From gars@speakeasy.org Thu Sep 9 16:12:06 2004 Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 16:21:40 -0700 From: Gary Night Owl To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews12.037 _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 12, ISSUE 037 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 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 September 11, 2004 Passamaquoddy Toqakiw/autumn moon Pomo Shachluyiau-da/soaproot dug for fish poison 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; NDNAIM, News and Information Distribution and Frostys AmerIndian 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "It's important not to warehouse people or just lock them up. These are our relatives and we need to treat them with respect and dignity..." __ Tex Hall, Chairman Three Affiliated Tribes +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! It is an honor to present another great editorial from my half-side Janet. It is a strong message about keeping the light of truth shining into dark corners. -=-=-=- In the Native American prisoner section always included in Wotanging Ikche, we have recently been printing a series of letters from a Native inmate at Soledad prison to a volunteer on the outside. Please read this week's letter. It outlines the challenges facing Native prisoners as they attempt to maintain even a the barest sketch of their traditions inside prison walls. It also presents an idea we'd like our readers and others in the Native American community to take to their prayers, and consider for action. I think most of us who must leave children in the care of schools or day care, or who have elder parents who must have care outside the family know that kids/parents whose caretakers expect us to have our eye on them get better care. It is no different with prison inmates. The ones whose families visit or who have outside support groups watching over them are less likely to be ill-treated or neglected. Within the federal system, inmates are routinely bussed to institutions remote from their homes, so visitation is a severe hardship on family, and impossible for ministers or others in the community who might observe the treatment of their family or community member, and might be able to act on their behalf with the institution when questions of tradition or religion arise. Even in state systems, often the prison is remote from Indian communities, making visitation commuting difficult. This results in Indian inmates being essentially in the same position as "unwanted" chidren or elders, invisible to those outside the institution. Aside from outright abusiveness, they simply are last served. If we, as Indian people, truly believe we are all relatives, then there is something we can do -- must do. We must make ourselves the family of inmates in prisons. If we want them to have even a chance to maintain their spiritual roots, or develop stronger ones, so they can be better Indian people on release -- then we need to make ourselves available as friends, confidantes, and simply observers. If we can do nothing else, we can correspond with them, and if a problem becomes apparent within an institution, let the rest of the Indian world know. Then let that prison know that Indians care about our families. Letters to Wardens are not ignored. Be sure the prisons know we are watching; our brothers are not invisible, and neither is what they do. Janet Smith +/// owlstar@speakeasy.org P. O. Box 672168 /*/+ OwlStar Trading Post Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A. + / * http://www.owlstar.com * + ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Haskell Students - Fort McDowell Tribe asked to stop being Victims buys 137-Room Sedona Resort - Republican Party Platform - Bush Law conflict on Native Americans hot topic for Panel - Cherokee Nation in Custody Dispute - RANSOM: - Tribe fights Mohawks have a Right to Thrive Indian Child's Adoption - IRS seize Canadian Gas - Effort to streamline headed for Reservations Foster Child Care - Mohawk Tribe responds - Judge backs Oklahoma Tribe's to IRS Gas Sting claim in New York - Metis Leader plans - IG Investigation purge of Newcomers called 'Bunch of B.S.' - First Nations call for - Court sides with Rio Arriba Ratification of Treaty in Tax Dispute - Reserves demand inquiry - Treaty rights referred into Mercury Poisoning to Virginia Supreme Court - First Nation passes - Albuquerque Dine' its own Drug Laws voice concerns, needs - Officer faces discipline - Deal protects Waterfall in death of Teenager Sacred to Snoqualmie - Desecration smacks of Racism - Appeals Court: - North Dakota Tribe Sacred Sites worthy of Protection to open Law Enforcement Center - Feds conclude Dams - Family seeks answers for Death don't jeopardize Salmon - Native Prisoner - Cheyenne River Sioux -- Part 2: Letters to receive 100 Wild Horses from the Iron House - Sho-Ban Students - History: Carlisle Indian School protest Council over Firings - Rustywire: - Mellon Tribal College Faculty Albuquerque Indian School Fellowship Award - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Dakotah Language - Spiritdove Poem: Revitalization & Appreciation Untitled (Love to go Outside) - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: Haskell Students asked to stop being Victims" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 22:50:24 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Haskell convocation speaker asks students to stop being victims Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/storypr/180074 Haskell convocation speaker asks students to stop being victims By Dave Ranney, Journal-World September 1, 2004 The head of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs had a stern message Tuesday for Haskell Indian Nations University students who'd rather party than study. "There's the door," he said, pointing to the west end of Haskell Memorial Stadium. "I'm asking you to leave. Now." Addressing about 300 students and faculty at the university's fall semester convocation, David Anderson said he was sick and tired of American Indians not taking control of their own lives. It's no coincidence, he said, that coverage of this week's Republican National Convention includes black Americans, Hispanics and "all kinds of white people," but, as yet, no Indians. "We don't vote," said Anderson, doing little to hide his disgust. A member of the Chippewa and Choctaw tribes and founder of the "Famous Dave's" family restaurant chain, Anderson was put in charge of the Bureau of Indian Affairs by President Bush in 2003. Earlier this year, Anderson was keynote speaker at Haskell's commencement service. A motivational speaker, Anderson revealed that he had not done well in school -- "I was a C, D, F student" -- and that he had a long history of alcohol abuse. "I've been sober nine and a half years now," he said, prompting cheers from the crowd. Too many times, Anderson said, Indians expect the federal government to solve their problems, preferring dependence rather than independence. And too many leaders and educators, he said, misunderstand the need to preserve traditions such as quilt making, basket weaving and tanning buckskin. The need, he said, is driven not by "folk art" but by ancestors' ability to survive, to provide for their families, to adapt to a changing environment. "Quit being victims of change," he said, shouting into microphone. "Stand up and be proud of who we are." Anderson's comments were well-received. "I heard him at commencement," said Leroy Silva, a Haskell student. "He motivated me then, and now he's motivated me again." Student Senate President Denny Gayton said he interpreted Anderson's remarks as a call for Indians to unite as a people rather than as individual tribes. "You saw that in the 1960s with groups like AIM (American Indian Movement), but the goals over time got defined by non-Indian people and Indian people distanced themselves from the movement," Gayton said. "He's saying we need to get back to that on our own terms. I agree with him." Haskell reported an enrollment of 910 students Tuesday, compared with 866 at this time last year, said registrar Manny King. Copyright c. 2004 The Lawrence Journal-World. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Republican Party Platform on Native Americans" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 08:23:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="REPUBLICAN POSITION STATEMENT" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004018.asp Republican Party Platform on Native Americans August 31, 2004 The following is the section on Native Americans included in the 2004 Republican Party Platform. Native Americans The federal government has a special responsibility, ethical and legal, to make the American dream accessible to Native Americans. Unfortunately, the resources that the United States holds in trust for them, financial and otherwise, have been misused and abused. While many tribes have become energetic participants in the mainstream of American life, the serious social ills afflicting some reservations have been worsened by decades of mismanagement from Washington. In its place, we offer these guiding principles: + Tribal governments are best situated to gauge the needs of their communities and members. + Political self-determination and economic self-sufficiency are twin pillars of an effective Indian policy. + Private sector initiatives, rather than public assistance, can best improve material conditions in Indian communities. + High taxes and unreasonable regulations stifle new and expanded businesses and thwart the creation of job opportunities and prosperity. We will continue to work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make the tribal recognition process more transparent. We will strengthen Native American self-determination by respecting tribal sovereignty, encouraging economic development on Native lands, and working with them to reorganize the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. We applaud President Bush for keeping his promise to eliminate within five years the maintenance and repairs backlog afflicting Indian schools. This promise will be achieved in only four years with funding in the 2005 budget. We support efforts to provide higher quality health care through the Indian Health Service. We uphold the unique government-to-government relationship between the tribes and the United States and honor our nation's trust obligations to them. We support efforts to ensure equitable participation in federal programs by Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians and to preserve their cultures and languages. In an age of new threats, we recognize the critical role tribes play in securing our homeland and contributing to our national defense. We honor the sacrifices made by Native Americans serving in the military today. They are upholding the high ideal of service on behalf of liberty. We will ensure that Indian veterans receive the care and respect they have earned through their service to America. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Cherokee Nation in Custody Dispute" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHILD WELFARE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/090504/new_20040905006.shtml Cherokee Nation in custody dispute By Steve Silverman ssilverman@pantagraph.com September 5, 2004 BLOOMINGTON -- As a Bloomington woman fights to regain custody of her 6-year-old daughter, the nation's second-largest Indian tribe has raised concerns about compliance with a federal law designed to preserve the child's connection with her culture. The Cherokee Nation claims in court documents that Laurey Sam's case in Macon County has been marked by violations of the Indian Child Welfare Act, a federal law that governs adoptions and foster care placements of American Indian children. Enacted in 1978, the law established minimum burdens of proof for removing Indian children from their homes and gave tribes the right to intervene in custody disputes. Cherokees say the law is a vital tool for maintaining the identities of its members and tribal populations from generation to generation. "The best interest of the child is taken into consideration, but keeping Indian children in Indian homes is balanced with it," said Stacy Leeds, a member of the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court and a law professor at the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad "Corntassel" Smith: "Children are not just the property of parents, they're an extended part of a family and with Indians, part of the tribe." Sam's father was a Cherokee, and Sam and her daughter are registered members of the Cherokee Nation. Sam's mother, who is not a Cherokee, has cared for the girl since a disputed adoption in 2002. Sam's mother recently was awarded permanent custody after court rulings that Sam is an unfit parent. Darrell Statzer of Decatur, the attorney for Sam's mother, maintained the case has been handled in accordance with the federal law and said the Cherokee Nation's input has been sporadic and untimely. "They've never done anything besides write letters and make phone calls. ... They're a day late and a dollar short with this stuff," he said. Meanwhile, the case is headed to the appellate court for the third time. The current appeal includes claims that Sam's unfitness as a mother wasn't proven by the standard required by the federal law and that Sam wasn't offered rehabilitative services. The federal law requires rehabilitative services be offered and proven unsuccessful before an Indian parent loses rights to a child. Sam has been accused of abusing her daughter and having a prescription drug problem. She denies those claims, but said she's willing to do whatever is required to get her child back. She insists the state Department of Children and Family Services didn't give her that opportunity. A DCFS spokeswoman said Sam was given services, but she couldn't provide specific examples. A previous 4th District Appellate Court ruling found that Sam failed to follow a DCFS service plan and "repeatedly refused and was, therefore, uncooperative in receiving treatment." Sam's attorney, James Brinkoetter of Decatur, declined comment on the case. Likewise, Cherokee Nation spokesman Mike Miller and other officials declined comment on the tribe's current position, citing confidentiality in cases involving children. Miller said the tribe advocates on behalf of children rather than siding with or against individual parents. "The Cherokee Nation's role is to look after our children and make sure they're protected and a part of our society," he said. The Indian Child Welfare Act gives tribes greater influence in such cases. The law was a response to the removal of large numbers of Indian children from their homes, a problem partially attributed to cultural biases on the part of investigators. Cherokee Nation attorney Becky Johnson said many of the children were totally isolated from their tribe and their families, and didn't discover their Indian heritage until they were adults. "The rate of suicide among those children was very high. It created an identity crisis," she said. Johnson said the federal law has been effective at driving down the numbers of removals. But she said compliance with the law is a common problem, especially in areas with few American Indians and few cases governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act. "I think it works well but it's an ongoing problem. Every day we have new cases coming in," she said. Principal Chief Smith echoed those sentiments, saying the law has had a "dramatic" impact and must be rigorously enforced. "It's extremely important for the tribes and I think it provides a great lesson for the public on the kind of nurturing relationships that are important for children," Smith said. Court records show the tribe has raised several concerns in Sam's case: * In a May 2002 letter to Brinkoetter, Cherokee Justice Department Director A. Diane Hammons wrote the child's adoption by Sam's mother was in "total contravention" of the federal law. "The Cherokee Nation was not given notice of the adoption until after it occurred. No rehabilitative efforts were undertaken to prevent the breakup of the Indian family. It is the Nation's position that the decree of adoption was correctly set aside, and that the child should therefore be immediately returned to her mother, " Hammons wrote. She invited Brinkoetter to use the letter in court, but stated time constraints prevented a Cherokee attorney from making a formal entry in the case. * A subsequent letter to the court by a Cherokee official recommended Sam be given a treatment plan and the opportunity to be rehabilitated, and called for the case goal to be reunification with her daughter. The tribe argued Sam had the right to "active efforts" for rehabilitative services under the federal law. * In March 2004, the tribe complained in another letter to the court that it hadn't received any documentation used by the courts to find Sam an unfit mother. The tribe asserted the right to those documents under the federal law; Miller wouldn't say if they were provided. The custody dispute is odd and emotionally charged even by the standards of juvenile abuse and neglect court, where bizarre, fiercely contested cases are all too common. Sam, 45, said she signed what she believed was a stand-by agreement for her mother to adopt her daughter before Sam had life-threatening surgery. She said she only wanted her mother to get custody in the event of her death. Statzer said Sam clearly understood what she was doing, but later changed her mind. A bitter court fight ensued. Sam succeeded in having the adoption revoked -- a ruling that also has been appealed -- but her mother retained custody after Sam was accused of abuse and neglect. Witnesses have testified at hearings that Sam abused prescription drugs and was mentally unstable and physically and emotionally abusive to her daughter, according to court records. Sam insists she didn't abuse drugs and never mistreated her daughter. "I adored her. From the minute I conceived her I did nothing but what was in her best interests," she said. Sam has started a non-profit foundation to support her court battle and help other parents struggling with DCFS. She said she cherishes her heritage and is determined to raise her daughter as a Cherokee. "Our roots are extremely deep with our culture, it's extremely important to me," she said. "It's just who I am, you can't separate yourself from it." Copyright c. 2004, Pantagraph Publishing Co. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Tribe fights Indian Child's Adoption" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TOHONO O'ODHAM" http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wn_report/story/228692p-196388c.html Tribe fights Indian child's adoption Helen Peterson September 4, 2004 A Native American tribe from Arizona is taking the rare step of fighting the adoption of the child of one of its members by a New York couple. The Tohono O'odham Nation has asked a Manhattan Family Court judge for permission to challenge the adoption, citing a 1978 law that is meant to preserve Native American families and culture. The unidentified child was legally adopted in April by a New York couple identified only as Joshua and Jeffrey in court papers released yesterday. Although both names appear to be male, the papers do not specify their gender. The papers do not explain why the tribe objects to the adoption and a lawyer representing the Tohono O'odham Nation could not be reached for comment. The couple is Jewish - as is the child's biological father - and "likely" to raise the child Jewish, according to court papers. The child's biological mother has been a member of the 24,000-strong Tohono O'odham Nation since 1982, the papers stated. The birth parents consented to the adoption. The adoptive parents are arguing that the tribe's actions are unconstitutional. It is very rare for the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to be invoked in New York adoptions, but it is commonly used in other states, especially California. The law applies only under certain circumstances. Judge Mary Bednar said that she would hold a hearing on the matter to determine whether the tribe has the right to fight the adoption. Copyright c. 2004 Daily News, L.P. --------- "RE: Effort to streamline Foster Child Care" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 08:12:42 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Fort Peck tribes make effort to streamline foster child care Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.greatfallstribune.com//20040906/localnews/1186606.html Fort Peck tribes make effort to streamline foster child care By RICHARD PETERSON September 6, 2004 POPLAR -- The Fort Peck Tribes, the state of Montana and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have signed an agreement to streamline and improve foster child care on the reservation. The agreement, which has taken effect, says the tribes will collaborate with the state in providing case management for Indian children who are placed in foster homes "This gives the tribes an opportunity to review how kids are being treated in the system," said Fort Peck Family Resource Director Patty McGeshick, who represented the tribes in the four years of negotiations leading up to the agreement. "Our goal is to keep families together and ensure our Indian children and families are treated sensitively and with respect," McGeshick said. Placement services for enrolled children who are at least one-fourth Indian previously were handled solely by the BIA's Social Services office. Placement services for Indian children with less than one-fourth Indian blood were handled by the state's Child and Family Services office. Tribal members in the past have complained about the state's treatment of Indian children and families. The new agreement, however, ensures that the tribes are involved in the placement process and are monitoring all Indian foster children placed by the state Department of Family Services, McGeshick said. What's also unique about the agreement is that any Indian child removed from a home will have his or her case presented before tribal court, which will oversee the services provided to the children, said Eric Barnosky, the regional administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services' Child and Family Services division in Miles City. "From there we will work together to decide how to coordinate services for that child," he said. The agreement also follows the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, which says Indian children must be placed with family, extended relatives or other tribal members, he added. The state provides Montana's six other reservation with funding to run their own foster care, said Shirley K. Brown, division administrator for the state Child and Family Services Division. "The difference ... is that on the Fort Peck Reservation, Child and Family Services staff provide services to the children on the reservation," she said. "Under the contracts with the other reservations, we provide funding for a foster care program, and the tribe runs their own foster care. They pick their own staff." McGeshick said the decision to collaborate with the state also was an economical one. The tribes have no money to fund a social services agency. "We're partners, and we're doing business together," she said. "No sovereign rights were given up. The state has recognized the tribes and want to do this work as part of their responsibility." Although a high number of Indian children are placed in foster care on the Fort Peck Reservation -- there currently are about 100 -- those numbers are going down as the courts and the family resource program require clients to take parenting classes and drug and alcohol treatment, she said. "This agreement shows that the tribes are saying we need to work together (with the state)," McGeshick said. "They need our help and we need their help for the best interest of the people." Copyright c. 2004 Great Falls Tribune. --------- "RE: Judge backs Oklahoma Tribe's claim in New York" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:51:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SENECA-CAYUGA LAND CLAIM" http://64.62.196.98/News/2004/004060.asp Judge backs Oklahoma tribe's claim in New York September 2, 2004 An Oklahoma tribe whose ancestors left New York more than a century ago has a right to claim land in the state, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday. In a 19-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Neal P. McCurn reaffirmed the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe as a "successor in interest" to the historic Cayuga Nation. He rejected an attempt to revisit an issue already decided as part of the tribe's 64,000-acre land claim. "To allow the parties to re-litigate the tribe's successorship at this late date would clearly create 'unnecessary judicial waste' and as such, the court declines to do so," McCurn wrote. But the judge left open the question of whether the tribe can assert sovereign rights on 229 acres it recently purchased in New York. McCurn said he would decide whether the land is Indian Country at a later date, preserving a temporary restraining order barring further development of the property in Aurelius. The move gives hope that the tribe will be able to open a Class II facility on the land, or a Class III facility elsewhere in the state. Gov. George Pataki (R) was near a deal that would settle the land claim in exchange for gaming rights but the talks fell apart after the Cayuga Nation objected. The New York-based Cayugas are challenging the right of the Seneca- Cayugas to re-establish ties in the state. In the case decided yesterday, the Cayugas sided with local officials against the proposed Aurelius gaming facility. The New York Cayugas are not challenging the Seneca-Cayuga's right to a monetary judgment for the loss of the 64,000 acres under the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua. The two tribes were awarded $247.9 million by McCurn but have asked the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals for up to $1.7 billion. The New York Cayugas instead say their relatives lost all sovereign rights after moving to Ohio, and later, to Oklahoma. The Cayugas recently opened their own gaming facility on ancestral territory and are seeking more development. The debate is one that is becoming more common throughout Indian Country. In a practice derided as "reservation shopping," more and more tribes have claimed land in other states and say they will settle for gaming and other rights. So far, no court or federal agency has ever allowed a tribe to operate a casino in another state. In April, the National Indian Gaming Commission ordered the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to shut down its casino in Kansas, a move that led to a state raid of the facility. McCurn mostly shied from the issue in his ruling yesterday. But he noted that the tribe's right to receive a land claim award is "inextricably intertwined with its alleged right to exercise sovereign jurisdiction over that land because the tribe's right to both monetary damages as well as its alleged tribal sovereign jurisdiction of the land emanate from the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua." At least two other out-of-state tribes have staked claims in New York. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohicans cite treaties that promised them land in the state. Pataki, softening his stance against negotiating with out-of-state tribes, has talked with both tribes about a possible settlement involving one of three casinos in the Catskills. Pataki lobbied heavily for the casinos in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks but none has come to fruition. Copyright c. 2004 Indianz.com. --------- "RE: IG Investigation called 'Bunch of B.S.'" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 08:23:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RECOGNITION UPHELD" Inspector General investigation called 'bunch of b.s.' http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.ctnow.com/services/site/premium/access-registered.intercept Probe Upholds Ruling On Tribal Recognition Report Draws Angry Responses From Officials By RICK GREEN Courant Staff Writer September 1 2004 An internal investigation by the Interior Department has found no wrongdoing in the controversial federal recognition of the Schaghticoke Indians, reinforcing a ruling that could lead to a third casino in Connecticut. The probe also found "no evidence" that the Schaghticokes - who Inspector General Earl E. Devaney found have spent more than $12 million on recognition efforts - had "directly or indirectly influenced Bureau of Indian Affairs officials" before the Jan. 29 ruling. "The tribe is gratified with the investigation the inspector general did," said Schaghticoke Chief Richard Velky. "You can't change history. We are a tribe. We are a people that dates back to the late 1600s." While supporting the Schaghticoke ruling of this past January, Devaney's inquiry also reiterated a central criticism of the Bureau of Indian Affairs: that no clear rules exist for granting recognition. BIA regulations are "permissive and inherently flexible" when it comes to recognizing Indian tribes, Devaney said in his report, which came in the form of a four-page letter to U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn. "Although the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation decision was highly controversial, we found that [BIA employees] ... conducted themselves in keeping with the requirements of the administrative process," said Devaney, who was not available for comment. The report touched off a series of angry responses from the state's top elected officials, who are fighting the recognition of additional Indian tribes and creation of more casinos in Connecticut. Gov. M. Jodi Rell wrote the state's congressional delegation Tuesday evening, calling Devaney's overall support of the Schaghticoke decision "incomprehensible." "The tribal recognition process must be rigid and strict," she said. "Tribal recognition carries with it unique entitlements, including limited sovereignty." Under federal law, BIA-recognized tribes may operate casino-style gambling in Connecticut. The tribe intends to open a casino - setting its sights on Bridgeport, though it has not ruled out gambling on the Schaghticokes' reservation in rural Kent. The Schaghticokes are backed by Subway Restaurants founder Frederick DeLuca. The inspector general's report is unrelated to the state's formal appeal of the Schaghticoke ruling, a matter now before the Interior Board of Indian Appeals. Opponents say the BIA decision relied too heavily on the Schaghticokes' long history of state recognition, which they say is largely ceremonial. The BIA follows a list of seven "mandatory criteria" when deciding on recognition, such as proof of a continuous government, social and cultural traditions and descendency from a historic tribe. Because these regulations are so flexible, Devaney found no evidence that the BIA "bent the rules" in recognizing the Schaghticokes. He also determined that a BIA memorandum outlining how the tribe could be recognized despite not meeting federal criteria was merely part of the "administrative" process. "This is just a bunch of b.s.," said U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District. "Mandatory criteria means mandatory criteria. How can you have flexible criteria?" Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he was "disgusted and disappointed" with Devaney's report, which offered little evidence to back up its conclusions. "An internal briefing memo clearly shows BIA staff admitting that the Schaghticoke group fails to meet the criteria for federal recognition and then searching for ways to skirt the rules," Blumenthal said. Dodd requested the inspector general's probe in March, after a Courant article reported that the BIA staff memo detailed how the Schaghticokes could be granted recognition. In his letter to Dodd, Devaney said his staff reviewed "thousands of documents" and interviewed senior BIA employees and officials in Connecticut, including tribal leaders and Paul Manafort, a self-described "influence peddler" in Washington, D.C., hired by the Schaghticokes. Devaney found "no evidence to support the allegations that lobbyists or representatives for [the Schaghticokes] directly or indirectly influenced BIA officials to grant federal acknowledgement" to the tribe. "Mr. Manafort also told us he had no contact with Department of Interior employees regarding the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation's acknowledgement." Employees at the department "also denied having been contacted by any Schaghticoke Tribal Nation lobbyist." Devaney's office also looked at whether the BIA had "a personal bias" against Blumenthal, an outspoken critic of the agency. Town officials in Kent said that e-mails from the BIA were evidence of this, but Devaney found "none that could be construed as showing a personal bias." A discussion of this story with Courant Staff Writer Rick Green is scheduled to be shown on New England Cable News each hour today between 9 a.m. and noon. Copyright c. 2004, Hartford Courant. --------- "RE: Court sides with Rio Arriba in Tax Dispute" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JICARILLA" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/3922.html Supreme Court sides with Rio Arriba in tax dispute By DEBORAH BAKER | Associated Press September 4, 2004 The state Supreme Court has ruled with Rio Arriba County in a property- tax dispute with the Jicarilla Apache Nation over the tribe's Northern New Mexico hunting resort. In a 3-2 decision Friday, the high court overturned the Court of Appeals' ruling and reinstated a tenfold increase in the assessed value of the Lodge at Chama. The case hinged on whether most of the ranch's 32,000 acres -- which support private and public elk herds -- should be classified as agricultural, entitling it to a much lower tax burden. Rio Arriba County decided in 2000 that the property should no longer be considered agricultural, determining that it was used mainly for elk habitat and that elk are not livestock under the state's property law. Friday's ruling upheld that. The high court also agreed with the county that a soil-conservation agreement between the ranch and a federal agency was not sufficient to establish that the ranch's primary use was agricultural. The case had been closely watched by private game parks and other counties. Private elk producers contended taxes on game parks could increase dramatically if Rio Arriba's decision was upheld and other counties followed suit. Under the ruling by the county assessor, later affirmed by the Valuation Protest Board, the ranch's valuation rose from $2.1 million to $21.3 million. Property taxes would increase....from $15,000 to at least $110,000. The lodge, which the Jicarilla Apaches bought in 1995, operates two game parks on 6,400 acres and raises elk for breeding, meat, hides and antlers. It also offers big-game-hunting packages -- including food, lodging and guide services -- that can cost $13,000. The lodge maintains the remaining acreage as habitat for a public herd of elk and sells permits for its customers to hunt from the public herd. Justices Edward Chavez and Patricio Serna and Chief Justice Petra Maes were the majority in the ruling. Justice Pamela Minzner and Court of Appeals Judge Roderick Kennedy, who had been assigned to hear the case, dissented, saying the Court of Appeals was right when it overturned the county's ruling last year. Copyright c. 2004 Santa Fe New Mexican. --------- "RE: Treaty rights referred to Virginia Supreme Court" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 21:35:26 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAND CLAIM" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.timesdispatch.com/&oasPN=%21news Court backs agency ruling on reservoir Richmond Times-Dispatch Friday, September 3, 2004 The Virginia Court of Appeals this week affirmed a state agency's decision to permit a proposed reservoir in King William County. However, the court referred the related question of an Indian tribe's treaty rights to the state Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the State Water Control Board acted properly in granting Newport News a permit in 1997 to build the proposed reservoir on Cohoke Mill Creek and supply it with water from the Mattaponi River. The Mattaponi Indian Tribe, which lives on the river, several environmental groups and a King William County resident appealed the decision. The Mattaponi Tribe maintains that the reservoir would violate a 1677 peace treaty that Virginia Indians made with the king of England. The Court of Appeals said it would transfer to the Virginia Supreme Court the question of how treaty disputes are resolved. Newport News has been seeking state and federal permission to build a 1, 500-acre reservoir for almost two decades, based on its projections that show rising future water demand in the region. The reservoir cannot be built until it is approved by the Army Corps of Engineers, which is reviewing the project. - Lawrence Latane III Copyright c. 2004 Richmond Times-Dispatch. --------- "RE: Albuquerque Dine' voice concerns, needs" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:51:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ALBUQUERQUE DINE' NEEDS" http://www.thenavajotimes.com/20042608/News/albuquerque_dine.html Albuquerque Dine' voice concerns, needs By Levi J. Long The Navajo Times August 26, 2004 ALBUQUERQUE - The largest city in New Mexico is home to many Native Americans. But for some urban Navajos, the city isn't proving to be the Promised Land of milk and honey. On Aug. 18, the Dineh Chapter of Albuquerque, a small group of Navajos who live in the city, gathered at the local Indian Health Service hospital to talk about issues and problems. Getting better health care, assistance for housing, and more money for scholarships and veterans are issues urban Indians face, said Norman Ration, a spokesperson for the Dineh Chapter. "Most of our group members left the reservation in search of better jobs and education," Ration said. "Yet we still yearn for tradition and culture." Ration and six other founding members of the chapter gather each month at the Albuquerque Public Health Service Hospital (801 Vassar Dr. NE.) to talk about how their group can get more members. And finding them in the city might not be so hard. In the 2000 Census, there were 6,958 Navajos residing in metropolitan Albuquerque. And more Navajos keep moving to the city each year, Ration said. In July the chapter organized a community barbecue for Navajos who live in Albuquerque. Feasting on mutton stew, roasted corn and frybread, the group had a promising start with over 50 people attending. "We're also trying to get recognition from the Navajo Nation," Ration said. "As well as the city, state and federal government." The group sent invitations to President Joe Shirley Jr. and Speaker of the Council Lawrence Morgan and numerous council delegates. So far there haven't been any visits yet. Earlier that day the group also met with the state chair for the Kerry campaign to talk about getting more funding for the PHS hospital. "The meeting didn't go very well," Ration said. "Once the state chair found out we weren't tribal representatives from the Navajo Nation, they didn't take us seriously." The group was started in May and came about as a collaboration of four other Navajo groups in the city that had similar goals, said Frank Adakai, one of the chapters founding members. "We just combined everyone together," Adakai said. The group said they're not trying to organize their own satellite chapter of the Navajo Nation. Instead they want to focus on community outreach programs and workshops for Navajos who live in the city. Raquel Mull, a pastor with the United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, said there are a lot of domestic violence cases involving Navajo families in the city. "But a lot of the times the legal system doesn't work for our people out here," Mull said. She said that's why setting up some sort of domestic violence help line or program is important. Now the group is trying to raise funds from the Navajo government, city, state and federal programs and hopes are high. At a February meeting of the Phoenix Dine, Inc., Shirley, Morgan and Sen. Albert Hale, D-Window Rock, gave a $449,000 grant to the urban Navajos who live there. The Phoenix group had over 150 people at that meeting. "So it can be done," Adakai said. One of the major concerns the group deals with is getting counted in the Navajo tribal rolls but not being able to get any of the benefits. "We're enrolled with our chapters and with the Navajo Nation, but we're not getting any thing," Ration said. "Yet they count us. But then they say, too bad, you left, you can't get any benefits." Johnny Belone, a member of the group, said there are also a lot of homeless Navajos on the street. "They're seen wandering around without anyplace to go," Belone said. "Those are the people we're concerned about. Who's going to look after them if not us?" Copyright c. 2004 Navajo Times. --------- "RE: Deal protects Waterfall Sacred to Snoqualmie" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 08:23:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SACRED WATERFALL PRESERVED" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002020951_falls31e.html Diverse coalition seals land-preservation deal By Ashley Bach Seattle Times Eastside bureau August 31, 2004 With the mist from Snoqualmie Falls floating in the air, an unlikely crew of government officials, environmentalists and developers yesterday celebrated the completion of a land deal that could pave the way for open- space acquisitions over the next few decades. The Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative, announced in 2001 and officially wrapped in June, will protect about 9,600 acres in east King County from development. That includes 150 acres directly south of the falls, where the view could have been altered by subdivisions across the water. An additional 8,800 acres south of Snoqualmie, from Rattlesnake Ridge through the Raging River Valley and to Tiger Mountain State Forest, won't be touched by homes. And 650 acres north of the falls also will be protected. The deal was brokered by the Cascade Land Conservancy and brought together Snoqualmie, King County, the California-based Fruit Growers Supply Co. and Quadrant Homes, a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser. The concept of developers and conservationists working together was unusual when the deal was announced, but now the initiative has inspired similar deals, said Gene Duvernoy, president of the Cascade Land Conservancy. "Conservation and homes are not anathema," he said. "This is one of those cutting-edge projects that change the way we do business." Quadrant President Peter Orser said the deal was a milestone. "Those are strange bedfellows to be working together, and you know it and I know it," he told the crowd of about 30 people at Salish Lodge above the falls. Weyerhaeuser, King County and Snoqualmie helped buy the 150 acres south of the falls, which was slated for the Falls Crossing development. Weyerhaeuser also gave up development rights to 2,800 acres in the Raging River Valley and 650 acres north of the falls. In exchange, the city speeded the approval process for Phase II of Weyerhaeuser's Snoqualmie Ridge urban village, which eventually will include 4,400 homes. The company also was able to add 268 homes to the first phase of the project. The first phase had been contested by residents and city officials and took 15 years to win approval from the City Council, Orser said. By joining the preservation initiative, Weyerhaeuser avoided another such dispute. The deal enabled Snoqualmie officials to protect the state's second- most-popular tourist attraction, after Mount Rainier. Mayor Fuzzy Fletcher said the view, which attracts 1.3 million visitors a year, was the "largest incentive for us to go forward." He gestured to the view, which includes the rushing falls and miles of green hills on the horizon. "Just look at it. ... There's something awesome about the falls, the power that's in the water," he said. The partnership blazed a trail for other deals, such as the massive Cascade Foothills Initiative, Duvernoy said. The new initiative, announced earlier this year, would bring together officials from Snohomish, King and Pierce counties to prevent development of 600,000 acres of forest. Other deals will be announced in the next several months, Duvernoy said. The template used in the Snoqualmie initiative was necessary because local open space wasn't easy to buy anymore, County Executive Ron Sims said. Relatively small tracts of land no longer had single owners. "This is the [deal] that had to work," Sims said. Members of the Snoqualmie Tribe recited a prayer at the ceremony. The site is sacred to tribal members, who believe the mist connects heaven and earth. "Conserving [the falls], protecting it, is something we don't just feel is important," said Lois Sweet Dorman, a tribal spokeswoman. "It is our spiritual responsibility." Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 Copyright c. 2004 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Appeals Court: Sacred Sites worthy of Protection" --------- Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 09:13:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SACRED SITES PROTECTED" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004104.asp Appeals court says sacred sites worthy of protection September 7, 2004 A government policy discouraging development of a sacred site does not violate the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court ruled last week. In a victory for the state of Arizona, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the state's protections for Woodruff Butte, held sacred by the Hopi Tribe, the Zuni Tribe and the Navajo Nation. Worried about the exploitation of the site, the tribes convinced the state Department of ransportation not to use any mined materials from the site for construction projects. The policy led to the state to deny a "commercial source number" to a non-Indian man who owned land within the Butte. Without the number, Dale McKinnon could not sell mined materials to the state. McKinnon took the dispute to court argued that the state's policy violated the Constitution's First Amendment. He said the state was promoting Native religious beliefs. But rather than advancing any particular religion, safeguarding Native sites "has historical value for the nation as a whole," the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said on September 1. "Native American sacred sites of historical value are entitled to the same protection as the many Judeo- Christian religious sites," Judge Betty B. Fletcher wrote. The decision won't stop McKinnon and his Cholla Ready Mix company from using his property for private purposes. But the Mountain States Legal Foundation, a conservative legal group the argued the case, said he has lost all other buyers of the mined material as a result of the tribes' lobbying. "We are disappointed with the ruling by the Ninth Circuit because the court failed to do what it is required to do, that is, decide whether sufficient facts had been alleged to put Arizona on notice that we believe it violated the constitutional rights of Mr. McKinnon and his company," said William Perry Pendley, the group's president. To the tribes, the destruction of Woodruff Butte has been particularly heartwrenching. Mining by McKinnon and the site's previous owner has resulted in the destruction of Hopi religious shrines. "We literally saw one Hopi shrine bulldozed before our presence there," said Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, a tribal member, in the documentary film In the Light of Reverence. According to the tribe, McKinnon offered to sell Woodruff Butte for $3 million. The tribe refused to consider buying the land for fear of putting a price on a sacred site. Woodruff Butte is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Although it hasn't been listed, Arizona's policy requires anyone desiring a commercial source number to submit an environmental assessment that considers adverse effects on a potential NRHP site. The requirement is just one of many ways state and federal governments are employing in hopes of protecting sacred sites. Throughout the country, different approaches have been taken. In Utah, the National Park Service urges people not to approach the Rainbow Bridge in Rainbow Bridge National Monument out of respect for the Hopi, Navajo and other tribes. In Nevada, the U.S. Forest Service is proposing to ban climbing at Cave Rock, held sacred by the Washoe Tribe. Mountain States and other conservative groups have challenged several of these safeguards but have not won many cases so far. In one significant case, the 9th Circuit ruled that a tribal ordinance protecting a sacred site on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in California was "ratified" by the federal government in order to allow jurisdiction over non-Indians. The U.S. Supreme Court refused an appeal of the ruling. Mountain States formerly employed Interior Secretary Gale Norton but she cut ties to the organization upon joining the Bush administration in 2001. While working for the group, she argued against Alaska Native subsistence rights. Copyright c. 2000-2004 indianz.com. --------- "RE: Feds conclude Dams don't jeopardize Salmon" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 08:23:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DAMS TO STAY" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002022020_dams01m.html Feds conclude dams don't jeopardize salmon By Hal Bernton Seattle Times staff reporter September 1, 2004 The Bush administration has tentatively concluded that the operation of Columbia River and Snake River dams no longer poses a "jeopardy" to threatened and endangered runs of wild salmon. That finding means federal fishery officials have officially dropped dam-removal as an option in the multibillion-dollar effort to help wild salmon runs recover. This draft decision announced yesterday would reverse a Clinton administration assessment reached four years ago that the dams did jeopardize salmon and that some dams might ultimately have to be breached to rescue salmon. "It is indeed a significant legal change," said Brian Gorman, a spokesman for Northwest regional office of NOAA Fisheries. The finding adds new muscle to President Bush's campaign pledge to oppose the removal of any Columbia River dams. And it was hailed yesterday by irrigators, utilities and other power and river users as a welcome affirmation of the dams' ability to coexist with salmon. "We should acknowledge that the region's investment in salmon recovery is paying off," said Glenn Vanselow, of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Federal officials, at a news conference yesterday, said that the new finding would not result in any weakening in federal salmon-recovery efforts, and said they plan improvements in those efforts in the years ahead. But the "no jeopardy" announcement was immediately attacked by environmentalists, tribes and other critics, who are expected to challenge the finding in court. "This one is really more sleight of hand than backed by science," said Charles Hudson, a spokesman for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. "This is a huge step backward and needs to be contested," said Michael Garrity, of the Seattle office of the conservation group American Rivers. Federal officials don't expect to release the draft study that documents the finding until later this month. So the studies and methodology used to reach the no-jeopardy conclusion for 14 runs of endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead is not yet available for public review. The weakest of these runs - the Snake River sockeye salmon - now annually yields just a handful of fish each year to a central Idaho drainage. Federal officials said the Snake River sockeye is a special case, that most salmon runs have improved substantially in recent years and these population rebounds help justify the finding. "The runs have shown a very positive up-tick, many ... are nearly double or triple their previous numbers," said Bob Lohn, regional fisheries administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "This is very good news." Salmon are born in freshwater streams, then migrate as juveniles down the rivers out to Pacific feeding grounds. Lohn credited improved ocean conditions for much of the rebound, but he also said that federal efforts in freshwater areas are paying off. He specifically cited improvements in the dam operations, which have made it easier for young fish to move over the dams and reduced mortality rates. Lohn said salmon survival over the dams is expected to continue to improve in the next decade. Lohn said the Army Corps of Engineer plans - if congressional funding permits - to install a new generation of fish passage devices in the major Snake and Columbia River dams. Scientific studies of their effectiveness is just beginning, but Lohn said that early findings indicate they will provide easier passage for the fish while spilling less water that then can be used to generate power. The new devices don't come cheap. One installed at Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River in 2001 cost $20 million. Most of the salmon are drawn to that passage, which provides 98 percent survival rates, according to the Army Corps of Engineer. A second installed at Bonneville Dam along the Columbia in 2004 cost $48 million and is now being evaluated. The new federal study - known as a biological opinion - results from a court battle already under way over the effectiveness of salmon-recovery efforts. Environmentalists, tribes and other groups sued the federal government over the content of the 2000 biological opinion fashioned by the Clinton administration. Last year, U.S. District Court Judge James Redden in Portland found that the 2000 opinion was flawed, relying on some actions "that are not reasonably certain to occur." He then ordered NOAA Fisheries to come up with a new biological opinion. Yesterday was the court deadline for submitting the draft of new opinion. Lohn said the document is essentially complete and soon will be released for review. Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com Copyright c. 2004 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Cheyenne River Sioux to receive 100 Wild Horses" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:51:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CRST/WILD HORSES" http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/09/02/news/local/news11.txt Tribe to receive 100 wild horses September 1, 2004 EAGLE BUTTE - The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will receive 100 wild horses from Nevada on Friday, Sept. 3, through the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros. The organization will present the horses to the tribe in a ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Eagle Butte powwow grounds, according to a news release from group president Karen Sussman of Lantry. The gift represents the historic return of wild horses to the Lakota people, Sussman said. The wild horses will remain in a conservation program operated by the tribe and will become a focal point for tourism on the reservation, she said. Sussman said the Virginia Range Herd horses were the first wild horses in the United States to receive legal protection, under a 1952 Storey County, Nev., ordinance. However, the horses did not receive federal protection under the 1971 Wild Horse and Burro Act. The International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros manages two other wild horse herds on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Sho-Ban Students protest Council over Firings" --------- Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 09:13:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STUDENT OUTRAGE AT FIRINGS" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/004104.asp http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2004/09/04/news/local/news08.txt Sho-Ban students stage walkout protesting tribal council decisions Elizabeth Ziegler - Journal Writer September 7, 2004 FORT HALL - Finding out her favorite teacher resigned Friday and was teaching her last day of classes at Sho-Ban School was the last straw for high school junior Christine St. Pierre. St. Pierre was one of the main instigators who spontaneously organized a student-protest that ended in the tribal council chambers Friday afternoon. The students were worried about the future of their school after the tribal council took control of the school district, firing School Superintendent Wayne Waddoups and Responsible Thinking coordinator Thomas Mendez. When St. Pierre and her peers found out their favorite math teacher, Christine Hansen, resigned, the word in the halls was that she was the first of many. "It got down to that - that the school is going to shut down because the teachers are resigning," St. Pierre said. "We are a government funded school. So if we don't have accredited teachers to teach us the right curriculum that is required these days, the school is going to shut down." Many students are confused about the reasons for the reshuffling. St. Pierre said she felt that it was inconsiderate that the students are being kept in the dark. "We, as the students, should be informed in some way. It is happening to our school, and so it is obviously going to effect us," she said. "We are going to the school and we have to suffer with the choices that are being made." In order to clear the air, roughly 60 students hit the road and hoofed it over to the council chambers, carrying two large signs and demanding to be heard. "We need to be heard," she said. "(The protest) is probably the only way we could have gotten heard by anybody." Most of what anybody knows about the turmoil at Sho-Ban are rumors." The tribal council only has rumors to back up their actions," St. Pierre said. "They are not finding documented information to back up what they are doing." St. Pierre said she is concerned that the non-Indian teachers at Sho-Ban are being treated unfairly and allegations of misuse of the Internet were made without enough evidence. "The non-Indians that teach at our school, it seems that they are the ones getting singled out," she said. "It is the same thing that we as a tribe hate when it happens to us. It does not make us look good when they are doing that to the white teachers." She also said that the students feel the school board should be in charge of the school, not the tribal council. "That is what we told the tribal council, the school board is supposed to be in charge, not the tribal council." St. Pierre said Sho-Ban School is beautiful, the teachers respect the students and the students respect the teachers. She doesn't want to lose it. "We won't let it get down to the school closing. Damn right," she said. "We students will start fund-raising if we have to." The conflict between the school faculty, school board and tribal council has St. Pierre wondering who the adults are. "These are the people who are supposed to be setting good examples to young people," she said. "So how are we supposed to grow up to be civilized people? They are acting dumber than we do." T'cha Mi'iko was at the tribal council when the group of Sho-Ban students stormed in. "It is neat to see young kids with so much passion," he said. "To face something they are scared of - it takes guts to do that. We need people like that to run the tribe in the future." Mi'iko said three school board members were at the council for the students safety. It was a good sign for the students to know that the school board backs them up, he added. It was also an important educational experience for the students to see firsthand how their leaders do things, he said. The students came into the building a little apprehensive and left with "fire in their eyes," Mi'iko said. The tribal council decided to hold a school assembly Sept. 8 at 8:30 a.m. to explain to the student body what is going on with their school. "I am thankful that they are going to try to do something," St. Pierre said. "It is good they are going to do that and tell us what is going on so we don't have to act on the false accusations." Elizabeth Ziegler covers health and education issues for the Journal. She can be reached at 239-3127 or by e-mail at ziegler@journalnet.com. Copyright c. 204 Pocatello Idaho State Journal. --------- "RE: Mellon Tribal College Faculty Fellowship Award" --------- Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2004 09:13:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="AWARD RECIPIENT" http://www.goldentrianglenews.com//glacier_reporter/news/news5.txt Heavy Runner named American Indian College Fund inaugural recipient of Mellon Tribal College Faculty Fellowship award September 3, 2004 Iris Heavy Runner has been immersed in the tribal college movement since her days as a student at Haskell, Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. Whether as an instructor, consultant or faculty member, Heavy Runner's focus has always been toward improving student retention. It is this dedication that led to her pursuit of a PhD in social work at the University of Minnesota. For Heavy Runner, a Blackfeet, juggling the demands of being both a teacher and a student has been a daunting task. Fortunately for her,a new program has emerged to assist in her pursuits. Heavy Runner has been named one of two inaugural recipients of the American Indian College Fund - Mellon Tribal College Faculty Fellowship. She was selected by an independent advisory panel of Native scholars, and has received $32,250 in order to complete work on their respective doctoral dissertations. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, located in New York City, made the fellowship program possible through a $450,000 grant to the American Indian College Fund in late 2003. With these funds, the Fund launched American Indian College Fund - Mellon Tribal College Faculty Fellowship Program, aimed at increasing the number of faculty at the nation's 34 tribal colleges and universities possessing a terminal degree. This highly-competitive three-year program offers a $30,000 fellowship and $2,250 travel stipend to selected fellows so they can devote a year to complete the final stages of their degree programs including dissertations, unfettered by financial considerations and professional demands. In over a decade of supporting the mission of the American Indian College Fund, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has provided $950,000 in support, making it one of the Fund's largest supporters. "With the support of the Mellon Foundation, we will increase the number of American Indians Ph.D.'s serving the nation's tribal colleges and universities," said Richard B. Williams, Fund president and CEO. "The selected fellows have already proven their enduring commitment to the tribal colleges and their ability to be strong role models for the students they serve." Iris Heavy Runner is a faculty member of Fort Peck Community College in Poplar. An accomplished researcher and expert in Native student resiliency, Heavy Runner is in the final stages of her dissertation "Tribal College Student Retention." Heavy Runner states, "I see myself working for tribal colleges and communities for years to come. They continue to be my passion." Copyright c. 2004 Golden Triangle Newspapers. --------- "RE: Dakotah Language Revitalization & Appreciation" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SISSETON WAHPETON" http://www.earthskyweb.com/news.htm SWC and AAIA co-host Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day Initiative to preserve Dakotah Culture, Language called "most significant of this generation" by SWC President Dr. LoneFight Sisseton Wahpeton College, in cooperation with the Association of American Indian Affairs, celebrated renewal of the Dakotah Language in a special way last Friday, August 27th - "Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day." Purpose of this event was to promote preservation of the precious and invaluable Dakotah Language. The language of the Dakotah people is a cultural heritage that is in danger of vanishing as the elders pass on. SWC and AAIA are working cooperatively to initiate a Dakotah Language immersion program with young children, which is already bearing fruit as they speak the words of their ancestors. And college-age students have the privilege of attending the Dakotah Language courses held at SWC, which are well attended. The hope is that this vital cultural aspect of the Native Dakota peoples will be preserved. Sisseton-Wahpeton elder and Dakotah speaker Orsen Bernard was recognized and gave a prayer in Dakotah. SWC President Dr. William LoneFight welcomed faculty, students, members of the community, guests, and media (including KSVY TV) to a program at 11:00 a.m. in the SWC Library. Dr. LoneFight spoke passionately about the tragic accelerating loss of Native languages across the country, how elders of so many tribes and nations are taking their understanding of their people's language with them to the grave. He referred to the languages as "sleeping," and called for people to awaken them before it is too late. Among the Dakota Oyate, he said, "roughly 20 percent are Dakotah speakers . . . and their average age is 60 years." But here, on the Lake Traverse Reservation, he suggested there is hope that the Dakotah Language will come awake. With the help of many of the Dakotah speakers, and support from AAIA, Tribal Council, other groups (including the Grotto Foundation, which was represented Friday), many individuals, and not least S.D. Governor Mike Rounds, who issued a proclamation designating August 27, 2004 as Dakotah Language Revitalization and Appreciation Day. Through the SWC and Siceca Learning Center (daycare) Dakotah Language classes, and the community's will to preserve its culture and language, he said the loss "will be reversed." He called the program undertaken at SWC "the most significant (initiative) of this generation." Jerry Flute, former Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors for AAIA, took the podium. After beginning with a profane joke about wasicu ancestry (Dakotah humor), Jerry explained how he learned to speak Dakotah as a young man, how he was repeatedly told to keep quiet and listen. "Anaogho pta!" Dakotah has always been a spoken language, he said, and was taught with young people listening to their elders converse. He drew a laugh when he said he never knew anything about "a dangling participle" while learning Dakotah from his family and relatives. Jerry spoke of the differences between Dakotah and English, how there may be fewer words in Dakotah but that that lots of words have multiple meanings. There is something else different, and he described that difference by speaking about how sacred are the words used by Dakotah speakers. He said that when he was young he didn't realize that Indians in movies represented racism, when they would put their hand in the air and say "HOW" on the movie screen. But the word "hau," as spoken by Dakotah Oyate, he said, is very sacred. It is "reaching out to touch, in respect," and when combined with "Mitakuyapi" it is reaching out in respect - without malice or weapons - to another sacred being also a creation of the Great Creator. It is a recognition of the common spirit and sacredness of all of us, he said, and the animals, the earth, and other elements of creation. Behind these words in Dakotah, he said, there is "theological meaning." He recognized the Rev. Mike Simon, who was present at the program. He recalled Mike having told him how he would first prepare sermons in the Dakotah Language before giving them to Presbyterian congregations - some wanting all-Dakotah sermons, others partly Dakotah and partly English, and others wanting sermons given entirely in English. Thinking in Dakotah, he said, caused Mike to come up with a different, more reflective sermon. Jerry too said he gets a very different perspective on life depending upon whether he is thinking in Dakotah or in English. It is a sacred language, part of the traditional culture of Dakota Oyate, he said, that must be preserved. He and others, including Beatrice Christopherson who spoke later, said they wish they had taught Dakotah Language to their children when they were younger but were glad to be involved in this language renewal today. One of his sons (Dave Flute), he said, learned to speak Dakotah by asking about the meaning of the songs. Today, he said, that son is teaching Dakota studies to young students. Jerry had special praise for Tammy DeCoteau, who was also recognized by Dr. LoneFight later in the program, for serving as the Dakotah Language program director at SWC. Tammy set up a TV monitor and gave the premiere showing of the animated short, "Mary Tahca Skana Cistina Yuhe" (Mary had a Little Lamb). This cartoon was re-created in the Dakotah Language here at SWC. Other Mother Goose tales have also been translated. Olivia Johnson was to have come and read her translation of the famous "The Cat in the Hat" book, but was unable to attend due to illness. Tammy read the translation. She also introduced a new children's book in Dakotah written by Solomon Derby, who was inspired by taking a Dakotah Language class at the College. While Solomon was unable to be present, the SWC staff told how his children are becoming bilingual, and how they represent what can be the future for the Oyate. Tammy showed an animated version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" narrated in Dakotah by Bea Christopherson. Beatrice was acknowledged and spoke at the podium, telling about this and other Dakotah Language multi-media projects. Tammy DeCoteau acknowledged a group of behind-the-scenes SWC audio- visual technical support persons, including Derrick Lawrence, who have been developing the animations for packaging on CD and DVD. Elders involved in the project include: Orsen Bernard, Wayne Eastman, Delbert PumpkinSeed, Melvina LaBatte, Rose Chase, and Olivia Johnson. Dr. LoneFight recognized representatives of Lake Area Vocational Technical Institute of Watertown, whose technology department is currently developing Dakotah Language Program software for SWC. The first fruits of this partnership, said Dr. LoneFight, should be available in a month or two. Also recognized was Gabrielle Strong, of the Minneapolis-based Grotto Foundation. Grotto is another benefactor of Native preservation languages, supporting efforts across the country. Gabrielle spoke, saying how exciting it is to see the interest here in preserving the Dakotah Language. She encouraged continued support for the work at SWC and said "Pidamiya!" For more information about the SWC Dakotah Language project, contact: Tammy DeCoteau, Language Project Coordinator, at 605-698-3966 ext. 1531. "Dakota iyaa he?" Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. --------- "RE: Fort McDowell Tribe buys 137-Room Sedona Resort" --------- Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 20:33:54 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Fort McDowell tribe buys 137-room Sedona resort (Fwd) Mailing List: News and Information http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/~story_id=081904a7_sedonaresort Fort McDowell tribe buys 137-room Sedona resort LARRY COPENHAVER lcopenha@tucsoncitizen.com August 19, 2004 Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation north of Phoenix has bought the Radisson Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, the tribe's spokesman said yesterday. The 137-room resort, which includes a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, conference rooms, swimming pool, exercise facilities, tennis courts, spa and restaurant, was owned by Triple Tree Corp. of Washington state. The resort will keep the Radisson brand, nation spokesman Michele J. Crank said in a news release. The 933-member tribe is building a 247-room resort and conference center on tribal land. That resort is scheduled to open in fall 2005 and will also bear the Radisson brand, the release said. The nation operates Fort McDowell Adventures, a Wild West recreation and outdoor event venue; Fort McDowell Casino and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, honored as one of the top five public courses in the world by Sports Illustrated magazine in 2001, Crank said. The nation also is building an RV resort. Copyright c. 2004 Tucson Citizen. --------- "RE: Bush Law conflict hot topic for Panel" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ALASKA NATIVES" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/5506080p-5444400c.html Bush law conflict hot topic for panel JUSTICE: With tribes fearing erosion of sovereignty, commission must find way to make system work. By JOEL GAY Anchorage Daily News September 4, 2004 Nine members named to a new rural justice commission this week could help dramatically reshape rural Alaska as they tackle some of the thorniest issues facing Alaska Natives, the state and the federal government. The Alaska Rural Justice and Law Enforcement Commission, created by Congress and appointed Thursday by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, has been asked to envision: * a unified system of law enforcement, courts and laws for rural villages, possibly including some new, untried form of government; * a more efficient way of funding rural cops and courts; * better ways of handling domestic violence, child abuse and the flow of booze into dry communities. Alaska tribes have set their own parameters for the commission's work. At a summit this week, more than half the state's federally recognized tribes vowed to oppose any proposals that would regionalize their funding or undermine their sovereignty. The commission's task is challenging, said the federal co-chair, U.S. Attorney Tim Burgess. "I don't pretend it's going to be easy," he said. "But I can't think of a more important set of issues we could be dealing with." The commission's work focuses on several key issues that revolve around law enforcement and justice, but that extend throughout Alaska Native life. Many rural residents believe the state doesn't adequately fund village law enforcement. A lawsuit challenging the state program failed to sway a lower court but an appeal is pending before the Alaska Supreme Court. At the same time, Alaska's federally recognized tribes have been using federal funds to provide an increasing number of social services to their members, including law enforcement and tribal courts. Sen. Ted Stevens has said 231 tribes are too many to fund individually, and he has proposed consolidating funding for cost-effectiveness. The tribes disagree and say the status quo works. But even more worrisome is losing their tribal identity, which they fear could happen if funding went to some other entity than the tribe. Many villages have formed tribal courts to handle local legal affairs. But the state has questioned their legal authority, saying Alaska can't have two sets of laws. The new commission was asked to sort out the tangle and to suggest a new form of unified government for villages that includes courts, laws and enforcement. Such an overhaul is overdue, said commission member Loretta Bullard, president of the Nome-based Kawerak Inc., who is representing the state's 12 Native nonprofits. Since statehood, village authority has been steadily undermined by the state, yet state funding hasn't kept pace with the need for local officers and courts. "Jurisdiction is being asserted, but there's nobody out there to enforce it," Bullard said. "I think we need to give the people the tools they need," especially to control alcohol and domestic violence. Devising a new system would require big changes, possibly including amending both state and federal law, Bullard said. She's optimistic, however. "You need to get all the parties at the table, recognize there's room for improvement and that there's more than one way to solve the problem," she said. Commission member Bill Tandeske, who heads the Alaska Department of Public Safety, said the state is entering the talks with an open mind. "I would not discard any idea going in," he said. Several years ago, he said, the state had some pilot projects that relied on village residents to handle legal issues such as substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. "We'll probably revisit some of those," he said. Handing over legal authority to tribes, villages or some new form of village government will have to be part of the discussion, Tandeske said. "On one hand, we've got issues of law and authority, and on the other hand, we've got reality," he said. "Our job is to make the system work." Juneau Mayor and former state Attorney General Bruce Botelho, who was named to the commission to represent municipal governments, said the commission may have to wade into new legal territory to meet the demands set out by Congress. It may be unrealistic to think the commission will discover a unified system of rural governance, he said. "But there are certainly ways we can improve," especially with additional government money, he said. Current Attorney General Gregg Renkes, the commission's state co-chair, said he doesn't want to stray into new legal territory, however. "I think we've had enough of that," he said. "We need to heal that divide and bring people together around areas we have legal certainty." His goal is to empower people, and maybe create a new form of state government "so folks can take responsibility for public safety issues in their communities," he said. Tribal advocates fear that any proposed government or funding consolidation plan will erode the tribes' sovereign status. They doubt the commission can represent tribal concerns because, of the nine members, tribes have just one, said Heather Kendall-Miller, an attorney with the Native American Rights Fund. "If you really want to address rural governance, let's invite tribal leaders to the table, because they have to deal with issues of governance and law enforcement in their villages on a day-to-day basis," she said. If the commission does propose sweeping changes that affect the relationship between Alaska tribes and the federal government, Kendall- Miller said, "then certainly they should be subject to public input and Senate hearings." Commission co-chair Burgess said the panel members will meet soon to set out a strategy. Commission members said Friday that they plan to take substantial public input and will take advantage of statewide forums such as an upcoming summit hosted by the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council and the annual convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives in October. "I think there's a lot of information and interest out there and one of the most important things we have to do is listen," said Burgess. Other members of the commission include Bering Straits Native Corp. vice president Gail Schubert, representing the Alaska Native Justice Center; Northwest Arctic Borough Mayor Ross Schaeffer Sr., representing rural boroughs; Tanana Chiefs Conference President Buddy Brown, representing the Alaska Federation of Natives; and Wilson Justin of the Mount Sanford Tribal Consortium, representing tribes. Daily News reporter Joel Gay can be reached at jgay@adn.com or at 257-4310. Copyright c. 2004 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: RANSOM: Mohawks have a Right to Thrive" --------- Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 23:35:08 -0400 From: "Kahente" Subj: Indian Country - Ransom: Mohawks have a right to thrive, not just survive Mailing List: Frostys AmerIndian http://www.indiancountry.com/?search=September+03,+2004 Ransom: Mohawks have a right to thrive, not just survive September 3, 2004 by: James W. Ransom / Chief/ St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council All across Indian country, the undeniable right of tribal governments to provide for the well-being of their membership is under attack and, in some instances, is being systematically eroded by external agencies. The most recent encroachment into Native lands comes in Mohawk territory where the Internal Revenue Service is attempting to impose a regulation that would force custom agents to begin collecting a federal excise tax on the importation of fuel from Canada into our Native community. It seems that all too many federal, state agencies and a slew of other organizations have lost sight of the primary role tribal governments provide - to ensure that Native peoples remain culturally and economically viable as distinct groups of people. These responsibilities include being able to provide and guarantee economic development opportunities where no others exist. This is even more important in remote regions of the country, like ours, that are termed "economically depressed" and are currently experiencing high unemployment rates. It is in these unique areas where the role of tribal governments is enhanced through the delivery of essential programs and employment opportunities its businesses provide to tribal members and the surrounding communities. As sovereign nations, tribal governments are not taxed. This is a constitutionally protected provision that helps to direct its government revenue to effectively provide for its membership. The IRS purports the regulation is not intended to fall directly on tribal governments, but it clearly does as it jeopardizes a vital revenue stream utilized to provide essential government services. The negative impacts of the imposed regulation would have become apparent to the taxing arm of the federal government had consultations been conducted with our tribal government. The IRS regulation clearly undermines our government's ability to govern internal affairs and threatens the degradation of most community services we provide. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe currently licenses tribal businesses and collects fees that are used to provide programs like law enforcement, health, education, fire, environmental services and much, much more. In 2003 alone, the fees collected from fuel retailers and wholesalers amounted to approximately $1,000,000 and directly supported these essential services. Removing the competitive price advantage for our tribal businesses will force many to close and significantly decrease the amount of funding available. This will make many of our 180 tribal programs ineligible for federal matching funds. The lack of tribal businesses that provide a revenue stream for tribal matching funds threatens the availability of essential government service for our community members. In addition to paying administrative fees to our tribal government, our community's businesses make generous contributions to many local and regional organizations. Not to mention much needed employment opportunities for more than 300 individuals including members of the tribe and the surrounding communities and the sound economic base they provide to the regional economy. Executive Order 13175 has been in place since November 2000 to guarantee regular and meaningful consultations with tribal governments on federal policies that have direct tribal implications. The Internal Revenue Service is currently developing a similar consultation policy, but failed to consult with us prior to the imposition of the regulation. Doing so would have clearly revealed the direct and devastating impact it will have on our tribal government and community members. As stipulated by the same Executive Order, any federal policy that has tribal implications is to provide alternative sources of funding to pay for the direct costs incurred by tribal governments. For the IRS to state without meaningful dialogue and consultation that the regulation poses no significant economic impact on our tribal government is inaccurate. It violates the spirit and intent of both the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the federal government's policy of consultation with tribal governments. Based on this and other negative impacts, we strongly oppose the implementation of the regulation and ask that immediate dialogue take place prior to its imposition date of Sept. 28. As an invaluable contributor to the financially-strapped economy of Northern New York state, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe should have been consulted on the impact the regulation will have on our tribal government and the essential community services it provides. We have an inalienable right to provide for the well-being of our tribal members and deserve more than just a fighting chance to survive. We demand our right to guarantee a strong, viable tribal economy for the generations yet to be born. Chief James W. Ransom is a member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. Copyright c. 2004 Indian Country Today. --------- "RE: IRS seize Canadian Gas headed for Reservations" --------- Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 08:23:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GAS INTERDICTION" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.wokr13.tv/~id=9159C762-7B27-47C9-9B30-70A18A4BB46E IRS Seize Canadian Gas Headed For Reservations Jane Flasch Niagara Falls, NY August 30, 2004 Officials estimate that taxpayers are being cheated out a half-billion dollars every year by suppliers who haul in gas from Canada to avoid US taxes. This week, IRS agents are targeting gas headed for sale on Indian reservations in a sting operation near the border. In the early morning fog, armed IRS agents camp out at the Queenston/Lewiston bridge near Niagara Falls, NY. Their targets are fuel tankers filled with thousands of gallons of gasoline. The feds say the St. Regis Mohawk tribe imports this gas from Canada to avoid paying federal taxes. Sovereign nations are exempt from state tax on gasoline. At issue here is the federal excise tax of 18.4 cents a gallon. The US supreme court has upheld a ruling the Indian Nations must pay up--the three largest Mohawk distributors have not. On this day, they seized 11,000 gallons from the tanker driven by Brian Morris. The uncollected pennies add up. It's $2,000 for Morris' tanker alone. In the last five years, the Mohawks have shipped 400 million gallons of fuel from Canada avoiding $79 million in taxes. Gas collected will be auctioned off with the proceeds going back to taxpayers. The IRS promises the sting will continue until taxes are paid. Haulers like Brian Morris are caught in the middle. In a written statement, the St. Regis tribal council calls the IRS action: "an infringement on our tribal sovereignty. [We are] currently pursuing legal remedies." The IRS is targeting Mohawk Petroleum sales and its owner Brandon Tarbell. They have filed tax liens against the company for $79 million and are seizing the gas until that lien is paid off. Many of the Seneca Nation stations refuse to sell the Canadian gas, but enough do. Some officials estimate the US government is losing half a billion dollars a year in unpaid excise tax. The IRS said this will not cost people who buy their gas on reservations more because the Mohawk distributors haven't been passing on the savings to consumers all along. Copyright c. 2004 WOKR 13, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. --------- "RE: Mohawk Tribe responds to IRS Gas Sting" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 00:01:33 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Mohawk Tribe Responds To IRS Gas Sting Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.wokr13.tv/~content_id=ED952B3E-9461-4852-9B9A-6EE59118539D Mohawk Tribe Responds To IRS Gas Sting Jane Flasch Niagara Falls, NY September 1, 2004 Last week, NewsSource 13 reported on armed IRS agents seizing thousands of gallons of gasoline meant for sale on Indian reservations. On Thursday, the IRS will auction off the gas it has collected so far and apply it to the debt it says the Mohawk tribe owes. The agents say the stings will continue until enough fuel is collected to pay up the almost $80 million in federal excise tax. Chief James Ransom of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe said, "It represents one more roadblock here in what we're trying to accomplish and that's our own economic survival as a community." The sovereign nations are exempt from state tax on gasoline and continue to fight state and federal attempts to impose other taxes which they say go against signed treaties. The tribe argues that stations on the reservation are assessed taxes those outside don't have to pay--four cents a gallon goes to public health care, housing, and police services. Phillip Leroux, who owns a station just outside the reservation and pays all taxes, said the IRS sting levels the playing field. "I'd like to live side by side with them and have business be fair... its not now," he said. At the border, the IRS isn't negotiating. However, the tribe says it has set up a series of meetings with the IRS in Buffalo to discuss the situation. IRS plans to move to different border crossings after this week but for obvious reasons isn't saying which ones it will target. Copyright c. 2004 WOKR13 TV, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. --------- "RE: Metis Leader plans purge of Newcomers" --------- Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 11:42:43 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Metis leader plans purge of newcomers Mailing List: NDNAIM http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=sep03metisallian03092004 Metis leader plans purge of newcomers September 3, 2004 YELLOWKNIFE - More than 60 members of the North Slave Metis Alliance may be expelled from the organization Enge says the decisions of the previous board may be null and void That's according to Alliance vice-president Bill Enge. Enge was elected last week after successfully suing the Alliance for expelling close to 100 members in 1998. Now he's saying anyone who signed on after 1998 may not be a legitimate member. And Enge says all agreements and decisions made by previous boards may also be null and void. "The big-ticket item we are talking about is the signing of the Diavik Diamond Mines Impact Benefit Agreement under the unlawful auspices of an unlawful board, headed up by Clem Paul," he says. "Now that Impact Benefit Agreement is in fact in question." Enge says the board will be seeking legal advice on the matter. NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: First Nations call for Ratification of Treaty" --------- Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 11:40:59 EDT From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: N.W.T. First Nations call for ratification of treaty Mailing List: NDNAIM http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=sep03denenation03092004 N.W.T. First Nations call for ratification of treaty September 3, 2004 YELLOWKNIFE - The Dene Nation has pledged its support to the Dogrib people in their effort to get their land claim and self-government agreement through Parliament. Rabesca says he was overwhelmed by the support The Tli Cho expected the federal government to endorse their agreement earlier this year, but the June election delayed approval. The grand chief of the Dogrib Nation, Joe Rabesca, says he is overwhelmed by the support from other Dene leaders for the Tli Cho land claim. "This sends a message to Ottawa. That the people of the Northwest Territories, the 29 chiefs, are together pushing the Dogrib land claims and urging the federal government to fast track, pass the legislation, our bill, in the House," he said. "It's sure a big big boost." Some chiefs at the Dene National Assembly promised to travel with the Dogrib delegation when the agreement goes to Parliament. Parliament resumes in October. The Tli Cho agreement covers a large area of land between Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake, and includes both of the territory's diamond mines. The Dogrib will be paid $152 million over 15 years, along with annual payments of approximately $3.5 million. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Reserves demand inquiry into Mercury Poisoning" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MERCURY POISONING" http://www.indianz.com/News http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/09/02/mercury040902.html Ontario reserves demand inquiry into mercury poisoning September 2, 2004 GRASSY NARROWS, ONT. - Aboriginal leaders in northwestern Ontario are calling for a public inquiry after an international health expert said people living in the area are still showing effects of mercury poisoning. Dr. Masazumi Harada, a world-renowned neurologist, said Thursday that the conditions of people exposed to mercury three decades ago have stayed the same or worsened. During the 1970s, a paper plant dumped tonnes of mercury into the river systems that run through communities home to the White Dog and Grassy Narrows First Nations. Harada's report, released earlier this week, says at least nine residents show symptoms of Minimata disease, or methylmercury poisoning, which can include partial paralysis, dementia, impaired balance, impaired speech and blurred vision. "Everything that has gone wrong in my community is all pointing back to mercury," said Ron McDonald, chief of White Dog First Nations. "We need our government to come forward to the table and speak to us, and stop denying that there is a problem." Health Canada disputes report Health Canada disputed the report by Harada, who tested residents in 1975 and retested them two years ago. The department countered that blood mercury levels in people are in steady decline. It suggested the symptoms found by Harada could be associated with different disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and alcoholism. $17 million in compensation paid Between 1962 and 1970, a pulp mill operated by Dryden Chemicals dumped about 9,000 kilograms of mercury into the English-Wabigoon river system. Both communities sit along the 480-kilometre system, which runs across the Ontario-Manitoba border. Testing showed people had high levels of mercury in their blood, which was blamed for birth defects in children. In the mid-1980s, the bands received a compensation package of almost $17 million from the company and provincial and federal governments. They're still advised not to eat fish from the river. Written by CBC News Online staff Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: First Nation passes its own Drug Laws" --------- Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 14:48:32 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FISHER RIVER FIRST NATION" http://www.indianz.com/News http://winnipeg.cbc.ca//View?filename=mb_fisherbylaw20040902 First Nation passes its own drug laws September 2, 2004 WINNIPEG - The Fisher River First Nation has introduced a new bylaw that would increase the legal penalties for drug-related offences. People who live on the Interlake-area reserve have seen the local drug problem escalate to addicted children and gang attacks motivated by the drug trade. To deal with the problem, the band council passed a bylaw in June that makes it illegal to make, sell or possess narcotics - on top of Criminal Code offences for the same crimes. The bylaw allows the band council to levy its own penalties, ranging from fines to jail time to loss of support cheques to banishment from the community for repeated offences. Band lawyer Harold Cochrane says the justice system isn't stopping the flow of drugs into the community, so the band council wants to try. "This process is community-driven. There's strong community support for it," he says. "It's about a First Nation itself - members of a First Nation - attempting to take control of a problem itself." First Nations are allowed under the Indian Act to draft bylaws to improve life on reserves in a number of areas, including law and order. However, the drug bylaw isn't in effect yet because the federal Justice Department is investigating how it would fit in with the Criminal Code. A busy RCMP detachment more than 60 kilometres away provides the reserve's only policing, so the band council is relying on its own people to enforce the bylaw. Cochrane says suspected drug users or dealers will be brought before the band council to explain themselves. "You would be called by the chief and council, to say, 'Listen, your name has come forth. We know you are using drugs.' You would have the opportunity to speak with the chief and council to say either it's true or it's not true. You'd then be told of the consequences if you were to continue using, or selling," Cochrane explains. In the future, the band council hopes to piggy-back its bylaw-infraction tickets on drug charges laid by the RCMP. Otherwise, it wants more money from government to set up a band police force. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: Officer faces discipline in death of Teenager" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:51:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEIL STONECHILD" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com//LAC/20040902/COP02/TPNational/Canada Officer faces discipline in death of teenager By GRAEME SMITH September 2, 2004 The mother of a native teenager who froze to death on the outskirts of Saskatoon says she's comforted by yesterday's announcement that a senior police officer will face disciplinary charges in the case. Stella Bignell waited almost 14 years for punishment for the police force she believes was responsible for dumping her 17-year-old son, Neil Stonechild, at the edge of town on a freezing November night. She was surprised yesterday when her lawyer called her home in Cross Lake, Man., to tell her that Saskatoon's deputy police chief has been formally charged with two counts of discreditable conduct. Her son's death was the subject of one of the largest RCMP investigations in Saskatchewan's history and a $1.9-million public inquiry. Deputy Chief Dan Wiks's testimony at the inquiry made headlines when he admitted to lying about the Stonechild case in an interview with a reporter for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix in May, 2003. The reporter asked the deputy chief why two constables, Larry Hartwig and Bradley Senger, weren't suspended during the investigation of allegations that the officers had picked up Mr. Stonechild in the hours before he died. Deputy Chief Wiks's reply was quoted: "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. We still don't." Under oath at the inquiry, he said he was quoted accurately, but "misspoke" because police had "significant evidence" since June, 2000, that the two constables were somehow involved with Mr. Stonechild on the night he disappeared. Copyright c. 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Desecration smacks of Racism" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 21:35:26 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GRAVES DESECRATED" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=sep01kdfngraves01092004 Desecration smacks of racism, says KDFN chief September 1, 2004 WHITEHORSE - Members of the Whitehorse-based Kwanlin Dun First Nation were horrified this week when vandals struck several gravesites on the outskirts of the city. Overturned spirit houses and fences damaged by vandals The collection of small buildings known as spirit houses sat on a hill overlooking the Yukon River, near the city's hospital. Some of the sites date as far back as the Gold Rush. Sometime this week, vandals overturned the houses, broke fences and smashed crosses. Even a large concrete pillar that marked one of the sites was broken. RCMP are investigating the incident. KDFN acting chief Jason Shorty believes the vandalism is racially motivated. "Clearly these graves belong to native people, clearly these graves do not belong to other Canadians," he says. "Clearly there is something different about these graves. And that's what racists do, they attack things they don't understand or know." Another view of the damage The First Nation is asking for public assistance in identifying the culprits. Spirit houses are important because it's believed they house the spirit of the deceased. The graves also sit on what used to be an old village site. These graves belong to some of the most prominent families within the Kwanlin Dun First Nation. "Somehow we as First Nations have to get the message ut to all the people here in the Yukon, that these sites are very sacred and should be respected as such, as any grave yard, you can't do that," says Barbara Fred. It's not the first time vandals have desecrated gravesites belonging to the Kwanlin Dun First Nation. A cemetery in the downtown area was hit by vandals about 10 years ago. They spray painted spirit houses, broke some fencing and left behind garbage after partying nearby. Under Yukon law, desecrating grave sites is punishable by a $100 fine and six months in jail. Copyright c. 2004 CBC. --------- "RE: North Dakota Tribe to open Law Enforcement Center" --------- Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:51:34 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/state/9557270.htm New law enforcement center set to open in New Town Associated Press September 2, 2004 NEW TOWN, N.D. - A $6.5 million center with combined jail and court facilities for the Fort Berthold Reservation is scheduled to open here next month. Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Tex Hall said it is one of 10 such facilities being built on Indian reservations across the country. The others, which are in the planning stages or under construction, include one on the Standing Rock Reservation. "It's important not to warehouse people or just lock them up. These are our relatives and we need to treat them with respect and dignity," Hall said. "At the same time, those who violate the law need to understand there are consequences." The current jail is crowded and does not have facilities to house juveniles. U.S. Department of Justice grants, and money from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the tribe financed the new center. The 30,312-square-foot building has a capacity of 96 inmates. It also has other features including a judge's chambers and a hearing room with a bulletproof area for judges and staff. Copyright c. 2004 Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks, ND. --------- "RE: Family seeks answers for Death" --------- Date: Fri, 3 Sep 2004 21:35:26 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FON du LAC DEATH" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4962482.html Cloquet family seeks daughter's killer Matt Mckinney, Star Tribune September 3, 2004 Some nights, when the hoping keeps her awake, Margaret Dupuis plays a guessing game. She puzzles over scenarios and considers various people, rearranging the possibilities, hoping to seize on something that could tell her who left her daughter's body by the side of a gravel road four years ago this week. "We've sat up for hours and hours trying to figure things out," said Dupuis, speaking at her rural Cloquet home on Thursday. "If I knew who it was, I could start grieving, because I haven't really grieved," she said. "It's more anger for me." Her daughter is buried in a cemetery not far from Dupuis' home, close enough to show her three grandchildren where their mother is buried. The killing of Trina Langenbrunner has stymied investigators. Langenbrunner, 33, was found stabbed to death on Sept. 3, 2000, near Brookston, Minn., after she told friends she was going to hitchhike to Grand Rapids to see her estranged husband. Location of crime sceneA reward for information that would lead to the arrest of Langenbrunner's killer has been offered since shortly after her body was discovered. The initial $10,000 from the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa was doubled to $20,000, then raised again. Today a group of organizations stands ready to pay $100,000. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office has held an open house every year on the anniversary of Langenbrunner's death in the hope that someone will step forward with information. Sheriff's Sgt. Sally Burns met with people Thursday night at the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation Police Department's headquarters. Reporters were asked not to attend the meetings for fear that they might scare off informants. "There are times when we feel helpless as a family," said Sharri St. Germaine, one of Trina's two sisters. "What more can we do? We just try to renew our pleas and keep our faith and keep praying." Driving the family's anguish is the belief that someone nearby knows something about the slaying. The killer could even be someone they know, said Doug St. Germaine, one of Trina's two brothers. You never know," he said. "You could be talking to the person, and it could be the one who did it." Sharri St. Germaine and others said this week that they believe that Langenbrunner's killer was familiar with the area. The body was found in a remote area that a stranger would not know, she said. Residual fear Trust was another casualty the night Trina went missing, her family said. Today Dupuis' grandchildren are told to play nearby. Older children in the family are told to call every few hours when they go out. Dupuis has stopped going out at night and feels insecure traveling even to the grocery store. She has moved from her house in the country to one closer to other houses. "Since this happened, I spend more time with my kids now and all of my grandkids. Life is too short. You never know what's going to happen," she said. In her drive to find the killer, she has contacted the television show "America's Most Wanted," but to little avail. It may not have helped that there is no known suspect, the usual hook of the show. She has also become a mother again, to Trina's three children, who have lived with her since their mother was killed. The youngest, Shelly, is 15 years old. Todd is 17 and will graduate this year from high school. Sheila, the oldest, is 18 and has a baby girl of her own, Kierra, 2. "It's hard," said Dupuis. "We do talk about it sometimes but not really often because tears come to their eyes and stuff, and I don't like to see them cry. In the time that I've had these kids, I've seen them grow up, graduating, going through all of these school preparations and everything. Their mother should have been here to do all of this." Langenbrunner's husband, Shawn, lives near Grand Rapids today, according to the family. Dupuis said she hasn't seen him since the funeral. Shawn Langenbrunner couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. Investigators have said that he has an alibi for the night his estranged wife was killed. Late-night walk Trina Langenbrunner went missing early on a Sunday, after spending several hours with friends at bars on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation. Her marriage was in trouble, and she decided that she had to see her estranged husband that night. She called several people for a ride but couldn't get one. A witness reported seeing her walking along Brookston Road a mile from her house at about 1:30 a.m. It was the last report of anyone seeing her alive. Her body was found along a dirt road not far from her house the next morning by a passerby. She had been stabbed to death. Her wallet was found about four miles away. Burns, of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, ended up delivering the news to the family. Dupuis had called authorities that day to tell them that she hadn't heard from her daughter. Burns went to the family's house and asked to see a picture of Langenbrunner. She stepped outside to make a call, then returned to tell Dupuis that someone had killed her daughter. Investigators later said evidence showed that Langenbrunner had fought with the attacker, and people were told to look for someone with fresh cuts or bruises. Evidence left by the killer included a print of a size 11 to 12 New Balance shoe, a black satin jacket and tire tracks that indicated the killer may have been driving a minivan, investigators said. The jacket bore a Camel cigarette patch on the right sleeve with the words "Las Vegas Groove Blender" stitched on. "I've never seen her with that jacket," Dupuis said, adding that investigators said that they know who the jacket belongs to. Investigators, who have followed hundreds of leads in the case, have not had any significant breaks, said Lt. Richard Swanson of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office. The anniversary meetings are a way to keep the case alive. "On the anniversary, we always have to have someone out in the hopes that someone will come forward," he said. The family plans a vigil at 5 p.m. today, driving from the Tribal Center building on the Fond du Lac Reservation to the area where Langenbrunner's body was found and the town of Brookston, then past the Holy Family Church on the reservation before returning to the Tribal Center. "Sometimes I get hopeful on some of the leads," said Dupuis. "Sally Burns assures me that if something comes of importance to them, evidence or something, she will let me know." Matt McKinney is atmckinney@startribune.com. Copyright c. 2004 Star Tribune. All rights reserved --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Mon Sep 6, 2004 8:22 AM From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - The second in a series of letters from Native Inmates in the Soledad iron house to Art Durand, a volunteer at the prison who produces a Native American program at a nearby university radio station (the first of these letters is in last week's Wotanging Ikche, more will follow in subsequent weeks): Letters from the Iron House: Sept 24th and 25th: Hey Big Bro - Just got your letter, that was some funny stuff. It's always good to have other stuff to laugh at. I hope you and Miki are doing really good. I'm doing alright over this way, just chillin' and trying to stay stress free. I liked how you read the stuff on the air. It is what we need here. This administration relies on the hope that we do not have the support of the outside community. Christians, Muslims and Catholics have that outside community support so the administration doesn't mess with them. There are some underlying issues this administration has toward the native population. I know of two of the issues, but there is [something missing here from the original] sure about. I've asked some of the guys who have been here longer than I have if they know why this administration turned on us. No osomething more that we are not quite ne knows. They all say it was fine and nice till about mid 97, until the Indian Religious Freedom Act was struck down and after the groom ing standard came into play. I did talk with Jerry Smith ( the community resources director) once. We almost had a good talk but he got offended when he tried to tell me how he thinks we should worship. I suggested he find out more about the people he words with, learn more about their cultures and beliefs. Then there was the issue about salmon. He tried to explain to me how salmon was not a traditional indian food! Anyway, the salmon was ordered and it disappeared. Jerry said he returned it to the store. I said "Really? I dont know of any fish store that will accept returned fish after it has left the store." He then grabbed his had and coat and said "We are done talking. You guys are pointing to something I don't like". I then asked if he could show me a receipt for the returned fish. Some other stuff was said. I will have to tell you about it later. That was the only time I ever talked to Jerry Smith. He called us idol worshippers! He is Catholic. Now, I think thay are idol worshippers too! (Smiley face) You should have seen the ruckus me and my room mate caused a couple weeks ago cuz we were wearing colored bandanas. I had on a black one, Crying Wolf had orange and black. Since we've been on this yard we have been wearing them. One C/o started whining about them so a couple of other c/o' s apprached us and got all snotty like. We let them know that they didn't know what they were talking about. One of the c/0's almost started crying. They make a big issue over nothing. Stuff like that happens a lot and a lot of times it's just plain funny. I think sometimes these guy start hating because they embarrass themselves. Nothing came of that. It was just stupid. They say now that we are only allowed to wear white or grey bandanas. So it's good to know that people out there are asking you for information about us here. That's the kind of support we need. We aren't asking for nothing more than what should be afforded us. There is nothing that we do that causes any safety or security concerns and there has never been a problem like that. We take care of ourselves. The only thing the state has to provide us with is our firewood and a paid spiritual advisor. The prison doesn't like to do either, but I think we may be on a good road for a change. This administration has to get right sooner or later. We can have volunteers come in her from the outside. There is no specific number but it's just that this place is so far from civilization it's hard to find people who will drive this far. Well, Art. I will let you go for now. talk to you later. Tell Miki I said hi. --------- "RE: History: Carlisle Indian School" --------- Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 23:11:35 -0400 From: Barbara Landis Subj: December 6, 1889 INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle Indian School. [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER FROM THE Carlisle Indian Industrial School To Boys and Girls. ================================================ VOL. VI. FRIDAY, June 26, 1891 NUMBER 42 ================================================ MAN-LIKE is it to fall into sin; Friend-like is it to dwell therein' Christ-like is it for sin to grieve; God-like is it, all sin to leave. --------- WHENE'ER a noble deed is wrought, Whene'er is spoken a noble thought, Our hears in glad surprise, To higher levels rise. Longfellow. _____________________ A WORTHY FRIEND NETTLED. --------- The interview printed two weeks ago, although not given in full, seems to have stirred the feelings of a worthy friend as it also moved the heart of the Man-on-the-band-stand himself, who was the principal speaker in the colloquy. The Man-on-the-band-stand holds the Indian in as high respect and can see as many good qualities in the character of our red brethren as can any person living, and the article in question plainly shows this. The remark of the visitor as quoted form the colloquy to which the letter below refers, expresses the thought of a large majority of the people of our nation, and we are grieved to *admit* that they outnumber the truly interested friends of the Indians. Only last winter, a member of Congress, who represents a large constituency in the west gave forth such violent, malicious and cowardly sentiment against the Indian, that our country's honor was disgraced. "Filthy beggar" is mild compared to the caustic, scathing, offensive vituperations which emanated from the mind of this supposed-to-be educated servant of the nation. It is encouraging, then, that the recital of the little conversation printed in the HELPER aroused our friend to the point of writing such a strong letter as the following, which echoes the sentiment, perhaps, of the majority of our readers, and in which they will no doubt be interested: BETHLEHEM, PA., JUNE 21st, 1891. THE INDIAN HELPER, SIRS: Picking up your little sheet which my daughter receives, I was rather nettled at the article on the front page-issue of June19, '91 I have been, and still am, an ardent lover of history. This inclination has filled my library with histories, narratives and reports. Those pertaining to the Indian, with three notable exceptions, are replete with "hatchets" and "scalps." The three notable exceptions are: "Historical sketches of the Missions of the United Brethren, etc., by John Holmes, Minister;" "Indian Nations," by the Rev. John Heckewelder, and the "Narratives of the Mission of the United Brethren among the Delaware and Mohegan Indians," by the same gentleman. To these three, probably more than to any other source, I am indebted for an honest and unbiased history of what the Indian was, the unjust and cruel dispossession that made revenge sweet to minds nobly educated, though in a primitive way, the sycophantic hounds who, ever for personal gain, have placed the unfortunate but true American where he is to-day. Therefore I take exceptions to the publishing of such a colloquy, though it be intended for the young. First, because it is unbecoming in representatives of a race far superior to any on the face of God's earth in all that goes to making a man a *noble* being, to hold converse with a being who knows no more of Indian history than to make use of such language, as "Oh, I didn't go to a reservation. I saw enough of the lazy beggars at the ranch I visited, which was about twenty miles from the reservation." Secondly, a continual harping on the qualifications of the ignoble members of a race will eventually cause the entire race to be looked on as ign