From gars@speakeasy.org Tue Feb 18 21:51:46 2003 Date: 19 Feb 2003 00:12:13 -0000 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews11.008 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. 1996-2003 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 11, ISSUE 008 | Country than is reported in | O o o o o O | this weekly newsletter. For | O o O February 22, 2003 | For daily updates & events | O o O | go http://www.owlstar.com/ | O | dailyheadlines.htm | Mvskogee hotvlle-hvssi/wind moon +-----------------------------+ Potawatomi mnokesis/moon of rabbit conception <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is produced in straight ASCII text for greatest portability across platforms. Read it with a fixed-pitch font, such as Courier, Monaco, FixedSys or CG Times. Proportional fonts will be difficult to read. <================<<<< >>>>================> This issue contains articles from www.owlstar.com; www.indianz.com; www.pechanga.net; Frostys AmerIndian, Iron Natives and ndn-aim Mailing Lists; Newsgroup: alt.native; UUCP email IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org <================<<<< >>>>================> +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | As historian Patricia Nelson | | 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "Our elders talk about the spiritual battle that's been going on for a long time. Industrialization has always wanted to control the land, control the people. That's going on today." "I believe that globalization is part of that. Globalization places no value in people, no value in religious and spiritual principles, no value in the protection of the commons. Spiritual values tie us to the importance of protecting the Mother Earth, the plants, all animate and inanimate things." "When we lose that understanding, industry, development,and globalization can do what they want to do, because there are no values behind their structures. Globalization has created a system of corporate ownership above the importance of plants, living things, and humans." __ Tom Goldtooth, National Director, Indigenous Environmental Network +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! This week we had the pleasure of witnessing an interview with Chief of Woodstock First Nation, Jeff Tomah. During the interview he expressed the frustration he has experienced fighting the overt greed of the non-native people and their government. He has little use for Indian Affairs and with good reason. The very institution that is supposed to uphold First Nation treaty rights has created some of the most intrusive violations, particularly where harvesting of lumber, fish and other resources are concerned. An article in this issue brings even more focus to this problem. "Disgruntlement over Resource use on Treaty Lands" By Wes Godin of the Kenora Miner and News speaks of the growing support for both the Grassy Narrows blockade and Grand Council Treaty 3's fight against the Ontario government's forest management practices. Most readers are familiar with the heinous acts by the Department of Fisheries against Burnt Church and other Mi'kmaq for daring to exercise their treaty rights and fish. If you wish to witness a Native boat being rammed go to either http://www.owlstar.com/who_will_sing_for_us.htm or http://www.wintercount.org The Cobell Trust case against the U.S. Department of Interior would make a bad movie if it weren't for the fact it is all true. A high ranking federal director, Secretary of Interior Norton, has been found in contempt for mismanagement of billions of trust fund dollars. In a show of spite she has withheld royalty checks. Her Director of the BIA resigned, then admitted he had destroyed records crucial to the case. If this were not all fact you couldn't sell the damn script to a Hollywood agent. How can anyone witness the above and not conclude there is a huge chasm between the spoken promise from Ottawa or Washington and the actions against our people? You cannot. You also have to conclude it is deliberate. We pray for our future generations. We cannot, we must not, we dare not remain silent if those prayers are to have meaning. Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Night Owl gars@nanews.org (*,*) P. O. Box 672168 gars@speakeasy.org (`-') Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A. gars@olagrande.net ===w=w=== gars@sdf.lonestar.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - George Sebastian Williams Sr. - Eagle Feathers allowed into U.S. - Crossings - $1.44 Million for - Treaties: Atlantic Aboriginal Health Ties that bound only One Side - B.C. Liberals offer - UKB Attorney General issues Apology to First Nations Voting Issue Opinion - Disgruntlement over Resource use - Talks continue on Klamath on Treaty Lands Tribes' Land Issues - First Nations Hunters on Trial - Samish/City pledge to Join Forces - Brutality from New Soldiers in Blue - Are Navajos receiving Gas, - BIA Officials Oil Royalty Checks? replace Blackfeet Police - Kiowa Tribe given - Study says S.D. Courts Impossible Ultimatum unequal in Sentencing - Gas well OK'd for National Monument - Crow Agency Man - Hualapai oppose appears on Murder Charge Red Lake Gas Storage Project - Native Prisoner - Report finds Mine -- My Deepest Sympathy could harm Sacred Lake -- 2 Disabled, Veteran NA Prisoners - House passes Sandia Land Claim - History: Carlisle Indian School - Tribe allowed say - Poem: In the Spirit of Columbus in Salton Sea's Future - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Natchez bring Jobs, History - Specials This Week on APTN but no Casino - NAMMY Winner Martha Redbone - History is her Story at NYC's Gerwshwin - Remaining Innu of Davis Inlet - This Week on AIROS feeling Abandoned - Comanche Homecoming --------- "RE: George Sebastian Williams Sr." --------- Date: Wed 12 Feb 2003 08:23:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GEORGE SEBASTIAN WILLIAMS SR." http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/03/2/12/16494067.cfm Tulalip tribal elder is mourned Williams was a tribal chairman, board member By Kate Reardon Herald Writer February 12, 2003 TULALIP - To many, Tulalip tribal elder George Sebastian Williams Sr. was more than a great leader. He was a good listener who practiced what he preached. He cared about his fellow tribal members. And he helped lay the foundation that has allowed the tribes to excel. Williams died at his home on the Tulalip Reservation Sunday after a long battle with prostate and bone cancer. He was 76. He committed portions of more than four decades of his life, about 30 years total, to tribal governmental affairs, starting in 1949 and ending in 1983. He served as tribal chairman for 20 of those years and the rest as a board member. He lobbied Congress and worked to find solutions to problems on the reservation at the local, state and national levels. Tribal Chairman Herman Williams said the tribe has seen a great loss. "The most precious legacy is the foundation he helped lay for future chairmen and boards," he said. "Without that, we could be floundering around like a lot of other tribes are now. With that foundation, we're setting the pace in Indian Country." George Williams was instrumental in getting more land for the tribe so it could rebuild its reservation, said his daughter, Carol A. Williams Hunter, judge magistrate for the tribe. He was also a family man. "I learned so much from my father," the 55-year-old Williams Hunter said Tuesday. "We used to camp on the beach. That's where we learned to respect Mother Earth and the salmon and what the creator has given us." Williams also comes from a long line of tribal leaders. His father, Sebastian Williams, and five other men wrote the tribal constitution. "I watched my father lead our people to where we are today," his daughter said. "They were the forerunners for our people fighting for our treaty rights and who we were as a sovereign nation." Daughter Valerie Finkbonner, 48, said her father enjoyed meeting people. "He was very friendly, warm and kind," she said. "I can't describe his love for everybody out here." Williams inspired many, including Mel Sheldon, board of director serving as tribal treasurer and business chairman. "He had this wonderful capacity to help everyone strive to another level," Sheldon said. "He helped this tribe grow leaders." Williams had vision. "The Tulalips today would not be here if it wouldn't have been for the likes of George Williams and of course other board of directors," Sheldon said. Many might remember Williams in his other role, a worker at the Tulalip Landfill. "After serving his people for many years, he worked at our garbage dump and found another capacity to serve people in that humble capacity," Sheldon said. "The true meaning of serving people covers a wide array of activities." He will be missed by many. "I don't know anybody who didn't go to daddy for his wisdom, strength and understanding," Williams Hunter said. Reporter Kate Reardon: 425-339-3455 or reardon@heraldnet.com. Copyright c. 2003 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, Wash. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" February 12, 2003 Sioux Ann Titus PINE RIDGE - Sioux Ann Titus, 18, Pine Ridge, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident near Pine Ridge. A one-night wake will begin at 3 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Leon Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. February 13, 2003 H. Isabelle Witt WANBLEE - H. Isabelle Witt, 81, Wanblee, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in Kadoka. Survivors include four sons, Wilbur Witt, Kyle, Leon Grass and Donroy Martinez, both of Wounded Knee, and Darnell Martinez, Arizona; two daughters, Darlene Martinez, Billings, Mont., and Theresa Martinez, Sioux Falls; and numerous grandchildren. A one-night wake was Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Wanblee. Services were Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee, with the Rev. Daniel Makes Good officiating. Burial was at Grace Cemetery in Tuthill. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge was in charge of arrangements. Crystal E. Little OGLALA - Crystal E. Little, 19, Oglala, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2003, in Oakland, Calif., as the result of an automobile accident. Survivors include her mother, Esther Sisto, San Pablo, Calif.; her grandmother, Lucy Little, Red Shirt; and two brothers, Chaske Little, Santa Fe, N.M., and Charles Little, Rapid City. A one-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at Brother Rene Church Hall in Oglala. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at the church hall, with the Rev. Chris Primo officiating. Burial will be at St. Bernard Cemetery in Red Shirt. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Sioux Ann Titus PINE RIDGE - Sioux Ann Titus, 18, Pine Ridge, died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, in Pine Ridge as a result of an automobile accident. Survivors include her parents, Don Titus Sr. and Martha Titus, Pine Ridge; her foster parents, Alvin and Joyce Fisherman, Pine Ridge; two brothers, Don Titus Jr. and Richard Red Bear, both of Pine Ridge; four adopted brothers, Frank Goings Jr., Cecil Goings, Dan Titus Jr. and Leonard Fisherman, all of Pine Ridge; two sisters, Frances Titus and Donna Titus, Pine Ridge; and two adopted sisters, Monica Titus and Carrie Titus, both of Pine Ridge. A two-night wake was Tuesday and Wednesday in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, with the Rev. Leon Matthews officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. February 15, 2003 Anthony Joseph Hollow Horn Bear RAPID CITY - Anthony Joseph Hollow Horn Bear, 57, of Rapid City, died Wednesday, February 12, 2003, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Marlene Hollow Horn Bear of Rapid City; one son, John Hollow Horn Bear of Rapid City; one daughter, Toni Hollow Horn Bear, her husband Dan and their children Isaac and Gabrielle Hollow Horn Bear of Sacramento, CA; his mother, Dorothy Wright of Rosebud; three sisters, Bernadette Moore, Luellen Wright and Karen Marshall, all of Rosebud; six stepdaughters, Clara Eagle Tail of Rapid City, Celeste McCormack of Jamaica, NY, Jayette Hull of Wagner, Denise Wiyaka of Madison, WI, Denielle McNiel of Lake Andes, and Gail McBride of Wagner; one stepson, Allen McBride of Sacramento, CA. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Hollow Horn Bear. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2003, at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, at the funeral home, with Fr. Bryan Sorensen officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with full military honors. February 18, 2003 Emma Lame PINE RIDGE - Emma Lame, 91, Pine Ridge, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include two sons, Richard Broken Nose and Ted Lame Sr., both of No. 4 Community, Pine Ridge; three daughters, Mary Broken Nose and Ethelene Lame, both of Pine Ridge, and Carrie Antoine, Chino Valley, Ariz. ; 35 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; and 42 great-great- grandchildren. A two-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Richard Broken Nose will officiate over traditional Lakota services. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Mission Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2003 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- February 16, 2003 Mrs. Rosita Cachora Collins Mrs. Rosita Cachora Collins, 85, passed away February 12, 2003 at Phoenix Indian Hospital, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born March 7, 1917, in Ft. Yuma, Arizona, Quechan Nation. She worked as a Home Maker and attended the Nazarene Church. Rosita was Revered Elder of the Quechan Nation. She is survived by her son, Amil Pedro and wife Anne of Youngtown, Arizona; daughters, Lolita Bell of Laveen, Arizona, Georgianna Collins of Laveen, Arizona; three grandchildren and one great grandchild; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rosita was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Collins and one daughter, Viola Pedro. Visitation will be at Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Reservation Big House, Monday, February 17, 2003 beginning at 5:00 P.M. Cremation services are to follow, Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 5:00 A.M., at the Ft. Yuma Quechan Indian Reservation Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Amil Pedro, Douglas Osborne, Norman Osborne, Gorden Osborne, Kenneth Billy and Lorey Cachora. Honorary Bearers will be friends and relatives. Copyright c. 2003 The Yuma Sun, Sun Freedom Newspapers of Southwestern Arizona. -=-=-=- February 13, 2003 Geneva Creekkiller Geneva Creekkiller of Eucha died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, at Monroe Manor in Jay after months of illness. She was 82. Creekkiller was born Jan. 6, 1921, in Jay to Jackson Buzzard and Sara (Smoke) Buzzard. She lived in the Eucha area all of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of Hillside Baptist Church. She was married to Homer Creekkiller. He preceded her in death. Survivors include one daughter and her husband, Virginia and Wallace Jumper; four grandchildren, Harvey Creekkiller, of the home, Junior Jumper, Roger Jumper and Carol Brock, all of Jay, and three great- -grandchildren. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hillside Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Kingfisher officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Worley- Luginbuel Funeral Home in Jay. Copyright c. 2003 The Miami News-Record. -=-=-=- February 11, 2003 Francetta Warrior Stubblefield Funeral services for Francetta Warrior Stubblefield are scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday at Thomas Town Baptist Church in Sasawka. Rev. Famous Cochran is set to officiate. Internment will follow at Thomas Town Cemetery under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home. Stubblefield died Wednesday, Feb. 5 at her home in Sasakwa following a lengthy illness. She was born Aug. 27, 1953 in Seminole to Herman Warrior and Bertha Thurman Warrior. She was reared in Seminole County and received her education at New Model Elementary and graduated from Sasakawa High School. Following graduation, she attended Oklahoma State Tech and graduated in 1975. She married Melvin Stubblefield Sr. in Omaha, Neb. and he preceded her in death Aug. 20, 2002. Stubblefield worked for AT&T and later as a teacher's aide in Nebraska until her illness. She then returned to Oklahoma with her family. She was a lifelong member of Thomas Town Baptist Church where she was baptized at an early age. She is survived by son, Kaylum Stubblefield of the home; stepson, Melvin Stubblefield, Jr., Omaha, Neb.; two grandchildren; sister, Jan Warrior of Sasakawa; brothers Kenneth Warrior, Russell Warrior and Kerry Warrior. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. Pallbearers will be L.B. Garfield, Johnny Glasm, Wellington Dindy Jr., Rudolph Garfield, Tommy Olden, and Mainard Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Wallace Thurman, J.B. Thurman, James Thurman, and Calvin Harjo. Flower girls will be Linda James, Dezeree Bradshaw, Lula Samilton, Jerena Guess, Marilyn Gueint. Honorary flower girls will be Francis Woodfork, Mary Lee Taylor and Maxcine Thurman. Fred Harjo Funeral services for Sasakwa resident Fred Sonny Harjo were held at 2 p.m. today at the Spring Baptist Church in Sasakwa. Revs. Fred Moppin and Eugene Harjo officiated the services. Interment followed at the Harjo Family Cemetery in Sa-sakwa, under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home of Wewoka. Harjo died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003 at the age of 79. He was born to Fouscharjoe and Mandy (Fixico) Harjo on March 15, 1923 in Sasakwa. Harjo's lost his parents at an early age, and he was raised by his foster parents, Willie and Amey Palmer. He was a lifelong resident of Seminole County, and attended school at Sasakwa. Harjo was a member of the Spring Baptist Church in Sasakwa. He married Ida Harjo on May 17, 1945, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 1989. Harjo was a veteran of World War II, and worked in housekeeping at Valley View Hospital in Ada for 26 years prior to his retirement in 1993. Harjo is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his foster parents; one daughter, Mandy Harjo; one brother, Homer Lee Harjo; and one sister, Sylba Walker. He is survived by his daughters, Martha Jane Harjo, Sasakwa, Frankie Coley and Shawna Groves, both of Wewoka, and Laurie Owl, Seminole; his brothers, Rev. Eugene Harjo and John Robert Harjo; seven grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Pallbearers were Tommy Cunningham, Colton Coley, Micah Tarkington, Don Branscum, Steve Dail, and Cecil Moon. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2000 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- February 12, 2003 Roy Ambrose Begaye Feb. 4, 1958 - Feb. 8, 2003 Roy Ambrose Begaye, 45, of Shiprock, passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003, at his home. He was born Feb. 4, 1958, to Ambrose and Mary Begaye. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., today, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003, at First Baptist Church in Shiprock. Arrangements are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home of Farmington, (505) 325-8688. Copyright c. 1999-2003 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. -=-=-=- February 11, 2003 Myron Denetdale TOHATCHI - Services for Myron Denetdale, 81, will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12 at Naschitti Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Phillip Destea will officiate. Burial will follow at Naschitti Community Cemetery. Denetdale died Feb. 7 in Gallup. He was born Dec. 14, 1921 in Naschitti into the Red Running into Water People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Denetdale attended Tohatchi Boarding School, Rehoboth Christian School and Albuquerque Indian School. He was employed with Rockwell International, and was a member of the National Republican Party and the Los Angeles Indian Club. His hobbies included jewelry making, watching basketball and football games. Survivors include his wife, Virginia Denetdale of Tohatchi; daughter, Yvonne Denetdale of Tohatchi; brothers, Harrison Yazhe of Naschitti, Ernest Yazhe of Nageezi, Herbert Yazzie of Gallup and Albert Yazhe of Farmington; and sisters, Ethel Yazhe of Window Rock, Marie R. Begay and Evelyn Billy of Naschitti. Denetdale was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie Bell and Bizazidesni Denetdale; brother, Silas Yazhe and Andrew YazzieAndrew Yazzie and sister, Ella Eagleman. Pallbearers will be Benjamin Billy, Dennison Billy, Roger Billy, Robert Lee Jr., Gregory Lee and Perry Yellowhair. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at the family residence, Tohatchi. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Hugh M. Plummer COYOTE CANYON - Services for Hugh Plummer, 81, were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Christian Reformed Church, Tohatchi. Rev. Milton Shirleson officiated. Burial followed at Tohatchi Community Cemtery. Plummer died Feb. 4 in Albuquerque. He was born Feb. 2, 1922 in Coyote Canyon. Survivors include his wife, Marie E. Plummer of Coyote Canyon; sons, Wayne T. Plummer of Window Rock, Victor Plummer and Robert Plummer both of Shiprock; daughters, Corrina Goodman of Farmington, Gladys Silversmith of Tohatchi, Henrietta Lucero of Rio Rancho and Yvonne Plummer of Gallup; stepchildren Martha Lahti, Lucinda Clark, E.T. Largo, Judy Casaus, Claudette Torres and Jimmie Largo; brothers, Richard Plummer and Herman Plummer of Coyote Canyon, Marshall Plummer of Farmington, Abe Plummer of Tsaile, Ariz. and Ned Plummer Jr. of Naschitti; sisters, Sena P. Clark and Alice Barber of Coyote Canyon, Rita Jazzie of Yah Ta Hey and Pearl Begay of Tohatchi; 25 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Plummer was preceded in death by his parents; son, Hugh Plummer Jr.; daughters, Penni Plummer-Goodman and Debbie Plummer-Tso; sister, Marlene Plummer and brothers, Harold Plummer and Edward O. Plummer. February 12, 2003 Roselyn Lynn Yazzie KLAGETOH, Ariz. - Services for Roselyn Yazzie, 39, will be held at 10 a. m., Friday, Feb. 14 at Klagetoh Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Klagetoh Community Cemetery. Yazzie died Feb. 8 in Phoenix. She was born May 5, 1964 in Ganado, Ariz. into the Towering House People Clan for the Salt People Clan. Yazzie attended Wide Ruins Boarding School, Aneth, Utah. Her hobbies included riding horses, drawing and traveling. Survivors include her daughters, Carmelita Yazzie and Lucita Yazzie; parents, Rose Bonnie and James Yazzie Sr.; brothers, Ted Bonnie Jr., Leon Jones of Wide Ruins and James B. Yazzie Jr. of Klagetoh; sisters, Beverline Bonnie, Bonita Bonnie, Jocelyn Bonnie of Wide Ruins, Orlene Yazzie, Darlene Yazzie and Arlene Yazzie of Klagtetoh; grandmother, Maggie Yazzie and one grandchild. Yazzie was preceded in death by her brother Sammuel Bonnie. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Klagetoh Chapter House. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. February 14, 2003 Leonard N. Hunt HOLBROOK, Ariz. - Services for Leonard Hunt, 52, will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Pastor Scott Tafoya will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Hunt died Feb. 11 at Holbrook. He was born March 21, 1950 in Gallup into the Satl People Clan for the Meadow People Clan. Survivors include his sons, Virgil Hunt and Riley Yazzie both of Bread Springs; and sisters, Clara Bernal Kilburn of Gamerco, Christine Charley, Carol Yazzie and Rosemary Yazzie all of Gallup. Hunt was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline Hunt and Warren Yazzie; brothers, Donald Yazzie and Jerry Yazzie; grandparents, Agnes and Billy Long. Pallbearers will be Roland Bernal, Arnold Joe, Larry Livingston Jr., Anthony Mike, Andy Patterson and Wilfred L. Tom. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Eric Begay GALLUP - Services for Eric Begay, 31. will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15 at Grace Navajo Bpatist Church, Gallup. Pastor Ted Farris will officiate. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery. Begay died April 10 in Pinedale. He was born April 08, 1971 in Gallup into the Meadow People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Begay attended Gallup High School. He worked for Gallup McKinley County School at Gallup Junior High School, Giants Station, eastside of town and Cal-Mart food Store. His hobbies included fishing and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Magdalene Begay of Gallup; sons, Christian S. Begay of Gallup; daughers, Amber T. Begay and Alyssa James of Gallup; parents, Ernest Begay of Chinle, Ariz.; brothers, Ervin Begay , Eitol Billie and Chicago of Tuners and sisters, Arlene Begay and Aretha Begay both of Tiwn Buttes. Begay was preceded in death by his mother, Angella Billie Begay and grandparents, Mary and Jack Billie. Pallbearers will be Ervin Begay, Robertson Chee, Elliot Yazzie, Errol Billie, Tommy Nelson Jr. and T. J. Woods. The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Grace Navajo Baptist Church. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Paul A. Natonabah FORT DEFIANCE, Ariz. - Services for Paul Natonabah, 61, will be announced at a later date. Natonabah died Feb. 12 in Flagstaff. He was born Nov. 8, 1941 in Fort Defiance into the Red Running into the Water People Clan for the Tangle People Clan. A family meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, at Good Shephard Mission, Fort Defiance. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2003 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- February 15, 2003 Richard Charles Crow, Sr. COLSTRIP - Richard "Dickie" Charles Crow, Sr., 59, died peacefully at the St. Vincent Hospital, Feb. 11, 2003, in Billings, after a long illness. He was born July 31, 1943, in Poplar, to Bea (Belton) and Quentin Crow, Sr. Dickie attended schools in Poplar and Stephan, S.D. He worked as a carpenter, firefighter, in forestry and was a certified butcher. He married his constant companion, Faith Big Back, on May 5, 1995, in Lame Deer. Dickie was a very kindhearted man who was devoted to his family and friends. He liked to hunt, fish, travel and drive up in the hills. He is survived by his wife, Faith in Colstrip; mother, Bea Belton of Poplar; brothers, Ronald (Stinker) Crow, Bill (Babes) Prichard and Robert Belton of Poplar, Mike Crow of Grand Canyon, Ariz., Warren (Kathy) Crowe of Great Falls and Mickey Crow of Browning; sisters, Rhonda Mason of Wolf Point, Terry (Jim) Barrons of Poplar, Jo Ann Nevins and Alma Carlson of Browning. His children are Richard Crow, Jr., of Pryor, Jonas, Macon and Jesse of Rocky Boy; daughters, Michelle (Dennis) DeMarrias of Ft. Belknap, DeAnna (Marvin) Shields of Poplar, Tiki (Willie) Crow, Sunny (Wayne) Crow of Tucson, Ariz., Beatrice "Munchie" Crow of Rocky Boy, Lindy (Ronald) Crow of Poplar. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Florence Davis; father, Quentin Crow, Sr.; brothers, Quentin "Butch," Leonard, Duane and Merlin Crow; and daughter, Tina Crow. A wake will be held in Lame Deer, Saturday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., at Nancy Big Back's (his very special mother-in-law's) home. Services will be held at the Mennonite Church at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. He will then be brought back to Fort Peck, where he was born and raised. Rosary will be held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Poplar on Sunday, at 7 p.m. A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday morning, Feb. 17, at the Church. Dickie will be laid to rest where he requested to be buried, at the Riverside Cemetery. Dinner will be served after the funeral at the Church Center. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- February 12, 2003 Jesse James Brown PABLO - Jesse James Brown, 21, of Pablo, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes and descendant of the Blackfeet Nation, died Monday of injuries he received in an auto accident south of Polson. Rosary is 8 this evening at Elmo Hall. Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Thursday at Elmo Hall, with burial on the Brown property at Pablo. Grogan Funeral Home of Polson is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Tina, and children Destiny and Dakota, all of Pablo; his father, Thomas Brown of Browning; brothers Justin Brown of Pablo and Kyle Brown and Tony Brown of Browning; grandmothers Alpha Brown and Marjorie Blixt; and grandfathers Jimmy Blixt of Niarada and Jerry Nicholai of Hot Springs. February 15, 2003 Merle Lee Big Bow Sr. ROCKY BOY - Merle Lee Big Bow Sr., 49, a landscaper who enjoyed planting trees and lawns, fishing and hunting, died Thursday at his home after a short illness. His funeral is 10 a.m. today at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy, with burial in Rocky Boy Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will take place at the church after the burial. Survivors include his wife, Anna Marie Big Bow of Rocky Boy; sons Merle Big Bow Jr. of Great Falls, Robert Big Bow of Billings and Brian Big Bow of Rocky Boy; a daughter, Leah Big Bow of Queensville; sisters Mary Big Bow of Pablo, Hazel Eagle Man of Rocky Boy, Frances Big Bow of Pocatello, Idaho, and Carol Misquito of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan; and five grandchildren. Copyright c. 2003 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- February 14, 2003 Stephen Bernard RCMP investigating death of native elder after body discovered in snow LENNOX ISLAND, P.E.I. (CP) - Police are investigating the death of a Mi'kmaq man found lying in the snow outside his home Thursday morning. A family member discovered Stephen Bernard face down in the midst of some trees near the end of his lane on the Lennox Island reserve. RCMP Sgt. Richard Thibault said a hunting rifle was found near the body. "There was no indication at the scene at the time yesterday that the gun had any relation to the death of the person," Thibault said. He also said the man had no visible injuries. The 78-year-old man was dressed only in light clothing, which Thibault described as either pyjamas or what one might wear around the house, and slippers. Bitterly cold temperatures and high winds whipped into the province Wednesday night and into Thursday. Police have been treating the death as suspicious, notes the RCMP release. Thibault said police could not determine what caused the man's sudden death and in such cases they immediately begin an investigation. "We may be dealing with someone who died from natural causes," Thibault said. "But until then, we have to cover all the bases." (Summerside Journal-Pioneer) Copyright c. 2003, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. -=-=-=- February 15, 2003 Dave Thomas THOMAS, Dave - 65, of Fort Folly First Nation, passed away February 14, 2003, in Sackville Memorial Hospital. Born in Moncton, N.B., he was a son of the Late Peter and Kathleen (Bernard) Thomas. He was a member of the Canadian Navy serving a long prestigious career of 25 years from 1954 to 1979, retiring with the rank of Petty Officer First Class. After returning to Fort Folly, he went to work at the Dorchester Penitentiary as supervisor of electronics. Dave was the Chief of the Fort Folly First Nations for seven years from 1990 until his retirement in 1997. Dave will be sadly missed by his wife of 23 years, Marion (Cady), Fort Folly; daughter, Michelle Soulodre, Winnipeg, Man.; step-daughter, Linda Maddox (James), Dartmouth; grandchildren; Ben, Valerie and Jason; four great-grandchildren; aunt, Dorothy Nye, Dorchester; several cousins; half-brother; Patrick McCarron, Florida; half-sisters; Marie Roberts, Oldtown, Me.; Kathleen McCarron, Florida. He is predeceased by his brother, John. The remains are resting in the Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., Sackville, N.B. (364-1300) where visiting will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday and 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Sunday. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, February 17, in Jones Funeral Home. Burial will take place in the spring at the Beaumont Cemetery. Those wishing to make donations may do so to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association. On-line condolences may be made to: www.jonesfuneralhome.ca Copyright c. 2003 The Halifax Herald Limited. -=-=-=- February 15, 2003 Laura LouiseAnn nee Okeeweekow La Rose Regina, SK It is with great sadnessthat the family announces thepeaceful passing of Laura LouiseAnn La Rose (Louise Ann) nee Okeeweekow on Friday, February 14, 2003 in her 75th year, with her loving family at her side. She was predeceased by her father Norman Okeeweekow; Gabriella (Dubois); brothers Gordon, Ernest, Mervin and Clifford; sisters Edith, Gladys, Freda and Betty; and daughter Gail Annette. Louise Ann is survived by her faithful daughter Joanne, and children Gerald, Jeanette, Geraldine, James, Germaine and Dale, Terrance and Clarence. She is also survived by her grandson Lance; granddaughter Laurie whom she raised as her own; twenty three special grandchildren, and nineteen great grandchildren; and lifelong companion Hugh Campbell. In addition, Louise Ann is survived by her brother Delbert; special lifelong friend Red McDonald; and numerous nieces, nephews and many many cherished friends. Prayers will be said on Sunday, February 16, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel of Lee Funeral Home, 3101 Dewdney Ave., Regina, SK. The Wake will be held on Monday, February 17, 2003 at 5:00 PM in the Kahnesewapit School Gymnasium, Muscowpetung First Nation. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 11:00 AM, also in the Kahnesewapit School Gymnasium. Burial will follow at the Muscowpetung Cemetery. A very grateful thank you to the staff at the Pasqua Hospital: Dr. Clein, Ross Larden, nurses from 3B, Palliative Care, and 4A. A special heartfelt thank you to homecare nurse Janice Ciebart. Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645 Copyright c. 2000-2003 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. =-=-=- February 13, 2003 Harry Clinton Big Throat It is with great sadness that we the family of HARRY CLINTON BIG THROAT announce his sudden passing on Friday, February 7, 2003, at his residence on the Blood Reserve with his son Clint Jr. at his side. He is survived by his loving wife Sally whom he married on May 28, 1994 (27 years); two sons: Clinton Jr. and Wacey; daughter Sandy; brothers: Lloyd (Grace), Cletus (Justine), and Max (Melody); sisters: Audrey (Ben Scout), Laverne, Emily (Lee Heavy Shields), and Clara; adopted children: Cameron Bruised Head, Dylan Twigg, Brandon Scout, and Taila Big Throat; godchildren: Chantel Scout, Logan Heavy Shields; numerous nieces and nephews; grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Young Pine; uncles: Justin, Homer (Bertha), and Randy (Lois) Young Pine; aunties: Pauline Healy, Theresa Black Water (Stanley), Donna Big Throat, Veronica Brewer (Ray), Christine Good Dagger (George), Adeline Young Pine, Jenny Solway, Stella (Leo Russell); numerous cousins, grand uncles and aunts George Day Rider, Annie Theresa Young Pine, Odile Day Chief, Rita Rabbit; and his mother-in-law, Verden Chief Moon. He was predeceased by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Max Big Throat; his brother Orville; paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Big Throat; uncles: Horace Big Throat, Kelly and Elroy Young Pine, Evelyn and Eugene Twigg, Celina Twigg, Albert Plume; and numerous nieces and cousins: Pat, Paula Weasel Head, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Big Throat, Barney Day Rider, Albert Day Rider, Raymond Young Pine, and Jerry Young Pine. Clinton was born on June 16, 1957 to Max and Annabella Big Throat. Our family considered him a very special gift. After losing three unborn infants, Clint was born on Father's Day. This was why our late grandfather Harry Big Throat named him "KAAMATSISTAAWASII" which means "Happy to Grow!" He was the eldest of nine children and also the eldest grandchild of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Young Pine. He received his education in Standoff, Granum, Fort Macleod, and St. Mary's High School. Clinton was a very athletic person who loved all sports; hockey & rodeos being his greatest love. In 1980 after he survived a major operation that left him with Diabetes, he retired from hockey. He continued to support his sons, brothers, nephews in sports of rodeo. Clinton farmed and ranched with his late parents and his brothers. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. A Wake Service will be held at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, on Friday, February 14, 2003 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, Blood Reserve, on Saturday, February 15, 2003 at 12:00 Noon with Reverend Les Kwiatkowski O.M.I. Celebrant. Interment to follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery. Andrew James Wolf Child ANDREW JAMES WOLF CHILD (KIIHTSIPIAPI'SI) passed away February 7, 2003, surrounded by his loving family, at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, after a brief illness, at the age of 86 years. Andrew (Mac) was born on the Blood Reserve August 31, 1916 to Harry and Jane Wolf Child. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Striped Wolf, from a young age, after his parents died. Andrew was educated at the St. Mary's Residential School on the Blood Reserve. Andrew was humble, kind, spiritual, and religious, as well as a deeply traditional person who believed in and lived according to the traditional and customary beliefs and practices of his tribe. He was a member of the Horn Society for 29 years altogether. His last spiritual partners in the Horn Society were Jeffrey Bull Shields, his wife Vicky, and the late John Yellow Horn. He was also a member the Brave Dog Society and Coin Society. He was the last surviving member of the Pigeon Society prior to its last resurrection by others. Andrew's religious beliefs were reflected by his acceptance of all Christian denominations. These were existent throughout his life as were his traditional religious beliefs. For the last few years he has been an active member of the Full Gospel Church. He would go to gospel camp meetings with his nephew Gabriel Gros Ventre Boy and his family. He enjoyed going to these meetings. Andrew had strong ethics and morals that comprised of the mental and physical aspects of humanity. These were evident in his spiritual, religious, and personal life. He lived by the guiding principles of hard work and maintaining good physical health. His family was also an important part of his life. He took care of his younger relatives, always ensuring everyone was well. He was also a spiritual advisor to his nephews and nieces. Andrew considered his nieces, nephews, and cousins as his brothers, sisters, and children because he never had a family of his own. He is survived by his nephew and caregiver Gabriel (Erlena) Gros Ventre Boy and their children Blaine and Christy; his adopted brothers Tom (Phyllis) Holy Singer, Steve (Elsie) Mistaken Chief; nephews David (Evelyn) Striped Wolf, Urban Calling Last, Clement Black Rabbit, Andy and Kevin Stump; brother- in-law Pete Gros Ventre Boy; adopted sisters Mary Louise (Norbert) Fox, Mabel Beebe, Mae (Pete) Knife, Teresa (Alphonse) White Man Left, and Elizabeth Red Crow; cousins, Bruce (Ann Marie) Wolf Child, Alice (Gerald) Shepard, Albert (Elizabeth) Hunt, Albert Wolf Child, Margaret (Jim) Young Pine, and Jeffrey (Vicky) Bull Shields; adopted grand- nephews Randy, Wesley (Maureen), Randolph, and Deanie (April) Gros Ventre Boy, Louis, Marvin, Nick, Deon Gros Ventre Boy, Reno Shouting, and Lloyd Striped Wolf, Norbert, Vince, and Shawn Many Grey Horses, and David Jr., Lloyd, Dwayne, Jamie Good Rider; adopted grand-nieces Shelly and Tamie Many Grey Horses, and Shirley Good Rider; Caroline and Cheryl Striped Wolf, Carolyn (Jason) and Brett Gros Ventre Boy, Dana Gros Ventre Boy and Kelly Eagle Tailfeathers; special cousins Stanley Black Water, Billy Eagle Bear, Clive First Rider, Joe Beebe, Annie Bare Shin Bone, Rachel Crying Head, Julia Morgan, Mary, Margaret, Rosabelle and Nora First Rider, and Chris (Suzy) Strangling Wolf. Andrew was predeceased by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; uncles Philip Aberdeen Sr., Frank Holy Singer, Nick and George Striped Wolf, John Many Chief Sr., Guy and Edward Wolf Child; aunts Mary Many Chief, Agnes Eagle Bear, Annie White Man Left, Mrs. Rides At The Door, and Mary Rose Low Horn; sister Ruby Gros Ventre Boy; brothers Harold and Meldon John Striped Wolf; nieces Clara Crying Head, Judy Gros Ventre Boy, Brenda Many Grey Horses; nephews Duane Black Rabbit, Melvin and Travis Many Grey Horses, Timothy and Harold Jr. Striped Wolf; other numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; and his best friends Paul Hairy Bull and Edward Little Bear. Andrew's family tree is comprised of his relatives by the surnames of Crowshoe, Crow Eagle, North Peigan, Born With A Tooth, Gier, Weasel Bear from the Peigan Nation; Striped Wolf, Mistaken Chief, Eagle Bear, First Rider, Bare Shin Bone, Bull Shields, Black Water, Medicine Crane, and Low Horn from Kainai; Harrison, Many Hides, and Wagner from the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana; and Yellow Sun and Turning Robe from Siksika. The immediate family apologizes for omissions of numerous other relatives not mentioned. The Wake Service will be held on Thursday, February 13th at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 7 to 11:00 p.m. and will continue at the residence of Gabriel Gros Ventre Boy, Blood Reserve. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, February 14th, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve. February 16, 2003 Annie Cotton On February 10, 2003, ANNIE COTTON was called home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in heaven. Surrounded by family and friends, she passed away peacefully. Her life was filled with the blessings of God. She passed away knowing that she had served God faithfully. A Wake Service will be held at the Kainai Gospel Church, Standoff on Sunday, February 16, 2003 beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will continue at the Annie Cotton residence at 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at Senator Gladstone Hall on Monday, February 17, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jim Knowlton and Rev. Boyd Thomas officiating. Interment in St. Catherine's Cemetery. If friends desire, memorial donations may be made in Annie's memory to the Native Outreach Church, General Delivery, Fort Macleod, AB. T0L 0Z0. Copyright c. 2000 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald. --------- "RE: Treaties: Ties that bound only One Side" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TREATIES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.redwoodfallsgazette.com/display/inn_news/news3.txt Ties that bound only one side: Treaty rights explored February 15, 2003 The United States Government has entered into well over 600 treaties with Native American Nations since 1776 and 371 of these were ratified by Congress. Theoretically, this means that there are a lot of binding words out there. Realistically, there aren't. The term "Indian Giver" didn't make it into everyday speech because tribes would give things and then take them back - it was the other way around. The Dakota Treaty Conference was held last week out at Jackpot Junction and tribal members from many different states and Canada took part in the three-day long ongoing discussion. It was not an anti-establishment festival, nor was it a eulogy for the way things could have been. The conference was an in-depth look at the status of the various treaties the southern Minnesota Native Americans signed with the state and federal government over the course of the 19th century. James McGuire, an attorney from New York involved in a couple of groundbreaking legal actions involving tribal governments and the federal government out west, spent two hours outlining the history of treaties in Southern Minnesota and any present-day ramifications they might have. "I'll give you information about the treaty and what the government's position is on it today," he said. "Please don't shoot the messenger." Starting with Pike's Purchase, dated Sept. 23, 1805, the federal government exchanged money for land - in this case, the Native Americans ceded tracts of land at the base of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. "This was - and maybe still is - your land," McGuire said, explaining that current tribal members who can trace their lineage back to the treaty era - and can show that they were not represented - must, by legal definition, be allowed aboriginal rights to the land itself - many rights removed over the course of a century. The Treaties of Aug. 19, 1825 and July 15, 1830 followed. The various tribes were warring - and the government brokered a cease fire - and took two million acres in the process. The Treaty with the Sioux of 1836 noted what land each tribal unit still had. In the Treaty of the following year, the Mdewakenton ceded 5 million acres - "All Sioux Land East of the Mississippi." "Normally, when you give away that much land, you get something in return," McGuire said, noting that this treaty was extensively litigated from 1920 into the 1960s. Claims were made and the occasional tribe, group or individual came away with some recognition or financial award. "If we play the treaty rights game, we are playing a game that that the outcome has already been decided," Francis Yellow, a Cheyenne River Reservation delegate to the Convention, said. "We are looking out over a huge cultural divide. Someday future generations will return to these same questions - and if we don't remember spiritual law, what are we going to give them?" The next treaty between the Minnesota bands and the government stands out as one of the reasons of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Traverse des Sioux was been a crossroads and meeting place for centuries. American Indians gathered there to hunt and traverse the river using the shallow crossing just north of present day St. Peter. During the 1800s, they were joined by Europeans who came here to trade furs and farm the fertile prairie. In 1851, the U.S. government signed a treaty with the Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of the Dakota Indians at this spot. This treaty opened millions of acres to land-hungry settlers and speculators, while at the same time reduced tribal land to two strips of land along the upper Minnesota River (the tribes relinquished rights to more than 25 million acres in this document). The agreed-upon price: $1.4 million, to be paid out over the course of 50 years. In 1858, the annuity amount was increased and half of the land (north of the Minnesota River) was surrendered. Traverse des Sioux grew into a small town, complete with five taverns, two hotels, several churches, some 70 buildings and a population of about 300. In 1856, St. Peter was chosen as the county seat. By 1869, nothing was left of the once-booming town of Traverse des Sioux. In fact, Traverse des Sioux would have fallen off the map completely, also Beaver Falls, had the name not been attached to the treaty. At the time the treaty was signed, the Sioux Nation stretched from Red Wing over to the Rocky mountains. The Dakota (the four easternmost of the seven tribes) signed the treaty: The Mdewakanton, the Wahpekute, the Sisseton and the Wahpeton. There were an estimated 7,000 tribal members living at the Upper and Lower Agencies when war erupted in 1862. To the victor went the spoils. The federal government pushed through legislation the following year that nullified all of the previous treaties with the tribes. This also has been in the courts through the years. Even as this group convened and spoke of problems with the government, it needs to be mentioned that many of the delegates wore their patriotism on their sleeves. A delegation of Lower Sioux Military Veterans presented the nation's colors before the activities of each day, and took them down at the close. - Daryl Thul Copyright c. 2003 Redwood Falls Gazette. --------- "RE: UKB Attorney General issues Voting Issue Opinion" --------- Date: Wed 12 Feb 2003 08:23:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="UKB VOTE" http://www.zwire.com/site/news UKB Attorney General issues opinion on voting issue By: Eddie Glenn, Press Staff Writer February 10, 2003 A dispute between United Keetoowah Band council members over which members have voting rights has, at least for now, been settled by the UKB Attorney General. According to the Keetoowah Tribal Justice Act, "The supreme governing body of the tribe shall be the Council of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. The council shall consist of nine members male or female, 21 years of age or over, elected to represent the nine districts of the old Cherokee Nation and four officers, elected at large a provided in Article VI." The officers elected at large are the chief, assistant chief, secretary, and treasurer. A majority of the council members however, have contended that the assistant chief, secretary, and treasurer did not have voting rights on the council. The chief votes only in the event of a tie vote. UKB Attorney General Ken Bellmard issued an opinion on the matter, stating that the conjunction "and" in the above section of the Keetoowah Tribal Justice Act indicates that the council is made up of 13 members - nine elected from the districts and four officers elected at large. "If someone disagrees with my opinion, they can certainly take it to the Keetoowah court," said Bellmard. Copyright c. 2003 Tahlequah Daily Press. --------- "RE: Talks continue on Klamath Tribes' Land Issues" --------- Date: Wed 12 Feb 2003 08:23:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KLAMATH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2003/02/10/news/top_stories/btalks.txt Talks continue on tribes' land issues But no proposals yet By LEE JUILLERAT February 12, 2003 Discussions involving land and water issues are ongoing between the Klamath Tribes and top officials in the Interior Department, but no proposals have yet been developed. "What we're trying to do is figure out what a specific proposal would be. We're nowhere near having one yet," said Bill Bettenberg, director of Interior's Office of Policy Analysis, who is leading negotiations with tribal leaders. Last summer, Interior Secretary Gale Norton agreed to open discussions with tribal leaders on ideas that could return former reservation lands to the tribe and ease water concerns. The tribes have senior water rights, but those rights have not been quantified. Bettenberg said tribal leaders are interested in obtaining national forest lands, including a large portion of the Chiloquin Ranger District. "It's very much a conceptual beginning," said Bettenberg of discussions. He is scheduled to visit with tribal leaders later this month. The tribes have long expressed a desire to get back 692,000 acres of reservation lands liquidated by the federal government in the 1960s and '70s that are now part of the Fremont-Winema National Forests. The Klamath Tribes, which includes the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin band of Paiute tribes, had a reservation that covered 1.2 million acres and a thriving timber economy when the tribe was terminated in 1954. The tribes have been holding a series of community meetings to help its "working group" establish recommendations to a general council meeting set for 10 a.m., Feb. 22, at Mills Auditorium. At the general council, the working group will make a recommendation "as to the direction the tribes should take in talks with the U.S.," according to a letter from tribal chairman Allen Foreman. "Today we live in an age of possibility," said Foreman. "Sixteen years ago we moved from a status of non-recognition to a recognized government heavily dependent on the United States for our survival and economic well being. Now we have a chance to move to an age of independence." Foreman urges immediate action, noting, "For the first time in a generation we have high-level government officials seriously discussing the return of our homelands. Because of this we now have a rare and a priceless opportunity to overcome the persistent problems and burdens that were brought to us by termination." Bettenberg emphasized the discussions are aimed at long-term solutions that will benefit the tribes and ease water concerns. "I'm not involved in anything that's short-term," said Bettenberg. "I'm not involved in the operating plan or that sort of thing. If we can come up with good proposals that can gain broad community support, those would need to be turned into legislation." Bettenberg, who has made several Klamath Basin visits, termed the problems "pretty complex. For an irrigation project there is an unusually small amount of water storage. That means it's difficult to even out dry and wet years." Along with discussions with tribal leaders, Bettenberg has met with water users, "But just to tell them we're in an early conceptual stage. Everybody understands we ultimately will have to have proposals that will generate broad community support." No immediate public meetings are planned, he said, because, "If we had a big community meeting the first question would be, 'What's being proposed?' At this point, nothing." Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at lee@heraldandnews.com. Copyright c. 2003 Herald and News. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Samish/City pledge to Join Forces" --------- Date: Thu 13 Feb 2003 08:33:10 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SAMISH" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.goanacortes.com/articles/2003/02/12/news/news12.txt Samish, city pledge to join forces on mutual issues February 12, 2003 By NANCY WALBECK, American staff writer Samish Tribal Chairman Ken Hansen promised the city of Anacortes there would be "no surprises" while the tribe does business in the Anacortes community. Mayor Dean Maxwell pledged the same, saying the city will keep its "lines of communications open" to the tribe. "This is key. We have to make sure the phone lines are open, for the benefit of the community and the region," Maxwell said Monday night at the Fidalgo Bay RV park. The meeting between the Samish tribal council and the city council was the first of its kind, in the form of a council study session. Foremost, both groups said, was continuing a longstanding partnership that has been, for the most part, cordial. Now, Hansen and Tribal General Manager Rick Landers said, is the time to formalize agreements between the parties. "There is a lot the tribe can offer the city, and the city can offer the tribe," Hansen said. The Samish Tribe, more than 800 members now, is part of the Coast Salish and is considered the dominant group in Western Skagit County and the San Juan Islands. Through a federal bureaucratic error, however, the tribe lost its tribal designation under treaty status. After a long legal battle, those rights were restored a few years ago. Since then, and even before, the tribe has established business and social service entities in the community. For instance, the tribe has a day-care and Head Start program in the city as well as a daily lunch program for senior citizens. The tribe also is planning to build homes on property near Lake Campbell and is negotiating to buy the RV park. Hansen and Maxwell said that both city council and the tribal council have similar goals. Both want to provide jobs for Fidalgo Island residents and the affordable housing that should go with it. Maxwell urged the tribe to partner with the city on redeveloping the Wilson Hotel, a 19th century building at Eighth Street and Commercial Avenue. The structure needs to be refurbished, but little money is available to do so, Maxwell said. The tribe, however, has tax credits it can use for redevelopment, in cooperation with others, Landers said. "You have access to money we don't have. There used to be 40 to 60 apartments in the glory days," Maxwell told Hansen. Tribal members said they were interested, although uncertain at this stage, how to help the hotel project. Hansen did say that the tribe supports retaining the international ferry run between Anacortes and Sydney, for cultural as well as economic reasons. Hansen said the city can use the services of the tribe's lobbyist, in Olympia and Washington, D.C., if that would help the city's case. The city also had some help to offer, about $100,000 toward completion of the Tommy Thompson Trail, which lies in and around the RV park. The city has that money as part of a grant that wasn't used, and needs to be spent before year's end. Other issues were discussed informally, but with the underlying consensus that more formal agreements on public safety, such as fire and police, among other issues, will be set out in what is called memoranda of understanding or agreement. These formal declarations, often used to establish jurisdictional and legal areas of concern among and between governmental parties, will be the next step, Hansen and Maxwell agreed. "There is a potential from both sides, at the staff level, for agreements on planning, law enforcement, the fire department," Landers said. Copyright c. 2002-2003 Skagit valley Publishing/Anacortes American. --------- "RE: Are Navajos receiving Gas, Oil Royalty Checks?" --------- Date: Fri 14 Feb 2003 09:21:18 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ROYALTY CHECKS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.daily-times.com/Stories/ Are Navajos receiving gas, oil royalty checks? By Jim Snyder/Shiprock Bureau Friday, February 14, 2003 NAGEEZI - Have Navajos received their full gas and oil royalty checks or not? It depends upon who is giving the answer. One local Interior Department official says yes, while a Navajo official says no. Navajos living in the eastern "checkerboard" region of the Navajo reservation have been receiving gas and oil royalty checks from the Interior Department, said Kevin Gambrell Thursday. Gambrell is director of the Farmington Indian Minerals Office. "Landowners are getting their checks. They have been for the last six months," he said, despite the fact that his office's computers still cannot communicate with the Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Gallup, Albuquerque or Washington. Nageezi Chapter President Calvert Garcia said those checks are estimates only some of which were underpaid and not all allottees get them each month. "Kevin is employed by the BIA. Their numbers are somewhat different," Garcia said. "They will tell you they (allottees) are getting their checks. People have gotten last year's estimated payments ... if you ask certain individuals, they will tell you that they have not received a check since last year." Adding to Garcia's problems is the fact that the Interior Department has ordered its employees not to comment on the Cobell verses Norton lawsuit, which prompted the disruption of those full royalty payments last year. The lawsuit was a top agenda item during a community meeting Thursday at the Nageezi Chapter. "We cannot talk about that, it is under a court order," Gambrell said to more than 150 Navajos sitting in the multipurpose building. The lawsuit demands the government make a full accounting of the money that 300,000 Native Americans are owed across the country. "The mismanaged trust accounts amounts to billions of dollars in lost revenue to our tribal members who have oil and gas resources that are leased," Garcia said. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who is overseeing the lawsuit, ordered the Interior Department to shut down its Internet sites and stay offline in December 2001. That disruption caused a complex system of royalty payments to totally break down, prompting an investigation last year by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. Gas and oil companies using land belonging to a Navajo family, for example, pay royalty payments due those owners to the U.S. government, who in turns pays the family. That system is antiquated and needs to be revamped, Garcia has said. The court order reads in part: Parties to the litigation, their agents and officials, and their counsel shall not communicate, through the U.S. mail or any other mode of communication, with any class member in this litigation regarding this litigation or the claims involved therein. "They have been told not to comment on the lawsuit, they've been told to be real positive," Garcia said. He added that "An order was given by Secretary (of the Interior Gale) Norton that anybody who says anything negative about the lawsuit, their job is on the line." Garcia said he held the meeting because he would like to see coordination between the Navajos and the BIA to settle the matter. "We're not seeing any progress," he said after the meeting. Also attending the meeting was Navajo Vice President Frank Dayish Jr., Navajo Council Speaker Lawrence Morgan and Hogback Chapter Council Delegate Ervin Keeswood, chairman of the Navajo Government Services Committee and other Navajo officials. "At least we addressed (the problems) to new leadership," Garcia said, adding that was the only thing really accomplished at the meeting. "We are dealing with a big bureaucracy the BIA government," he added, saying a lot of changes are needed in Washington. "The trust responsibility, they (the U.S.) doesn't realize how much the population has grown ... they can't fulfill their obligation." Garcia has said he would like to see the BIA taken out of the equation. "The Navajo government has to create a reform solution on their own on how they can have solutions without involving the BIA," he said. Those solutions, according to Garcia, would include appointing Navajo allottees to formulate a plan and develop a database and trust management center. Garcia also recommends the consolidation of all trust activities from the Mineral Management Service, the Office of Trust Fund Management and the BIA. Lastly, he recommends appointing a trust reform director at the local level. "Creating a database-trust management center will enable Navajo allottees to utilize a one-stop shop to have their royalty benefit processed at one area," Garcia said. "This center should be located in Farmington where most Navajo allottees who receive IIM (Individual Indian Monies) reside." Jim Snyder: jims@daily-times.com Copyright c. 1999-2003 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. --------- "RE: Kiowa Tribe given Impossible Ultimatum" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KIOWA/BIA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.okit.com/news/2003/feb/impossiblekiowa.html Kiowa Tribe given impossible ultimatum leaders say By Louis Gray General Manager February 14, 2003 Kiowa Tribal leaders say the BIA is giving them an impossible deadline to meet in order to stave off a Federal take-over of programs. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has given the Kiowa Tribe 45 days to comply with 24 measures or lose control of its three largest, federally funded programs. The 7 page letter was sent to the Kiowa tribe on January 27 diving them short deadline to clear up problems at the Carnegie based tribe. Vice- Chairman Hess Bointy said it's "impossible" to meet all of the demands in the short amount of time given by the BIA. "We are responding by letter point by point," Bointy said in regards to the demands. He said the unreasonable demands amount to "harassment" by BIA officials and believes the move is "politically motivated." Bointy said Donald Tofpi the BIA official who wrote the letter is related to many of the people trying to undermine the KBC business committee. There has been a conflict on the KBC between the leadership and committee members. There have been few meetings and the conflict has at times been violent and resulted in poor communication. The BIA has labeled the Kiowa Tribe as "high risk," and past financial reporting has revealed financial problems from 1998 to 2002. Bointy said if the BIA takes over they might keep the employees as contractors or actually take over operations themselves. "I don't believe they want to do either of those things," Bointy said. BIA officials have said in published reports that they would run the programs. Copyright c. 2000-2001 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Gas well OK'd for National Monument" --------- Date: Thu 13 Feb 2003 08:33:10 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WELL on MONUMENT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.daily-times.com/Stories/0,1413,129%257E6574%257E1176714,00.html Gas well OK'd for national monument The Daily Times February 13, 2003 DOLORES, Colo. Based on the results of an environmental assessment, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Record regarding Questar Exploration and Production's proposal to drill one conventional gas well. The well is located on Mockingbird Mesa in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, about 18 miles northwest Cortez, Colo., Ann Bond with the San Juan Public Lands Center said in a news release Tuesday. Questar's proposal calls for 1.5 acres of federal lands to be cleared of vegetation, leveled, graded, and surfaced with gravel, if necessary, for the well pad site. The associated road and pipeline would disturb 2.5 acres of federal lands. The EA addresses potential impacts on natural and cultural resources in the project area of construction, operation, reclamation and abandonment of the wells associated with approval of Questar's Application for Permit to Drill. The well would be accessed through an existing locked access gate on a native-surfaced oil and gas access road on Mockingbird Mesa in Montezuma County. About 85 percent of CANM is leased for oil and gas resources. The Monument Proclamation states that development of existing leases is allowed, subject to valid and existing rights, when those activities do not create new impacts that would interfere with proper care and management of the objects protected by the proclamation. The planned drilling depth of about 6,600 feet would target the Ismay and Desert Creek formations of the Paradox Group on an existing oil and gas lease issued by the BLM. The Proposed Action conforms to the BLM's San Juan/San Miguel Resource Management Plan of 1985 and to Interim Management Guidelines for the Monument. The BLM prepared an environmental assessment that was open for public comments. Five comment letters were received. Some of the issues of concern included cultural resources, air quality, noise, and recreation. The environmental assessment has considered potential impacts and identified mitigations to minimize or prevent these impacts. Hard copies of the Decision Record, FONSI and EA are available at: Dolores Public Lands Center, 100 North Sixth Street, P.O. Box 210, Dolores, CO 81323, and San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301. Information: Dave Swanson, (970) 385-1370. The EA is also available on the Web at: http://www.co.blm.gov/canm/index.html http://www.co.blm.gov/sjra/index.html Copyright c. 1999-2003 MediaNews Group, Inc./Farmington, NM. --------- "RE: Hualapai oppose Red Lake Gas Storage Project" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HUALAPAI" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.kingmandailyminer.com/kingmandailyminer/ Hualapai Nation stands firm in opposition of proposed Red Lake Gas Storage Project By Linda Stelp Miner Staff Writer February 15, 2003 The Hualapai Nation continues to firmly oppose the Red Lake Gas storage project, tribal council members told project consultants and a federal official Wednesday. Representatives from Aquila, the company proposing the natural gas storage project, and several consultants speaking on behalf of the project - including a geologist, a Washington D.C. lawyer and environmental experts - met with the Hualapai Nation Tribal Council and tribal environmental consultants. "We thought this meeting was to give us information about the project," said chairwoman Carrie Imus, during the meeting. "We did not realize that the purpose of this meeting is to encourage us to change our position from that of an intervener to a cooperating agency." During and after an Aquila presentation, Rafael Montag, representative of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission project manager, repeatedly asked tribal council members to consider changing their status from that of an intervener - an agency that does not agree to the project, but must be informed in writing of all proceedings - to a cooperating agency. "You have a lot of environment and cultural concerns," Montag said. "The Hualapai Nation could be a cooperating agency in the environment assessment, but an intervener cannot also be a cooperating agency. "As a cooperator you will have a role in preparing the environmental assessment for the proposed Red Lake project," he said. "We want the involvement of the Hualapai Nation." Councilman Wilford Whataname Sr. asked why - with all the environmental concerns from opponents of the project in Kingman and the Hualapai Nation - a more detailed Environmental Impact Study of the project has not been conducted. "I don't have the specifics as to why an EIS was not prepared," Montag said. "We look at impacts to the environment. If they cannot be significantly addressed at the EA (environmental assessment) level, it goes to EIS, which is more detailed." Council members and consultants asked questions about water and air quality and expressed concern about the project. An underground natural gas storage facility would be built 30 miles north of Kingman and just miles from the reservation. Aquila, an energy holding company based in Kansas City, bought the storage project from Southwest Gas Corp. in January 2002, intending to build the storage facility with pipelines connecting it to interstate natural gas pipelines. The sale included 36,000 acres and the right to develop a salt cavern storage facility and the water and mineral rights needed to build it. The project would include two underground salt caverns, about 52 miles of various diameter pipeline, equipment to generate 34,000 horsepower of compression and auxiliary gas storage facilities. In documents dated Jan. 30, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) stated the Red Lake project fulfills the public need for additional gas storage but that an environmental assessment would be needed. Geologist Lantz Indergard, a remediation and resource specialist for Arcadis, an environmental firm in Phoenix, explained that only brackish (very salty) water would be used for the project. However Don Bay, Director of Natural Resources for the Hualapai Nation, expressed concerns about the water. "You say you are using only brackish water, not fresh water, but if the extended drought in the Southwest continues, we many need to recycle that brackish water someday," Bay said. "Some communities are already recycling brackish water." Tribal resource specialist Loretta Jackson said Red Lake is a place of cultural significance to the tribe, and as such is protected under the law. "We look at the needs of our children and their children," Whataname said. "You come here and say you want to build a plant, but you are not going to live here. We are taking the risks with the project, but get none of the benefits." Council member Sherry Counts agreed. "FERC asked us and is continuing to ask us to be a cooperating agency, but you are asking us to give up our rights. We have to make a statement here," Counts said. "Once we say we will cooperate, we have no more say." The Red Lake Gas Storage Project will cost from $150 million to $200 million to build and about $1.5 million a year to operate, Cook said. The Aquila team addressed air quality issues, stating air emissions will be insignificant, with air quality most affected during the construction phase of the project. Although the issue of salt contimination the fresh water supply was raised at the meeting, Indergard stated there is little danger of that happening. "We will use only brackish water, which occurs at depths greater than 1000 feet below ground surface, and the total mount of the brackish water necessary to complete the facility represents less than 0.08 percent of the available groundwater supply," he said. After the meeting Indergard said the greatest risk from the project comes not from the salt but from the natural gas at the connecting point where the natural gas goes from one of three interstate pipelines into pipes leading to the storage facility; and gas at the Red Lake well. At the end of the meeting Imus spoke on behalf of the council. "The Hualapai Nation will continue as interveners for the Red Lake Project," she said. Red Lake Gas Storage project manager Mark Cook said the gas storage facility is needed to supply more natural gas to all communities. "Making more natural gas available will benefit everyone," Cook said. "Rates are going to be cheaper, and it will increase the value of that land, generating more taxes." Copyright c. 2003 Kingman Daily Miner. --------- "RE: Report finds Mine could harm Sacred Lake" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ZUNI SALT LAKE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://santafenewmexican.com/site/news Report Finds Mine Could Harm Sacred Lake By BEN NEARY | The New Mexican 02/13/2003 An Arizona power company's plan to pump groundwater for a huge coal mine in western New Mexico could harm a lake sacred to Zuni Pueblo, a new hydrology report commissioned by the pueblo says. For years, Zuni Pueblo has opposed plans by the Salt River Project, an Arizona utility company, to develop the proposed 18,000-acre Fence Lake Mine on the border of Catron and Cibola counties. Zuni Gov. Arlen P. Quetawki Sr. wrote to officials at the U.S. Department of Interior last week stating the new report by the pueblo's hydrology consultant, Glorieta Geoscience of Santa Fe, shows pumping water from the Atarque aquifer at the mine site could harm the lake. The report shows the federal government should prohibit SRP from pumping water from the aquifer, Quetawki told the federal officials. The report states that the Atarque aquifer is continuous between the mine site and the lake. "The Atarque is one of several important sources of water and salts to the Zuni Salt Lake," the report notes. Salt River Project proposes to pump 85 gallons of water a minute from the ground at the mine site. Most of the water would be used for dust suppression. Plans call for mining to continue at the site for 40 years. In response to Zuni's past demands for hydrology tests, the government last year blocked SRP from using the Dakota Aquifer, the other main aquifer in the area. If the federal government grants the pueblo's request to block SRP from pumping from the Atarque aquifer, it could be fatal to the mine project. An attempt to reach Nedra Darling, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., for comment was unsuccessful Wednesday. The mine site is about 10 miles north of Zuni Salt Lake, an area sacred to the Zunis and other Indians in the Southwest. Brine flows from the ground at the lake, and Indians use the salt in religious ceremonies. Plans call for SRP to build a rail line to carry coal from the mine to a power plant in St. John's, Ariz., just across the state line. Robert L. Barnard, the mine-project manager for SRP in Scottsdale, Ariz., said Wednesday that the company hasn't yet reviewed the pueblo's new hydrology report. He said none of the company's studies would agree with any conclusion that pumping water from the Atarque aquifer would harm the salt lake. "We're moving right along for construction starting this summer and for coal to be delivered in 2005," Barnard said. Copyright c. 2003 Santa Fe New Mexican. --------- "RE: House passes Sandia Land Claim" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SANDIA LAND CLAIM" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.kobtv.com/archive/2003/february/14/sandia_land.htm House passes Sandia land claim as part of spending bill 02/14/2003 (Albuquerque-AP) - Twenty-three years of negotiation have brought the Sandia Land Claim Act to its final step. The measure containing the settlement is included in the spending bill approved by Congress Thursday night. It is now headed to President Bush. The measure includes benefits for all those who participated in the negotiations. Sandia Pueblo Governor Stuwart Paisano he's excited. He says most of his forefathers that started this process are no longer around. Paisano says the pueblo is one step away from preserving and protecting the Sandia Mountains. Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman sponsored the amendment. The Forest Service retains ownership of the land, but the bill also creates a trust for the Indians, protecting tribal interests. Copyright c. 2003 KOB-TV Interactive Media, a division of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. --------- "RE: Tribe allowed say in Salton Sea's Future" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TORRES MARTINEZ" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories/local/1045194815.shtml Tribe allowed say in Salton Sea's future Authority forms partnership with Torres Martinez By Benjamin Spillman The Desert Sun February 14th, 2003 LA QUINTA - A Coachella Valley Indian tribe that has half of its land submerged beneath the Salton Sea will have a greater role in crafting the future of the troubled lake. The Salton Sea Authority voted unanimously to "coordinate and support" future sea restoration efforts with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians. The long-awaited pact between the tribe and the sea's official caretakers means each side formally recognizes and supports the other's role in finding a way to prevent an environmental disaster in the Salton basin. "It is natural," said Torres Martinez administrator Mary Belardo of the tribe's interest in the sea's future. "It is more of an environmental concern. It is a body of water, which is something we respect." The alliance not only ensures the authority will consider the will of the tribe in restoration decisions, it also lends the Salton Sea Authority more credibility with the federal government, said Michael Walker, program manager for the Bureau of Reclamation's Salton Sea Restoration Project. Walker said the federal government, which is considered by many to be responsible for finding and funding a solution to the seas problems, has a special obligation to consider the concerns of tribal governments. "This agency takes it seriously," Walker said of the government's obligation to help tribal government manage natural resources. "(The Torres Martinez) have a hand and a real vested interest in what happens to the sea." The tribe, with about 600 members, occupies about 25,000 acres of land in the eastern Coachella Valley, much of it under the sea or near the shoreline. In 1909, the tribe was awarded 11,800 acres under the then newly formed Salton Sea with the understanding that the sea would evaporate and expose the land. It didn't, and in the 1920s, President Calvin Coolidge twice ordered the Imperial and Coachella water districts to continue sending agricultural runoff into the sea and perpetuating its existence. The sea, which is replenished by agricultural runoff from the Imperial and Coachella valleys, has no outlet for water besides evaporation. As a result, salts, nutrients and contaminants that drain into the sea remain, and concentrate, when the water evaporates. The sea already is about 25 percent saltier than the Pacific Ocean. If it gets much saltier, fish will no longer be able to breed. Without fish, the sea would lose its value as one of the most important migratory bird stops in western North America. Nutrient concentration is another problem. The nutrients fuel algae that chokes oxygen from the water, resulting periodically in massive fish kills. Cost estimates to solve the complex problems on a scale large enough to fit the 35-by-15-mile sea are in the billions of dollars. A law authored in 2001 by former Assemblyman Dave Kelley, R-Idyllwild, made it legally possible for a Torres Martinez representative to occupy a seat on the Salton Sea Authority board of directors. Created in 1993, the Salton Sea Authority currently consists of Imperial and Riverside counties, the Coachella Valley Water District and the Imperial Irrigation District. The tribe, however, did not immediately join the authority board. Belardo said Torres Martinez officials were hesitant because they did not believe the authority had a clear vision for the sea's future and they doubted whether a tribal voice would make a difference. "It didn't seem like (the Authority) had any direction," she said. But a sea-restoration proposal in October by USFilter Corp. of Palm Desert piqued the tribe's interest, Belardo said. She said the tribe did not like much of the plan that called for reducing the sea to a circular river and selling treated inflow to coastal California to pay for the project. Tribal officials, she said, favor a revision of that plan that would preserve the northern portion of the sea much as it exists today, with some enhanced wetlands habitat along the shore. Tribal decision-makers approved the two-page pact Saturday, Belardo said. The deal does not immediately make the tribe a full, voting member on the board. But it calls for tribal and authority officials to pursue "full membership" for the tribe in the future. In other business the authority: * Directed executive director Tom Kirk to pursue approximately $2.1 million in funding to test an experimental desalination technique at the sea. * Issued a request for proposals for consulting services to help identify and develop a preferred method for long-term preservation of the sea. Benjamin Spillman can be reached at 778-4643 or by e-mail at Benjamin.Spillman@thedesertsun.com Copyright c. 2003 The Desert Sun. --------- "RE: Natchez bring Jobs, History - but no Casino" --------- Date: Fri 14 Feb 2003 09:21:18 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NATCHEZ" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.unionrecorder.com/display/inn_news/news01.txt Natchez bring jobs, history - but no casino By Laura Lindenberger - The Union-Recorder February 14, 2003 SPARTA - Rachel Pashman has been asked if she's bringing a casino to Hancock County more times than she can count. And, for the record, she has no casino-related plans. Pashman is the primary community clan mother and tribal judge of the Natchez tribe, a community of Native Americans that hopes to call Hancock County home soon. Unrelated to a tribal group from Oklahoma that tried to bring in a casino in 1999, Pashman says the Natchez simply want to return to their roots and work on not only restoring native culture and history to the area, but also help the local government improve health care, jobs and diversity. "We look forward to trying to work with leaders to establish a better sense of diversity," Pashman said. "(We will bring) education (about Native Americans), a restoration of our historical roots here and we hope to preserve some of our history and culture. "Our intent is to restore our ceremonial grounds," she added. "My feelings are that my people are from there. We are basically trying to preserve our culture and history. One of the tribe's plans, Pashman said, is to build a replica village in the area of Shoulderbone Creek. According to historical documentation, Pashman said, there was originally a Natchez village there. "We have burial grounds and ceremonial grounds that we are able to trace back for centuries," she said. "A chief from the 1540s that met with DeSoto is buried there. We just want to keep our community going there." Pashman says she has documents proving her ancestors were forced out of their homes in Hancock County in the 1830s. "In 1832, as part of the removal process, we were literally forced to walk out of the county," she said. "I have relatives that walked to Oklahoma in 1828 and returned (to Hancock) in 1830." Pashman said although her tribe was forced out during the removal process and ended up in different parts of Georgia, Alabama and even Oklahoma, people began to slowly trickle back to their home areas in the late 1830s. The return process, she said, was a much easier process. Although she was not sure how many Natchez are currently in Hancock County, there are approximately 7,000 registered Natchez in the state. Pashman said she thinks many people with Native ancestry are still unregistered because of the racial tensions of the south during the mid- 60s. "It was illegal to be Native American until 1962 and because of the racial climate of 1962, most people would not come forward out of fear," she said. Pashman, who said she comes from a long line of tribal chiefs, is in the process of moving to Hancock County from south Georgia. "We're gonna take (the moving back process) in phases," she said. "That depends on how well we do with different parts of development." One of the tribe's plans for developing in Hancock County is to restore the county's hospital, which was closed several years ago because of increasing costs for maintenance and operation. "We're trying to open the hospital as a Native American health facility with programs that will target the health needs of Native Americans, Hispanics and the locals from that area," she said. "We're trying to make a strong effort to assist the community in finding jobs and employing local people and our people." To begin the process of communication between the community and the Natchez, Pashman is planning a festival for the last week of April. Festival of the Little Green Corn, which will run April 28 through May 4, is a homecoming celebration, she said. "(The festival will) feature Native American vendors, craft displays, storytellers and food, so some of the native people can learn about our culture," she said. Laura Lindenberger covers Hancock and Putnam counties for The Union-Recorder. She can be reached at (478) 453-1451 or by e-mail at newsroom@unionrecorder.com Copyright c. 2003 The Union Recorder. --------- "RE: History is her Story" --------- Date: Mon 10 Feb 2003 08:11:33 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JULIA TUELL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.billingsgazette.com/ History is her story By JAMES HAGENGRUBER Of The Gazette Staff February 9, 2003 BRIDGER - When Dan Aadland was teaching a course on Montana history at Bridger High School in the late-1970s, the school's friendly, soft-spoken custodian offered to decorate the classroom with his family's collection of historical photos. Aadland had no idea what was in store, but readily agreed to the offer. The next morning he walked into his classroom and was stunned at the sight. Ringing the room were museum-quality portraits of legendary Northern Cheyenne heroes, as well as lesser-known women from the tribe. On one of the chalkboards, the elderly custodian, Varble Tuell, had also sketched a large mural of the Little Bighorn Battlefield in colored chalk. "These were too good to not be known," Aadland remembers thinking at the time. "I didn't think the kids would care. I couldn't believe their reaction," Tuell recalled. Over the next two decades Aadland and Tuell worked together on a book project to share the photographic legacy of Tuell's long-dead mother, Julia Tuell. The effort resulted in the 1996 publication of "Women and Warriors of the Plains - The Pioneer Photography of Julia Tuell." The book was a pleasant surprise, a reaction similar to what Aadland experienced in his Bridger classroom. "The fact that most of her photographs have remained unpublished until now spices them even more, for they are an unopened present," Aadland wrote in the book. "Most of Julia's photographs have been hidden all too long. It is time they spoke to more people, and we hope they will do so now." Varble Tuell, now 89 and retired, had a simple reason for promoting his mother's work: "She was a pioneer woman, I tell you, and I'm proud to be her son." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The tale of Julia Tuell is a classic Western. She was born in 1886 in Kentucky. At 15, she met her ticket to the recently tamed West: P.V. Tuell, a well-established schoolteacher 27 years her senior. The couple lived and taught on Indian reservations in Minnesota and South Dakota before settling on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in 1906. Julia Tuell became fast friends with many in the tribe, including aging warriors who still had fresh memories of fighting Lt. Col. George A. Custer. Along with teaching and raising her own family, Tuell found time to photograph the tribe's painful transition from nomadic dwellers of the High Plains to life on the reservation. "Their saga from the early 19th century until the reservation days is the stuff of epic poems," Aadland wrote. But Tuell didn't just focus her lens on chiefs and warriors. She went beyond the cliches, using her Eastman Kodak 8 by 10 glass plate camera to record old women butchering dogs, sad-eyed children on the first day of school, mothers grieving over dead babies and ancient ceremonies performed for the last time. "She was in such a unique position to see things and photograph things no other white had," said Aadland, who has since retired from teaching and now ranches and writes full-time in Absarokee. Aesthetics aside, Tuell's most important work was photographing the last Massaum Ceremony, or Animal Dance, of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe in August 1911, Father Peter John Powell wrote in his introduction to "Women and Warriors of the Plains." Powell, of Chicago, is an honorary chief and expert on Cheyenne spirituality. Tuell worked with noted historian George Bird Grinnell to record the complicated five-day ceremony. "Tuell's greatest legacy remains her capturing and preserving of the mystery and power of the last great Massaum among the Northern Cheyenne people," Powell wrote. "In the faces of the priests, holy women and participants, we see reflected the strength of the Cheyenne people, a holy people." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Varble Tuell was born in 1913 on South Dakota's Rosebud Sioux Reservation. P.V. Tuell was 54 when his final child entered the world. Varble may now be retired, but his life is anything but slow. His mother instilled in him an intense curiosity for the world and a belief that each second should be valued. Childhood was a constant adventure, Tuell recalled. There were travels across the reservation in his mother's Model T Ford. Time spent in the darkroom, helping print images off glass plates using a kerosene lamp. His playmates were Sioux children - he didn't attend school with a nonrelated white child until he was a teenager. He also befriended dignified, leathery-faced warriors who could still recall the great battles. Conversations were not difficult; Tuell spoke Sioux. Like other little boys, Tuell had a dog. Unlike most other boys, Tuell often saw his dog's offspring become soup. "I had a bird dog. Sometimes she'd have 12 pups at a time. What could I do with all of them? There was no way to feed them all. I'd sell them for a quarter apiece, and the Sioux would make soup out of them," he said, adding that he tried the soup on occasion. "I didn't want to hurt their feelings." The Tuells left the reservation in 1929. Varble Tuell would have loved to have gone to art school, but this wasn't possible for a young man without money during the Great Depression. He hit the rails, traveling the country hoping to find work. "I was hungry a lot in those days," he said. Tuell spent the next 50 years working jobs from construction to custodian and raising four children. After work and on weekends, he carved, etched, wrote poetry and nourished his lifelong love for the natural world. A few blocks from Tuell's small home in Bridger is a tiny shed, "My museum," he calls it. The building is full of his artwork. "I wish I had the chance to be a full-time artist," he said, surveying the cold shed. Not far from his private museum is an overturned washtub. Tuell put the washtub there to protect a large anthill from raccoon raids. "If I ever get to feeling lazy, I go over and take a look at them," he said, before citing his favorite Bible passage from the Book of Proverbs. "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.V. Tuell died in 1942. Julia Tuell spent her final days living in Southern California, dying in 1960. She never developed relationships with the East Coast art world, and most of her images were unknown outside of a small circle of family and friends, Varble Tuell said. After her death, her collection of 8 by 10 glass plate negatives were stacked carefully in a wooden apple crate and stored in the San Bernadino, Calif., home of her sister. Varble Tuell made copies of most of the images before they were stolen from his elderly aunt's home, he said. "Thank God." The exact date of the theft isn't known, Tuell said. His aunt was feeble and in her 90s when a series of burglaries occurred. An unknown amount of time passed before the family realized that the glass plates were gone. In the years since, Varble Tuell has tried to keep his mother's legacy alive. She belongs , he said, in the pantheon of great American photographers. That's what prompted the elaborate display in a Bridger classroom nearly three decades ago. Copyright c. The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Remaining Innu of Davis Inlet feeling Abandoned" --------- Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 11:03:01 -0500 From: "Frosty" Subj: Fw: Remaining Innu of Davis Inlet feeling abandoned as they await new homes Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian -------- Original Message -------- Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 18:26:39 -0500 From: "Russell Diabo" Remaining Innu of Davis Inlet feeling abandoned as they await new homes February 11, 2003 DAVIS INLET, Nfld. (CP) - Mary Jane Andrew feels like she and her five children have been abandoned in their desolate island community. Forgotten, she says, by Davis Inlet's band council and the federal government. While the majority of the Labrador community's former residents settle into their new, modern homes in nearby Natuashish, Andrew and several other Innu families have been told they will have to spend at least four more months in the old community, which is quickly becoming a ghost town. "We feel we have been abandoned in Davis with nothing in place for us," Andrew said. "Nobody's speaking for us and nobody is telling us anything." The historic resettlement, which started last Dec. 14, was supposed to be completed by March. But 30 of the 133 houses still haven't been completed, forcing some residents to spend another spring in their dilapidated homes, many of which have no running water. Federal officials now say the project will be completed in June. The community health clinic has moved to Natuashish and the remaining residents in Davis Inlet are worried their school may be shutting its doors next. Andrew, a nurse in the community, says she and five other Innu women are trying to raise money for airfare so they can attend a meeting in St. John's on Wednesday to vent their frustrations about the continuing delays. The meeting, originally scheduled to be held in Natuashish, is for federal officials, project engineers and band councilors from Davis Inlet. So far, the women have had little luck in getting donations. But Andrew said she's determined to attend, even if it means dipping into her meagre savings. "We have not been encouraged to go to this meeting," she said. "This is not going to stop me. I will be in that St. John's meeting on Wednesday ... I'm very frustrated and angry." Steven Joudry, regional director general of the federal Indian Affairs Department, said the meeting is supposed to be for staff only, but residents will not be locked out. "It's not exactly a public meeting but there's nothing that's going to be discussed that's secret," he said. "This is information that the chief and council have ... Individual residents would certainly be able to get that information ... from the chief and council." Andrew said she wants the federal government to provide compensation for those families left behind. The relocation project, which is expected to cost $152 million, was created to help the 680 Innu of Davis Inlet escape deplorable living conditions while helping them overcome widespread problems with alcoholism, family violence and substance abuse. The community was supposed to move en masse last fall, but construction delays pushed the move back to mid-December when the first 23 families travelled across a frozen strait of salt water to reach the newly constructed town 15 kilometres away. People have been slowly moving in ever since as more houses are finished. Andrew said rumours are swirling in the community that the construction workers will be taking a break from working on the houses from mid- February to the end of March. Cajetan Rich, director of the Innu relocation project, couldn't be reached for comment. Describing the move as "disorganized and irresponsible," Andrew stopped short of agreeing with band chief Simeon Tshakapesh who last week called the project "a disaster." "They should . . . not leave anyone behind. Take everybody with you or don't take anybody at all," she said. "They left their responsibilities behind in Davis. It' been very humiliating and embarrassing." Many residents without finished homes have moved in with family members in Natuashish, causing overcrowding. The situation has led some to start drinking again. "Some of the houses have 15-20 people living in that house, three or four families, " said RCMP Const. Guy Turcotte in Natuashish. "There's still drinking problems ... I don't think people will change right away." For Andrew, the wait for a new home has meant making a choice between her work and her family. Last Friday, she quit her job at the new nursing centre in Natuashish because the twice daily snowmobile trip across the ice, often alone in blizzard-like conditions, was keeping her away from her children too often. She also can't move in with family members who have new houses because they're already overcrowded. --------- "RE: Eagle Feathers allowed into U.S." --------- Date: Wed 12 Feb 2003 08:23:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="EAGLE FEATHERS" http://www.easterndoor.com/12-3/12-3-04.htm By: Kenneth Deer February 7, 2003 Getting stopped with eagle feathers at the U.S. border can be a thing of the past. A new policy will now allow Natives from Canada to bring personally owned, legally possessed eagle items into the United States for cultural and religious use. Persons from various Indigenous Nations have been harassed at border points over the years, particularly those travelling on the powwow circuit. The U.S. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibited anyone from entering or leaving the United States with eagles, eagle parts or eagle feathers. In 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) introduced eagle transport permits to accommodate enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized tribes who travel internationally with eagle items for religious use. But now, beginning this past February 1, Natives from Canada will be allowed to bring personally owned, legally possessed eagle items into the United States. Anyone entering the United States with eagle items must now declare these items with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the U.S. Customs Service by filing a FWS Form 3-177 (Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife). This form must be filed when entering or leaving the U.S. The number and type of eagle items must be the same when leaving or returning to the U.S., in other words, no trading of these items. This policy is only available to persons carrying a "Certificate of Indian Status" issued by the Federal Government of Canada. When declaring your eagle items, you may be asked to present these items for inspection. The FWS says that it will avoid handling the articles and make every effort to show respect for the religious or cultural value of the articles. In filling out the form, you must declare the species, type, country of origin, and number of eagle items. You cannot declare items that do not belong to you. "The Across Borders: Beadwork in Iroquois Life exhibit encountered problems when we sent it to Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Manhattan," said Kanatakta, Executive Director of Kanien'kehaka Onkwawan:na Raotitiohkwa. "We needed negotiations with the U.S. Customs in order for our material to get through. This happened each time our exhibit crossed the border. We hope that this new policy will help us in the future." Copyright c. 1997-2000 The Eastern Door/Kahnawake, Mohawk Territory. --------- "RE: $1.44 Million for Atlantic Aboriginal Health" --------- Date: Sat 15 Feb 2003 21:21:28 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HEALTH CENTRE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/AtlanticTicker/CANOE-wire.Atl-Aboriginal.html Minister Thibault announces $1.44 million for Atlantic aboriginal health February 15, 2003 HALIFAX (CP) - Ottawa is providing $1.44 million over four years to create a centre for research into aboriginal health issues in Atlantic Canada. Federal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault announced the funding Friday, saying it was designed to increase the number of aboriginal people engaged in health research and improve the health of Canada's aboriginal community. "The Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Program will be a welcome addition to our community," he said. "The centre, a collaboration with the aboriginal community, will undoubtedly be an important resource for Atlantic Canada as we work to better understand and address the health needs of our aboriginal communities." The centre, to be located in Halifax, will focus on research to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, improve nutrition and encourage physical exercise. It will also do research on mental health, especially the "connection between addictions, stress, depression and suicides among aboriginal youth." Other such centres are located in Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver. Copyright c. 2003, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: B.C. Liberals offer Apology to First Nations" --------- Date: Wed 12 Feb 2003 08:23:13 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LIBERALS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.canoe.ca/NationalTicker/CANOE-wire.Legis-Session.html B.C. Liberals offer apology to First Nations in throne speech February 12, 2003 VICTORIA (CP) - British Columbia's Liberal government apologized Tuesday for the past treatment of the province's natives by all governments. "Your government deeply regrets the mistakes that were made by governments of every political stripe over the course of our province's history," said the Liberal government's throne speech read by Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo. "Errors have been made in the past," the government said. "Our institutions have failed aboriginal people across our province." Last year, the government held a provincewide referendum on aboriginal treaty negotiations that was soundly criticized by aboriginals, social groups and non-aboriginals as an attempt by the majority to impose its views on a minority. The government said the referendum was its attempt to kickstart a stalled treaty negotiation process that had cost millions and had yet to result in a single treaty settlement. The throne speech promised reforms to involve aboriginals in industry, tourism and recreation services. "No words of regret can ever undo the damage that has been done to First Nations in all the years we have shared this land together," the government said. "Your government is determined to provide a new level of economic opportunity for First Nations communities and people." B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said he met Monday with aboriginal representatives. "This is something we have felt was important to do for some time," he said. "It's also important for us to move forward with a sense of reconciliation." The throne speech also included a so-called heartlands economic strategy designed to open the doors of prosperity in all corners of British Columbia. "The heartlands economic strategy will bring together transportation, energy, forestry, tourism, agriculture and new technologies to create a powerful economic force for regions and provinces as a whole," the government said. About 2,500 protesters crowded the lawn in front of the legislature as the session opened inside. They were kept back from the building by temporary steel fencing and a platoon of police officers. The spring legislative session is expected to focus on rebuilding the B. C. forest industry. Campbell, whose Liberals hold a massive majority, enters the session fighting political and personal demons associated with a drunk-driving charge. Campbell was charged with drunk driving in January while vacationing in Maui. He also faces three traffic violations, including speeding, in connection with the drunk driving charge. Joy MacPhail, Opposition New Democratic Party leader, has called for Campbell's resignation, saying he no longer has the moral authority to govern. Protester Tom Blair, 82, held a placard that showed Campbell's Hawaii mug shots from his drunk driving arrest. "He's speeding. He's going way over the speed limit, and he's drunk and he's the premier of British Columbia," said Blair. "He shouldn't be doing what he's doing, and then he makes excuses that he's doing that on his own time, which is wrong." MacPhail said Campbell missed a golden opportunity in the throne speech to show British Columbians knocked down by government cuts a little for compassion and hope for the future. She said she found no relief, but couldn't resist taking another shot at the premier's personal troubles. "I'm sure that Gordon Campbell is searching for his own heart these days," MacPhail said. Campbell, who is to give a provincewide television address Wednesday night, said resource communities throughout British Columbia comprise the heartlands. "They pump the resources and revenues through our province that we need to sustain our public services," he said The heartlands strategy is the government's attempt to put its economic ideas into action, the government said. "The B.C. heartlands strategy will open up new partnerships with First Nations, new investments in transportation infrastructure, new opportunities for tourism, sport and recreation from a successful Olympics bid, and a revitalized forestry industry," said the government. The government promised to move toward economic and social reconciliation with B.C. First Nations. "Your government will prove this year that it is serious about negotiating workable, affordable treaties that will provide certainty, finality and equality," said the government. "It will take bold new steps to advance issues that are common to most treaty tables, such as governance, certainty and access to fish." The government promised to explore the possibility of creating a new national park in the Okanagan region and forecast the start of an offshore oil and gas industry by 2010. The government used the throne speech to trumpet the introduction of its new income-based drug program. The program, to be introduced later this month, is aimed at ending the inequality that has allowed British Columbians with higher incomes to pay less for their drugs than lower income people, the government said. Copyright c. 2003, CANOE, a division of Netgraphe Inc. --------- "RE: Disgruntlement over Resource use on Treaty Lands" --------- Date: Fri 14 Feb 2003 09:21:18 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GRASSY NARROWS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/HTML%20files/feb13news1.html Disgruntlement growing over resource use on treaty lands By Wes Godin Miner and News Staff February 14, 2003 Support continues to roll in for both the Grassy Narrows blockade and Grand Council Treaty 3's fight against the Ontario government's forest management practices. On the day First Nation leaders from Northwestern Ontario issued a call of action for support of Grassy Narrows blockaders, Grand Chief Leon Jourdain confirmed that Manitoba chiefs and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Treaty 9) have also joined in the stand they are taking against the extracting of resources on treaty land. "This is the tip of the iceberg of what is yet to come," said Jourdain. With the reaffirmed support of the majority of Treaty 3 chiefs in Winnipeg last Friday, the chiefs will formalize a strategic plan at a upcoming meeting, said Jourdain. In a meeting scheduled Feb. 24, chiefs from Treaty 3 and chiefs in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation will discuss a common plan of action, said Jourdain. "Our back is up against the wall - enough is enough," said Jourdain. He said there needs to be a new basis for discussions of the management of the forests. Grand council believes it needs to be a part of the discussions involving forest harvesting plans on treaty land. A government-to-government relationship works when a management board or committee is established with both representation of aboriginal and the forest companies, Joe Kuhn, natural resources co-ordinator for the grand council has said in past interviews. Nishnawbe Aski, which represents 49 remote First Nations in the Treaty 9 region, has also joined in the fight because it fears the same logging practices will soon start affecting more of their communities. David Paul Achneepineskium, executive director of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said the logging and mining industries in the area of their communities are currently looking at expanding their operations near Nishnawbe Aski Nation traditional lands. Aroland First Nation of Nishnawbe Aski Nation located north of Geraldton has also erected a road blockade near their community and Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Hornepayne First Nation are considering similar blockades as of Wednesday. Although the local Ministry of Natural Resources has proposed to meet with Grassy Narrows leadership in hopes of coming up with a resolution to their concerns, both Chief Simon Fobister of Grassy Narrows and Jourdain believe the only way for change is through discussion with the Minister of Natural Resources or the Minister of the Environment. Jourdain said they are looking into requesting a meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources. The coalition of First Nations across Northwestern Ontario believes the Ontario government has allowed resource industries to extract resources on treaty land without any compensation or discussion from the First Nations. The local MNR said there has been extensive consultations with First Nation communities in the planning process of forest management plans going on around their community. Copyright c. 2003 Kenora Daily Miner and News. --------- "RE: First Nations Hunters on Trial" --------- Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 12:06:12 -0500 From: "Frosty" Subj: First Nations Hunters on Trial Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian She:kon kwe kwe Kahente Nia:Wen kowa for you message and hope to see more from you in the future. ----- Original Message ----- Date: Thursday, February 13, 2003 12:54 AM From: Kahente FWD from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs: of possible interest for those of you who still naively believe in the integrity of the Canadian legal and academic systems - this concerns an utterly unqualified and discredited University of Toronto anthropologist who is paid by the Depts. of Indian Affairs and Justice to lie in court (this is the same professor who once testified in an Alberta case that his research proved that historically there were no Blackfoot people in southern Alberta because the records clearly indicated that the aboriginal people of that area were not Blackfoot, but "Pieds Noire Indians"). ************************ In 1999 three members of the Mohawk Nation were charged for hunting deer on Indian Point in Presquile Provincial Park (near Brighton). The harvest was initiated by the Mohawks after deformities and starvation in the herd made it clear that the deers numbers far exceeded what a land base of that size could sustain. Mohawk people have always asserted title and responsibility for lands that include Presquile Park, however, the action taken in 1999 was not based upon "aboriginal rights" but rather the need for a humane approach to the man-made crisis affecting the deer. Ministry of Natural Resources personnel who, under their terms of employment, are responsible for such maintenance, charged three men under the Firearms Act. Since then the matter has slowly been making its way through the judicial system. The last set of court dates marked the beginning of the crowns case. Their star witness is one Alexander von Gernet. An Anthropology Professor at the University of Toronto, it appears he is one who could quit his day job. In fact, U of T itself seems somewhat confused as to his current employment. A University website providing information on faculty members described von Gernet as an "Advisor to the Departments of Justice and Indian and Northern Affairs." When questioned in court, von Gernet denied that he acted as an advisor to the Government, but acknowledged that it was an understandable assumption for the University to have made. Indeed further investigation shows how someone might well come to that conclusion. The Aboriginal newspaper Windspeaker ran a Freedom of Information Act request on the academic only to find that von Gernet was in fact retained by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and paid more that $321,000.00 for a 40 month contract covering the period of time between July 10th , 1999 and October 31st 2002. That works out to an average of $8,025.00 a month. This is of course in addition to his salary as an Adjunct Professor in Department of Anthropology at the U of T. Not suprisingly the sections that would have shown exactly how many days/hours(?) the Professor worked to earn this lofty salary were blacked out by DIAND's access to information and privacy officials. The contract was made with the residential schools unit of DIAND's litigation management activities branch, and the research unit of the litigation management activities branch. The contract is a "standing offer" agreement, meaning DIAND can "call-up" von Gernets "services" on an "as and when required" basis. A review of his own Curriculum Vitae shows that the Government has certainly been getting its moneys worth. Besides the notable achievements of having been published by and lectured for the Frasier Institute, von Gernet has testified as an expert witness for the crown no less than eleven times in Native Rights/Land Claims cases. In each instance his testimony has directly contradicted evidence brought by the First Nations band or individual(s) involved. Indeed during the course of his testimony in the Presquile case, the good Professor made the truly incredible statement that it was his personal belief that the Iroquois Confederacy never existed at all, but instead was simply a construct made up by the British to intimidate the French in a time of war. I suppose that as the a figment of the British imagination, the Iroquois Confederacy, much less, the Mohawk Nation cannot possibly have any traditional hunting grounds at all. The trial (and Professor von Gernet's testimony) continues February 13th in Campbelford. Government contract information courtesy of: Windspeaker v.20(6) O'02 pg 6 Barnsley, Paul OTTAWA ---------------------- *If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this message, please retain this credit. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= UBCIC's Protecting Knowledge Conference site: http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/protect.htm --------- "RE: Brutality from New Soldiers in Blue" --------- Date: Tue 11 Feb 2003 08:48:06 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POLICE BRUTALITY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/3644933.html Dave Stephenson: Indians are facing brutality from new 'soldiers in blue' Feb. 11, 2003 White men in blue uniforms have long been the bane of Native America. In the 19th century, U.S. cavalry soldiers descended on American Indian villages and perpetrated unimaginable depredations: massacres, rapes, mutilations and a plethora of other atrocities. In the 20th century, another breed of blue-uniformed domestic soldiers replaced the cavalry. The American police are invested with the same presumptions of superiority as their 19th-century counterparts, and are equally obsessed with oppressing and brutalizing Indians. Indeed, at the inception of the 21st century, the systemic brutality and racism of the police are raging unabated. Recent allegations that the Minneapolis police assaulted, urinated on and left two homeless Indians outside at zero degrees are appalling. But instances of police brutality against American Indians in Minneapolis and other Midwestern and Western cities are commonplace. Many will feign surprise at the allegations; there will more palavers among police, City Council members and community leaders; apologies, assurances and symbolic gestures will pour out; many will ascribe the actions to a "few bad eggs," as did Little Earth Executive Director Ellie Webster. But the sad fact is that brutality, racism and notions of infallibility are institutionalized in the collective psyche of the American police, in Minneapolis and elsewhere. Police abuse of American Indians, other minorities and the poor is woefully frequent. The recent incident has sparked outrage solely because there were witnesses. Circling the wagons The vast majority of these incidents go unobserved and unreported. The police are a tight-knit, fraternal organization with a subculture that resists oversight and demands loyalty to one's fellow officers. When police abuse occurs, victims typically don't complain. They are usually poor minorities, or, like the current victims, poor, Indian and homeless. When complaint