From gars@speakeasy.org Wed Dec 18 03:18:22 2002 Date: 18 Dec 2002 00:43:54 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews10.051 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 Hi'a chu ah gaa -- Pima -- The stories or the talk of the People 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 051 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O December 21, 2002 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Kiowa ganhina p'a/real goose moon +-----------------------------+ Blackfeet isstaaato's/cold moon <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is produced in straight ASCII text for greatest portability across platforms. Read it with a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, Monaco, FixedSys or CG Times. Proportional fonts will be difficult to read. <================<<<< >>>>================> This issue contains articles from www.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; Native Lifeways, Iron Natives, Indian Heritage, ndn-aim, FoL-L, and Dakota_Lakota_Nakota_Advocacy 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 | | Once a language is lost, it is | | Limerick summarized in "The | | gone forever | | Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken | | * Of the 300 original Native | | Past of the American West... | | languages in North America, | | "Set the blood quantum at | | only 175 exist today. | | one-quarter, hold to it as a | | * 125 of these are no longer | | rigid definition of Indians, | | learned by children. | | let intermarriage proceed as | | * 55 are spoken by 1 to 6 elders;| | it had for centuries, and | | when they die, their language | | eventually Indians will be | | will disappear. | | defined out of existence." | | * Without action, only 20 | | "When that happens, the federal | | languages will survive the next| | government will be freed of | | 50 years. | | its persistent 'Indian problem.'"| | Source: Indigenous Language | +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ | Institute | |http://www.indigenous-language.org| This issue's Elder Quote: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself." __ Lone Man, Teton Sioux +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! My wife, Janet, took exception, as did many, to the words of Delphine Red Shirt printed in the December 8 issue of the Hartford Courant and reproduced here. Janet's comments follow those of Mrs. Red Shirt's. From the Hartford Courant - December 8, 2002 http://www.ctnow.com/news/opinion/op_ed/hc-indian1208.artdec "Other Opinion" by Delphine Red Shirt I've lived in Connecticut for a decade now. That is longer than I have lived anywhere else. I've never lived in the South, but have lived 20 miles from Berkeley, Calif. I've also lived in Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado and Ann Arbor, Mich. When I came east, I thought it would be for just a short while. Here it is, 10 years later. I like it here better than I've liked anywhere I've lived. I like teaching as an adjunct professor. What I don't like is Connecticut's definition of "Indian." Why? Because I am an Indian. I grew up Indian, look Indian, even speak Indian. So it offends me to come east and to see how "Indian" is defined in this state that I now call home. What offends me? That on the outside (where it counts in America's racially conscious society), Indians in Connecticut do not appear Indian. In fact, the Indians in Connecticut look more like they come from European or African stock. When I see them, whether they are Pequot, Mohegan, Paugussett, Paucatuck or Schaghticoke, I want to say, "These are not Indians." But I've kept quiet. I can't stay quiet any longer. These are not Indians. The federal recognition process has become a new arena for profit-making, as any venture capitalist in America can see. What had been an obscure Bureau of Indian Affairs process has become a loophole for speculators and opportunistic individuals forming "tribes." These speculators are willing to bankroll these questionable "tribes" for mutual gain. Connecticut has been doing it now for a decade. People who had been indigent elsewhere can come here and claim lineage and book a cruise to the Caribbean islands or move into a spanking new retirement home on casino income as a tribal member. There are no remnants left of the indigenous peoples that had proudly lived in Connecticut. What is here is all legally created. The blood is gone. So, who are they? They are descendants, perhaps - though even that seems questionable - of the once proud people who lived in this state called "Quinecktecut." These races have died out. Here's how: What if, in 1700, a Pequot married a European or African, and 30 years later their half-blood offspring married another European or African and so on? By the early 1800s, that blood would be less than 1/32 Indian. By 2002, if the pattern continued, that Indian blood would be virtually nonexistent. Yet, a person could identify herself as a descendent of that 1/32 Pequot and be considered Indian according to a questionable and flawed federal recognition process. Is she? I say no. We from the West called ourselves "Treaty Indians" to remove ourselves from the influx of so-called "newly born" Indians who had not identified themselves as Indian until it became profitable to do so. I am Indian and have had to live all that means. I do not claim to descend from a full-blooded Indian. I am it. What I am witnessing in this casino-mad state is a corruption of my heritage. I am outraged by it. These are not Indians. I hope that the residents of Connecticut see these new casino tribe members for who they are. I challenge all the press and TV stations to include photos and footage of these individuals who claim Native American heritage. Let the public see these people for who they are (certainly not Indian) and see what a sham the federal recognition process has become at a time when real Indians are facing extreme poverty and neglect. Delphine Red Shirt of Guilford is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, an adjunct professor of American studies at Yale University and author of "Turtle Lung Woman's Granddaughter" (University of Nebraska Press, 2002). My opinion: Delphine Red Shirt should have stayed quiet. I respect the intellect and the discipline it took to rise out of one of the most desperately poor and demoralizing "concentration camps" in this country to become a Yale professor. However respectability does not make Ms. Red Shirt infallable, and she's totally out of line when she advises descendants of the thieves who stole from the New England tribes in the first place, that the Indian nations they acknowledge are "not Indian" because they don't "look Indian." She cites the "American racially conscious society," as if that were a good traditional Indian value--which it wasn't until it was imposed from the outside. And did you notice the several citations of African heritage? I got the distinct impression it offended her more than anything else that some Connecticut tribes intermingled with blacks, and it showed in their descendants' appearance. That kind of pandering to the underbelly of white racism is unconscionable. Her comments serve a race-based attack on tribal sovereignty in the east that will eventually move westward to bite her own people where the sun don't shine. She wouldn't be the first educated Indian embraced by the invaders' academia to betray her own. There's no wonder New England tribal people don't appear the same as Ms. Red Shirt's people, the Lakota. It doesn't require great education to figure that one out. The Connecticut tribes, so far as I know, have not applied for enrollment in any Lakota nation, anyway. The wonder is that a person capable of winning a professorial appointment at Yale expects that nations separated by thousands of miles, dissimilar land and resources, and dissimilar history could hold much in common simply because they originated on the same large continent. It makes as much sense as expecting the Spanish to hold to the same cultural (or appearance) standards as the Dutch because both countries are in Europe, and their inhabitants are sometimes deemed "European." Hoardes of immigrants infiltrated New England tribes' lands, appropriating their ways, displacing them, and in some cases, intermarrying with them, centuries before locomotives started bringing in more than a handful of explorers to Lakota territories (just as, for instance, north Africans established a presence and a cultural influence in southern Spain, but never made it to Holland). Would it be considered appropriate for a professor to come from Amsterdam to teach at a Madrid university, and after taking a look at the locals, go to the international press and challenge Spain's right national sovereignty because "a lot of these folks don't look or act European?" Of course not. The Spanish would be in an uproar over this interloper's presumption, and rightly so. Ms. Red Shirt is from a nation, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, that is nearly as far distant from Connecticut as is England. She looked at the resident nations in her new home who are linked to her only by that deceptive "blanket" word -- "Indian." And she's announced to the media that she's offended because these folks don't look like her people. What gives her the right to extend the obvious non-relationship to the conclusion that she needs to be offended that different people are entitled to sovereign national status? If she has a problem with the race- based "Indian" blanket, then argue with that -- at least that's something she has a right to be offended about. She has nothing to do with another tribe's status, though, and she shouldn't have anything to do with it, any more than Canada should have a voice in the U.S.'s relationship with Mexico. Her nation has a treaty with the U.S. The Connecticut tribes also are recognized as nations by the U.S. If you want to get down to who has priority, the Connecticut tribes were known Indian nations several hundred years prior to hers. She plays the "I paid my dues" card, noting that she grew up on a real reservation with all the deprivations that entailed, and she knows her language. Okay. I'll grant all that. Good for her and good for her tribe. That still doesn't entitle her to judge the legitimacy of another nation. Nor does it credit what the Connecticut tribes may have suffered, albeit not on a reservation. And it most certainly does not her grant the right to, by making that judgement, erode sovereignty of one group of nations, and by extension, diminish the voice of Indigenous people on this continent. If she just can't look past her own (Indian looking) nose, she needs to consider how this will come to damage her own people eventually. Does she think the nations she's helped disenfranchise will have the voice to help protect the Lakota when their turn comes? Has she read history at all? Has she looked at how the U.S. has used us against each other from the very beginning? The U.S. government and the non-Indians who stole our land and as much of our identity as they could, are absolutely livid that we haven't died off or assimilated away so they could steal the little that was left us. I wonder if Ms. Red Shirt has visited the home that entitles her to "Indianness" recently enough to notice what's happening to her language on her own reservation after only a hundred years or so of having it beaten out of them? Of course she's in that Ivory Tower, a few thousand miles away from being with her own people where she could help preserve that language, now isn't she? I wonder just why it is that she's gone as far as she possibly can from her own reservation to teach somebody else's kids, when it is undeniable that her own nation could use her knowledge? Is she still "Indian" now that she has abandoned her nation for a bigger paycheck and the academic status that comes from an Ivy League university appointment? When her child marries out of nation, and her grandchildren do the same (and living in New England, odds are they'll do just that--or maybe marry a Pequot), will she then look at HER great-grandbabies and say "you aren't mine?" Ms. Red Shirt needs to take another look at those nice white folks in Connecticut she's so comfortable with and who are so interested in her opinion now. They don't care one bit for Indians that aren't useful to them. Oh, they're fawning over her now. She's their trophy Indian--much like Pocahontas, who was feted throughout Europe. The Lakota are far enough away that they, and she, are no threat. When she's served her purpose, she'll have a choice. Assimilate and become an interestingly- colored wasichu like them (sounds like she's already nicely on that path), or they'll be quite satisfied to see her go back to being an impoverished savage like the rest of us. Note to Ms. Red Shirt. Your Oglala have a casino, too. South Dakota is full of bigots who still won't touch your nicely manicured hand to get change in the local Wal-Mart in Rapid City (which is probably why you like Connecticut better). What makes you think they are going to be any happier than your new Yankee neighbors if Pine Ridge manages to ride the casino (or anything else) out of poverty? Maybe you will celebrate as the last bottle is passed and the Oglala are bred out of existence. You can be a part of history -- one of the last fullblood Lakota. Maybe the great-grandkids can honor their heritage by adapting your books into movies and establishing a museum exhibit about you in a couple of generations. -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- -=-=-=- 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 -0510 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 -=-=-=- 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 -=-=-=- *** NEW ITEM 11/16/2002 *** Date: Saturday, November 16, 2002 12:00 AM From: Dodie Finstead [mailto:dodiefinstead@ev1.net] Subj: Please help-Coats for Kids from the Cherokee Nation Mailing List: Native Lifeways Please repost. Cherokee Nation is working to provide a Coats for Kids in Sequoyah County this winter. Any and all help is appreciated and desperately needed. This project was supposed to end today (Nov. 15) but the project has run short in its goal and is asking for everyone's help. For more information on this special project please review the following news story: > http://www.cherokee.org/CurentNewsRelease.asp?ID=719 -=-=-=- *** NEW ITEM 12/10/2002 *** Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 10:46:30 EST From: Itsshngsprt2@aol.com Subj: Crow Rez --some needs for those who might wish to donate??? I asked Randy, on the Crow Rez in Montana. I've known him, his family for years, face to face, in my house. He sent the following in response to my question of need. Firehair In a message dated 12/8/02 2:46:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, PastorRB@earthlink.net writes: <= email here for mailing address Projects: Could always use kids HEAVY coats, blankets, and such. We have commodities sponsored by the Gov. and we have a food bank through the church, so food is not generally a problem. Financial issues are most prevailing, but lots of time it is due to mis-management of funds. wishing all of "Our Family" a Very Merry Christmas!! Randy 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 ---------- - Leonard George Bear King - Court rules Canada in - Historian, Novelist Breach to First Nation dead at the Age of 94 - Suspect in Rodeo Blaze - Crossings not Competent - Response to Delphine Red Shirt - Statement of Leonard Peltier - Indian Beneficiaries - U.S. Court rejects deserve Accountability Peltier's Appeal - Eagle Study raises ANWR Concerns - Native Prisoner - Open Letter to Ray Halbritter -- UPDATE: Timothy Has No Horse - EPA appraised of - History: Carlisle Indian School Tribal Fisheries Situation - From Rustywire: - URGENT: Attack on Bamaca Family Nellie goes to the Moon - Lubicon: - Poem: PD Miranda Citizens for Public Justice - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - B.C. must consult First Nations - Potawatomis learn Language in Timber transfer through Story - Nuxalkmc Native Youth Movement - This Week on First Peoples TV on Fish Farms - Native America Calling - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Leonard George Bear King" --------- Date: Mon 16 Dec, 2002 08:46:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LEONARD GEORGE BEAR KING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2002/12/16/news/obits/9150obits Leonard George Bear King December 16, 2002 MOBRIDGE - Leonard G. Bear King was born Dec. 15, 1929, in Kenel, S.D., to George Bear King and Laura White Bear King. He passed away Dec. 13, 2002, at MedCenter One Hospital in Bismarck, N.D., after an extended illness. Leonard attended several elementary schools on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and he credited an aunt and uncle of his for instilling in him the virtues of hard work, spirituality, integrity, generosity and courage. He learned his Lakota values and used those values to guide him the rest of his life. One of his most endearing traits was his humility. Leonard accomplished many things during his life, but never felt the need to discuss his accomplishments. He graduated from Standing Rock Community School in Fort Yates, N.D., at a young age, as he had skipped two grades in school because of his academic ability. After finishing high school, Leonard was encouraged by a high school teacher and coach, Maynard Olson, to enter college at Mayville. He was awarded an athletic scholarship and was pushing a wheelbarrow for work on the same day he registered for classes. At the time he did this, there were no scholarships for Indian students. He maintained an interest in competing in area rodeos from childhood through college, and he felt that these experiences contributed to his educational successes. After graduating from college at age 20 with his Bachelor's of Science degree, Leonard enlisted in the Army for two years and went to Germany. He earned the Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and played football for the Army. Some of the players Leonard competed against later became professionals. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1954. Following his Army service, Leonard went to work as a public school teacher and coach for several schools. He continued his education, earning a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota and was a public school superintendent by age 29. During this period of his life, he married and fathered four children. He lived in several communities and contributed to them all. He originated boys and girls' clubs, directed a local and district golden gloves program, and served as a Boy Scout master. He always enjoyed helping youths, and always made the time to do so. During the 1960s, Leonard continued his education at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He spent two years working toward a doctoral degree, and one year in law school. Leonard felt education was a lifelong process. He continued taking college coursework in various courses of study until 1988. Leonard's accomplishments in Indian education were truly groundbreaking. In 1969, he was recruited to serve as a field director for a study of Native children's educational funds. The result was a book, "An Even Chance"; it exposed a number of violations and forced reforms nationwide. By the 1970s, Leonard was an assistant professor at the University of Montana, University of South Dakota, and University of North Dakota. He was instrumental in securing Title III funding to start community colleges at Fort Berthold and Spirit Lake. He served on a task force that drafted what is now known as the 1978 Self Determination Act. During the 1980s, he worked for the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River tribes in various leadership capacities before finally retiring in 1992. In 1993, Leonard was asked to run for office on the Standing Rock Reservation and was on the tribal council from 1993 to 1997. His most recent efforts were grants he wrote for the Cheyenne River tribe. One grant was for Headstart and one was an American Indian Teacher Corps, to train Indian teachers. He also worked for Si Tanka College; this was his last place of employment. Leonard's educational career was long and satisfying. He received many awards over the years, most recently was his selection by the National Indian Education Association to be the "Elder of the Year" for 2000. The award was based on his lifelong contributions to Indian education. His parents and siblings Harvey (USN), Evelyn, Lavonne, Wanda, and Loretta preceded Leonard in death. His survivors include his four children: Gerald W. Bear King, Dean Bear King, ReNae Bear King, and Sheri Bear King Baker (Biron Baker); four grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Burnett and Vera May Janis; and numerous nieces and nephews. Wake services will begin at 6 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, Monday, Dec. 16, at the Kenel Church. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the church. Burial will be at 10 a.m. MST Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Casket Bearers: Daryl No Heart, Miles Allard, Vance Gillette, Everett Iron Eyes, Gordon Spotted Horse, Ronald George No Heart. Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Historian, Novelist dead at the Age of 94" --------- Date: Fri 13 Dec, 2002 08:23:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DEE BROWN" http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/ Historian, novelist dead at the age of 94 By PEGGY HARRIS The Associated Press 12/13/02 1:37 AM LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Dee Brown, whose novel "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" helped bring atrocities against Indians to the attention of an American public accustomed to tales of heroic cowboys and savage natives, died Thursday. He was 94. Brown, who suffered from heart disease, was a resident at a hospice. Brown said in a 1998 interview that he preferred writing non-fiction to fiction. He wrote 29 books, all on a manual typewriter. His works examined the history of the American West and drew attention to the decline of American Indian culture. An expert on the American frontier, Brown also was a consultant for documentary film makers. "Most of the fiction was because I couldn't find enough out to write the non-fiction book," he said. "In the novel, if you don't know what happened, you can make something up." In his best seller, "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West," Brown used eyewitness accounts and quotes from Indians who lived during the period. The book, which sold more than 5 million copies and was translated into 15 languages, is a history of the American government's mistreatment of the continent's indigenous people. Published in 1971, it is considered a classic, although some have criticized it as being historically inaccurate and biased in favor of the Indians and against white people. Brown defended "Wounded Knee," saying, "I had a document for everything in the book." The New York Times praised an anthology of Brown's work as "readable narrative, uncluttered by ... the disputes of academic historians." "These stories confirm that the Old West was, indeed, in Brown's words, `a place of magic and wonders,"' the Times wrote. Born Dee Alexander Brown in Alberta, La., Brown had a love of words that went back to an early age. In an interview with the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette, he recalled sitting on his grandmother's lap when he was 5, and learning how to read. He described his discovery of words as "the most startling event of my childhood." Brown's father, Daniel Alexander Brown, died when Brown was 4. His family moved to Stephens in Ouachita County, where his mother, Lula Cranford Brown, had relatives. As a boy, Brown hung around the offices of the weekly Stephens News and eventually learned the skills of a printer. Brown graduated from Little Rock Central High School and moved to Harrison, working for two years as a printer and reporter for the Harrison Daily Times. He attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, working in the school's library. He received a bachelor's degree in library science from George Washington University in 1937 and a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1952. In 1934, Brown married Sara Baird Stroud of Wilson. They had two children, James Mitchell and Linda. Brown was a library assistant from 1934-42 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, served in the Army from 1942-45, then worked as a technical librarian for the U.S. War Department from 1945-48. He spent from 1948-72 as librarian of agriculture for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and was a professor there from 1962-72. Three of his early books, "Fighting Indians of the West," "Trail Driving Days," and "The Settlers' West," were coauthored with Martin F. Schmitt and were based on historic photographs the two men discovered in the National Archives. Other works by Brown include the history "The Gentle Tamers" and the novels "Creek Mary's Blood," "Killdeer Mountain." "Hear That Lonesome Whistle Blow: Railroads in the West," a history, turned out to be an expose of the treacherous dealings of the railroad companies in the development of the West. Union Pacific was so upset with Brown's manuscript that they denied him access to their company library for further research. In 1993, Brown wrote "When the Century Was Young: A Writer's Notebook," a memoir of his life as a writing man. In reflecting on it, Brown said that the nice thing was the memoir didn't take much research. "You just sit there and remember," he said. "And if there are any bad things that I don't want to remember, well, I just obliterate them." His most recent work was a novel, "The Way to Bright Star," published in 1998, which follows a teen-age boy's travails helping transport camels from northwestern Arkansas to a Union officer's farm in the midwest after the battle of Pea Ridge in 1862. The book also provides glimpses of life in Little Rock shortly after the turn of the century, as the grown man looks back on the events of 40 years earlier. Copyright c. 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2002 New OrleansNet LLC. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" December 12, 2002 Wallace Shingobe Wallace Thomas Shingobe, 68, of St. Catherine's Living Center, Wahpeton, N.D., died Dec. 5, 2002, in St. Francis Medical Center, Breckenridge, Minn. Services were Dec. 9 in Ivers-Landblom Funeral Home Chapel, Fargo. Burial was at Oakwood Cemetery, rural Harwood, N.D. He is survived by one sister, Gladys Ray, Fargo; one brother, Sylvester Shingobe, Wahpeton, N.D.; many nieces and nephews and the caregivers at St. Catherine's Living Center. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Theresa Pendegayosh and Rose Barstow and three brothers, James, Ernest and Phillip Shingobe. Wallace was born Sept. 28, 1934, in Mahnomen County, the son of Thomas J. and Mary (Hutchinson) Shingobe. He grew up in Mahnomen County and attended country school and Flandreau Indian Vocational High School where he graduated in 1952. He worked for Armours Packing Company in Grand Fords, N. D. He entered and served in the US. Army from Oct. 23, 1956 until Aug. 21, 1958. After service, he returned to Grand Forks. Wallace married Julie Green in 1960. He later moved to California and Minneapolis where he worked as a machinist. In 1980, Wallace married Kathy Walker. He moved to Fargo in 1986 and later to St. Catherine's Living Center in Wahpeton where he resided until his death. Copyright c. 2002 Mille Lacs Messenger/Isle, MN. -=-=-=- December 11, 2002 George Chase Alone Sr. MANDERSON - George Chase Alone Sr., 68, Manderson, died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Mary Chase Alone, Manderson; four sons, George Chase Alone Jr., Denver, Leonard Chase Alone and Homer Chase Alone, both of Manderson, and Robert Chase Alone, Rushville, Neb.; three daughters, Elizabeth Chase Alone and Sonia Chase Alone, both of Manderson, and Jennifer Takes War Bonnet, Wounded Knee; three sisters, Freida Big Road, Rapid City, and Margaret Yankton and Emma West, both of Manderson; 28 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Wounded Knee District School in Manderson. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the school, with the Rev. Bill Pauly and Mike Little Boy officiating. Burial will be at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Manderson. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. December 13, 2002 Kyle Jason Henry TULSA, Okla. - Kyle Jason Henry, 18, Tulsa and formerly of Rapid City, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002, in Tulsa. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his parents, Elmer and Gertie Henry, Tulsa. A wake service was held Nov. 21 at All Tribes Community Church, Tulsa. Services were held Nov. 22 at Red Fork Baptist Church in Tulsa. Amis-Kennard Funeral Service of Broken Arrow was in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- December 12, 2002 Francis J. Holiday, Sr. Francis Jefferson Holiday Sr., 81, of Kayenta died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002. Mr. Holiday was born April 16, 1921, in Rough Rock, and graduated from Wingate High School in 1941. Mr. Holiday served as a machine gunner light 604 during World War II in Normandy, northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe from 1942 to 1945. He was awarded the American Theater Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal by the U.S. military with honorable discharge. Mr. Holiday worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and as a heavy equipment operator for the Office of Facilities Management. He worked with other facility engineers and land surveyors constructing stock and irrigation ponds. He retired in 1986 and lived out his life in Kayenta. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Survivors include his wife, Louise, of Kayenta; sons Gordon of Flagstaff, Francis Jr. of Stafford, Va., Adrian of Phoenix and Marlon of Kayenta; daughters Marjorie of Holbrook; Marie of Kayenta, Maybelle of Waterflow, N.M., Delight of Kayenta, Marilyn of Farmington, N.M., Rita of Shiprock, N.M., and Jacqueline of Kayenta; sisters Susie Deal of Douglas Mesa, Utah, and Marjorie Haycock of Oljato, Utah; 22 grandchildren, and 10 great- grandchildren. There will be a funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Assmbly of God in Flagstaff, 3500 N. Fourth St. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holiday family. Norvel Owens Mortuary of Flagstaff is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Arizona Daily Sun. -=-=-=- December 11, 2002 Joseph Lloyd Cata JOSEPH LLOYD CATA , 36, of Espanola and originally of San Juan, died Monday following injuries from an automobile accident. He was employed with Bechtel Nevada as a fiber optic technician. He was a graduate of Santa Fe Indian School and was a member of the Victory Faith Church. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Johnny J. and Petrolina Aguino; and paternal grandfather, Jose Isidoro Cata. He is survived by his wife, Angela Cata; sons, Gavin and Cameron Cata; parents, Donald and Mabel Cata; brothers and sisters, Allen Cata and wife Regina, Donna Cata Ortiz and husband Max, Martin Cata and wife Christine, Donald Cata Jr. and wife Myra all of San Juan; 27 nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will begin at 3:30 p.m. today at the residence of Donald and Mabel Cata in San Juan with a devotional service to follow at 7 p.m. at the Victory Faith Church. Funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday also at the Victory Faith Church. Burial will follow at the San Juan Pueblo Cemetery. DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. December 12, 2002 Edward M. Thomas Edward M. Thomas, 53, of Laguna Pueblo, passed away early Tuesday December 10, 2002. He is survived by his daughters, Nissa L. Thomas and Lorin H. Thomas; two grandchildren, Mariah and Matthew; and five sisters, Dorothy Thomas, Edwina Thomas, Patricia Thomas, Vannessa Caspar and Natalie Thomas. Edward was born on December 28, 1948 to Mary E. Thomas and Edward W. Thomas who preceded him in death. He graduated from Laguna-Acoma High School in 1967 and served in the US Army in Germany and Vietnam. Edward received his degree in Sociology from UNM and later worked as a caseworker for the NM Dept. of Corrections, a residential advisor at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and as an advocate for persons with disabilities at the Independent Living Resource Center. A Burial Service will be held at the village of Paguate Cemetery in Paguate, NM on Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. December 16, 2002 Robert Lee"White Eagle" Canard Robert Lee"White Eagle" Canard, beloved father, son, and brother, passed to the Spirit World December 9, 2002, after several years of declining health and energy. Bob was born in Washington, DC, on February 3, 1942, the first child of Virgil V. and Ruth Swamp Canard. He was a member of the Oneida Indian Nation through his mother and of the Creek Nation, Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, through his father. His grandfather, Roly Canard, was principal chief of the Creek Nation, an honor that Bob was very proud of. In 1981, Bob was chief of the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. Bob attended public schools in Albuquerque and graduated from UNM in 1969 with a degree in Biology. He attended the University of Utah Medical School for two years, and then graduated with an MSW from the University of Utah in 1977. He was a Lt. in the NM National Guard for seven years. He is survived by his two children from his former marriage, a son, Robert Brandon Canard (spouse, Andrea) of West Jordan, UT; and a daughter, Tracy Leigh Canard (fiance, L.T. Goodluck) of Chinle, AZ. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Brandon, Bobbie, Cassidie, and Cody Canard, all of West Jordan, UT. In addition, he is survived by his mother, Ruth Swamp Canard, Albuquerque; brother, Roger Canard (Denise), Los Lunas; two sisters, Patti Canard, Albuquerque, and Linda Doering (Allen) of Moenkopi, AZ; two nephews, Jason Romero and Mekko Doering (Tammi); and an uncle, Curtis Canard (Diane). His father, Virgil"Buck" Canard, preceded him in death. Bob loved his children more than anything in the world, and their accomplishments gave him much joy. He was close to them throughout his life, even when distant geographically from them. He also took great joy in helping other people. He was a medicine man, healer, and counselor. He held several jobs in the social work field until recent years. His caring especially extended to his mother. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Albuquerque Indian Center, First Nations Community Health Center, or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place by Sunrise Society. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Marks-on-the-Mesa Episcopal Church, 431 Richmond Dr NE, Albuquerque, on Monday, December 16, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall. December 17, 2002 Ralph N. Salazar RALPH N. SALAZAR , 48, of Chamita, died Saturday. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rafaelita 'Lita' Salazar. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his children, Jeremiah, Julianna and Anna Liza all of the home in Chamita; his father, Richard Salazar of Chamita; brothers and sisters, Roberta Grider and husband Roger of Lincoln City, Ore., Richard Salazar Jr. and wife Janet of Collegeville, Pa., Tonita Elder and husband Ren of Dallas, and William R. Salazar and wife Marcia of Denver; and many other relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. today at the Saint John the Baptist Church in San Juan Pueblo. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the same church in San Juan Pueblo. Burial of cremains will follow at the San Pedro Cemetery in Chamita with full military honors. Salazar Family of Block-Salazar Mortuary. Copyright c. 1997 - 2002 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- December 16, 2002 Herbert Yazzie July 25, 1954 - Dec. 11, 2002 Herbert "Herb" C. Yazzie, 48, of Kirtland died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, in Norwich, Conn., from an accident. He is survived by his children, Heather C. and Hardison C. Yazzie, of the family home; his mother, Fannie Yazzie of Oak Springs; his brothers, Robert O. Yazzie of Kirtland, Wallace H. Yazziee of Oak Springs, Harrison Yazzie of Shiprock and Marvin D. Yazzie of Bloomfield; and eight sisters, Annie F. Coots of Red Valley, Ariz., Pollyann Notah of Long Dale, Calif., Edith Ann Hightower of Altadena, Calif, Anglena Chase and Christine Yazzie of Oak Springs, Ariz., Thelma Voigt of Prairie City, Ore., Roselyn Yazzie of Farmington and Yvonne V. Thomas of Shiprock. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford H. Yazzie; one brother, Kevin Wayne Yazzie; and his great-grandfather, Hosteen Tse Tah Begay. Funeral services are scheduled at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Shiprock with the Rev. Burt Blackburn officiating. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in Oak Springs, Ariz., with the pallbearers being Marvin Yazziee, Wally Yazziee, Robert Yazzie, Kevin Keelan, Robbie Chase and Hy Yazzie. Honorary pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews. Serving as ushers will be Robert Chase and Nathan Notah. Funeral arrangements are with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Tony H. Mike Dec. 15, 1945 - Dec. 14, 2002 Tony Mike passed away peacefully at home in Chinle, Ariz., on Dec. 14, 2002. He was born at home in the winter of 1945 on Dec. 15, to Dan and Marie Mike. He was of the Hoghanlini (Many Hogans People) clan and born for the Ta'nee'szah'nii People (Tangle People) clan. Funeral services are being planned for Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, by Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9538. Copyright c. 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- December 11, 2002 Evelyn T. Laurita COTTONWOOD, Ariz. - Graveside services for Evelyn Laurita, 80, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Black Mountain Community Cemetery. Father Blaine will officiate. Laurita died Dec. 3 in San Francisco, Calif. She was born March 22, 1922 in Salina Springs, Ariz. into the Towering House People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Laurita attended Fort Wingate School and was a homemaker. Survivors include his daughters, Joaquina Mina, Regina Abarquez both of San Francisco, Calif.; 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Laurita was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Alfred Tsosie Sr. Pallbearers will be Keith A. Tsosie Jr., Dwayne Billsie, Dwaine Billsie, Keith A. Tsosie IV, Fernando Billsie and Ritchie Tsosie. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Regina Sones' residence, Chinle, Ariz. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- December 12, 2002 Ramona Stewart Funeral services for Konawa native Ramona Ruth (Pennokee) Stewart are scheduled for 2 p.m Saturday at Bird Creek Indian Baptist Church. A wake service is set for 7 p.m. tonight at the Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. The body will be taken to Bird Creek Indian Baptist Church on Friday afternoon to lay in state until service time on Saturday. Burial is to be at the Wilson Family Cemetery under the di- rection of Pickard-Swearingen Funeral Home. Stewart died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002 at her residence at the age of 45. She was born May 21, 1957 in Ada to Richmond and Virginia (Wolfe) Pennokee. She was a certified medication aide. Stewart was a member of Glo-rieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. She is survived by two daughters, Monica Stewart and Alicia DeLana, both of Oklahoma City; four sisters, Nancy Musser, Susan Cardoza, Belva Pennokee, and Rachel Pennokee, all of Oklahoma City; three brothers, Richard Pennokee, Gary Pennokee, and Nathan Pennokee, all of Oklahoma City; and five grandchildren. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2000 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- December 11, 2002 Lida Sue Buck Elk CULBERTSON - Lida Sue Buck Elk, 41, died Monday, Dec. 9, 2002, at the Roosevelt Memorial Medical Center in Culbertson. A wake will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the James Black Dog Activity Center in Ft. Kipp. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the James Black Dog Activity Center. Interment will be in the Ft. Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Memorial Chapel is in charge. Chester A. Other Medicine CROW AGENCY - Chester A. Other Medicine, 58, of Crow Agency, passed away Monday Dec. 9, 2002, in the Crow Agency IHS Hospital. He was named by the Rev. Chester Arthur Bentley, pastor of the Crow Baptist Church. AAKDU'XIILESH, Going to Battle, a name given to him by James Door, was born June 2, 1944, in Crow Agency, a son of Chester Other Medicine, Sr. and Lucy Yarlott. He grew up and received his education in Crow Agency. He received heavy equipment training and worked on local construction projects. He later worked for the IHS, Eastern Montana College and the Crow Tribe as a custodian for many years. Chet was a member of the Baptist Church, Greasy Mouth Clan and a child of the Piegan Clan. During his younger years, he enjoyed boxing, skiing, hunting and leather craft, as well as traditional arrow throwing games. His parents; sister, Corine Little Light; and three brothers, Jensen Other Medicine, Walter and John Onion, preceded Chet in death. Survivors include an adopted son, Jerry Little Light; his sisters, Lucille, Ardena, Dineen and Violet Other Medicine, Avone Dawes, Sandra (David) Bravo, Sarah (William) House, Louise Three Irons, Laura Pickett, Ramona Falls Down and Phyllis (Merle) Big Medicine; his brothers, James Onion, Alvin Oliver Yarlott, Alonzo Ten Bear, Emmett, John Paul and Robert Other Medicine; his uncle, David Yarlott, Sr.; his nephews and nieces, Bruce and Gerald Little Light, Jr., Shannon Other Medicine, Preston, Pete and Thomas Onion, Renee and Gloria Little Light, Geraldine LaPlant, Dora Hugs, Clara Martinez, Dora Plenty Hawk, Elsie Half, Johnann Meeks, Jennifer Onion, Audrey Jim, Rochelle and Emery Other Medicine. He is also survived by the children of Elmer Yarlott, Sr., Rosaline Morrison, Winona and Jenny Other Medicine. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. December 17, 2002 Genevieve Walks Knows The Ground ST. XAVIER - Genevieve Walks Knows The Ground, 46, of St. Xavier, went to be with all her loved ones who went before her, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at the Billings Deaconess Hospital. Iishusshiwia, "Plume Woman," a name given to her by her late great-uncle, Martin He Does It, was born Nov. 30, 1956, in Crow Agency, a daughter of Charles and Annie He Does It Walks. She grew up and received her education in Montana and Oklahoma. She worked as a certified nurses' aide. Genevieve was a member of the St. Xavier Catholic Church, Native American Church, Big Horn District Hand Game Team, Greasy Mouth Clan and a Child of Big Lodge Clan. She married Bryan Knows the Ground, Sr. on Nov. 9, 1979, in Billings, and the couple made their home in St. Xavier. Her father, Charles Walks; husband Bryan Knows the Ground, Sr.; seven brothers and sisters; and all her maternal and paternal aunts and uncles preceded her in death. Genevieve was a tender and loving person whose sense of humor was appreciated. She will be remembered as a generous person who treasured the love and talents of her children and grandchildren. She was always willing to assist a family member or friend. She leaves a void in the hearts of her mother, Annie Walks; her children, Rosie, Allen, Bryan "Babe" Knows Ground and Baby Lace Hill; a special friend, Dennis Madill; her adopted sons, Everett Walks, Karl Big Hair, Allison Bouyer, Conrad Stands and Karl Spotted; her adopted daughters, Kathy Walks, Vera and Alfredine Crooked Arm, Sarah (Clyde) Red Woman, Jennifer (Bruce) White, Jr., Stella Walks, Sharon Roehl and Mavis Covers Up; her sisters, Mary (Vincent) Crooked Arm, Irma Jane Moccasin, Mary Lucy Little Light, Brenda, Vera, Raphelle and Virginia He Does It, Helen Old Coyote, Rhoda Bright Wings, Roselyn Yellowmule, Stella Not Afraid and Susie Walks Over Ice; her grandmothers, Francis and Ruth Back Bone. She was also known as "Kaala Mom" by her many grandkids, Isaiah, Ie'shia, Taylor, Cameron, Tyril, DeAndre, Jonah Dale, Honor, Pride, Paris, Bryan (Handsome), III, Stacey, Wayne, Timothy, Shanna, Delvin, Charles, Adelia Rae, Vincent, BloomingRose, Arianna, Whittni, Karlan, Karl, III, Marshae, Myers, Jr., Varian, Varina, Georgette, Tamara, Woody Joe, Daniel, Danielle, Leo, Nia, Sonny, Katelyn and Erin; and her great-grandson, Tomas Wyatt. She is also survived by the He Does It, Walks, Hill, Reed, Hugs, Little Owl, Takes the Gun, Left Hand, Alden, Back Bone and Bends families. With tearful eyes and broken hearts we watched her fade away. Although we loved her dearly it would be selfish to make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now laid to rest; God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best. Rosary will be recited 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the St. Xavier Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the St. Xavier Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- December 11, 2002 Martin 'Marty Keno' Standing Rock ROCKY BOY - Martin "Marty Keno" Standing Rock, 29, who had worked for Chippewa Cree Housing, Stone Child College and the Chippewa Cree Tribe and was a student at Blackfeet Community College, died Sunday in Browning. The coroner has not determined the cause of death. Funeral services, with traditional Indian ceremony, are 10 a.m. Thursday at the Russell Standing Rock home in Rocky Boy, with burial in Rocky Boy Cemetery. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home of Havre is in charge of arrangements. He was a 1992 graduate of Rocky Boy High School. Survivors include his father, Russell Standing Rock of Rocky Boy; his mother, Eloise Baptiste of Pendleton, Ore.; brothers Brian, Duane, Boose, Toto, Joe and Terrence, all of Rocky Boy; sisters Marvina, Kisser, Sister Standing Rock and ShelleyDenny, all of Rocky Boy; and his grandmother, Jenny LaSalle of Rocky Boy. William 'Sonny' Still Smoking BROWNING - William "Sonny" Still Smoking, 71, a laborer, died of natural causes Monday at a Browning hospital. A rosary is 7 this evening at Day Family Funeral Home in Browning. Funeral Mass is 2 p.m. Thursday at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Survivors, all of Browning, include Curtis Smith, Diana Fields, Kenneth Still Smoking, Alma Faye Chippewa, Pauline Sure Chief, Carol Douglas, Ivan MacDonald Sr., Lyle MacDonald, Jeffrey MacDonald, Joe Still Smoking, James MacDonald, Rosemary MacDonald and Clifford Still Smoking, all of whom he raised. December 12, 2002 Minerva Big Day CROW AGENCY - Minerva Big Day, Baannaschixiiassaash "Known to do good beadwork," 38, of Crow Agency, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2002, at the Crow Agency Nursing Home. "Known to do good beadwork" was born March 19, 1964, in Crow Agency, a daughter of Raymond Big Day, Sr. and Lanette Spotted. She received her early education at the St. Xavier Catholic Mission School. Attended school at Twin Bridges located by Butte with extended family members, Randy Pretty Weasel, Paulett Not Afraid, Marilyn Not Afraid and Raymond Big Day, Jr., and completed her education at Seeley Lake. She was an independent person who lived a simple life. She enjoyed socializing with her friends and family. She was a member of the Catholic Church, Big Lodge Clan and a child of the Piegan Clan. Survivors include her companion, Ricky Don Stops; her father, Raymond Big Day, Sr.; her grandfather, Cyril Not Afraid; her sisters, Billie (Hubert) Two Leggin, Mary (Mike) Long Roach, Cheryl (Edward) Eastman, Michaelyn (Robin) Iron, Susette Nanto, Donna (Gavin) Jefferson, Geraldine (Pete) Schinderline, Fredia Bird Hat, Barbara and Aleen BirdHat and Rena Faye Blaine; her brothers, Raymond (Jenny) Big Day, Jr., Collins Big Day, Earl and Tim BirdHat, David Blaine, Sr., Gene Dreamer, Charles Blaine, Donovan and John BullinSight, III, Daniel Dreamer and Leland McConnell; her adopted brother, Maynard Crooked Arm; her adopted sister, Meann Smith; her adopted grandfather, Pius Crooked Arm; her aunts, Linda (Grant) Bulltail, Doris (Lee) Plain Feather, Evelyne (James) Limpy and Elizabeth (Ruben) Stewart; her uncles, Garrett and Donald Door, Kenneth (Barbara) Spotted, John (Carol) Bullinsight, Buster (Elise) Leider and Joseph (Lorraine) Bear Cloud; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We all live our life the way we want to live. We choose our way of life, sometimes we live a hard life and we go through obstacles but we learn not to give up. Minerva never gave up. She used her will power to live harder and longer. That is how Minerva lived and her way of life is that she lived a simple life. She made sure that her life was never complicated and learned to live freely. She knew that she had a family that cared for her but she did what she wanted to do. Things had to be done her way and it had to be her way only. You could never tell her what to do because Minerva was a very independent and very stubborn person. We as family members respected her, accepted her way of living and who she was. She is going to be greatly missed by her family members and especially her close friends, who are Wilamina Big Medicine, Khristy Alden, Jenny Bravo, Emily Pretty Weasel, Kathy Walks, Dora Falls Down, Misty Kellum, Constance Stewart and Cary Grant Rides The Horse. Minerva has suffered long enough; she has gone home to be with our Father in heaven, where she is rejoicing with other family members that have passed on to be with our Heavenly Father. We will deeply miss Minerva. That smile, that laughter and those jokes that she expressed. Minerva had a great sense of humor. We would like to express our thanks to all that helped and cared for Minerva when she needed help and for those that were there for her. I know she is looking down at all of us and is missing us, but she is at a better place and is starting a new life with our Heavenly Father. We love you and we will miss you. FAREWELL SISTER, 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Crow Agency St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Copyright c. 2002 Great Falls Tribune. --------- "RE: Response to Delphine Red Shirt" --------- Date: Saturday, December 14, 2002 12:22 AM From: "Edward Gould Burton" Subj: Delphine Red Shirt (copy of letter to Courant) Mailing List: Indian Heritage Ms. Red Shirt is an authentic Oglala person, and protests that persons she sees labeled as Pequots and such 'are not Indians' because the look too White or look too Black. She is of a tribe that was at war with the US little more than 100 years ago, the Little Big Horn/Greasy Grass and all that. Back East the Pequot Tribe and the Narragansett Tribe had already suffered terribly in wars toward the end of the 1600's, victims of the Euro tactic of divide and conquer. That was 325 and more years ago. Four times as many generations ago. Ms. Red Shirt should look closely at the New England Tribes, for in their faces she will see what the Oglala will look like by the year 2228. The Tribes were from earliest times usually hospitable to washed up shipwrecked fisherman; and after the Euro invasion, freed Blacks, and Whites who preferred the Indian lifestyle were also welcome. Tribes were political entities. "Race" as such was unknown to the Eastern Woodlands. The concept of "race" was taught to Indians by Euros, and race is a very nasty and phoney sort of classification. The long term result of those events was that the genetic pool of original inhabitants was admixed with Euro and Black. In Alaska I have seen the terrible confusion when disease kills off everyone of the clan into which you were supposed to marry, and leaves as an eligible partner only someone from the clan you are not supposed to marry into. Disease and war can create a situation in which there simply is no one left of the opposite sex in your age group in your village, and a marriage partner must be found elsewhere. It does not follow that those in question are no longer a tribe. A tribe is an Indian political and Indian family thing, not a race thing. The entire reason that equal protection of the law does not entitled a White person to Indian benefits has to do with the fact that the Supreme Court has made plain that Indian is a political classification. It is not race, color, creed, or national origin on which tax exemptions and appropriations are extended to Indians; it is a political classification, and survives because it is a political classification (arising from the fact of war and expropriation involving those who were here 10,000 years and more before the Euros; Indians are the previous owners, not members of the new owner's family). If Indian is a 'race' classification, then equal protection applies and bye bye tax exemptions and special budgets. I also find it interesting that one may claim German-American ancestry, Italian-American ancestry, English-American ancestry, or Portuguese-American ancestry, one, several, or all, and no will cross examine you as to the truth and accuracy of that claim; they take your word for it. If one has a smidgen of Black, however, one tends to be called Black. A smidgen of Black equals Black; it is curious in my mind why it's not a majority vote for White. But say that your ancestors include Indians, and the race experts not jailed at Nuremburg pull out their color charts and demand paperwork nobody issued three hundred years ago. America's sense of race is nearer to that of a historical Central European country, than it is to Indian. It is a rotten shame when a fine and well-educated Indian lady buys into that claptrap. Blood quotient is a conqueror's tool designed over time to eliminate the Indian from political America, and cause the Tribes slowly to depopulate themselves. Love and lust will doom any 'race.' It need not doom a nation, be that nation a tribe, or the US itself. --------- "RE: Indian Beneficiaries deserve Accountability" --------- Date: Tue 17 Dec, 2002 08:06:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEAL A. McCALEB" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.montanaforum.com/rednews/2002/12/16/build/tribal/ Guest Opinion: Indian beneficiaries deserve federal accountability By NEAL A. McCALEB Formerly of Department of Indian Affairs Sunday, December 15, 2002 Throughout our nation's history, the relationship between the U.S. Government and American Indians has left a troubling and contentious legacy that continues to this day. A feeling of hopelessness on many reservations - where unemployment is often staggering and the associated ills of alcoholism and lawlessness spiral out of control - underscore this climate of mistrust. Tribal leaders struggle to cope in this difficult environment, presiding over marginal economies in remote locations. Fractionated interests Many tribes and individual tribal members build economies utilizing land and natural resources held in trust on their behalf by the government. Yet, the management of individual land-based trust accounts has grown increasingly difficult over the past decades as new generations of account holders arise, creating complicated, fractionated interests of Indian allotments. In some cases, ownership shares of these properties can be measured by the 10-thousandth or less - a mind-boggling prospect to the average American, yet it is a reality that contributes to confusion and even the stagnation of economic goals in Indian country. As the task of overseeing the Indian trust has become more complex, however, the federal government's management structure has remained more or less intact. But this month, the Interior Department has taken a bold step to move Indian trust management into a new era, with increased accountability, new checks and balances to protect Indian interests, and better access at the local level for tribal and individual Indian trust beneficiaries. Reform task force Through this major initiative to reorganize the duties of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, the department is building on a strong, productive and ongoing dialogue with tribal leaders. Over most of the past year, for example, the department held more than 45 meetings with tribal leaders on this subject and participated in a joint tribal/DOI task force on Indian trust reform at locations throughout Indian country. During that time, we have collected more than 5,500 pages of transcripts and dedicated more than 1, 500 hours of senior staff time to these meetings alone. As a result, the Indian trust management plan we are advancing builds upon the ideas and concepts that were generated from those meetings and uses what we learned during recent congressional hearings on this important subject. The plan I have developed jointly with Special Trustee Donna Erwin greatly enhances our ability to provide direct and efficient services to Indian trust beneficiaries. The plan dedicates the personnel and the necessary resources to streamline beneficiary services. At the same time, we have preserved our emphasis on tribal contracting and compacting to deliver many trust-related services. The plan preserves the existing staff and monetary resources of BIA and OST. Encouraging economic development In my view, one of the most important aspects of this plan is its emphasis on economic development - creating the position of assistant secretary of the Interior for American Indian economic development. As we learned during our historic summit meeting in Phoenix this past September, tribes who best utilize their strengths and resources have the best opportunity for success. It is the federal government's responsibility, in its role as trustee, to do its utmost to encourage economic development in Indian country. At the same time, we have a moral and legal responsibility to introduce a new level of accountability to Indian trust management. A federal court that has taken up the issue of trust fund accounting requires the department to submit a strategic plan on the matter by Jan. 6. This deadline leaves no time for Congress to act on any legislative elements of reform. The department has now taken action to the greatest extent allowed under our current statutory framework. The blueprint we have developed is a foundation of our strategic plan to perform an historical accounting of the hundreds of thousands of individual trust accounts now on the books. This organizational blueprint strengthens management accountability while focusing on the efficient delivery of trust services. As you have read in the pages of this newspaper, I will retire from public service at the end of this month. I am proud of the Herculean effort that has been brought to bear on improving the management of the Indian trust and salute tribal leaders for their guidance in the creation of this plan. It represents the dedication of Secretary Gale Norton and the senior management team of the department, but would not be possible without our continued partnership and consultation with tribal leadership. Neal A. McCaleb is a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Montana Standard and Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Eagle Study raises ANWR Concerns" --------- Date: Mon 16 Dec, 2002 08:46:11 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ANWR/EAGLES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/2332566p-2389071c.html Eagle study raises ANWR concerns MIGRATION: Young golden eagles summer on the Arctic coastal plain, research finds. By Mary Pemberton The Associated Press December 16, 2002 Young golden eagles migrating for the first time don't return to their birthplace in Denali National Park and Preserve in central Alaska, but summer instead in oil-rich areas in the Arctic. The surprise finding was part of a $250,000, four-year study funded by the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to track for the first time the migration routes of Alaska's golden eagles. The results of the study again raise concerns about oil development on Alaska's North Slope and in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, and about the increased pressure to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. "We are really afraid we will lose what's special about the western Arctic before we even understand what is there," said Sara Chapell, spokeswoman for the Sierra Club in Alaska. After wintering in the south, the young eagles headed north, bypassing the 6 million-acre national park and flying another 450-600 miles to summer on the Arctic coastal plain. A few ended up near the Alaska Range in the Interior or on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, but most flew north. "They were all across the North Slope," said Carol McIntrye, a 44-year- old wildlife biologist at Denali who has been studying eagles since 1987. The park is home to at least 100 breeding pairs of golden eagles. Golden eagles weigh 8-12 pounds and have gold and buff-colored feathers on the crown and nape of the neck. They are found in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere and have been protected in the United States since 1963. McIntyre said in 1997 and 1999 tiny Teflon backpacks containing small satellite transmitters costing $2,500 each were attached to the backs of 45 golden eagles just prior to their first migration. Weights and measurements were taken on the young birds before they left their nests in late July to mid-August. The eagles didn't depart Denali until late September and early October, a time when the parents continue to feed and protect them and the young practice their flying and hunting skills. McIntyre and Michael Collopy, a former USGS scientist who now is department chairman of Environmental and Resource Sciences at the University of Nevada in Reno, tracked the birds as they flew south from central Alaska, wintering anywhere from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Twelve of the 45 eagles survived their first year, often migrating more than 5,000 miles. Most of those that died starved, but some also were hit by cars, electrocuted by power lines, accidentally poisoned and shot, McIntyre said. McIntyre said the young eagles probably bypass Denali because the park's adult eagles would drive them off. Their Arctic destination holds a wealth of immature waterfowl, Arctic ground squirrels and caribou calves that make easy prey for the inexperienced hunters. McIntyre worries that golden eagles, which are much less tolerant of human beings than bald eagles, won't be able to adapt to increased development in the wilderness, whether it's on Alaska's North Slope or wintering grounds in Canada, northeastern Washington, Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and New Mexico. "We are kind of choking them out of where they live," she said. Collopy is most concerned about changes caused by recent wildfires in the West. The fires in the area between the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains are killing the sagebrush, which is being replaced by exotic weeds, particularly cheatgrass from Europe and Asia. Without sagebrush, there are no jackrabbits -- the golden eagles' main food, Collopy said. Drilling for oil in the Alaska refuge is a key part of the Bush administration energy plan, which likely has a better chance of passing next session when Republicans control both the House and Senate. The Bush administration, meanwhile, has called for increased exploration in the 23 million-acre oil reserve, designated in 1923 specifically for oil development. The USGS said in May the reserve has four times as much oil as previously estimated. In June, several oil companies successfully bid to lease 579,269 acres in the NPR-A. The Bureau of Land Management plans two more lease sales in the next four years. Copyright c. 2002 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Open Letter to Ray Halbritter" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 12:35:30 -0500 From: "John Finlay" Subj: letter to the editor To the editor; What follows is an "open letter" which was surface mailed to Ray Halbritter, CEO of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York on September 12. I was at Oneida as a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams to assist in efforts to reduce the potential for violence. This letter comes from one individual who spent time there and not from CPT. The author claims no unique expertise in this situation, rather it is a reflection of his insights and experiences gained through interaction with both the native and non-native communities on and near the traditional Oneida territory. John Finlay 131 Hinks St. Box 2145 Walkerton, Ontario 519-881-1399 (home) 519-889-1399 (cell) finlayjn@sympatico.ca Dear Mr. Halbritter; I spent three weeks in the Oneida area of New York during September, and have recently returned for another two weeks. I have spoken with many people in the City of Oneida itself, including the mayor, the police chief, and ministerial members of the community. I have also worshipped, celebrated, eaten, talked, and worried with those who describe themselves as the traditional Haudenasaunee and live on the 32-acre plot of ancestral land. During my time here, and also my time between trips here, I have learned about the Great Law of Peace and its importance as a foundation of what we call our common approach to democratic principles. There can be little doubt that the turbulent times in which we live would be much less so if the principles of Righteousness, Health, and Power as described in the Great Law were the ones which guided our thoughts and actions in personal, local, and even international matters. Whatever your designs may be for that particular small piece of land, and however you may choose to describe some of the people who continue to live there; thus far you seem to have missed the point. None of the chosen descriptors used to vilify those people which I have heard and/or read, except possibly one, match what I have experienced. That one being dissidents. Indeed, they are uncomfortable with the direction which the Oneida Indian Nation of New York has taken and are willing to say so. That taking a position opposed to yours would justify eliminating their status, rights, and privileges as Oneida is only comparable to your country's actions toward the so-called war combatants in Afghanistan. Thus far you have managed to arrest and spirit away (many people I know would say kidnap) one person and then coerce her into leaving her home so it could be demolished. So much for the Great Law and its principles. I belong to, but do not speak for, an organization which your director of communication at one point effectively described as "dupes". Surely someone with his education and purported expertise could do better than that. Perhaps though, the seductive power of avarice has addled his mind as completely as those who leave your Turning Stone facility with literally nothing because they gambled until the casino owned even the car they arrived in. The main point which has seemed to escape you so far is that, no matter how much those who remain on the ancestral territory may be worried or afraid about pending actions undertaken at your behest by your "Men's Council," or "Tribal Court," or your entirely non-native Nation Police Force, they still do not fear you. As a matter of fact, they all still love you. They pray for you daily around the Prayer Circle. You are not an item of ridicule, scorn, or hatred, and never will be. Those people are your family in that they are your aunt and first cousins, and they care for you. The actions of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York may have bent, bruised, and assaulted their dignity and, to some extent their bodies, but their hearts remain loyal and honest and that's where they keep their feelings toward you. Have the courage and wisdom to do what you know is right Ray. I spent three weeks in the Oneida area of New York during September, and have recently returned for another two weeks. I have spoken with many people in the City of Oneida itself, including the mayor, the police chief, and ministerial members of the community. I have also worshipped, celebrated, eaten, talked, and worried with those who describe themselves as the traditional Haudenasaunee and live on the 32-acre plot of ancestral land. During my time here, and also my time between trips here, I have learned about the Great Law of Peace and its importance as a foundation of what we call our common approach to democratic principles. There can be little doubt that the turbulent times in which we live would be much less so if the principles of Righteousness, Health, and Power as described in the Great Law were the ones which guided our thoughts and actions in personal, local, and even international matters. Whatever your designs may be for that particular small piece of land, and however you may choose to describe some of the people who continue to live there; thus far you seem to have missed the point. None of the chosen descriptors used to vilify those people which I have heard and/or read, except possibly one, match what I have experienced. That one being dissidents. Indeed, they are uncomfortable with the direction which the Oneida Indian Nation of New York has taken and are willing to say so. That taking a position opposed to yours would justify eliminating their status, rights, and privileges as Oneida is only comparable to your country's actions toward the so-called war combatants in Afghanistan. Thus far you have managed to arrest and spirit away (many people I know would say kidnap) one person and then coerce her into leaving her home so it could be demolished. So much for the Great Law and its principles. I belong to, but do not speak for, an organization which your director of communication at one point effectively described as "dupes". Surely someone with his education and purported expertise could do better than that. Perhaps though, the seductive power of avarice has addled his mind as completely as those who leave your Turning Stone facility with literally nothing because they gambled until the casino owned even the car they arrived in. The main point which has seemed to escape you so far is that, no matter how much those who remain on the ancestral territory may be worried or afraid about pending actions undertaken at your behest by your "Men's Council," or "Tribal Court," or your entirely non-native Nation Police Force, they still do not fear you. As a matter of fact, they all still love you. They pray for you daily around the Prayer Circle. You are not an item of ridicule, scorn, or hatred, and never will be. Those people are your family in that they are your aunt and first cousins, and they care for you. The actions of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York may have bent, bruised, and assaulted their dignity and, to some extent their bodies, but their hearts remain loyal and honest and that's where they keep their feelings toward you. Have the courage and wisdom to do what you know is right Ray. John Finlay --------- "RE: EPA appraised of Tribal Fisheries Situation" --------- Date: Fri 13 Dec, 2002 08:23:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ST. CROIX" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews EPA appraised of tribal fisheries situation 12/12/02 by Gary King Unable to meet effluent standards for discharging water to St. Croix River, the St. Croix Tribe has trucked more than 4 million gallons of water to a treatment facility in Superior during past year; options being studied DANBURY - The Environmental Protection Agency has been appraised of the St. Croix Tribe's struggle to meet pollution standards with the water they are discharging from its year-old fisheries operation. Pete Prusak of the Department of Natural Resources said his department has contacted the federal agency to let them know of the ongoing failure by the fisheries to meet effluent standards in the water disharged after it is used to raise yellow perch for mass marketing. "We've contacted the EPA just to get them up to speed on all the facts," Prusak said. "They are involved and they are concerned." According to original plans for the fisheries, water, once it is used to raise the fish, was to be discharged into the nearby St. Croix River. The river, however, is categorized as an `outstanding resource,' and under that classification, demands "extremely stringent effluent limits," according to Prusak. Currently the DNR has been involved in what Prusak described as an "informal enforcement process," with the tribe. It involves going through the violation notices and looking at possible modifications that could remedy the problem in filtering the water for discharge. The tribe has until Dec. 20 to respond to the DNR in writing with a plan to remedy the situation. Two options have been discussed, Prusak said. Upgrading the present facility and continue with the original plan to discharge to the St. Croix River - or going to a land disposal type of discharge of the water. A land disposal would create the need for a site and a seepage cell, not unlike that of many wastewater treatment facilities operated by municipalities. One option, he said, would be to cease production, particularly if there was no long-term solution planned. Full production by spring Dave LaBomascus, hired this past June as the new operations manager for the facility, said he doesn't expect the fisheries to hit full production until late spring or early summer of 2003. Full production, according to initial plans, is the growing of 2.2 million pounds of yellow perch and 1.1 million pounds of Atlantic salmon each year. Thus far the facility has been able to produce enough perch to sell to the Adventures restaurant in Siren and to serve at the tribe's St. Croix Casino in Turtle Lake. A consultant has been working with the tribe on possible solutions. Like any new aquaculture facility, LaBomascus said, it takes time to reach full production. Primary problem Prusak said the water being discharged from the plant is meeting the biological standards for discharge to the river, including all toxic and metal standards, but not the concentration standards for dissolved solutes such as nitrates, phosphates and chloride. Salt used in the raising of fish, while beneficial to the process, is creating some of the concentrations raising concerns. There are no problems with the fish being raised, Prusak noted. Hauling discharged water Because water cannot legally be discharged to the St. Croix River the tribe has transported 4.3 million gallons of water from its fisheries north of Danbury to the City of Superior's Wastewater Treatment plant this past year. That facility treats the water and discharges it into the Lake Superior Bay. The plant is charging the tribe $8.16 per 1,000 gallons, according to Safety and pretreatment Coordinator Diane Thompson. That involves six tanker loads a day - Monday through Sunday. "Right now they bring us more water than normal because of an evaporator that isn't up and running," Thompson said. "The plan is apparently to evaporate (the effluent) and make the waste into a fertilizer." That fertilizer could then be sold, Thompson noted. More construction? It could take more construction at the plant to provide the extra filtration in order to discharge into the river, Prusak said. "It's going to be a long time in my mind, but I don't know yet what their plan is." Prusak said until that time, the DNR will be working closely with the tribe in resolving the issue. "We want them to be successful," Prusak said. "Everybody does. But they've got to protect the environment and I believe they are committed to doing that." Copyright c. 2002 The Inter-County Leader/Frederic, WI. --------- "RE: URGENT: Attack on Bamaca Family" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2002 09:24:08 -0800 (PST) From: Carter Camp [Editorial Comment: Just an Old Man has spoken of this very sort of terrorism many times. This newsletter has warned of the deathsquads trained in Ft. Benning at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHISC), formerly U.S. Army School of the Americas. This is a call for you to sit down and write a letter to your congressional representative. Either that, or accept the fact your silence is seen as tacit approval by those who perpetuate this program of shame.] Ah-ho my Relations, We really need to respond to this plea. Jennifer Harbury does not say these things unless her life is in danger. These ndn people are being hunted in the dark... a call or letter or fax from us can shine some light on what they are doing. I am once more asking all of you to do what you can to save these poor people from being killed. Even if you've called once please do so again... and spread this plea around every list you can. We need to generate as much light as we possibly can, contact politicians, news media and do the things asked below. THIS IS TRULY URGENT! Do everything you can today my friends, Carter Camp ----- Original Message ----- From: Jennifer Harbury Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 6:54 AM Dear Friends...As you read this I am heading for guatemala. My family has been attacked there. We urgently need as many calls as you and your friends can possibly make to the Guatemalan embassy this week, starting Monday morning....THANKS....Jennifer December 12, 2002 EXTREMELY URGENT : ATTACK ON BAMACA FAMILY Dear Friends, I am writing to ask you for your emergency calls for protection for my family down in Guatemala. All three of my sisters in law have been threatened and one was badly battered a few days ago in front of her small children. She is now in hiding with her entire family. I am leaving for Guatemala in a day or so to see work with the MINUGUA team and other human rights groups; and to lodge my formal protest with the government. The army knows everyone is getting ready to leave for the holidays, and they are testing the waters to see what they can get away with in terms of retaliation against my family. They also hope that given the Sept. 11 backlash, that they can do whatever they please nowadays. All this is happening because they are up against the deadline the Inter American Court gave them for complying with the reparations order in Everardo's case, and they are very, very angry. I fear that someone is going to be killed or badly hurt if there is not an immediate and powerful response from all of us. Has not the Bamaca family suffered enough? Ironically, all of this started with what appeared to be a startling victory. A few weeks ago, Copredeh ,( the government's defense lawyers in the case), called us to say that the government was willing to pay the money damages award ordered by the Inter-American Court. We were all astounded by this news, needless to say. I have always assumed that it would take me twenty years to get this particular government to comply in this particular case. The Court, of course, had also ordered that Everardo's body be returned to me, and that the Court's findings and fact and law about what really happened be published in the main Guatemalan newspapers. But when we asked about these portions of the order, we were told that there was no time for discussion about these issues. The Copredeh people also insisted that I arrive in Guatemala at once to sign the papers, and that there should be no publicity. This caused some obvious concern, but I did go down, and met with both the family and Copredeh lawyers. We decided that for the sake of the family's safety, we would keep all this secret until they could move to a more protected area. We were, frankly, all amazed when the funds were actually transferred later that week. The Guatemalan government has paid the damages in Everardo's case. Unfortunately, they are evidently now bent on making us pay too. Some of the reprisals began even before we had heard from the government. Several months ago, my sister in law Alberta Velasquez, Efrain's half sister, reported several disturbing incidents. She and her family had fled from the remote finca where they grew up as a result of the army repression in the area. They have lived quietly in a small barrio in the Capital until recently. Then the neighbors began to report that armed men were looking for her husband and asking where he lived. Friends told her son that he should hide, that a car with black glass windows was circling the area, and had asked where he lived. The car was full of armed men. Strangers she had never seen before began speaking loudly in the streets about the Bamaca case, swearing they would kill any relatives if they ever found them. She and her family once again fled their home, and are now in a new location. When I was in Guatemala two weeks ago, I learned that my other sister in law, Josefina Bamaca Velasquez, had also fled her home as well, over a month ago. Armed men had broken into her small hut on the remote finca where she still lived, terrifying her, and searching everywhere, for what she did not know. Needless to say, a robbery by a large group of well armed men in a tiny and impoverished peasant community is very unusual, given that the residents would have virtually nothing to steal. Such assaults have traditionally been politically motivated and carried out by the army or other state security sectors. On Wednesday, December 11, my sister in law Egidia Bamaca Velasquez was attacked in her home in a small barrio just outside of Malacatan. Six well armed men wearing ski masks, and bearing guns and machetes entered her house and beat her in front of her children, threatening to kill her. This is a very tiny and frail woman who suffered from severe malnutrition for most of her life. The style of the attack is very much that of the military. Once again they tore up the house, searching for something, and lamenting that they had not found it. I presume they were searching for her bank book, intending to take away the very funds they had just been forced to pay in reparations. Obviously, the military is furious and also mortified by the payment of the reparation portion of the award and now intends to seek "vengeance". They know that the best way to hurt me is to hurt the family. They also wouldn't mind if a "common criminal" kidnapped someone to take the money back, or killed someone to "teach me a lesson". I have now met most of my 21 nieces and nephews, from baby Everardo, two years old, to the young adults. It would be difficult for me to imagine a brighter, more talented group of young Mayans, and I am so pleased to think that my share of the reparations award will send each and every one of them to the University. ( I signed years ago to give all of my share to the new generation and will honor that commitment.) If they live. I could , of course, try to bring them here, and will do so if they wish. But exile was not part of the Court's concept of justice in this case; and Guatemala has already lost three generations of its best and brightest, either to the death squads or as refugees. This has to end. ------ I will, as I say, be leaving for Guatemala either Monday or Tuesday. I have notified some Congressional offices, but remain concerned that the army may try to arrest me or charge me with "illegal speech", as they have been doing with so many other human rights leaders recently. It is the new fashion to bring charges for criminal defamation, incitement to riot, or even treason... .as we have seen in the cases of Rigoberta Menchu, Rosario Pu, Bruce Harris, and many others. We have already notified the Court that the family needs protection at once. However, your calls to the Guatemalan Embassy, as of early Monday morning and throughout this week, are the most important of all. The government needs to know that this case has not been forgotten, and that our own commitment to human rights for all people is as strong as ever. They are waiting to evaluate our response. Your calls will keep people alive over the Christmas holidays, quite literally. PLEASE CALL OR WRITE THE GUATEMALAN EMBASSY AT ONCE. TELEPHONE : 202-745-4952 ADDRESS : 2220 R St. NW Washington D.C. 20008 EMAIL : ambassador@g... Fax: 1 202 745 1908 MESSAGE : (1) Please tell the Guatemalan government that we will not tolerate acts of state terrorism and reprisals against any persons seeking justice. (2) We demand guarantees of safety for all members of the Bamaca family. (3) We demand safe passage for Jennifer while she seeks to protect her family. (4) Should there be further actions of this nature, we will ask our Congresspersons to move for the extradition of military officers implicated in the drug trade in Guatemala. (5) If this is how Guatemala respects the international judicial system, we will start up a campaign to have Guatemala expelled from the OAS. IF YOU WISH TO MAKE CALLS TO CONGRESS TO ASK THEM TO CONTACT THE GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT , PLEASE DO SO. THE SWITCHBOARD NUMBER IS 202-224-3121. THANK YOU, EVERONE FOR YOUR MANY YEARS OF SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT. ABRAZOS JENNIFER --------- "RE: Lubicon: Citizens for Public Justice" --------- Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 02:51:52 -0500 From: fol@tao.ca Subj: Citizens for Public Justice weigh in on Lubicon settlement Mailing List: FoL-L Friends of the Lubicon P.O. Box 444, Stn. D, Etobicoke, ON Canada, M9A 4X4 Tel: 416-763-7500 Fax: 416-535-7810 Email: fol@tao.ca Web: www.tao.ca/~fol December 11, 2002 Attached below is an excellent letter to Prime Minister Chretien regarding settlement of Lubicon Lake Indian Nation land rights from the Executive Director of the Citizens for Public Justice. Along with sending their own letter, CPJ also published the attached article in their most recent newsletter encouraging their members across Canada to write similar letters to the Prime Minister. * * * * * * * * Nov. 26, 2002 Right Hon. Jean Chretien Prime Minister Government of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Dear Mr. Chretien: Our organization is one of the many groups and individuals who have monitored the situation of the Lubicon Lake First Nation for many years, as one of Canada's most pressing human and environmental rights concerns. We are writing to encourage you to make every effort possible to resolve this longstanding land rights dispute. We are very familiar with the history of the Lubicon struggle for a just land rights settlement, the 60-plus years of failed attempts to settle their land rights, and the national and international concerns that this tragic situation has evoked. Over the years, we have covered the story many times in our publications and have made presentations to tribunals and organizations in Alberta, nationally and internationally to suggest ways of resolving this conflict. There are two articles on the Lubicon campaign in the new edition of the Aboriginal issues anthology, Nation to Nation: Aboriginal Sovereignty and the Future of Canada, published by our sister organization, the Public Justice Resource Centre. We have also organized public events across Canada to inform Canadians about the Lubicon campaign. The Lubicon land rights case has remained unsettled for far too long. This has become a matter of national and international human rights embarrassment. You wrote to the Lubicon nine years ago, promising to act quickly on a land settlement. You said that "time is wasting" and that it was "time for action", and that you considered the Lubicon claim to be "a priority." We were very encouraged by the slow but steady progress since 1998, when Brad Morse was appointed as a federal negotiator by your government and the Lubicon land claims talks resumed. In fact, we met with Mr. Morse at one point to discuss our concerns about this longstanding Aboriginal rights dispute and our concern that a settlement is reached. We were pleased to report to our members across Canada, who had been following this situation for over twenty years, that a settlement seemed imminent. More recently, we have been encouraged by reports that the Lubicon and your government have reached agreement on the bilateral issues involving how Lubicon band membership is to be determined, as well as on details for a new community at Lubicon Lake. You have made clear your concern for the plight of Canada's Aboriginal people. This is an opportunity to leave a legacy by which your years of public service will be remembered. Your personal values and goals, and those of the Lubicon, mesh well at this critical time. We believe that a settlement can be reached if you personally ensure that the remaining obstacles are cleared away and that a fair settlement is reached. We look forward to your personal response and to celebrating a public justice solution for the Lubicon, before you leave office. Sincerely, Harry J. Kits Executive Director, CPJ cc Chief B. Ominayak, Lubicon Lake First Nation * * * * * * * From the Catalyst, published by Citizens for Public Justice, www.cpj.ca Lubicon treaty within reach? If Prime Minister Chretien is serious about leaving a legacy of justice for Aboriginal people, he could start with a settlement between the Lubicon Lake Indian Nation in northern Alberta and the federal government. The Lubicon have been struggling to have their Aboriginal land rights recognized for 63 years. Their saga has attracted international attention, with Canada being condemned for its treatment of the band. However, there are cautious grounds for optimism, with the government and the Lubicon recently reaching agreement on the portion of a final settlement agreement that deals with building a new community for the Lubicon Nation. This breakthrough clears the way for discussions on other outstanding issues like economic development, compensation, a trappers' support program, and other elements of a final settlement agreement. The Alberta government has also been invited to join the negotiations to discuss reserve lands, wildlife and environmental management, and other issues. If the government has the will to settle Lubicon land rights, a settlement should be possible within a relatively short time frame. That's why Lubicon supporters are urging Prime Minister Chretien to fulfil his promise of resolving Lubicon land rights before he leaves office. Letters to Mr. Chretien encouraging him to push for a settlement are still needed. For more information on what Mr. Chretien promised and how to encourage him to keep his promises, visit the Friends of the Lubicon website, www.tao.ca/~fol. * The book Nation to Nation: Aboriginal Sovereignty and the Future of Canada, published by CPJ's partner, the Public Justice Resource Centre, contains two articles on the Lubicon campaign. It's available from the PJRC, info@publicjustice.ca, for $26.95. --------- "RE: B.C. must consult First Nations in Timber transfer" --------- Date: Fri 13 Dec, 2002 08:23:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TIMBER LICENCE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://cnews.canoe.ca/WesternTicker/CANOE-wire.Skeena-Gitxsan.html Court: B.C. must consult First Nations in transfer of Skeena timber licence Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 VANCOUVER (CP) - The provincial government has been ordered to consult with northern B.C. First Nations affected by the sale of bankrupt Skeena Cellulose. In a ruling handed down Tuesday in Smithers, B.C., Justice David Tysoe of B.C. Supreme Court accepted a claim by Gitxsan hereditary chiefs that they must be consulted about resource activities on their traditional territory. The 10,000-member Gitxsan Nation and other bands claim 30,000 square kilometres of northwestern British Columbia that includes Skeena's provincial timber licence area. Skeena, which was rescued by the B.C. government from bankruptcy in 1997, was sold last spring to NWBC Timber and Pulp Co. for $6 million. The company's Prince Rupert pulp mill and three sawmills, along with its logging operations, have been idle for more than a year. The new owners plan to restart the mills in May, preceded by renewed logging. The government approved the transfer of Skeena's licences to harvest Crown timber last June, prompting the Gitanyow First Nation to apply for a court injunction. It wasn't granted, but a hearing was scheduled and it took place in September. Tysoe ruled the First Nations have a good prima facie case of aboriginal rights and title over areas covered by Skeena's forest licences, and that the minister of forests failed to consult with them before transferring the rights to NWBC. The minister, he ruled, has "a legally enforceable duty" to consult with First Nations in good faith and seek "workable accommodations" between their aboriginal interests and the short- and long-term objectives of the Crown to manage public lands. A series of court rulings, most recently a B.C. Appeal Court decision in favour of the Haida Nation and forest company Weyerhaeuser Co., have found First Nations must be consulted about activities in their traditional territories even if aboriginal claims have not been confirmed. Despite the ruling, Tysoe did not quash the Skeena timber licence transfer. He adjourned the decision but left the door open for First Nations to reapply if they believe the minister is not fulfilling his duty to consult, said Gordon Sebastian, the Gitxsan's lawyer. NWBC president Dan Veniez said the ruling does not throw a wrench into plans to reopen Skeena. "This doesn't have any material adverse effect on Skeena," he said from Prince Rupert. "Basically it's a decision telling the government that it has to consult in a way that is more consistent with the Court of Appeal's decision." A Forests Ministry spokeswoman said officials will study the decision before commenting. "Obviously the province would prefer to negotiate rather than litigate," she said. Sebastian said the Gitxsan, who have an active treaty claim, want the government to provide $5 million for the First Nation to conduct an inventory of the territory in advance of talks. The Gitxsan will also propose setting up an aboriginal rights review board to work out conflicts between the Gitxsan and any government ministry related to claimed territory. Copyright c.2002, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Nuxalkmc Native Youth Movement on Fish Farms" --------- Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 07:29:00 -0800 (PST) From: Carter Camp Subj: Fwd: Nuxalkmc Native Youth Movement Press Release on Fish Farms Mailing List: ndn-aim INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2002 NUXALK NATION --NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT-- Bella Coola WHAT: Members of the Nuxalk Native Youth Movement participated in a road- blockade which was initiated by the Nuxalk Hereditary leadership, with the purpose of stopping the transportation of Atlantic farmed salmon through their Traditional unceded Territory. The salmon was harvested from an Atlantic fish farm located in Klemtu, "BC". HOW: A freezer semi-truck, barged to Bella Coola from Klemtu, en route to Vancouver, carrying a load of 'diseased' Atlantic farmed salmon, was detoured off of Highway 20, and stopped within a part of the Nuxalk Reservation. The truck halted where it was met with approximately 40 Nuxalkmc people, and held for 9 hours. WHY: Amongst the purpose of the blockade was the statement that Nuxalk would no longer tolerate the transportation of this species through their Traditional territory, nor give condolence to the practice of 'farmed salmon'. It is strongly believed that this very practice will have a detrimental and unrecoverable effect within the existing Wild salmon stock habitat, population and surrounding environment which the Nuxalk people are caretakers for and dependant upon for survival. Not only will the Wild stock salmon be contaminated, but all of the other winged (eagles, ravens, etc) and legged (bears, wolves, etc.) creatures that eat salmon will be poisoned and contaminated from the unnatural diseases born within the practice of farmed salmon. BACKGROUND OF ATLANTIC FARMED SALMON Norway was the leading country of salmon aqua-culture. Norweigians have been farming salmon for almost 30 years. In August of 1998, 40% of all fish farms were shut down, and millions of fish were slaughtered to stop the spread of an incurable disease known as infectious salmon anaemia. Twenty (20) Norwegian rivers have been treated with rotenone since 1981; the river systems were poisoned to eradicate a farm salmon parasite and killed almost all other wild life as well as the diseased salmon. Farmed fish contain high levels of contaminants including 10 times more polychlorinated, biphenyls, P.C.B's than wild fish. The U$ federal government has recently advised pregnant women not to eat farmed fish since 60,000 children in the U$ have brain injury from their mothers eating fish with high levels of mercury. RESULTS OF BLOCKADE Klemtu complied to the demand of the Nuxalk. The Atlantic farmed salmon will no longer be shipped and transported within Nuxalk territory. Beforehand, under protest as well, an alternate route was required after a demand that the fish no longer be transported through the port facilities of Port Hardy. Now, one of the only transportation routes would be further north extending to the waters around Prince Rupert. Further action will be required to achieve the future goal of stopping altogether the practices of farmed salmon within the entire coast of what is known as "BC", which is all Indian land. Native Youth Movement is calling for an international boycott of farmed salmon. NYM is Calling on all Indian people to stand up and protect our sacred waters. Nuxalk Native Youth Movement Contact: nuxalkmc@redpride.com Box 382 Bella Coola, Nuxalk Nation V0T 1C0 --------- "RE: Court rules Canada in Breach to First Nation" --------- Date: Thu 12 Dec, 2002 09:05:22 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NAULT/BREACH" http://www.indianz.com/News/show.asp?ID=2002/12/12/nault Court rules Canada in breach to First Nation THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2002 A federal court in Canada last week blasted the government's top Indian affairs official for meddling in the management of a financially strapped First Nation. In April 2001, Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault appointed a third- party manager to take over federal funding and other programs for the Pikangikum First Nation. At the time, Nault said the arrangement was necessary to help the Ojibwe band, based in Ontario, resolve long-standing problems. But in a ruling released December 2, Federal Justice John A. O'Keefe said Nault violated his responsibility to the First Nation. Calling it "patently unreasonable," the court invalidated the arrangement "due to a breach of the duty of procedural fairness." The decision is a bittersweet victory for the Pikangikum. The remote community of 2,000 has been riddled with a number of environmental, financial and social problems, which band leaders said were exacerbated by last year's federal takeover. A flood in October 2000 led to a state of emergency. Bottled water had to be flown in because there was no alternative source. The reserve's school had to be closed earlier in the year due to an oil spill. Children went uneducated, according to Nault, until January 2001, when the school was finally reopened. At one point, the band owed more than $300,000 in heating bills. Reserve residents were prepared to lose their utilities until the third-party manager paid the bill last summer. But it's the high suicide rate that has probably drawn the most attention. Considered one of the highest in the world, the reserve's rate is 36 times the national average. At one point, Nault suggested the band's outreach to the media was leading to more suicides. Despite the problems, band leaders insisted they should be able to handle their own affairs. They employed the services of a co-management firm up until Nault appointed the receiver. According to court documents, the First Nation receives $12 million to $14 million in federal funds from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Audits during the late 1990s showed deficits in the millions but band leaders said they have cleared up the problems. The Assembly of First Nations, the largest Aboriginal organization, supported the Pikangikum throughout the ordeal. A resolution accused the government of "usurping the authority" of the band. Copyright c. 2000-2002 Noble Savage Media, LLC/Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Suspect in Rodeo Blaze not Competent" --------- Date: Tue 17 Dec, 2002 08:06:43 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FIRES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1217gregg17.html Suspect in 'Rodeo' blaze not competent Faces mental tests; Jan. trial canceled Judy Nichols The Arizona Republic Dec. 17, 2002 12:00 AM Leonard Gregg, the Apache firefighter accused of setting part of the state's largest wildfire, has been found incompetent to stand trial. U.S. District Judge James Teilborg on Monday canceled Gregg's trial, scheduled for Jan. 7, and ordered Gregg sent to a federal Bureau of Prisons hospital for up to four months for further evaluation. After the longer evaluation, Teilborg could set a new trial date or find that Gregg still is incompetent. Gregg, of Cibecue, was charged with setting the eastern portion of the "Rodeo-Chediski" fire, which destroyed 467 homes and blackened nearly 470, 000 acres of national forest and land on the Fort Apache Reservation. Valley resident Valinda Jo Elliot admitted starting the Chediski part of the blaze when she set a signal fire in the wilderness south of Heber after being lost for two nights. Some members of the Apache tribe, as well as White Mountain residents, were infuriated when federal prosecutors decided not to charge Elliott with a crime. "Personally, I think both of them ought to be charged with something," said Carol Timmerman of Show Low. "Even if he wasn't in his right mind, he ought to be held accountable. We're kind of a tourist area up here, and the fire ruined a lot of scenery. I hope after he spends his time in the hospital that they do find him competent." Teilborg said he found inconsistencies in the doctors' reports, which he ordered sealed, but said there were enough questions about Gregg's competency that the additional evaluation was warranted. Gregg's attorney, Deborah Euler-Ajayi, said after the hearing that the doctors who evaluated him have very strong reservations that Gregg will ever be competent to stand trial. Gregg, dressed in a black-and-white- striped jail jumpsuit, sat quietly next to his attorney as a court- appointed translator spoke to him in his native Apache. He could face up to six years in prison on two counts of arson if convicted. About 20 members of Gregg's family and friends came to the federal courthouse, but some were unable to attend the hearing because they didn't have picture identification. None of the family members would speak to the press. Friends of the family, Al Homer and Ivan Lewis, said they believe Gregg is a scapegoat and Elliott also should be facing charges. "She's competent and she walks," Lewis said. "He's incompetent and he's still locked up. What's the deal?" Homer said the family didn't understand why Gregg couldn't be released on his own recognizance. "It's double standards, double justice," Homer said. According to investigators, Gregg set the fire because he was angry about his parents' alcoholism and because he hoped to make money working as a fire crew member for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In court papers, Euler-Ajayi had stated that Gregg "has many symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, his mental functioning is very low, he has poor capacity for abstract thinking (and) he functions emotionally as well as intellectually at a very primitive level." Euler-Ajayi said Monday that, after the issue of competency is decided, the court might take up the issue of statements Gregg made to investigators after being arrested. "I don't see how he could knowingly, intelligently waive his rights," she said. U.S. Prosecutor Vincent Kirby told the judge he would not object to the motion. "I have reviewed the report and the issues raised need to be addressed," Kirby said. "It is the prudent course." Kirby said Gregg should be in a facility where he would get treatment for his problems. Gregg has been in jail since about 10 days after the fires started. "He's very homesick and lonely, but he's doing fine," Euler-Ajayi said. Reporter Tom Zoellner contributed to this article. Copyright c. 2002, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Statement of Leonard Peltier" --------- Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 20:33:55 -0500 From: Alfred Bone Shirt Subj: Fwd: Statement of Leonard Peltier Mailing List: D/L/N December Statement of Leonard Peltier ///\\\=====///\\\=====///\\\=====///\\\=====///\\\ Greetings Friends & Supporters: Well here we are once again, at the end of my 26th year behind these prison walls. As I reflect back on this past year I am amazed to see all the legal motion that is now happening in my case. After Clinton walked out on us in 2001, I almost felt that I didn't have any avenues of redress left and I wasn't sure if the campaign for my freedom could continue. I wasn't really sure that there would be any more options to pursue. There was the office transition and a lull in activity this past summer. But now, thanks to my great legal team I see that there are still more battles to be fought and if fought hard enough, won. And I hope you are all ready to continue this work because I sure am ready for the next go round. I know that the political climate, the impending war and the state of the economy is going to make this work a lot more difficult for all of us. However, we must remember that the people have always had to struggle for every little gain that has been won and it isn't going to be any different this time. We must continue our work to expose the FBI's illegal conduct not only in my case, but also for all the people who are unjustly incarcerated for their political beliefs. This past summer I put out a call for Native youth to come out and take on some responsibility for the movement to free me and to make sure Indigenous issues are kept alive. I am happy to report that a number of students from Haskell Indian Nations University took up the challenge. They have formed the Peltier Indigenous Justice Alliance (PIJA). This endeavor by these students makes me feel proud. I hope that others will join them to carry on the work of those who have already worked so tirelessly all their lives for justice. Remember it was a hand-full of students from the Bay Area who helped organize the takeover of Alcatraz, which gave spark to the movement, which led to many of the demonstrations that would bring our issues before the public. I also want to tell you how proud and happy to have my daughter Marquetta working in the office coordinating my campaign and being on the speakers' bureau. She has taken on a tremendous responsibility is doing a fine job. Thanks to her this Christmas I will be able to have more of my grandchildren with me. It hasn't been easy watching my children and now my grandchildren grow up through photos. Now I can actually have them with me and be able to spend some time talking and playing with them for a few hours a week. Believe me this is a welcome break from this daily oppressive life I live in here. Now that the holidays are once again upon us I would once again ask you to support the Christmas Drive for the children of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. So many children would have gone without a gift, had it not been for your generosity these past years. And last but far from least I want to thank each and every one of you for hanging in there with me through the good and the hard times. I am counting on all of you to be with me for this next campaign. No effort can move forward without your continued support. Together we can and will succeed. And in closing I want to wish you and yours safe and happy holidays and a prosperous New Year. In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Leonard Peltier \\\///=====\\\///=====\\\///=====\\\/// Annual Christmas Drive 2002 ///\\\=====///\\\=====///\\\=====///\\\ Indigenous Political Prisoner, Leonard Peltier, has organized his annual gift drive for the children of the Pine Ridge Lakota Nation in South Dakota. This is one way Leonard continues his humanitarian work for his people despite his incarceration. Help Leonard Peltier reach out beyond the bars that imprison him. You can send gifts such as new toys and practical, new winter clothing (gloves, jeans, thermal underwear, sweaters, socks, hats, scarves, jackets, boots, and blankets, etc.) to the addresses listed below. Your gifts will be distributed to the people of Pine Ridge in Leonard's name. Thanks to Peltier's supporters, last years gift drive was very successful. Many families wrote Leonard to both thank him and tell him how the gifts brightened the families' holidays. Some supporters collected donations from stores who were willing to help after learning that Pine Ridge continues to be the most impoverished community