey) Tope in Fort Benton, Montana. He was a 1965 graduate of Fort Benton High School and attended the University of Montana on a scholarship. Tom played the saxophone in band, sang in the choir, played football and basketball and loved all sports. In 1968, he and Anna Robertson were married and had three children. Tom and Anna divorced in 1981. Tom ranched and farmed over 10 years in the Fort Benton area. He then moved to Eureka where he held ownership in the Crystal Lake Golf Course and worked to create a beautiful mountain recreational facility. Later, after his achievements at Crystal Lake, he moved on to work full time as a contractor, builder and owner of TLT Construction in the Flathead Valley. In 1995 he met Gayle Brueggeman and the two formed a union and commitment as partners in life. Together they worked as Tom rebuilt their home and they made all of their plans. Tom was not only a master builder, but also an artist at what he did. In every project he had great pride and no one was ever disappointed in his end results. He didn't need a blueprint, you only had to tell him what you wanted and he would create it for you. He built homes all over northwest Montana to the Yukon. One of the Flathead Lake homes Tom built was featured in Architectural Digest, and everyone knew all of the other ones should have been. Tom's theory was "you work hard, and then you play." Throughout his life Tom loved excitement and fun and it showed in everything he chose to do. He lived life to the fullest. He flew planes, hunted, hiked fished canoed, rode horses, roped, golfed, skied or whatever he felt like doing. He did it because it could be done. He often played his guitar and sang. He loved people and wanted to know everyone. Tom was never without something to say and would tell you the way it was. He was a member of the Elks, NRA, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and Big Sky Sporting Clays. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Alice Tope, and Les Taylor, his mentor. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. November 9, 2002 Gage Gerard Iron Bear Maria Marlene Iron Bear WOLF POINT - Gage Gerard Iron Bear and Maria Marlene Iron Bear, premature infant twins of Louie and M. Gerarda Iron Bear Sr., died Friday at a Wolf Point hospital. They will be buried together at a graveside service at 10 a.m. Monday in Chelsea Cemetery in rural Poplar. Clayton Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is handling arrangements. Survivors include their parents and brothers Troy Iron Bear, Louie Iron Bear and Merle Iron Bear, all of Poplar; and grandparents Mike Talks Different of Fort Belknap and Jake and Beth Whitebull of Poplar. A brother, Louie Anthony Iron Bear, has died. Copyright c. 2002 Great Falls Tribune. -=-=-=- November 9, 2002 GARY CHARLES GOOD RIDER AAPIIKSISSKSTAAKII Gary was born on March 21, 1942 and he died in Calgary on November 5, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Roberta Iron Shirt; his children, Deborah Bad Eagle (Alfred), Carrie Bad Eagle (Ken) and Fabian Bad Eagle; and grandchildren Wynaona, Celia, Kayla, Blaze, Jennifer and Brian. He is also survived by his aunts Eva Four Horns, Louise Grier and Delma Yellow Horn; his uncle Guy Provost; his sisters Mavis (Jim) Kearney, Valerie (Gordon) McFarlane, Clarice (Woody) Beebe and Celeste Strikes With A Gun; his brothers Chris Good Rider and Morris Good Rider; and his special niece Elizabeth Good Rider. He was predeceased by Madeline and Hector Good Rider (parents), Stanley Good Rider (brother), Rosa and Matthew Good Rider (paternal grandparents) and Sally and Charles Provost Sr. (maternal grandparents). Some of his family clans include Ni'taiitsskaiksi and Ksikksisoka'simiiksi. Gary is a descendant of the many great and wonderful ancestors from these clans. Gary was a "kiipitaipokaa". Maatsoohkitopii and Sooyiiksiwawakaasaakii raised him. Since he grew up with our traditional ways, it naturally followed that he would know our stories and songs and that he would be kind, generous and humble. For many years, he lived with the younger children of the late Joseph and Agnes Smith. He earned the nickname "Spareman" from them because he was there to help when someone needed him. In later years, he provided valuable care to elderly or sick individuals. Gary loved horses. A picture of one of his quarter horses was once displayed in the Western Horseman. His favourite horse, Baldy, was struck by lightning. Gary's success with horses is a well-known manifestation of a Good Rider family tradition. Gary owned a good herd of cattle. He helped other cattle owners. He started participating in the annual spring and fall Peigan round-ups when he was about 12 years old. Gary worked with the pairing crew led by the late Sam Provost. In later years, he worked at the McIntyre Ranch too. Gary used the famous "101" brand of the Good Rider family along with the circle on the right shoulder that showed it was livestock owned by someone from the Peigan People. Gary loved rodeos. In the 1950's, he calf-roped along with Urban Yellow Wings, the Bad Eagles, the Many Guns and many others. He also got involved with horse racing in the 1950's. This year, Gary received an award at the Calgary Stampede for his work in security. Gary visited family and friends with his late father Hector and brother Stanley for the sheer joy of recording stories and songs in the homes of those individuals who were known and respected for their Peigan/Blackfoot Knowledge. These visits lasted well into the night. A wake service will be held at Chris Good Rider's residence starting at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2002. The funeral service will be held at the Peigan Community Hall on Saturday, November 9, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. He will be buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. A reception will be held in the Peigan Community Hall after the burial service. Copyright c. 2000 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald. -=-=-=- November 8, 2002 Charles Ronald Kaiswatum Piapot, SK KAISWATUM--On Monday, November 4, 2002, Charles Ronald passed on to be with the Creator at the age of 65 years. Charles was predeceased by one son at infancy; his parents, Pius and Minnie Kaiswatum; brothers, Victor and Thomas Kaiswatum; one sister, Violet Kaiswatum; and grand-daughter Amy Kaiswatum. Charles is survived by his dearly beloved wife, Mrs.Isabel Kaiswatum of Piapot; brother, George (Irene) Kaiswatum; one sister, Helen Nahnepowisk; sons, Gary (Shelly), Randall (Pat), Dion (Tammy), Milton; daughters, Arla (James), Janis, Cheryl (Curtis); 21 grandchildren; one special grand- daughter Miranda Kaiswatum; one special niece, Pauline McCullum; 3 great- -grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Wake will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2002, at 4:00 p.m. at Piapot Band Hall. A Traditional service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2002 at 1:00 p. m. at Piapot First Nation. Arrangements in care of PARAGON FUNERAL SERVICES (359-7776). Copyright c. 2000-2002 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. --------- "RE: Bill offers 'Extinguishment' of Trust Fund Claims" --------- Date: Wed 6 Nov, 2002 08:10:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="EXTINGUISHMENT" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.indianz.com/ Bill offers 'extinguishment' of trust fund claims WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2002 The Bush administration has proposed legislation to upend the Indian trust fund lawsuit by limiting the rights of individual account holders. Despite never having started an historical accounting of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust, the bill authorizes Secretary of Interior Gale Norton to offer a settlement to willing beneficiaries. Under the "voluntary incentive program," account holders will receive a cash payout in return for "extinguishment" of their rights. But unlike the ongoing class action representing 500,000 American Indians, IIM account holders will not be allowed to make their own claim for money they are owed, according to the language of the bill. They also cannot seek court review if they accept a settlement. "The terms and conditions of the settlement proposals, including the methods or regulatory formulas by which they may be calculated or arrived at, shall be in the sole discretion of the Secretary and shall not be subject to judicial review," the draft states. The bill, which has been circulating in Indian Country for the past couple of days, is a direct challenge to the successful IIM lawsuit. Rather than accept a court-ordered judgment that could be in the billions, the proposal would put the ball back into the hands of an agency that is still in breach of trust to Indian beneficiaries. "Legislation that gives no requirements to provide accurate information to the beneficiaries is one that simply undermines their rights," said Keith Harper, an attorney from the Native American Rights Fund who represents the Indian plaintiffs. According to the draft, the program will only apply to accounts derived from oil, gas, timber and other land-based activities. Judgment fund and per capita beneficiaries aren't eligible for participation. Language in the bill admits the dismal lack of records necessary to conduct an accurate accounting. But it also cites the amount of time and resources it would take for the government to fulfill its trust responsibilities to Indian beneficiaries. A plan Norton released in July said it will take at least 10 years and $2.4 billion to complete an accounting. Resolution of the Cobell suit, however, could come quicker. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has scheduled a May 2003 trial to address the accounting. He also ordered Norton to submit a plan to manage the IIM accounts by January 6, 2003. The plaintiffs claim at least $10 billion has gone unaccounted. The government admits at least $13 billion has passed through the system since 1909. The IIM trust was created in 1887. Under the incentive program, the Department of Interior has full power to define how it will offer a settlement. Any beneficiary who accepts payment will be required to sign a waiver of rights that also extends to his or her heirs. The legislation is the second to come out of the Bush administration regarding the IIM trust. Another bill allows Norton to consolidate "unclaimed" Indian property. Tribal leaders have already rejected this proposal twice. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Noble Savage Media, LLC/Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Lakota Fund makes Pine Ridge Business Grow" --------- Date: Wed 6 Nov, 2002 08:10:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAKOTA FUND" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://indiancountry.com/?1036518640 Lakota Fund makes Pine Ridge business grow November 05, 2002 - 12:48pm EST by: David Melmer/Indian Country Today PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, S.D. - A lending organization on the Pine Ridge Reservation is touted as the catalyst that brought private enterprise to what was once the poorest county in the country. The Lakota Fund, a not-for-profit lending organization, started small and grew to become a major player in privatization of economic development here. Without role models, business plans, motivation and support, very few people can maintain the energy and financial wherewithal to open, let alone sustain a small business. The Lakota Fund is there to help develop plans and also lend the money for start-ups and expansions. But even more important than location or financing in opening a business on the Pine Ridge Reservation, is education. For many years, potential business owners faced a lack of role models from which to glean information and almost a total void in work experience. That was until the Lakota Fund began offering a Circle Banking Project and micro-lending to tribal members. Micro-lending later gave way to larger loans ranging from $1,000 to a ceiling of $250,000. The Lakota Fund has loaned more than $3.5 million dollars. In 2001 it helped with 51 small business loans and 27 micro-loans. In 2002 so far, nine small business loans and 17 micro-loans have been contracted. When the Lakota Fund started there were only 40 businesses on the reservation, mostly owned by non-tribal members. Now the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce boasts 93 member businesses, mostly owned by tribal members. The Lakota Fund was the first micro-lending institution in the nation, said Rebecca Adamson, executive director of the First Nations Development Institute, one of its important supporters. The Fund was also the first on any American Indian Reservation, Adamson said. "People on the Pine Ridge led what is now a huge national movement," she said. Many small business owners on Pine Ridge call the Lakota Fund the reason for the local renaissance in economic development. The Lakota Fund moved out on its own as a not-for-profit lending organization and now operates with the help of grants from large organizations, said Monica Drapeaux, the current executive director. In the past Pine Ridge was a welfare state, Drapeaux said, and people had no concept of what owning a business meant. They looked on arts and crafts as a hobby. Lenders would not look at artisans as business people. Now people are looking at art as a business venture, she said. "The Lakota Fund created a group of borrowers. Many had never participated before. They have a place to come to for help and technical assistance," Drapeaux said. The Pine Ridge Reservation has historically had few possibilities for employment, and many people had no work history. They didn't know how businesses worked. The Lakota Fund provides education and training to people who want to open a business. The potential borrower learns about accounting procedures, business proposal writing, hiring principles and other areas. The Fund also provides technical assistance after the business opens. The staff at Lakota Fund also helps to engage the BIA in the process to guarantee loans to help reduce risk. The larger loans create jobs, a few at a time, Drapeaux said. One loan gave rise to 42 jobs; two others were good for 66 more. The potential borrower must attend a mandatory 10-week course with no guarantee that the person will get a loan. "If we start a course with 10 people and end with six that is a good thing," Drapeaux said. "We have tons of visionaries, but you have to have tenacity to be in business. You need drive. Many take the course and never get a loan package, and others take the course and find they are not ready to be in business." Drapeaux said when she was in business she would have loved to be mentored. "It is scary out there by yourself." The Lakota Fund also provides mentors through the classes. For many of the people who want to start a business a conventional bank on the reservation is most times out of the question. "They are regulated. We can do business contracts one on one with people and also provide technical assistance. We know the borrowers. The (Lakota Fund) board members are from the reservation, they know what impact they have on the reservation and there is no politics involved," Drapeaux said. "You have to have drive and passion. No one makes it easy." "That's not to say we don't get delinquencies. We work with the people in unconventional ways. We don't make loans to anticipate failure," Drapeaux said. "The brightest people live here, they just need a break. We give people an extra opportunity to see their dream come true," she said. Private enterprise is the key to creating jobs and keeping dollars on the reservation, Drapeaux and other business leaders claim. Drapeaux said the Oglala Tribal Council is supportive of the Lakota Fund and the newly formed Chamber of Commerce, but lobbying of the council members is still needed to bring about a change in attitude. The Lakota Fund began from within the community and is governed by community leaders, not political aspirants and the tribal government is not involved with the process. "On Pine Ridge there had been no successes. Not that the Lakota people had failed, it was that the projects failed. Indian people are brilliant and can solve their own problems," Adamson said. Adamson said a study showed that 83 percent of all the money made on the Pine Ridge Reservation left to help the economies of the border towns and Rapid City. "People asked us what to do and we said to have their own loan fund; just enough to get a business going. It took one and one-half years of work before the Lakota Fund started in 1986. We were organizing and getting ideas. We wanted to match the culture with capital," she said. "The (Lakota Fund) has gone beyond my wildest dreams, I feel so good. When Gerald Sherman (the first executive director) and Elsie Meeks (the second executive director) are asked how they achieved success they will say it was because they had the luxury of making mistakes and the time to solve problems. "It is fascinating to see it is there; people thinking of new ideas and how to solve problems. It's a real entrepreneurial spirit in the institution, it helps borrowers get involved," Adamson said. "There is a personality in the Lakota Fund that comes from the people there." Drapeaux said it was Elsie Meeks who took the Lakota Fund to the national level. Meeks is now executive director of the Oweesta Corporation, which is a subsidiary of the First Nations Development Institute. "The question was how can we address the issue of employment and economic development. We had to get loans. It all started as a simple concept," Meeks said. What the Lakota Fund did was to provide the idea that it was okay to be in business. First came the small loans and later the board of directors graduated the amount of loans upward. "Pine Ridge is doing better in private enterprise. On other reservations businesses are tribally owned," Meeks said. "When we started making loans we made every mistake in the book. When we separated from First Nations in 1992 we knew success or failure was on our backs. We became better, because we did not want to fail. We corrected our mistakes and started training our potential borrowers. People didn't have a concept of what it meant to be in business," Meeks said. Meeks was herself a business owner for a few years when she took a break from the Lakota Fund, only to return. The store she previously owned, Longcreek Store in Wanblee, has now doubled in size with the help of the Lakota Fund. "People became more serious about being in business. When we first started we had lots of capital and weren't lending it, just in small loans. We had to create an entrepreneurial culture. We held fairs and got on the radio and as people got into business it sparked others. "Businesses became models and that as much as anything helped the climate. When the government doesn't work the private sector has to rise up," Meeks said. In the beginning she said those involved with the Lakota Fund used to brainstorm about how to build an entrepreneurial culture in opposition to a welfare culture. Years later, she said, it was happening. "Whether we can lay claim to that, I don't know." Copyright c. 2002 Indian Country Today. --------- "RE: Senator Johnson pledges to repay Indians" --------- Date: Sun 10 Nov, 2002 17:58:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="REPAY PROMISE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.argusleader.com/news/Sundayarticle3.shtml Johnson pledges to repay Indians Peter Harriman Argus Leader published: 11/10/2002 Senator, `heartened' by voter support, vows to tackle projects In the weak light of dawn Wednesday, Rep. John Thune clung to a narrow lead in the U.S. Senate race that the traditional Republican West River stronghold had delivered late the night before. Three hours later, however, Sen. Tim Johnson was re-elected by a 528- vote margin. As the sun rose in South Dakota, so did a new political force. The returns from the Pine Ridge reservation in Shannon County that erased Thune's lead graphically illustrated the importance of the Native American vote to Democrats. On the state's reservations, whose residents had largely ignored state and federal politics in the past, a concerted voter registration drive by Democrats that saw about 4,000 new Indian voters registered since July paid off. Voter turnout reached 44.6 percent in Shannon County, 51.8 percent in Todd County, where the Rosebud Sioux Tribe is concentrated, and 56.7 percent in Dewey County, home of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Participation by Indian voters in the general election was up 20 percent or more over historic averages, according to Johnson campaign officials. Now, it's payback time. "When you win by 528 votes, there are lots of communities and organizations that can claim credit," Johnsons says. "I owe a lot to the teachers, firefighters, police and Farmer's Union. "But one group I take particular satisfaction in is the growing political presence of our Native American community. I am heartened by the level of participation and voter turnout we had. They made a huge difference, no question." Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle says that in Johnson's first term in the Senate, "Tim earned their support by involving himself heavily in the work of the Indian Affairs Committee." Johnson says he will continue that, and he will do more than simply try to convince Congress to fund projects on reservations. "We haven't had as many Indian interns as I'd like, and I want to step that up," he says. "I am a big supporter of tribal colleges." He points out he successfully pushed for an increase in the federal funding formula for those colleges despite the Bush administration's desire to cut funding. "I envision a generation of Indian role models coming from those colleges. Not the least of all, I want to see them develop a cadre of political leaders on both the tribal and the state and national fronts. I want to redouble my efforts to encourage those people to intern in both my South Dakota and Washington offices to give them that experience," Johnson says. Sovereignty issue Steve Emery, director of the Sinte Gleska University Policy Institute, says the greatest thing Johnson could deliver to tribes is a law that federally recognizes the principle of tribal sovereignty. Now, Emery says, sovereignty is being significantly eroded by Supreme Court decisions that support litigation brought by states to limit it and by Congress, which is using its authority contained in the U.S. Commerce Clause to regulate commerce with the tribes to bootstrap its way toward absolute control over Indian affairs. "Between Congress, the Supreme Court and litigation brought by several states, we are getting litigated out of existence," Emery says. "We hope our friends in the Senate are going to work on that issue, and we have absolute faith that they will." Both Johnson and Daschle are sympathetic to that concern. "I would be very supportive of an effort to do something like that. I share his view there is an erosion of sovereignty," says Daschle. "A lot of what they are asking for really comes down to respect," Johnson says. "They are asking that the government-to-government relationship that is supposed to exist between the tribes be honored and that the federal government not try to impose Washington solutions that are contrary to what the Native people themselves want." He noted as an example the ongoing effort to correct a century of mismanagement of federally administered Indian trusts. The government has refused to allow the tribes to participate in seeking a solution. That led to Interior Secretary Gale Norton being held in contempt of court by a federal judge hearing the lawsuit that is driving trust reform. "Some of the greatest frustration and anger I sense in Indian Country comes from this paternalistic attitude that has so often dominated federal and state relationships with the tribes," says Johnson. At a debate between Oglala Sioux Tribe presidential candidates John Yellow Bird Steele and Russell Means in October at the Red Cloud School, students asked both men how they would get the Black Hills returned to the South Dakota tribes that view them as sacred. "Remember, we're voting Democrat," Means said in preamble to his answer. Then, he launched into a quid pro quo scenario where Indian voters would help return Johnson to office and then demand that legislation originally sponsored by former Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., be revived. It would have transferred management of the Black Hills National Forest from the U.S. Forest Service to the tribes. "There is no Bradley Bill," says Johnson. "There has been no such legislation for over a decade. I don't think there is much legislative support for that effort," he acknowledged. "We have to look at areas that are achievable and that benefit all South Dakotans." The traditional senatorial role of securing federal appropriations is one such area, he says. Federal assistance "In Indian Country, the first concern is a need for economic growth and job opportunities," Johnson says. He says completion of the Mni Wiconi rural water project, reservation road construction, new schools, nursing homes on reservations and improving the Indian Health Service are key requests he has received from Indian constituents. "It seems those are goals that are achievable," he says. "I will continue to work with the tribes in whatever ways I can to empower Indians to pursue their own agenda." Jesse Claussen of Martin says federal programs are not all that Indians need. "We have a little wish list. But our greater problems come from within. We would love to develop economically. But that almost has to come from within," says Claussen, head of the Lacreek District Civil Rights Commission. That organization led a new voter drive that saw Indian voters spearhead successful efforts to elect a new sheriff and county commissioner in Bennett County. Claussen says the rampant poverty on reservations has residents fairly addicted to government handouts. "The leaders of the Indian community understand this stuff," he says. "They would love to see our people get off welfare. It is a very complicated, difficult situation. "But by showing up at the polls, I think we have a little better reception when we do present things." Implications for future Not everyone thinks Indian voters improved their standing as a political power bloc by helping Johnson get re-elected. George Eageman is the executive director of the business development organization United Sioux Tribes in Sioux Falls. "It was a mistake putting Johnson back in when the Republicans won the Senate. If we had elected Thune, we would have had more leverage," he says. "If the Democrats had maintained power, that would have been really useful with Daschle still the majority leader. But my opinion is, it backfired." Natalie Hand is Means' press secretary. She says Democratic Party officials who were so eager to get Indians to the polls for the general election now need to come through for the tribal runoff election Nov. 19. On remote Pine Ridge, many people need rides to vote, she says. "Now, I am calling on Johnson to stay with the people at Pine Ridge and help get his constituents to the polls for our election. Now is the time to stand with us more than ever, not just get our votes and leave town." Daschle points out that in his race in 1986 and in Johnson's first Senate bid in 1996, "It would be accurate to say we would not have won without the Indian vote." But it was not nearly as extensively courted then. Johnson's dramatic comeback last Tuesday, however, signals a new era for Indians in South Dakota politics. "I believe this election proved beyond a doubt they are a powerful voting bloc in South Dakota, and they will continue to grow in power and clout as future elections go forward," Daschle says. "We rocked the vote," Emery says of Johnson's re-election. Then he looks at the other races where Republicans made a clean sweep. "I'm just sorry we weren't able to rock it a little more." Reach Peter Harriman at 575-3615 or pharrima@argusleader.com. Copyright c. 2002 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Frustrated Indian Voters" --------- Date: Sat 9 Nov, 2002 18:11:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ABUSED=VOTERS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.argusleader.com/news/Fridayarticle1.shtml Frustrated Indian voters enter fray Peter Harriman Argus Leader published: 11/8/2002 Bennett elects Native commissioner, sheriff Driving a Bennett County road last year, Gerald Bettelyoun passed a traffic stop. Two Lakota women, one of them elderly, sat by the side of the road on a 100-degree day while two sheriff's deputies occupied an air- conditioned cruiser. More than an hour later, Bettelyoun says, he retraced his route, and the scene hadn't changed. When he stopped to see if the women needed water, the deputies told him they were waiting for the county's drug-detecting dog, and he should move along before he was cited for interfering. "In Lakota, the elderly woman said to me, "I'll be OK. You better get out of here or you'll get yourself in trouble.'" "I left them, but it kept bothering me. They should have at least put them in the car with them," Bettelyoun said. "Then these openings came for the county commission. I learned as a commissioner, I would have control of the sheriff's budget, and I said, `I think I'll throw my hat in the ring.'" Sheriff Russel Waterbury's aggressive efforts to clear old warrants and battle a perceived drug problem in the county with wholesale searches - mostly of Indians - made him a lightning rod for discontent among Bennett County Indian residents in the past year. In protest, the Lacreek District Civil Rights Commission considered business boycotts in Martin, the county retail center, and lawsuits. But acting on a suggestion from American Civil Liberties Regional Coordinator Jennifer Ring, the group ultimately undertook a concerted effort to register new Indian voters and recruit Indian candidates. Bettelyoun on Tuesday won a commission race, and Charlie Cummings, the sheriff's race. Their victories may have significant effects on the Democratic Party. And in an election year dominated by polls and professional spin, they proved representative government is yet greater than the sum of ratings it generates for talk radio and cable TV news. "I definitely intend to stay involved with the Democratic Party," said Jesse Claussen, head of the Lacreek civil rights commission. "If Tom Daschle runs (in 2004), I would like to be of help in getting a South Dakotan elected president." On a night when Republicans won big across South Dakota and the nation, the Bennett County victories would seem to be a toehold for reeling Democrats trying to regroup. But it's not that simple. The civil rights commission candidates unseated three incumbent white county commissioners in the primary, and their presence in the race created undertones of a racial divide that representatives from the new and the traditional wings of the party are bending over backward to dispel. "I think it could be good for the Democratic Party. We'll wait till the dust settles," said Gary Nelson, Bennett County Democratic Party chairman. "We have talked about taking over the Democratic Party in the county. But I want to digest that," Claussen said. "Maybe we can just work together with Gary Nelson." Bettelyoun says a white county commissioner phoned him and congratulated him on his victory. "He said he was willing to work with me. That's all right. We should unite everybody - get everybody back together." Nelson added, "There's really not as much dislike or hatred as some papers write it up to be. Most of us have lived here all our lives." Sen. Tim Johnson, who eked out a 528-vote win in a re-election bid against Rep. John Thune, was another beneficiary of Bennett County's new Indian Democratic voters. He said he was ready to pay them back. "We have to unite non-Indians and Indians," Johnson said. "There may be instances where some factions of the Democratic Party need unification as well. I hope to be a constructive presence in making that happen." The lanky, black-haired Claussen, usually clad in blue jeans, runs his social activism and his construction business from the same phone. His blue-collar pragmatism does not suggest a thoughtful Founding Father working out a new relationship between people and their leaders. But neither does he call to mind a contemporary politician - an empty suit propped up by the hardened crust of his own slick, made-for-TV image. In the past year, as Claussen and others on the civil rights commission doggedly made their way into the county's remote housing clusters and through the auditor's bureaucracy to register new voters, they demonstrated a powerful belief in the principles of self-government. Bettelyoun, too, completely embraced the notion. After 27 years on the job, he took early retirement from a $42,000-a-year position as a federal construction inspector so he could run for the county commission without violating the Hatch Act, which prohibits government employees from holding elected office. His wife made that decision possible, he says. After their children left home, he suggested she finish college "and do what you want to do." "We got her through, and she graduated last spring as a teacher. She's got a good job, and she told me, `Now you do what you want to do.' " Nelson acknowledges the tide of fervent citizenship by Indian voters that has swept over Bennett County. But he takes a cautious view of its future. "It is at its peak right now," he says. "There are no tribal elections, no Senate races for two years. Who knows if the sleeping dog will go back to sleep now?" Claussen, however, sees Indian residents of Bennett County ready to take a much bigger role in their government. "Whenever we tried to do things fairly, honestly, we got laughed off," he recalled of the civil rights commission's efforts to address concerns with Sheriff Waterbury to the county commission. "They thought we would dissolve. Indian people never organize and stick together long enough to do anything. "Well, they were dead wrong about us. We've had very few victories, but that was a large victory for the county itself Tuesday," he said. "We've got some stuff behind us. Now we can look forward." Reach Peter Harriman at 575-3615 or pharrima@argusleader.com. Copyright c. 2002 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: U.S. Rep. Pat Williams defends Indians" --------- Date: Sat 9 Nov, 2002 18:11:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHANGE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/ Williams defends Indians BY CHARLES S. JOHNSON Gazette State Bureau November 9, 2002 HELENA - If American Indians don't see genuine change in the next few years, former U.S. Rep. Pat Williams, D-Mont., said Friday that it's time to launch a national grandparents' tour of Indian country to shame federal and state governments into renewing their failed commitments to Indian people. Addressing the Montana Indian Education Association, Williams said it's time to renew the visits that the late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, D-N.Y., made to Indian reservations in the 1960s to focus national attention on the difficulties faced by Indian children and their parents. Had Kennedy lived, Williams said he is confident that he would have made a positive difference in the individual lives of Indian children. "He would have done so by embarrassing the American people and those who represent them into offering innovative solutions, backed by dollars, to relieve many of the problems which plague those native people living both on and off the reservation," Williams said. "You need, your children need, that kind of commitment today." Williams said no people in America suffer from as high an infant mortality rate as do "our first people." Indians' longevity is the shortest, and their housing is the worst with unemployment sometimes reaching 75 percent. The school dropout rate of Indian youngsters is 150 times greater than other Americans, with less than 50 percent of Indian students graduating from high school, he said, noting that 80 percent of jail and prison inmates of all races dropped out of school. "I want you to know that I feel bad about these shameful facts," he said. Williams said never a week went by in his 18 years in Congress when he wasn't working for Indian people. He listed a series of accomplishments, but said he and others still didn't get enough done. "Let's give our current elected officials one more chance to really do something," Williams said, listing President Bush, the U.S. House and Senate, Gov. Judy Martz and the Montana House and Senate, where a record seven Indians will serve in 2003. and officials in other states. "In the meantime, the next couple of years, let's stay busy at trying to improve conditions," he said. He urged Indian educators and others to try and persuade Montana state government to abide by its 30-year constitutional mandate requiring the state to recognize the unique and distinct cultural heritage of the American Indians and commit to the educational goals for the preservation of Indian cultural integrity. Congress must keep the nation's agreement with Indian people, Williams said, and it's time to "try anew to convince our friends in the private sector to invest on and in our reservations." He urged Indian educators to recommit to their part in the schools, neighborhoods and with tribal governments and he pledged to do all he could for them with universities and colleges. "And, as has happened to often in the past, if all that fails, then let's go on the Ya Ya Tour," Williams said, noting that Ya Ya is a Salish word for grandparents. "I'm a 65-year-old grandfather. We will go together." "Let's embarrass the hell out of our senators and congressmen, our governors and the president," Williams said. "You know we can get the people to come with us. I'll bet Jimmy Carter will join us. I know Bill Clinton cares deeply about Indian people. Perhaps former Presidents Ford and Bush and Sen. John McCain will join us.... "But the people we really want are the Ya Ya's - the grandmothers and (grand)fathers of our Indian children." He said he hadn't talked to any of these prominent people yet about the tour but is confident that some of them would participate. Williams said he doesn't want any politician with an eye on higher office. Those touring the reservations would be unpaid volunteers and raise their own transportation money. "If we don't get genuine change within the next couple of years, let's take the Ya Ya Tour," he said. "Let's have our Ya Yas - our grandmothers and grandfathers - raise absolute hell so it becomes absolute heaven to raise an Indian child." Williams is a fellow at the University of Montana's Center for Rocky Mountain West at the University of Montana. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Two Pueblo Governors on Transition Team" --------- Date: Fri 8 Nov, 2002 08:39:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEW MEXICO" http://www.indianz.com/News http://www.sfnewmexican.com/site/news State in Transition By STEVE TERRELL | The New Mexican 11/07/2002 ALBUQUERQUE - A leader of Gov.-elect Bill Richardson's transition team pledged Wednesday the new administration would fill top state jobs based on qualifications, not political connections. Former state Attorney General Paul Bardacke said at a news conference that too many times transition teams "merely try to get the people in who helped somebody get elected to serve in government. That's what we don't want to do." "Winning by a large margin means nothing unless we are able to attract the best people to serve New Mexico," said Bardacke, who last year headed Richardson's "exploratory" committee before he officially announced his candidacy. "We have an opportunity. Bill and (Lt. Gov.-elect Diane Denish) do not want to squander it," Bardacke said. Richardson said his goal was to hire New Mexico's "best and brightest." Denish, who also is a chairwoman of the new transition team, said she expects the first Cabinet officers to be announced the week before Thanksgiving. She and Richardson take office in January. The Legislature convenes later that month. "We're not resting," Richardson said. The transition team is opening an office on the third floor of the state Capitol. Besides Denish and Bardacke, other transition chairs include Sandia Pueblo Gov. Stuwart Paisano and Ed Romero, a former U.S. ambassador to Spain. In addition, Richardson named 19 transition co-chairmen. These included three Republicans - former state Sen. Billy McKibben, who was part of the Republicans for Richardson organization, Albuquerque banker Larry Willard and Albuquerque Title Co. President Carolyn Monroe. The co-chairmen also include two Northern New Mexico mayors, Fred Peralta of Taos and Henry Sanchez of Las Vegas, and another pueblo governor, Malcom Bowekaty of Zuni. McKibben said the new administration must strive to work with Republicans as well as Democrats. "I'm amused at the conflicts between the legislative and executive branches," he said. "If you're more focused on partisan politics instead of doing what's right for the people, that will occur." Richardson also named the paid staff of his transition, which includes several key members of his campaign staff, including campaign manager Dave Contarino. The governor-elect said some transition members could end up in the Cabinet. Richardson noted his team is multiethnic and includes business leaders as well as labor-union officers. "We've got to be seen as a pro-business state," Richardson said. "Right now, we're viewed as anti-business." Referring to incumbent Gov. Gary Johnson's national attention for wanting to liberalize drug laws, Richardson added, "We're viewed as a state that wants to legalize marijuana. We want to shed that image." Richardson said Denish, who will be the state's first female lieutenant governor, will be an integral part of his administration in determining policy and personnel matters. "In the past, the lieutenant governor has been pushed aside, kicked to the curb," Richardson said. "That won't be the case here." Richardson said the state should expect a busy legislative session. He said he hopes the first major legislation introduced would be his education-reform package. "Then, right after that, my economic-development package. Then, right after that, my health-care package. And then funding an implementation of a state water plan," Richardson said. Richardson beat Republican John Sanchez 56 percent to 39 percent, with Green Party candidate David Bacon receiving 5 percent of the vote. Richardson's landslide was the largest in a governor's race since 1964, when Democrat Jack Campbell won by 20 percentage points, getting 60.2 percent of the vote. As he did on election night, Richardson stressed his large margin was a mandate from voters who want change in state government. He also reiterated his pledge to build coalitions with legislative Republicans to get income-tax cuts. Richardson said he would be meeting with Johnson on Monday and legislative leaders within a few days. Johnson last week promised his staff would be "aggressively cooperative" with the next governor's transition team. Copyright c. 2002 Santa Fe New Mexican. --------- "RE: New Zuni Exhibit uses Returned Artifacts" --------- Date: Tue 5 Nov, 2002 08:10:48 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ZUNI" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/todaysnews.html#anchor4 New Zuni exhibit uses returned artifacts to tell story Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola Special to the Independent November 5, 2002 We have been studied to death... we don't need that... we know who we are! - Zuni tribal council member ZUNI - The storytellers have switched. Once the storytellers were anthropologists and archaeologists. Now they are the A:shiwi, the Zuni. Once the artifacts were spirited away from the Zuni. They were studied by scientists, displayed under glass showcases, or locked up in museum storerooms. But now some of the artifacts have come home. In "Hawikku: Echoes from Our Past," a new exhibit opening today in Zuni Pueblo, the people of Zuni are taking back some of the items that were once taken from them and using those objects to tell their own story. It's the story of the Zuni people from their earliest emergence stories to their dreams for the future. And although a non-Zuni venue is being used - an exhibition in a museum gallery - the story is told in their own words and from their own perspective. The A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center is hosting an opening reception from 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. today for "Hawikku: Echoes from Our Past" in the newly remodeled Hapadina Building on the south side of Zuni. The exhibit features about 160 artifacts that were taken from the ancestral Zuni village of Hawikku during a major excavation by archaeologist Frederick W. Hodge. During that excavation, which ran from 1917 to 1923, Hodge's party removed over 20,000 artifacts from the site. Zuni people's storyTom Kennedy, the director of tourism for the Pueblo, talked about the exhibition while crews of workers hurriedly strove to ready the museum for the opening reception. Kennedy, the former director of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, has been overseeing the Hawikku exhibition project in conjunction with a board of directors from Zuni and the Pueblo's tribal council. "This totally outshadows anything Gallup has done," he said of the exhibition. "I think this is going to get some phenomenal attention nationally," he added. Officials from Zuni Pueblo worked with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), to borrow back the artifacts from the NMAI. When Hodge originally removed the artifacts, they were sent to the Museum of the American Indian in New York, which was later taken over by the Smithsonian. Kennedy called the 160 artifacts on loan from the NMAI "a drop in the bucket" to the 20,000 artifacts removed from Hawikku. "They were taken from Zuni," he said ,"in many people's opinion, wrongly." Although the artifacts play a key role in the exhibit, Kennedy said, they are not the primary focus for the museum like they might be in a traditional archaeological museum setting. Archaeologists sometimes tend, said Kennedy, to "salivate over individual things." In "Hawikku: Echoes from Our Past," the focus is on the storyline - the story of the Zuni people. Celebration of the past As museum visitors move through the exhibit, some common themes emerge in each exhibit room. They are the same themes that greet visitors when they enter the museum. Written in the Zuni language and painted on the entrance wall, the words are: sovereignty, land, water, language, religion, and culture. Kennedy believes those words reflect the contemporary issues Zuni people have had to grapple with in the 20th Century, they are the issues Zuni people continue to face, and they are the issues Zuni people dealt with in centuries past. And that raises an important point for Kennedy. Although he is now the Pueblo's tourism director, and the Zuni Pueblo is hoping the exhibit will become an important site for visitors to the Pueblo ,"Hawikku: Echoes from Our Past" was designed primarily for the Zuni people and not so much for non-Zuni visitors. "This was first and foremost for the local community," Kennedy said. "We hope the exhibit serves as an empowerment tool," he added. As the Hawikku exhibit was being planned, he said, organizers looked to take a negative - the removal of artifacts belonging to a Native American community - and turn it into a positive by using some of those same objects to help Zuni people reconnect with their past. Although the Hawikku exhibit documents many of the turbulent times in Zuni history, it also documents how the people have survived the problems they have faced. "This exhibit is a celebration of the past," said Kennedy. "Hawikku: Echoes from Our Past" was funded largely by the National Endowment for the Humanities. It can be viewed at the Hapadina Building, an old trading post, which is located at the intersection of Pia Mesa and Ojo Caliente Roads on the south side of Zuni. Hours of operation have tentatively been set for 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. However, because the Hapadina Building is located on the south side of Zuni, near the old village, the museum will be closed sometimes due to religious ceremonies taking place in Zuni. Visitors might wish to call in advance to confirm the museum will be open on the day of their visit. For more information, contact the Zuni Tourism Office at the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, (505) 782-4403. Copyright c. 2002 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: American Indians honor Chickasaw Astronaut" --------- Date: Mon 11 Nov, 2002 08:36:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JOHN HERRINGTON" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.miami.com/mld/miami/news/local/4491708.htm American Indians honor astronaut in prelaunch ceremony MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press November 11, 2002 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Tribal members beat drums, performed ancient dances and recited traditional chants in a garden of old rockets to honor NASA's first American Indian astronaut. John Herrington, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, had not yet boarded space shuttle Endeavour on Sunday night when the launch was delayed, right around the time the ceremony in his honor was ending. A young woman sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Navajo, and a Chickasaw dance troupe encircled Herrington's parents in the hourlong ceremony. About 1,000 people watched the ceremony featuring Chickasaw, Navajo and Seminole tribal members in the rocket garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. "Heavenly Father, we thank you for the night you have given us. I want you to guide him on his journey," said Lee Frazier, a Chickasaw tribal elder from Ada, Okla. "Heavenly father, we want to tell you that we're proud and ask for Your blessing." Frazier was one of about 200 Chickasaw members who traveled from Oklahoma to Cape Canaveral to watch Herrington's launch aboard Endeavour, which had been scheduled for early Monday morning. They missed out on that opportunity when NASA delayed the launch at least one week because of a shuttle oxygen leak. Many of the tribe members had to head back home to Oklahoma because of work and school obligations. Bill Anoatubby, governor of the Chickasaw Nation, said Indians all over the country are excited about Herrington's launch - whenever it occurs. "He's a hero for everyone," Anoatubby said. "Besides, he's a pretty nice guy." The 10 members of the Chickasaw Dance Troupe performed a traditional "honor" dance around the astronaut's parents, James and Joyce Herrington of Spicewood, Texas, and presented them with a flute and other gifts. Male dancers wore black fedoras with feathers, and female dancers wore ruffled dresses with turtle-shell rattles tied to their legs. Jerry Elliott, an aerospace technologist at Houston's Johnson Space Center who is of Osage-Cherokee descent, played a mournful melody on his flute. He recounted how Herrington had wanted to visit a sacred site in South Dakota's Black Hills, Bear Butte, but was too busy at work. The 44-year-old Herrington, though, plans to carry into space a small rock from the sacred site. "John, I want you to look down when you go over the Black Hills and there might be an eagle flying there," Elliott said. Buffy Sainte-Marie, a songwriter of Cree Indian descent, sang "Up Where We Belong," an anthem she wrote that was used in the 1982 film, "An Officer and a Gentleman." "We've been waiting so long for John to go up," Sainte-Marie said. "It means so much to us, for our self-esteem." Copyright c. 2001 miami and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Uniting the Condor & the Eagle" --------- Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 10:06:55 -0600 From: "Carter Camp" Subj: Uniting the Condor & the Eagle Mailing List: ndn-aim UNITING THE EAGLE AND THE CONDOR DISTRIBUTE FAR AND WIDE - ALL ACROSS TURTLE ISLAND GLOBALIZAR LA MINGA EN SOLIDARIDAD (See English below) La Asociacion de Cabildos Indigenas del Norte del Cauca invita a las instituciones y personas solidarias del mundo a participar en su Congreso de Jambalo en Diciembre. Ver los mensajes e informacion a continuacion (Carta del Jefe Arthur Manuel, Invitacion en Ingles, Invitacion de Ezequiel Vitonas). Por favor compartanlos y diseminenlos en sus redes. EN MINGA GLOBAL CON LOS PUEBLOS INDIGENAS. GLOBALIZING THE MINGA IN SOLIDARITY The Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN) invites institutions and individuals from around the world to participate in their Jambalo Congress in December. Please see the attached messages and information (Letter of Chief Arthur Manuel, Letter of Invitation English, Invitation in Spanish - Ezequiel Vitonas). Please share these with your contacts and mobilize. We can coordinate efforts. See you in Cauca IN MINGA WITH THE INGIGENOUS PEOPLES. Dear Friends: Here is a rather important invitation by the people of Cauca. This was the place that I went in August 2001. It was a very enjoyable experience despite the fact that they have been in a civil war for the last thirty years. The people are strong and are committed to their indigenous identity as peoples. I know Ezequiel Vitonas and he is a very good person. This is where the last time I was they marched 20,000 people in memory of Cristobal Secue a Chief that was murdered by the armed actors in his home a few months earlier. The people in this area are committed peace because they are the only ones who are not armed. The government, the guerrillas and the para-military are all armed actors who threaten and kill our people. The indigenous people demonstrated in order to show that they were not scared by the armed actors who killed one of their leaders. I know that the issues they face are the same as the issues we face. The fundamental decisions they are fighting with regard to their rights as peoples are the same we are fighting here in Canada. Their primary life plan is to become self sufficient in food so they do not be dependent on a system that is corrupted by United States efforts to get cheap natural resources from Colombia. They disagree with Plan Colombia because it destroys their effort to become self sufficient in food and is merely an excuse for the United States to use United States bad habits as a means to undermine their right to be independent as peoples. I would suggest as many Indian leaders from Canada who can, should make an effort to go down to Colombia. I think the solidarity between our peoples and them would give us more strength as peoples in order to fight Jean Chretien's effort to make us merely dependent municipal governments under his existing legislative package. If we cannot go we should stand with them in prayer and in spirit during their deliberations. They are truly a great people. Arthur --------------------------------------------------------- Chief Arthur Manuel Neskonlith Band Secwepemc Nation Chase, British Columbia Canada ______________________________________________ Dear Friends (see Spanish invitation message below): I have received the following message from Ezequiel Vitonas, a leader and founding member of the Nasa (people in Nasa Yube) Project in Toribio Cauca (PLEASE SEE THESE LINKS FOR SOME MORE INFORMATION ON CAUCA AND THE INDIGENOUS PROCESS: http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?sectionID=9&ItemID=2104, http://tao.ca/~ccsc/enc_cauca.htm, http://www.zmag.org/content/colombia/podur-rozental.cfm, http://www.zmag.org/crisescurevts/colombia/mingacm8.htm, http://www.zmag.org/crisescurevts/colombia/mingacm4.htm, http://tao.ca/~ccsc/sept7_2002aldemar.htm, http://tao.ca/~ccsc/july12_2002cauca-chiefmanuel.htm, http://tao.ca/~ccsc/july4_2002paeces.htm, http://tao.ca/~ccsc/july11_2002cauca.htm). He is asking me to invite as many people I trust would respect and understand the significance of this invitation to join them at their upcoming congress. This event will take place in Jambalo between Dec 10-18.02. For those of us who have been at these events, we know what an extraordinary and unique experience they are. At least 20000 indigenous people will be there. This time, the Congress is the most important event in the last 30 years. The congress is one moment in a consultation process involving all Paez people (some 150.000). The leaders have gone from house to house and from town to town talking to everyone about critical issues, opinions, approaches, positions. Based on these extensive consultations, the have now defined the theme of the congress where a consensus will be reached. The congress will be followed by further consultations and implementation of the collective decisions of this autonomous nation of nations. These people are an example of Dignity in Resistance and elders of wisdom in the applied principles of coexistence and the protection of life that we require to survive and live with dignity in many diverse ways with the land. On their behalf, I AM INVITING YOU TO JOIN US IN AN EFFORT TO BE THERE WITH THEM IN DECEMBER. Let us make contacts, gather people and resources and join them. We will learn and they will feel our company at a time when armies, legislators and the media machinery challenges their autonomy and wants to remove them again from their sacred mother. Please spread the word so that we can be at this event. Even those who cannot go, can join us. It is an honour to be invited and my privilege to have been given the voice to invite you. As the Nasa saying goes: Words without action are hollow Actions without words are Blind Words and Actions outside of the spirit of the Communities are Death --------- "RE: Still no deal between Shubenacadie Band & DFO" --------- Date: Fri 8 Nov, 2002 08:39:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LOBSTER TRAP" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/search/story Still no deal between native band, DFO as lobster season looms Broadcast News Monday, November 04, 2002 HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Band Council will meet this week to decide what to do about the upcoming commercial lobster season. The band and Federal Fisheries are still locked in a dispute over treaty rights. Chief Reg Maloney says he's not sure what will happen when the season opens in southwestern Nova Scotia on Nov. 25. Shubenacadie has one commercial licence for the area which allows it to fish 375 traps. But, DFO is still holding the boats and traps it seized from the band last year following claims of illegal fishing. DFO's Manager of Aboriginal Operations says the band is free to fish its commercial licence as long as it abides by the same rules as everyone else. Steve Wilson says they'd like to cut a deal with the band but nothing is imminent. Copyright c. 2002 Broadcast News. --------- "RE: Nunavut needs Economic Aid to break Dependence" --------- Date: Wed 6 Nov, 2002 08:10:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NUNAVUT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Nunavut.html Nunavut needs economic aid to break dependence on Ottawa, MPs told November 6, 2002 VANCOUVER (CP) -- Nunavut, Canada's youngest territory, wants to break its almost total dependence on the federal government but needs Ottawa's help to do it. "Our communities want to break the cycle of financial dependence and make a significant contribution to the economy of Canada," Keith Peterson, president of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, told the Common's finance committee on Tuesday. The territory needs an economic development agreement with Ottawa, he said. The federal government also should set up a northern regional development agency, like the ones that funnel money into Western and Atlantic Canada. "The economic potential of Nunavut is tremendous and we think this is being overlooked," Peterson said. Nunavut, carved out of the eastern part of the Northwest Territories in April 1999, comprises 23 per cent of Canada's land mass. But it has only 28,000 residents scattered in 25 communities, including the capital Iqaluit where the Queen made a brief stop on her recent Canadian tour. Some 91 per cent of the territory's $600-million budget comes from federal transfers and most jobs involve the public sector. About three- quarters of the money goes back south to buy goods and services. Nunavut suffers Third World-style economic and social problems, Peterson told the committee. Almost half its population is below the age of 20 and it has the highest population growth rate in Canada. Unemployment averages more than 20 per cent, up to 36 per cent for Inuit. At 68.6 years, life expectancy is about 10 years less than the national average, infant mortality almost four times as high and the suicide rate five times as high. The territory suffers from a shortage of housing and inadequate health care, said Peterson, mayor of the hamlet of Cambridge Bay. But Nunavut is sitting on a wealth of mineral resources, including diamonds, silver, copper, lead and zinc, he said. Among the things on the territory's wish list are construction of an Arctic Ocean port and road system linked to mining development, as well as a road between Nunavut's Kvalliq region and Manitoba. But Peterson said the territory is getting nowhere with Ottawa in explaining the potential payoff the investments would have for the Canadian economy. "I just think they don't understand the North," he said in an interview. The three northern territories -- total population 90,000 -- have one MP each with little political clout, he said. Peterson told the committee the most recent $2-billion federal infrastructure program so far has earmarked only $2 million for Nunavut. The funds were based on population, a formula that doesn't work in such a vast territory, he said. Territorial leaders were also told Nunavut's share of program will be capped at $20 million, a fraction of what's needed to develop the port project alone, said Peterson. Ottawa promised a northern economic development strategy in the late 1990s but the proposal appeared to be shelved two years ago, he said. Peterson acknowledged some politicians and bureaucrats are reluctant to funnel more money into Nunavut but the problems of its youthful population will worsen without economic development. "If we don't do something now to help create a future for them there're going to be higher suicide rates, more dependency on the federal government for transfer payments," Peterson said. Like other provinces and territories, Nunavut will always need some federal transfers, said Peterson, a born and bred northerner. "But we can help ourselves too if someone will give us that chance." Copyright c. 2002, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Ottawa halts Self-Governace Talks with Treaty #3" --------- Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 13:34:15 -0500 From: "Frosty" Subj: Ottawa halts self-governace talks with Treaty #3 Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian ----- Original Message ----- From: Russell Diabo Ottawa halts self-governace talks with Treaty #3 November 06, 2002 By Sarah McGinnis http://www.fftimes.com/index.php3/3/2002-11-06/12034 The Department of Indian Affairs announced Monday it has withdrawn from self-governance negotiations with Grand Council Treaty #3, stating it hasn't received documentation of support needed to continue the talks. Treaty #3 Grand Chief Leon Jourdain said he doesn't understand why negotiations were ended since they sent the ministry a document signed by 25 chiefs supporting the process. "The Government of Canada has withdrawn from comprehensive self- government negotiations with Grand Council Treaty #3 [GCT3], effective Oct. 31, 2002," the Department of Indian Affairs stated in a press release Monday. "GCT3 has failed to provide Band Council Resolutions (BCR) from their member First Nations which indicate they support the process and the mandate of GCT3 to continue negotiations," the release added. Band Council Resolutions are from the chief and council reflecting a "record of decision" taken by the council. They are meant to determine if the council supports, in principle, the process of self-governance. Sheila Parry, senior negotiator from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, said the choice to end negotiations came after they conducted a review of the talks which started five years ago. "The minister [local MP Robert Nault] sent a letter to the Grand Council Treaty #3 and the member chiefs on Aug. 12 requesting the band council resolutions be provided to him by Oct. 31 to reflect both their support for the process and clarification on the mandate," Parry said yesterday. "He didn't receive those BCR's and that's why we have withdrawn the negotiations at this time," she added. The move has stunned Grand Council Treaty #3, which said it has been waiting for Nault to resume discussions after 25 chiefs signed a re- affirmation of the Governance Framework Agreement with Canada. "I'm disappointed and a little uncertain about what the minister is saying," Grand Chief Jourdain said in a press release Tuesday. "The governing body of the Anishinaabe Nation spoke with one voice [and] we supplemented that decision with individual signatures from 25 chiefs, which is unprecedented since the signing of the treaty." Grand Chief Jourdain forwarded a copy of a letter from Treaty #3 in support of the framework agreement that said it was sent to Nault's office Oct. 15. The letter states "the overwhelming support of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3's National Assembly to continue to implement the Framework Agreement and work, in partnership, with Canada to facilitate effective, timely, and orderly negotiations toward the Agreement in Principle." Also enclosed was a copy of the record of decision, made Oct. 16, 2002, and signed by 25 Treaty #3 chiefs "reaffirm the Framework Agreement of May 22, 1997." "According to the constitutional relationship and the framework agreement, we have satisfied all legal tests-seemingly the minister has political demands that go beyond legal requirements," Jourdain charged. The department has argued there has been no movement on self-governance with Treaty #3. "In the case of GCT3, Canada has invested over $8 million in the last five years in the self-government process. To date, we have not seen tangible progress," the department noted in its release. Parry said they would be willing to continue working with Treaty #3 on issues of quality of life, education, and economic development in the meantime while negotiations on self-governance have been halted. Chief Jourdain is requesting a meeting with Nault to discuss the issue. "Perhaps if he had met with us earlier, these issues could have been resolved. It would appear that there have been some misunderstandings," he said. In his release, Grand Chief Jourdain said he will be meeting with his leadership at the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa on Nov. 18-19 and hoped Nault would be available for a meeting then. He added he remained optimistic a meeting would resolve the issue. --------- "RE: Nov. 11 bittersweet for Native Veterans" --------- Date: Mon 11 Nov, 2002 08:36:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CANADIAN NATIVE VETS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Aboriginal-Veterans.html Nov. 11 bittersweet for native veterans as many end fight for compensation Monday, Nov. 11, 2002 REGINA (CP) -- Howard Anderson says Remembrance Day this year is especially bittersweet. After years of fighting for what they believed was their due, some aboriginal veterans are giving up their struggle for compensation and instead accepting an offer from Ottawa, says the head of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association. "It's very unfortunate that this has come to this," Anderson said. "I don't think it's good, but when you're 78, 79 or 80 years old somewhere you're going to quit. "Most of them are taking what's there. We're too old to wait." Anderson helped lead the fight by native veterans who sought up to $420,000 each for the value of land non-native soldiers received for their service, but was denied to aboriginals who lived on reserves. After the Second World War, non-aboriginal servicemen got up to $6,000 to buy land and as much as $2,600 to start businesses and settle. Their native counterparts -- if they were status Indians -- got up to $2,320, but received none of the spousal benefits, education, training or jobs given to their comrades in arms. A committee struck by Ottawa in 2000 to study the issue recommended compensation of $120,000 each. But the government says it settled on the same amount that was paid to two other groups of under-recognized servicemen -- Hong Kong vets and merchant marines. A decorated veteran, now 78, Anderson joined the army at 16 and fought for three years in Europe where he relayed messages and guns to the front on a motorbike. He wouldn't say if he has accepted the offer from the federal government made in June of $20,000. He wants each veteran to make his own decision and wouldn't want his to influence others. "It's up to the individual. We got something and it's the best that we could get," he said. About 1,800 people -- 800 veterans and 1,000 surviving spouses -- would be eligible for compensation that's expected to cost $39 million. Estates of veterans or of their spouses who died after Feb. 1, 2000, when the committee was struck, would also be paid. So far Veterans Affairs has responded to nearly 800 requests for applications and received almost 150 completed applications in the last month. The department has run newspaper ads seeking veterans who may be eligible for the package. The application deadline is Feb 15. Veterans Affairs Minister Rey Pagtakhan is pleased veterans are signing on to the deal. "This is a good healthy sign that they are finding healing in this process," he said. But Peter Stoffer, the NDP's Veterans Affairs critic, said the federal government has acted shamelessly. "It's rather quite sad that the government has waited for so long," he said. "So many of them have passed away and the ones that are left are frail and elderly and maybe don't have the fight in them anymore." However, not all of them have given up hope for a better settlement. Lawyer Clint Docken will try to get a class-action lawsuit certified in December on behalf of the remaining veterans and anticipates a trial next year if the case is not settled. Docken said the lawsuit is important because the settlement offer from the federal government does not include all aboriginal veterans. "The most important thing is it's not available to Indian war vets unless they went back to the reserve and a significant number of Indian war vets did not end up back on the reserve," he said. Copyright c. 2002, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Gangs on rise in First Nations Communities" --------- Date: Fri 8 Nov, 2002 08:39:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GANGS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canada.com/search/story Gangs on rise in First Nations communities Thursday, November 07, 2002 GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION, Manitoba -- Aboriginal gangs are rapidly multiplying in vulnerable First Nations communities in Manitoba. The Garden Hill First Nation is one northern reserve that may be losing the fight. Five gangs run drugs and bootlegging on the reserve, located about 500 kilometre northeast of Winnipeg. Police say they're also responsible for home invasions, gang rapes and severe beatings. RCMP Sergeant Steve Walker says the crimes that are committed often go unreported. He says people are beaten into silence. Luke Harper, an elder in the community, says the problem is that young people on the reserve have nothing to do. He says if kids were kept busy, they'd stay out of trouble. Police say the community should develop anti-gang strategies. Copyright c. 2002 Canadian Press. --------- "RE: A Must Read: The Rights of Indians and Tribes" --------- Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 10:02:31 EST From: ErthAvengr@aol.com Subj: ICT: A must read: ' The Rights of Indians and Tribes' Mailing List: ndn-aim http://www.indiancountry.com A must read: 'The Rights of Indians and Tribes' Posted: http://www.indiancountry.com/?search=November+06,+2002 The value of accurate and timely information on Indian affairs is paramount. We often wish that all young Native students, certainly by high school level, would have a clear understanding of their tribal history, and of the cultural and legal foundations that American Indians have under U.S. law. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Not only students but also many Native adults have incomplete information on important issues facing their nations. Of course, much of the general American population is still largely ignorant of the actual bases of American Indian status in federal law. The updated, third edition of the guide by the American Civil Liberties Union, called "The Rights of Indians and Tribes," published by Southern Illinois University Press, could go a long way in assisting the general education of tribal peoples on this important theme. Organized in a question and answer format, the new edition is more accessible than most reference books. Its wide distribution will help to encourage Native students, indeed, all Native people, to become fluent in what makes American Indian tribal nations unique in the United States. We congratulate its principal author, attorney Stephen L. Pevar, for this valuable contribution, which upholds the general ACLU philosophy that "an informed citizenry is the best guarantee that the government will respect civil liberties." Pevar, who cut his teeth as a legal aid attorney on Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota during the turbulent early 1970s, is well suited to the task. There is a lot to know about Indian rights and perhaps this is what makes it difficult to have a clear idea of its foundations. The legal structure of Indian tribal and individual standing in federal law, which would seem simple and clear, is actually quite complex and often obscure, built not only on discovery and conquest but also on a convoluted and contradictory history of shifting federal policies as well as hundreds of precedent-setting court cases. This makes it difficult to understand, explain and argue the many issues of tribes from solid positions. This book that explains, by its question and answer method the many twists and turns of tribal self-determination, will also provide useful avenues of defense. The history is primarily one of rights retained, fought over and held by sheer force of courage and wit, with not a little stubbornness and a lot of sweat. To paraphrase from the introduction: "A better question to ask than "Do I [we] have the right to do this?" is "Does the government have the right to stop me [us] from doing this?" With Indian rights, as many leaders have reminded their tribes, you either "use them or lose them." Pevar's book provides an excellent overview of the contradictory history of shifting federal Indian policy, from the period of complete tribal independence through the time dominated by treaties, to relocation, allotment and assimilation, Indian reorganization and termination of tribes, to the current policy of tribal self-governance, written into law in 1975. The specific definitions and uses of such terms as Indian Country, Indian tribe, Indian title, are provided, as is excellent and succinct analysis of issues, citing court cases and patterns of history. As Pevar explains, he is attempting to describe, as directly as possible, where Indian rights actually stand, what it is, rather than what "ought to be." For all the economic gains of the past decade, Indian country is in bad shape still. One third of Indian households remains below the poverty level, in homes suffering substandard conditions. Unemployment in many reservations is upwards of 50 percent and some places as much as 80 percent. At Navajo, 80-plus percent of homes have no telephone service. Despite the major economic gains of high-stakes gaming establishments, Indian country is quite impoverished. Pevar's book cites consistent sources in court cases, Native scholarship and the Native press. We are pleased that Indian Country Today was useful to Pevar as a source of reference. Pevar's book delineates the range of doctrine, policy and practice that encompasses Indian rights. Pevar answers pertinent questions on Trust responsibility; Indian treaties; federal power over Indians; criminal jurisdiction in Indian country; civil jurisdiction in Indian country; taxation; Indian hunting and fishing rights; Indian water rights; civil rights of Indians; the Ind