Subject: Wotanging Ikche--nanews12.046 From: gars@speakeasy.org (Gary Night Owl) To: Internet Recipients of Wotanging Ikche Message-ID: _ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 12, ISSUE 046 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 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 November 13, 2004 Mvskogee Echolee/Frost Moon Cree Kaskatinopizun/Moon when rivers begin to freeze +-------------------------------------------------------+ | 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 s ch mA mL tL squee Lux -- Okanogan -- News from 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; Big Mountain, News and Information Distribution, RezLife, NDNAIM and Sovereign Nations 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "When I see these boarding school children, it hurts my heart. I am the product of a mother who experienced the evil side of boarding schools. I have read the articles and books. I have talked to the other grandparents. While our schools today may not have the abuses anymore, the institutional mentality still creates a dearth of familial intimacy that is so necessary in developing complete human beings." __ Faye Lone, Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Nativision Learning +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Indian Pledge of Allegiance | The Indian Pledge of Alleg- | | iance was first presented | I pledge allegiance to my Tribe,| on 2 December '93 during the | to the democratic principles | opening address of the Nat- | of the Republic | ional Congress of American | and to the individual freedoms | Indian Tribal-States Relat- | borrowed from the Iroquois and | ions Panel in Reno, NV. NCAI | Choctaw Confederacies, | plans distribution of the | as incorporated in the United | Indian Pledge to all Indian | States Constitution, | Nations. | so that my forefathers | | shall not have died in vain | Walk in Beauty! Night Owl +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | Journey | In the summer and early fall | The Bloodline | of 1998 the Treaty Unity Riders | | rode a thousand miles on horse- | For all that live and live by law | back, carrying a staff and | We Stand, we Call, We Ride | praying each step of the way. | For All that fear and fear by sight | | We Hear, we Listen, we Ride | These prayers were offered for | For all that pray and pray by strength| each of us, and that the Unity | We Feel, we Move, we Ride | of all Peoples might happen. | For all that die and die by greed | | We Hurt, we Cry, we Ride | Tatanka Cante forwarded this | For all that birth and birth by right | poem on behalf of all the Unity | We Smile, we Hold, we Ride | Riders that we might stop and | For all that need and need by heart | ask if the next words we say, the | We Came, we Went, we Rode. | next act we make is for the good | | of the People or is it from ego | Treaty Unity Riders | for self. +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ O'siyo Brothers and Sisters! This issue's editorial comments come from a friend, Art Durand. Art is the host of "Turtle Island", heard on UC Santa Cruz community radio at 88.1 Sunday nights from 6:30pm to 8:30pm Pacific Time. The station is also webcast at http://www.kzsc.org/ in wm3 and wma formats. Date: Friday, November 05, 2004 11:34 AM From: Art Durand Subj: What has happened, what can happen Dear Friends, The events of last Tuesday left many of us angry, disillusioned and with our hearts on the ground. Many of us are grieving and almost immobile in our grief. Where do we go from here? What can we do? Miki (Peace Eagle) and I recalled a time when our son Andy, who was living with us, was being fed incredible amounts of disinformation about us and our ways of being by his birth father, a born again christian. We chose, rather than fight fire with fire, to be the best humans we were capable of being. We did not disrespect the man's ways or attitudes. We gave Andy the opportunity to spend as much time with his dad as his dad was willing to invest. Six years later, this year, Andy chose to give up his senior year at his High School in California, all of his friends, and relatives to travel with us to live in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe this election was flawed. It may be that voting machines were rigged. It is beyond dispute that the mainstream media has become a tool of the wealthy and powerful corporations spreading disinformation. Whatever the truth of that it is clear that many, many, many of our relatives are celebrating what they see as a victory for God and Country. Perhaps our victory lies in allowing these relatives their happiness for this time. Soon enough they will see their old ones suffering for lack of health care and affordable medicines, their children becoming dumber than dirt in crumbling schools filled with discouraged teachers, their futures cold and bleak as their masters take more and more of their income to sustain the war machine, creating the very terrorists they have sworn to kill. Soon enough our celebrating relatives will be in need of our support as they wonder what in the world they were thinking of. Let us continue to encourage each other, love each other and maintain the links we have established since we first decided to work for a better way of life for all. We will be needed. Soon. Soon. In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, Peace Eagle & Nanalq (White Bear) ------- Please note: My primary email address has changed ... from gars@speakeasy.org to wotanging@bellsouth.net. ------- Thanks to John GrosVenor for the newest language featured in the newsletter banner. John had to work hard to represent the characters in straight ASCII, so I thank John for this gift and his extra efforts. If you want your Nation to be included simply email me the words that mean the equivalent of News of the People, the language and literal translation. Okanogan News from the People s ch mA mL tL squee Lux =================================== ANNUAL WINTER APPEALS Thursday, September 30, I sent out a notice to several individuals and groups that have supported winter needs. I am sharing that notice with all readers and asking you to please let this space help you help our Peoples. ---- Greetings This brief email is being sent as winter nears. I distribute a newsletter, Wotanging Ikche; and each year before winter sets in through the first of January I run names, addresses and needs of our elders and children throughout Indian Country. I don't draw any lines such as rez/urban. If there is a need, it's included. Send the contact name, address, phone, email, website (or as much as you can) Include the need (clothing, toys for kids, food, fuel money...) If there is a limited run (like now to two weeks before Christmas) include that. Send your information to: gars@speakeasy.net Please make the subject: WINTER HELP (all caps) Get this information to me as soon as you can. Spread the word. I will also copy whatever I run in Wotanging Ikche to some of the Mailing Lists I'm on, like RezLife, NDNAIM, Rez_LIfe, FrostysAmerIndian... Thanks, gary ---- =================================== The first response came from our Mohawk brother, Frosty Deere. It is an important need to those Mohawk who call Kahnawake home. Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 19:52:51 -0400 From: "Frosty" Subj: Re: Winter Needs Rez & Urban http://www.tewateiahsatakaritat.com/pool/ Maybe you could include the above address, it explains everything. The Kahnawake Pool Project What happened to the Current pool? Its old, out dated, broken and cant be used in the middle of winter. How can people help? Well you can either buy a raffle ticket, donate money, or help find people to donate money for the pool. How can I help ? Well their are number of ways, one is just send a dollar to Indoor Pool Project, Box 821, Kahnawake Quebec J0L-1B0. Take a collection where you work. Get the company where you work to donate. Spread the word to as many people you know that can afford a dollar or more. Contacts: MacKenzie Whyte E-mail Address: Ronald Deere aka Frosty mackenziew@mck.ca E-mail Address(es): frosty@frostys.qc.ca Lou Ann Stacey frosty@kahonwes.com E-mail Address: louanns@mck.ca =================================== Date: Sunday, October 10, 2004 04:16 pm From: Lisa Mailing List: NDNAIM Greetings everyone, Happy Fall ! The cooler weather is setting in. Elections are next month, get out an vote. We still need to believe that our votes count. Two important votes next month, not only for the U.S. President but for all you Pine Ridge tribal members your presidential election. "VOTE" TOY DRIVE : Leonard wanted us to kick off the x-mas toy drive for Oglala. Grandmother Roselyn will be hosting this event again this year. "NEW" toys will be accepted for children of all ages. Clothing items that are always needed such as socks, stocking caps, gloves, shoes and underware (new) will be given to the Loneman School Nurse to be given on a "needed" basis. Roselyn says there are many children who come to school in the middle of a South Dakota winter wearing sandels. So the school nurse will be able to handle these items better as needed. Roselyn will also accept Wal-Mart and K-mart gift cards. These will help with specific items that she can purchase. Everything should be mailed directly to Roselyn's house. Roselyn Jumping Bull PO Box 207 Oglala, SD 57764 (605) 867-2231 (Note: FYI: Grandmother Roselyn's will be celebrating a birthday in Nov. I could be off on this a day but I think it is Nov 15, and she will be 74.) =================================== Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 01:25 pm From: Brigitte Thimiakis Subj: Winter Needs Greetings Gary, Honor Your Spirit, Protect The Children (HYS) is working on a new winter project for the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in MT. I will send you the request as soon as it is ready. I pray that once again many people will send help to all the places with children, elders and families in need of support. We do have a Christmas catalogue which is ready for people who wish to order First Nations art and crafts items. These items make very nice gifts for Christmas. They are authentic First Nations artwork and items like horsehair hatbands or belts can also be handed down from generation to generation. ALL the proceeds from the sales are used to help the elders and children in need. The founder of HYS is Northern Cheyenne and our contacts on the reservation are Northern Cheyenne also. It would be very much appreciated if you could regularly enclose the url to the HYS catalogue in your newsletter. HYS Arts and crafts catalogue http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/fncrafts.html "Honor Your Spirit, Protect the Children" Manuel Redwoman, Northern Cheyenne/Lakota/Arapaho http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/home.html Thank you for your message and continued support. With kindest regards to you and Janet, Respectfully, Brigitte <>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o "Honor Your Spirit, Protect the Children" Manuel Redwoman, Northern Cheyenne/Lakota/Arapaho http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/home.html STOP CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/stopabuse.html Adult Children of Child Abuse http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adult_children_of_child_abuse/ HYS Arts and crafts catalogue http://www.geocities.com/honoryourspirit/fncrafts.html <>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o<>o Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith (*,*) wotanging@bellsouth.net P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A. ===w=w=== http://www.nanews.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ---------- - Powwow channels strength - Update: Support needed for Resister - U.S. wants no Warming Proposal - Moron Alert: GOP's Eibensteiner - GOP says it has votes heads Slot-Machine Firm to authorize ANWR drilling - Haskell Students aim - Report to predict to tackle Diabetes big changes in Arctic - Indian Jewelry - and Life - MOHAWK: Hopi Prophecy - on display pointed to Climate Change - Miss Indian NAU - Alaskan Villages in Hot water advocates Native American Culture - Indian leaders call for healing - Onboard with the Zapatistas following election - Bands share Title to Rez - JODI RAVE LEE: - NB Natives seek Protecting rights of Native Voters bigger cut of Forestry Industry - YELLOW BIRD: - Indian Relations at Heart of Case Tribes show some Poll Clout - Supreme Court: Race in America - Voter ID Suits remain unfiled - Supreme Court - A Reservation's relentless Poverty denies County's Appeal - Tribe approves - Limited Reform 42 possible replace Names to Trust Land probate process - Oregon Indians acting - Navajo Nation No. 1 in Crime to remove Offensive Name - BIA Cop charged in Handgun assault - S'Klallam Tribe - Reservation Shooting celebrates 100-year Vision leaves one in Hospital - Colville tribes, Utility - Native Prisoner settle fight over Dam -- NAPN Pen Pal Requests - Coquille Tribe - Rustywire/Tishroo: Grandfather seeks suggestions from Crowd - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Two movies - Tali Unole Verse: chronicle Wounded Knee events Voices from Long Ago --------- "RE: Powwow channels strength" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 21:22:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VETERANS HONORED" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.jdnews.com/Templates/Details.cfm&StoryID=27085&Section=News [Editorial Comment: Remember your veterans every day - not just November 11. Our Nations have long history of taking a warrior stand for this ground.] Powwow channels strength November 7,2004 CHRIS DE NITTIS DAILY NEWS STAFF by christopher de nittis Every warrior needs a support system. Some cultures provide support through parades, discounted college tuition, ballroom dances or special holidays. But the strongest and often most effective energy base for a warrior is a spiritual one. American Indians are one group that honors the warrior class through both structured ceremonies and informal daily meditation and prayer. It's intrinsically spiritual and goes beyond the physical realm but still retains an important earthy feel. At the Onslow County Fairgrounds on Saturday one such powwow - or "gathering," as ceremony leader John Blackfeather calls it - was held with hundreds of dancers, singers and musicians of American Indian descent. The powwow will continue today at the fairgrounds. The grand entry is at noon. The crowd of onlookers Saturday stretched into the thousands. To many, the singing and drumbeats at first appeared to be a recording. But a quick listen revealed an amazing vocal range that constantly changed rhythm, tempo and even structure. The big speakers surrounding the sacred circle were used only to amplify the channelings of dozens of spiritual mediums entranced underneath pavilion tents around the perimeter of the circle. Inside, dancers moved in time with the spirits - swooping and spinning with the drumbeats. It's this kind of ceremony that has comforted American Indian veterans since creation. Just ask Roger Willie, an American Indian and Army veteran. "The powwow holds the warrior status," he said. "There is a connection between the powwow and veterans." Willie recalled the domestic aftermath of Vietnam, when American veterans returned home to mixed and often negative reactions. "People have wondered why Native American veterans had a faster rate of healing when they came back home," he said. American Indian culture supported those returning from Southeast Asia with a spiritual energy that was often non-existent in white culture, Willie said. "They had powwows, while mainstream society would spit on you," he said. After serving four years at Fort Bragg with the Army, Willie entered the film industry - most notably as an actor in the movie "Windtalkers." He was honored Saturday for his work, which has highlighted American Indian culture and history. "Windtalkers" explored the feats of the Navajo in the Pacific theater during WWII. The American Indians used their native tongue as an unbreakable radio code to defeat Imperial Japan. Willie, himself a Navajo, relished the role and though he's gone on to work in other films such as "Adaptation," he still calls his tribe's New Mexico reservation home. "The four points of the reservation - that is always my home," he said with more than a hint of nostalgia. A look into his eyes reveals the man's spiritual home is indeed still along the Continental Divide in New Mexico. And home is where all spirits eventually end up - that's the message the powwow sent to families of prisoners of war and those deemed "missing in action." Former presidential candidate and Texas business magnate Ross Perot was honored by the Great Saltwater American Indian Heritage group Saturday for his work with families of POWs and MIAs. Afterwards, Rolling Thunder - a motorcycle club dedicated to POWs and MIAs - presented a unique ceremony to North Carolina military families. A table with five place settings to represent each branch of the armed services - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard - was set up in the middle of the sacred circle. Members of Rolling Thunder presented each setting with the service's respective cover. Next to each plate, they placed a pinch of salt and a pair of blank military ID tags. "The tags symbolize that this can be any one of us," a Rolling Thunder spokesman said. "The pinch of salt symbolizes the tears that family members have shed for their loved ones." And though the chairs remained empty and the goblets turned-down, Rolling Thunder assured families that the table was filled in spirit. Undoubtedly, many left Saturday's ceremony - the weekend before Veteran's Day - fortified in both mind and spirit. Contact Christopher De Nittis at cdenittis@jdnews.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 239. Copyright c. 2004 by Freedom ENC Communications. --------- "RE: U.S. wants no Warming Proposal" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ARCTIC TARGET" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23541-2004Nov3.html?sub=AR U.S. Wants No Warming Proposal Administration Aims to Prevent Arctic Council Suggestions By Juliet Eilperin Washington Post Staff Writer November 4, 2004 The Bush administration has been working for months to keep an upcoming eight-nation report from endorsing broad policies aimed at curbing global warming, according to domestic and foreign participants, despite the group's conclusion that Arctic latitudes are facing historic increases in temperature, glacial melting and abrupt weather changes. State Department representatives have argued that the group, which has spent four years examining Arctic climate fluctuations, lacks the evidence to prepare detailed policy proposals. But several participants in the negotiations, all of whom requested anonymity for fear of derailing the Nov. 24 report, said officials from the eight nations and six indigenous tribes involved in the effort had ample science on which to draft policy. The recommendations are based on a study, which was leaked last week, that concludes the Arctic is warming much faster than other areas of the world and that much of this change is linked to human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment - produced by a council of nations with Arctic territory that includes the United States, Canada, Russia and several Nordic countries - reflects the work of more than 300 scientists. Several individuals close to the negotiations said the Bush administration - which opposes mandatory cuts in carbon emissions on the grounds that they will cost American jobs - had repeatedly resisted even mild language that would endorse the report's scientific findings or call for mandatory curbs on greenhouse gas emissions. An early draft of the policy statement - which is set to be issued two weeks after the 144-page scientific overview is released Monday - included a paragraph saying that to achieve the goals set under a 1992 international climate change treaty known as the Rio Accord, the "Arctic Council urges the member states to individually and when appropriate, jointly, adopt climate change strategies across relevant sectors. These strategies should aim at the reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases." The administration has pushed to drop that section. As one senior State Department official who asked not to be identified put it, "We're bound by the administration's position. We're not going to make global climate policy at the Arctic Council." The World Wildlife Fund's Arctic Program director Samantha Smith said the council's scientific conclusions, which said temperature increases in some parts of the Arctic increased tenfold compared with the last century's worldwide average rise of 1 degree Fahrenheit, justified immediate action. "This is the first full-scale assessment of climate change in the Arctic and it shows dramatic changes in the region, with worse to come if we don't cut emissions," said Smith, an observer at the negotiations. "We challenge the Arctic governments to come up with a real response to the science, before the foreign ministers meet in Iceland in November." Administration officials said they are hesitant to endorse policy recommendations before examining the full 1,200-page scientific report on the Arctic. Paula Dobriansky, the undersecretary of state for global affairs who will be leading the U.S. delegation to Reykjavik, Iceland, later this month, said that "the report has not been finalized or released to governments." U.S. officials have received regular briefings on the full report, according to Arctic Council officials, and have submitted comprehensive comments on it over the past 18 months. Some council participants have begun to grumble about U.S. resistance to articulating a global climate policy. One European negotiator said the administration is trying to "sidetrack the whole process so it is not confronted with the question, 'Do you believe in climate change, or don't you?' " He added that while the other member nations will try to press the United States on the matter in the final talks, "I cannot see any solution to this unless [the administration] clearly changes its position." And Sheila Watt-Cloutier, head of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and an Arctic Council representative, wrote council chairman Gunnar Palsson of Iceland in August that a recent draft of the report "tries and often fails to be all things to all people and in so doing shies away from policy recommendations, the one thing it was designed to do." Some Senate Republicans, including Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (Ariz.) and fellow committee member Olympia J. Snowe (Maine), are also lobbying the administration to back a strong policy document. In late September they and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) wrote to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell saying, "In order to fulfill our responsibilities to the American people, it is critical that we, as policymakers, have access to the latest scientific information and associated policy recommendations." Dobriansky said the administration supports publication of the policy report this month. "Allegations that the United States is seeking to suppress the policy recommendations are simply not true," she said. Palsson said in an interview that the public controversy over the U.S. climate position was complicating his efforts to achieve a consensus among top ministers, who are supposed to sign off on the policy findings within a matter of weeks. "This is such a highly sensitive political issue," he said. "Ministers have to be able to sort these things out behind closed doors." Copyright c. 2004 The Washington Post Company --------- "RE: GOP says it has votes to authorize ANWR drilling" --------- Date: Fri, 05 Nov 2004 16:59:58 +0000 From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: GOP says it has votes to authorize ANWR drilling Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/005219.asp GOP says it has votes to authorize ANWR drilling November 5, 2004 Republicans in the Senate have enough votes to approve drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) said. Domenici, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said Tuesday's election shifted more power to the GOP. He plans to add a pro-drilling provision to an appropriations bill, which can't be filibustered and can pass by a simple majority vote. The GOP-controlled House has approved drilling in the past but Democrats in the Senate have blocked it. Thanks to the election, the GOP now has 55 seats in the Senate. Inupiat Eskimos who own land in the refuge support drilling because they stand to benefit financially. Gwich'in Natives who depend on caribou in the refuge oppose it, saying it will wreck their way of life. Get the Story: http://www.adn.com/front/v-printer/story/5747187p-5681237c.html Republicans strategize on ANWR SENATE: GOP election victories give backers new hope to pass bill allowing drilling in refuge. By DON HUNTER Anchorage Daily News November 5, 2004 Buoyed by victories in U.S. Senate races Tuesday, Senate Republicans are expected to try again to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to petroleum exploration early next year. Marnie Funk, spokeswoman for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and its chairman, Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, said Republicans likely will try to make ANWR drilling part of a budget bill, a strategy that requires only 50 votes for passage and cannot be filibustered. The tactic was tried at least twice before. In 1995, President Bill Clinton vetoed a budget bill that included ANWR exploration, and last year the Senate fell two votes short of including it in a budget bill. Interest in reviving the ANWR fight has "only increased with oil at $50 a barrel," Funk said. ANWR drilling accounted for a significant measure of the rhetoric in the Senate campaign that ended here on Tuesday. Newly elected Sen. Lisa Murkowski said at a press conference Wednesday that pushing for an ANWR bill would be her first order of business when Congress convenes next year. In a written statement, she said, "I have been fielding phone calls all morning from my colleagues in the Senate, and in all of the conversations I have had, we were talking about ANWR." "The most likely scenario is, it would be during the budget reconciliation process, when we only need 50 votes," Murkowski campaign spokeswoman Kristin Pugh said Thursday. "It now appears we will be able to reach that hurdle." Attempts to reach Sen. Ted Stevens for comment on this matter Wednesday and Thursday were unsuccessful. While drilling supporters were enthusiastic, they were not as happy as when President Bush was first elected and listed opening ANWR as one of his energy priorities. "The net effect of (this) election is positive," said Kevin Hand, executive director of the pro-development lobbying group Arctic Power. "It doesn't provide any assurances by any means ... but considering the condition we could have been in if various folks had won, it's quite optimistic." Republicans will have 55 seats in the next U.S. Senate, and they also expanded their majority in the House. With three seats still undecided Thursday, Republicans had won 231 of the 435 seats in the House. Congressman Don Young said Wednesday he is excited about the prospects for ANWR legislation next session. "I think there is a strong possibility of this occurring," he said. "I think this changes the whole demographics of the program," he said, adding that prospects also look good for additional gas pipeline legislation with Stevens chairing the Senate Commerce Committee. But opposition to drilling in ANWR won't fade away. Alaska Conservation Foundation executive director Deborah Williams said she continues to believe most Americans want the Arctic refuge protected. "We believe that level of support will ultimately prevail," she said. "We're analyzing our options right now in terms of senators whom we believe will understand the critical values associated with protecting America's most precious Arctic coastal plain area," she said. Williams emphasized that the environmental community isn't opposed to all development in Alaska. "We support oil and gas development on state lands," she said. "We support balanced oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve. We support the gas pipeline. And at the same time, we believe balance requires protecting some areas." Republicans claimed Senate seats in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and, perhaps most significantly, in South Dakota, where Tom Daschle, the Senate's minority leader and an ardent ANWR opponent, was upset by John Thune, a former Republican congressman who used the issue in his campaign. "We did end with a net gain in terms of senators in support of development in ANWR," said Hand, of Arctic Power. "But by no means do we have the ability to just roll through." Arctic Power is focused on getting the level of support in the Senate to 60 members, the number needed to defeat a filibuster, he said. "That way, we know that when the time comes, we have what it takes despite whatever vehicle is used on Congress." Daily News reporter Don Hunter can be reached at dhunter@adn.com. Copyright c. 2004 The Anchorage Daily News. --------- "RE: Report to predict big changes in Arctic" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ARCTIC REPORT" http://www.aborinews.com/contenu/accueil/show.asp?lang=en&id=1722 Report to predict big changes in Arctic By JEFF SALLOT November 1, 2004 OTTAWA - Some time this century, polar bears may disappear from Hudson Bay. The Northwest Passage may become a busy shipping lane, posing a challenge to Canadian sovereignty. The Inuit of the Arctic may suffer higher rates of skin cancer because of increased exposure to ultraviolet rays. These are some of the possibilities outlined in a massive scientific study to be presented next week to senior government officials from Canada and seven other countries with Arctic territory. It predicts profound changes to the climate, wildlife habitat and human living conditions in the Far North because people living to the south are polluting the air. The four-year study also suggests that what's happening in the North is the harbinger of changing climate conditions that, if unchecked, will eventually alter living conditions everywhere on Earth. The 1,400-page report, dubbed "the brick" by the more than 250 scientists working on the project, is to be released Nov. 9 in Reykjavik at a ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council. The council countries are Canada, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and the United States. Portions of the report were leaked Friday to The New York Times by scientists in Europe, who said they were trying to thwart efforts by the Bush administration to keep the study under wraps until after the U.S. presidential election tomorrow. Canadian officials familiar with the study say there was no political interference from Washington on the timing of the release, but they agree that the Bush administration has generally been out of step with an emerging global consensus on the risks of global warming. The report warns that gases from factory and vehicular emissions are accelerating environmental changes in the Arctic - shrinking glaciers, melting sea ice, thawing permafrost and changing weather patterns. Robert Corell, an American oceanographer who headed the study, detailed some of the climate changes in testimony before the U.S. Congress this year. He said the average winter temperature in the Alaskan and Western Canadian North has increased an average three degrees Celsius in the past 60 years. This is twice the rate of temperature increases globally. Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 10 per cent in the past three decades, he said. The permafrost line, which is important for transportation, petroleum exploration and construction, will retreat north by about 300 kilometres this century - if trends continue. The research, which has been previewed in technical publications and at seminars in recent months, suggests that people living in the Arctic will find their world radically altered within a generation or two. With warming temperatures and pools of stagnant water in the summer, they'll have to worry for the first time about diseases carried by mosquitoes. The beaver population in Alaska is moving north, causing worries about the kinds of diseases it carries. Inuit hunters are falling through ice more frequently. In European Nordic regions, birch trees are supplanting lichen pastures that have been the main food source for reindeer. Dr. Corell told the Commonwealth North education group in Alaska that dramatically shifting wind patterns mean indigenous people can no longer depend on the wind to help them make their way across an Arctic landscape that has few distinguishing physical features to help navigate. As sea ice disappears, polar bears, which rely on the ability to move on ice to hunt seals, will be forced ashore. But they don't have the ability to forage for food on land, Dr. Corell said. Copyright c. 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. --------- "RE: MOHAWK: Hopi Prophecy pointed to Climate Change" --------- Date: Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:19:16 -0500 From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Mohawk: Hopi prophecy pointed to climate change Mailing List: NDNAIM Mohawk: Hopi prophecy pointed to climate change Copyright c. Indian Country Today November 5, 2004. All Rights Reserved November 5, 2004 by: John C. Mohawk / Indian Country Today http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096409807 Beginning about 70 years ago, some traditional Hopi formulated a message to the rest of the world that there was a rising danger that humankind's lack of spiritual attention to the world was going to lead to disaster. The form this disaster would take was that there would be violent storms and all kinds of disruption that would eventually threaten human beings around the world. It had happened before, they said, and all signs, including ancient prophecies, are that it will happen again. The individual who emerged as spokesperson for this was Thomas Banyacya. A very interesting element to the message was that proof of their message was to be found in the American's own libraries and scientific papers. There is every evidence that this is happening, just as the traditional Hopi predicted, and the major leadership of the world is not acting in an effective way to meet the threat. This August, the Bush administration finally issued a statement acknowledging that human activity may be contributing to global warming. If you think that radical Islamic terrorism is scary, wait until you see global warming. Scientists are certain that greenhouse gasses, especially CO2, have a history of altering global climate patterns, a history that goes back perhaps at least 900 million years. A dramatic but widely-held theory is that 600 million years ago the earth was an ice ball trapped in a glacial period and that it escaped this seemingly permanent condition when volcanoes released enough CO2 into the atmosphere to create a greenhouse effect which warmed things up to perhaps an average temperature of 120 F, causing hundreds of thousands of years of rain which trapped the CO2 and put it back in the earth. Eventually the earth stabilized. That was when the dramatic proliferation of life forms, including multi-cellular animals, appeared. There is pretty good evidence to support this theory. The ice may have been a kilometer thick. Greenhouse gases do cause climate change. The earth is getting warmer and its average temperature has risen about one degree Fahrenheit since 1830 - at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The last 20 years have been the warmest in 12,000 years and the warming trend is worldwide. People who study tree rings find evidence that in the last 20 years there has been an unprecedented rate of change in the climate and among the best evidence for the effect of this change is that glaciers, worldwide, are receding and disappearing. There are glaciers in the Central Andes. Even there, glaciers have been retreating dramatically. Some are retreating at the rate of almost 100 feet per year. They could be gone entirely in 50 years. Forty percent of the ice has disappeared in some places. In others, numerous glaciers have already disappeared. For thousands of years, glaciers have maintained a record of what has happened over the centuries. Scientists collect ice cores from the tropics and the polar regions. They contain the history of climate going back to a half million years. Ice cores record that CO2 never got higher than 300 parts per million. Today, we find 360 ppm, strong (even irrefutable) evidence that humans are contributing to dramatic changes in the composition of the atmosphere. Scientists suspect there is a threshold beyond which dramatic and irreversible and unpredictable climate change could be triggered. The impact of the climate change we have already can be seen in Alaska. In just 30 years, Alaska's temperature has risen an average of five degrees and glaciers there are melting. Since 1995 some have receded 10 to 20 feet a year. And the rate of change may be accelerating. Climatologists are alarmed. In 50 years there may be no glaciers in Glacier National Park. Fossil fuels are changing the chemistry of the atmosphere. It is the northern areas that will experience this warming first. In Alaska, the first thing is the melting of the permafrost. This thawing could spread in just five years. Already telephone poles are leaning and the ground is opening up in places, leaving holes in the land. The Alaska pipeline was built on the permafrost, but there was no planning for the possibility the permafrost might melt and the pipeline is threatened. But the most devastating short-term impact may be from the unexpected. There are 120 million acres of forest in Alaska, and these forests are beginning to die on millions of acres. The destruction has been rapid and devastating and trees on three million acres have already been killed by insect infestation. Some species which threaten forests thrive in warmer weather, like the spruce bark beetle, which eats the bark. These beetles arrived with the onset of warmer weather and in some places there are so many beetles that people have been forced to abandoned their homes and cabins. In southern Alaska, more trees have died in a few years than in the previous 70 years. In East Africa it rained excessively in traditionally arid lands and this led to extensive flooding which overwhelmed the water management systems. One result was a cholera epidemic from contaminated water. The mosquito population exploded and a malaria epidemic ensued in places in Kenya where mosquitoes were previously rare or unknown. People blamed El Nino, but global warming probably had a hand in the disasters. The problems didn't end there. As the earth heats up, the land dries up. Moisture is released through evaporation into the atmosphere, making it available for weather events. Thus there is flooding, record rainfalls and sometimes storms stronger than previously. While one place is experiencing flooding, other places experience drought. California is flooded, while Indonesia experiences drought. It is just like the Hopi warned. The natural climate system can change rapidly. If it happened rapidly in the past, it could happen in the future. Temperature records are being broken. It seems inevitable that we will reach four times the CO2 levels in the atmosphere from a century ago and maybe soon. Of all the emissions sent up today, fully half will still be in the atmosphere 100 years from now. By the time we can prove beyond a doubt that human activity is causing the warming, it will be far too late to do anything about it. American politicians, who compete among themselves selling visions of wishful thinking from everything from the economy to terrorism have not performed well in facing this threat. Earlier this year a movie, "The Day After Tomorrow", dramatized (and action-adventurized) sudden global freezing (an after effect of warming), but even if the climate changes are much less dramatic than depicted in this movie, the question arises: what about the day after the day after tomorrow? The U.S. governme nt does see climate change as a national security threat, but it's actually much greater than that. It is a threat to species survival. Ours, and many others. John C. Mohawk Ph.D., columnist for Indian Country Today, is an author and professor in the Center for the Americas at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Copyright c. 2004 Indian Country Today --------- "RE: Alaskan Villages in Hot water" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 21:22:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ARCTIC MELT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/11/07/MNG3Q9MDPD1.DTL Alaskan villages in hot water Rising temperatures melt ice barriers, imperil communities Tomas Alex Tizon, Los Angeles Times November 7, 2004 Newtok, Alaska - The boys hunt for mastodon bones on the tundra as the women and girls gather salmonberries from their secret spots in the hills. The men keep busy with various manly things, fishing and fixing roofs and hauling water from the community well. It's another sunny afternoon in this Inuk village of 340 on Alaska's west coast, and there isn't the slightest hint that life is approaching a cataclysmic change. In as few as 10 years, the whole village will be swallowed up by a torrent of water from the Ninglick River, and an ancient way of life will be erased. "It's like a razor blade down there, just chopping away at the beach," says Phil Kusayak, the school custodian, eyeing the waves in the near distance. "Pretty soon, it'll all be water." For thousands of years, ice shelves and permafrost along Alaska's coast acted as shields against storms and tidal forces, but rising temperatures have melted much of these natural barriers, leaving Newtok's shoreline vulnerable to a relentless barrage of waves. The Ninglick River, which has eaten away 3,320 feet of beach in the past 50 years, is accelerating toward Newtok at a rate of 110 feet a year. The town dump was washed away, and now the barge landing, critical for receiving supplies, has begun to crumble. Villages all across Alaska have been affected by the warming trend. Temperatures in polar regions have risen about 2 degrees per decade over the past 30 years. This has exacerbated the naturally occurring erosion that plagues more than 180 of Alaska's coastal and riverine villages. According to a report released 10 months ago by the General Accounting Office, now the Government Accountability Office, about two dozen villages are threatened and four are in "imminent danger" - and none more so than Newtok, where the erosion rate is faster than anywhere else. But Newtok residents aren't panicking, because they have a plan: to move the entire village, buildings and all, to a spot across the river, 9 miles away on the north end of Nelson Island. Villagers obtained the site for their new home in a land swap with the federal government in April. The town, which proposed the swap, got 11,000 acres on Nelson in exchange for giving up their village plus 12,000 adjacent acres, all of which will become part of a wildlife refuge that is already mostly tundra and marsh. The move would be unprecedented - if it happens. Tribal leaders, who commissioned an engineering study this year, said the move could cost $50 million to $100 million. Estimates from the GAO indicate the number could be as high as $400 million. Nobody knows where the money will come from. After Newtok, there would be Kivalina, Koyukuk, Shishmaref and 20 others. The cost to relocate, or barricade, all the villages threatened by erosion would be unimaginable. Officials acknowledge the urgency of the situation, but the cost and complexity of relocating a village have proved daunting. It would require the coordination of several state and federal agencies, and no agency or politician has dared to take the lead. By default, the Newtok people have been left to save themselves. Right now, their relocation fund stands at zero. Stanley Tom knows better than anyone what is at stake. Tom, 44, is the village grocer. He is short and bespectacled, with a wispy black mustache and eyes that, of late, have been twitchy. The village has placed the entire burden of the relocation on his shoulders. Ask villagers about the move and they will respond with some version of "Ask Stanley." He is a Yupik Inuk, born and raised in this community on the outer fringe of the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. He is a two-time college dropout, but one of only a few in town with any education past high school, and, most important, the only one who remotely understands the language of bureaucrats. In a village that depends on government funding for its most basic services, Tom is the lifeline to the outside world. He has initiated much of the planning for the move. "I'm it," Tom says with a sigh. "There's no one else here who can do it." Ted Stevens, one of Alaska's U.S. senators, convened a hearing in Anchorage this summer so village leaders could plead for assistance from local, state and federal officials, but there was no resolution. "Of course we're concerned. We don't want these villages to be washed away," says Stevens aide Courtney Schikora. "But it's not something we have a solution for right now." If the village can't be relocated for economic or other reasons, the only viable alternative, government officials say, would be to move the residents (but no buildings) to an existing community, such as Bethel, population 5,700, about 100 miles east. Village leaders say such a move would mean the end of the Newtok people as a distinct tribe. From the air, the village looks like a cluster of barnacles clinging to the edge of an immense green plain. On the ground, Newtok is a motley collection of about 70 small wood-frame homes built along several hundred feet of boardwalks that roll and bend with the terrain. The Newtoks, whose ancestors called themselves Qaluyaarmiut, or "dip net people," have occupied this region for at least 2,000 years. The people here know about moving. At least the older ones. Like all traditional Yupik Inuit, the Newtoks were nomadic until the 20th century, although they confined their travels to campsites on and around Nelson Island and along the Ninglick. When the Newtoks moved from camp to camp, they brought only what they could carry on boats. Their homes were made of sod. Newtok became permanent 55 years ago. Western ways, such as mandatory school attendance, required a stationary existence. Now the Newtoks have something they've never had before: infrastructure. The plan, in theory, calls for relocating those buildings that would be more economical to move than to rebuild, such as the school, built in 2001; the new medical clinic, finished just this year; the "washeteria," with its washers, dryers and water tanks; and the town's two electrical generators and their outbuildings. Why new facilities were built even though the Ninglick was fast-approaching is a testament to poor planning and, in some ways, to a collective denial that the village was doomed. In addition to those buildings, villagers would like to move their homes. Only houses built on pilings would be considered. Many of the older homes may be too fragile to uproot. Large buildings would likely be broken into sections, then transported either by barge during the summer or on giant sleds pushed or pulled by tractors across the frozen Ninglick during the winter. The move could take place over months or even years, as funds become available. "What's being talked about here ... hasn't been done before," says Christie Miller of Alaska's Department of Community and Economic Development. Miller visited Newtok in August, and was alarmed at the erosion rate. Andrea Elconin, project manager for the Army Corps of Engineers in Anchorage, says everyone is waiting for Congress to "tag one agency to take the lead" in dealing with the problem of threatened villages. Without a guiding agency, she and others say, projects such as Newtok's relocation could drift for years. Meanwhile, Stanley Tom spends much of his time talking on the phone and corresponding by e-mail. "I guess I'm the lead agency," he says. He communicates with a large array of engineers, scientists, politicians and bureaucrats. After one phone call, he takes a trip to the barge landing, a short ride away on an all-terrain vehicle. The ground is mushy all the way to the river shore. The Ninglick, an unusually wide, slate- colored waterway that connects Baird Inlet with the Bering Sea, spreads out to the horizon, with the shore of Nelson Island visible as a thin, dark line in the distance. "Where's the landing?" someone asks. "We're on it," Tom says. Where once there was a gently sloping beach with a dock, there is now an abrupt cutoff, like a small cliff. The dock, its foundation undercut by waves, has fallen to the bottom of the cliff. Next to the old pilings lies a shipping container on its side. It, too, has fallen off the edge. Two more shipping containers sit at the edge, ready to fall any day. All it will take is a storm or a strong wind. Copyright c. 2004 San Francisco Chronicle. --------- "RE: Indian leaders call for healing following election" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NATIONAL HEALING" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=5440 Indian leaders call for healing following election "Effects that political rhetoric...have on American Indian business people" Sam Lewin November 3, 2004 Stressing they are not calling anyone a racist, a group of American Indian leaders have called for a conference following comments made in the heat of California's election by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Officials with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California say they want to address the environment of "racism against American Indian business people that has been fueled by Governor Schwarzenegger's remarks against American Indians in California." Schwarzenegger said "the Indians are ripping us off" while speaking against Proposition 70, a measure that according to the California Secretary of State "grants exclusive tribal gaming rights; no limits on number of machines, facilities, types of games on Indian land," The legislation, rejected by the California voters, would have given tribes compacts that last 99 years. Chamber representatives say they have received "numerous racist comments and actions against us as a minority people while attending meetings and events as part of our efforts working on behalf of American Indian businesses." "We are not calling the governor a racist, however, we are compelled to address the "racist" effects that his political rhetoric has had on American Indian business people - a long misunderstood minority who are working towards the American dream like any other group," said Chamber President Tracy Stanhoff, an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and a small business owner. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: JODI RAVE LEE: Protecting rights of Native Voters" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JODI RAVE: NATIVE VOTERS" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/11/03/montana/a11110304_01.txt State's native voters face challenges By JODI RAVE - Missoulian November 3, 2004 RONAN - They lost a Native voter. "He's large. He's really dark. And he has a really booming voice," said Ruth Quequesah, a volunteer vote coordinator on the Flathead Indian Reservation who has worked for months to register voters and get them to the polls Tuesday. Quequesah felt the citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes was treated unfairly at the polls because he was Native. And when an election judge in Polson failed to offer him a provisional ballot, the man left the polling place upset. He never did return to vote. It was just the sort of situation Get-Out-the-Vote volunteers hoped to avoid. And it was the reason students at the University of Montana's Indian Law Clinic canvassed Montana's seven reservations on Election Day with nearly 50 lawyers and student volunteers. A volunteer assigned to the Polson site was traveling between polls when the tribal citizen failed to present proper identification. The Indian Law Clinic students' effort to protect Native voters was part of a national plan organized by the Native American Bar Association and the National Congress of American Indians, said Eli Parker of the Indian Law Clinic. The three most common barriers preventing Native people from voting are restrictive state election laws, poorly prepared election officials and misinformed voters. Native voters received increased attention from political candidates this fall, particularly in tight elections. And considerable effort went into making sure their votes were counted. On Election Day, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol issued a restraining order against Republican poll workers who were charged with intimidating Native voters on South Dakota's Yankton Reservation. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., was counting on the Native vote in his race against Republican John Thune. "The Flathead Reservation isn't as contentious as other reservations," said Rhonda Swaney of the Indian Law Clinic. "We're a smaller problem than other reservations. We're not as visible." Yet Quequesah and Anita Big Springs, a coordinator with Native Action, a nonprofit Get-Out-the-Vote organization, could rattle off a list of tribal citizens who met "antagonistic" election judges on Tuesday. In Lake County, with 22 precincts and 88 election judges, there are less than a handful of Native judges although tribal members make up nearly 25 percent of the population. If the ratio was balanced, there would be at least one Native election judge in every precinct, said Big Springs. She said complaints to the Lake County election administrator have fallen on deaf ears. But that hasn't stopped poll watchers from taking a seat at precincts to put Native people at ease, said Big Springs. "Through this process, we've made major inroads." Months of registering voters and getting them to the polls paid off. In Lake County, which encompasses most of the Flathead Reservation, some 2, 200 new voters were registered. Quequesah and Big Springs said their 60 volunteers alone registered about half those new voters since September. Copyright c. 2004 Helena Independent Record; a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: Tribes show some Poll Clout" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: TRIBAL VOTES" http://www.grandforks.com//dorreen_yellow_bird/10113183.htm COLUMNIST DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: Tribes show some poll clout November 6, 2004 Ahh, the week after elections; losers scratch their heads, and winners are misty-eyed with victory. Me? I'm both disappointed and glad at the outcome of some the election results. I am extremely pleased with the growing numbers of American Indian voters. It means we are recognizing how mainstream America affects us. It means we are realizing we can make a difference. I am disappointed we are saddled with another four years of the Bush administration. In the pit of my stomach, there is a foreboding - the feeling the nation is in for a rough ride. And I am disappointed with South Dakota: The state lost a good man in Sen. Tom Daschle. Daschle had worked his way into a very powerful position that benefited the state. I interviewed him a few years ago, when he cut the ribbon for a new Indian health clinic in Sisseton, S.D. I was impressed with him. I looked at the county-by-county results of the Senate race and found Indian people came out in big numbers for Daschle. That was true in the 2000 election, when Republican John Thune took a beating at the hands of the Lakota and Dakota. Sen. Tim Johnson's support from the tribes pushed him over the top. Apparently, Thune took another look at the tribes and realized they were a force to contend with. Then, he did some work on the reservations. There were significant numbers of voters in Sioux, Rolla and Rolette counties of North Dakota for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Satrom, but it wasn't enough. Satrom did get around to the reservations and showed his concern for our needs, but we are a state of the status quo: If the guy in office isn't doing too badly, we keep him, I was told. I learned about this status-quo inclination on North Dakota's part from James Neilson, a retired history and economics professor at Mayville (N.D. ) State University and Sunday's "Prairie Voices" interview subject. In addition, of course, Gov. John Hoeven has been pretty good governor. I like Satrom, but I don't think North Dakota will be disappointed with Hoeven's governorship. But I do wish he were a little more concerned about the needs of Indian people - we are, after all, part of the state, too. Minnesota, the state that elected independent Jesse Ventura, showed they were not status quo and supported John Kerry. On reservations, the Red Lake and White Earth tribes upset state Rep. Doug Lindgren, R-Bagley, who had led late into election night. When the reservations votes arrived that night, Brita Sailer won by a wide margin over Lindgren. Sailer probably still is smiling. Part of the Indian turnout in Minnesota was stimulated by Gov. Tim Pawlenty's strong-arm approach to tribes regarding casino revenue. Pawlenty wants a big share of the casino revenues and said that if the state doesn't get it, he would work to bring in private casinos. Before all that publicity about casinos paying into the state hit the news, the Prairie Island Indian community gave the national Republican convention event $10,000. After some mean and what some Democrats called race-baitng ads - ads that said "They (the Democrats) would rather tax average citizens than have tribal casinos pay their fair share" - Prairie Island asked for their money back. Tribal leaders weren't pleased with the GOP's attitude, I suspect. I chuckled at their response and would have raised my hand for a winner slap, if I were at Prairie Island. Indians' voting strength and mention in the news tells me we are beginning to take our place at the big table. Indian people are a new trend in political systems. Yet, we should remember to maintain that vision of who we are. Remember tribal governments held us together for thousands of years and in times of great adversity - they were good governments. Today, our new tribal governments, which were fashioned after the federal government in the middle 1900s, are struggling to find a way to good government. Last, we need to remember we have a responsibility to the nation and people - we are, after all, still stewards of Turtle Island. ---- Dorreen Yellow Bird's column appears Tuesday and Saturday. Reach her at (701) 780-1228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com Copyright c. 2004 Grand Forks Herald. --------- "RE: Voter ID Suits remain unfiled" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SOUTH DAKOTA" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/11/05/election/issues/934issue.txt Voter ID suits remain unfiled GOP official expects more charges of voting problems. By Denise Ross, Journal Staff Writer November 5, 2004 South Dakota Republican Party executive director Jason Glodt said he expects more charges of voter intimidation on Nov. 2, even though the group that made those charges after the June 1 election has not made good on its promise to sue. "When those allegations were first made, they were baseless," Glodt said. He was referring to charges made in the media by the nonprofit American Indian voting-rights group Four Directions Committee. Days after South Dakota's special U.S. House election on June 1, Four Directions executive director Bret Healy said his group had identified between 15 and 20 voters wrongfully denied the right to vote because they lacked photo identification. "Something broke down in South Dakota's election process, and we're going to do everything we can to ensure this doesn't happen again," Healy said a week after the election. Healy said then that Four Directions would file lawsuits in federal court in Rapid City, Pierre and Sioux Falls on grounds of civil-rights violations. At the time, Healy said he wanted a federal court to overturn South Dakota's voter ID law. Under the state law passed in 2003, voters should present a photo ID when voting. In lieu of presenting a photo ID, voters can sign an affidavit attesting to their identity. On June 1, the first statewide election under the new law, reports were prevalent of election workers turning away voters rather than offering them an affidavit. Glodt said he doesn't believe Four Directions officials ever intended to sue. "They were simply playing politics. Unfortunately, we expect it to happen again," Glodt said. Healy said Friday that he decided to back off the lawsuits after the state Election Board passed a regulation that requires signs explaining the affidavit option to be posted in polling places. And he said Four Directions didn't have enough money to pay for the suits. "We never filed suit because I didn't put enough money together yet. I emphasize 'yet,'" Healy said. "The fact of the matter is, those aren't baseless. Just because they didn't go to the courthouse door ... we chose to use the process to address it. That's why we have the sign requirement; it's, in large measure, because Four Directions was pushing for that kind of information to be out there." Contact Denise Ross at 394-8438 or denise.ross@rapidcityjournal.com Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: A Reservation's relentless Poverty" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PINE RIDGE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002084906_indians08.html A reservation's relentless poverty By Evelyn Nieves The Washington Post November 8, 2004 PINE RIDGE, S.D. - When the president came to town, Geraldine Blue Bird was lucky enough to be living in a four-room shack with 28 other people. Had she been better off, President Clinton's 1999 summer "poverty tour" to the Oglala Lakota Sioux reservation might have overlooked her house among all the other cabins and trailers doing hard time in her neighborhood. But even in the poorest patch of the poorest place in the country, the Blue Bird residence stood out. Children spilled out the doors, plywood covered the windows, and an outhouse stood near the wreck of a pop-up camper - used as an extra bedroom - in the back yard. When Clinton touched down here to point out that parts of the United States were as in need of help as developing countries, he called on Blue Bird. Soon after, she received a call from Ronald Dozoretz, a Washington psychiatrist and husband of a major Democratic Party fund-raiser. He was buying her a four-bedroom double-wide mobile home - what color did she want? Now, Blue Bird's double-wide, baby blue with black shutters, is the biggest house on her block. It only looks small, since she still takes in about two dozen children and young people, along with her son, daughter and four grandchildren. Pick a day and kids are sprawling and roller-skating across the living room, running around the bald front yard and climbing on the pine ramp out front that Blue Bird, who is 48 and has congestive heart failure, needs for her wheelchair. Still, she and everyone else here will tell you that her house was the best thing to come out of the first presidential visit to a reservation in more than 60 years. Many people say it was the only good thing. Five years after that visit, all the hopes Clinton stirred have amounted to very little. The house across the street from Blue Bird's still has no windows and no running water. Same goes for the one next to it, and the one next to that one. Beyond this neighborhood of brittle hovels, the Pine Ridge reservation is besieged by problems decades in the making and beyond its ability to fix. More Lakotas who had left are returning to the Plains, preferring to live among their own people rather than in relative comfort on the outside. But failings of the federal government - from mismanaging Indian money held in trust to shortchanging programs it is legally bound to fund - continually undermine efforts at self-help here. Things are not much better on some other reservations. The Navajos in the Southwest, the Crow tribe in Montana and the Comanches in Oklahoma are also poor, while some other tribes - even without casinos - have seen their living standards rise in recent decades. But Native American poverty rarely makes the national political agenda. The federal government has acknowledged it has grossly mishandled money it began collecting in the late 1880s, when it leased reservation land to oil, mining and timber interests and held the proceeds in trust for Indians. The government owes Native Americans billions, but a class-action lawsuit filed eight years ago on behalf of nearly 500,000 Indians is still unresolved. Meanwhile, on Pine Ridge, three and four families live in single-family houses, more than eight out of 10 people are out of work, and more than half the people, helpless against disconnect notices, have no phone in any given month. The Lakota can revel in a few hopeful signs. Tribal culture is undergoing a renaissance, after decades during which the federal government put Indian children into English-language-only boarding schools and banned sun dances. The Oglala Sioux Tribal College graduated 179 students this spring, its largest class since it was accredited in 1983. And the bison, nearly killed off during the Gold Rush and the westward expansion, are returning. In June, a seed herd of 15 yearlings was brought to the reservation in the hope that they will become multitudes. But barely a week passes here without a fresh roadside cross going up for yet another car-accident victim, or a cloud of black smoke rising from yet another trailer fire. One afternoon, as the remains of two trailers smoldered on the horizon - propane fires, most likely - Blue Bird was sitting in her kitchen, minding eight children, from 4 months to 12 years old, as they watched a "Scooby Doo" cartoon. The screen door kept banging open and shut, with kids going in and out, letting the flies inside. Fingerprints were all over the walls, footprints all over the floor. "Auntie Geraldine" was grateful the house was still in one piece. "A lot of people get donated trailers," she said, "but the trailers are already falling apart when they get them." Blue Bird gets by on $1,480 a month in Social Security disability benefits and boxes of food the Agriculture Department hands out in poor rural communities. Her wards - children of relatives or neighbors whom she takes care of for weeks, months or years at a time - keep her creative with money, she said. "I can stretch one can of soup to four," she said. Still, she is always worried. Blue Bird was due to drive to Rapid City, 118 miles away, the next day to have a tumor removed from her back, and she was feeling her mortality. Even after she had gastric-bypass surgery and lost nearly 200 pounds in three years, her body, burdened with diabetes and hypertension as well as heart problems, was always betraying her. If she were to die the next day, she wondered, what would become of all these children? "We all try to help one another here - that's our way," she said. "But life is so hard." People in Pine Ridge pour their energies into trying to make things better. The reservation needs help with everything: infrastructure, housing, health care, education, economic development. Yet federal money that is supposed to go to the Indians, under treaties or laws, keeps getting cut. The most glaring example, the Indian Health Service, was created by treaties drawn more than a century ago that promised high-quality health care (along with high-quality education and decent housing) for every Native American in exchange for the federal government's taking vast swaths of Indian land. But the health service, run by the Department of Health and Human Services, is funded at less than $2,000 per Indian each year, half of what federal prisoners get. This year, Congress rejected legislation to increase its budget. The administration redirected Indian Health Service funding to homeland security and the Iraq war. Indian Health Service hospitals operate under a "life or limb" policy. For lesser ailments, people write off a day of their lives in a clinic waiting room. Often, they just give up and go home. Deferred health problems take their toll. Life expectancy on the reservation is 47 to 56 years, the nation's lowest. Infant mortality is twice the rate of the rest of the country. Diabetes afflicts about half the population, and people here talk about their blood-sugar levels the way other Americans mention their cholesterol counts. Alcoholism is rampant - some figures place it at 80 percent of the population - yet on a reservation about the size of Connecticut, there is no alcohol-treatment center. The roadside crosses are too often the result of alcohol-fueled car accidents, which are nearly three times as common here as in the general population. The Pine Ridge Economic Empowerment Zone, which was the best hope for an economic shot in the arm after Clinton's visit, came with a promised grant of $2 million a year for 10 years as seed money for businesses. But this year, when the zone began to see long-term plans get off the ground, the Bush administration cut its grant to $1.5 million. It allocated no money for the zone in its proposed budget for next year. Some people blame politics for the funding slights. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and Tim Johnson, D-S.D., his junior colleague, have proposed bills to increase funding for Indian programs, only to see them defeated in the Republican-controlled Congress. In 2002, Johnson beat Republican John Thune by 524 votes based on late returns from Pine Ridge. Last week, Daschle, facing Thune in a nail-biter race, counted on the Democratic voting bloc on South Dakota's nine reservations to win, but went down to defeat. Indian programs have been cut or underfunded over many administrations, Democratic and Republican. Last year, the bipartisan U.S. Commission on Civil Rights published a report criticizing the federal government for underspending on Native American programs over generations. Between 1975 and 2000, the study found, funding for Indian programs declined when adjusted for inflation. The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, a source of complaints ever since federal law established the tribal-council system to help make tribes self-determining, is never stable, since the whole 16-member governing body faces election every two years. It is also on the verge of bankruptcy. Copyright c. 2004 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Tribe approves 42 possible replace Names" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 08:15:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="S-WORD" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.oregonlive.com//news-8/1099383546237840.xml&storylist=orlocal Tribe approves 42 possible words to replace offensive name The Associated Press November 2, 2004 BEND, Ore. (AP) - The word "squaw" has long been considered an offensive term for women by American Indians. Yet that is the name of Squaw Creek, which traverses the ancestral land of the Warm Springs tribe. Now, after years of internal debate, the Warm Springs Tribal Council has finally approved a list of 42 words that could be used to rename the creek and other nearby squaw place names. The tribal council of Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, which is comprised of the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs tribes, passed a resolution last week accepting the translation of 15 of the 42 words into the three distinct languages of their people. Although the tribes have long wanted to change the creek's name, this is the first time the tribal council has approved a list of possible replacements, said Bobby Bruno, the tribes' director of natural resources. The names were decided by a group of tribal elders, Bruno told The Bulletin. They include the words for animals, plants and physical features that can be found near the creek. To balance the formerly offensive name, the tribes also made sure to include positive references to women, said Sally Bird, an archaeologist for the tribes. The word laughing was included to signify "happy women working together." Translated it appears as akayaulal in Wasco, ti-yat in Sahaptin, the language of the Warm Springs tribe, and soowi'ena in Paiute. Although the creek doesn't flow through the reservation, it does run through the ceded lands of the Warm Springs tribes. That means the tribes may get preference when the Oregon Geographic Names Board chooses the name, said Champ Vaughan, president of the names board. The board will also listen to input from the U.S. Forest Service and city of Sisters, Vaughan said. But Sisters City Manager Eileen Stein said some of the names the tribes submitted may be too difficult to pronounce. Several of the Wasco names use unconventional symbols, such as an "l" with a diagonal line through it, that aren't included in most word processing programs. Bird, the tribe's archaeologist, counters that even spellings that seem difficult can be pronounced by non-Indians. "What I don't want them to do is to discount Wasco words because they think they're unpronounceable," Bird said, noting that "wixat," the Wasco word for road, is pronounced "wicut." Once the Oregon board makes its decision, the U.S. Geographic Names board will take six to 12 months to give final approval, Vaughan said. Because of that lag time, it's unlikely the tribes will meet an Oregon deadline for changing the squaw names. The Oregon Legislature passed a law in 2001 banning cities and other public bodies from using the term "squaw" in organization or property names. The law set a deadline of Jan. 2, 2005, for changing the name. In the Deschutes National Forest, there are 26 squaw place names, with eight of those in the Sisters Ranger District. Copyright c. 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2004 2004 The Oregonian, OregonLive.com. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Oregon Indians acting to remove Offensive Name" --------- Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2004 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Renaming Squaw Creek: Oregon Indians acting to remove offensive name Mailing List: News and Information http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/46385.php Renaming Squaw Creek Oregon Indians acting to remove offensive name THE ASSOCIATED PRESS November 3, 2004 BEND, Ore. - American Indians have long considered the word "squaw" an offensive term for women. Yet that is the name of Squaw Creek, which traverses the ancestral land of the Warm Springs tribes. Now, after years of internal debate, the Warm Springs Tribal Council has approved a list of 42 words that could be used to rename the creek and other nearby "squaw" place names. The council of Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, comprising the Wasco, Paiute and Warm Springs tribes, passed a resolution last week accepting the translation of 15 of the 42 words into the three distinct languages of their people. Although the tribes have long wanted to change the creek's name, this is the first time the Tribal Council has approved a list of possible replacements, said Bobby Bruno, the tribes' director of natural resources. The names were decided by a group of tribal elders, Bruno told The Bulletin, a Bend newspaper. They include the words for animals, plants and physical features that can be found near the creek. To balance the formerly offensive name, the tribes also made sure to include positive references to women, said Sally Bird, an archaeologist for the tribes. The word "laughing" was included to signify "happy women working together." Translated it appears as akayaulal in Wasco; ti-yat in Sahaptin, the language of the Warm Springs tribe; and soowi'ena in Paiute. Although the creek doesn't flow through the reservation, it runs through the ceded lands of the Warm Springs tribes. That means the tribes may get preference when the Oregon Geographic Names Board chooses the name, said Champ Vaughan, president of the names board. The board will also listen to opinions of the U.S. Forest Service and the city of Sisters, Vaughan said. But Sisters City Manager Eileen Stein said some of the names the tribes submitted may be too difficult to pronounce. Copyright c. 1999-2004 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services. --------- "RE: S'Klallam Tribe celebrates 100-year Vision" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 21:22:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LONGHOUSE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thesunlink.com/bsun//article/0,2403,BSUN_19088_3311746,00.html Tribe celebrates 100-year vision with completion of Longhouse More than 500 people turn out to see the new gathering place. By Eric D. Williams, Sun Staff November 7, 2004 A steady drizzle greeted young and elder members of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, as they congregated to celebrate a new gathering place that will last for centuries to come. The new indoor facility was the perfect spot to convene on a dreary Saturday afternoon. A sea of tribal elders, public officials, volunteers and local community well-wishers, some 500 strong, packed into the new $1.2 million Longhouse. "I think it's good for when we have powwows and the people from the other tribes can come and see how we've done it," said Angelina Ives, 11, a member of the S'Klallam tribal dancers. Ives and others came to sing songs, dance, chant, reminisce and say thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the completion of the new 5,700-square-foot anchor of the community. Public officials on hand included County Commissioner Chris Endresen, former County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, a representative for U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge, and members of the North Kitsap School District board. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, also delivered a video message. "We're about halfway there," Ron Charles, S'Klallam tribal chairman, said during his opening comments. "But we're very, very pleased with what has happened so far. The S'Klallam people like to get together and have a good time, have good food and visits with our friends and relatives. "And that's the type of building we wanted to build here. A place where we could do those ceremonies have funerals, weddings, celebrations and different types of big events that will take place in the Longhouse here." Charles said it's the first major building constructed on reservation land in 150 years. The Longhouse is the centerpiece of the $4.5 million, four-building House of Knowledge project, so named to celebrate the pursuit of education, of S'Klallam tribal heritage and the future. The first S'Klallam longhouse in over a century, the facility was custom designed and built with wood from Douglas fir trees harvested from the reservation. A tribal carving of an owl adorns the wide doors of the east entrance of the building. The owl is in honor of Martha John, a tribal elder who recently passed, and was instrumental in keeping alive the tribe's culture. The west doors feature a killer whale with a thunderbird. Four regal totem poles erected around the complex honor jobs tribe members worked to make a living, and depict the significant influence nearby Port Gamble Bay has had on the tribe's lifestyle. Adjacent to the Longhouse is a 3,420-square-foot career and education center, which will include a computer lab, distance learning center and staff offices. Future projects include a tribal elders center and the expansion of the well-used Little Boston Library. Bea Charles and Adeline Smith came up with the S'Klallam tribal name for the new complex, Xcntax (pronounced Haa-Chi-nought), because of its focus on knowledge. Tribal officials and S'Klallam tribal dancers honored everyone involved with the projects with dances, speeches, songs and storytelling. After the 3-hour ceremony, everyone gathered for a salmon dinner. "My grandfather used to say that the S'Klallam people are almost going to disappear," said Adeline Smith, one of the tribal elders. "But when they come back, they are going to come back strong. Now I see that." Reach reporter Eric D. Williams at (360) 792-3343, or at ewilliams@kitsapsun.com. Copyright c. 2004 The Beaverton Sun. --------- "RE: Colville tribes, Utility settle fight over Dam" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 08:15:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRIBAL LAND USAGE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002079482_tribe02m.html Colville tribes, utility settle fight over dam By SHANNON DININNY The Associated Press November 2, 2004 YAKIMA - The Douglas County Public Utility District and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation announced an agreement yesterday in a nearly two-year dispute involving payment for use of tribal land near Wells Dam. The PUD holds the license for the 840-megawatt dam, which was built in 1967 on the upper Columbia River. The license requires that the utility make annual payments to the Colvilles for use of tribal lands. The two sides have differed over how much compensation has been paid over the years, as well as which land the Colvilles own. Last year, the tribe sought $950 million from the utility district as compensation for fishing grounds flooded by the dam. Under the agreement, the utility will pay a lump sum of $13.5 million to the Colvilles within six months after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approves the settlement. The tribe then will release all past and present claims regarding annual payments against the utility for use of lands within the Wells Dam project. Since 1994, the Colvilles have received $21 million a year from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) for tribal land flooded by Grand Coulee Dam, also on the Columbia River. "We are fortunate that conditions allowed us to work out a solution with the Colville tribe," Douglas PUD Manager Bill Dobbins said in a news release. "This settlement fulfills a license requirement that has been outstanding since the Project was originally licensed in 1962." The Indians have said they have rights to 27 percent of the project's 11, 275 acres, while the utility contends it purchased most of the land in question. The two sides also differed over whether the Colvilles or the state owns the riverbed, which accounts for about 11 percent of the land in question. The utility paid the state for use of the riverbed, and that question was not addressed in the agreement, said utility spokeswoman Meaghan Vibbert. Under the agreement, the tribes will affirm all land rights previously conveyed to the utility district, including the right to impound water over the beds of the Okanogan and Columbia rivers, according to the release. The tribes also will support the utility's efforts to get a new 50-year license for the dam. The dam is up for relicensing in 2012. Joe Pakootas, chairman of the Colville Tribal Business Council, said he was pleased. The Colvilles finally will get significant compensation for past damages, he said. "A lot of our members may not feel complete with it, but at least compensation is started," Pakootas said in a news release. "The settlement is far better than years of litigation." Pakootas did not return a phone call for additional comment. The utility plans to sell revenue bonds to finance the obligation. It also plans to transfer about 466 acres of surplus land to the Colvilles within 30 days of FERC approval. Earlier this year, FERC approved a 50-year habitat conservation plan as part of the relicensing process for Rock Island, Rocky Reach and Wells dams. The agreements were developed by the Chelan County and Douglas County public-utility districts. Copyright c. 2004 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Coquille Tribe seeks suggestions from Crowd" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COQUILLE DEVELOPMENT MEETING" http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2004/11/05/news/news01.txt Tribe seeks suggestions from crowd By Howard Yune, Staff Writer November 5, 2004 With the former Weyerhaeuser Corp. sawmill property in hand, the Coquille Indian Tribe on Thursday night began the process of planning what to build there. The tribe opened a crowded forum to ask locals whether they prefer retail stores or interpretive centers, expansive bay views or densely packed developments amounting to a new Bay Area neighborhood. An overhead projection screen hung from the ceiling displayed the subject of discussion for the next two hours: the 50-acre finger of land between U.S. Highway 101 and the North Bend bayfront, once a hive of lumber cutting but now mostly a hive of weeds. In March, the Coquille Indian Tribe purchased the abandoned sawmill and dock site from Weyerhaeuser. Eight months later, consultants hired by the tribe were beginning on the lengthy path toward finding the waterfront plot's new purpose - and starting by asking questions of more than 150 people gathered at The Mill Casino-Hotel, built from the very mill the old owners had left behind. Before the forum on Thursday night, members of the tribe's economic arm, the Coquille Economic Development Corporation, had said little of the tribe's plans to redevelop the site. Opening the question-and-answer session, Nicole Faghin, a Reid Middleton planner who helped redevelop another former Weyerhaeuser mill in Washington into a business park, immediately cautioned the audience not to expect shovels in the ground right away. Instead, she emphasized the need first to identify not only the opportunities but also the market for them, as well as the laws and restrictions applying to the area. "That's why you're here tonight, to help us think that through," said Faghin. She outlined four phases CEDCO must pass through before construction begins: site assessment, concept planning (which she said can begin as early as June 2005), setting design guidelines and implementation, which she estimated to be about 18 months away. With audience members invited to speak, their ideas for the old mill site came one after the other, ranging from the popular to the unlikely, like a factory outlet retail center or a hydroponic farm. But almost all who spoke accepted the Bay Area's movement from timber-industry powerhouse to tourist area, and their suggestions reflected that: restaurants, small storefronts, a maritime museum, extra moorage for yachts, even an art gallery. "This is the most valuable property in the Bay Area, more than the North Spit," said Melvin Lesher, a North Bend resident. "It can make us all money," he continued, calling tourism-related businesses "the cleanest dollar we can make" on the formerly industrial site. "I'd like to see the Indians get involved in a winery," said Geno Landrum, owner of Oregon Wine Cellars Etc. in Coos Bay, who suggested the Coquille tribe could keep a vineyard in the Powers area to produce wine to sell in North Bend. "I like the idea of not only attracting tourists from Highway 101 but also providing uses for residents," said Caddy McKeown, a member of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay board of directors, who proposed "a scaled-down Pike's Place Market" where fishermen could sell their catches at the dock. Many of the suggestions shared a common theme of using shops and eateries to stimulate the street activity of the old-town districts of Bandon and Florence. When Faghin asked whether a big-box retailer such as Costco would be acceptable on the waterfront, the audience immediately blurted out, "No!" "Not there!" "Put it on Ocean Boulevard." Any chain store with a huge footprint would destroy the ease of pedestrian access and with it the chance of creating a vital street life on the CEDCO property, one audience member warned. "Having a community depends on a pedestrian scale," said Anne Donnelly. "One reason people are opposed to big-box stores - and I'm one of them - is the acres and acres of parking surrounding them." The solution, she suggested, is "clustering parking, clustering buildings and creating a good, strong pedestrian corridor." Another audience member favored making the waterfront property more tourist-friendly - so long as the development creates a gateway, not a screen, to the view of Coos Bay waterway. "Whatever is there," said Peggy Black, "needs to be for everyone to see the water and get to the water to enjoy it." In whatever form development takes, the site ought to reflect the Bay Area's local character, according to Mike Vaughan, a landscape designer and site planner in Coos Bay. "Tourists are interested in seeing what the locals do, and not in a Disney way," Vaughan said. As the forum wound down, Faghin remarked at how quickly residents' aspirations for the old sawmill site have gelled so early in the planning. "As you understand, there's lots and lots of information to work with," she told the audience. "It's a wonderful thing when you go through the rounds of meetings and talk to people, and find out everyone is on the same page of music." Though the Coquille tribe was not legally required to hold a public meeting on its North Bend development, Deana Scott, CEDCO's marketing and communications director, said doing so was the surest way to gain the community's good will. "This development is something that, down the road, will be a big asset, so their input was important," Scott said today. "We felt it was important to be a good community partner." A second public meeting on the project is likely between March and June, she added. Copyright c. 2004 Southwestern Oregon Publishing Company. --------- "RE: Two movies chronicle Wounded Knee events" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 18:34:48 EST From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Two movies chronicle Wounded Knee events Mailing List: Sovereign Nations Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.argusleader.com/news/Sundayarticle5.shtml Two movies chronicle Wounded Knee events Peter Harriman Argus Leader November 7, 2004 Indian festival showcases works from South Dakota South Dakota's modern history with Native Americans can be bracketed by seminal events at Wounded Knee. The 1890 massacre signaled the end of traditional tribal nomadic existence, and the 1973 American Indian Movement occupation propelled a rebirth of commitment to tribal sovereignty and traditional culture. And both were featured on the opening day of the 29th annual American Indian Film Festival. It began Saturday at the Galaxy Theater in San Francisco. "Ghost Riders," a documentary on the annual Big Foot Memorial Ride commemorating the 1890 massacre, is directed by V. Blackhawk Aamodt and narrated by Benjamin Bratt. "A Tattoo on My Heart," a documentary about the 30th anniversary of the 1973 Wounded Knee occupation, is directed by Rapid City lawyer Charles Abourezk and Brett Lawlor. Both films were shown Saturday. "It will be quite a night. It will be South Dakota night," said Michael Smith, founder and director of the American Indian Film Institute organizing the festival. Since it began in 1975, the festival has shown more than 800 films. "It's good for the film to get some recognition of some sort," Abourezk said of "A Tattoo on My Heart," which was premiering. "More important is the contact at film festivals. A lot of TV people and movie production companies will be there at the festival looking for products to purchase." The documentary also has been submitted for entry into the Sundance Film Festival in January. "Both films are done very nicely and will be well received," Smith said. "Ghost Riders" is the third documentary on the Big Foot ride to be shown at the festival, according to Smith. That ride began in 1986 when Birgil Kills Straight and four other Lakota riders reprised the December 1890 trek across South Dakota by the Minneconju leader Big Foot, his followers, and Hunkapas who fled the Standing Rock reservation when Sitting Bull was arrested and killed. The Indians were trying to link up with the Oglalas in hopes of finding safety by spending winter with them in the Badlands. But they were intercepted by the Seventh Cavalry outside Wounded Knee, and an estimated 300 were massacred when the soldiers' attempt to disarm them erupted into violence. Kills Straight and other riders made the ride from 1986 to 1990 to fulfill a spiritual leader's vision that the four-year journey would set to rest the souls of the people killed. Since 1990, the Big Foot Ride has continued, primarily as a way to keep Lakota youth in contact with their history. "This film has a lot of emphasis on how the ride is put together. Our jury found that very intriguing, how it comes together and the support the riders have back there," Smith said. 1973 occupation "A Tattoo on My Heart" is a series of recollections of participants in the 1973 occupation who returned to attend the 30th anniversary celebration in January 2003. "We decided to interview those people who were still interested enough to show up at the 30th anniversary," Abourezk said. "We did not interview anybody who would be considered AIM leadership, and we did not interview people on the government side in this first documentary, although we have considered doing additional segments in the future. "We just thought we were interested in hearing the voices of those everyday people who decided to be involved in Wounded Knee: what moved them to take that risk and make the sacrifices they did." Three decades after the occupation, participants, for the most part, still take great pride in the standoff with state and national law enforcement agencies at Wounded Knee, and individuals tend not to embellish their own roles. "You find that sort of humility in the film," Abourezk said. "The stories are undertold, if anything. Somehow, that translates into giving them a lot of dramatic power." Abourezk's father, former U.S. Sen. James Abourezk, helped resolve the Wounded Knee standoff and held Senate hearings on it. Before law, Abourezk was a minority-affairs producer with South Dakota Public Television, and his first documentary, in 1989 ,examined the prevalence of AIDS on Indian reservations. Waiting for interviews He said he and Lawlor held off on making a Wounded Knee film until now because the interviews couldn't have been done earlier. "People were still concerned about prosecution or the government using these interviews against friends or family," he said. During the 30th anniversary celebration, the filmmakers set up a studio at the Wounded Knee studio and interviewed the documentary's subjects there. The film was edited in Seattle, and a final cut was completed only about a week ago, when a new song was added to the soundtrack. "I'm glad we laid these interviews down on film," Abourezk said. "Since we made it, three or four participants have passed away. It was timely. If we wanted to lay down a piece of South Dakota history, it was important to get down there on the 30th anniversary." Smith says "A Tattoo on My Heart" basically is retrospective but lends itself to the mood of Native people today. Because it has the potential to connect young people with the spirit of political activism exemplified by AIM at Wounded Knee. "It is certainly a film for the ages," Smith said. Abourezk said he and Lawlor tapped into the universal literary theme of the heroic journey with their documentary. "What I learned was, these people were all afraid, but they overcame their fears," he says. "The resulting experience they had transformed not only their lives but the lives of Indian people all across the U.S." He said he thinks the accounts of the Wounded Knee participants, seasoned by 30 years, illustrate this: "The treasures in life are always on the other side of taking huge risks." Reach Peter Harriman at 575-3615 or pharrima@argusleader.com Copyright c. 2004 Argus Leader. --------- "RE: Update: Support needed for Resister" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 15:23:46 EST From: redorman@medscape.com Subj: Update re: URGENT: Support Needed for Resister... Mailing List: Big Mountain From: Condor952@aol.com [Please, Distribute. Thx, byk] October 31, 2004 Big Mountain, AZ Supporters for the traditional Dineh resisting forced relocation have reported that BIA Hopi Agency Law Enforcement Rangers have been monitoring the resistance area intensely. On Sunday, October 31st, an elder woman was forced not to collect vegetation for ceremonial use. These supporters reported that it was unusual to see law enforcement personnel very active on a weekend. It is assumed that this is a campaign to stop "un-permitted wood cutting" in the areas but it goes further than that by keeping up the pressure of harassments and intimidations to remind the Dineh resisters to: "Give up. They lost the battle to keep their lands!" The supporters monitored the area to see why there was an active surveiliance and perhaps an impoundment of animals might be taking place. A BIA-Hopi Ranger vehicle was suspiciously driving very slowly on a backroad as it spotted a fresh tire tracks leading into the woods. Moments before, a group of small children were noticed playing in a ravine and the supporters remembered the stories about wood cutters being confronted or charged. So, they waited just a short time when they saw the Ranger truck approaching a local resident's truck in the woods. The little children had already summoned the grandma about the approaching police. The grandma tried to explain that she was just collecting a few sticks of willows but the Officer insisted that she was taking vegetation from "Hopi Land." The Officer then asked if she knew the supporters who were witnessing this encounter from a distance. The supporters were not able to get the complete exchanges between the Officer and the elder woman. It is presumed that the elder lady was fearful of being charged and decided to leave the area while her little grandchildren had also witnessed what just transpired. [Addition to this Report] It is still suggested that support can still be generated by continuing to make calls to the BIA-Hopi Agencies, its courts, and to the US Department of Justice. They need to know that the world is watching this violation of Human Rights unfolding in the name of Peabody coal expansions. Demands should be made noting that the control over wood cutting endangers families to health risks by having cold homes. Also, 99 percent of the Black Mesa communities rely on wood to warm their homes. There are no gas lines or gas delivery service out there, or that there are no alternative means provided to the area residents to warm their homes. Nearly, 85 percent of the Black Mesa areas' full-time residents are elders over the age of 70 and most are traditional. This still constitutes as an act of genocide according to the Geneva Conventions on International Human Rights Policies. Furthermore, demands should also be directed to the Navajo Nation and the BIA-Hopi Agency to provide alternatives like notifying residents about acquiring permits to cut wood or use other natural resources, and/or deliver permit-forms to these traditional elders to fill out. The 'Gestapo' tactic of the BIA and its tribal agencies needs to stop and it is only putting many traditional indigenous elders at a health risk. [End Note] This report was delivered today by some supporters who were in the Big Mountain area visiting friends and delivery some food. Finally, this message is being forwarded via Unpopular Activist Page. -Bahe Bahe Y. Katenay Dzil'ni't'saa de' Dineh (Dineh from Great Mountain) Professional Sheep Herder, Dineh Pre/Historical Researcher, Cultural and Western Science Interpreter, and Deep Rooted Grassroot Activist. REPLY TO: iindon49@hotmail.com & CC: byk@dana.ucc.nau.edu ========================================= Please visit my website, http://www.twincougars.com for health and wellness information and products. ----------------------------------------- Please visit http://www.theofficenet.com/~redorman/pagea~1.htm for more background on the Big Mountain relocation issue. To post to the list, email your message to redorman@theofficenet.com. To subscribe, send an email to: BIGMTLIST-subscribe@topica.com. --------- "RE: GOP's Eibensteiner heads Slot-Machine Firm" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MORON ALERT: GOP DUPLICITY" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5071650.html MORON ALERT: GOP's Eibensteiner heads slot-machine firm GOP's Eibensteiner heads slot-machine firm Pat Doyle and Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune November 5, 2004 Ron Eibensteiner, the head of the Republican Party of Minnesota and a critic of the state's casino compacts with Indian tribes, is chairman of a firm that sells slot machines to casinos. The firm, Spectre Gaming, is involved in the gambling machine market at a time when Gov. Tim Pawlenty has threatened to open a nontribal casino to compete with Minnesota Indian casinos unless the tribes give the state $350 million a year. Asked by the Star Tribune about his role in the gambling business, Eibensteiner said Friday that he is concerned about "the perception factor, " and intends to resign from Spectre's board of directors as two additional board members are recruited. "There's going to be some discussion in the Legislature about Indian gaming next year," he said. "I don't want anybody to think that I have any dog in this fight one way or another." Eibensteiner said his firm has no business deals with Minnesota tribes, hasn't sought any and won't in the future. He also said his firm has no plans to seek business with a nontribal casino if one were built in the Twin Cities. But John McCarthy, director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, said, "He can say all day long he doesn't do any business in Minnesota. That's today. Maybe tomorrow he does business in Minnesota." Spectre, with headquarters in El Cajon, Calif., and an office in Minneapolis, says it sells machines to charitable-gambling markets as well as tribal casinos. It reported losing $1.8 million in the six months ending June 30, according to statements that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The losses stemmed primarily from expenses that the company incurred for employees, consulting and other costs as it began operations. "We're a startup company at this point," said Brian Niebur, its chief financial officer. "The company designs and develops networks, software and content that provide its customers with a comprehensive gaming system," according to SEC documents. "The company anticipates that it will generate revenues starting in the third quarter of 2004." It announced a new financing deal in September, and on Monday said it had begun operating games at a tribal casino in Oklahoma. Niebur declined to comment on whether deals with other casinos are in the works but said the firm has no intention of selling to Minnesota casinos. Eibensteiner said the company has never applied for a license to sell gambling equipment in Minnesota and has no plans to do so. He has taken a lead role on Indian gambling issues in Minnesota, unveiling a statewide radio ad last week that supported Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to obtain a share of tribal casino revenues. Tribes in other states pay a share of their revenues to state government, he said, and so should tribes in Minnesota. Compacts agreed to in 1989 and 1991 between Minnesota and its Indian tribes did not require the tribes to share casino profits with the state. Eibensteiner said Spectre grew out of a telecom company that he had headed and liquidated in 2000. The writers are at at pdoyle@startribune.com. and plopez@startribune.com Copyright c. 2004 Minneapolis Star Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Haskell Students aim to tackle Diabetes" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DIABETES RISKS" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=5444 Haskell students aim to tackle diabetes Educating youngsters about risks, prevention Native American Times November 4, 2004 Students at Haskell Indian Nations University are launching an effort to prevent diabetes among school-age children living on Indian land. The collegians will travel to the Royal Valley Elementary School in Hoyt for Health and Wellness day, an inaugural event marking the beginning of the implementation of the diabetes educational program. Haskell is located in Lawrence, Kansas. The daylong program in Hoyt features hands-on activities focused on healthy eating, prevention of type 2 diabetes, the benefits of physical exercise, differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, how diabetes affects people, and how to modify a traditional tribal recipe to make it a healthy choice. The event is sponsored by Haskell's School of Education as part of the Diabetes Based Science Education in Tribal Schools Grant. The primary goal of the grant is diabetes prevention in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Pre-service student teachers in the School of Education at Haskell are required to take a class which prepares them to teach holistic health, fitness and leisure. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, about 15 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives who receive care from the Indian Health Service have been diagnosed with diabetes, a total of 105, 000 people. On average, American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.6 times as likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic whites of a similar age. Forty to 70 percent of American Indian adults age 45 to 74 were found to have diabetes in a recent screening study in three geographic areas. Data from the Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey, published in 1997, showed that 22.9 percent of Navajo adults age 20 and older had diabetes. Fourteen percent had a history of diabetes, but another 7 percent were found to have undiagnosed diabetes during the survey. Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common in youth. Researchers studying 5,274 Pima Indian children from 1967 to 1996 found that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in girls ages 10 to 14 increased from 0.72 percent i n the period 1967 to 1976 to 2.88 percent in the period 1987 to 1996. Reports include an increasing incidence in First Nation populations in Canada. In 1998, about 70,000 of the 2.3 million self-identified American Indians/Alaska Natives who receive care from the IHS had diabetes. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Indian Jewelry - and Life - on display" --------- Date: Monday, November 1, 2004 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Indian jewelry - and life - on display Mailing List: News and Information http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=local&story_id=11 0104a8_nativejewelry&toolbar=print_story Indian jewelry - and life - on display The Associated Press November 1, 2004 NEW YORK - Pins in the form of clan animals. Bracelets shaped to reflect family totems. Native American jewelry for centuries has represented more than simply an aesthetic ideal. It has carried meaning and reflected tribal culture. It's a tradition that today's Native American artists continue. Both traditional and contemporary jewelry pieces went on display Saturday in an exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History. "Totems to Turquoise: Native North American Jewelry Arts of the Northwest and Southwest" will be on view through July 10. The show, which contains more than 500 pieces of jewelry and other artifacts, is designed to demonstrate how the tribes in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest portray their cultures and beliefs through their work. "Art is integrated into their culture. There is not a separation of art from life," said Lois Sherr Dubin, one of the show's curators. The show examines both similarities and differences in the two regions. Jewelry from the Southwest - which includes Navajo, Hopi, Zuni and Pueblo - uses more color, and the lines tend toward the angular. For Northwest tribes, such as the Haida, Tlingit and Salish, jewelry is more like sculpture. Pieces feature images carved or hammered into metals with little or no additional color and use more fluid and curved lines. But there is commonality as well. In both regions, artisans used jewelry to reflect their view of the world around them. The animals in the designs reflected their clan or family totems, or creatures from their mythologies. Some of the material, such as California abalone shell, was used in both regions. It's "all about orienting people," Peter Whiteley, another of the show's curators, said of the jewelry. "It corresponds with a system that places you in the world." Another aspect of the exhibit aims to connect traditional pieces with the work being done by contemporary Native American artists, showing how crafts people today hold on to the artistic traditions while trying to be innovative as well. One display case has a contemporary bracelet next to a pendant that's about 900 years old. Both pieces use similar colors and techniques. Another belt is in traditional concho form, but the metalwork has modern astrological imagery. The artists represented in the show were selected because they were rooted in their cultural traditions, Whiteley said. "The artists we chose had to be people engaged in their communities who were involved in their traditional life, not just somebody living in a city who happened to have that heritage," he said. Native artists Jim Hart of the Haida and Jesse Monongya of the Navajo were consultants on the exhibit. Monongya said he hoped viewers of the exhibit would leave with a greater appreciation of Native American craft. "Even through hardship, we have always designed beautiful things," he said. The museum planned a number of events to coincide with the exhibit, starting with an opening day celebration on Saturday, lectures and children's workshops. On the Net - American Museum of Natural History: www.amnh.org. Copyright c. 2004 Tuscon Citizen. --------- "RE: Miss Indian NAU advocates Native American Culture" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TARA KITCHEYAN" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.lumberjackonline.com//display.v/ART/2004/11/04/418a6da91c855 Miss Indian NAU, advocates Native American culture by Laurai Gill November 4, 2004 Sure, Miss Indian NAU will be advocating Native American culture in November. She has been toiling at it since her crowning. November is designated Native American Heritage Month. The tribute was authorized in 1990 by former president George Bush. This year's focus will be on the life ways and historical contributions of Native Americans and Alaska's Native Americans. Tara Kitcheyan, a sophomore applied indigenous studies major crowned last April, comes from the San Carlos Apache tribe. "Heritage is important to Native Americans because it makes us who we are, and if we didn't have our cultures it wouldn't make us who we are or give us something to call our own," she said. "My Apache culture and Native American heritage is important to me because it is my identity and if I didn't have that who would I be?" Kitcheyan was featured in Teen Magazine last month in an article about her experience of coming into puberty. The article was composed of different experiences of girls around the world "rights of puberty." The article described her participation in a traditional Apache ceremony while she was developing from adolescence and entering womanhood. Kitcheyan said her crown gave her a sense of accomplishment, and said she felt she could tackle any challenge in her yearlong reign. That challenge came to Kitcheyan at the Veteran's Western Region conference. It was then she realized not many people are aware of her title or familiar with the Native Americans United sponsored pageant. "There were two women who attended the conference and told me I needed to get my name out there and let everyone know who I am," Kitcheyan said. "I feel good when people ask me who I am. I like to take the time out and educate them about my role and of the pageant." Since then, Kitcheyan has labored to get her name and the pageant noticed. "I want to give a loud cry and say, `Hey I'm over here. I am Miss Indian NAU'," Kitcheyan said. Vernon Davis, an employee for NAU Printing Services, sees her every week during NAUnited club meetings. "She's enthusiastic about her role and really loves it," Davis said. Jocelyn Billy, former Miss Indian NAU and current president for NAUnited, also said Kitcheyan is enthused about her title. "Tara has raised the Miss Indian NAU pageant program to the degree of excellence the pageant committee and NAUnited had envisioned," Billy said. Kitcheyan's passion to help her people came from watching her mother. Kitcheyan's mother was the first woman to become a chairperson of the San Carlos Apache tribe. Kitcheyan's goal is to become a lawyer to help represent American Indian people. In September, Kitcheyan traveled to Washington, D.C. with her mother, who served as an ambassador and a representative for the Apache tribe, during the opening of the National American Indian Museum. Kitcheyan said she watched her mother in meetings in enjoyed the environment. Kitcheyan said the museum represented eastern tribes more than western tribes, but she was glad to be surrounded by many people from different tribes. "It was really nice for all the indigenous people to come together," Kitcheyan said. "Everyone agreed we had waited too long." Since Kitcheyan was crowned, she has traveled to pow-wows and spoken at various functions and schools. Last summer, Kitcheyan returned home to San Carlos, Ariz. to speak to high school and elementary students about the importance of education. She discussed NAU, the college experience and what to expect while away from home. "The majority of high school graduates don't leave home so I really stressed education," Kitcheyan said. "I went home and let students know that you can be successful if you put your mind to it." Kitcheyan has set a goal to recruit as many girls as she can to run for next year's pageant. Last month, Kitcheyan appeared in the Miss Indian Arizona Pageant and the Native Recognition parade, both in Phoenix, and the Western Navajo Parade in Tuba City, Ariz. Kitcheyan's role as Miss Indian NAU will conclude April 2005 when she will crown the next winner. She is proud of her role and hopes turnout will increase next year. "I am more confident now and don't let anything discourage me," Kitcheyan said. "It helped me manage my time and along the ways it helped me grow up." Applicants must be unmarried, have no children, be affiliated with a tribe and knowledgeable of their customs and traditions. The applicant also must be 18- to 29-years-old. They may not be in active military duty or hold any other title. Copyright c. 2004 Lumberjack Online --------- "RE: Onboard with the Zapatistas" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ZAPATISTA FREEDOM FIGHTERS" http://www.indiancountry.com/~CFID=223509&CFTOKEN=64484946 Onboard with the Zapatistas November 1, 2004 by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today Reporter's notebook The toughest Indians in the world HERMOSILLO, Mexico - Seated on the motel bed with her backpack ready, Maria Garcia, great-grandmother who packs sack lunches for these trips, said she was prepared to die for this cause, the struggle for indigenous rights in Mexico. The year was 1995. The Zapatistas had emerged in armed struggle the year before, and now, the military and paramilitary were executing Mayans in remote villages. Garcia was on an indigenous delegation to Chiapas and all were volunteering to serve as human shields. They were also delivering thousands of pounds of food to mountain villages. But all things go better with good friends, even looking down the barrels of the Mexican military's automatic weapons on isolated dirt roads. Maria's husband Jose Garcia, Tohono O'odham, was joined by Dennis Ramon, then chairman of the Tohono O'odham Legislative Council in Sells, Ariz. and Tohono O'odham tribal councilman Mike Flores of Gu:Vo. With them were Jose Matus, Pascua Yaqui ceremonial leader and border rights activist; Guy Lopez, Dakota activist; Larry Gus, Navajo-Hopi photographer; supporter Bruce Black and this reporter. The climb to the village was hard and some of us needed donkeys to make it up to the village of Emiliano Zapata. The steeper climb to the second village on top, where one of the Mayans had been executed by the military, was a mudslide of tangled vines and trees. With a military helicopter following overhead, I slid back down the mountain, finally following a trail of chiles we had dropped, back to the first village. The toughest Indians in the world climbed that mountain. On top, they joined others like themselves. The horses ate the sack lunches Maria had prepared of boiled eggs, but the important part was the Indian delegation heard the Mayan stories of struggling to survive as non- Indians took control of their land. On the trail, they found shell casings of bullets issued by the U.S. military. When they came down to Emiliano Zapata, Maria made fresh tamales of ground corn, steamed in banana leaves. With a little rice, cinnamon and raisins backpacked in, she made rice pudding. Surrounded by the fog of the high mountains and the sounds of a few chickens and dogs, the atmosphere was thick with the possibility of being shot. By flashlight at night, we listened. These were the stories of horror, losses of land when a family's survival depends on growing corn; stories of murders, rapes and abuses by the military and paramilitary death squads; stories of the sicknesses that claim the lives of children for want of simple penicillin. Nurses at the clinic said they feared they would be killed by the military. But there was also laughter and friendship. Six years later, Maria and Jose Garcia were once again in their kitchen in a Tucson barrio, packing lunches. This time it wasn't for a dozen people, but for a busload of indigenous on the Sonoran bus to central Mexico. When the busload of indigenous left Hermosillo, the capitol of Sonora, no one was certain whether we would be able to join the Zapatista caravan through Mexico. But this is what happened in the high mountains at the National Indigenous Conference in Michoacan. In the 10 days that followed, the caravan of buses went through central Mexico at such speed, that we slept in the seat of the buses for days. Mayo, Pima and Yaqui leaders from western Mexico, wearing white cowboy hats and boots, were with us. Here, everyone was a warrior. Of all the indigenous heroes on those buses, and there were many, there was one young Nahautl (Aztec) man from the state of Guerrero. He was in his 20s, had only one leg and without a crutch, hopped from place to place. He was with a small group of young Nahautl onboard the Sonoran bus. They said there was no food in their villages and their bodies were thin from hunger. These young men said little, but when the call was announced that security was needed, they were the first to rush forward. Security most often was a circle of people with linked arms around the Zapatista comandantes. In those days and nights, Subcomandante Marcos and the Mayan comandantes rallied the people in cities, towns and villages to support a new Mexico, a Mexico that honors the sovereign autonomy of indigenous peoples. Onboard, the songs rang out, "Zapata Vive!" and both the birthplace and final resting place of the revolutionary hero of the country people, Emiliano Zapata who died in 1919, were visited. During some days on the caravan, there was little or no food. But feasts for up to 8,000 people were waiting as we neared Mexico City. In the city, an acre of vicious barking police attack dogs were waiting as more than a half million people lined the streets, welcoming and cheering the Zapatista caravan. Miguel, a blind man from Mexico, kept everyone entertained with his jokes and aware of the beauties of the countryside as they described the colors to him. "It is hard to be a revolutionary where you are old and disabled," Miguel joked with the woman seated behind him on the bus, from Tucson, Ariz., who was disabled and moved with a walker. As the Zapatista caravan arrived at Zocalo Plaza in central Mexico City, Mexican Zapatistas working in the Swiss media onboard the Sonoran bus sang out, "Zapata Vive!" (Zapata lives!) "La lucha sigue!" (The struggle continues.) "Long live the heroes!" read the banners in the streets. "Vive Sonora!" Mexicans shouted. (Continued in part two) Copyright c. 1998-2004 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Bands share Title to Rez" --------- Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2004 08:13:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STO:LO NATION" http://www.ammsa.com/raven/topnews-oct-2004.html#anchor2007618 Bands share title to rez Raven's Eye Staff, Mission Ravens Eye October - 2004 The Aboriginal Newspaper of British Columbia & Yukon Published October 18, 2004 Twenty-one bands in the Sto:lo Nation celebrated an addition to their land holdings on Oct. 23, a reserve that they will share jointly and equally. Deanna Honeyman, leasing officer for the Sto:lo Nation lands department, said "This is probably one of the first times something like that has actually happened, that 21 First Nations actually got together to have one parcel of land be added to their reserve as joint owners." The reserves that presently make up the Sto:lo Nation are spread out between Hope and Fort Langley on both sides of the Fraser River, said Honeyman. The new land parcel, about 12 acres, is the site of the former St. Mary's school, constructed around 1863 and run by the Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate until 1960. At that time, the Crown took over the property and built a new school, which it operated until 1984. Indian Affairs notified the Sto:lo Nation three years ago the land parcel could go on the block for sale if the Sto:lo bands did not wish to add it to their reserve holdings. Twenty-one of the 24 bands within Sto:lo territory expressed interest in owning the land, and created a technical team to work out the details. Sto:lo Nation CEO Joe hall, Sto:lo Nation lands manager Valerie Sam and Indian Affairs lnds manager Linda Kerr were the appointees. On Sept. 12 last year, 20 First Nations signed the Joint Reserve Management Agreement and one other First Nation signed subsequently. A referendum to ratify the agreement was held on Nov. 26, 2003, at which time the 21 became part owners of the reserve. They are the Aitchelitz, Chawathil, Chem, Chehalis, Kwantlen, Kwaw Kwaw Apilt, Leq'a:mel, Matsqui, Popkum, Scowlitz. Seabird Island, Shxw'ow'hamel, Shxwha:y Village, Skawahlook, Skowkale, Skwah, Soowahlie, Squiala, Sumas, Tzeachten and Yakweawioose First Nations. The three First Nations that opted out did not give reasons said Honeyman. They have named their new reserve Pekw'xe:yles, which means "broken bluff." Honeyman said they haven't decided an ultimate use for the land. "Right now, there's buildings on the site, and there's offices being leased by Sto:lo Nation. It's going to be used as the same purposes. There's a craft-making facility, there's a daycare, and then just general office admin offices there... They have up to 15 years in order to have the land designated, but up until then, the Sto:lo Nation can continue to lease it." The joint reserve management agreement mandates five years to designate the land for leasing purposes, but the period could be extended "three more terms" providing all 21 First Nations agreed on the process, said Honeyman. Representatives of the First Nations and the lands department met "on a fairly regular basis," prior to signing and will continue to do so, she said, "to discuss what are the next steps that need to be taken." Honeyman said they were trying to get the word out to all former students of St. Mary's Residential School about the day-long celebration planned. Copyright c. 2004 Ravens Eye, AMMSA - Aboriginal Multi-Media Society. --------- "RE: NB Natives seek bigger cut of Forestry Industry" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NEW BRUNSWICK FORESTRY" http://www.aborinews.com/contenu/accueil/show.asp?lang=en&id=1724 New Brunswick natives seek bigger cut of province's forestry industry CHRIS MORRIS November 5, 2004 FREDERICTON (CP) - With more court battles looming over the question of aboriginal access to New Brunswick's forests, a First Nations chief says native loggers want to cut significantly more wood for commercial purposes. Chief Jeff Tomah of the Woodstock First Nation in western New Brunswick said Thursday it's time the province stop fighting aboriginal people in court and sit down for meaningful negotiations. "I've been chief for four years and for four years I've been involved in court battles because provincial authorities are pissed the aboriginal people are on the land," Tomah said. "They have to get over it. Like I say, it feels pretty good when you stop banging your head against the wall." The chiefs of New Brunswick's Mi'kmaq and Maliseet reserves have said they want a meeting with New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister Keith Ashfield. The minister is trying to curtail activities of native loggers by insisting on permits to cut wood on Crown land. Ashfield said some native loggers are carrying on a large and illegal commercial harvest, taking hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of trees. He said the loggers are harvesting for personal gain rather than personal use and has warned they will be prosecuted if they disobey the permit system. An official with the Natural Resources Department said Ashfield will not meet with the chiefs until they have worked out and presented a proposal for discussion. "Once the minister receives something from the chiefs that can be discussed, then he would want to move forward with a meeting," said department spokesman Brent Roy. "Until then, there's no point." The aboriginal harvest is infuriating commercial forestry operators who say the wood situation in the province is already tight and getting tighter. "That's why we have mills closing all over the place," said Yvon Poitras of the New Brunswick Forest Products Association. "I don't want to comment beyond pointing out that First Nations people represent one per cent of the population of New Brunswick and they were given 5.3 per cent of the total annual cut on Crown lands." The 5.3 per cent figure has been in effect in the province since 1997. Tomah wants more. "Why not come to the table and hash out this commercial aspect because five per cent is not enough," he said. "If we could start by increasing the five per cent, maybe up to 15 or 20 per cent, I think this issue could be resolved." New Brunswick's highest court has ruled Mi'kmaq and Maliseet loggers can harvest timber for personal use, but the province is appealing that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. Provincial officials say they want "personal use" clearly defined by Canada's high court. New Brunswick courts have also encouraged governments to consult with First Nations on how to manage forestry resources. "I know the minister has his mind set and he's ready to prosecute people but he's been down the road with us for several court decisions and he has got beat every time," said Tomah. "The treaties are valid. It's time to talk." Copyright c. 2004 Brunswick News Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Indian Relations at Heart of Case" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 18:49:02 EST From: MJLaBurt@aol.com Subj: Indian relations at heart of case - Justices considering whether government must reimburse tribes Mailing List: NDNAIM http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004//news/25184275.html Indian relations at heart of case Justices considering whether government must reimburse tribes for operating programs By ALISON VEKSHIN STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU November 7, 2004 WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear arguments in a contract dispute over federal health funding that strikes at the heart of the government's relationship with American Indian tribes. The question before the justices is whether the Department of Health and Human Services is required to reimburse millions of dollars to the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation in Nevada and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma for operating Indian health programs. "At issue is whether the government has to honor its contracts with Indian tribes," said Lloyd Miller, a partner at Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry LLP in Washington, D.C., who will argue the case for the tribes. It is the first test of a 29-year-old law that has allowed tribes to manage their health care and other services with reimbursements from the government, attorneys said. "It's whether the government has to treat Indian tribal contractors the same as it treats other government contractors or whether they are the special rule that lets the government off the hook," Miller said. The Shoshone-Paiute tribes say the government owes them $3.5 million for costs incurred in fiscal 1996 and 1997. Justice Department attorneys will represent the Department of Health and Human Services. A Justice Department policy bars its attorneys from commenting, spokesman John Nowacki said. But the government argued in court documents that it has no obligation to pay since the law covering such payments says funding is "subject to the availability of appropriations" and there were shortfalls in the amounts earmarked by Congress. Shortfalls ranged from $43 million in 1996 to $82 million in 1997, government lawyers said in a brief filed with the court. If the American Indians win, the decision would affect hundreds of tribes who contract with the government, as well as other contractors. For instance, most tribes have at least one self-determination compact or contract with the Indian Health Service, according to agency spokeswoman Athena Elliott. In a broader sense, a decision favoring the tribes would reaffirm the government's policy to foster tribal independence, according to tribal attorneys. If the government wins, it could get out of reimbursing the two tribes for the costs they incurred, attorneys said. It also could leave other contractors questioning the reliability of government contracts. The case is a consolidation of two lawsuits that were considered in lower courts and resulted in opposing rulings. The dispute revolves around whether the Department of Health and Human Services must use money set aside as part of a lump-sum congressional appropriation to pay overhead expenses, like staffing and equipment, the tribes incurred. Under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, tribes gained the right to enter into contracts with the government to operate federal programs. The act allows the tribes to administer federal clinics, hospitals and other facilities and programs that were operated by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Shoshone-Paiutes have about 1,800 members who mainly live on or near the Duck Valley Reservation in the desert of Northern Nevada and southern Idaho. Their health facilities are located in Owyhee. Indian tribes as well as some federal government contractors are closely watching the case, said Christopher Karns, a partner in the Indian Law Practice Group of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. "It's not an issue that lends itself to a lot of politicking," Karns said in an interview. "It's more of a straight-forward statutory construction." The case is significant because it represents the first time the Supreme Court will examine the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, said John Dossett, general counsel at the National Congress of American Indians. "This is the major federal policy driving Indian affairs since the 1970s," said Dossett, who helped draft the NCAI's amicus brief in this case. "The bigger philosophical issue is the whole relationship between the government and Indian tribes," he said. "Prior to the act, it was a paternalistic relationship. The self-determination act gives tribes control over these programs and services and, in a lot of ways, it's what gives them control over the reservation." Besides the tribes, the case has implications for businesses and other groups contracting with the government, said Miller, the tribal attorney. "It's a good court for this case," Miller said. "The court is, on the whole, very sensitive to the concerns of contractors dealing with the government and the need to assure contractors that their contracts with the government are as enforceable as contracts with anyone else." Copyright c. Las Vegas Review-Journal --------- "RE: Supreme Court: Race in America" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SUPREME COURT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6409785/ Race in America Taxes, land loom large in Supreme Court Outcomes could depend heavily on justice appointments Indian Country Today November 4, 2004 Chief Justice William Rehnquist jolted the Presidential campaign when the Supreme Court announced Oct. 25 that he was in the hospital for treatment of thyroid cancer. Although he planned to resume his duties shortly, health concerns about the 80-year-old Rehnquist, one of the oldest and longest-serving Justices in Court history, reminded the political world that the future make-up of the Court would be one of the major prizes of the election. And the stakes might be highest of all for Indian country. The Supreme Court is the one of the three branches of the federal government with the highest potential for wiping out Indian country gains with a keystroke. Although its most recent major decision, the Lara case, went narrowly in favor of tribal sovereignty, the range of opinions showed a wide split raising fundamental questions about the position of tribes within the federal framework. Future outcomes remain unpredictable and could depend heavily on the two or more Supreme Court appointments the next president is likely to make. Predicting nominee's outlook One problem, though, noted John Dossett, counsel for the National Congress of American Indians, is that it's very hard to predict a nominee's outlook on tribal cases. "Justices appointed by Democrats or Republicans wind up on all sides of Indian issues," he told Indian Country Today. Very few senior judges had background in Indian law" unless they took it in law school," he said, "and not many do that." The Supreme Court is the one of the three branches of the federal government with the highest potential for wiping out Indian country gains with a keystroke. Until recently, he said, lawyers arguing Indian cases had made a mistake in assuming the judges knew more about Indian law than they actually did. "Now we make our briefs more of a primer," he said. In fact, the current strategy of Indian leadership toward the Supreme Court is to try to educate the judges through coordinated amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs. Led by the Supreme Court Project of NCAI and the Native American Rights Fund, Indian organizations and tribal coalitions extensively argued the Lara case and are doing the same for several cases now pending in both the Supreme Court and the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. The Appeals Court case, Carcieri v. Norton, is a fundamental challenge to the Interior Secretary's authority to take land into trust for tribes. NCAI lawyer Riyaz A. Kanji was allowed to participate in the recent oral argument in Boston's modernist Federal Court of Appeals building, a first for the organization, even though no tribe is directly a party in the suit. (The Governor of Rhode Island, Donald Carcieri, brought the case against Interior Secretary Gale Norton over her transfer into trust of a relatively small parcel for the Narragansett Indian Tribe.) Two major cases The Supreme Court has two major Indian cases on its docket this term, said Dossett. One, pitting the Cherokee and Shoshone-Bannock against Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, centers on contract payments for health services devolved to tribes. Although that case raises important money questions, said Dossett, the really fundamental issues for Indian country come up in the second, City of Sherrill, New York, v. Oneida Indian Nation. (Four Directions Media, Inc., publisher of Indian Country Today, is an enterprise of the Oneida Indian Nation.) The Sherrill case, said Dossett, involved questions of taxation, reservation boundaries, the definition of "Indian country" (a major legal term), and possibly even legal standing to bring land claims and the conditions of tribal continuity. "These affect every tribe in the country," he said. The case began with an attempt by the City of Sherrill to levy property taxes on a number of parcels owned by the Oneidas, including a gas station and the factory for its textile printing business. When the city tried to condemn the properties for non-payment, the Oneidas obtained a federal injunction. They argued that land they purchased within the bounds of their original illegally dispossessed reservation reverted to tribal sovereign status, and a federal District judge and a 2 to 1 majority in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals agreed. On June 28, to the surprise and consternation of some in Indian law, the Supreme Court granted Sherrill a writ of certiorari, its way of taking up the case. The case has set off a spate of amicus briefs, both from long- standing critics of the Oneidas, such as the Citizens Equal Rights Foundation and from supporters. Even the Solicitor General of the U.S. filed a brief at the invitation of the Justices. His office strongly supported the Oneida position, urging the court to let the lower rulings stand, and has now petitioned to join the oral argument, which will likely take place next January or February. Tribal tax exemptions The Supreme Court Project of NCAI and NARF is coordinating a series of briefs extending far beyond the original case. (Six were filed Sept. 30 and can be read on the NARF Web site.) In addition to the Oneida's legal arguments, they include submissions from NCAI, the United South and Eastern Tribes, the Cayuga Nation of New York and a group of western tribes. They discuss topics from the history of New York state Indian treaties to the definition of reservations. A brief submitted and paid for by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Southern Ute and the Pueblo of Acoma addresses the complaint that tribal exemption from local and state taxes hurts the surrounding economy. It plays the role of what constitutional lawyers call a "Brandeis brief," following the lead of the great jurist Louis Brandeis in presenting the economic and social context of a case to the court. Its author Harry Sachse told ICT that it draws on a series of economic studies to show that Indian businesses, including casinos, have not only benefited neighbors, they have helped rescue entire regions from economic depression. The value of these briefs received an indirect endorsement recently in a talk by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer explaining how the court takes account of the outside world. "Do I read the newspapers and try to see which way the political wind is blowing?" he asked Oct. 23 in a talk at the Stanford University Law School. "No. But we do decide through briefs that are submitted ... They are people trying to tell us of the impact of our decisions in their bit of the world." Since Breyer wrote the majority opinion in the Lara case, Dossett saw his remark as a possible reference to the Supreme Court Project briefs." I would like to think that our Lara briefs had an impact on the decision," Dossett said. Copyright c. 2004 Indian Country Today. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2004 MSNBC.com, Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Supreme Court denies County's Appeal" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MILLE LAC REZ BOUNDARIES STAND" http://www.millelacsmessenger.com/P=1061110&S=506&PubID=17110 Supreme Court denies county's appeal by Jon Tatting, Messenger Staff Writer The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Nov. 1, ruled to deny Mille Lacs County's petition, finding no harm or ripeness for judicial review in the Mille Lacs Reservation boundary dispute case. The court's denial means lower court rulings in favor of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe will stand. Further, the justices' decision didn't address the county's merit in determining the boundaries of the 61,000-acre reservation, the main premise in which the county has spent about $1.4 million thus far in seeking a declaratory judgment. "I'm disappointed," said Dist. 4 county commissioner Bob Hoefert, who initially voted for the county lawsuit in 2002. "But that's the way life is. It's a good case, but we couldn't settle on the harm issue. I still think it was money well spent." Hoefert noted that he and the other commissioners will likely meet with county attorney Jan Kolb on pursuing future direction, if any, on following up with the court's decision. "Personally, I don't foresee further litigation at this point," he said. "If we come up with harm at some point in time, it can be brought back." A press release from Mille Lacs County stated, "Obviously, the county is disappointed that the court did not order something that would have allowed the county to have this case heard on the merits so that the reservation status issue could be authoritatively resolved. However, as evidenced by the number of petitions denied, the odds were not in the county's favor." The Mille Lacs County Board expects to hold a closed meeting at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 4, to discuss the reservation boundary litigation. Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin talked about the court's decision, while recognizing the lawsuit's affects on all who live in the Mille Lacs area. "We are thrilled that this sad chapter in our region's history is over," Benjamin said via press release. "This lawsuit has been an unfortunate waste of resources for both Mille Lacs County and band members." Two leaders associated with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe responded to the high court's ruling. "It wasn't something we weren't expecting," said Mille Lacs Band planner Don Wedll. "It means that there has been no harm in all the things they've (the county) been saying. There's no validity to it," he added, of the lawsuit and the county's concerns regarding possible tax hikes and property values decreasing in light of jurisdiction notions. "The county has spent millions of dollars where there isn't a problem." Case for harm? Wedll and Tadd Johnson, Mille Lacs Band special counsel for government affairs, have echoed questions previously asked by federal Judge James Rosenbaum, who initially dismissed the case in May of 2003: What's the problem? Why are we here? Who's been hurt? the judge had asked the county and its partner, First National Bank of Milaca, in demonstrating their stand in bringing the case. "The case was largely based on if anyone was harmed," Johnson said. "In federal court, there has to be a tangible case." Johnson noted that the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court didn't view the county as having strong standing to sue, while the case was not ripe for judicial review. "The court did not get to the merits of what the county was saying," he said. "I think the county is learning how difficult it is to start this issue. Do we want to continue this very costly dispute?" Before the Supreme Court's decision, Johnson and Wedll questioned any concrete, hard evidence where the band has not been following certain zoning laws, for instance, or issues relating to taxing or unjust tribal government enforcement on people who live within the 1855 reservation - which includes Kathio, South Harbor and Isle Harbor townships. "The county thinks it has a right to destroy the reservation because they think it will harm them in the future." said Wedll, rhetorically asking where one draws the line on pre-emptive changes. Two years later Two years have now gone by since the county brought the case to federal court, seeking a ruling on the 1855 Mille Lacs Reservation. The Mille Lacs Band and the federal government say the reservation still exists, while the county and state say it was disestablished by later treaties and congressional acts. After the case was dismissed in spring of 2003, that dismissal was upheld twice by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The county last August petitioned to appeal the court's May 19 ruling to dismiss the case. The county and bank then gained support via friend of the court (amicus) briefs filed to the Supreme Court by the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, the city of Wahkon, South Harbor Township and the Lake Mille Lacs Association. County confidence Hoefert said he felt confident and thought the county had an excellent case at the time where the federal court would consider past agreements indicating the reservation was indeed disestablished. However, Hoefert along with commissioner Dick Satterstrom of District 1, on March 30 voted against appealing a decision made by the Eighth Court of Appeals to uphold the federal judge's ruling dismissing the county's lawsuit. The decision to go ahead with the appeal passed 3-2 with commissioners Phil Peterson, District 3, Frank Courteau, District 5, and board chairman Roger Neske, District 2, voting in favor. At that time, Hoefert noted that he didn't foresee any change with future court rulings after previous judicial proceedings found "no harm" or made any decisions on the status of the reservation. Addressing the harm issue, Hoefert recalled that before the county filed its lawsuit, it knew of more than two instances where the band didn't adhere to zoning regulations where certain permits were required. By the time the case went to court, though, Hoefert said the band must have corrected the infractions. Let's `chat' again Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, Johnson and Wedll, speaking on behalf of the band, explained their hope for the county to relinquish its position in order for out-of-court negotiations to be brought back to the table. "Maybe it's time to sit down and chat again," said Johnson, noting mutual discussions with the county on economic development, tourism and problems jointly faced in the area. "It could be a point in history where we can all sit down and be constructive." Prior to the county and bank's lawsuit against the band two years ago, Johnson said officials from the band and county occasionally met to identify priorities in the Mille Lacs area. The county-band committee fizzled, however, after about six months when both groups couldn't come to terms on the first discussed priority - land disputes - which ended the negotiations, Johnson said. "We were going to take jurisdiction over federal trust lands and lands owned by band members within the boundaries," said Johnson, noting those lands represented about 10 percent of the area. "That meant that we were willing to give them (the county) jurisdiction of about 90 percent." Said Hoefert, "The county didn't feel it could give up any jurisdiction over fee (county taxable) land." Moving ahead? With the prominent positions he has had and now holds with the band, Johnson believes in looking ahead. He and Wedll explained that the band has reached out to area businesses, economic summits, chambers of commerce, local churches, charities, area mayors and to government in seeking some possibility for mutually beneficial business arrangements. "We hope the county takes notice of that reaching out, so we can start talking about the future of the region," Johnson said. Hoefert said, "I would be perfectly willing to listen to any of their proposals. We will continue to enforce on fee land. We don't have a choice. We have to treat all of our citizens in the same manner." Response from Mille Lacs County According to a press release from Mille Lacs County: "It is most important to recognize that the order of the Supreme Court does not in any way reflect the views of the court on the county's right to litigate the status of the reservation boundaries or on the merits of the county's position. The United States Supreme Court's order is simply a denial to review the matter. While not the final outcome hoped for, the county board believes the lawsuit and appeals accomplished several things, including but not limited to band member compliance with county laws as well as cessation of tribal jurisdiction over non members and fee lands. The county is grateful to the band for recognizing and respecting the county's jurisdictional authority in that regard and fully expects that that cooperation will continue." Copyright c. 2004 Mille Lacs Messenger. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Limited Reform to Trust Land probate process" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUST LAND PROBATE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.indiancountry.com/1096409814&CFID=188867&CFTOKEN=84396900 Bush brings limited reform to trust land probate process November 5, 2004 by: Jerry Reynolds / Indian Country Today WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush signed the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 into law on Oct. 27, marking the federal government's most ambitious effort yet to limit the fractionation of Indian trust land. The bill, championed in Congress by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs under its chairman, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., with assistance down to the last minute from Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., chairman of the Resources Committee in the House of Representatives, attacks fractionation from several directions - a uniform federal Indian probate code instead of the state laws that now govern Indian probate activity, an exception to the federal code for tribes with their own probate codes in place, grants for estate planning assistance on reservations, land consolidation options for tribal members, continuation of a federal land "buy back" program, cancellation of the impracticable" joint tenancy with right of survivorship" clause of the Indian Land Consolidation Act (which the new law amends), greater flexibility for individuals and tribes to consolidate and acquire interests during the probate process, forced sale at probate (for fair market value) of interests in land of less than 5 percent, and opportunities for estate planning among heirs at probate as well. Theresa Carmody, secretary of the Indian Land Working Group and a past master on trust land issues, said the new law puts a timely stop to the worst features of fractionation. Ultimately though, she added, the law's success will depend on improving some of the provisions it sidestepped for now - "We're going to go back every year with technical amendments" - and on funding appropriations from Congress. Federal officials, on the other hand, focused on the good news here and now. Interior Secretary Gale Norton called it indicative of the Bush administration's commitment to trust issues. "This measure is one of the pieces necessary for true trust reform." Dave Anderson, head of the Interior-led BIA, stressed the economic value of land consolidation as accomplished under the law as written. "The federal government and Indian leaders have a mutual interest in promoting economic viability on lands that are rapidly becoming converted into an unmanageable mosaic of tiny interests due to fractionated ownership. This was one more step in the right direction." Ross Swimmer, the Special Trustee for American Indians at Interior, echoed Anderson, but with an eye on the administrative costs and burdens that would be lifted if fractionation can be scaled back: "The ownership of many disparate, uneconomic, small interests has limited benefit in Indian country. It has been feeding an administrative burden that continues to drain resources and attention away from other beneficial Indian programs. This new law is a meaningful step in our effort to improve the quality of trust management services throughout Indian country." Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., a co-sponsor along with Campbell and Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., said the legislation is long overdue. "It will allow tribes to approach land probate with at once greater strategy and greater sensitivity to individual preference." The Indian Land Working Group decided to support the bill because it addresses the most pressing problems in fractionation, Carmody said. Above all, without the current amendment the Indian Land Consolidation Act would have disinherited multi-tribe heirs with a narrow definition of "Indian" - one-quarter blood quantum. The 2004 law also quells the flight to fee patenting of trust land by tribal members who noted that ILCA defines Indianness, and thus heirship, by blood quantum. Fee patenting removes individual Indian land from tribal dominion and from trust. But at least it permits owners to designate heirs regardless of blood quantum, a crucial distinction given that inter-tribal and non-Indian marriage has reduced the tribal blood quantum in some families. For that matter, some Indians who have never had anything but tribal blood in their lineage won't submit their legitimacy to enrollment and its government-issued "poodle papers." The Indian Probate Reform Act allows Indian trust landholders to designate heirs according to bloodline instead. When a trust landholder dies intestate, or without leaving a will, the new law allows bloodline inheritance to two generations out - a provision that gives tribes plenty of time to establish their own probate codes if they so desire (only eight had done so as of June 2004). Charlie Colombe, president of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and a longtime advocate of probate reform, emphasized the tribal role in probate under the new law, in testimony before the House Resources Committee: "Virtually all tribes favor the enactment ... because it offers tribes and their members the chance to consolidate their land holdings while maintaining tribal jurisdiction and tribal ownership of their lands." But the new law also comes with problems, Carmody said. In the provision for forced sale at probate of interests less than 5 percent, "Indian land is being diminished," she said. The provision is "probably going to be legally challenged." The balancing opportunity for estate planning among heirs at probate is important, she agreed, but staff and resources to assist are inadequate. Likewise, she said the estate planning grants offered under the law could be applied to probate, but no funding has been allocated for that purpose. The buy back pilot program at the Interior Department is operating outside the Code of Federal Regulations, she said, because Interior doesn't notify co-owners in an allotment that an interest in their land is up for purchase. In any case, Carmody added, tribes and individuals should be more involved in the pilot, so that funding eventually goes straight to tribes rather than to Interior. Underlying every other challenge facing the law, Carmody said, is the state of land and title records. Probate officers and title examiners are sorely needed. Because they are so scarce and the government has failed in previous attempts to slow down fractionation, Carmody said, many transactions have been title-certified in error, under a standard later found in the courts to be unconstitutional, but never corrected on title documents. Many other transactions await title certification. Copyright c. 1998-2004 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved --------- "RE: Navajo Nation No. 1 in Crime" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 08:15:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HUGE RISE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.gallupindependent.com/110104navajonation.html Navajo Nation No. 1 in crime U.S. Attorney sees huge rise in number of cases By Kathy Helms Dine' Bureau FORT DEFIANCE - Among 21 tribes referring criminal cases to the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, the Navajo Nation far outdistanced the rest. But it's not sheer numbers alone that make Navajo the leader, it's also an increase in violent crime. Diane Humetewa, tribal liaison for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Phoenix, recently visited Tuba City where she presented information to federal officials regarding the impact of Indian Country crime on the federal court system. Paul Charlton, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, in an annual report released in July, said his office continues to be challenged by all manner of violent crimes occurring in Indian Country, and that many of his office's prosecution resources are focused on Indian Country crime matters. According to the report, the Navajo Nation referred 253 cases for federal prosecution during the July 2003-June 2004 calendar year. Gila River was second with 52 cases. White Mountain Apache took third place with 31 cases, followed by Tohono O'odham with 28. Hopi rounded out the top five with 23 cases. Violence increasing Of Navajo Nation crime data, Humetewa said, "Based on observation, there is a steady increase, not substantial, in the rate of crime; but I will tell you that the violence involved in crime has increased, in addition to the number of juvenile cases we have received." According to a breakdown of the criminal cases referred by Navajo, there were 53 abusive sexual offenses, 118 aggravated assault cases, one arson, two burglary/robbery cases, five embezzlements, 18 manslaughters, 13 murders, and 43 other cases. In comparison, second-place Gila River referred 25 abusive sexual offense cases, two aggravated assaults, five burglary/robbery cases, one embezzlement, four manslaughters, 10 murders, and five other cases. Fifth-ranked Hopi had 22 abusive sexual offenses and one murder case referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Humetewa said that just because the cases were referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for federal prosecution does not mean that they were opened or charged by that office. She said one question that arises is, if the U.S. Attorney's Office only charges 199 of the 253 Navajo cases, what happens to the remaining ones? "We would have to refer that back to the tribal prosecutor's office," she said. Lack of beds "The dilemma that we've seen over the years because of the lack of detention facilities is that oftentimes, they (tribes) are in a position where they have to take the most serious offense because if they're going to take a case that the prosecutor would take normally, they've got to consider, 'Well, we don't have the bed space for that person.' " "On the federal end, we don't have the evidence or the witnesses to substantiate federal prosecution. So, somewhere down the line, the community starts to feel the effects of folks not being properly adjudicated." Humetewa said that over the last six or so years, the U.S. Attorney's Office has been questioning the rise in violent crimes. "Ninety-nine percent of the cases referred to us involve alcohol or substance abuse," she said. In 2002, the U.S. Attorney's Office implemented a little-known statute enacted many years ago to capture bootleggers and then did some undercover operations jointly with Tuba City Police Department and the FBI. "We decided to try it for a little while and see what the impact would be," Humetewa said. "In Tuba City, what we found was when we removed those folks from the system, there was a noticeable decrease in violent crimes. In fact, our referral data - the data in terms of if CI (Criminal Investigations) investigated a violent assault - those referrals dropped off," she said. But the problem, according to Humetewa, is that there is only one magistrate in U.S. District Court in Flagstaff. "And that court will tell us time and time again, 'This is a tribal issue. These cases need to be tried in tribal court. They need to be in tribal detention. This isn't a federal issue,' " she said. "They become increasingly concerned because they believe they're doing essentially what the tribal courts should be doing or what the tribal detention centers should be doing," she said. U.S. v. Orsinger Humetewa pointed to a number of case summaries in the annual report as samples of violent crimes occurring across Indian Country. The top five murder cases listed all belong to Navajo, including the case, "United States v. Johnny Orsinger." Orsinger was part of a group that decided to commit a robbery on the reservation. That plan resulted in the brutal killing of a 65-year-old grandmother and her 9-year-old granddaughter. On Oct. 28, 2001, Orsinger and Lezmond Mitchell caught a ride with the woman, who had left Fort Defiance to meet with a couple of medicine ladies in New Mexico, and was on her way home at the time she picked up the hitchhikers. When the grandmother pulled over near Wheatfield Lake to let the two out, Orsinger, who was seated behind her took a knife and stabbed her 33 times in order to take her truck and use it in the robbery. The woman and child were taken to Lukachukai Mountain where the child also was brutally murdered. Orsinger pleaded guilty to seven charges, including first-degree murder, car jacking, first-degree felony murder (robbery), robbery, first-degree felony murder (kidnapping), and kidnapping. He was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences, meaning they are to be served at the same time, and one life term to be served consecutively, or in addition to the five concurrent life terms. Mitchell was sentenced to death on Sept. 15, 2003, for the murders of the grandmother and granddaughter. Orsinger was not eligible for the death sentence because he was not 18 years old at the time the offenses were committed. Humetewa said the tribes are having a difficult time deterring such types of violent criminal activity because they don't have the detention facilities. "Not saying that jail is 'the answer' but certainly 'a answer.' They don't have the facilities to be able to use the threat of deterrent, and I think that's what we're seeing here," she said. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: BIA Cop charged in Handgun assault" --------- Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 08:15:23 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DOMESTIC INCIDENT" http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/11/02/news/local/news06.txt BIA cop charged in handgun assault By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal Staff Writer November 1, 2004 RAPID CITY - A Bureau of Indian Affairs officer has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly threatening a woman with a gun. Patrick W. Swallow, 36, Rapid City, was arrested early Oct. 29 at his home in the 5400 block of Airport Road. According to court documents, law enforcement officers were called to the home after the alleged victim, a 25-year-old woman, called her sister to say that Swallow had threatened to kill himself and her with a handgun. Swallow is also accused of grabbing the woman's throat, slapping her and knocking her head against a sofa. According to court documents, Swallow denied threatening the woman and told officers he took his handgun out to his duty vehicle to keep it away from her. A BIA officer in Rapid City directed questions about Swallow's employment to the BIA office of law enforcement services in Albuquerque, N.M. Calls to an official there and to regional BIA authorities in Aberdeen were not returned Monday. However, other law enforcement personnel said Swallow serves on a BIA drug enforcement team based in Rapid City. A Rosebud police employee confirmed that he is also a former Todd County Sheriff. If convicted of aggravated assault domestic abuse, Swallow could face 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. He is also charged with simple assault domestic abuse, a misdemeanor. Swallow is being held without bond in Pennington County Jail. He was ordered not to contact the alleged victim. Contact Bell Gease at 394-8419 or heidi.bell@rapidcityjournal.com Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Reservation Shooting leaves one in Hospital" --------- Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 08:13:38 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="POLICE CHASE" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=5442 Reservation shooting leaves one in hospital Police open fire after chase Sam Lewin November 3, 2004 A teenager is fighting for his life following a police-involved shooting on an Indian reservation in Arizona. The 18-year-old, whose name has not been released, was allegedly observed by police speeding through a stop sign on the Pima and Maricopa tribes' Salt River Reservation just outside of the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale. A chase ensued that saw the suspect attempt to elude authorities while driving on a dirt and gravel road that is bordered by a few homes and cotton fields. When the car slowed, police got out and approached it. Officials say the driver rammed his car into two police cars, and then steered toward the officer. The officer opened fire, wounding the man. He was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn. Two other teens were in the suspect's vehicle but were unharmed. Local and federal officials are investigating the case. The shooting happened in an Indian community that normally does not see much trouble. The 50,500-acre reservation is home to some 5,000 enrolled members of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. Prior to 1961, the Salt River Community and the Gila River Community were administered as a single unit. In 1961, the two communities split and have continued to function as separate entities that are home to the two same tribes. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Sun, 07 Nov 2004 21:38:50 -0500 From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - The information listed below is typical of the hundreds of Native American prisoners listed in the Native American Prisoner Network site (http://www.napn.us). Most of these prisoners are inmates in state or federal institutions (not tribal jails), and many have only a very little contact with other Natives, or access to news about the tribes. In addition to the pen pal listing, the NAPN site also includes an inmate arts and crafts gallery. Please understand that visitors to this site must be at least 18 years of age. The site offers good advice on successfully corresponding with inmates, so please read carefully, Name LORI WOODS Number W-80301 Birth Date 8/18/60 Address Valley State Prison for Women B4-1-4L P O Box 92 Chowchilla, CA 93610-0092 Nation/Tribe Choctaw - Oklahoma Comments I worked for the University of California, Davis, for over 10 years. I worked in a laboratory and love science. I am also a licensed Animal Health Technician. I am a first time offender who would love to have a loyal, honest, and sincere friend to correspond with. I have an A. S. and B. A. degree. Interests I love to read, read Popular Science and Psychology Today magazines. I also love romance novels, especially historical ones in exotic places. I love animals and the outdoors. I especially love horses, cats, and dogs. I also love the sound of waterfalls and rivers. Nature is my escape and haven in this world. Name GINA MARIE TAYLOR Number 94754 Birth Date 11/16/71 Address Nebraska Correctional Center for Women 1107 Recharge Road York, NE 68467 Nation/Tribe Yankton Sioux Comments Hi, my name is Gina Marie Taylor, I'm from the Yankton Sioux tribe. I'm 32 years old, 5' 5" tall, with long black hair. I'm very friendly, kind hearted and very much into my Native culture. I love to bead and paint native ceramics. I'm originally from Iowa but I transferred here to Nebraska because my family is here. I'm also the chairwomaan of the Native American club we have here. I'm very athletic, very into sports. I would very much enjoy to hear from males of any tribve. I would love to learn more about my tribe as well as others. I love to laugh and have fun but I can also be serious when need be. Interests I would like to go to college, my interest is in computer specialist, some business. I would like to learn to speak my native language also. Name CLAYTON ROBERT IRON NECKLACE, JR Number 167609 Birth Date 11/28/53 Address ASPC Lewis - Morey Blue - 2 A-4 P O Box 3300 Buckeye, AZ 85326 Nation/Tribe Cheyenne River Sioux Comments 5' 10", brown eyes, black hair (long); 175 lbs. I enjoy cultural novels. I plan to open a small craft store upon my release. Interests I am a tribal craftsman, can do all types of beadwork, contemporary and spiritual. I enjoy jazz music. Release Date March 27, 2011 Name OLIVER JASON JACK Number 36960 Birth Date 5/29/76 Address SD State Penitentiary Box 5911 Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5911 Nation/Tribe Oglala Sioux - Lakota Comments I am 25 years old, full blooded Lakota. When I get out I would like to give college a try. Maybe be a mentor for any younger generation. Interests Weight lifting, boxing, drawing, and helping others when I can. Name ANTHONY JUAN JACOBS, SR Number E 62557 Birth Date 04/12/71 Address CSP-SAC A-5-211 (AD-SEG) P O Box 29 Represa, CA 95671 Nation/Tribe Apache/Irish/Puerto Rican "Choose Indian Ways" Comments I'm very absultion towards the Native ilfe. I love to do bead work, dance, and sing. I have a lot of reliance towards Indian people; all nations. I like to be treated like a Native because my heart is Indian. I need love, understanding, guidance, honesty, accepting me as a person, not a bad person. Interests My inteerest in life, being part of someone's life, to learn more about the Indian ways, and to be part of the Indian community; continue to learn beading, crafts; dreamcatchers, etc. My other interests are dancing, singing Native songs, sweating with my Indian brothers; artwork of course, tribal art; reading honest native history and certainly from my incarcerated Indian elders here; continue to learn spelling, reading, etc. --------- "RE: Rustywire/Tishroo: Grandfather" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 08:27:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: TISHROO: HAS GONE" http://www.geocities.com/rustywire/comments/hesgone.html Navajo Spaceships, Star Mountain and Life An online journal- Star Mountain-Navajo Life Grandfather by Tishroo I'll visit you in another dream. ... I search for you on the other side. . . .where the river runs wide and clear. These are the words of Bruce Springsteen on his album The Rising. It reminds me of a story my mother told me. When she was a social worker, this old woman came to her office, for nothing really, since there is really no one who can help. She told my mother of when she was a child, going to school in Tuba City. Her mother was sick. ... in the hospital. She had given birth to a baby boy. Every day before and after school the little girl went to visit her mother in the hospital. She played with the baby, carried him around, and sang to him. One day when she went there, her mother's bed was empty, she was gone. Shipped off to Ft. Defiance. ... for better care. Her mother died sometime later in Fort. The little girl grew to a woman, never seeing that baby brother of her's again. Now, in the faces of old men, in their 60's she looks for herself, her baby brother. I think she w ill see him again on the other side. ... where the river runs wide and clear. ... and I wait for Paradise. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Monday, November 8, 2004 01:18 am From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of November 8-14 NOWEMAPA November Welehu 7 Make your opportunities -- do not wait for them. 8 Wherever you are, let your spirit dwell in the wilderness. 9 Spend each day well -- once gone, it cannot be reclaimed. 10 Take time to enjoy the world around you. 11 The blue of the sky perfectly mirrors the blue of the ocean. 12 The reef fish dart in and out of shadows like restless dancers. 13 In the sunlit ocean, you can barely see the translucent beauty of the Portuguese man of war. 14 Children can see a world which we have forgotten. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Tali Unole Verse: Voices from Long Ago" --------- Date: Sunday, October 10, 2004 11:33 pm From: hawksings3 Subj: Voices from Long Ago Mailing List: RezLife We walk in freedom in this forum...freedom of speech, freedom of thought and words...freedom. Our ancestor's paid the cost for this freedom! They lost their homes, their languages, their traditions. Their blood shed for their refusal to conform. Their heart shattered by burned down homes...and lost families...killed for just one reason..."their beliefs". I walk proud to say my blood is red...Native American RED! and the shed tears of my ancestors are in this same heart..the heart that travels from generations long ago..and still speak clearly the cost of the freedom I now walk in. The freedom that cannot be stolen from me...Spirit freedom!!!! May we raise up a standard in our lives...religions have tried to conform many of us..yet we understand the voices that call to us from nature..we understand the smoke that raises in our souls..when their is no native ground to walk upon near us..that soil is within our hearts..and always beckons us...to hear, with spirit ears! Our People...are us...and always reminding us...that they are still here...walking closely to show us...things to come, things that are now...and ways to listen gently yet walk proudly...until we all join again...on the soil of our ancestors. hawksings --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon 8 2004 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Frosty Deere, Lisa Marie, M J LaBurt, Gary Smith, Janet Smith Art Durand, Chris Milda, Johnnie Rustywire, Debbie Sanders, Robert Dorman, Bahe Y. Katenay, Tali Unole --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 12, Issue 046 /____/ November 13, 2004 Native Crossings (c) is a separately emailed suppliment to Wotanging Ikche (c) Native American News (c) dedicated to the memory of those in Indian Country who have begun their spirit journeys It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org <================<<<< >>>>================> 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. <================<<<< >>>>================> 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. <================<<<< >>>>================> --------- "RE: Harry Daniels" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="HARRY DANIELS" http://www.aborinews.com/contenu/accueil/show.asp?lang=en&id=1725 November 5, 2004 HARRY DANIELS, NATIVE LEADER: 1940-2004 He negotiated the inclusion of the Me'tis in the Constitution Act in 1982 and twice served as head of their national organization By ALLISON LAWLOR Special to The Globe and Mail A flamboyant and outspoken Me'tis leader from Saskatchewan, Harry Daniels shared something more than just a common heritage with his hero Louis Riel. Both men are credited with having introduced the rights of the Me'tis into the Constitution of Canada. For Mr. Riel, it was in 1870 in Section 31 of the Manitoba Act. For Mr. Daniels, it was 112 years later, in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, said Paul Chartrand, a law professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a former commissioner on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. As president of the Native Council of Canada (now the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples), Mr. Daniels played a leading role in ensuring aboriginal and treaty rights were recognized in the 1982 Constitution Act and more specifically in negotiating the inclusion of the Me'tis into the act. In the final hour, Mr. Daniels convinced Jean Chre'tien, then Canada's Attorney-General, and the special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on the Constitution, that it was "good but not good enough" to simply have the wording "aboriginal peoples of Canada" in the Constitution. He argued that it must include the specific wording "the Indian, Inuit and Me'tis peoples of Canada." After some last-minute negotiations, Mr. Daniels got what he wanted. "This was the end of five years of hard work," Mr. Daniels told an audience at a Me'tis conference held in June of 2003 in Saskatoon. It would be Mr. Daniels's last public speech. "What I was fighting for . . . was the rights of the Me'tis people and their rights in Confederation." During the constitutional negotiations, Mr. Daniels was once asked who a Me'tis was. He is said to have shot straight up in his chair: "We know who we are . . . We self-identify, just like everybody else in this country." Harry Daniels was born in a small community on the shores of Long Lake, about 40 kilometres from Regina. The child of Me'tis parents Henry and Emma Daniels, young Harry grew up at a time when being Me'tis meant "half- breed." It wasn't long before he set out to fight for the rights of his people. After a couple of years in the navy, the young radical went off to work for the Company of Young Canadians, a voluntary organization created in the mid-1960s by the federal government that was later eventually disbanded. In the late 1960s, Mr. Daniels was hired as co-ordinator of field workers at the Me'tis Association of Alberta, which meant travelling throughout the province, often to remote northern regions to help spread information and foster community organization. "He was a mobilizer," said Tony Belcourt, president of the Me'tis Nation of Ontario, remembering the young Mr. Daniels. "He was super confident and brass as hell." Mr. Daniels was hired to replace Maria Campbell, an aboriginal writer, playwright and filmmaker. She would become his life-long friend and creative partner. They later wrote a play together called One More Time. By 1975, Mr. Daniels was president of the Native Council of Canada. He led the organization, considered the national voice for Me'tis and Non- Status Indian organizations across Canada, until 1981. He was back at the helm between 1997 and 2000. By that time it had changed its name and was called the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Not one to mince words or hold back his thoughts, Mr. Daniels did not celebrate in 1998 after Jane Stewart, Canada's then minister of Indian affairs and northern development, read an official "Statement of Reconciliation" that acknowledged the damage done to the country's native peoples throughout history. Heralded as a long-overdue response to the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples released the previous year, Mr. Daniels fumed: "This was a shallow and ill-advised attempt at an apology." On the international front, he called on the United Nations to pressure Canada to meet its obligations to the country's native peoples. He also participated in various UN initiatives and served as a director of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples. His work took him worldwide and to all regions of the country. When Pope John Paul II made his historic visit to the Northwest Territories in 1984, Mr. Daniels greeted him in Yellowknife. In a gesture of welcome, he took off his jacket and gave it to the Pope as a gift. Aside from his reputation as a masterful storyteller and a quick wit, Mr. Daniels's trademark was the black flat-crown hat he always wore. The hat was the kind Me'tis men used to wear when they went out on the buffalo hunt, Ms. Campbell said. Mr. Daniels was also a TV and stage actor. He played Gabriel Dumont in a sweeping historical miniseries called Big Bear, which aired on CBC-TV in the late 1990s. In March, the Me'tis National Council honoured Mr. Daniels when they presented him with the "Order of the Me'tis Nation." In June, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa. Harry Daniels was born on Sept. 16, 1940, in Regina Beach, Sask., and died on Sept. 6 in Regina. He was 63. He leaves his partner Cheryl Storkson and children Michael, Conway, Alexander, Gabriel, Chantelle and Chigal. Copyright c. 2004 Bell Globemedia Publishing Inc. --------- "RE: Jimmie Charley" --------- Date: Sun, 7 Nov 2004 11:42:51 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JIMMIE CHARLEY" http://www.gallupindependent.com/110604killed.html Toadlena man killed in accident By Kathy Helms Dine' Bureau FORT DEFIANCE - A Todalena, N.M., man was killed Thursday evening when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of Navajo Route 19 and Navajo Route 5000 west of the Newcomb transfer station and struck a vehicle which was traveling westbound on Route 19. Criminal Investigators for Shiprock Police District said the accident which marked the 19th traffic fatality for the district this year occurred around 9 p.m. when Jimmie Charley, 55, who was traveling southbound, ran a stop sign and struck a 2000 brown Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Daniel Sandoval, 53, of Cuba, N.M. After striking the Sandoval vehicle, Charley's 2001 Ford F150 struck a cattle guard rail and became entangled in the barbed wire from the right- of-way fence. Charley was decapitated and died instantly. The Sandoval car came to rest off the roadway. Sandoval complained of back pain and was transported by ambulance to Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock where he was treated and released. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. Witnesses told police that Charley had been consuming liquor prior to the collision and alcohol was found inside Charley's vehicle, according to investigators. Officers Phillip Joe and Dean Goldtooth of Shiprock Police District responded to the crash, along with San Juan County Fire and Rescue, the Office of the Medical Investigator, and Navajo Emergency Medical Technicians. The case was turned over to Criminal Investigators Ronald Williams and Leroy Deale Jr. The investigation is continuing, however, no criminal citations or charges are pending. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Memorial: Pfc. Sheldon Hawk Eagle" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MEMORIAL: SHELDON HAWK EAGLE" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/005241.asp Memorial, tournament set for slain Lakota soldier November 8, 2004 Army Pfc. Sheldon Hawk Eagle, a Lakota soldier who died in Iraq, will be honored at a memorial and basketball tournament later this month. Hawk Eagle's family and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe are hosting a memorial walk, giveaway and dinner on November 20. The tournament will take place November 20 and 21. All events take place in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Hawk Eagle, a descendant of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, was killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in November 2003. He was 21. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/11/08//news01.txt Family, tribe to pay tribute to fallen soldier By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer EAGLE BUTTE - In the year since Pfc. Sheldon Hawk Eagle died in Iraq, life has changed for his sister and other relatives. Nearly a year ago, family members in Eagle Butte and Grand Forks, N.D., received phone calls from the military. The news was tragic. Hawk Eagle, 21, of Eagle Butte and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Saboe, 33, of Willow Lake were among 17 soldiers of the 320th Field Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division who died Nov. 15, 2003, when two Army Blackhawk helicopters crashed over Mosul, Iraq. Since that time, the family has moved on. According to Hawk Eagle's aunt Bernadine "Fern" Hawk Eagle, 53, Sheldon's sister and only sibling, Frankie Hawk Eagle, left Grand Forks to start a new life in Bismarck, N.D. The move has brought her love, family and, now, motherhood. "She had a baby boy on Aug. 16, the day before Sheldon's birthday," Bernadine Hawk Eagle said. As a way to publicly end a year of mourning, the family and tribe will observe a memorial for the fallen soldier. The Hawk Eagle family and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will host the Sheldon Hawk Eagle Memorial walk, giveaway and dinner on Saturday, Nov. 20, in Eagle Butte. The walk begins at 10 a.m. at H.V. Johnston Cultural Center and will proceed to the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School gymnasium, where a service and giveaway will take place. A memorial dinner will follow at the school cafeteria. The Sheldon R. Hawk Eagle "Wanbli Ohitika" (Brave Eagle) Memorial Basketball Tournament, a 12-team, double-elimination tournament, will be Nov. 20 and 21 at the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School gymnasium. According to Germaine Means, Veterans Support Group volunteer, 121 Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Eagle Butte community members have served in the military during the Operation Iraqi Freedom era. Hawk Eagle was the first casualty of the war from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. One hundred remain on active duty, she said. Before the memorial events, family members and friends will observe the American Indian cultural tradition of bringing the family back into the community - the wiping of tears ceremony. Dana Dupris of Eagle Butte, director of the memorial and service, said that for a year, the Hawk Eagle family has withdrawn from public view, preparing for the memorial and giveaway. In the past, families would cut their hair, would not attend celebrations, powwows or services and generally withdrew. During the ceremony, the family is restored to public life by receiving the four essentials of life, he said. "Four well-respected people from the community will offer them water, the giver of life. They will receive wasna, a food to sustain them. The third individual will comb their hair symbolically, attending to their public appearance," he said. "They will also wipe away their tears with a handkerchief, feather or eagle wing fan." The fourth community member will bring the family tobacco or a prayer pipe to smoke the pipe in prayer. During the past year, the family would use tobacco to offer prayers for the one they lost. Culturally, they were restricted from using a prayer pipe. "We give them prayers to strengthen their hearts," Dupris said. "It allows them to go through the process of grieving, giving them strength and courage to go on with their lives." Bernadine Hawk Eagle said Frankie has named her new son Cameron Blue and introduced the baby, her husband and his family to her extended family in September. "She's got a real nice guy who's originally from California. We met his family during the fair," her aunt said. The new baby has tempered the family's feelings of grief, loss and disbelief that Sheldon Hawk Eagle will never return to their lives. Daily prayers and a reflective time of grieving have helped the family, yet it's a wound that will never heal, she said. "For myself, I still can't believe he's gone," Bernadine Hawk Eagle said. Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com. Copyright c. 2004 The Rapid City Journal. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" November 8, 2004 Wilson Locklear Pembroke Wilson Locklear, 82, of SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation, died Nov. 5, 2004, at SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Monday at Smithtown Church of God in Maxton, the Revs. Numer Locklear and Howard Locklear Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Surviving are two daughters, Donna Faye Bryant and Annie Liza Hammond, both of Maxton; five sons, Willie K. Bryant of Laurinburg, Nolan Bryant Jr. and Jerry Wayne Locklear, both of Maxton and Larry Wayne Locklear and Johnny Locklear, both of Rowland; two sisters, Ruthie Locklear of Maxton and Ellen Chavis of Gibson; a brother, Henry Locklear of Maxton; 25 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Thompson's Funeral Home in Pembroke. Copyright c. 2004 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- November 5, 2004 Rev. Ernest Locklear RED SPRINGS - The Rev. Ernest Locklear, 50, of Red Springs, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, in his home. The Rev. Locklear was an Army veteran. The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. today in Leitch Creek Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The Rev. Locklear is survived by his wife, Lucy Locklear; a daughter, Wyonna Locklear; a stepson, Lee Dial; a stepdaughter, Tiffany Dial; four brothers, Richard Locklear, Malcolm Locklear, James C. Locklear and Craig Locklear; and two sisters, Wanda Wooley and Sandra Locklear. Copyright c. 2004 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- November 5, 2004 Jason Crow Cherokee - Jason Crow, 32, of the Big Y community of Cherokee, passed away Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in Cherokee. He was a member of Old Antioch Church and graduated from Cherokee High School in 1990. A beloved son, he was a friend to many. He was an artist as well as a tattoo artist. He brought a smile to so many people with his great sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Albert Crow, grandmother, Regina Crow and two uncles, Gene Crow Sr. and Desmond Crow. He is survived by his mother, Charlotte Crow George of the home; three sons, Albert Jason Crow, Dezmond Tre Crow and Aadin Elias Allison, all of the home; two brothers, Danny Crow and wife, Charlene, and Nathaniel "Bunsey" Crow; two half-brothers, Wesley Eugene Howell and Robert Howell; sister, Squinnie Lossiah; a very special niece, Brooke Crow; nephews, Brandon Welch, Aaron Crow, Eli Crow, Gabriel Crow and Fabian Crow; and he was loved by his aunts and uncles. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Old Antioch Church. The Revs. Denny Crowe and Noah Crowe will officiate. Burial will be in the Crow Family Cemetery. The body will be brought to the church at 4 p.m. Friday by Crisp Funeral Home of Bryson City to await the service hour. Copyright c. 2004 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- November 7, 2004 Audrey Jean Goodman Audrey Jean Goodman, 55, of Cass Lake, died on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at the Cass Lake PHS Indian Hospital in Cass Lake. Traditional funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cass Lake with spiritual leader Tom Stillday officiating. A wake will begin at 11 a.m. today at the Veterans Memorial Building in Cass Lake and continue until the time of the service on Monday. Burial will be in Fineday Cemetery in Pennington. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Cass Lake assisted the family with the arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 The Pioneer/Bemidji, MN. -=-=-=- Welcome to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe/Dakota Nation Sota Iya Ye Yapi On-Line, News from the Lake Traverse Reservation Volume 35, Issue 45 Wednesday, November 10, 2004 Funeral services held for Tillie Brown Funeral services for Tillie King Brown, 88, of Sisseton, S.D., were held last Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at the Long Hollow Presbyterian Church in rural Sisseton, with the Rev. Clifford Canku officiating. Organist was Kay Bursheim. Active pallbearers were Allen Brown, Sr., Jerome Renville, Jr., Vernon White, Floyd DeMarrias, Horace Max, Jr., and James Carson. Honorary pallbearers were all of Tillie's friends. Interment is at the Long Hollow Presbyterian Cemetery in rural Sisseton. Wake services were held on Monday at Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton and all-night Tuesday at the Tribal community center, Agency Village. The Cahill Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Tillie was born on February 20, 1916 to Amos and Ella (White) King in Sisseton, SD. She attended Long Hollow Country School and Wahpeton Boarding School. Tillie was united in marriage to Tom Brown on February 8, 1939 at Sisseton, S.D. They lived in California and Minneapolis until 1977 when Tillie moved back to the Sisseton Reservation. Tillie lived in the Jard Apartments in 1991. Tillie entered the Wilmot Community Home in June 2004 and in July 2004 she was moved to the Tekakwitha Nursing Center. Tillie's hobbies were sewing and quilting. She loved rummage sales, playing cards, and visiting with friends. Tillie passed away October 31, 2004 at the Coteau Des Prairies Hospital in Sisseton. Tillie is survived by, three children; Duane and (Karen) Brown of Sisseton, S.D., Thomas Delmer Brown of Minneapolis, Minn., and Marlene Stadler of St. Paul, Minn., nine grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and lots of nieces and nephews. Tillie was preceded in death by; her husband, her parents, two children; Darlene and Thomas, Jr., two brothers, six sisters, and one great-great grandson; Jerome Mason Renville III. Funeral services held for Daniel "Chaska" Koslowski Funeral services for Daniel Carl Koslowski, "Chaska," 47, of Sauk Rapids, Minn. were held last Friday, November 5, 2004 at the Tribal Community Center in Agency Village, S.D., with John Cloud III and Danny Seaboy officiating. Drum group was Wah pe Kute. Active pallbearers were Gerald Koslowski, Edward Koslowski, Robert Starr, Billy Bird, Ted King, and Richard Hill. Honorary pallbearers were all of Dan's friends and relatives. Interment is at the traditional burial grounds, rural Sisseton. There was an all-night wake service on Thursday at the community center. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, was in charge of arrangements. Dan was born on October 21, 1957 to Gary Koslowski and Patline Bird Norris in Brainerd, Minn. He attended grade school at St. Cloud and Proctor, Minn. He was a born athlete. He played basketball and was the high scorer at every game. Daniel also played hockey in high school. He set a record at his high school in rope climbing. Daniel loved to hunt and fish. In his later years he was involved in two accidents, the first left him with some brain damage. In the second accident Daniel's neck was broken and left him paralyzed for the remainder of his life. Recently, he received an electric wheel chair, which made him very happy. Daniel passed away on October 31, 2004 at an adult care facility in Sauk Rapids, Minn. Daniel is survived by his mother and step-father, Patline Bird Norris and Mickey Norris of Naytahwaush, Minn.; his father, Gary Koslowski of Brainerd, Minn.; four brothers - Gerald Koslowski of Sauk Rapids, Minn., Tim Koslowski of St. Cloud, Minn., Edward Koslowski of Garrison, Minn., and Julian Koslowski of Brainerd, Minn.; three sisters - Vanessa Norris of Naytahwaush, Minn., Alice Vandell of Duluth, Minn., and Alissa Koslowski of Brainerd, Minn.; his paternal grandmother, Evelyn Jenkins of St. Cloud, Minn. Daniel was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and his paternal grandfather. Interment service held for Richard Keeble, Sr. Interment service for Richard R. Keeble Sr., 86, of Sisseton, S.D. was held last Saturday morning, November 6, 2004 at St. James Episcopal Cemetery at Enemy Swim, S.D., with the Rev. Ronald Campbell officiating. Active pallbearers were Noel Bendickson, Darrin Bendickson, Shelby Keeble, Troy Tordsen, Jay Adams, Danen St. John, Erik Brown, Thad St. John, Samson Bendickson, and Wayne Bendickson. Honorary pallbearers were Tyrone Keeble, Ulysses Abraham, Paul Robertson, Lowell Anderson, David Keeble, Nick Thompson, Ray Eastman, Sampson DuMarce, Hazen DuMarce, Sonny DuMarce, Franklin Keeble, and Jonas Keeble, Jr. Visitation was on Friday, at the Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton, S.D. Military rites were provided by the Sisseton-Wahpeton American Legion Post #314. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, was in charge of arrangements. Richard was born April 23, 1918 to Jonas and Daisy (Robertson) Keeble in Grenville, S.D. He was baptized at St. James Church on June 9, 1918 by Rev. Ashley. Richard attended Stephan Mission School. He left early to take care of his grandmother Jennie Barse Keeble at Pickerel Lake. Richard stayed at Pickerel Lake where he worked for several years as a teamster. Richard was united in marriage to Naomi Gill on February 8, 1942 at Enemy Swim, S.D. Richard served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945 as a glider mechanic and an airplane and engine mechanic. He was a Sergeant with the 66th Airdrome Squadron. Richard received the American Theater Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European-African- Middle-Eastern Theater Service Medal. After his military service he worked as a stone mason on many various buildings and walls that can still be seen today. Projects included as the Isaac Walton Clubhouse in Webster, S.D., a stone building in Pierpont, S.D. ., the wall surrounding Tekakwitha, many fire places, and walls in the Pickerel Lake area. He later worked for IHS Hospital in Sisseton. Then Richard worked for Chrekashaw Mobile Homes in Watertown, S.D. Richard also worked for the Tekakwitha Children's Home and later the Sisseton-Wahpeton Housing Authority until his retirement. Richard passed away on November 3, 2004 at his home in Sisseton, S.D. Richard is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Naomi Keeble of Sisseton; four children - Richard and (Dedria) Keeble, Jr. of Sisseton, Karen and (Duane) Brown of Sisseton, Dennis Keeble of Sisseton, and Jennifer and (Sam) Bendickson of Prior Lake, Minn.; several brothers and sisters; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren including the youngest, Daisy Faye Adams, who made him smile; and very special nieces, Phyllis, Ruth, and Mary. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Corey Keeble, and several brothers and sisters. Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 6, 2004 Leonard Langdeau, Lower Brule Leonard Allen Langdeau, 49, Lower Brule, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Mid Dakota Medical Center, Chamberlain. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Lower Brule High School Gymnasium, Lower Brule. Burial will be in Messiah Episcopal Cemetery, Iron Nation. Wake services will begin at 8 p.m. today and again at 8 p.m. Sunday at the gymnasium. Copyright c. 2004 The Daily Republic/Mitchell, South Dakota. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Jade John Dillon BATESLAND - Jade John Dillon, infant, Batesland, died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include his parents, Lyle Dillon Jr. and Thecla Two Bears, Batesland; two brothers, Miles Dillon and Lyle Dillon III, both of Batesland; one sister, Donna Jo Dillon, Batesland; his maternal grandmother, JoAnn Briggs, Allen; and his paternal grandfather, Lyle Dillon Sr., Long Valley. A one-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at Batesland City Hall. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the city hall, with Sid Has No Horse officiating. Burial will be at Knight Cemetery in Batesland. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Robert Hayes WAGNER - Robert Hayes, 59, Wagner, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at his home. An all-night wake will begin at 6 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 5, at Elk Horn Congregational Church in Little Eagle. Family and friends will gather at 4 p.m. Friday on top of the hill south of Little Eagle to follow in procession to the church. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the church, with the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. November 3, 2004 Fred F. "Budger" Brewer PINE RIDGE - Fred F. "Budger" Brewer, 63, Pine Ridge, died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include four sons, Greg Brewer, Pine Ridge, and Michael Brewer, Tyrell Brewer and Anthony Brewer, all of Manderson; two daughters, Connie Cook, El Paso, Texas, and Tracy Brewer, Phoenix; his mother, Laura Brewer, Omaha, Neb.; three brothers, Tom Brewer, Rapid City, Everette "Gabby" Brewer, Pine Ridge, and Willard Brewer, Denver; one sister, Elena Dameron, Omaha; and 11 grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Cremation memorial services will be held in a private ceremony at a later date. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. November 4, 2004 Dean Matthew Soft Sr. MCLAUGHLIN - Dean Matthew Soft Sr., 36, McLaughlin, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, due to injuries received in an automobile accident. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 5, at Founding Mothers Gym in McLaughlin. Family and friends will gather at 3 p.m. Friday at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge to follow in procession to the gym. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the gym, with the Rev. Leslie Campbell, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat, the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear and all Standing Rock lay ministers officiating. Burial will be at Pipe Bear Soft Family Cemetery on Rattle Snake Butte. Dennis Lee Soft MOBRIDGE - Dennis Lee Soft, 38, Mobridge, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, due to injuries received in an automobile accident. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 5, at Founding Mothers Gym in McLaughlin. Family and friends will gather at 3 p.m. Friday at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge to follow in procession to the gym. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the gym, with the Rev. Leslie Campbell, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat, the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear and all Standing Rock lay ministers officiating. Burial will be at Pipe Bear Soft Family Cemetery on Rattle Snake Butte. Theodore Duane "Ted" Soft MOBRIDGE - Theodore Duane "Ted" Soft, 38, Mobridge, died Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, due to injuries received in an automobile accident. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 5, at Founding Mothers Gym in McLaughlin. Family and friends will gather at 3 p.m. Friday at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge to follow in procession to the gym. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the gym, with the Rev. Leslie Campbell, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat, the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear and all Standing Rock lay ministers officiating. Burial will be at Pipe Bear Soft Family Cemetery on Rattle Snake Butte. November 8, 2004 Laura Condon EAGLE BUTTE - Laura Condon, 85, Eagle Butte, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Beverly Health Care Center in Mobridge. Two-day wake services will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Community Gym in Cherry Creek. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the gym, with the Rev. Jeffry Barnes, Deacon Harold Condon and Deacon Dora Bruguier officiating. Burial will be at St. Andrews Episcopal Church Cemetery. Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Mary Elizabeth "Kitty" Gray Mary Elizabeth "Kitty" Gray, a resident of Cortez for the last three years, died at her home in Cortez on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, at the age of 74. Memorial services were held on Saturday, Oct. 30 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Pastor Don Thompson of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiated. Mrs. Gray was born June 15, 1930 at Espanola, N.M., the daughter of Juan Shije and Manuelita Velarde Sisneros Quintana. She attended the University of New Mexico and Weber State University where she earned her bachelor and master's degree in special education. She was employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a special education teacher. She held membership with the National Teachers' Association and the National Education Association. Mrs. Gray also was a member of Ruth Guild Quilting Club and she enjoyed her time spent sewing. Surviving are her husband of 38 years, John Gray, of Cortez; her children, Thomasine Eagle, Gloria Eagle, Michelle Eagle Boyer and husband, Jake; Sharon Quam and husband, Alvin Pinnecoose; Jean Marie Gurule, Susan Gray, Jean Gray and Ned Gray; as well as numerous grandchildren. Kitty is survived by two sisters from Santa Clara Pueblo, N.M., and siblings from Jicarilla Apache, Dulce, N.M. Memorial contributions can be made in her name at First National Bank. Copyright c. 2004, the Cortez Journal. -=-=-=- November 5, 2004 Joe Beletso Joe Beletso Born in Montezuma Creek, UT on Nov. 14, 1910 Departed on Oct. 30, 2004 and resided in Montezuma Creek, UT. Funeral Service: Saturday Nov. 6, 2004 Cemetery: Hot Springs Family Cemetery Funeral services for lifelong Montezuma Creek, Utah resident, Joe Beletso will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Calvary Baptist Church of Montezuma Creek. Pastor Kenneth Norton will be officiating. Interment will follow at the Hot Springs Family Cemetery near Montezuma Creek. Joe was born on November 14, 1910 in Montezuma Creek to Nakai Hosteen and Ason (Yazzie) Hosteen. He passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2004 at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos at the age of 93. Hunting, ranching, and breaking horses were favorite pastimes of Joe's. He also enjoyed being around stock. Joe was a well known and respected rancher throughout the area as well as at the Cortez Livestock Auction. Surviving Joe are his children, Stanley Joe Beletso and wife, Emma Jean of Cahone Mesa, Bessie Beletso of Cortez, Marie Beletso of Montezuma Creek, and Nelson Beletso and wife, Marie of Montezuma Creek; as well as numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Minnie (Nakia) Beletso; his daughter, Marene Begay; and his two sons, Ramond Joe Beletso, and Henry Joe Beletso. Memorial contributions can be made in Joe's memory at Citizen's State Bank in Cortez. Ertel Funeral Home, Cortez, CO. -=-=-=- November 5, 2004 Johnny Drywater TAHLEQUAH - Services for Johnny Drywater will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at Reed-Culver Chapel, with Rev. Paulette Gower officiating. Burial will follow at Agent Cemetery under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Pallbearers include Tommy Willis, Jerry Gower, Larry Oosahwe, Frank Jones, Darren Drywater and Kris Guinn. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny's grandsons. Johnny Drywater was born Dec. 28, 1937 in Moodys, to Dick and Lillie (Galcatcher) Drywater. He passed from this life Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, at his home in Tahlequah. Johnny was pastor at the Prayer House Church for a short time. His favorite hobby was fishing. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, Matt and Danny Joe; one sister and three brothers. He is survived by his wife, Flora (Wilson) Drywater of the home; two daughters, Virginia and husband Kelly, and Carolyn and husband Steve; six sons, Joe, Val and wife Tina, Jack, Fred, Dennis and wife Michelle, and Kris and wife Elisha; a sister, Yvone; three brothers, Jimmy, Homer and Buster; four former daughters-in-law, Jami, Sheri, Nita and Leketta; and 20 grandchildren. Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W. Delaware, 456-2551. Michael Thomas Feary TAHLEQUAH - Services for Michael Thomas Feary will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at the South College Church of Christ in Tahlequah, with Lloyd Coppedge, Rev. Jon Farris and Rev. D.J. McCarter officiating. Interment will follow in the Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Boy Scout Troop 743, Scoutmaster Joe Sanders and Eagle Scouts Joel Skinner, Eric Dean, Brandon Warren, Ken Day and David Lindsey. Honorary pallbearers include Rudy Waldroop, Joe Skinner, Paul Dean, Russell Hudgens, Jeff Hudgens (in spirit only because he's serving in Iraq), Jerry Hammons, Ed Fite and Jerry Keifer. Flower girls will be Sharon Skinner, Sandra Hudgens and Leslie Dean. Michael Thomas Feary, 58, passed away in his home on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mike was born on June 4, 1946, in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Midwest City High School in 1964. After high school, he attended Central State College for two years. Mike entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 1, 1966, serving his country for two years, seven months and 15 days; with 11 months and 23 days of service in Vietnam. He received his honorable discharge on March 8, 1969. Upon returning home, he moved to Tahlequah. He attended Northeastern State University. Mike worked for Greenhaw-Eddings Ford where he was employed for more than 35 years, which allowed him to pursue his lifelong hobby of restoring cars, including his latest 1982 Mercedes Roadster 380 SL that he received as a special Christmas present from his family on Christmas of 2003. Mike was the parts and service director for Greenhaw-Eddings Ford. He had a very close relationship with Dale and Ruth Greenhaw and J.C. and Hazel Eddings. They were like parents to him, and they always treated him like their own son. Mike served in several organizations in Tahlequah. He served as an advisor for the AYES automotive program for the Indian Capital Vo-Tech. He also served on the Wesley Foundation Board for the Methodist Campus Ministry. He served in several capacities with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 20 years, with 13 years of that service in Tahlequah. He was the cubmaster of Pack 734 at Cherokee Elementary for seven years. When his son, Chrism graduated from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, he moved on to serve as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 743. He was awarded the NEOSHO Indian Nations District Award of Merit on Feb. 12. He was very proud to serve Boy Scout Troop 743, where his son Chris achieved the Eagle rank, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. He and Chris were also members of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood. Mike also volunteered his time as a member of the Tahlequah High School Band Boosters Club for the Orange Express for four years while his son was a member of the band. He enjoyed traveling with the band to numerous competitions and football games. One of his proudest memories was traveling with the band on the trip to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and having the honor of representing the State of Oklahoma. Mike was preceded in death by his father, John Feary Sr.; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Hovis of Oklahoma City, and Mr. and Mrs. John T. Feary of New York; and his stepfather-in-law, Duggie Chuculate. He is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 25 years; his son Chris and fiance' Tara of Tahlequah; mother Vonnie Feary of Oklahoma City; brother John Feary Jr. and wife Mary of Broken Arrow; mother-in-law Jo Chuculate of Stilwell; two very special aunts, Evelyn Clark of Claremore and Flo Swimmer of Tahlequah; and a host of many special relatives and friends. Friends may remember Mike by making memorial gifts to the South College Church of Christ, Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, Elm Tree Baptist Church, The Cherokee National Children's Choir and the Boy Scouts of America Troop 743. Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W. Delaware, 456-2551. Copyright c. 2004 Tahlequah Daily Press. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 John Wesley Davis Midwest City resident John Wesley "Wheeler" Davis, 36, died Friday, Oct. 29, in Oklahoma City. Wake service was held 8 p.m. Monday at Rock Springs Indian Baptist Church near Sasakwa. Service will be 2 p.m. today at Rock Springs Indian Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Deer officiating. Burial will be at Indian Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home of Seminole. Copyright c. 1997-2004 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- November 3, 2004 Adelia Dyer Black Kopaddy EL RENO - Funeral for Adelia Dyer Black Kopaddy, 58, El Reno, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Watonga Indian Multi-purpose Center. A wake service will be at 7 p.m. today at the multi-purpose center. Mrs. Kopaddy died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, in an El Reno hospital. Burial will be in the Black Family Cemetery, northwest of Watonga, under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. She was born July 9, 1946, to Benajah Dyer Sr. and Mabel Yelloweyes. She grew up in Watonga and graduated from Haskell Boarding School. She earned her RN degree from OSU Tech in Oklahoma City. She married Albert Black in 1965. He died in 1988. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1989 and married Decker Kopaddy in 1990. She worked as a nurse at HIS and other places. Survivors include four daughters: Jewel Black Harrell and Melissa Black, both of El Reno; Minnie Doris Soap, Okemah; and Nicole Owens, Denver; a son, James Black, El Reno; a brother, Sam Dyer, Colorado Springs, Colo.; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Benejah Dyer Jr. November 4, 2004 Elvira M. Niedo CACHE - Funeral for Elvira M. Niedo, 44, Cache, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Cahoma Building in Cache with the Rev. Wilfred Niedo and the Rev. John Williams officiating. Ms. Niedo died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at her home. Burial will be at Deyo Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. She was born Nov. 9, 1959, to Theodore and Lydia Pekah Niedo. She attended school in Cache and Concho. Survivors include five sons: Sammy Niedo, Danny Niedo and Darrell Niedo, all of Lawton, Brandon Rosado, of the home; and Dante Irby, Cache; two daughters: Carmen Glenn, Fort Richardson, Alaska; and Jennifer Rosado, of the home; two brothers: Malcolm Niedo, Cache; and Theo Niedo, Lawton; four sisters: Zenia Chacon, Lawton; Fedora Correa, Oklahoma City; Martheia Niedo, Clinton; Melanie Rivera, Cache; and six grandchildren: Mali Cooper, Hunter Glenn, Kayla, Jaylen, Jayden and Kinlinn Niedo. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Martha Lookingglass, Mary Pekah, Albert Wermy Pekah and Menno Niedo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bank of the Wichitas in Cache. Copyright c. 2004 The Lawton Constitution. -=-=-=- October 28, 2004 John Wesley `Wheeler' Davis Funeral services for part time Seminole County resident John Wesley "Wheeler" Davis were scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Rock Springs Indian Baptist Church near Sasakwa. Burial was scheduled to take place at the church cemetery. Rev. Alvin Deer was scheduled to officiate. A wake service was held 8 p.m. yesterday at Rock Springs Indian Baptist Church. Swearingen Funeral Home handled arrangements. Davis, who had been residing in Midwest City, died Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, at University Hospital. He was 36. Born Sept. 13, 1968, in Oklahoma City to Homer Lee Davis and Emily Mae (Samuels) Davis, he lived in Oklahoma City and Midwest City but spent his summers in Seminole County. Davis was a self-employed drywall contractor. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Alejandro Davis; paternal grandparents, Quanita and George Davis; and maternal grandparents, Edna and Peter McClure. Davis is survived by his parents, Emily and Homer Davis of Midwest City; companion, Pamela Kaye Jones of the home; two sons, Anthony Scott Davis and John Wesley Davis II both of Midwest City; daughter Kerri Renee DavisSalazar of Oklahoma City; brother Steve Davis of Midwest City; two sisters, Kimberly Davis-Fortner of Midwest City and Sue Ann Davis of Oklahoma City; and mother of his children, Gina Jacob of Midwest City. Condolences can be sent online at www.swearingenfuneralhome.com. The Seminole Producer/Copyright c. 1999-2004 Arizona Newspapers Assn. -=-=-=- November 3, 2004 Rose Marie Palmer Dobey Fruitland Dec. 5, 1924 - Nov. 1, 2004 Rose Marie Palmer Dobey, 79, of Fruitland, passed from this life on Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at San Juan Regional Medical Center. Rose was born Dec. 5, 1924, to Buster and Annie Blueeyes Palmer. She loved to cook and was a weaver. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and will be greatly missed. Rose is survived by her daughters, Vera Aragon and the late Charlie Aragon of Farmington, Joan Cheryl (Monty) Lambson of Kirtland, and Virginia (Lamuel) Russell Sr. of Fruitland; sisters, Bessie and the late Richard Becenti of Upper Fruitland, Mary Louise and the late Hosteen Benally of Morgan Lake, Margaret (Andrew) Ford of Upper Fruitland, Bernice Begay of Upper Fruitland, and Sarah Palmer of Fruitland; grandchildren, Craig, Nathan and Monica Lambson, and Joshua and Mariah Russell; aunts, Lena Blueeyes and Mary Willie of Upper Fruitland; uncle, Robert John of Upper Fruitland; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, John Dobey; parents, Buster and Annie Palmer; infant daughter, Eleanor Dobey; grandson, Lamuel Russell Jr.; brother, Tom B. Palmer; sisters, Louise Palmer and Mary Jane Palmer; uncles, Walter Collins, Frank Blueeyes, Charles Blueeyes, John Blueeyes, Frank Palmer, and Hosteen Shorty Pete; and aunt, Betty Joe. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kirtland Stake Center, 10 County Road 6523, with Bishop Dennis Fieldsted conducting. She will then be laid to rest at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Craig Lambson, Nathan Lambson, Joshua Russell, Leonard Palmer, Ronnie Johns, and Harold Ford. Honorary pallbearers are Aaron Aragon, Mariah Russell, Monica Lambson, Robert John, Thomas Palmer, Larry Palmer, Henry Palmer, and William Begay. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, 458 CR 6100, Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Richard H. Begay, Jr. Toadlena Oct. 19, 1951 - Oct. 30, 2004 Richard H. Begay Jr., 53, passed from this life on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock. Services will be held at 11 a.m., today, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004, at the LDS Church in Toadlena. A viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., before the services. Interment will follow at the family cemetery in Toadlena. Military honors will be provided by AMVETS Post 12. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home of Shiprock, (505) 368-4607. November 4, 2004 Rita R. Johnson-George Cove, Ariz. July 18, 1934 - Oct. 31, 2004 Rita R. Johnson-George, 70, passed from this life Sunday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2004, at Northern Navajo Medical Center, with her family at her bedside. Rita was born at Yucca Canyon in Sanostee. She spent most of her life in Cove, Ariz. She was a silversmith, rug weaver, sheep rancher, and a member of the Native American Church. Rita is survived by her spouse of 20 years, Elmer Yazzie; grandson, Keith G. Leiba; children, Ruth Young of Red Valley, Tom Young and wife Lou of Shiprock, Rose Kayonnie of Kirtland, Jennifer Talk and husband Glenn of Towaoc, Colo., Genevieve Jack and husband Clifford of Shiprock, and Cordell George of Red Valley; 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Alice Garcia of Shiprock, Irene Harvey of Sanostee, Annie Johnson of Sanostee, Gloria Yazzie of Sweetwater, and Vera Atcitty of Shiprock. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Claw and Peter Johnson; sisters, Pauline Young and Betty Johnson; daughter, Evelyn J. Tsosie; son, Kee George Jr.; husband, Kee George; niece, Lillie Y. Lee; nephew, Charley Young Sr.; and granddaughter, Karen Sue Yazzie. Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Shiprock. She will then be laid to rest at the family plot in Cove, Ariz. Pallbearers are Nathan Young, Roland Tsosie, Wilson Tsosie Jr., Ronald Young, Gerald Yazzie, and Albert Yazzie. The family wishes to thank the ICU nurses, Dr. Knedler and Dr. John Mohs. Funeral arrangements and services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home of Shiprock, (505) 368-4607. November 5, 2004 Leonard C. Begay, Sr. Burnham Aug. 26, 1949 - Nov. 2, 2004 Leonard C. Begay Sr., also formerly known as Leonard Charlie, 55, a resident of Burnham, passed from this life on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004. Mr. Begay was born Aug. 26, 1949, in Farmington, the son of Charley B. Begay and Ahidebah Begay. He is survived by his sons, Leonard C. Begay Jr. and Elnathan L. Begay; daughter, JoHannah A.C. Billsie; brothers, Johnny Charley, Davis Charley, David Charley and Harry James; sisters, Dorothy Charley, Nellie Lovejoy, Fannie Lookingglass and Marie C. Smith; and grandchildren, Jomya D. Begay, Kobe O. Begay, Michael A. Billsie, Yessa Begay, Leah Martin and Kianna J. Billsie. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at First Baptist Church of Farmington, corner of Arrington and Auburn, with Bobby Boyd officiating. Mr. Begay will then be laid to rest at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Farmington. Pallbearers will be Leonard C. Begay Jr., Leroy Begay, David Jim, Dennis Charley, Aaron Gould and Jimmy Charley Jr. Arrangements are entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington, 404 W. Arrington St., (505) 327-5142. November 6, 2004 Jimmie Charlie, Sr. Two Grey Hills Feb. 2, 1949 - Nov. 4, 2004 Jimmie Charlie Sr., 55, of Newcomb, passed away Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Two Grey Hills. He was born Feb. 2, 1949. Arrangements are pending with Chapel of Memories Funeral Home of Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. Copyright c. 2004 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Leonardo Leonard McCabe BURNSIDE, Ariz. - Funeral services for Leonardo Leonard McCabe, 25, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at St. Anne's Catholic Mission, Klagetoh. Father Will McCue will officiate. Burial will be in the Klagetoh Community Cemetery. McCabe died Oct. 28 in Phoenix. He was Dec. 9, 1978 in Tucson into the Edge Water People Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. McCabe graduated from Ganado Adult High School in 2001. At the time of his death, McCabe was employed with Aaron Electrics in Peoria, Ariz. He enjoyed making dream catchers, drawing, writing poems, horseback riding, and spending time with his son. Survivors include his son, Dominque Tristian McCabe of Burnside; daughters, Alexis McCabe of Phoenix; father, Leonard McCabe of Kinlichee; mother, Marilyn Tsinajinnie of Klagetoh; brothers, Leland Leonard McCabe of Phoenix; Harlen Bia of Ganado; Leroy McCabe of St. Michaels, Felipe Benally of Fort Defiance; sisters, Chelsea Lynn McCabe of Kinlichee, Rochelle Lynn Chee of Fort Defiance; and grandparents, John and Marie Tsinajinnie of Klagetoh. McCabe was preceded in death by Archie and Mary Damon, Lenard McCabe. Pallbearers will be family members and friends. Ellison Mike Kee MANUELITO - Funeral services for Ellison Mike Kee, 62, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Pastor Dean Baker will officiate. Burial will be in the Gallup City Cemetery. Kee died Oct. 27 in Bloomfield. He was born June 26, 1942 in Manuelito into the Black Streak Wood People Clan for the Meadow People Clan. Survivors include his father, Robert Kee; daughters, Carleen Benally, Cheryl Benally, Tammy Benally all of Hunters Point, Felicia Kee of Gallup; sons, Harold Benally of Window Rock, Harold Benally of Hunters Point, Gary Kee of Calif. and 12 grandchildren. Kee was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Kee; father, Kee Robert; son, Elton Mike Kee and brother, Francis Kee. Richard H. Begay SHIPRROCK - Services for Richard H. Begay, 53, will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Toadlena. Burial will follow in a private cemetery in Toadlena. Military honors will be provided by AMVETS POST 12. A visitation will be held today, Nov. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, Shiprock. Begay died Oct. 30 in Shiprock. He was born Oct. 19, 1951. Begay was a former Council Delegate of Toadlena, Two Grey Hills Chapter. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of the AMVETS Post 12 and a board member of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. Survivors include his wife, Bernice C. Begay; son, Richard Andrew Begay of Denver, Colo.; daughters, Richanda Begay of Phoenix, Colette Kristin Begay-Oh of San Diego; sisters, Cornelia Shorty and Veronica Begay both of Toadlena. Begay was preceded in death by his father, Richard H. Begay, Sr. and mother, Annie Dixon Begay. Shawn Davis CHINLE - Graveside services for Shawn Davis, 22, will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 on the Davis family plot in Chinle. Davis died Oct. 31 in Chinle. He was born March 5, 1982 in Gallup into the Many Goats People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Davis graduated from Chinle High School in 2001 and was attending Din College. He was employed with Burger King, Chinle. Davis enjoyed listening to music, traveling, watching wrestling and cleaning. Survivors include his mother, Caroline Davis; brothers, Dory Davis, Ethan E. Phillips; sisters, Charmaine Phillips, Germaine Phillips; grandparents, Wallace and Roseline Nelson. Davis was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Davis; grandfather, John Y. Nelson; great-grandmother, Mae E. Begay; great-grandparents; Walter and Louise Davis. Pallbearers will be Jody M.. Nelson, Virgil Nelson, Jr., Terrence Nelson, Douglas Nelson, Bo Davis and Kriitherius Blacksheep. The family will receive relatives and friends at Sunnyside House #90. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 3, 2004 Thomas Pete, Sr. STEAMBOAT - Funeral services for Thomas Pete, Sr., 54, were at 10 a.m. this morning, Nov. 3 at St. Michaels Catholic Church. Burial was in Ganado. Pete died Oct. 30 in Fort Defiance. He was born March 30, 1950 in Ganado into the Redhouse People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan. Pete attended Steamboat Day School and was a graduate of Chilocco High School, Chilocco, Okla. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps in Camp Pendelton, Calif. Pete also attended trade school for welding in Texas. He was a painter, heavy equipment operartor, Navajo police officer and Navajo ranger. Pete was a memeber of Apache County and Steamboat Chapter House, National Rifle Assoc., Bass Wildlife Member, and a member of the Native American Chruch. He served as vice president and president for the Steamboat community. Pete enjoyed traveling, attending NAC meetings, community meetings and spending time with family and gradchildren. Survivors include his wife, Lily A. Pete of Sanders; son, Thomas Pete, Jr. of Steamboat; daughters, Thomasita Pete, Terin Jane Pete both of Steamboat; brother, Edward Pete of Burnside; sisters, Elizabeth Edison, Alice Arviso both of Steamboat; Lena M. Yazzie of Fort Defiance and four grandchildren. Pete was preceded in death by his father, James Pete; mother, Jane Pete- Benally; great-grandfather, Hastiin Bearsprings and sister, Rose Mary Begay. Pallbearers were Brian Morgan, Allen Yazzie, Melvin Tsosie, Yolando Begay, Thomas Pete, Jr. and Nathaniel Guy. November 4, 2004 Lucy Yazzie Smith GALLUP - Services for Lucy Smith, 61, will be at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 5 at Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup. Pastor Joke Yazzie, Sr. will officiate. Burial will follow services at the City Cemetery in Gallup. Smith died Oct. 29 in Gallup. She was born March 22, 1943 in Red Rock into the Towering House People Clan for the Coyote Pass People, Jemez Clan. Survivors include three sons, two daughters, one sister and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Smith. Pallbearers will be Ernest Smith, Kenneth Smith, Junior Smith, Gilbert Smith, Richard Smith Jr., and Raymond Livingston. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Red Rock Chapter after services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Rita R. Johnson COVE, Ariz. - Funeral services for Rita R. Johnson will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 5 at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral home, Shiprock. Burial will be in Cove. A reception will be held at the Cove Chapter House. Johnson died Oct. 31 in Shiprock. Johnson conducted NAC prayer meetings in the Eastern Navajo area. Survivors include her husband, Elmer Yazzie; children, Tom Young, Ruth Young, Rose Johnson, Jennifer Talk, Jo Leiba Jack, Cordell George, Nathan Young, Roland Tsosie, Wilson Tsosie, Jr., Shannon Tsosie and Arlinda Tsosie. November 5, 2004 Billy Yazzie, Sr. STANDING ROCK - Services for Billy Yazzie, Sr., 84, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church. Pastor Neil Foster and Edgar B. Yazzie will officiate. Burial will follow in the Rehoboth Mission Cemetery. Yazzie died Nov.1 in Fort Defiance. He was born July 20, 1920 in Becenti into the Salt People Clan for the Zuni People Clan. Survivors include his sons, Dickie R. Billie of Standing Rock, Abel Yazzie of Thoreau, Billy Yazzie, Jr. of Pinedale, Edgar B. Yazzie of Crownpoint; daughters, Janis Davis of Bloomfield, Helen Sloan of Whitehorse Lake, Arlene Yazzie of Dalton Pass, Felda Yazzie of Standing Rock, Virginia Irene Yazzie of Navajo; sisters, Mary Carson of Crownpoint, Annie James, Sarah Johnson, June Kalleco all of Standing Rock, Daisy Wero of Gallup, Nellie Wero of Churchrock, Helen Yazzie of Sundance; brothers, Kenneth Wero of Calif., Tom Wero of Churchrock, Willie Wero of Okla.; 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Morgan-Yazzie; father, Little Billy Wero; mother, Mary James; and sister, Mabel. Pallbearers will be Morgan Davis, Gabriel Jim, Ephraim T. Silversmith, Sampson Sloan, Jr., Edmund E. Yazzie and Victor Yazzie, Sr. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Virgil James CHURCHROCK - Services for Virgil James, 33, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Sherman Nungester will officiate. Burial will be in the Gallup City Cemetery. James died Oct. 28 in Churchrock. He was born Feb. 26, 1971 in Gallup into the Edge of the Water People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. James graduated from Gallup High School in 1990. He was employed with the City of Gallup for over 18 years. He was recently employed with Parks Maintenance. James enjoyed cooking, his children, movies, working outdoors, playing and watching football. Survivors include his parents, Thomas H. James and Rita James of Churchrock; daughter, Cheyenne James of Zuni; son, Thomas James of Zuni; sisters, Baby Vanessa James, Imogene James, Inamae James, Jessica James, Malissa James, Mildren James all of Churchrock and five other children. James was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harry James Katherine James and Mary Livingston. Pallbearers will be Delbert Arviso, Vince Begay, Robert Chavez, Art James, Lewis James, Luis Lucero, Asa Moore and Albert Troncoso. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 5, 2004 Robert C. Morgan GALLUP - Services for Robert Morgan, 74, will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 at Rollie Mortuary Palm Chapel. Pastor William Fragua will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup. Morgan died, Nov. 3 in Gallup. He was born Sept. 28, 1930 in Dalton Pass, N.M. into the Two Who Came to the Water People Clan for the Salt People Clan. Morgan was a U.S. Marine in the Korean War, 5th Regiment. He received many medals and was discharged in 1954. He worked withe the BIA as a recreation specialist for over 35 years at various BIA schools, including the Inter-Mountain School in Brigham City, Utah, Leupp School and Chinle Boarding School before retiring in 1990. Survivors include his sons, Randall L. Morgan of Window Rock, Reginald Morgan of Gallup, Robert C. Morgan of Chinle, and Ronald C. Morgan of Albuquerque; daughters, Regina L. Morgan of St. Michaels, Ariz; brothers Buddy B. Morgan of Phoenix, Edison El Morgan Sr. of Fort Wingate, N.M., Elroy Morgan of Pinedale and Silas Morgan Jr. of Dalton Pass; sisters, Katherine C. Peterson of Gallup, Beatrice Vallo of Dalton Pass and Sarah Zuni of Pinedale, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Louise Roanhorse Morgan; parents Silas Morgan Sr. and Anna Morgan; son, Roland Morgan; brother, Jack C. Morgan and sister, Roberta Thompson. Pallbearers will be Jasper Begay, Phillip Begay, Patrick Burns, Garrett Francis, Reginald Morgan, Kendall Thompson, Larry Thompson and Virgil Thompson. November 8, 2004 Lillian Smith Mitchell SAWMILL - Services for Lillian M. Smith Mitchell, 83, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Good Shepherd Mission, Fort Defiance. Visitation will be held prior to services at 9 a.m. Burial will be on a family plot in Sawmill. A rosary will be recited today, Nov. 8, at 4 p.m. at Silver Creek Mortuary. Mitchell died Nov. 5 in Fort Defiance. She was born Feb. 23, 1921 in Sawmill into the Mud People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Mitchell attended the Good Shepherd Mission Christian Boarding School. In her teen years she worked at the Fort Defiance Canteen. She earned her childhood development associates in early childhood education and she worked as a teachers aide for 16 years and worked with the Sawmill foster grandparents program. Mitchell was an eloquent Navajo speaker, who enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and weaving. She was an active community member and a member of NAC. Survivors include her son, Raymond Richard Graymountain of Sawmill; daughters, Dorothy Ashley of Fort Defiance, Patricia Ann Johnson, Olivia June Martinez, Marlene Jane Tsosie all of Sawmill; brother, Jimmy Tsosie of Sawmill; sister, Ruth S. Benally of Fort Defiance; 21 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Mitchell was preceded in death by her father, Tsosie Smith; mother, Alch'i'deezbaa'; sister, Mable Bennett; brothers, Edward Smith, Lenny Reynolds and daughter, Martha Livingston. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Sawmill Chapter House following services. Francine Sheryl Attson ST. MICHAELS - Funeral services for Francine Sheryl Attson, 40, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at St. Michaels Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Gallup City Cemetery. A rosary will be recited this evening at 7 p.m. at the residence of Shirley Stoner in Chinle. Attson died Nov. 3 in Pine Valley, Calif. She was born in Gallup into the Redhouse People Clan for the Tangle People Clan. Attson attended Chinle schools and graduated from St. Michaels High School in 1982. Survivors include her mother, Shirley Stoner; step father, Glenn E. Stoner of Chinle; brothers, Thomas Attson of Many Farms, Glenn Stoner II of Chinle; and sister, Francelia Attson of Flagstaff. Attson was preceded in death by her father, Francis Attson. Pallbearers will be George Hartsock, Glenn Stoner II, Patrick Laughlin and Derrick Laughlin. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Esther Marie Sisto, 39 Esther Marie Sisto, 39, of San Pablo, Calif., died Oct. 20, 2004, at Doctors' Hospital in San Pablo. She was born in Globe. She is survived by one son, Charles Little Jr. of San Lorenzo, Calif.; her father, Evans Sisto of San Lorenzo, and mother, Patricia Newman of Richmond, Calif.; one brother, Kenneth Sisto of San Carlos; and one sister, Kathleen Sisto of San Carlos. A wake will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at the Nellie Gilbert residence on White Mountain Avenue in San Carlos. Funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at San Carlos Miracle Church. Interment will follow in Northgate Cemetery. Lamont Mortuary of Globe is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 Arizona Silver Belt/Apache Moccasin. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Marjorie Aline Pretty on Top LODGE GRASS - Marjorie Aline Pretty on Top, 64, of Lodge Grass, passed away Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004, in the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Indian Hospital in Crow Agency. IiKaa'xxiiasash "Shining Star" was born Oct. 19, 1940, in Crow Agency, a daughter of David Plenty Hoops, Sr. and Amanda Old Crow. Her grandparents, Simon and Annie Plenty Good Old Crow of Lodge Grass, and her stepfather, Paul J. Bad Horse, Sr. raised her. She attended Lodge Grass public schools. Aline married Buckley Pretty on Top in June of 1961 in Sheridan, Wyo., and the couple made their home in Lodge Grass. Aline cared for her dad, Simon, at home for many years, until his death. She began work for the Head Start Program as a cook and later as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the area hospitals, later retiring due to ill health. She and her husband enjoyed attending horse races in Montana. She also enjoyed area culture events and was a frequent participant, such as Sun Dance and serving as the Lodge Grass District Committee. However, she most enjoyed raising her grandchildren and watching them participate in sporting events. She was a faithful member of the Catholic Church, Big Lodge Clan and was a child of the Big Lodge Clan. Her parents; grandparents; stepfather; son, Leon Jude Old Crow; sisters, Eleanor Plenty Hawk, Eloise White Clay, Lucy Yellowmule Stops Susanna One Bear; brothers, David Plenty Hoops, Jr., Donald Stewart and Ross Old Crow, preceded Aline in death. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Buckley; sons, Bruce of Billings, Tony of Mexico, Jonathan (Lisa) and Evan (Lisa) of Lodge Grass; daughters, Myrna (Fred) Small of Lame Deer, Regina (Leonard) Bends, Ellie Rides Horse, Rachel and Dorothy Anna Pretty on Top of Lodge Grass; her sisters, Fatima Bad Horse of Wyola, Ursula Bad Horse of Billings, Sandra (Myron) Shields of Garryowen, Colleen (Walter) Old Elk and Gladys Jefferson of Crow Agency, Roxanne Old Crow and Lauren Medicine Horse of Lodge Grass; brothers, Newton (Georgette) Old Crow, Jr. of Lodge Grass and Kenneth (Fannie) Plenty of Crow Agency; her adopted sons, Cliff Birdinground, Marlin "Camel" Yarlott, Eugene Red Star, Jr., Conrad (CJ) Stewart, and Gary Gardner; adopted daughter, Terry Collette Little Light; adopted sisters, Mavis Covers Up and Clarice Kindness; her sister/aunts, Joy (Paul) Matt, Sr. and Kathryn Old Crow; grandmothers, Laura Singer and Mildred Old Crow; her aunts, Alice Mae Tobacco, Carol White Clay, Beverly (Tommy) Pretty On Top and Katie Pretty Weasel; brother/uncles, Rev. Newton (Amelia) Old Crow, David and Reuben (Elizabeth) Stewart; adopted brothers, Henry (Alma) Real Bird, Paul Bad Horse, Jr., and David (Bernadine) Bad Bear; adopted sister, Mercy (Maynard) Hill; her special friend, Mary Ann Bear Below; her 19 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, who referred to her as "Baby Kaala"; and her loving pets, "Friend" and "Tequila." She is also related to the Otter Stays in the Water, Levi Yellowmule, Star Black Hawk and the Brass families from her maternal side. Our family is very large. If we have forgotten you, please accept our apology. Rosary will be recited 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the Lodge Grass Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in the Lodge Grass Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. November 7, 2004 Wndelyn Shoulderblade LAME DEER - Wndelyn Shoulderblade, 53, died Nov. 5, 2004, at the Deaconess Billings Clinic. A wake will be at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, in the Lame Deer Pentecostal Church. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in the Black Hills National Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 12. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of the arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. November 3, 2004 Frederick N. DeRoche A veteran of the Army and a retired Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities manager, Frederick N. DeRoche passed away at Blackfeet Community Hospital Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004. A wake was held at the Old Eagle Shields Building in Browning and the Heart Butte community building, followed by funeral services with military rites at St. Anne's Catholic Church of Heart Butte Monday, Oct. 18. Burial followed at St. Anne's Cemetery. The Pondera Funeral Home of Conrad handled the arrangements. Frederick Neil DeRoche, the oldest child, was born July 31, 1945, to Ruth Ann Hall and Francis DeRoche. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth "Betty Jean" Hammons, and has one surviving brother, Troy Francis DeRoche of Mountain View, Hawaii. He was raised in the Heart Butte area where he attended elementary school. He graduated from Browning High School in 1965. In September of 1965 he entered the Army and was honorably discharged Sept. 10, 1967. He worked for the school system for a year then went to work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs' facilities management program. He retired from the BIA in 1999 with 32 credible years of federal service. Fred was a very talented and well known musician who ministered the word through his music to many audiences through out the United States and Canada. In his traditional spiritual life he was very honored to have earned his own pipe and songs. In his life he touched many people and will be greatly missed by all those who know him. Fred is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Louise DeRoche; his daughters, Anita DeRoche, Lori (Eugene Sr.) White Quills, and Leah (Richard) Bad Marriage; and one son, Matthew DeRoche. He is also survived by his loved and cherished grandchildren, Kimberly, Robbie, Megan, Felix, Gwynne, Eugene Jr., Gina, Dennis and Shia, and one very special great grandson, Shane Don. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Howard Little Dog Howard "Harry" Little Dog, 33, died while en route to the Great Falls Hospital on Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, of diverticulus. A wake was held at the Glacier Center in Browning and the Heart Butte Community Center. A rosary service was Thursday at the Heart Butte Community Center. Funeral Mass was Friday at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Heart Butte. Burial followed in Horn Cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Howard was born Sept. 11, 1971 in Kalispell to Howard and Mary Louise (Horn) Little Dog. He was raised in Heart Butte and Browning areas where he also attended school, graduating from Browning High School in 1989. While attending school in Browning he met the love of his life, Memory Heisel. He attended college at Northern Montana College. After his short college career he returned to Browning, to start his life with Memory. From this union were born daughters, Lucretia and Alicia and one son, Justin. Howard was employed at the Western Hotel in Browning as a housekeeper. He also worked as a cook's helper and kitchen helper at the Glacier Park Lodge and at the Villager Restaurant in East Glacier. He also spent some time working as a cashier at IGA. Howard was a computer whiz, he loved playing video games from dusk till dawn, with his many friends. He is survived by his wife; daughters, Lucretia and Alicia; son, Justin; his parents, Howard and Mary Louise Little Dog, Sr.; brothers, Richard and Gabriel; a sister, Bonnie; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Lawrence "Namski" Horn. Howard will be missed by family and friends. He was a good kind-hearted person who loved his family. Robert Aims Back Robert "Bob" Louis Aims Back, 26, was born on Sept. 16, 1978 in Browning and left us to be with our Creator on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004. Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Nov. 2, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Heart Butte. Burial followed in Aims Back Family Cemetery. Father Dan Powers officiated. Pondera Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Bob lived in Badger Creek, Heart Butte and Old Agency his entire life. He graduated from Heart Butte High School in 1998. He loved to play basketball, fish, hunt, watch horse racing, and spend time with family and friends. He leaves his wife Marcella "Penny" Bird Rattler; father, Robert "Roscoe" Aims Back; mother, Consuella Pepion; brothers, Jess Aims Back and Joe Croff; sister, Camille Aims Back Lopez; grandparents, Jean Kipp and Woodrow Kipp; great-grandmother, Helen Caskey; aunts and uncles, Lita Pepion, Junior Healy, Teresa Pepion, Patricia & Mark Pollock, Gloria Chase, Avalon Kipp & Ritaro Chipen, Mindy Kipp, Sam & Mary Aims Back; Joseph & Wilma Aims Back, Thomas Lee Aims Back, Mary Louise Aims Back; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. All will miss him dearly. He was preceded in death by his brother, Neil Roy McNabb and grandparents, Thelma and Boy John Aims Back. Isabel Joy Wells Isabel "Izzy" Joy Wells, 27, died Oct. 23, 2004 at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyo. Funeral services were held Oct. 26 at Blue Sky Hall at Ethete, Wyo. A second funeral service was held Oct. 28 at Eagle Shields Hall in Browning. Interment was in the Willow Creek Cemetery in Browning. Arrangements were made by Wind Dancer Funeral Home of Fort Washakie, Wyo. Survivors include her parents, George and Emogene Wells of Kinnear, Wyo. ; her companion, Sheldon Smith of Browning; sisters, Yonda Wells of Kinnear; Paula (Richard) Little Shield of St. Stephens, Wyo., and Shaelynn Wells of Kinnear; brothers, George (Kay) Wells of Fort Washakie, Wyo., and Jay (Lisa) Wells of Browning; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also a descendant of Bad Marriage, Still Smoking, Wells, Gould and White Plume families of Wyoming and Montana. She was preceded in death by daughter, Shantelle Rae Smith; and grandparents, Paul Bad Marriage, William Wells, Sr., Leslie Gould, Sr., Isabel Bad Marriage Wells and Theresa White Wolf. Copyright c. 2004 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- November 5, 2004 Flora J. Young Running Crane BROWNING - Flora Jean Young Running Crane, 39, of Browning, a personal care attendant, died Tuesday at a Browning hospital of injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident south of Browning. A prayer service is 7 this evening at Old Eagle Shield in Browning. Her funeral is 2 p.m. Saturday at Old Eagle Shield, with burial in St. Michael's Cemetery. Survivors include her partner, Arthur Racine of Browning; daughters Felecia Jean Blackman and Deanna Blackman of Browning and Terrena Blackman of Pablo; a brother, Willard Young Running Crane of Browning; and four grandchildren. Copyright c. 2004 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Ruben Bowman, 76 Anchorage Lifelong Alaskan Ruben Lewis Bowman, 76 died Oct. 22, 2004, at Alaska Native Medical Center, after a lengthy illness. A service with military honors and burial will be announced later. Mr. Bowman was born April 14, 1928, in Nome, to Gunnar and Margaret (Malony) Bowman. In 1942, at age 14, he joined the Alaska Territorial Guard and served for three years. He enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1948 and was sent to Europe during reconstruction, returning to Nome in 1949 after being honorably discharged. In January 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army/Air Force in Biloxi, Miss., and his military career took him many places -- Turkey, Idaho and Maine, to name a few. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a senior master sergeant in 1970 in Gig Harbor, Wash. Mr. Bowman returned to Alaska in 1980. He managed Safety Roadhouse outside Nome for his cousin until 1986, when he moved to Anchorage. In 1999, during the Bering Straits Regional Kawerak Elders Conference in Nome, he was honored for his service in the Alaska Territorial Guard. "The military was Ruben's passion even after 20-plus years of service," his family wrote. "He participated in the Alaska State Defense Force 49th Military Police Brigade, 4th Battalion located at the National Guard Armory on Fort Richardson. Upon separation due to health reasons in 2003, he had achieved the rank of major." Mr. Bowman was a member of VFW 10252 in Mountain View. Survivors include his children, Ruth Emmons, "Lew" R.L. Bowman Jr., Joe and Lori Bowman and Charlotte Armstrong; brothers, Carl, James and Robert Bowman; cousin and special friend, Don Newton and his family; 10 grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. Mr. Bowman was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Bowman. Memorial donations may be made to a military/veterans charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are with Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary and Crematory. Copyright c. 2004 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Harriet H. Roberts Former Juneau resident Harriet H. Roberts died on Oct. 31, 2004, with her daughters at her side at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. She was T'dakdeintaan and Chookaneidi'yedi. Her Tlingit name was Geethla'. She was a Huna Totem and Sealaska shareholder, who gifted her grandson Tecumseh L.R. Strong. She was employed by the State of Alaska Health and Social Services payroll and was the manager of ANAC Cache. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Lester Roberts of Klawock; her parents, Mr. John George Fawcett, Sr., and his loving wife, Lilly Brown Fawcett of Hoonah; her brothers, Eugene, Newton, Hubert, John Jr., Roy and Lawrence; and her sisters, Agnes Lindoff and Matilda Johnny. Most recently preceding her in death were Aunt Amy Marvin, Cousin Sam Knudson III, and niece, Yvonne Hanson Earl. She is survived by her sister, Ruth James, and Ruth's daughters, Mary Susan Katasse and Lilly James and Lilly's son, Christopher. Ruth's sons are Wilbur Jr., and Thomas. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Hanson. Judy's sons are Albert Jr., Lawrence and John. Harriet and Lester Roberts had two daughters by birth, Dr. Karen Roberts and Patricia Alexander. She is also survived by Karen's husband, Dr. Wallace Strong, and her son, Tecumseh Lester Roberts Strong, and his wife, Lisa Marie Strong, and Harriet's great-grandson, Derrick Jonathan Strong. Also surviving is Patricia's husband, Robert Alexander, and his children, Pamela and Daniel Alexander. Harriet's adopted daughters are Dr. Gwendalle Cooper, Arlene West and Sue Silversmith. She is survived by cousins, Ralph, Mary and Mike Knudson; and cousins, Alice, Henry, Wally and Mable Moy, as well as Agnes Lindoff's children, Walter Jr., Newton, Kendall, Hubert, Matilda, Esther and Ruth; and John Jr.'s children, Kathleen Fawcett- -Willard and Laura Fawcett. She also has numerous nieces, nephews and other who consider her family. Following the wishes of Harriet, the family will not have a 40-day party, pall bearers, gravestone raising or other cultural ceremonies. Her cremation was held in Juneau on Nov. 1, 2004, without ceremonies, per Harriet's request. Harriet did request an ANS Camp 2 Memorial Service, which is to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 4, at Juneau ANB Hall. Copyright c. 1997-2004 Juneau Empire/Morris Communications Corporation. -=-=-=- November 4, 2004 Ruth Ann Johnson JOHNSON Ruth Ann - Peacefully at the West Haldimand General Hospital, Hagersville on Wednesday, November 3, 2004, Ruth Ann (Williams) Johnson, age 63 years; wife of the late Clifford Johnson; dear friend of Morris Longboat; loving mother of David and Dianne Johnson, Steve Johnson, Wayne and Lucy Johnson, Earl and Mini Longboat, and Arthur and Lorna Longboat; dear grandmother of several grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; sister of Nora Carrier, Lucille Jamieson, Andrew (Toby) Williams, Lorraine Williams, Doug Williams, Elaine Dale Williams, and Peter Williams; also survived by many nieces and nephews; predeceased by parents Enos and Gladys (Thomas) Williams, brothers Charles, Dean, Lester, and Earl (Stu) Williams, and a nephew Clinton Jamieson. Resting at her home, 3604 4th Line Road, Six Nations after 2 p. m. Thursday. Funeral Service and Burial will be held at the Onondaga Longhouse, Six Nations on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at 11 a. m. Arrangements by STYRES FUNERAL HOME, Ohsweken. Copyright c. 2004 Brantford Expositor. -=-=-=- November 2, 2004 Alexander Cyr CYR - On Saturday, October 30, 2004 Alexander Cyr, passed away at the age of 68 years. Alex was predeceased by his wife Ruth, parents Peter and Jane, brothers and sisters, Harriet, Eddie, Charlie, Isabel, Fred, Henry, Peter and Olive. He is survived by his companion, Olive and son David C. Cyr, his brother, David (Marina), sisters Julia (Bruce) and numerous relatives and friends. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at 2:00 PM in the Gordon's Gymnasium, Gordon First Nation with Rev. Dale Gillman, officiating. Burial to follow in St. Luke's Cemetery. The wake will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 commencing at 5:00 PM in the Gordon's Gymnasium, Gordon First Nation. Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645. November 5, 2004 Dayleese Peigan PEIGAN - Peacefully into the arms of our Creator, Dayleese Peigan began his journey home on November 2, 2004. Predeceased by his grandparents, Gordon and Georgina Kequahtooway and James and Agnes McKay; great aunts, Shirley Shavetail, Elizabeth Nemethi, Olive Delorme and Hazel Johnson; and great uncle, Thomas Kaye, Dayleese leaves to mourn his foster parents, Doddie and Paul Bunz; mother, Ruth Anne McKay; father, Meldon Peigan; sisters, Monica Boucher, Tashina and Chereese McKay; grandparents, Marshall and Phyllis McKay; uncles, Eric (Bonnie) Kequahtooway, Avison (Sindy) McKay, Tabin (Brandy) McKay and Donavon Kequahtooway; aunts, Tina (Cory) Perkins, Tanya Kequahtooway and Dana McKay (Mike); very special uncle and aunt, Lindsay (Sharon) Kequahtooway; grandmothers, Alice Sangwais, Mabel George, Beatrice Aisaican and Brenda Smoker; grandfather, John (Shirley) Nanapay; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins. A celebration of Dayleese's life will be held with a wake on Friday, November 5, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. in the Sakimay Complex, Sakimay First Nation. A service will begin at 8:00 p.m. with Frank Keshane officiating. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. in the Sakimay Complex with Rev. Hector Bunnie officiating. Interment in the Sakimay Cemetery. A special thanks to Doddie and Paul Bunz, Regina Social Services and the doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal University Hospital for the caring of our beloved Dayleese. Arrangements in care of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services, 1-800-667-8962. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Regina Leader Post Group Inc.