From gars@speakeasy.org Thu Apr 1 13:46:56 2004 Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 15:29:11 -0800 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews12.013 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 12, ISSUE 013 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2004 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island March 27, 2004 Blackfeet sa'aiki'somm/duck moon Mvskokee tasahcucee/little spring moon +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Much more happens in Indian Country than is reported | | in this weekly newsletter. For daily updates & events | | go to http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm | +-------------------------------------------------------+ Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News O o O Acimowin -- Plains Cree -- Story or Account O o O Tlaixmatiliztli -- Nahuatl -- News O o o o o O Agnutmaqan -- Listuguj Mi'kmaq -- News O o O Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark O o O Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak O Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People 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 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 ++>If you speak a Native American language not listed above, please send us your words for "News of the People." We'd rather take up this whole page saving these few words of our hundreds of nations than present a nice clean banner in the language of the occupation forces who came here determined to replace our words with their own. email gars@nanews.org with the equivalent of "News of the People" in your tribal language along with the english translation <================<<<< >>>>================> 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; News and Information Distribution, Big Mountain and Netrez-L Mailing Lists; UUCP email IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org <================<<<< >>>>================> +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | As historian Patricia Nelson | | Once a language is lost, it is | | Limerick summarized in "The | | gone forever | | Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken | | * Of the 300 original Native | | Past of the American West... | | languages in North America, | | "Set the blood quantum at | | only 175 exist today. | | one-quarter, hold to it as a | | * 125 of these are no longer | | rigid definition of Indians, | | learned by children. | | let intermarriage proceed as | | * 55 are spoken by 1 to 6 elders;| | it had for centuries, and | | when they die, their language | | eventually Indians will be | | will disappear. | | defined out of existence." | | * Without action, only 20 | | "When that happens, the federal | | languages will survive the next| | government will be freed of | | 50 years. | | its persistent 'Indian problem.'"| | Source: Indigenous Language | +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ | Institute | |http://www.indigenous-language.org| This issue's Elder Quote: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?" __ Chief Sitting Bull, Hunkpapa Lakota +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! Last week's issue included articles detailing tribal efforts to stop the ill designed, but massively over funded Department of Interior's replacement for the BIA, Tex Hall's and Joe Shirley's very well stated denouncement of the plan and current misrepresentation of the fact, and Judge Lamberth's once again, still, yet order to shut down DoI computers and his refusal to dismiss special court trust monitor Balaran. That issue wasn't even a day old when news emerged the DoI was again attempting to circumvent court decisions by petitioning a panel of judges who have already proven to be in the Bush/Norton Camp to have both Lambert and Balaran removed from the case. Understand this: Secretary of Interior Gale Norton is trying to weasel out of contempt charges concerning the loss (theft?) of Indian Trust funds and her appointee Griles has been soundly condemned for his repeated unethical behavior. Only the most blind of Bush/Norton advocates could deny that Norton and Griles are the worst possible examples of public servants. The goals have never been to protect the natural resources the DoI is charged with watching over, nor has there been any effort to resolve the billions of dollars of misplaced Indian Trust Funds issue. There efforts have been to rape the environment and turn the oil, coal and other mining interests loose with little or no oversight. Efforts on behalf of Indians have been even less coy. The wholesale turnover of what was the BIA to Ross Swimmer is another way to funnel funds away from Indians and into the hands of bureaucrats. Norton continues to try every trick in the book to, not only sidestep her contempt conviction; but to turn her own "just-us" dogs loose on the judge that continues to hold her feet to the fire. Even the most unscrupulous cannot survive long out of the shadows they hide in. Keep your support behind Judge Lamberth, court monitor Balaran and especially the Blackfeet banker who dared to shine the first light on this scandalous pack, Elouise Cobell. Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith Night Owl (*,*) gars@speakeasy.org P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org Marietta, GA 30013, U.S.A. ===w=w=== http://www.nanews.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Griles ethical Train Wreck - Families excited blamed on Lax Culture at Homes Renovation - Lamberth and Balaran - Leonard: Daily Navajo Language targeted for removal instruction needed - Haskell loses Internet Access - Stevens Village Council - McCaleb on BIA, purchases land for Bison DOI Computer shutdown, Tex Hall - Historic step for Treaty - Pact would give Indians - Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit more control of Remains Katimajiit Name - Dismissal of - Kaska win Major Forest Rights Deal Reservation Lawsuit affirmed - Saskatoon Police - Former Mekko threatens suspend Deputy Chief Kailagee takeover - Gregg Sentence: - O'odham solutions elusive White Mountain Officials respond - Hopis will march - Looking Cloud Lawyer seeks removal to protest Wastewater - Death Penalty sought - Scientists back Navajos in Gruesome Double-Slaying fighting Uranium Mining - Native Prisoner - Squaw is out but Piestewa isn't in -- The Native American Prisoner - Tribe focusing on Network has a new home purchasing Ancestral Land - Rustywire: Margaret Rose - Tribe fears loss of Culture - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Urban Indians: - Phil Goldvarg Poem: Flower Blooms more at risk than Anyone - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Griles ethical Train Wreck blamed on Lax Culture" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:57:49 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DoI ETHICS FAILURE" http://www.indianz.com/News/archive/000707.asp Report blames lax culture for Griles ethical 'train wreck' March 17, 2004 The appointment of J. Steven Griles to a top position at the Department of Interior was a "train wreck waiting to happen" because officials were unable to deal with complex ethical issues raised by his relationship with former clients, an internal report concluded on Tuesday. An 18-month investigation by Interior Inspector General Earl E. Devaney found numerous instances in which Griles had questionable dealings with former clients in the oil, gas and coal industry. At the same, he continued to receive $284,000 a year for work he had done for the industry before joining the Bush administration in July 2001. As a condition of accepting the $1 million-plus payment, Griles pledged to recuse himself from decisions that may affect old clients. Yet Devaney's 146-page report detailed cases where the department's number two in command inserted himself in situations that could have benefited private interests. "Mr. Griles' lax understanding of his ethics agreement and attendant recusals, combined with the lax dispensation of ethics advice given to him, resulted in lax constraint over matters in which the Deputy Secretary involved himself," the report stated. Despite the critical language, Devaney said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Griles. With the possible exception of two cases, all of his dealings were within the bounds of the law, the report noted. However, Devaney laid blame on ethics and legal officials for failing to provide "rigorous ethics advice" to Griles and other top political appointees. "The wholesale failure of the ethics program at the department emanates from a fundamentally flawed design crafted over time by a cast of negligent architects," he wrote. One of the cases mentioned in the report centered over a coalbed methane drilling plan that the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana opposes. In April 2002, Griles contacted the Environmental Protection Agency after that agency gave the worst rating possible for the proposal. The Office of Government Ethics, an independent federal agency, suggested that the contacts may have been illegal because three of the six companies seeking to mine the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming were former clients of Griles. Griles defended his involvement by stating that they were reviewed by an Interior attorney who had been taken off the trust fund case. But the attorney, Tim Elliott, told investigators that he usually leaves such decisions up to top officials "under the premise that they themselves will understand better whether or not a given matter will present a possible appearance of impropriety," the report said. In the second case, Griles organized a dinner at the home of his former business partner, Marc I. Himmelstein, who continued to represent the drilling companies. Two top Interior officials - Kathleen Clarke, director of the Bureau of Land Management, and Rebecca Watson, assistant secretary for land and minerals management - directly responsible for development in the basin attended the April 2002 dinner. According to Griles, the dinner was held so that the top officials could get acquainted with each other. Former assistant secretary Neal McCaleb, who would have had a trust responsibility to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, was not invited, based on records reviewed for the report. Griles defended the event as a strictly social one where no business was discussed. Griles ended up reimbursing Himmelstein for the dinner - $30 a head for a total of $180 - after Interior attorney Elliott found out about it and raised concerns. But Devaney noted that Himmelstein was a "prohibited" contact for Griles due to their financial relationship. Interior Secretary Gale Norton responded to the report by saying that Griles has already acknowledged he should have used better judgment in organizing a dinner with members of the department. Since then, he has taken a number of steps to strengthen the ethics screening and oversight within his office to avoid a similar occurrence." Despite Devaney's referral of the two cases for possible action, Norton said the report "closes the issue." Griles also said that he "glad this matter is behind me [so] we can continue to work to advance our initiatives to provide recreational opportunities for the public and protect and conserve our land and resources responsibly." Griles was once a visible figure in Indian Country for his work on the trust reform task force but has dropped to low-profile since late 2002. An environmental group that has been highly critical of Griles and was instrumental in uncovering his contacts with former clients called the report "damning." Kristen Sykes, of Friends of the Earth, said "it uncovers regular and consistent breaches of Griles' ethics agreements and, more importantly, blatant violations of the public's trust. If this White House is serious about ethics and accountability, Griles should be dismissed immediately." Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Lamberth and Balaran targeted for removal" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:57:49 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DoI AM-`BUSH'" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4064 Appeals court hears arguments to remove judge Lamberth and Balaran targeted for removal WASHINGTON DC Jennifer Tedlock March 16, 2004 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Monday on a motion to disqualify Judge Royce Lamberth and special master Alan Balaran from a contempt-related proceeding in Cobell vs. Norton, the Indian trust fund case. The Native American Times contacted Judge Lamberth's office. He was unable to comment on the hearing since the case remains unsettled. Last January Lamberth rejected a request to recuse himself and Balaran from the case. The request was filed by some of the 29 current and former government officials and lawyers who are accused of destroying e-mail records in violation of court orders. Chief Judge Douglas H. Ginsberg and Judges A. Raymond Randolph and Karen Lecraft Henderson, who threw out charges of contempt against Secretary Gale Norton and former Indian Affairs aide Neal McCaleb, have been assigned to the matter. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Haskell loses Internet Access" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 08:37:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DoI SHUTDOWN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/164640 Haskell loses Internet access Interior Department cuts service after system deemed vulnerable to hackers By Dave Ranney, Journal-World March 18, 2004 Don't bother sending an e-mail to Haskell Indian Nations University. It won't get through. The university's Web site is down, too. "We've been disconnected," said David Fire, director of computer services at Haskell. The U.S. Department of Interior pulled the plug Tuesday on the university's access to the Internet after a federal judge ruled the department hadn't done enough to protect its computer system from hackers. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the cutoff Monday to protect oil, gas, timber and grazing royalties held in trust for American Indians. The computerized system for calculating royalties has been deemed vulnerable to hackers. The department's handling of the trust accounts is the subject of a 1996 lawsuit -- Cobell v. Norton -- filed on behalf of more than 300,000 American Indian landowners seeking tens of billions of dollars in damages dating back to the 19th century. Lamberth wrote: "The interest of the 300,000-plus current beneficiaries of the individual Indian trust outweigh the potential inconvenience of those parties that would otherwise have access to Interior's Internet services." The ruling affected Haskell because the university is governed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is part of the Interior Department. The university's access to the Internet is through the BIA office in Albuquerque, N.M. "We've not been told when we'll be back up," Fire said. "I doubt that it'll be anytime soon." Campus in disarray Losing the Internet was causing more than a few headaches. "The library's catalog is connected to the Internet, so it's down -- so is access to the interlibrary loan program," said Haskell spokeswoman Lori Tapahonso. "They've gone back to checking books out by hand. "A lot of students are working on their final research projects. And now they don't have access to the Internet; they're going to have to go to either the public library or to KU." Haskell's communications with the BIA and other federal and tribal agencies have been crippled. "So much of that was done by e-mail," Tapahonso said, noting the university's staff, faculty and students cannot send or receive e-mails on campus. Those with accounts through Haskell's Web site cannot access their e-mail at all. The disconnection is not expected to interfere with Haskell employees getting their paychecks on time. "That's handled by an internal system," Fire said. "But there will be some people who won't be getting their statement electronically." Student-aid transactions are expected to slow down. "All of that is done on the Internet. You go online, fill out the forms and it's done," said Kyle Holden, a Creek-Commanche freshman from Norman, Okla. "Now we're back to the old-school days where it takes 10 or 15 days to get your money. This isn't cool when it comes to financial aid." Kerrie Blevins, a Cherokee sophomore from Broken Arrow, Okla., said many students would be hard-pressed to finish their class projects without the Internet. "It doesn't sound like a big deal to just go to KU or the public library," she said. "But if you go to KU, you have to pay $15 for an ID, and a lot of students don't have that kind of money. And they don't have cars, so it's asking a lot for them to walk all the way to the library downtown. They'll have to catch rides or take the bus -- the bus costs money, too." Not the first time The shutdown Tuesday was the third since 2001, when a court-ordered investigation found that hackers could easily steal money from the system used to calculate royalties. Lamberth made it clear Monday he was miffed by the Department of Interior's response to continuing security concerns. In his order, Lamberth wrote: "The feigned indignance of Interior aside, there is simply no other alternative (to the shutdown). Interior brought this on themselves." In a statement faxed to major media outlets, a Department of Interior spokesman said Lamberth was embarking on "a new frontier in this court's efforts to run the operations of the executive branch." Copyright c. 2004 The Lawrence Journal-World. --------- "RE: McCaleb on BIA, DOI Computer shutdown, Tex Hall" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MCCALEB SPIN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4091 McCaleb on BIA, DOI computer shutdown and Tex Hall "Computer security is a hoax." TULSA OK Sam Lewin March 18, 2004 Former Assistant-Secretary of Indian Affairs Neal McCaleb is critical of both National Congress of American Indians President Tex Hall and U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth. Hall, because he told a congressional committee that tribal leaders were not adequately consulted over the reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Lamberth because he shut down the Department of Interior's internet capabilities again. McCaleb now develops economic strategies for the Chickasaw Nation. Following an appearance Thursday before the Tulsa-chapter of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma, McCaleb said he doesn't understand Hall's statements. "I presided over the concept of the reorganization and it was done in consultation with the tribes. We spent a year trooping all over the United States to Indian centers and tribal leaders and we spent an incredible amount of time. I'm not saying we had consensus but we have tremendous input," McCaleb said. "Tex himself spent months of his personal time in late '01 and '02 and we had two meetings a month from Alaska to the Southern states to the West Coast. Tex and I were co-chairmen of these events, and I am amazed that his point is that there hasn't been any meaningful input." Lamberth is the judge in the Indian trust lawsuit. He said DOI is unable to prevent hackers from entering their Website. He originally suspended the agency's online capabilities in 2001, after hackers infiltrated and viewed account information on trust monies held by American Indians. "I'm surprised [by the shutdown.] When I was there, I was sworn in in July of 2001, and by the end of December we had engaged the company they hired to hack in. I thought we were really close with dealing with firewalls and dealing with security. I'm not an expert in computers, but I do know this: Microsoft is vulnerable, and I don't know why we expect the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be completely invulnerable when the operating system they are based on is vulnerable," McCaleb said. "Computer security is a hoax." He also agreed with Department of Interior attorneys and some tribal leaders who believe the net result of the shutdown will be hardship in Indian Country. "It does not serve individual Indian money account holders well. Nobody has ever documented that anybody ever lost a dime because the system was invaded and somebody siphoned the money off," he said. McCaleb voluntarily resigned shortly after he was accused, along with Interior Secretary Gale Norton, of contempt of court. The charges against him were subsequently dropped. McCaleb was vindicated and today insists he is happy to be out of the public sector. "Oh yes. I wouldn't have left otherwise." Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Pact would give Indians more control of Remains" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:57:49 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MISSOURI RIVER PACT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/03/17/news/state/state02.txt Pact would give Indians more control of remains March 17, 2004 SIOUX FALLS (AP) - Tribes would have more say in the management of American Indian remains and cultural sites along the Missouri River under an agreement in the final stages of review. Known as the Programmatic Agreement, the document would replace an older one that gave little voice to the people, according to James Picotte, historic preservation officer for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. This time, 22 tribes were invited to participate. Over the weekend, representatives from at least nine tribes joined discussions on the document, he said. "The tribes had the opportunity for input, and I'm real pleased with the process," Picotte said. After the agreement is reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers, it will be sent to state and tribal governments for approval, Larry Janis, a cultural officer for the corps in Omaha, said. When Missouri River dams were built from the 1940s to the 1960s, many American Indian cultural sites and burial grounds were submerged. The new lakes eroded the shore, leaving sites vulnerable to water damage, vandalism and theft. Many tribes have accused the corps of managing federal land along the river without regard for those sites. "Never in the entire process did anyone ever take into account that they were going to destroy immense treasure-troves of cultural history," said Greg Bourland, former chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and head of the committee that wrote the new agreement. He called the document a major advance. "The Programmatic Agreement basically has language that treats everyone as equals," he said. "So the agreement is unique in the fact that it's not paternalistic." His presence at the negotiations is testament to that, he said. "I was one of the strongest opponents, when I was the tribal chairman, of the Corps of Engineers. So it's odd that I am in this position today," he said. The corps spends $3 million a year on locating, stabilizing and monitoring cultural sites on the river, but there is a $77 million backlog in projects, Janis said. "The one bad point about this is that even though we have this (agreement), even though we say we're going to do all these things, the corps has limited funds," Picotte said. The agreement will help tribal and corps officials plan and prioritize the sites that need the most attention. The next step is for the corps to suggest changes to the drafting committee, said Janis. Then each tribe will decide whether to sign. Those that do not will have to deal with the old process. Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Dismissal of Reservation Lawsuit affirmed" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MILLE LACS REZ PRESEVERES" http://www.millelacsmessenger.com/~P=949873&S=506&PubID=15516 Dismissal of reservation lawsuit affirmed by Joel Patenaude, Messenger Staff Writer Federal appeal court agrees county, bank not harmed by band March 17, 2004 The Eighth U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday, March 9, affirmed the earlier dismissal of Mille Lacs County's lawsuit seeking to disprove the continued existence of the original 61,000-acre Mille Lacs Indian Reservation. The appeals court agreed with U.S. Judge James Rosenbaum, who decided last May that the county did not have legal standing to question the status of the reservation boundaries. Rosenbaum was correct to dismiss the case, the appeals court concluded, because neither the county nor the First National Bank of Milaca, which joined the county as a co-plaintiff, could establish they had been injured or threatened by the possible existence of the old reservation boundaries. The appeals court, in its seven-page decision, said, "The county presented no evidence that its ability to enforce state or local law on the reservation has been usurped or even affected by the (Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's) alleged intentions. ... Neither the county nor the bank has shown that it is in immediate danger of sustaining threatened injury traceable to an action of the band." The court noted that the bank, other lenders and some residents worry that non-Indian land owners may not have clear title to their property within the disputed area. Such concerns, however, "do not establish an injury in fact," the court said. "At best, they reflect speculative harms based upon the assumed future intent of the band." After more than two years of litigation, the decision was welcomed by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe officials and disappointed the county. The county spent more than $1.3 million on its case and the band spent more than $600,000 on its defense. "The Mille Lacs Band is relieved that this lengthy and expensive legal battle is over," Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said in a written statement. "This lawsuit came at great cost to Mille Lacs County residents and the Mille Lacs Band. We hope that now that it's over, the county will begin to use its resources responsibly and provide better services to its residents." Benjamin concluded, "I hope that we can put this lawsuit behind us and find a way to move forward with a new spirit of respect and cooperation in Mille Lacs County." In a prepared statement issued the day of the ruling, Mille Lacs County Attorney Jan Kolb said the appeals court decision was "obviously disappointing" but "the pursuit of the litigation should not be viewed as a loss." Kolb noted that the appeals court reversed Rosenbaum's decision to dismiss the case "with prejudice." This, Kolb said, allows the county to renew legal action if the band takes any action premised on the old boundaries that affects non-band members. "The case can be resubmitted to the federal court without substantial additional expense should the band take any action premised on the existence of the reservation in the disputed area," she said. Mille Lacs Band Solicitor General John Swimmer agreed with Kolb's explanation. He said the legal standard of "res judicata" states that once a case has been decided, it cannot be tried again. If the case were dismissed "with prejudice," it would mean the case could not be filed again. The appeals court decision leaves the door open for the county to come back if it has a claim against the band in the future. Swimmer said, "I think the band looks forward to trying to resolve our differences and put these issues behind us." He said the Mille Lacs Band "is not going anywhere" and would like to work cooperatively with the county and other neighbors. "We need to open a dialogue about how we can work together and get on with our lives," Swimmer said. In her statement, Kolb denied the lawsuit was inspired by racial prejudice. "Those that continue to allege that it is somehow a racially motivated issue simply do not understand or know all the facts, history or legalities of the matter. "All along the Mille Lacs County Board has had the interests of all Mille Lacs County residents in mind, Indians and non-Indians alike, in their pursuit to get this matter resolved." Mille Lacs Band consultant Don Wedll said, "There are two important issues to come out of this decision. One is that the band will continue to assert jurisdiction on band lands over its members within the 1855 reservation boundaries. The second is that all those statements people have made about the impact of the reservation on non-band members - the court has not seen that as valid." Non-Indians own more than 80 percent of the land delineated as a reservation for the Mille Lacs Band in an 1855 treaty. The original boundaries encompass the present townships of Kathio, South Harbor and Isle Harbor, and the cities of Onamia, Wahkon and Isle as well as two islands on the south end of Mille Lacs Lake. In subsequent treaties, the band ceded and relinquished much of the land, but its members were told they would not be forcibly removed so long as they did not "molest" white settlers or their property. Individual band members were to be offered allotments of land, many of which were never awarded. To this day, band officials insist the "good conduct" provision guarantees the continued existence of the old reservation, albeit not band ownership of the land within those boundaries. With its new-found casino wealth, the band is buying back reservation land as it comes available on the open real estate market. County officials were expected to discuss the decision in closed session at the county board meeting on March 16. See next week's Messenger for details. Copyright c. 2004 Mille Lacs Messenger All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Former Mekko threatens Kailagee takeover" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:57:49 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRIBAL TAKEOVER" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4063 Former Mekko threatens takeover Says he has no other choice WETUMKA OK Sam Lewin March 16, 2004 The former Mekko of an Oklahoma Tribe says he is so frustrated by the current government that he and his followers are considering forcibly taking over tribal headquarters. Lowell Wesley, 52, previously Town Chief of the Kialegee Tribal Town, says he was manipulated out of office illegally because he resisted efforts to launch a gambling operation. Out-of-state gaming interests had approached the tribe even before Wesley was elected in June of last year. "I wanted more direction and more information first," Wesley told the Native American Times. "They forced me out of office because I was against gaming. We are just a small tribal town and we are not ready for it yet." Wesley defeated Evelyn Bucktrot to win his original term in office. He says in September, Bucktrot and tribal official Henry Harjo called a meeting and voted him out of office. Bucktrot took over. "They set me up-it was an ambush. They brought in people who were not even members of the tribe," Wesley said. Several months passed. Just last week, Wesley attended another tribal meeting, hoping to address Bucktrot and Harjo concerning the circumstances of his dismissal. Didn't happen. He says he never had a chance. "They shouted me down. They ignored me." A tribal secretary at Kialegee headquarters told the Native American Times that both Harjo and Bucktrot were out of the office all day. Told of Wesley's allegations, the secretary promised to have Bucktrot respond. Bucktrot did not return the phone call. Wesley said he hopes the Bureau of Indian Affairs will get involved. If they don't, he envisions a takeover, much like what happened earlier this year with the Kiowa and Kickapoo tribes. Wesley believes that he has the support of enough members of the Wetumake-based tribe to pull it off. "We may do it in less than two weeks. It would give us publicity about what is going on and get the BIA involved. We need to show that this was wrong. This is what the people want." Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: O'odham solutions elusive" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:34:49 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" Subj: O'odham solutions elusive (Fwd) Mailing List: News and Information Distribution - - - - - - -- - - - - - - http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/metro/12414.php O'odham solutions elusive By Mitch Tobin ARIZONA DAILY STAR March 4, 2004 ON THE TOHONO O'ODHAM RESERVATION - More than a decade after gambling arrived here, many tribal members are just beginning to see solutions to chronic problems with garbage, sewage and drinking water. Revenues from gaming have already paid for schools, clinics and emergency services. But an estimated 1,300 residents remain without indoor plumbing and scores of wildcat dumps have yet to be cleaned up. Wells across the nation have tested positive for pollutants, and a now-shuttered mine may have fouled nearby groundwater with uranium and sulfates. "Looking at some of the basic issues of safe drinking water, wastewater treatment and solid-waste disposal - these are things most Americans take for granted," said Wayne Nastri, who oversees the federal Environmental Protection Agency's work in Arizona, California, Nevada and Hawaii. Nastri toured the 2.8 million-acre reservation Wednesday, presenting tribal officials with a $50,000 check to address the estimated 6 tons of waste left on their land each day by illegal border crossers. Nastri saw the nation's natural splendor and its aching poverty. He passed the jagged Baboquivari Mountains, frosted with snow and shrouded by mist, and he walked through Mountain Village, where hovels are made from plywood, corrugated metal and ocotillo ribs. Seven homes in the isolated hamlet rely on outhouses and water trucked in to a leaky storage tank. Nearly $1.1 million in EPA funds is now available to build a water and sewage system, but the project will take three or four years. "It's been forever," said Tommy Carlos, vice chairman of the local Gu Achi District. One reason the project will take so long is that surveys must be done for the endangered pygmy owl for two years in a row, the Indian Health Service said. Nationwide, the EPA estimates 7 percent of people on reservations lack running water, compared with less than 0.5 percent for the U.S. population. Vivian Juan-Saunders, the nation's chairwoman, described the conditions at Mountain Village as "pretty typical." "Lack of infrastructure is one of the major issues on the reservation that impact housing and economic development," she said, adding that gaming revenues are only now being devoted to the problem. Nearby, an open-pit dump - one of 113 on the reservation - has recently been cleaned up. Tribal officials say they have $1.6 million in federal money to tackle 61 others. Before 1998, trash was piled and burned in the open, but $1 million is now spent each year to pick up garbage weekly from 750 bins, said Gary Olson of the solid-waste management program. "The gaming money was essential," he said. Residents are also charged $6 a month for garbage service. At the Cyprus Tohono Mine, a subsidiary of Phelps Dodge Mining Co., EPA officials were briefed on plans to clean up the copper-producing facility south of Casa Grande. Wells near the mine have recorded elevated levels of uranium, but the concentration of 19 parts per billion was below the federal standard of 30 parts per billion. The uranium is not radioactive but can affect kidney function, the EPA said. Sulfates were also elevated in the groundwater, but that is considered an aesthetic issue and not subject to federal action. On a broader scale, the EPA believes 21 of the reservation's 47 public water systems have arsenic levels that will exceed a new federal standard to take effect in 2006. The agency said it will help the nation with treatment and alternate sources. It's unknown how long 26 families in neighboring Gu Komelik drank the tainted water, but from January 2002 to April 2003 the mine supplied the town with bottled water. Since April 2003, it has tapped a different water supply 12 miles away thanks to a $350,000 project financed by the mine. Officials with the mine, which opened in 1969 and employed 200 at its peak, say they're still studying the area's groundwater. "Before you decide what to do, you have to know what you have out there," site manager Ray Romero said. Nina Jose, who lives downstream from the mine, said the company has been cooperative. But she said residents wonder if local cancer cases are linked to the pollution. "One of these days the mine's gonna go, but we'll be here, and here forever," she said. ---- Contact reporter Mitch Tobin at 573-4185 or mtobin@azstarnet.com. Copyright c. 1999-2004 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers. --------- "RE: Hopis will march to protest Wastewater" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="S***BOWL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/031804hopis.html Hopis will march to protest wastewater on San Francisco Peaks By Kathy Helms Dine' Bureau March 18, 2004 FORT DEFIANCE - Since 1979, the Hopi people and the Hopi Tribal Council have adamantly opposed the continued development and expansion of the Arizona Snowbowl. Next week, the Cultural Preservation Office of the Hopi Tribe will sponsor a march in support of the Hopi/Tewa Save the Peaks Coalition's opposition to the use of reclaimed water for artificial snowmaking on the San Francisco Peaks. The protest march is set 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 23. Participants are asked to gather in front of the Hopi Tribal Headquarters in Kykotsmovi. The group then will march in silent protest of the continued planned development at the Snowbowl, ending at the Hopi Veterans Memorial Center on Highway 264 in Kykotsmovi. Following the march, Forest Service representatives will be on hand to take public comments on the proposal. The comment period will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Memorial Center, and is expected to adjourn around 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The proposal to use reclaimed water to make artificial snow stems from a Draft Environmental Impact Statement released Feb. 2 by the Coconino National Forest Service for the Arizona Improvement Project. The plan calls for artificial snowmaking on 205 acres of skiable terrain using the reclaimed wastewater. Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, Cultural Preservation director for the Hopi Tribe, said," From a purely cultural perspective, such action by the Arizona Snowbowl and consequently the Coconino National Forest Service is disheartening because the San Francisco Peaks, which we call Nuvatukyaovi, meaning 'Place of Snow on the Peaks,' are considered by all Hopi people to be a central and essential element of Hopi culture, religion, and survival. "The Peaks are the home of the Katsinam and the focus of our prayers for rain and snow, and the use of reclaimed water on such a sacred site can only be described as sacrilegious," he said. According to Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor Jr., "The Hopi Tribe is united in our stance and will continue to reiterate our profound disagreement with the proposed action until our legitimate claims have been heeded by the Forest Service and the Arizona Snowbowl. "We believe that we are also entitled to the fundamental freedoms guaranteed all citizens by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which we believe should be honored by all parties," Taylor said. Vice Chairman Caleb Johnson, who recently spoke on behalf of the tribe at a Save the Peaks Coalition meeting in Flagstaff, echoed similar sentiments. "The Hopi Tribe is very disappointed with the Snowbowl project. We are convinced this is a sacred mountain. God needs to be respected by all people, especially by those who live in Flagstaff," he said. While the tribe does support the elimination of the night lighting system and night skiing originally included in the proposal, its concern about the proposed use of recycled water remains. Charles said the Hopi Tribe has worked closely with the Coconino National Forest on numerous issues and will continue in this manner. "The tribe feels strongly that artificial snowmaking will have a significant adverse effect on the overall environment of the mountain and watershed, which ultimately will affect the condition of this historic property that is in the process of being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places," according to Vanessa Charles, public information officer. At the same time, the tribe will accept the assurances that the Forest Service will take into account Hopi concerns about the expansion and snowmaking, as well as listening to other tribes and groups with similar serious concerns about impacts of the Proposed Action, she said. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Scientists back Navajos fighting Uranium Mining" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 09:06:23 +0000 From: Robert Dorman Subj: Fw: Scientists Back Navajos Fighting Uranium Mining Mailing List: Big MOuntain -------- Forward, Original Message Follows ------- From: Condor952@aol.com Scientists Back Navajos Fighting Uranium Mining - Brenda Norrell 2004-03-15 | RED ROCK, N.M. - Navajos fighting proposed uranium mining in an area once devastated by a radioactive spill, were bolstered by scientists who criticized the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for approving new uranium mining that could result in the contamination of drinking water for 15,000 Navajos and ultimately lead to kidney failure. "I've never seen such poor science, poor accountability and poor traceability," said Mike Wallace, a groundwater hydrologist who has worked in the nuclear industry at WIPP in New Mexico and the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Speaking to Navajos gathered at Red Rock State Park, Wallace said the final environmental impact statement for the uranium mining proposed by Hydro Resources, Inc., for Crownpoint and Church Rock, is flawed. Referring to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval of a license, now being challenged by interveners, Wallace said, "They are not taking this area or these people's concerns seriously." Mitchell Capitan, Navajo cofounder of the grassroots group Eastern Navajo Dine' Against Uranium Mining (ENDAUM) told the gathering, "They think in-situ mining will be done easily without contamination or accidents, but that is not the case." Speaking in Dine' and English, Capitan said, "There's always going to be accidents. Our water is more sacred and our water is clean; they want to dirty the water in our communities." Richard Abitz, geo-chemist and environmental scientist, urged Navajos to stop the legacy of uranium mining now. "There is a gross misrepresentation of the geological structure in the final environmental impact statement." Abitz joined Wallace in questioning why the proposed uranium mining is still being considered. "We are trying to figure out why it is done differently here than in the rest of the world." Norman Patrick Brown, Navajo and spokesperson for a coalition of grassroots groups Dine' Bidziil, said it is obvious why HRI is being allowed to proceed with the plan. "Navajos are considered expendable," Brown said. Wallace added that politics are at work. "There might be a lot of political pressure from the uranium industry." Capitan and his wife Rita Capitan founded ENDAUM 10 years ago. Since that time, the grassroots Navajo group has had to raise nearly $1 million to fight HRI in court. The grassroots Navajo group Concerned Citizens of T'iistsooz-Nideeshgizh joined ENDAUM's effort in 2001. Capitan told the gathering that HRI was invited to the meeting to debate the proposed mining, but declined the invitation and said they would not attend. "They were told one month in advance and invited to make a presentation," Capitan said. HRI of Rio Rancho proposes to mine in four areas near Crownpoint and Church Rock. The uranium would be removed by in-situ leach (ISL) mining, a process of injecting chemicals into the ground that would strip the uranium from the host rock of sandstone in the aquifer. Wallace said when he saw the proposal data, he believed that there was no way it would be approved, based on the scientific fact that there are water channels in the rock which could carry the toxic radioactive slush into Navajo drinking wells. "This is a no-brainer," Wallace told himself. "There is no way they are going to permit a mine here." Wallace said HRI's model is flawed and is not credible. HRI claims the water is homogenous in the area, but it is not and instead flows through channels. The chemicals act like a paint stripper and strip the uranium deposits off the rock. The uranium-contaminated groundwater is then pumped to the surface for processing. Wallace predicted that nearby drinking wells of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and BIA will be contaminated. "In five years time, the uranium contaminated water would reach the NTUA well. In 10 years, it would reach the BIA well. "It is enough to cause renal damage. "These wells are the sole source of drinking water for thousands of people that live in the area." Abitz said in-situ leaching uses a hydrogen peroxide mixture to strip the uranium from the rock, which kills tissue and destroys cells in human and animal life. The addition of oxygen and sodium bicarbonate called oxygenates causes uranium and other radioactive substances and trace metals to be liberated from the rock into the groundwater. Further, he warned that it would be HRI who would be responsible for monitoring the wells and taking action if there is an accident, spill or emergency. Urging a halt to the proposal, Abitz said, "Water is needed for life, uranium is not needed for life. We can get by without uranium, we can not get by without water." Abitz said judges have too often taken the stance that they are judges who know nothing of the mining industry and accept the data of corporations, claiming the corporations are in the know. "It is a fallacy," said Abitz, who manages restoration of uranium-contaminated groundwater at the government's Fernald uranium plant near Cincinnati, Ohio. Abitz said the water taken from the extremely pristine Westwater Canyon Aquifer near Crownpoint for uranium mining and used for flushing out chemicals would not be replaced in our lifetimes. Currently, the pristine water meets the high standard of the World Health Organization. The clean water standard is 0.002 mg of uranium contamination per liter. Abitz pointed out that when the toxic chemicals of mining are injected into the groundwater, the amount of uranium contamination "goes through the roof." Further, the chemicals injected create a "toxic soup" which destroys the natural balance. "Once it is in there, the damage is done. "It takes hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, to transform aquifer water back into a drinkable condition. Abitz agreed with Wallace that there is no doubt that the contamination will reach Navajo water supplies. "It will make its way into the Crownpoint water supply." Abitz said in-situ leach mining has been done in Texas and Wyoming, away from drinking water sources. But in those areas, regardless of the millions of dollars and years of efforts, the water has never been restored. "They have not been able to do it." Abitz said if the mining is not halted, a sad chapter would play out again for Navajos, with the mining company leaving and possibly declaring bankruptcy as others have done to prevent paying for damages. "They won't be able to restore the groundwater. They'll take a shot at it, they'll say they've pumped so much water through it; and then they'll say see you later." Abitz used black dye, a sponge and clean water to demonstrate how poisons remain in the water, regardless of clean water being poured or flushed through nine times. "You would not see the chemicals in there, but they would be poisoning you. The toxic chemicals will not go away. Abitz said the number of Navajos already suffering from diabetes, which also affects kidney functions, compounds the risk of renal failure. "Uranium is toxic to the kidneys, it slows down kidney function." Dine' translators Capitan, Esther Yazzie and Lillie Lane translated complex science into the Dine' language during the gathering, which included a lunch of posole, mutton stew, spring greens, fry bread and brownies. What was not on the menu was anyone who could make excuses for the government sending Navajo miners to their death as they mined uranium without protective clothing during the Cold War or for the deadly radioactive spill in nearby Church Rock. On July 16, 1979, the uranium tailings dam failure at the United Nuclear Corporation uranium mill released 94 million gallons of acidic wastewater and 1,100 tons of radioactive tailing into the North Fork of the Puerco River. It has since flowed downstream through Navajo communities, including Nahata Dziil (New Lands), where Navajos were relocated from Black Mesa to make way for Peabody Coal's mining operations. Wallace said what is going on with HRI's approval should be questioned. Earlier, world-respected water hydrologist Shlomo Neuman said in 1998 that the data in the final environmental impact statement is flawed. After that, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission released a statement, which claimed Neuman had changed his mind. However, Neuman again spoke up and wrote a statement saying that he has not changed his mind and confirmed the data is flawed. Wallace said of the attempt to distort Neuman's words, "There are very suspicious things going on here." Mitchell Capitan said when ENDAUM formed 10 years ago, Navajos had no idea they would be fighting HRI for a decade. "We don't want that uranium mining polluting our clean water, our clean air." ---- Brenda Norrell is a staff writer for Indian Country Today http://www.indiancountry.com and a Contributing Editor for the U.N. OBSERVER & International Report. http://bsnorrell.tripod.com http://www.brendanorrell.blogspot.com --------- "RE: Squaw is out but Piestewa isn't in" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 23:36:59 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" Subj: Squaw is out but Piestewa isn't in in naming of park: 'Phoenix Mountains Park' wins (Fwd) Mailing List: News and Information Distribution - - - - - - -- - - - - - - http://www.azcentral.com/~/0303phxsquaw0303Z7.html Squaw is out but Piestewa isn't in in naming of park 'Phoenix Mountains Park' wins Sarah Anchors The Arizona Republic Mar. 3, 2004 12:00 AM The central mountain park is no longer called Squaw, a word that many believe is a hurtful slur that brought to tears one speaker at the renaming hearing last week. But the popular hiking park also isn't named for fallen soldier Spc. Lori Piestewa, or for the O'odham words for the mountain Vainom Do'ag. Instead, Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board members chose a name that isn't tangled up in politics and emotions. Squaw Peak Recreational Area is now Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, fitting with the name of the larger mountain range. It's not that Piestewa, the first Native American female soldier to die in a foreign war, isn't worthy of honor, said board Chairman Jim Holway. "It's too significant a park to be named for anyone," Holway said. The name change process started last fall, but the committee assigned to study the matter became deadlocked. So the parks board, which has final authority, heard comments and discussed the matter for five hours Feb. 26. Ernest Martinez, who helped start Arizonans for Lori Piestewa, is happy that at least the word squaw, which he views as a derogatory term for a Native American woman, is gone from the name. "Lori Piestewa was the reason to get rid of the slur," Martinez said. Others echoed his sentiment. Jacob Moore, special assistant on congressional and legislative affairs for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, said dropping the derogatory word was more important than gaining acceptance for the tribes' suggestion: Vainom Do'ag, which means Iron Mountain. "We still have our name for the mountain," he said. Also, the discussion gave the tribes a chance to educate people on Native Americans, he said. Clorinda Q. Lozano, a lobbyist specializing in children, families and civil rights, said using squaw was verbal abuse against women. She's fine with the new name, saying, "the healing can begin." Others aren't so happy. Martinez said "Phoenix Mountains Park" doesn't have a lot of meaning. Yvette Sakiestewa-Shumard is a distant relative of Piestewa who served in the Arizona National Guard in the first Iraqi conflict in the early 1990s. She said the board chose the easy way out and wanted another opportunity to consider renaming the park. "I wanted it (the name) to be something that was in line with the original intent to have a place named after Native peoples," she said. The mountain has a strong tie to Native culture, she said, and deserves a name that relates to that culture. Not everyone wanted the name changed. Anne Mullan, who lives near the mountain, said at the meeting that she never thought the name derogatory. "The name squaw to all of us born and raised here wasn't nothing more than wife, mother of an Indian," Mullan said. Copyright c. 2004 Arizona Republic. --------- "RE: Tribe focusing on purchasing Ancestral Land" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 09:01:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHICKASAW LANDS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=1202954 Tribe focusing on purchasing ancestral land By Anthony Thornton The Oklahoman March 22, 2004 Those who criticize the Chickasaw Nation's land purchases tend to forget one important fact, said an Ada business leader who recently made a $1 million sale to the tribe. "The thing is, this is their home. They were here before we were here," said Randy Ethridge, chief executive officer of People's Electric Cooperative. During the past six years, the tribe has made a concerted effort to take back land within its 12-county jurisdiction. In January 1998, the Chickasaws owned about 2,450 acres, according to the tribe's newspaper. That number has grown to 8,600 acres. Major purchases since 2000 include 1,198 acres in Marshall County for $1. 8 million; a 4,300-acre cattle ranch in Murray County for $4.55 million; and 10 acres along Interstate 35 near Pauls Valley, where the tribe bought a $2 million chocolate factory and store. In November 2003 alone, the tribal council approved Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anoatubby's request to acquire 300 acres along U.S. 70 at Lake Texoma and 1,359 acres in Murray County. The Murray County purchase apparently hasn't been completed, because no transaction appears on county records. At that same November meeting, the council accepted "gifts" of 82 acres at three sites adjoining Chickasaw casinos. The gifts came from Multimedia Games and its subsidiary, MegaBingo, the tribe's main supplier of electronic gambling machines. Last month, the tribe began leasing a former steel-fabrication plant at Marietta and announced plans to buy it within three months. But the property emphasis seems to be on Ada - or so it seems to local residents. Tribe spokeswoman Robyn Elliott said that only makes sense. "Ada is our home," she said. Copyright c. 2004 NEWS 9, The Oklahoman; produced by NewsOK. --------- "RE: Tribe fears loss of Culture" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 09:01:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="WHITEWASHING BLACKFEET CHILDREN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/03/21/news/top/news01.txt Tribe fears loss of culture through mandated school standardization By MICHAEL JAMISON of the Missoulian March 21, 2004 BROWNING - A hard, cold wind hummed unchecked through the big empty, hammering across a rolling ocean of midwinter brown and nagging at the hem of Justin Little Dog's jacket. The 6-year-old gave his dad a hug, and turned out of the early morning frost to board the school bus. His bus stop, located along a lonely strip of pavement on Montana's Blackfeet Indian Reservation, is just this side of the middle of nowhere, a rural outpost marked by big horizons and stark drifts of month-old snow. "Be good," his dad called into the wind. Justin waved, and the bus pulled away, toward Browning, toward an all too common reservation town where unemployment can hit 85 percent in the winter months and more than a third of the townsfolk live below the poverty line. It's a place where, by some estimates, adult alcoholism can top 70 percent, and where three of every four homes is a single-parent household. Passing those households, where metal roofs are pinned down against the wind by stacks of bald tires, Justin's bus threaded its way toward the school. If he makes it to high school, which is no sure bet in these parts, young Little Dog will enter classrooms where more than 40 percent drop out before graduation. "He'll be lucky if he makes it," said Darrel Kipp. "Our children have already been left behind." Kipp is one who made it, growing up in Browning and graduating and leaving and finally coming back home with a master's degree from Harvard. Today, he runs a private, nonprofit school where 30 kids from kindergarten through eighth grade are taught in the ancestral Blackfeet tongue. His school, which began in 1994, has no administrators, no superintendents, no boards and no chairmen and no principal. Most notably, it has no standardized tests. "Standardized tests are great for standard kids," Kipp said. "But our kids aren't standard kids. They don't live in standard American homes." Standardized tests, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, fail Browning's students, he said, rather than the other way around. The act requires states to craft standard tests for all schools, and schools must score high enough to clear the federal bar. If they fail, they are put on "improvement." (Browning schools have been on improvement since the act took effect.) If they fail consistently, the schools can lose their federal funding. In fact, the entire state system could lose its funding. Educators in Indian Country, people like Kipp, worry that children who are culturally distant from the "standard" are at a disadvantage when taking the tests. Although the kids are as smart as their "standard" peers, they might not share the same fundamental knowledge base, or so the theory goes. Take, for example, the lesson of the awning. Shiela Rutherford is the eighth-grade counselor at Browning Middle School, where kids have been practicing this winter for the upcoming state tests. She couldn't help but notice that nearly all her students missed the vocabulary question about the word "awning." "Of course they missed it," Rutherford said. "This is Browning. Nobody has an awning. The wind blows 70 miles per hour." The last awning seen in Browning, she joked, was flapping its way toward Ohio. It was the same story with the question about the "babbling brook." "Our students come from a totally different background," said Mary Johnson, superintendent of Browning Public Schools. "They speak English, but it's not the English of Iowa." Robert Rides-At-The-Door, a member of the Browning School Board, believes the new tests should have the flexibility to reflect "regionalized English." "Someone from Illinois who creates a test to measure how English- effective you are, he doesn't understand English on the reservation," Rides-At-The-Door said. Nor does he understand the English of New England or the South, not to mention the English of the barrio and the 'hood. And if Blackfeet English is not the English of Iowa, nor is Blackfeet science the science of Iowa. Walk the crowded and noisy aisles of the Browning Middle School science fair and you find an inordinate number of studies into the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome, the impacts of methamphetamine use, the power of ancient medicines distilled from native plants. And then there's Kourtnie Gopher's science project, which looked like a lesson in history. But it wasn't, and therein lies the rub. Gopher's project was an exercise in the present, a scientific exploration of current events in her community. It was good science, all about heat transfer and relative energy loss. But you can bet that when it comes time to take the annual standardized tests at Browning Middle School, there will be no questions about whether you'll stay cozier in a tepee, a long house, a kiva or a sweat lodge. Perhaps, Rutherford suggests, the tests should ask about pemmican rather than awnings. But then, of course, the kids in Iowa might not do so well on that question, she adds. "It's frustrating," said Superintendent Johnson. "Should there be something in these tests about us, too?" Johnson is quick to tell you she's no opponent of the "basic premise" behind the No Child Left Behind Act. "Traditionally, Indian children have been left behind by mainstream American education," she said. But, she wonders, is the solution to make the mainstream even more mainstream? Kipp doesn't think so. "I think the public schools are faced with a dilemma," he said. "They are being presented with more bureaucracy, when the truth is less bureaucracy is the answer." Johnson tends to agree. "I don't mind being held accountable as an educator," she said. "Public schools should be held accountable, no matter where they are. But I would like the luxury of doing things a little bit differently, to reflect who we are and what we know. The people who wrote this act want everybody to be the same; but the fact is, we're not all the same." "Not the same at all," Kipp insists. He calls No Child Left Behind a "major assimilation policy," and Johnson doesn't argue. The assimilation years still are fresh in the collective memory of Indian Country; they were the decades when the federal government gave up trying to defeat Indians militarily and instead tried to "whitewash" the reservations. The idea, Kipp said, was to dissolve Indian culture out of Indians, stirring centuries of cultural diversity into the homogeneity of the melting pot. The new school testing requirements, he said, do much the same, assimilating not just Indians but also Asian Americans and black Americans and Hispanic Americans. The loss of diversity in the classroom, he said, finally harms not just Indian culture, but also Indian education. Which is exactly why Kipp's private school teaches in the Blackfeet language, and why its graduates are leading their public high school classes. "In English," Kipp said, "you have taken a very beautiful word and bastardized it. It's the word 'equality.' 'Equality' by itself is a very strong and beautiful word, but it has been changed to mean 'sameness,' or 'uniformity.' It's about control. The more uniform a thing is, the easier it is to control. Standardized testing focuses on conformity. In doing so, they take away the ingenuity that comes with diversity, and the result is totalitarianism." Kipp defines totalitarianism as an attempt from on high to "decide who deserves to get what." "If you go the other way, away from totalitarianism," he said, "then you enliven diversity, and diversity is where creativity comes from. Sameness produces dullness. Diversity produces vibrancy and life. That's why we need true equality - education that's equal, but different." The emphasis on diversity has, in fact, been showing signs of success in Browning Schools, Johnson said, and she hopes not to lose it now that teachers are "teaching to the test" (she calls it "standards-based education") in preparation for new requirements. "The things that work, in terms of strategies to improve mainstream education, don't always translate well here," she said. In recent years, she said, the biggest improvements have come from school district efforts to move away from standardized education, not toward it. The schools now teach Blackfeet language classes, she said, and classes in Blackfeet history. Those lessons are then translated into skills that will help children "become literate in both cultures." A lesson in crafting a traditional drum, for instance, is packed with geometry skills. A lesson in the ancient Blackfeet constellations is a way of introducing Greek mythology. "Knowing who you are and where you come from makes you secure," Kipp said. "You know you can succeed. You're not as likely to feel intimidated; you're not wanting to be someone else." For generations, he said, Indians were told their language was bad, their religion was bad, their cosmology was bad, their culture was bad. That message was strongest in the schools, where there were no Indian teachers, no Indian pictures on the walls, no Indian language. "The schools told us we were stupid, ugly and bad," he said, "and after enough repetition, we started to believe it. We no longer believed we held potential." And that, Johnson said, is a primary reason so many parents still will have nothing to do with the schools. Elders still live who remember the government boarding schools where they were beaten for speaking their language. "It goes all the way back to the mission schools," Johnson said. "Historically, the schools took away our identity. "They took our language and culture. I believe we have a moral obligation to restore that." The trick will be finding a way to restore culture and teach basic reading and math skills while at the same time teaching to the test. "Our kids are already behind," she said, "but now we have to teach even more curriculum in the same amount of time. Does it create a culture versus standardization situation? That is a concern. Are they asking us to choose? In some respects, I guess they are." The makers of the law insist no one will have to make a choice between standardization and culture, and point to flexibility built into the act that allows states to custom-fit exams to regional difference. "It's really not in our hands," said Elaine Quesinberry, a public relations officer for the federal Department of Education. "Each state is responsible for figuring out what test works best for all the children in that state." "Impossible," replies Linda McCulloch, Montana's superintendent of public instruction. There is no way, McCulloch said, to craft one single test that is equally accessible to students in Missoula and in Browning. The federal Department of Education talks about giving states flexibility with regard to the test, she said, "but you don't really have any latitude in anything that matters." She, like Kipp and others, worry that culturally based education programs will be lost in the push to teach to the test, even though culturally based education is proving to work better than anything tried so far. And the fears of assimilation through standardization, she said, are "very real." Faced with the dilemma of how to accommodate Montana's Indian students, McCulloch first had a long sit-down with the folks at the company from which Montana is purchasing its test. Then, she and lots of educators from around the state walked through the questions, looking for red flags. Now, each time the results come in, they pore over the results, looking for red flags they might have missed. And up in Browning, Johnson has created "school improvement teams" for each building, as well as a districtwide committee that focuses exclusively on getting ahead of the curve with No Child Left Behind. They're analyzing achievement test data and planning programs narrowly aimed at answering the sorts of questions that appear on the tests. "No Child Left Behind has been my life for most of two years now," McCulloch said. "It's consuming all our time. That's the problem of putting all the focus on one method of testing." But the fact is, McCulloch said, Indian children generally are being left behind. A "standard" Montana kid comes to school packing about 30,000 English words, she said. An Indian kid might come with 2,500 English words. The problem, she said, is not necessarily that the schools are failing. It's that English is a second language in many of the families. It's that parents tend to be less involved in education. It's that parents have less schooling, and are more likely to be divorced. It's that competition-based testing does not translate well into a tribal culture founded on cooperation. It's that poverty is the standard. McCulloch, who started her career teaching on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, wonders how one statewide test can hope to accurately assess what's going on in Indian education. "Not all education happens at school," she said. "You can't tell me that 70 percent unemployment doesn't affect education, because it does." Of course, the folks who designed and implemented No Child Left Behind have no control over such social factors. What they do control, however, is a pretty big checkbook, some of which has been aimed at improving basic education in Indian Country. "The act has provided some money for reading in Indian schools," McCulloch said, "and that's a very good thing." Last September, the act also also provided about $105 million in grants to Indian Country educators, including money for everything from early childhood development to professional training for teachers. The money is not, however, available for use in crafting culturally sensitive tests. "That's the real problem," Rides-At-The-Door said. "They give you more of the same old, when we know the same old isn't working. We don't need more of what's not working. We need the freedom to continue with what we know is working." What's working, he and Johnson and Kipp said, is a creative blend of Blackfeet culture and basic reading, writing and arithmetic lessons. "Doing that enriches us all," Johnson said. "What Browning is becoming famous for is creating the cultural background that provides the support system that helps develop a whole person. Not a standard person, a whole person." In the meantime, however, Johnson needs to get off that "improvement" list in the next three years. Can she do it? "We have to," she said. "Our kids have lots of talents and skills that just aren't measured by those tests. But by golly, if we have to do well on those tests, then we'll do it." But can she do it while at the same time continuing to see overall improvement in all facets of education, including graduation rates? "That will be tougher," she admits. "We would like to be able to continue with what we know is working. This No Child Left Behind law, it's like a thorn in your side all the time. Before it came along, we were doing a much better job than we had in generations. We can't lose that." After all, she said, what's at stake is the future of a people who have endured generations of assault on their very identity. "I feel very strongly about reading and literacy," Johnson said. "These kids here, their parents had to learn about Blackfeet history by reading what was written by non-Indians. I want our children to develop the skills necessary to write our own stories. We need to write our own stories." ---- Reporter Michael Jamison can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or at mjamison@missoulian.com Copyright c. 2004 Missoulian a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Urban Indians: more at risk than Anyone" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="URBAN SKINS ALCOHOL" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4090 Urban Indians: more at risk than anyone Study shows differences between city and reservation dwellers SEATTLE WA Sam Lewin March 18, 2004 According to a new national study, there are virtually two groups of American Indians in the country, and one is much more at risk for health problems. The Seattle Indian Health Board's Urban Indian Health Initiative shows that Indians living in urban areas suffer higher rates of chronic illness, are more likely to die from accidents and alcohol-related problems than the population overall, and have higher rates of poverty, lower levels of formal education and higher unemployment compared to Indians living on reservation land. "This documents for the first time things that we already knew were the problems in the urban Indian community," Ralph Forquera, executive director of the Seattle Indian Health Board and director of the Urban Indian Health Institute, told the Native American Times. "If we can show that there are these problems, it makes it that much more difficult for people to dismiss them. Oftentimes, people lump urban Indian programs in with tribal programs, and they don't realize the difference between living in populated areas, as opposed to living on a reservation where there is access to Indian Health Services." The study compiled information using existing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics. Even though the figures are grim, Forquera believes it may just be the tip of the iceberg. "This shows us that there are profound disparities when it comes to urban Indians, and the likelihood is that these disparities are far worse," he said. Figures show that about a third of the 1.8 million American Indians in the country live on reservations. The rest, about 1.2 million, live in or around large urban areas, primarily Los Angeles and Phoenix in the West and Southwest, near Chicago and Minneapolis in the Midwest, and around New York on the East Coast. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Families excited at Homes Renovation" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 08:37:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NAVAJO HOUSING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/031704familiesexcited.html Families excited at homes renovation By Pamela G. Dempsey Dine' Bureau March 17, 2004 LUKUCHUKAI - Two years of shifting from place to place ended Tuesday for 50 homeowners. Navajo Housing Authority, NHA, held a rededication ceremony Tuesday in a housing development they renovated nearly two years ago. "We've come a long way from shingles," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said at the rededication, indicating the blue and red metal roofs on the renovated homes. While most of the homeowners can start moving back in as soon as their utilities are transferred over, two owners, Deana Rimes and Sam Morris, received their keys Tuesday. "It's real good," Morris said. Maxine James, another home owner waiting to move in next week said she was excited. "I'm looking forward to it," James said. "I'm thankful my home got renovated with no out of pocket costs. Everybody's looking forward to moving back into their homes." Cost is a common misconception with these homes, said Earl Tulley, general manager of the tribe's construction services division. "The misconception is if its Indian housing then its free housing," Tulley said. "That's not true." Working with the homeowners through the Mutual Help Home Ownership program allows buyers to lease their homes with an option to buy at a monthly cost of 15 percent of their income. The equity an owner builds up can then be used to finance other goals such as college or a business. "One of the greatest obstacles is the lending institute," Tulley said. Because the Navajo Nation is trust land, most banks aren't willing to lend money for mortgages. That's why programs like the Mutual Help Home Ownership program is so helpful. And what the homeowner does not generate in property taxes tribal homeowners are exempt they do generate in other revenue such as gas taxes or taxes in retail sales. "For example, Apache County generated $20 million in tax receipts, but only $1 million of that was in property taxes," Tulley said. "(As Navajos), we contributed a lot to the other $19 million (through gas sales and retail sales)." NHA was designated by the Navajo Nation as its official housing authority in late December. Since then, NHA and Shirley have been lobbying to increase funding for housing, a need still in existence on the Navajo Nation. "It's a mutual agreement between the homeowner and us," Tulley said. "The tools we provide to the families are the houses, in order to make it into a home, the families provide the love and care." Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Leonard: Daily Navajo Language instruction needed" --------- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:57:49 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PRESERVING NAVAJO LANGUAGE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.daily-times.com/artman/publish/article_9511.shtml Leonard: Daily Navajo language instruction needed By Jim Snyder/The Daily Times March 17, 2004 WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Every Navajo child should receive daily Navajo language and cultural instruction from kindergarten through their senior year of high school, Leland Leonard, acting Navajo Division of Dine' Education director, said Tuesday. Leonard, the former chief executive officer of the Phoenix Indian Center, said he will meet with the Central School District administration in Shiprock to discuss bilingual education issues raised by parents in Shiprock and other Navajo communities. "This is 2004. Things have to change," he said. "People forget it's the children, the Navajo children, the kids we're talking about. It's their future. This stuff about territorialism needs to stop." The former Marine said the key to Navajo education is for children to learn their language and culture while "embracing the dominant white society. "We're a double-edged sword," he added. Leonard has the support of Navajo Council Education Committee Vice Chairman Wallace Charley and other committee members to be endorsed by the full Council during its spring session April 19-23 in Window Rock. He was appointed by Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. "We have somebody we can work with," Charley said last week. Leonard has a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Arizona and a master of art degree in education from Northern Arizona University. "They told me when I landed in Window Rock to come running and that's exactly what I've been doing," Leonard said since he began his job March 1. Jim Snyder: jims@daily-times.com Copyright c. 2004 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. --------- "RE: Stevens Village Council purchases land for Bison" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 09:01:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ALASKAN VILLAGE TO RAISE BISON" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/032204/sta_bison.shtml Stevens Village tribal council purchases land for bison ranch THE ASSOCIATED PRESS March 22, 2004 FAIRBANKS - The Stevens Village Tribal Council is planning to raise bison on 2,080 acres of land near Delta Junction. The council bought the land with the help of a $775,000 loan from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The loan was issued through the federal agency's Indian Tribal Land Acquisition Program. Stevens Village residents plan to start fencing the property this spring. The tribal council is shopping around for plains bison, said Dewey Schwalenberg, the council's natural resource director. Plans call for starting with about 15 plains bison on 700 acres. The ultimate goal is 200 free-roaming bison on the entire property. The project is not connected to a proposal to reintroduce wood bison to the Yukon Flats area. The animals will be used for meat in Stevens Village, and, as the herd grows, could be distributed to other Native communities, Schwalenberg said. The bison likely will be purchased initially from the Delta area or Matanuska-Susitna area, but the tribal council might later consider bringing in animals from the Lower 48 if it can get a better deal, Schwalenberg said. Randy Mayo, first chief for the tribal council, said the bison project is a step toward financial independence for the upper Yukon River community of about 85 people. "We realize that we can't just live off the government," Mayo said. "We need to be self-sufficient and develop an economic base." The purchase means a significant new asset for Stevens Village, a community that is heavily dependent on subsistence activities. A bison in Alaska is worth $1,000 to $1,500, said Schwalenberg. In addition, he said, the project will provide at least two full-time jobs for Stevens Village residents and about a dozen seasonal positions. Stevens Village resident Steve Hjelm will move into a house already located on the property and serve as the onsite manager of the range, said his brother, Peter Hjelm, the tribal council's financial officer. Copyright c. 1997-2004 Juneau Empire/Morris Communications Corporation. --------- "RE: Historic step for Treaty" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 08:37:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="AGREEMENT-IN-PRINCIPLE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.delta-optimist.com/issues04/033204/news/033204nn2.html Historic step for treaty by Maureen Gulyas March 17, 2004 The first agreement-in-principle on an urban treaty was signed and celebrated at the Tsawwassen First Nation longhouse in front of a crowd of more than 500 Monday. Federal Indian Affairs Minister Andy Mitchell, provincial Attorney General Geoff Plant and TFN chief Kim Baird signed the agreement, the first step toward a final and legally binding treaty, one that's expected to significantly change the landscape of Delta and the way in which the TFN governs itself. The agreement-in-principle includes 427 hectares (1,054 acres) of land plus existing reserve land totalling 290 hectares (716 acres). It also includes a capital transfer totalling $14.2 million. Although the agreement-in-principle has been signed, there is still a long way to go, Baird admitted. "There's pretty serious outstanding issues still, there's no doubt about that, but I think the way the AIP is designed, it allows for creativity, flexibility and innovation," Baird said. Some of those serious issues include sorting out the economics of a commercial fishery for natives, the impacts of the Agricultural Land Reserve - much of the TFN lands in the treaty are protected - and self- government, Baird said. Delta also sees some serious issues ahead. One important aspect is the possibility that several hundred people living on reserve land, but not band members, will become disenfranchised. In other words, they won't have a democratic vote. Baird said the agreement-in-principle outlines that those residents will have some "input," but what that input specifically will be is still a mystery. "Obviously it's in our best interest to ensure that all residents on our lands are satisfied with the arrangements here, especially if we want to promote future industry or what have you," Baird said. "It's like local government saying, 'You've got input here, but we really don't have to do anything you say,'" said Mayor Lois Jackson, who remains concerned that hundreds of residents living on reserve land, who now vote in Delta elections, will no longer have that right once the final agreement is settled and the TFN takes over governance of those properties. Jackson remains frustrated with the lack of municipal input in the treaty process. "When the treaty is signed, the federal and provincial officials will go away, they'll collect fat pensions and the Delta people and the TFN will still be here trying to make sense of what they did," she said. "I don't think they've paved the way very well for the future." Right now, Baird and Jackson are meeting with Plant's appointed committee on regional issues. The first meeting took place recently. The mayor and chief have also started to meet face-to-face. Baird hopes the final agreement, in a best-case scenario, can be negotiated within one year. But realistically, she believes it may take two years. Copyright c. 2004 Delta-Optimist, Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. --------- "RE: Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit Name" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MISLEADING NAME" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca/regional/~filename=17mar04inuitculture&disp=e&end Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit wants name change March 17, 2004 IQALUIT - A group working to incorporate Inuit culture and values into the Nunavut government wants to change its name. The group is called Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit. It means "the traditional knowledge council". But members say that name is misleading. The government set up the council last fall to give advice on Inuit traditional knowledge, culture and values. The council's 11 unilingual Inuit from around the territory met in Iqaluit Tuesday for their second meeting. Aluki Rojas is the director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit or IQ at the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. She says the council is only beginning its work and still trying to define its role and IQ. "I know that it's one of the strong issues that (the new government) is putting forward and that they really want to see Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit incorporated into the government of Nunavut," Rojas said. "So this is one way in which the government of Nunavut is working towards that." Council vice-chair Kananginak Pootoogook says first the council should change its name. He says the term Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is misleading since traditional knowledge doesn't easily fit into today's more modern times, and the name is not up-to-date. Council members will meet at least three times a year. Its budget was about $300,000 for this past year. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Kaska win Major Forest Rights Deal" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KASKA FORESTRY RIGHTS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca/regional/~filename=mar18kaskaforest18032004&disp=e&end Kaska win major forest rights deal March 18, 2004 WHITEHORSE - The Yukon's Kaska First Nations are getting unprecedented new rights to control and access the forests in the south-east portion of the territory, including all royalties from timber cut on their traditional lands. The agreement in principle signed this week in Watson Lake gives the Kaska nation a 50-per-cent share of forestry management in southeast Yukon. Liard First Nation Chief Liard McMillan says it shows how first nations and the territorial government can work together. "I think it will be a step in the right direction in terms of developing a sustainable forest industry in the Watson Lake area," he says. The joint forestry authority set up under the agreement won't come into effect until a final agreement is in place later this year. It will be responsible for the sale of all timber in the south east, and will decide who gets to cut which timber and how much. The government says the Kaska nation will also get 100-per-cent of the stumpage, or royalties, from the sale of the timber. It will be used to build up forest management skills within the First Nation. Depending on interest in Yukon timber in a given year, the royalties could be anywhere between nothing and hundreds of thousands of dollars. Forestry minister Archie Lang says the Yukon government is not giving away anything to the Kaska. "They have come to the table with a 100 per cent of the resource, don't get this thing turned around," he says. Lang won't say if other first nations negotiating similar agreements will get the same deal. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Saskatoon Police suspend Deputy Chief" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 08:37:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STONECHILD INQUIRY" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.theglobeandmail.com/~/20040318/STONECHILD18/TPNational/Canada Saskatoon police suspend deputy chief By GRAEME SMITH March 18, 2004 SASKATOON -- Saskatoon's deputy police chief has been removed from his duties pending an investigation of whether he lied to the news media, as the police department struggles to regain its credibility after damaging revelations emerged at the Stonechild inquiry. Police Chief Russell Sabo announced late yesterday that Deputy Chief Dan Wiks was sent away on paid administrative leave last week, after admitting to the inquiry that he didn't tell the truth to a reporter. "The practice of this department while I am chief is that we will be forthright, we will be open, we will be honest and we will maintain the public confidence," Chief Sabo said. "And that's what this whole issue is about, is maintaining the public confidence." Deputy Chief Wiks was the most senior officer on the force to testify at the inquiry into the death of Neil Stonechild, who was found frozen on the outskirts of the city in November of 1990. Shortly before the inquiry started, he gave an interview explaining why the force did not suspend the two officers accused of dumping the native teenager in the freezing cold. Deputy Chief Wiks was quoted as saying: "The only reason we would suspend somebody is if we had some indication that there was some wrongdoing. We had no indication of that whatsoever. And we still don't." But the inquiry's evidence showed that the force had many hints that the officers might have been involved with Mr. Stonechild's death. Deputy Chief Wiks told the inquiry last Thursday that he'd been quoted correctly, and inquiry commissioner David Wright asked whether he'd been telling the truth. "Was that an accurate statement?" the commissioner asked. "No, it wasn't," Deputy Chief Wiks said. The admission was particularly damaging because minutes of police meetings submitted as evidence at the inquiry have shown that senior officers openly discussed lying to the news media about the Stonechild case, apparently because they thought the press reports were unfair. "Can we be respectful of the process but not respectful of the media?" the minutes ask. "The media's job is to sell newspapers; people trust less what they see and hear in the media." An outside force will investigate Deputy Chief Wiks's comments, Chief Sabo said, but he declined to give details. More criticism was aimed at the police on a different topic yesterday, when an aboriginal group complained to the commissioner, saying officers should not videotape people who walk into the downtown hotel where the inquiry is held. Silas Halyk, a lawyer for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said the police presence outside the inquiry could be an intimidation tactic. "I do not think it's appropriate," Mr. Halyk said. "It's not appropriate security, and it's not an appropriate way to deal with a public inquiry." Since the inquiry began in September, spectators have often seen undercover officers stationed near the entrance in an unmarked van with darkened windows. Sometimes they've noticed the officers pointing a video camera from the windows of the van, or from a nearby building. Nobody has complained about the surveillance until now, as emotions grow more intense during the final week of the inquiry. Only two more days of testimony remain in the examination of what role the police may have played in the death of Mr. Stonechild. The inquiry has produced more than 8,000 pages of transcripts so far, but it seems to have uncovered nothing that would conclusively prove either of the two conflicting explanations of what happened. Police say they didn't see Mr. Stonechild on the night he disappeared. His family, meanwhile, suggests that two officers picked him up and dumped him outside the city, where he froze. Mr. Wright promised yesterday to consider the natives' complaint about surveillance and report to the inquiry: "I'll ask commission counsel to look into this," he said. Copyright c. 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. --------- "RE: Gregg Sentence: White Mountain Officials respond" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 08:37:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GREGG SENTENCE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.silverbelt.com/~/2004/03/17/apache_moccasin/apache05.txt White Mountain officials respond to Gregg sentence March 17, 2004 White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Dallas Massey Sr. and Mariddie Craig, tribal council member, issued the following statements concerning the March 8 sentencing of Leonard Gregg, a WMAT firefighter, who admitted to starting the Rodeo Fire in 2002: "As chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, I have been asked on behalf of the tribe to comment on the sentencing of Leonard Gregg. He is a member of our tribe and a lifetime resident of Cibecue. Our reservation and our region has suffered greatly from his actions. Mr. Gregg now understands that suffering and damage from his actions will take generations for recovery. "The White Mountain Apache people expect accountability from all individuals whose wrongful actions have hurt our people and our lands; however, we do not feel that the 10-year sentence imposed by the federal court is appropriate or beneficial for him or our community. Our prayers and support are with Leonard Gregg and his family. The tribe will continue to work towards healing and recovering from the Rodeo-Chediski fire." Craig stated, "As a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, I am disheartened by the sentence of 10 years in prison and $27 million in restitution issued to Leonard Gregg. I believe that I speak for many in our tribe when I say the sentence imposed is unwise and excessive. Mr. Gregg's conduct was inexcusable and for that he deserved appropriate consequences. "All fair-minded people who are familiar with the facts and believe, as do I and the membership of my tribe, that every citizen must all be held fully accountable for their actions, agree on that. But the harshness of the punishment imposed upon Mr. Gregg destroys the prospect of his rehabilitation, is far more punitive than necessary for the deterrence of others, and is grievously misguided in isolating this young man from his family and community for a decade. "Mr. Gregg, as a White Mountain Apache, admitted grief and remorse about the fire. It is the traditional and cultural Apache belief that this is the first step in rehabilitation for the individual and the tribe. "The long-term incarceration of Mr. Gregg is a pointless exercise that vindicates nothing. It is clear that the purpose of the sentence imposed is retribution and retribution alone. Further, Mr. Gregg is blamed for all of the destruction inflicted upon our land and the lands of others. But the catastrophe of 2002 was the common result of two converging forest fires - the Rodeo Fire, which he started, and the Chediski Fire, which he did not start. Copyright c. 2004 Arizona Silver Belt. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Looking Cloud Lawyer seeks removal" --------- Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 08:35:27 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ARLO'S LAWYER WANTS OUT" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/03/23/news/local/news02.txt Looking Cloud lawyer seeks removal By Carson Walker, Associated Press Writer March 23, 2004 SIOUX FALLS - The lawyer representing a man convicted of killing an American Indian Movement activist wants a federal judge to remove him from the case because "the attorney-client relationship has broken down substantially." According to a court motion, Tim Rensch of Rapid City asked U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol to remove him as Arlo Looking Cloud's lawyer. A hearing has not been scheduled on the request. A Rapid City jury convicted Looking Cloud last month for the 1975 killing of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 23 to a mandatory life prison term. Earlier this month, in a handwritten letter to the judge, Looking Cloud said he wants attorney Terry Gilbert to represent him instead of Rensch. Piersol rejected that request. Aquash was a member of the American Indian Movement. Her body was found near Wanblee on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in February 1976. John Graham also is charged with her killing. He is free on bond in Vancouver, British Columbia and plans to fight extradition. Last fall, Rensch asked to be taken off the case but withdrew the request when Looking Cloud agreed to cooperate. In the latest document, Rensch said the two had been working well together until the guilty verdict. "Throughout the trial, the defendant expressed to friends and family how pleased he was with my work," Rensch wrote. But the lawyer said after the conviction, Looking Cloud gave a media interview that was derogatory toward him and that Looking Cloud refuses to communicate. When an associate lawyer met with Looking Cloud to review his options, he "was adversarial and spiteful and was such that I do not believe that there is any way the two of us can work together in any fashion from this point forward," Rensch said an affidavit. "I have done my duty in this case and hope this court will honor the defendant's wishes and relieve me from this case," he said. Gilbert, the Cleveland lawyer Looking Cloud wants to represent him, said Monday that he has defended AIM members since the 1970s and has insight that could help Looking Cloud in his appeal. He said he asked the judge to appoint him as co-counsel during Looking Cloud's trial, but Piersol would not approve a second lawyer. Gilbert said Rensch could still represent Looking Cloud at his sentencing next month but that he would like to take up the case on appeal. "I was a Wounded Knee lawyer. I was one of Leonard Peltier's lawyers. I've been involved in a lot of these cases," he said. "It's likely I will be involved. But right now, there's a kind of legal limbo as to what my official role is." Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Death Penalty sought in Gruesome Double-Slaying" --------- Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 08:37:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MOTHER, FETUS KILLED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=4089 Death penalty sought in gruesome double-slaying Casino worker killed, fetus removed OKLAHOMA CITY OK Sam Lewin March 18, 2004 Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty against a woman accused of killing an Indian casino employee so she could steal her unborn child. The body of Carolyn Simpson, 21, was discovered by a hunter in a Hughes County field in late December. She had a small caliber bullet wound to the head and her stomach was sliced open. Simpson was six months pregnant and was last seen several days prior at her job at the Creek Nation casino in Okemah. The evening after Simpson's disappearance, and four days before her body was found, Effie Goodson, 37, brought a dead fetus about six months old to an area hospital, claiming to be the mother. She was transferred to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa where officials became suspicious after test results showed that Goodson could not have been the mother. Authorities believe Goodson intentionally befriended Simpson because she was jealous the other woman was pregnant. Goodson " got to the know the victim, and she offered a ride home, and the next thing we know she shows up with a fetus that is not her own," said Hughes County Deputy Sheriff Wayne Metcalf. Metcalf said Goodson had falsely claimed she was pregnant as long as 10 months ago. She had also convinced her husband that she was expecting a baby and the couple had even held a baby shower. "I think anybody would agree she wanted a baby. She already had baby items. She was really set up for a baby," said Metcalf. Under Oklahoma's abortion law a fetus is presumed viable after the 24th week. Police say they found blood, bullets, a pocketknife and razor blades in Goodson's car. They believe the sharp items may have been used to cut out the baby. Goodson faces two counts of first-degree murder and a kidnapping charge. Prosecutors say they are pursuing the death penalty because Goodson "knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person." Hughes County officials list the ethnicity of both women as Caucasian. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2003 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon, Mar 22 2004 10:53:36 -0700 From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - The Native American Prisoner Network has a new home at http://www.napn.us/ Here you can find contact information for hundreds (sadly) of Native American men and women incarcerated in prisons around the United States seeking pen pals. These are tribal members or inmates with significant Native American ancestry, many of whom are seeking to follow traditional practices within prison. A special gallery displays arts and crafts produced by these inmates, there is a page of inmate writings, and a page listing inmates who are looking for serious legal assistance. Just in case there's a problem with the file, here's the content: There is one rule for entry into NAPN -- you must be at least 18 years of age. While NAPN believes most of these inmates are straightforward about what they expect from correspondents, and the contact can be a rewarding experience both for inmate and outside correspondents, caution and the judgement acquired with experience may be valuable. NAPN offers some helpful suggestions about what you can and cannot send inmates, what you might expect from them, and how to keep track of them (because especially in the federal system, transfers to other locations can occur with little to no warning). Links to other Native support groups and to state and federal deparatment of corrections sites are also provided. Application forms relatives and friends can provide to Native prisoners who wish to be added to NAPN can be downloaded from the site entrance page. As a volunteer working with Native inmates inside the walls of a federal prison, I can tell you that the inmates in our group treasure their pen pals. Many of them have little contact with family or friends outside the prison, and in the case of Native inmates -- many are isolated from others from their culture except for a handful of other Native inmates. Native correspondents are thus particularly coveted. You can find the Native American Prisoner Network at http://www.napn.us. --------- "RE: Rustywire: Margaret Rose" --------- Date: Tue, Apr 22:09:25 2003 08:12:44 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: MARGARET ROSE" www.geocities.com/rustywire/Starmtn/mrose.html Margaret Rose by Johnny Rustywire There is a couple, Margaret Rose and her man. Theirs is a story of love, not so much by affection shown, flowers, romantic evenings or that kind of thing, but by how they have lived. There life has not been easy together but for her it is as if she said to him "I believe in you and you are the one I chose and so stay with me all the days of my life and forever until I cannot remember anything more." Margaret Rose is an Indian woman. She was born to a mother who did not stay with her so she learned to speak her language and many of the stories of how the people lived from her grandmother, who raised her. Her features are fair, light brown hair, high cheekbones and a quiet manner in how she went about doing things. I met her some years ago when I needed to talk to an elder who didn't speak English too well and people told me she knew the old old way of talking so I sought her out and took her with me and she knew a lot about such things. I learned she took care of her grandmother until she passed away in her old age. Margaret Rose has given what she knew to her son, who wanders around still making his own way, but when he speaks it is on the old way of talking. She is a natural beauty without makeup or fanfare, her hair is long and tied back and she married a tall young Indian man she met long ago. When they were tied to one another things went well, but in time he started to drink and carry on. She heard about such things, taking on work in order to keep food on the table and raised her sons, while her man went from place to place and found comfort on the rez in the lip of a bottle here and there. Some said you need to get rid of him, and in looking at her, I could see she would have many calling "to be him who wasn't there", if she wanted but that was not her way. She did not have to say it, but her virtue shined through and she cared for this man of hers even though he had treated her poorly and at times hit her around. She stayed with him, while everyone said, you would do better off without that one. In all the years they were together she cared for him and the children, raising the boys in the proper way they should walk, keeping her eye on the door to see if he would come home. Sometimes he did and found work here and there, but the streets and sound of a good time called to him and he was gone again. Her house was immaculate, clean and there was always a place to sit for a good meal and so she was this way. Many came to her because she was able to read very well and speak for them in the things they were not sure of and so with time, she was well respected, the Indians all knew the name of Margaret Rose. There is a lot to say about such a woman, she has quiet dignity and when she took time to talk to you, she listened with her soul and wore her heart like a soft piece of cotton, one you could hold, touch and feel it's warmth and know that it would always be there for anyone to use. She had a good heart and was married to just one man and was not for fooling around in anyway, that was not in her language. From time to time I would see them together at the store, trading post or in town, she would stand next to him and though he was shaky at times and had red eyes she found no shame in him. She smiled and spoke the kind of words you like to hear, because she talked from the heart. As time went on he settled down and found good work and began to put away his foolish ways. He still sought out a strong drink, and the binges and long nights when he was gone would happen every once in a while, but she hung on to him. She stood by him and told him by her actions and her whole being "I believe in you and you are the one I chose and so stay with me all the days of my life and forever until I cannot remember anymore." In some ways we all seek such a person, one who will stand there in spite of ourselves and knowing all the worst about us still cares and you can't figure out why. It seems there not so many people like this anymore. He became a worker of wood and could make anything with it, and people called on him to fix their places and he went and fixed it good. He spent more time at home, but could not shake the snake juice and bottled embalming fluid, Roma it was called. As time went by her hair began to show streaks of gray, and though she never wore makeup she was still a natural beauty, her hair long and tied at the back. She raised her sons and they were now on their own. Still she took care of her man, and helped him in the ways a family comes together to workout life's problems and those things that come to you day to day. Never did she openly say she loved him, or look like a moon eyed girl but in the way of speaking of them, and how his clothes were always clean and his manner showed he was fed well, but more so because people just come to know that her caring was true and genuine. I never saw her say it but it was obvious she loved him, the kind of love that goes on forever after all else goes away. I often wondered about him and whether he know he had such a woman who would not give up on him. In the old ways of doing things the woman used to stand just a little ways behind the man to let him lead as it was his place to do so. When they were together it was always so, she stood just a little behind him and at times took his arm at the elbow or just near his side a step or two behind him. Margaret Rose was a good mother, a good woman and her kindness and quiet strength began to win out. Her man quit drinking and stayed home, fixing up the place so that it shined like a jewel in the sun. They were always a quiet couple not seeking any acclaim or notice. I saw them yesterday, they were in the grocery store buying groceries. She was there just to the side of him a step back or two within reach of him. She smiled and I said it is good to see you both. He looked at me and we talked for a little bit. I had not seen them for a while. He told me she never gave up on me and so I am taking care of her now. She deserved better than me and I wasted a lot of time getting here. I listened quietly, you just kind of stand there when people talk to you in such a way, I think it is a matter of respect or just that is how it is always done with our people. Margaret Rose, stood there quietly just next to him. Their hair has gone gray and they look good together after all these years. We spoke about children and those little things that don't really mean anything but I guess that say you are okay, and we are friends and it is good to know it, I suppose we have to hear it everyone once in a while. Margaret Rose was quiet she didn't say anything but she said a lot just standing there next to him. His eyes were clear and he spoke about taking care of everything. Margaret Rose had finally won her man. After all these years he had finally come home to stay with her. They walked off down the aisle and were headed away, she was just as step or two behind him. There were many other Indian folks there who all said a good word, and they gathered around them to say something to them. I thought it is good to see them this way, they are together. On getting home I spoke to my wife about it and she said sit down. She looked at me and said quietly. Margaret Rose is not what she used to be. She does not remember. She has the sickness that makes you forget everything. Oh, what a shame, maybe she knew, I don't know but the thing I know is that her man is taking care of her now, what she wanted her whole life. It is sad, but it goes that way sometimes, we have to hang on to our dreams. She lived her life so that he would know, "I believe in you and you are the one I chose and so stay with me all the days of my life and forever until I cannot remember anything more." Rustywire, it is a true story... Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 12:11:30 -1000 From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Hawaiian Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of March 22-28 MALAKI (March) (Nana) 22 The sun's light brings new life -- the moon's glow, renewal. 23 In each of us dwells the fountainhead of greatness. 24 The creative source is also the source of life. 25 Each of us must aspire to the heights of our own abilities. 26 Our spirits are reborn in the land. 27 What benefits the Earth, ka honua, benefits all life. 28 Find the good in every aspect of life. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Phil Goldvarg Poem: Flower Blooms" --------- Date: Thursday, March 04, 2004 03:49 pm From: HGold42734@aol.com Subj: Re: Vieques, Puerto Rico Mai;ing List: ndn-aim In a message dated 2/8/2004 2:45:16 PM Pacific Standard Time, Raulmax@aol.com writes: > The suffering in Vieques continues. The Navy's departure from Vieques > did not solve the health crisis and environmental destruction it left > behind in Vieques. If the Navy thinks they can skirt their > responsibility toward the people of Vieques and the damage the Navy > caused simply by leaving the island, the Navy is wrong. Flower Blooms Para La Nena y Puerto Rico flower blooms, breaks thru oppressive cover, disguised to appear as father, all giving benefactor, but is sucker of life blood, esperanza y sueno, flower reaches for sky, sacred space of conquistador, colonial bed where rape lives uncontested, flower blooms within it's own garden, ragweeds claw at this beauty, fear the power of this new dancer, song that would reclaim it's own earth-garden. phil goldvarg 2/8/04 hgold42734@aol.com --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Events are too numerous to list for the entire year and are updated periodically. Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 12:39:05 -0800 From: "John D. Berry" Subj: FWD: UC Berkeley Powwow - Gourd Dancers Mailing List: Netrez-L@listproc.wsu.edu Please forward this message as appropriate. John B ------------------------------------------ 1kiowa@calbears.berkeley.edu Hey all, As the Head Gourd Dancer for UC Berkeley's Pow-Wow, Saturday & Sunday, April 10th - 11th, 2004, I am asking for your assistance notifying "all Gourd Dancers" and singers of this Dance. We will begin the Gourd Dance @12:00 Noon on Saturday & Sunday, and I'll have my give-away during Sunday's session. Tommy Phillips, lead singer, and "Southern Express" will be the Host Southern Drum. Please email me or call 510-459-7645 or 510-223-7269 to confirm your attendance. Hope to see all of you there!!! Aho, Earl R. Neconie #KO-4162 --------- "RE: OSU NASA Spring Pow Wow" --------- Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 09:25:33 -0800 From: "John D. Berry" Subj: Fwd: OSU NASA Spring Pow wow Oklahoma State University Native American Student Association Spring Contest Pow Wow Colvin Center Annex (Across from the OSU Police Department) April 17, 2004 Princess: Jessica Moore, Osage/Otoe/Missouria/Pawnee - Fairfax, OK Head Singer: Rowe Kishketon, Kickapoo/Sac & Fox - Shawnee, OK Master of Ceremonies: Don Patterson, Tonkawa - Tonkawa, OK Head Man Dancer: Thorpe Sine, Ho-Chunk - Glenpool, OK Head Lady Dancer: Joyce Miller, Iowa/Otoe/Missouria - Perkins, OK Host Gourd Clan: Central Oklahoma Tribal Society - Perkins, OK Arena Director: Eugene Big Soldier, Jr., Iowa/Otoe/Missouria - Perkins, OK Program: Gourd Dance: 2:00 PM Supper: 5:00 PM Grand Entry: 6:30 PM Contests: Tiny Tots; Junior Girls, Junior Boys; Women's Cloth, Buckskin, Jingle, Fancy Shawl; Men's Straight, Fancy, Grass, Traditional; Golden Age Men, Golden Age Women; Drum Contest Booth Space $40.00 Drugs, Alcohol, and Weapons are Prohibited! NASA is not responsible for theft and/or accidents. Contestants must be in grand entry and regalia to receive prize money. Please contact the Multicultural Student Center for further information at (405) 744-5481. Everyone Welcome! --------- "RE: Humbolt State U. Powwow" --------- Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 16:42:31 -0800 From: "John D. Berry" Subj: Humbolt State U. Powwow Humboldt State University April 17 & 18, 2004 15th Annual HSU Pow Wow more information at: http://www.humboldt.edu/~powwow/ --------- "RE: Modesto and Merced Powwows" --------- Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 16:41:27 -0800 From: "John D. Berry" Subj: Fwd: Upcoming Pow Wows: Modesto and Merced Modesto Junior College 6th Annual Intertribal Pow Wow Sunday, April 18, 2004 10:00 am - 7:00 pm MJC East Campus Quad 435 College Avenue, Modesto, CA Gourd Dance 11:30 am Grand Entry 12:00 noon Free to the public All Drums Welcome ***************** May 1-2: 2004 Merced Powwow Central Valley Chapter of California Indian Education Association and University of California Merced present 3rd Annual CIEA CV Chapter UC Merced Benefit PowWow "Our Youth: Achievement through Native American Education" A Native American Indian festival, gathering and celebration! Sat.-Sun, May 1-2, 2004 Lake Yosemite, Merced, CA 10AM to 10PM Sat. & 10AM to 6PM Sun. PUBLIC INVITED $5.OO per car park admission Pow Wow Free Bring chairs or blankets Over nite camping spaces available Open Gourd & All Drums Welcome Authentic Native American Indian Arts & Crafts Raffle Prizes, 50/50 Specialty Dances and Performances Authentic Native American Indian Cuisine Traditional Meal Phone: (209) 726-9620, FAX: (209) 723-1359 Email: cieacvchapter@hotmail.com Mailing Address: CIEA CV Chapter PO Box 1181 Merced CA 95341 THIS IS DEFINITELY A DRUG-FREE AND ALCOHOL-FREE EVENT Directions: Hwy 99 to Merced, X-it Hwy 59 North, to Belleview (R), Lake Rd (L), to PowWow. --------- "RE: CA Tribal College Powwow" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 11:05:35 -0800 From: "John D. Berry" Subj: CA Tribal College - Powwow D. Q Deed Day Pow Wow, April 2, 2004 from 6pm- midnight! Vendor space still available, need directions call 530-758-0470 ext. 1085. donations are needed for the indian taco booth. the booth is a fundraiser for the Associated Student Body (ASB). Come join us for dancing, food and fun! you can also email me at riveral21@hotmail.com =================================== NATIVE SOLUTIONS PRESENTS: 6TH ANNUAL INTERTRIBAL POW WOW APRIL 23-25, 2004 TIMES FRI 5-9 DANCING & STORYTELLING SAT 10-8 GRAND ENTRY 11:00 SUN 10-6 GRAND ENTRY 12:00 HEFLIN FOOTBALL FIELD, HEFLIN, AL FORMERLY OXFORD LAKE PARK NATIVE AMERICAN WARRIOR SOCIETY AND HONOR GUARD ADMISSION - $5 - ADULTS SENIORS 65 AND UP & CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER - FREE HEADMAN - TONY WALKINGSTICK HEADLADY - CHRISTINA POWELL M.C. - GARY SMITH A.D. - BUCK TUCKER DRUM COMPETITION - 1ST $1000.00, 2ND - $500.00, 3RD - 250.00 ALL SINGERS MUST BE REGISTERED BY 10:30 ON SATURDAY ALL DANCERS WELCOME ALL DRUMS WELCOME NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL TONY AT (256) 835-0110; MARK OR RUTH AT (256) 820-6315. VENDORS BY INVITATION ONLY CALL MARK OR RUTH OR EMAIL ravenspiritwalker@yahoo.com or thunderhawk2062@yahoo.com. HOST MOTEL IS HOWARD JOHNSON'S CALL (256) 463-2900 DIRECTIONS: I-20 EXIT 199 GO PAST HOWARD JOHNSON'S AND TEXACO AT THE END OF THE ROAD TURN RIGHT ONTO HWY 78 EAST GO PAST JACK'S TURN RIGHT AT METRO BANK ONTO COLEMAN ST TURN LEFT ON EVANS ST FOOTBALL FIELD WILL BE ON THE RIGHT =================================== Augusta Pow-Wow May 7-8, 2004 Sponsored by the Augusta Pow-Wow Association Please come join us at our new location: The AJCC on Three J Road Augusta, GA Head Singer - Billy Horse Head Man - Mark Alexander Head lady - Teresa Alexander Arena Director - Orville Gates Craft Contest - Raffles & Auction Approximated Times: Friday 6:30PM - Grand Entry Saturday 12:30-3PM - Gourd Dance 3:00-4:30 - Intertribal 7:00PM - Grand Entry Auction to Immediately follow Saturday Night Dance Information: Bill Medeiros (706) 771-1221 Email: krazywilly@knology.net Pets welcomed on a leash (Owners MUST clean up behind their pets) =================================== Euharlee Native American Festival Osborne Park, Downtown Euharlee, GA Special Tribute to ALL veterans. ALL VETERANS INVITED!!! October 22 - 24, 2004 Grand Entry Sat 12 Noon Sun 1 PM Hosted by Native American Honor Guard & Warrior Society Host Drum: Buffalo Heart Guest Drum: Aracoma Lightning Head Man: Jerry Smith Head La