_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 12, ISSUE 047 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, 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 20, 2004 Assiniboine Cuhotgawi/Frost Moon Kiowa Tepgan P'a/Geese going Moon Western Cherokee Nvdadegwa/Trading Moon +-------------------------------------------------------+ | Much more happens in Indian Country than is reported | | in this weekly newsletter. For daily updates & events | | go to http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm | +-------------------------------------------------------+ Otapi'sin Atsinikiisinaakssin -- Blackfeet -- News for All the People Ni-mah-mi-kwa-zoo-min -- Ojibwe -- We Are Talking About Ourselves Aunchemokauhettittea -- Naragansett -- Let Us Share News Kanoheda Aniyvwiya -- Cherokee -- Journal of the People O Es'te Opunvk'vmucvse -- Creek -- People's New News O o O Acimowin -- Plains Cree -- Story or Account O o O Tlaixmatiliztli -- Nahuatl -- News O o o o o O Agnutmaqan -- Listuguj Mi'kmaq -- News O o O Sho-da-ku-ye -- Teehahnahmah -- Talking Birchbark O o O Un Chota -- Susquehannic Seneca -- The People Speak O Ha-Sah-Sliltha -- Ditidaht Nation -- News of the People Ximopanolti tehuatzin, inin Mexika tlahtolli -- Nahuatl -- For you we offer these words It-hah-pe-hah Ah-num pah-le -- Chickasaw -- Together We Are Talking Dineh jii' adah' ho'nil'e'gii ba' ha' neh -- Navajo Nation -- What's Happening among The People News Okla Humma Holisso Nowat Anya -- Choctaw -- People(s) Red Newspaper Hi'a chu ah gaa -- Pima -- The stories or the talk of the People 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; NDNAIM and Information Distribution Mailing Lists; UUCP email IMPORTANT!! ----------- In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, all material appearing in this newsletter is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for educational purposes. <================<<<< >>>>================> This newsletter is a way of keeping the brothers and sisters who share our Spirit informed about current events within the lives of those who walk the Red Road. ++ It may be subscribed to via email by sending a request from your own internet addressable account to gars@speakeasy.org ++ It is archived at http://www.nanews.org <================<<<< >>>>================> +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | As historian Patricia Nelson | | Once a language is lost, it is | | Limerick summarized in "The | | gone forever | | Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken | | * Of the 300 original Native | | Past of the American West... | | languages in North America, | | "Set the blood quantum at | | only 175 exist today. | | one-quarter, hold to it as a | | * 125 of these are no longer | | rigid definition of Indians, | | learned by children. | | let intermarriage proceed as | | * 55 are spoken by 1 to 6 elders;| | it had for centuries, and | | when they die, their language | | eventually Indians will be | | will disappear. | | defined out of existence." | | * Without action, only 20 | | "When that happens, the federal | | languages will survive the next| | government will be freed of | | 50 years. | | its persistent 'Indian problem.'"| | Source: Indigenous Language | +-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ | Institute | |http://www.indigenous-language.org| This issue's Elder Quote: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "It's something I do, honoring those who died before me and honoring those on active duty," __ Gilbert Michel, Confederated Salish and Kootenai veteran +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! November 11 was Veteran's Day. I am a veteran and have the honor of serving as emcee at a Veteran's Powwow in Euharlee, Georgia the second weekend in October each year. I have witnessed Creator's healing touch in that circle many times and have come to some realizations. Many veterans come home with a dark place in their heart they have great difficulty letting go. It affects their personal relations and lives in adverse ways. Sometimes we just need to be told what we did was necessary and it's now time to put down that dark place and get on with our lives. Hanging on to it only hurts ourselves and others, adding to the already devastating pain of war and warfare. I read a prayer at Euharlee I wish to share with readers of this newsletter in hope it will help one more warrior find his or her way back home. "Oh Grandfater, there is one war left that is raging, worse than all the wars I have survived." "Oh Grandfather, I need guidance, patience, understanding as this final war rages within me." "Oh Grandfather, help me overcome this turmoil within my heart and mind, bring peace to my mind, end these feelings of hatred, of hurt, of death, of revenge, and replace them with love, compassion, and caring for my people. So I can live the rest of my life in peace." The Matsunaga Vietnam Veterans Project The National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/veterans/fs_native_vets.html =================================== 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 ---------- - A Broken Soldier is Healed - Last Words: Indian Languages - JODI RAVE: fast losing Speakers Native Veterans denied Home Loans - Saskatoon Officers fired - YELLOW BIRD: over Native Teen's Death Remembering a Warrior Brother - Wal-Mart protesters, - GIAGO: GOP Moral Values vendors clash at Pyramids will hurt Indian Country - Using Courts in Brazil - CHUCULAT: American Indians lost out to strengthen Identity as Bush won - Sherrill, Oneidas - Editorial: get Date for Court White Man of the 1800s is back - Tribal Contracts pose conflict - Tribal Governments for Supreme Court get credit for Attitude Change - Drug cartels offer $500K - Cobell Team predicts victory to kill Shadow Wolves on Accounting,Reform - School rejects blame - Congress can break Deadlock in Ronan boys' deaths on Indian Trusts - Court sides with Tribe - American Indian hopes in Law Enforcement dispute to narrow Community Divide - Man shot by Deputies - Jodi Rave: Indian Issues had known tragedy need more than a Month - Native Prisoner - New Mexico: -- Nebraske sets rules Committee backs Indian Projects for Native inmates - Red Squirrel count - Rustywire: Chiliman on Mt. Graham falls - History: Carlisle Indian School - Opinion: Indian Mascots - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days continues Racial Harm - Rustywire Poem: - Traditional Native American I am Desolate and Barren Basket Weaving - Upcoming Events --------- "RE: A Broken Soldier is Healed" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VETERAN HEALING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=5502 A Broken Soldier is Healed Desert Storm vet talks about life after the war-Letter to the Editor PONCA CITY OK Delfino November 12, 2004 Dear Editor, I am compelled to write you again, this time about Veterans Day. I am a disabled veteran myself, a Desert Shield/Desert Storm Veteran. I spent this Veterans Day at the Pawhuska Veteran's Day Dance, hosted by the American War Mothers #6, Hominy and A.L. Post 198 and Auxiliary. While there I was touched beyond words. By a song. It was the Desert Storm song. Even now as I write this, its hard to keep back tears, the feeling in my heart can not be easily explained. See, when I returned from the war I was one of those vets that could not readjust back into civilian life. I could not readjust back into family life. I did not fit into the America I fought so hard for. I became a homeless veteran. Sleeping in parks, parking garages, and homeless shelters. After many years of that I was put into the Veterans Administration homeless program. To which I owe them many thank yous. See, this is how that Pawhuska Veterans Dance and that one song touched me. Ever since the war I've felt broken. All my family and friends told me I came back from the war different, not the same person that left, I was "Broken", and didn't work right. But that Desert Storm song, for the first time since I got back on American soil from the war, I DID NOT FEEL Broken. Standing there among WWII, Korean, Vietnam and other combat conflict veterans prior to my war, I "DID" fit into America. During the song I could see the faces of comrades who fought by my side. Some of them alive, some dead from what they called Gulf War Syndrome, some gone on the battlefield. And as they sang that song I wish they all could feel what I felt. To feel what we did made a difference. That what we suffer during combat and the many years after our return home, was not for nothing. I am but one story in millions of veterans. But I am DEEPLY HUMBLED and touched. By the person (a Mr. Cozad) who wrote that song, by Head Singer Vann Bighorse, and the other singers, and chorus girls at that drum that nite. Humbled by being in the pr esence of older veterans before me, and hopeful for those veterans yet to return home or as of yet to serve. Like I said last time in a editorial you published. Just who am I? I am nobody. Just a humble man, who was made to feel he wasn't broken anymore. Thank you Delfino, Ponca City, Okla. P.S. It was the first I've ever heard that Desert Storm song. Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: JODI RAVE: Native Veterans denied Home Loans" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 08:44:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JODI RAVE: VETERANS" Jodi Rave: Native veterans denied home loans http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/11/11/news/local/news02.txt Native veterans to be honored By JODI RAVE of the Missoulian November 11, 2004 Gilbert Michel plans to honor warriors on Veterans Day. "It's something I do, honoring those who died before me and honoring those on active duty," said Michel, a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and a 20-year Navy veteran who belongs to the Mission Valley Honor Guard. On Thursday, at a cemetery on the Flathead Indian Reservation, he and other vets will pay tribute to the 12 Natives who have died in the war in Iraq. Commemorations will continue Friday at a Veteran's Warrior Society Powwow at Kicking Horse Job Corps. In recognition of Veterans Day, an estimated 250 all-Native honor guards and veteran groups across the country will honor the men and women who embodied the warrior tradition. They have plenty to honor. More Natives per capita have died in foreign wars than any other ethnic group, according to the Department of Defense. But these warriors continue to be the most shortchanged by Congress when it comes to using homeownership benefits on reservation lands, said David DeHorse, a leading researcher of the 1993 Native Veterans Home Loan Program. Veterans - Native or non-Native - who build homes off reservations are eligible for $240,000 home loans. But veterans building on reservation trust lands are limited to $80,000 loans under the Native veterans loan program. Factor in the estimated $35,000 often needed for roads, electricity and sewer on reservation parcels, and they're left with $45,000 for home construction, said DeHorse, a law fellow at the University of Wisconsin Law School at Madison, Wis. The government is trying to make changes, said Grace Cooper, a loan guarantee officer at the Veteran Affairs regional office in Denver. "We have been very liberal in raising that $80,000 where necessary," she said. "We are making changes to increase the maximum loan amount. Nothing has been finalized yet. We recognize there is a discrepancy." It used to be worse. For nearly 50 years, Native veterans weren't allowed a home loan on trust lands at all, making the 1993 act a milestone. Yet the program has several roadblocks, including a provision asking tribes to relinquish a portion of sovereignty. Only 68 of 560 tribes have agreed to the provisions, further limiting homeownership. In Montana, four Native veterans have used the loan program to build on trust land. Additionally, thousands of widows and spouses of Native veterans don't know they are eligible to build on trust lands because of a lack of advertising by the Department of Veterans Affairs, DeHorse said. VA officials do outreach to Native communities, Cooper said, and it advertises its loan programs. Since the 1993 loan program became law, about 50 of an estimated 200,000 Native veterans have used the loans within the continental United States. "It was predestined to fail," DeHorse said. "I'd say 52 loans is a failure." For too long, Native veterans have lacked advocates, including their own tribes, said David Mann, past president of the National Congress of American Indians Veterans Affairs Committee. With 4,394 Native people on active duty, the number seeking to use military entitlements will only increase. Now a new group of vets is trying to protect their rights. In October, veterans from 44 tribes met in Phoenix to ratify a charter creating the National American Indian Veterans Inc. The group hopes to serve as a political force for Native interests, provide benefit assistance and become a forum for concerns. "This is the very first time there has been a national organization of veterans completely focused on Indian veteran issues," said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Mara Cohen, a group member. Cohen, also a Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans, said tribes could assist their veterans by establishing VA administrative offices within tribal governments. But no tribes operate those offices and, as it stands, all money used to assist veterans' needs goes to states, she said. As for changing the home loan law, that's up to lawmakers. "Congress has the ability to modify that basic entitlement, to bring it up to equity with the rest of the population with a stroke of a pen," DeHorse said. ---- Jodi Rave covers Native issues for Lee Enterprises. She can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or jodi.rave@missoulian.com. Copyright c. 2004 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: Remembering a Warrior Brother" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 08:32:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: WARRIOR BROTHER" http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/editorial/10132947.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Remembering a warrior brother November 9, 2004 My brother, "Cookie," fought in the jungles of Vietnam. From the little he told us, we knew it was bad. He told me only a little of the war. What he did tell me concerned the everyday things, such as not being able to dry clothes. The soldiers tried to dry the clothes by smoking them, my brother said. He hated the rations and food, but mostly he hated the constant fear he and his fellow soldiers faced each day and every night. My brother started home from the war with wounds in his leg, but they needed men so badly that they turned the hospital ship around and returned those men who could "make it" back to the war. When he finally came home, he was placed in a military camp far away from home and the reservation. Two weeks before his final discharge, he walked away from the camp. The family couldn't figure out why. After all, he had left with only a few more days of easy military service remaining before he would be free. We heard from him now and then as he crisscrossed the country, staying where he could and living from hand to mouth. The military categorized him a deserter even though he had completed a tour in Vietnam and was close to an honorable discharge. Every so often back then, an FBI man - always a man - would show up at my office. The first time he came through the door, I knew something big was up. He asked if I was Dorreen Lone Fight, my married name. I stood up and said yes, and he flipped out an FBI identification badge. He wanted to know if I'd heard from Glen Yellow Bird. I had, of course; he called now and then, but I didn't know where he was. I was young then, and smartly told the agent that I wouldn't tell him if I knew, because he was my brother. He seemed understanding, and after a few years - he came to my office regularly - I knew him, or at least I could recognize the men with the FBI look and demeanor. One day, my brother came home and turned himself in. My mother wanted him to stop running so she could see him. He needed to be healed and it wasn't the white doctors who could do that for Glen. His spirit was injured and he needed Indian doctoring. Well, he eventually got straight with the military, married and lived at home for a while. Several years later, cancer found him. It took him to the spirit world - something the guns and bullets of the war couldn't do. My brother-in-law came back from Vietnam with his spirit wounded, too. He couldn't sleep without waking and diving for cover. That awful war visited him night after night. The family took him to a spiritual man, who healed his soul. He, too, died several years later. I have never fought in wars and stayed away from reading about them. When I was younger and my brother was alive, I asked him about the war in Vietnam - what was it like to kill someone or to be shot at. He didn't answer me and angrily told me not to ask about it again. Last year, I read my first book about Vietnam: "Of Uncommon Birth," by Mark St. Pierre. The book is a work of creative nonfiction inspired by the true story of two South Dakota teenagers, one of them the Lakota, Frank Jealous of Him. I hated that I had to read the book for a review. But after I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It was a terrible war, and reading about it was made worse for me because I thought of my brother, brother- in-law and so many Native people I knew who fought in Vietnam or died in that war. When I read about the terror and the killing some 20 years after the war my brother fought, I began to understand why my brother had that look of man who saw the dead and spirits from the world. Currently, we are at war in the Middle East. Native people are on the line - Lori Piestewa, the first woman to die in the Middle East, and Sheldon Hawk Eagle, who lived in Grand Forks, died there. In percentage terms, Native Americans have the highest number in this war. We are people who are warriors, so fighting for Turtle Island is a brave and honorable way. On this Veteran's Day celebration on the reservation, I will dance to the drums and with each step I will remember my brothers - all of them - but particularly my brother who fought in a futile war he didn't understand. I will remember he went bravely because he was a warrior. Nawah, Glen. 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: GIAGO: GOP Moral Values will hurt Indian Country" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 08:32:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TIM GIAGO: MORAL VALUES" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=5467 Tim Giago: On the cutting edge of "moral values" Notes from Indian Country Copyright c. 2004 KNIGHT RIDDER TRIBUNE Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji) 11/8/2004 And so the crux of Election 2004 turned on the whims of moral values? How frightening! Whose morals and values? If God created man in his own image, which image did he use as a pattern? Because those who voted for George W. Bush and John Thune have certain values, are the rest of us expected to adhere to those values? When the settlers and their armies converged upon the people of the Great Sioux Nation in the late 1800s, they noticed that the Lakota families often consisted of one man and two or more wives. Their Christian values immediately presumed this to be morally wrong. Did they bother to find out why this was a way of life? No, they saw what they believed to be a moral issue and set about to change it to fit their own mores. If they asked they would have discovered that Indian values determined how the wives and children were cared for in the event of the death of the father. Indians did this because it was a very tough world out there and a woman alone with children would have had a very difficult time surviving. This was not a moral issue to the Indian tribes, but one of necessity. Immoral sex apparently came to the minds of the Christian reformists when they saw an Indian man with more than one wife. If the brother of a man died or was killed in battle, the surviving older brother took in his family as his own. He was thus obligated to feed them and be the teacher of his brother's children. The children were no longer his nieces and nephews, but they became his children. They became brothers and sisters to his children. The man was the hunter and the provider and he assured the survival of a widow and her children by assuming responsibility for them. Survival not sex was the moral issue here. But in his infinite wisdom, the white man determined that this was wrong and set about applying laws that would outlaw its practice. There is a story of a Catholic priest stopping at the lodge of Chief Sitting Bull on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. He saw Sitting Bull seated in a chair near the front door of his lodge with his two wives seated near him. The priest said, "Chief, you know it is immoral for you to have two wives. The bible says it is wrong." Sitting Bull replied, "Here are my two wives. Now you tell them which one must leave this house." The United States government and their Christian ministers determined that the Sun Dance of the Great Sioux Nation was immoral. Just as a man taking the wife or wives of a slain brother had been a part of the Sioux culture for time immemorial, so had the Sun Dance. In fact, the Sun Dance was one of the most important spiritual ceremonies of the Lakota People. The sacred Sun Dance of the Lakota was outlawed. Freedom of religion is only for those with the power to set the rules. The moral values of the United States of America took precedence over the moral values of an Indian nation that had existed for thousands of years. In the space of 40 years, 1860 to 1900, nearly every religious and moral standard of the Lakota people was erased. At least the federal government thought it had eradicated all of these ancient beliefs. They did not count upon the spirit of survival among the Lakota people. Every effort was made by the President and the Congress of the United States to wipe out a civilization by imposing its moral values over that of the indigenous people. There could not have been a wider difference between cultures and values than that of the Indian people and that of the new comers. "We will civilize you and make Christians of you or kill you in the process" was the edict of the United States of America toward the indigenous people. It does not matter if I believe in freedom of choice for women, in same sex marriage, or in stem cell research. There are thousands of Americans who do believe in these issues. It was once said that the most segregated day in the South was Sunday. That was the day when the African American went to their church and the white people went to a separate church to worship the same God. Perhaps under the new moral values of the Christian right gaming in Indian country will come under scrutiny and the devout will decide that it is not a good thing for Indian people. Once again the values and morals of the majority could crush the moral values of the minority. In the next four years I am almost sure that the moral values of the new administration will infringe upon the rights and freedoms of all Americans, especially those of the minorities. Indian schools will continue to crumble and the health of the Indian people will continue to deteriorate because of the lack of money. As billions of dollars are poured into a senseless war in Iraq, the funds allocated to the indigenous people will continue to dwindle. The treaties between the United States and the Indian nations will become more meaningless. The greatness of a Nation is determined by how it treats its indigenous people. I truly believe that we will see great tarnish upon that greatness over the next four years. The moral values of George W. Bush and those of the newly elected Senator from South Dakota, John Thune, will create a deeply divided America and the impact will be felt doubly in Indian Country. Tim Giago, an Oglala Lakota, is the recipient of the Golden Quill Award for Editorial Writing awarded by the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in 1997. He can be reached at giagobooks@iw.net Native American Times is Copyright c. 2004 Oklahoma Indian Times, Inc. --------- "RE: CHUCULATE: American Indians lost out as Bush won" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 08:44:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHUCULATE: INDIANS LOST" http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/opinions04/111004_opinions_eddie.shtml Our gloom: American Indians lost out as Bush won on that dark Tuesday Eddie Chuculate November 10, 2004 Color Nov. 2 black. Just about every ballot issue or candidate who could have benefited American Indians was beaten down convincingly, after brainwashed Bible thumpers and rubes had their way. Consider: In Albuquerque, voters overwhelmingly passed a bond issue that approves millions of dollars of funding to build a road through Petroglyph National Monument, on land considered sacred to American Indians. Because such a measure failed last October, it's only fair to stage a special election in October 2005 to reconsider. In South Dakota, Sen. Minority Leader Tom Daschle, who worked hard for Indians and lobbied President Bush personally for more money for the Indian Health Service, was sent packing in an upset by fresh-face John Thune, who has no clout in Washington. In Oklahoma, former U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation who strived to obtain funds for the Indian Health Service while in office, was routed by Republican Tom Coburn for the state's vacant Senate spot. Coburn was quoted during the campaign as saying federal treaties with tribes were "primitive agreements" and sovereignty was "a joke." In California, voters shot down an initiative that would have allowed more gambling and given the state's poor tribes a source of income. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger opposed the initiative, yet wants more money from Indians. Schwarzenegger says tribes must come to him to negotiate better gambling contracts; tribes say he should come to them, or they'll just wait until he's out of office. Nationally, John Kerry, who promised to appoint Indians to high offices in the White House and meet with leaders, lost, even though he was the overwhelming choice in big cities. He won by more than 500,000 votes each in Los Angeles, Chicago and a stunned New York City, where people said they didn't know anyone who voted for Bush. In Colorado, though this had nothing to do directly with Black Tuesday, the only Indian in the Senate, Republican Ben Campbell, a Cheyenne, is retiring. He fought to end lobbyists' scalping of Indians on Capitol Hill. It will now take aggressiveness by tribal leaders nationwide to retain such things as sovereignty, health care, oil and gas money, water and mineral rights and casino royalties. I encourage all tribes to get out and sue the federal government. ---- Eddie Chuculate (Creek/Cherokee) is a Tribune copy editor who writes about American Indian issues. His column appears on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Reach him at 823-3677 or echuculate@abqtrib.com. Copyright c. 2004 The Albuquerque Tribune. --------- "RE: Editorial: White Man of the 1800s is back" --------- Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:01:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="PREDATORY GREEDY WHITE MAN" http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/editorial/10183855.htm COLUMNIST LLOYD OMDAHL : White man of the 1800s is back November 15, 2004 The white man of the 1800s is back. He is the same white man who made solemn treaties with the Indians and broke them at his convenience; he is the same white man who waged genocide when Native Americans got in his way; he is the same white man who drove them onto marginal lands called reservations. Many of us never have considered ourselves guilty partners with this white man because our families still were fishing in Trondheim or plowing in the Ukraine when this mayhem was going on. But since this predatory white man has returned in this century and we are now here as witnesses, we will be counted with him unless we repudiate his plans. It seems that the 1800s white man never was able to keep his word when something of value was at stake. Now that Native Americans have developed a successful casino industry, the white man is casting a greedy eye toward the profits - just as he did when gold was discovered in the Black Hills. In spite of a treaty setting the area aside as an Indian sacred place, prospectors rushed into the Hills while the government sat by and watched. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has launched a campaign of intimidation and blackmail against the tribes in Minnesota by demanding an amount that could be half of their casino profits. If they don't surrender $350 million a year, he threatens to support a competitive casino industry in the next session of the Legislature. This in spite of the fact that he always has opposed casino gambling. But his scruples crumbled when his proposed budget lacked the revenue it needed to balance. Apparently, Pawlenty would rather extort money from Native Americans than face up to the need to restore Minnesota taxes to their 1990s level. Minnesota was one of the states in which politicians from both parties fell over each other to reduce taxes when a surplus developed in the state treasury. Now that the surplus is gone, they are unwilling to restore the cuts. There is no question that some tribes are getting rich on casino revenue. But many of the white men got rich on the gold, oil and land that once belonged to the Indians. When that happened, they didn't offer to share their largesse with the reservations where needs were great, prospects bleak and budgets short. "I call the white people 'Chimuuaamahn' which really means 'big knife' - a big knife that cuts," said Gary Donald, the chair of the Bois Forte Band of the Chippewa, about Pawlenty's threat. "It is what white people have always done to the Indian people, and that is what this governor wants to do to us again. He's telling us that he's going to put us back where we belong: in poverty." This is a terrible indictment in 2004 when we ought to be seeking reconciliation with Native Americans. They will never get over their distrust and resentment of the white man as long as greed and neglect are the hallmarks of Indian policy. When we see this happening before our eyes, we no longer can regard the attitudes of Native Americans as outdated paranoia. Their accusations have been validated by the resurrection of the white man of the 1800s. Minnesota is not alone in plotting to rob the Indian casinos. Other states have forced new contracts with the reservations to cut into the profits. Seven states now extort a share of the casino revenue. Wisconsin just negotiated a contract that will take $100 million annually from the tribes. While the Native American casino revenues in North Dakota are confidential, it is safe to conclude that none of the reservations are rolling in money. There is very little to steal. But with surrounding states shoring up finances with such ill-gotten gains, it won't be long until some North Dakota legislators get the idea that they, too, ought to have some of that money. Fortunately, the North Dakota revenue picture is not as bleak as the forecasts in those states that cut taxes in the heyday of the '90s. Because our revenue system is highly diversified, it did not have the big windfalls in the '90s, but then neither did it have the big downfalls experienced in the states relying heavily on income taxes. Since the state's needs will not be pressing in the upcoming session, let us hope that the 2005 Legislature will not be compromising ethics for cash. For the past 30 years, the American political agenda has been peppered with moral issues. Robbing Native American casinos should be added to the list. Copyright c. 2004 Grand Forks Herald, a Knight Ridder Publication. --------- "RE: Tribal Governments get credit for Attitude Change" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHANGING ATTITUDES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsok.com/article/1357426/?template=news/main Tribal governments get credit for bringing attitude change By Judy Gibbs Robinson The Oklahoman November 8, 2004 Neal McCaleb remembers donning American Indian regalia as a freshman at Oklahoma A&M and running onto the football field waving a tomahawk when the Aggies scored a touchdown. "I did it once. I sort of got caught up in that," the former head of the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs said recently. The year was 1957, and a young McCaleb agreed to portray an Indian warrior from another century because that was what most people wanted to see. Real, living, breathing Indians were pretty much invisible then in a place that once was Indian Territory. "It was not a racial slur. It was just the view of the dominant society," said McCaleb, who is Chickasaw. "That's changed." Today Oklahoma's license plates tell the world this is "Native America." Indian dancers and artists compete at the huge Red Earth festival in Oklahoma City each June. A new $110 million American Indian Cultural Center is scheduled to open in 2007 along the Oklahoma River near downtown. And once a year, in November, state government officials invite tribal people to the Capitol Rotunda to celebrate Oklahoma's Indian heritage and to honor Indians who have left a special mark on the state. This year's ceremony will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15. Things changed, McCaleb and other Oklahoma Indians say, because tribal governments rose in the 1970s and 1980s to reunite their people. Things changed, they say, because successful Indian governments corralled federal dollars pledged to them in treaties and used the money to provide needed services to their people. And things changed, they say, because many tribes capitalized on their sovereign status. First they opened smoke shops where they could sell tobacco products at cut rates. Later they opened casinos -- sometimes called the "new buffalo" because of the prosperity they have brought to struggling tribes. An Indian renaissance A September story in National Geographic magazine called what is happening in Indian country a "renaissance" as Indians "exert new influence over their lives and their communities." Some say the renaissance began in 1975 when Congress passed the Indian Self Determination and Self Education Act, allowing tribes to take over certain programs from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Then came the Tribal Self Governance Act in 1994, allowing tribes to manage their federal funding on their own, without help from the BIA. "It gave them control of their own destiny," McCaleb said. "Instead of being sovereigns in name only, they became sovereigns in fact. They began to make decisions. By and large, here in Oklahoma they've made good decisions." Barbara Warner, executive director of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, said as tribes exercise their sovereignty, they have progressed economically. "They've made more of an economic impact on their states and for their people," Warner said. Today, 34 Oklahoma tribes operate at least 131 smokeshops and 25 tribes run 80 casinos -- mostly small, metal buildings along rural highways. Tobacco and gambling bring in revenue to operate tribal governments in the same way taxes finance non-Indian governments, said Arvo Mikkanen, president of the Oklahoma Indian Bar Association. Last year, 73 Oklahoma casinos earned tribes $465.9 million, according to a report by the Analysis Group. Reviving rural Oklahoma That money is buying dreams, Mikkanen said. "A lot of the tribes are now finally able to fulfill some of their dreams in terms of providing housing, providing better education, providing pride to a lot of the young people," Mikkanen said. A few tribes are accused of frittering away their gaming revenue. The FBI and the National Indian Gaming Commission are investigating allegations that elected officials of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes squandered casino profits on themselves and favored constituents. But McCaleb, who directed the BIA in 2001 and 2002, said most tribes have invested their casino money in health care, scholarships, economic development and public safety. Recently, they began contributing to Oklahoma's public road system. In the past 10 years, $200 million in Indian money has gone toward Oklahoma roads, McCaleb said. In the past two years, tribes have contributed $54 million toward replacement of unsafe bridges. Tribes also are reviving areas of rural Oklahoma where state government has been unable to deliver on promises of economic development. "At a time when the popoulation in rural Oklahoma has gotten smaller and the opportunities less, the Indian tribes are reversing that. They now have an economic base," McCaleb said. Cultural renaissance Tribal revenue helps feed, house and educate. It also helps fund cultural programs that remind Indians what it means to be Indian. Chebon Kernell of the United Methodist Church's Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference said "renaissance" seems to be a good way to describe how Oklahoma Indians are reawakening to their cultural identity. "For the first time, we're beginning to realize we've lost so much," Kernell said. "It's starting to hit home in our spirits and minds: If we don't take seriously who we are and the gifts God has given us, we may possibly lose those gifts." Gena Howard doesn't dispute the renaissance label. But the deputy director of Oklahoma's Native American Cultural and Educational Authority prefers to call this a time of rebuilding, recovering and reclaiming. "We have a pre-removal history. Then we have the post-removal history," Howard said, referring to her Choctaw tribe's forced removal from Mississippi to Oklahoma in the 1830s. "Now we're at a time of reclamation and also a time to look back and learn from our history and celebrate our survival." The American Indian Cultural Center will provide a place for both history lessons and celebrations, she said. All 39 tribes were invited to help design the center and its exhibits. Howard said they rose to the challenge, guiding the planners to create a cultural center that will be as much for them as it is about them. "There's a reflection that native people are here," Howard said. "It's no longer a third person voice. It's first person." Copyright c. 2004 The Oklahoman/News 9, Produced by NewsOK.com. --------- "RE: Cobell Team predicts victory on Accounting,Reform" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="COBELL TRUST CASE" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.michigandaily.com//ART/2004/11/10/419200599c80d Native American fund may be reformed By Michael Kan and Iris Perez, Daily Staff Reporters November 10, 2004 More than a century in the making, the largest legal case in Native American history may finally come to a close within the next year. Although Cobell v. Norton was not filed until 1996, its origins lie in the United States government's supervision of Indian trust funds dating back to 1887. In that year, the government established the trust to manage Native American land, but it now admits to mismanaging it from its outset by underselling the land and failing to retain documents proving the payments. After years of grinding through the courts and colliding with the Department of the Interior on nearly every proceeding to remedy the system, the case's resolution is almost in sight - an appellate ruling that may bring at least $10 billion to half a million Native Americans, said Keith Harper, a leading attorney for the case. "We're getting to that place to where there's a light at the end of the tunnel," said Harper, who is from the Cherokee tribe and is a senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, a Colorado-based organization that provides legal representation for Native Americans. Speaking last night at West Hall in a lecture titled "Archives, Records, and the Multi-Billion Dollar Indian Land Trust Litigation," Harper sought to inform students about the inherent failures of the government's individual Indian trust fund system. Marred by both the institution's apathy for retaining accurate records and its inability to rectify the problems, Harper said the trust fund has become a "broken system" incapable of insuring the proper management of many Native Americans assets. "That is the reality, it is a broken system. The secretary of the Interior recognizes it. Nobody doesn't recognize it," he added. The Department of the Interior acknowledges the system's error as well, but since the onset of the case, the department has challenged the reforms Harper's legal team have pushed in the lawsuit. Brought on by government attempts in the 1880s to remove Native peoples from their land, the trust fund was created to facilitate the dividing of their territory. Under the trust fund, the government would manage the land of the Native Americans and prospective buyers would lease it. The money from the lease would then go back to the Native American owners. Clearly, this has not been the case, Harper said. Navajos are now paid from $9 to $40 for their land's lease, while most land leased in the surrounding areas is valued from $140 to as much as $590, Harper said. Combined with the lack of documentation, Harper said the government has not filled its obligation as a trustee. "The problem is that they have the powers of a trustee, but not the concomitant responsibility of the trustee," he said. "It was the inducement to fraud beyond the capability of comprehension." Cultivated from the continued negligence of the system, which persisted into the 1990s, Harper said he and the Native American Rights Fund cracked down on the trust fund when they represented Elouise Cobell, a Native American, in her 1996 suit against the Department of the Interior. But the department's contempt and obstruction of justice hindered the case, Harper said. The sheer failures of the trust fund to bring forth any relevant documentation and the moral arguments presented by the Native Americans furthered the case to its current standpoint, he added. Now that the court has ruled in favor of the fund, the Department of the Interior has the option to either abide by the steps outlined by the court's order to reform the trust fund, or it can opt to reject the order. If the department chooses the latter, Harper said the court would appoint someone to oversee the trust fund's operations. One huge hurdle still remains though, Harper said. While Harper expects litigation to finally end around December of this year, the case also has political implications that could reverberate on a national level. Harper said the result of the ruling would force people using Native American land to compensate for what could possibly amount to at least a total of $10 billion. Yet much of the Native American land has been leased by oil, natural gas and timber companies - for whom the added payments on leases would be a black eye. "There are those in Congress who don't want us to ask those questions," he added. For Rackham student Eva Reffel, the lecture elicited feelings of disgust toward the government's century-old failed policies. "I can now imagine what's pretty much going on in Interior, in which they are not willing to allocate any resources to the Native Americans. ... It's disgustingly short-sighted," she said. "I feel this is an important case," Rackham student Trond Jacksen said. "It brings into question, what kind of people do we want to be? Do we want to be a people of a country that keeps its word, or do we want to be a people of a country that breaks its word?" Copyright c. 2004 The Michigan Daily. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Congress can break Deadlock on Indian Trusts" --------- Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 09:01:03 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SENATOR CAMPBELL/TRUST FUND CASE" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://rockymountainnews.com//article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3329648,00.html Congress can break deadlock on Indian trusts, senator says By Deborah Frazier, Rocky Mountain News November 15, 2004 Sen. Ben Nighthorse-Campbell, R-Colo., says Congress could impose a settlement in the long-standing Indian trust suit to break a deadlock in negotiations. A class action suit filed by Montana attorney Elouise Cobell in 1996 seeks lease fees dating to 1887 and owed to individual Indian landowners. The fees, plus interest, from grazing, oil, gas, coal and farming are estimated at more than $130 billion. The suit was filed on behalf of 500,000 Indians. It was filed against the Interior Department, which as a trustee collects, monitors and disperses the lease fees. Interior has estimated only $10 billion to $40 billion is involved. "I don't support the idea of Congress imposing a settlement, but if we don't get something moving, they will do it," Campbell said. Both sides met with a federal mediator through the summer without reaching a settlement. Campbell, chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs committee, said he'll meet this week with Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and members of the House Indian Affairs Committee to discuss a way to resolve the impasse. The proposal would let Indians choose among sticking with the class action, settling individually with the Interior Department or seeking binding arbitration, he said. "We have a lot of Indian people dying, waiting for the money," said Campbell, who didn't seek re-election. "The ones I've talked with want to settle." Keith Harper, an attorney for the nonprofit Native American Rights Fund based in Boulder, said there's no precedent for a congressionally mandated settlement. "Congress cannot arbitrarily set the cost of property," Harper said. "There are 500,000 plaintiffs, and Congress can't break up a class litigation," he said. "And, an individual Indian going up against the Department of Justice doesn't stand a chance." Campbell said Cobell, Harper and other attorneys involved have never offered an alternative proposal. The Indian plaintiffs want reform as well as repayment, Harper said. The lawsuit seeks a historical accounting of the fees and a new system to reform the bookkeeping. It also seeks better security for the system, he said. The special master, an attorney appointed to oversee the case, was able to break into the Interior Department computer system, create an individual account in his name and route funds there, Harper said. "He was never detected," he said. The attorney returned the money. "We don't know who has done that before or how much was taken and neither do they," Harper said. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who is presiding over the case, ruled in 1999 that the Interior Department breached its trust responsibility. Campbell said he'd like to see a settlement under way before a new chair of the Indian Affairs Committee is selected. He said Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., is a likely candidate. "He will start busting heads," Campbell said. "Inouye and I have been patient. The Indians deserve a fair settlement." Campbell is a Northern Cheyenne, Cobell is a member of the Blackfeet tribe and Harper is a Cherokee. "I don't have a vested interest in this. I'm going to go on to a good life. I'm not going to get anything out of it," Campbell said. Copyright c. 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: American Indian hopes to narrow Community Divide" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CORRECTING MISPERCEPTIONS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.ljworld.com/section/firstperson/story/187084 American Indian hopes to narrow community divide Resource center director seeks to correct misperceptions By Ron Knox - Special to the Journal-World November 8, 2004 You couldn't tell from warm lighting and cushy couches, but the Pelathe Community Resource Center is no one's home. Sure, it might seem like a second home to the people who volunteer there. Or to the people who use the center as a launching pad toward jobs and better homes - stability. But when Caroline Hicks became director of the American Indian resource center in April, she transformed the locale from a cold office to a place where people could relax and open up about their problems. "The people that walk in are not at their best," she said. "We don't want to put them off. They feel we're more invested in a positive outcome for them." Since coming to the center four years ago as a part of New Dawn Native Dancers, Hicks has imagined ways the center could change to improve people's lives. Now as director, she's seen some of those changes take place, and braces for the work to be done. Q: If you had to give a State of the Union address for the American Indian population in Lawrence, how would it start? A: I think this is something I run into oftentimes: I realize that my perspective and my understanding can be completely and totally different than other native people I talk to. I think perceptions are developed by experiences you have with people and places in the community. You have a cross-section of tribal cultures here that you will never see anywhere else in the United States, because of Haskell. I think the Indian community secludes itself, and has had a history of doing that, through negative perceptions in the community. But I don't want to say that it's prejudiced or that it's racist, because I don't believe that it is. Q: What are some of those negative perceptions that you see or hear about? A: That all Indians have money and are getting a free ride through life. That's not true. Just because there may be a casino within a tribe doesn't mean that that person is rolling in dough. Sometimes the money doesn't make it into tribal government or into tribal government programs. That people should be afraid to go into Haskell Indian Nations University campus, that it's not a place where the community is welcome. That's completely not true. I talk to people and say, "Come on, they're having a pow-wow," and they say, "Are you sure, can I go there?" Well, yeah. "Do you feel comfortable going to KU?" And they say, "Yeah." I think those are real common. Then, there are also a lot of negative stereotypes: Drunk Indians, you know. We get a lot of that, too. I had somebody call me and want to know about starting a mental health outreach program here because Native Americans have such a high population of depression, and alcoholism and drug addiction, that this would be a perfect place to start that. There were no questions about what the numbers were for Lawrence, or what resources currently existed. They just wanted to do that program here, because we're an Indian center. It has a good basis, but it's still a negative perception that I had to take time to correct. Q: What can be done to correct some of those perceptions? I just imagine that you can't correct them all. A: That's something that I have to realize. I could sit down and talk to every person in the country, and there are still going to be negative perceptions of Native Americans. Q: What can the community do? A: People can stay more open-minded. Become involved with Haskell. Come to the events that are there. And I would like to see Haskell students more comfortable out in the Lawrence community. That's part of what I see as a mission here. We take people that need stuff, need help and assistance, and we volunteer out in the community, spread information about native culture. But we don't have financial aid assistance to offer. What I do is work with every other center in town to get as much help for our clientele as I can. I try to offer volunteer projects for Haskell students out in the community, to raise their public profile. I'm trying to raise our own public profile, to be more positive. Q: You see a lot of people with problems, whether they're financial problems or physical problems. How much does the environment of Lawrence have to do with that? A: I think quite a bit. I see environment as the whole community. I see a lot of nontraditional students coming to Haskell. ... I've been a nontraditional student. If you're coming from a part of the country that is different than Lawrence, what you pay in rent here will knock your socks off. I lived in Oklahoma. I was going to move here for a job, came up here to start work. Just because I'm a poor person, I came here to check out rent and almost had a heart attack. We see people that are coming here that are not financially equipped to live here, but yet they're here. So economically, it's very expensive to live here. And you know, we don't have a lot of industry here. GE closed. Honeywell's not here anymore. That has a definite effect. But, on the flip side of it, as a center for Native Americans that are living away from their tribes and reservations, there's a lot to offer in this town that is very hard to get a hold of in Kansas City or Topeka that we have in Lawrence. So it can be difficult, but for the same reasons that it could be different anywhere else. Q: In 10 years, if you're still the director of the resource center, how would you want to have changed the American Indian community here? A: I would want to see them have a higher profile. I would like to see them involved in more volunteer projects. I would like to see some of the churches, the Native American churches, come together, and have that arm of it, and have them be more vocal in the community. I would like them to be a lot more vocal. I would like them to vote. I would like to see them more involved in city government, and with the school boards and PTAs. Q: How much work do you have to do to get there? A: Lots. More than 10 years' worth. But I'd still like to see it. Copyright c. 2004 The Lawrence Journal-World. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Jodi Rave: Indian Issues need more than a Month" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 08:32:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JODI RAVE: INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.billingsgazette.com//2004/11/09/build/state/60-notebk.inc Reporter's notebook: November special for Indian heritage Jodi Rave REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK November 9, 2004 It's November, National American Indian Heritage Month. And it's time for Americans to step back and reflect on the lives of indigenous people. Some might take a cue from President Bush. In a proclamation Thursday, he stated: "As the first people to call our country home, American Indians and Alaska Natives have a noble history in this land and have long shaped our nation. ... I encourage all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities." National American Indian Heritage Month is a curious time. It's usually the only time of year when government agencies, groups and educators make an attempt to acknowledge the historical - and maybe even contemporary - contributions and livelihoods of tribal citizens across the country. I remember such an occasion one year when I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The armored division post celebrated American Indian Heritage Month with a luncheon for all Native American soldiers. As a private first class, and a computer machine operator, I asked someone in my chain of command if I could attend. Permission granted. While I was gone, a friend who was on duty overheard a conversation between my supervisors. It went like this. "So where is Pfc. Rave?" First sergeant: "She's attending the Native American luncheon." "I didn't know she was Indian." First sergeant: "Well, she thinks she is." The exchange makes me laugh today. I obviously didn't meet my first sergeant's phenotype image of what a Native person should like. OK - my hair was dyed blonde at the time. Still, I was a little offended anyone should think I would assume an identity not my own. I promptly found my first sergeant to inform him about my tribal affiliation. This wasn't new for me. Even though I'm more Native than not, my looks throw people off. Some people think I'm white, while others ask immediately: "What tribe are you?" I usually say Mandan-Hidatsa. But I also have a half-Lakota, half- Winnebago father. And while I'm three-quarters Native, my Norwegian ancestors lay claim to one-quarter of my looks. American Indian Heritage Month sets the stage for a number of teaching possibilities. Between the president and me, we're set with a few ideas on how to keep people busy in November. I'd start by reminding others that there are more than 560 tribes. It's a number that takes on exponential dimensions when one considers all the tribal citizens who intermarry between tribes - and the rest of the population. Consequently, we come in all shades, colors and tribal affiliations. As for teaching points from President Bush, well, his proclamation screams with potential. He starts by calling attention to the newly opened National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall in Washington. The museum, he said, is "a powerful symbol of the pride and vitality of our Native peoples." The museum's Web site - www.nmai.si.edu - is a good start as one tries to contemplate the continued vibrant traditions of tribes throughout the Western Hemisphere. The president also draws attention to his administration's commitment to helping Natives "build on their proud legacy." How about the $1.1 billion he helped secure for school construction and repair of dilapidated Bureau of Indian Affairs school buildings? Appropriation Committee members could use November to learn more about schools that need fixing. Also, the president signed an executive order to examine how his No Child Left Behind Act could include teaching Native children in a manner "consistent with tribal traditions, languages, and cultures." That sounds like more than a 30-day teacher initiative to me. Finally, Bush reminds us: "I also signed an executive memorandum to all federal agencies affirming the federal government's continuing commitment to recognize tribal sovereignty and self-determination. As they have in the past, tribal governments will maintain jurisdiction over their lands, systems of self-governance, and government-to-government relationships with the United States." Law enforcement agencies, lawmakers - are you listening? Bush offers a meaty buffet for others to choose in how they recognize Native Americans. It's enough to keep federal agencies, organizations, lawmakers and educators busy - far beyond November. Jodi Rave covers Native American issues. She can be reached at (800) 366-7186. Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: New Mexico: Committee backs Indian Projects" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN PROJECTS SUPPORTED" http://www.daily-times.com/artman/publish/article_15228.shtml Committee backs Indian projects By Walter Rubel/Santa Fe Bureau Chief November 14, 2004 SANTA FE - The legislative Indian Affairs Committee gave its support Wednesday for three proposals that are designed to bring about the completion of projects on Indian lands that have been funded with capital outlay money. The proposed legislation would provide funding for engineers and other technical assistance to get the projects ready, allow tribes to receive funding for a project before it is actually completed and allow chapters within the Navajo Nation to act as the fiscal agent for a project, eliminating the need to go through the national tribal government in Window Rock, Ariz. Committee Chairman Sen. Leonard Tsosie, D-Crownpoint, said there are $1. 2 million worth of capital improvement projects on Native lands that are now backlogged - meaning they are at least two years old. Part of the problem, Tsosie said, is the way the projects are funded. "Ninety percent of the projects are backlogged because chapters have to find the money to fund the project, then go to the state for reimbursement," he said. By allowing for direct payments to the vendors, those projects could get started and finished much more quickly, he said. Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, said another problem is that tribes often don't have the resources to complete the engineering and other technical work that must be done before actual work can start on a project. She has proposed taking $2 million off the top of the next capital outlay bill to provide technical assistance. "My concern is that we have a major backlog that's accumulating," Lundstrom said. "We need to help the Indian Affairs Department to make sure we get the engineers to get the projects done." She proposed a one-time funding to take care of the backlog, But Rep. Nick Salazar, D-San Juan Pueblo, said the one-time funding wouldn't be enough. Unless technical experts are available on a permanent basis, the backlog will just return, he said. "If we continue to fund the way we have been, none of these projects are going to get through," Salazar said. "If the governor is going to be strict with what's funded, we'd better have these things. Gov. Bill Richardson reached an agreement with House and Senate leaders during the last session to reform the capital outlay process. Instead of the past system of dividing the money in thirds - with the House, Senate and executive each getting relatively equal shares - he has instituted a new system in which all projects will be evaluated and must fit within the state's priorities and meet certain requirements to ensure they will be completed on time. Robert Apodaca, director for the Capital Projects Unit in the Department of Finance and Administration, said letters were sent out this year to each tribal government in the state, asking them to list their priorities for new capital improvement projects. They received responses from 41 tribal governments, requesting $134 million in projects, Apodaca said. While several Navajo chapters responded to the request, the Navajo Nation central government did not, said G. Michelle Brown-Yazzie, deputy secretary of Indian Affairs. Rep. Dub Williams, R-Glencoe, noticed there were no requests from the Mescalero Apache, and said he was concerned they might not understand the process. Brown-Yazzie said she would contact tribal leaders Apodaca said that statewide, there is $30 million to $40 million in capital improvement money that has been approved for projects that are at least four years old - demonstrating the need for the reform agreed to in the last session. Tsosie said his concern is that he and other legislators were not consulted in the process. "A lot of these are in my district," he said, looking at a list of projects complied by Apodaca. "These people are going to expect something. There's going to be a lot of frustration if these don't get done." Copyright c. 2004 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. --------- "RE: Red Squirrel count on Mt. Graham falls" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 21:25:40 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Red squirrel count on Mt. Graham falls (Fwd) Mailing List: News and Information http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/47233.php Regional Briefing ARIZONA Red squirrel count on Mt. Graham falls November 9, 2004 PHOENIX - The number of endangered red squirrels living on Mount Graham has declined, the Arizona Game and Fish Department announced Monday. Biologists estimate there are about 264 red squirrels living on the peak in Southern Arizona, down from about 284 during the spring. The Mount Graham red squirrel is a subspecies found nowhere else in the world. It has been on the mountain nearly 10,000 years and has been classified as endangered since 1987. Copyright c. 2004 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2004 Arizona Daily Star. --------- "RE: Opinion: Indian Mascots continues Racial Harm" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 08:36:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NA MASCOTS RACIST AND HARMFUL" http://www.indianz.com/News http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0411/11/A15-2040.htm Detroit News Editorials & Opinions Using Indian mascots continues racial harm Schools and teams should eliminate derogatory nicknames such as the Redskins, but could maintain tribal names if they honor Native-American culture and history By Gavin Clarkson November 11, 2004 November is American Indian Heritage Month, and while many activities are planned across the nation to honor our heritage, the continued use of racial imagery in the form of Indian mascots remains a source of harm rather than honor. Much has been made of the potential harm to individual Indians, but potentially greater harm is caused when such imagery influences the dominant society to think of Indians as anachronistic savages. Picture an Indian in your mind. Do you see Tonto, Disney's Pocahontas or a character from a Hollywood western? Or maybe an Indian mascot from a particular team? Few readers are likely to visualize the chief of my tribe, who wears a suit and tie to work at tribal headquarters. Not surprising, however, given the level and type of racial Indian imagery that is most prevalent. Research I conducted while an Olin research fellow at the Harvard Business School revealed that 10 percent of high school mascots were Indians, holding two of the top nine spots (the other seven were all carnivorous animals). Ninety-four percent of the Indian mascots were racial (Indians, Redskins, Braves, etc.) and 6 percent were tribal (Apaches, Commanches, etc.). Comparing mascot choice to population, as the percentage of Indians in an area increases, the percentage of racial (as opposed to tribal) mascots decreases, which supports the notion that as Indians, we tend to think of ourselves tribally, whereas the dominant society tends to think of us as a racial monolith. While this research suggests that the dominant society has a deep-seated need to "play Indian," perhaps that need could be satisfied by adopting tribal identities with the permission of the tribe, and then coordinating with that tribe which activities and displays actually honor its history and culture. Although that middle-ground position will satisfy neither the hard-core activists nor the anti-political correctness crowd, it at least holds the potential to change the way the dominant society thinks about us. While the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians continue to profit from objectionable racist imagery, a number of schools and universities, including Central Michigan University, have either abandoned their Indian mascots or have modified their use of such identities to avoid offense. Schools such as Florida State (Seminoles), the University of Utah (Utes), and CMU (Chippewas) maintain their respective identities with either the permission or the supervision of specific tribes. As an example, CMU recently demanded that EA Sports remove portrayals of students dressed in fake Indian regalia from its National Collegiate Athletic Association Football 2005 video game. These portrayals violated the arrangement between the university and the Saginaw Chippewa tribe, which covers the university's use of a Chippewa tribal identity. Whereas CMU has the wisdom to ask the tribe what is appropriate regarding an Indian identity, the Washington Redskins claim that the name honors American Indians despite the fact that the word is the reservation equivalent of the N-word - which is certainly not acceptable in polite society. We would not tolerate a mascot resembling Little Black Sambo. The question of the offensiveness of "Redskins" has also been in the news. While 90 percent of the self-identified Indians in an Annenberg survey did not find "Redskins" offensive, a 2001 Sports Illustrated poll indicated that one-third of all reservation Indians object to the use of Indian mascots and names by sports teams. Half of those polled believe such use contributes to discrimination. Annenberg's methodology, however, is suspect because it demonstrably undersampled Indians in states with large tribal populations, including Michigan, while oversampling states with no federally recognized Indian tribes. Additionally, Annenberg neither segmented its sample into urban and reservation Indians nor collected tribal affiliation. So I am skeptical of a poll that purports to reflect "the Indian viewpoint" without accounting for tribal diversity. In Michigan, the question as presented was also less relevant to local communities. While 138 Michigan schools still had Indian mascots as of 2000, none were the "Redskins." While polls suggest that the individual harm may not be as significant as some activists claim, offending more than one-third of a population should be reason enough to stop. Even if the original intent was supposedly to "honor" the "noble savages," common courtesy (rather than political correctness) indicates the practice should be abandoned. The impact on the mind of the dominant society, however, is potentially larger and more insidious, and this second harm has been lacking from most debates over Indian mascots. There are 560 separate Indian tribes in the United States, often with separate cultures, languages and political structures. Team names such as Redskins or Indians lump that tribal distinctiveness into a caricaturized notion of uniformity. -- Gavin Clarkson, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, School of Law and Native American Studies, is an enrolled tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Texas Band of Cherokees. Copyright c. 2004 The Detroit News. --------- "RE: Traditional Native American Basket Weaving" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 01:17:47 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Traditional Native American basket weaving is an involved process Mailing List: News and Information http://www.nctimes.com//2004/10/17/news/community/13_47_1710_16_04.txt Traditional Native American basket weaving is an involved process. By: JOSE CARVAJAL - For The Californian TEMECULA - It goes something like this: You locate and pray over your materials in nature, you collect them, you prepare them and then, finally, you begin the actual weaving. It's an involved undertaking that typically takes many hours. But it's a rewarding experience with payoffs that can be measured in multiple ways. And for Lorene Sisquoc, who taught a basket-weaving workshop Saturday at the UC Riverside Temecula Center, it's a tradition that keeps her in touch with her roots. "It's the connection to my ancestors, to the land here," she said. "They're so amazing, the things they made here." Sisquoc, a descendent of the Cahuilla tribe of California and a member of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, is the culture traditions leader at Sherman Indian School in Riverside. She's also the curator of the school's museum. At Sherman, and through other programs for American Indians, Sisquoc teaches more involved courses that delve into technique, style and form. Her goal at classes like Saturday's is to teach more about the tradition of the art itself to non-natives and to engender within them an awareness and appreciation of the practice. "I think it's important to raise the awareness," she said. "This class brings awareness. That's why I teach it." The class, which is part of a series of Native American Studies courses through the UC Riverside Extension, cost $75 to attend and went from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students were given a background on the practice and then were given hands-on instruction in preparing the materials. By the end of the class, they walked away with a basket made on their own. Linda Moran was one of the six local women who attended the class and said that she did so for a couple reasons. "I've always been interested in Native American culture," said Moran, who added that she chose Native American studies as a minor in college because of this interest. Moran, a third-grade teacher at Avaxat Elementary School in Murrieta, said she plans to integrate what she learned into social sciences curriculum in her class. She watched intently as Sisquoc held up a basket she had made and explained that baskets, historically, were an important aspect of American Indian life. "It wasn't just a craft or hobby," she said. "It was integral." She went on to describe how baskets are still used in daily life, from baby carriers to cooking utensils and containers to hats and accessories to ceremonial gifts at funerals. And these days, many baskets sit in museums, like the one at the Sherman Indian School. Sisquoc points out that many of them belong in a more important place. "Some of these need to be back in the landscape," she said. "These were made for California." Sisquoc will teach another basket weaving class Nov. 20 at the UCR Extension Center in Riverside. For information, call 827-5796. --------- "RE: Last Words: Indian Languages fast losing Speakers" --------- Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 08:52:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LOSING OUR TONGUES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.newsok.com/article/1356569/?template=news/main Last words: American Indian languages are fast losing speakers By Judy Gibbs Robinson Staff Writer November 6, 2004 NORMAN - An elderly woman with shaking hands dropped a candle representing the Chiricahua Apache language during a recent ceremony to celebrate Oklahoma's Indian languages. The candle fell to the floor and went out. Although it was quickly relighted, the moment during the seventh annual Celebration of Indian Language and Culture was symbolic of the status of native languages in Oklahoma at the end of 2004. Twenty-five native languages are still spoken here, but 10 are just one generation from extinction. And that generation is growing old. "We are at the greatest period of American Indian language extinction in history," said Dennis W. Zotigh, American Indian research historian at the Oklahoma Historical Society. In September, two or three native speakers of Caddo died, said Alice Anderton, a linguist who directs the Intertribal Wordpath Society, sponsor of the Oct. 22 celebration. "Time is really running out for some languages," she said. Although Oklahoma has 21,359 native speakers, 10 tribes have 10 or fewer fluent speakers left and 15 have fewer than 100, according to Anderton's 2004 count, released in October. "Every time we revise it, the numbers go down and not up," Anderton said. The decline is not for want of effort, but the effort may be too little, too late for most tribes, experts say. It's been 14 years since Congress passed the Native American Languages Act, which made it federal policy to preserve, protect and promote native languages - reversing the decades-old policy of trying to stamp them out. In that time, many tribes have initiated language classes. For example, Choctaw now is offered in public high schools throughout the Choctaw Nation, at community centers or via the Internet. Comanche is taught at the Comanche Nation College in Lawton. University of Oklahoma students can study Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek and Kiowa. At Oklahoma State University, students can learn Muskogee. "That's all progress," Anderton said. "But if you look at it in a real hard-nosed way, if you ask how many new speakers of native languages there are, as far as I know, that number is zero." The problem is that high school and college classes will not produce fluent speakers, Zotigh said. The only hope for languages to survive is to get very young children speaking them, Zotigh and Anderton agreed. With that in mind, some tribes, including the Choctaws, include language instruction in their Head Start programs. But Anderton said the 15 minutes a day they can devote to the subject is nearly worthless. "They can teach how to count or to name animals. That's important culturally, but it doesn't save a language, unfortunately," Anderton said. In Oklahoma, only the Cherokee language, with 9,000 native speakers, has much real chance of surviving because of its language immersion pre-school for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, Zotigh said. Thirty-four children are now enrolled in the program, which gives them eight hours of instruction a day in Cherokee. Are they fluent? "Yes, ma'am," said Gloria Sly, director of the Cherokee's Cultural Resources Center. "They fuss back and forth in Cherokee. They tell and tattle in Cherokee. They do all the little things 3- and 4-year-olds do." Cherokee teachers developed an assessment tool to measure the children's annual progress. It worked well for the first two years, Sly said. "This past year, they blew the top off of it. We had to do a revision" because the children already knew far more Cherokee than the test was designed to measure, she said. Until now, the Cherokees had no fluent speakers under age 45, Zotigh said. "This is a very good success story," he said. Other tribes may have trouble following the Cherokee model, Anderton said. "The logistics can be daunting. And in many tribes, the elders are so old and feeble, they don't really belong in a pre-school because they can't get down on the floor with the children," Anderton said. Center celebrates heritage For them, native languages may become a cultural relic - preserved and studied from writings and recordings. Some of those artifacts will be displayed in the new Oklahoma Historical Center, set to open in November 2005. Oklahoma's 39 tribes were asked what should be included in the museum's Indian gallery, said Mary Jane Ward, Indian historian at the historical society. They named three topics - origins, spirituality and language, she said. "That's because language is so important to them," Ward said. Preserving native languages is really about saving Indian cultures, Zotigh said. "Language is the nucleus of Indian culture. We speak to our God in our language. Some tribes even believe that without a name in your tribe, you won't be able to enter the next spiritual world," Zotigh said. LeRoy Sealy, who grew up speaking Choctaw and now teaches it at OU, said people without their language are like people with half a heart. "They can't feel that sense of fullness because a part of them is missing," Sealy said. Copyright c. 2004 The Oklahoman/News 9, Produced by NewsOK.com. --------- "RE: Saskatoon Officers fired over Native Teen's Death" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="STONECHILD" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.thestar.com//Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1100256374365 Saskatoon officers fired over native teen's death Inquest has divided city CANADIAN PRESS November 12, 2004 SASKATOON - Two Saskatoon police officers at the centre of a controversy over the freezing death of an aboriginal teenager 14 years ago were fired today. Constables Larry Hartwig and Bradley Senger had been on suspension with pay after an inquiry found that they had Neil Stonechild in their custody in the hours before his 1990 death. Their fate has been a polarizing issue in Saskatoon since an inquiry report into the case was released last month. The aboriginal community had demanded swift punishment while supporters of the officers said police had done nothing wrong. Police Chief Russell Sabo said he didn't believe the officers abandoned Stonechild in the deserted area where his body was found, but said he based his decision on a strict review of the evidence as allowed under the Police Act. "Constables Hartwig and Senger are being dismissed for failing to diligently and promptly report or disclose or offer material evidence or information to appropriate officials that in November 1990, Neil Stonechild was in their custody, as was their duty to do so," Sabo told a news conference. Saskatoon's police association said it planned to appeal. "Finally, we are going to get due process," said association president Stan Goertzen. "We went to our membership the other day and we laid out the history of this. They told us that we will be supporting Larry and Brad." Prior to the chief's announcement, a dozen Hartwig and Senger supporters rallied outside the police station. The carried signs with slogans such as Sacrificial Lambs. Sabo said any appeal would be a public process in front of a hearing officer appointed by the Saskatchewan Police Commission. Stonechild's mother, Stella Bignell - in a statement relayed through her lawyer, Don Worme - said she was pleased the officers were fired. Worme said Bignell "simply expressed she was grateful to Chief Sabo for this very difficult decision. It's obviously a courageous decision." He said she was "deeply hurt" by the fact rank and file officers were standing behind Hartwig and Senger. The Stonechild affair had sparked outrage in the aboriginal community and had come to symbolize strained relations with police. The inquiry report by Justice David Wright rejected police claims that the officers had no involvement with the 17-year-old on the Nov. 24 night they were dispatched to a disturbance call involving him. Hartwig and Senger testified they had no independent memory of the dispatch call and their records indicated they did not find him. But Wright believed the testimony of Stonechild's friend, Jason Roy, who said he last saw Stonechild - bleeding, handcuffed and screaming for his life - in the back of a Saskatoon police car. Wright also said parallel cuts on Stonechild's nose and marks on his wrists were likely caused by police handcuffs. But he stopped short of saying the officers abandoned Stonechild in the north-end industrial area where his body was found. He criticized the police investigation into the death as sloppy and haphazard due perhaps, he said, to concerns the trail would lead back to police. Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quennell has said there is not enough evidence to press criminal charges. Critics had long contended that the Stonechild case was part of a larger problem. They maintained that Saskatoon police would often take suspected troublemakers to city limits and dump them there. In 2000 - a decade after Stonechild's death - an RCMP task force was formed to investigate the Saskatoon force after another aboriginal man, Darrell Night, came forward with a story of being dumped by officers outside the city on a cold night in January 2000. After that investigation, Saskatoon police officers Dan Hatchen and Ken Munson were found guilty of unlawfully confining Night and served eight- month sentences. They were fired from their jobs. Two other cases around the same time brought suspicion: Rodney Naistus, 25, was found frozen to death without a shirt near a power plant outside the city; and Lawrence Wegner, 30, was discovered frozen to death in the same area. No charges were ever laid in those cases and inquests couldn't determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Copyright c. 2004 Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. --------- "RE: Wal-Mart protesters, vendors clash at Pyramids" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 21:28:42 -0700 From: "Chris Milda (_Akimel O`odham_)" AkimelOodham@EarthLink.net Subj: Wal-Mart protesters, vendors clash at pyramids (Fwd) Mailing List: News and Information http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/national&story_id=110904b3_wnbriefs World & nation briefs Wal-Mart protesters, vendors clash at pyramids November 9, 2004 MEXICO CITY - Souvenir vendors scuffled with opponents of a Wal-Mart owned discount store near the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan after the protesters blocked entrances to the ruins, a move vendors said cost them a day's sales, local media reported yesterday. The Wal-Mart-owned Bodega Aurrera store opened its doors Thursday less than a mile from the ruins without any violence, despite months of protests claiming the boxy outlet was an insult to Mexican culture. Protesters, outnumbered by townspeople who support the store, did not attend the Thursday opening but did block tourist entrances to the ruin site for several hours Sunday, the newspaper Reforma reported. The scuffle occurred when about 120 vendors approached about 80 protesters, mainly university students, and demanded they allow tourists to enter. The protesters refused, and shoving and punching ensued. No serious injuries were reported. Copyright c. 2004 Tuscon Citizen. --------- "RE: Using Courts in Brazil to strengthen Identity" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="INDIAN IDENTITY via COURTS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/13/international/americas/13carvalho.html Using Courts in Brazil to Strengthen an Indian Identity By LARRY ROHTER November 13, 2004 BOA VISTA, Brazil ON all her official papers, she is known as Joenia Batista de Carvalho. But that is not the real name of the first Indian woman to become a lawyer in Brazil, just a name a clerk randomly selected when her parents were first brought from their Amazon village to have their births registered. Whether her preoccupation with issues of cultural identity and autonomy stems from that incident, Ms. Batista is not sure. Still, when she went to the United States earlier this year to receive a Reebok Prize for her human rights work, she chose to accept the award as Joenia Wapixana, using the name of the tribe to which she belongs. "Everything I do is aimed at focusing attention on our community, so that others, outside, can see who we really are," explained Ms. Batista, staff attorney for the Roraima Indigenous Council here in Brazil's northernmost state. "Why have we as a people been able to continue to exist? Because we know where we come from. By having roots, you can see the direction in which you want to go." Though only 31, Ms. Batista has emerged as one of the most effective advocates of the indigenous cause in Brazil, the bane of ranchers, miners and loggers who want to encroach on Indian land. But unlike the tribal chiefs and shamans with whom she works closely, her weapon is the white man's law, which she fights to have obeyed by all, including those who make it. In Brasilia, she is a familiar figure, filing for injunctions and arguing cases to learned judges twice her age. In Washington early this year, she presented a complaint to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking to compel the Brazilian government to finish demarcation of the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Reserve, set aside as a home for her people and a half-dozen other tribes. Thanks in large part to Ms. Batista's persistence, that case is also before the Brazilian Supreme Court, with a landmark decision expected next year. Most recently, her legal team succeeded in suspending rulings by a judge sympathetic to rice farmers and ranchers that would have forced thousands of Indians to leave their lands. ALL of that is a long way from the isolated Amazon villages of Truar and Guariba, where Ms. Batista spent her first years immersed in a traditional culture that was just beginning to feel the full impact of the advance of the Amazon frontier. "My grandmother couldn't even speak Portuguese," she recalls, but "my mother and most people of her generation speak very little Wapixana, which means that something got lost there." When Ms. Batista was 7 or 8, her parents separated. Her father, who she said "never felt comfortable staying in any one place for a long time," returned to the wilds to become a cowboy, while her mother came to this city of 200,000 and found work as a maid. To earn some extra money, her children helped by selling fruit on the street and taking in laundry. There was also school, but Ms. Batista's three older brothers ran into problems there and eventually dropped out to become construction workers and day laborers. "There was a lot of discrimination against Indians," and her brothers felt that keenly, she recalled. "You're always being told you are smelly, lazy, ugly and stupid, or they call you a caboclo," a Portuguese word used to describe native people who have lost their cultural identity and merged with ordinary peasants. "They felt blocked, and so they pulled back." Joenia, in contrast, took immediately to the classroom, earning high grades and winning academic prizes and the notice and support of a few sympathetic teachers. But she, too, felt the sting of prejudice. "Your identity is on your face and in your hair, you can't deny it," Ms. Batista said. "I was the only Indian in my class, so of course I felt different. Plus, we had very little money, which meant I didn't have proper clothes." When she finished high school in the early 1990's, it was just assumed she would become a schoolteacher, the usual career for an educated Indian woman. "But I didn't want to be a teacher," she explained. "From the time I was little, I was always rebellious, always making trouble, and I thought I could contribute more than I would working as a teacher." At first, Ms. Batista thought of becoming a doctor. But when she was 18, an older sister, who suffered from asthma and lung problems and had just had a baby, died when a piece of medical equipment malfunctioned after she was hospitalized. "I had already suffered a lot, and seen a lot of injustice done to others," she explained. "I saw how my sister was treated, and I found myself wondering 'Could it be that they turned off the machine so as not to have to spend money on a poor Indian?' Her death had a big impact on me," especially since her other sister had earlier drowned in an accident. To come up with money for her education, Ms. Batista worked in an accounting office. Her co-workers often scoffed at what they saw as her unrealistic ambitions, but though she knew no Brazilian Indian woman had ever become a lawyer, she ignored them. "My boss used to tell me I was wasting my time, that law school was only for people with money," she said. "But when the results of the entrance exam were announced, I finished second and he didn't qualify at all. He was annoyed." During her four years in law school, Ms. Batista worked during the day and attended classes at night. At times she was discouraged and tempted to give up, she admits, but her relatives back in the village were having none of that. "They'd say, 'You better get that degree, because we are going to need your services,' " she said. Those family connections proved crucial once she began to practice law. At the start, there was much skepticism of someone who was young, unproven and female, and it took her people's stamp of approval for her to win credibility. "When you work with an indigenous group, you need to have the confidence of others," she said. "When I arrive to address a group, I explain who my parents are, who my brothers and sisters are and what community I belong to. Your roots are your identity." In addition, the tribes Ms. Batista serves are hierarchical societies in which the chiefs and shamans are almost always men. So that was one more barrier. "When you go to an assembly of the Yanomami, for instance, the women all stay in a corner and don't say anything," she said. "So naturally I worried at first whether the men would pay attention to what I had to say. But they've learned to listen to me." These days, Ms. Batista is a mother herself, with two young children. She worries that despite her efforts to spare them what she experienced, the pace of change in Brazil is not fast enough. "Here we are in 2004, and yet they still have to put up with taunts, the comments about their 'funny' hair and the notion that the Indian speaks badly and can't perform in the classroom," she said. "My parents had to tolerate that, but because I move between two worlds, I won't. I won't be submissive." Copyright c. 2004 The New York Times Company. --------- "RE: Sherrill, Oneidas get Date for Court" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ONEIDA LAND CASE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard//news-6/1100253611302840.xml Sherrill, Oneidas get date for court U.S. Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments in city tax case on Jan. 11. By Glenn Coin Staff writer November 12, 2004 The city of Sherrill has a date with the U.S. Supreme Court. The court announced Thursday that arguments in the Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation case would begin 10 a.m. Jan. 11. Sherrill and Madison County officials already are making plans to attend the hour-long oral arguments. "It's history, my friend. It's history," said Rocco DiVeronica, chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors. "This is very important for the future of our area." Sherrill argues that the Oneida Indian Nation should pay taxes on nation-owned land in the city. The nation argues that the land is part of the Oneida reservation carved out in the 18th century and thus not taxable. The Supreme Court ruling could apply to all the 16,000 acres the Oneida nation owns in Madison and Oneida counties, and to land owned by other tribes across the country. The ruling also could affect the 30-year-old Oneida Indian land claim case because some of the arguments and treaties in the two cases are the same. Three tribes of Oneidas claim the state illegally bought about 250,000 acres in a series of treaties in the 18th and 19th centuries. The judge in the land claim case has postponed the filing of certain motions until the Supreme Court rules on the Sherrill case. Sherrill defied the odds in June when the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. Justices agree to hear arguments in about 1 percent of cases appealed to the court. Previously, a federal district court judge and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that land purchased by the Oneida nation in Sherrill is "Indian country" and not subject to local taxes or laws. Each side will have 30 minutes to present its case. On the Sherrill side, Ira Sacks, the attorney representing the city, will have 20 minutes, and the state of New York will get the remaining 10 minutes. On the Oneida side, the Oneidas' lawyer will argue for 20 minutes, and the Oneidas will yield their remaining 10 minutes to the U.S. Solicitor General. The solicitor general, who represents the U.S. government in the Supreme Court, had urged the court not to hear the case and let the appeals court ruling stand. Sacks said he will prepare an outline for his presentation to the court, but noted that much of a lawyer's time in the Supreme Court is spent answering questions from justices. "You have to have a notion of where you're going, but you're going to be directed by nine people who have their own ideas of what they want to talk about," Sacks said. "You have to be prepared to answer their questions." The court won't decide the case Jan. 11. Rulings for the entire 2004-2005 session will be released by the end of June, according to the Supreme Court Web site. Copyright c. 2004 The Post-Standard. Used with permission. --------- "RE: Tribal Contracts pose conflict for Supreme Court" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRIBAL CONTRACTS" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/005289.asp Tribal contracts pose conflict for U.S. Supreme Court November 10, 2004 The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Tuesday in a tribal self-determination case that one justice called a "competition between two bureaucracies." During a one-hour hearing, members of the top court struggled with the question at the core of the case. The justices wondered whether federal agency contracts with tribal governments should be treated differently than other contracts. If they aren't any different, then tribes are owed full support costs for administering federal programs. Tribal leaders say they are being shortchanged millions for carrying out health, social service and other programs. But if the two types of contracts are different, then the federal government has a right to withhold money from tribes. Going by the questions posed to both sides of the dispute, the justices appeared divided on this issue. The side leaning towards the tribes was led by Justice Stephen G. Breyer. He questioned why the government couldn't fulfill its obligations under the landmark Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975, which calls for the Department of Health and Human Services to enter into contracts with tribes to manage hospitals, clinics and other health care programs. "People who enter into contracts need certainty," he said. The side leaning towards the government was led by Justice Antonin Scalia. Early in the hearing, he called the concept of self-determination contracts "strange." "The [HHS] secretary has to give the tribes the authority to take over these federal functions," he said, emphasizing the word "give." "It seems to me a strange way to run a railroad." Lloyd Miller, an attorney for the Cherokee Nation and the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribe of Nevada, told the justices they should view the tribal agreements under standard contracting law. He said tribes are being forced to reduce critical on-the-ground services because the Indian Health Service, an agency of HHS, is not paying 100 percent of the contracts. "No contractor would take that risk in dealing with the government," he said. Sri Srinivasan, a Department of Justice attorney, argued that IHS is within its right to withhold funding in order to pay for "administrative" functions. He said the agency only takes 2 percent of the amount set aside for self-determination contracts for its own use. "Funds for core agency functions don't have to be turned over to the contracting tribes," he said. The outcome of the case largely rests on the interpretation of amendments to the 1975 law that were passed in subsequent appropriations acts. The amendments direct IHS to pay tribes the amount it would take to operate the programs plus support costs. However, the language includes the phrase "subject to the availability of appropriations." It further states that IHS cannot take funds from one tribal contract to pay for another tribal contract. In addition to Breyer, Justices David Souter and Sandra Day O'Connor appeared to fall on the pro-tribal side of the case. Scalia would normally have the support of Chief justice William Rehnquist, who did not attend the arguments yesterday due to a recent surgery, and Justice Clarence Thomas, who didn't ask any questions, as is his normal practice. That leaves the votes of Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Anthony Kennedy open to debate. Their questions yesterday did not appear to support one side or the other. But even within the divided camps, there appeared to be room for movement. Both sides questioned the government's interpretation of the appropriations amendments when Srinivasan said they allow IHS to use self- determination money for agency costs. "If anybody is going to get squeezed, it's the agency itself," Scalia observed. "This is a competition between two bureaucracies." Two lower courts have come to different conclusions on the matter. In July 2003, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals applied normal contracting law and ruled that IHS couldn't withhold money from the tribes because it was "legally available" at the time it was appropriated by Congress. Breyer and Souter noted that under this standard, the tribes should win the case. "I don't see why contracting principles don't trump" the government, Souter said. But in November 2002, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals said the IHS can choose to reprogram its lump-sum appropriation due to the "availability of appropriations" phrase. Ginsburg said this provision ensures that money for one tribe isn't taken by another. "Do the ones who come to court get paid in full ... even if the others don't get their fair share?" she asked. "Does it just depend on first-to- come-to-court, first served?" The Supreme Court's decision is likely to have an effect on other pending disputes. Miller's law firm is representing other tribes whose cases have been put on hold until the issue is resolved. Separately, tribes have asked Congress to clarify the 1975 law yet again to ensure that they receive full support costs. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on the Tribal Contract Support Cost Technical Amendments bill in April. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Drug cartels offer $500K to kill Shadow Wolves" --------- Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 08:32:09 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TARGETED TRACKERS" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/10132283.htm Trackers now have targets on their backs By MARY SANCHEZ The Kansas City Star November 9, 2004 SELLS, Ariz. - Racing across the desert at 90 mph in darkness cut only by his pickup's headlights, Curtis Heim spots a wisp of dust settling on the blacktop. "Did you see that?" he says. "Something was just through here." Heim, 31, slows, ready to track his prey - drug runners smuggling marijuana and methamphetamine from Mexico. Heim is a Shadow Wolf, one of 18 members of an elite unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Shadow Wolves are American Indians who use their tracking skills to intercept large amounts of drugs - 145,000 pounds of marijuana this year - before they can reach U.S. streets. But after a standoff near the border two years ago, the Shadow Wolves themselves are being hunted. Heim, who was raised in Kansas, turns the Chevy down a dirt road in the Tohono O'odham Nation, a reservation the size of Connecticut that shares 75 miles of border with Mexico. Creeping now at 5 mph, he hangs out the cab, steering with one hand as he shines a flashlight into the mesquite scrub. He's looking for anything amiss - spots where the dusty ground is a little too smooth, an oddly broken branch, a depression from a gingerly placed heel. Heim stops the pickup but leaves it running as he steps into the Sonoran Desert. The truck is loaded with a cache of guns, night-vision equipment, sirens, scanners and enough bulbs to light up like a Christmas tree. "Everything out here stings, pokes, bites or has fangs," he says. Or fires bullets. "When I first started, it was great," says Heim, of the Kickapoo and Sac Fox nations and a six-year veteran of the Shadow Wolves. "I loved the art of tracking." In those days, the Shadow Wolves still rode horses part of the time. They tracked the footprints of drug runners carrying 50-pound bales of marijuana, sometimes sneaking up on them as they slept. It was kind of a game for the Wolves, seeing how many they could handcuff before the whole group woke up. "You'd cuff them up, and off to jail they'd go," Heim says. But ever since a standoff at a place called Menager's Dam, each Shadow Wolf has a half-million-dollar bounty on his or her head, Heim says. Drug cartels are offering $50,000 for the death of an immediate family member. "When you are making a difference, the criminals are going to look at you and realize you are a threat," says Christiana Halsey, a deputy assistant commissioner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington. "The Shadow Wolves are on duty literally 24 hours a day. Even at home, they are a target for criminals." The 16 men and two women in the Shadow Wolf unit range in age from late 20s to mid-50s. They represent 10 tribal nations. All bring a deep commitment to their role as protectors of America. Lately, that mission has expanded to a new assignment: terrorism. The Wolves have started teaching tracking methods to authorities in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Croatia, Latvia, Poland, Estonia and Lithuania. Heim is scheduled to train people in Slovakia this month. And soon they will begin working with the Blackfeet tribe to help increase security at the U.S.-Canadian border, says Heim, who serves as the unit's spokesman. The Wolves play an important role in government efforts to keep terrorists out of the country, Halsey says. One Wolf found a satchel of Middle Eastern passports hidden in the desert - possibly left for someone to pick up later. "It is a big, big job, but the Shadow Wolves know every little inch of desert," she says. "They will find you if you are out there." The role of protecting the land, the Wolves say, is nothing new for native people. A favorite poster in their office in Sells shows Geronimo and three other Apaches, all carrying rifles. The caption: "Homeland Security - Fighting Terrorism Since 1492." "We didn't immigrate," says Sloan Satepauhoodle, a Shadow Wolf who is a former intelligence officer with the Secret Service. "We don't have any other place but here. We are still defending what our ancestors defended." `It was chaos' The dangers of the desert multiplied two years ago at Menager's Dam, about a half-mile north of the Mexican border. A phone call to the Shadow Wolves' office in Sells gave them a tip about a large stash of drugs on a two-acre compound of wooden garages and a motor home. Within seconds after four Wolves pulled up, they sensed something wasn't right. "The only reason we all survived was that we pulled up in four different trucks," Heim says. "There were 15 against the four of us." A brawl broke out, and then the Wolves and the drug runners began diving for cover. "The guns that they had were gigantic," Heim says. "Stuff you never see. ... It was chaos." At one point, a drug runner rammed a sport utility vehicle through a garage door and headed for Heim. The Ford Explorer hit him, but as Heim rolled off the hood, he fired five rounds. "Three connected as head shots," he says. Fifty minutes passed before more agents arrived, including some in Black Hawk helicopters sent from the Customs office in Tucson. Heim says the man he shot survived because he had so much methamphetamine in his body, it constricted his blood vessels, keeping him from bleeding to death. The haul from the compound: about 9,000 pounds of marijuana and methamphetamine crammed into five stolen SUVs. Each vehicle was outfitted with passports, guns, cell phones, cash, food and water. "These guys were the top of the food chain in getting drugs over the international border," Heim says. Soon, other drug runners began jostling to fill the vacuum. Men came up from Mexico and went door to door at Menager's Dam, threatening people with guns, trying to flush out whoever tipped the Shadow Wolves. The Menager water tower was spray-painted with big black letters, "Mind Your Own Business." "People starting dying," Heim says. "There were murders in Phoenix that we tied back to this, murders in Tucson, and some south of the border." The Wolves got another tip: The cartels had set bounties for the death of any federal agent involved with tracking drug smugglers. Death threats also began coming for specific Shadow Wolves. But it was Kristopher Eggle, a 28-year-old park ranger, who died. He was killed in 2002 in an ambush at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, just west of the Tohono O'odham reservation. He was helping Border Patrol agents catch two men suspected by Mexican officials in a drug-related killing. Heim was teaching Eggle to track. He keeps a photo of Eggle pinned to his pickup's visor. "He was an all-American kid, valedictorian, good in church," Heim says of Eggle. "It was a huge blow to us." Always a hunter As a boy growing up in Atchison, Kan., Heim's hunts were for ducks and deer. "I never wanted to be inside," he says. In grade school, day after day, he went out, gunning for squirrels. After much effort but no success, he complained to his grandfather that they all seemed able to elude his .22-caliber rifle. "They are laughing at you," was his grandfather's reply. "You need to sit still longer." So Heim did. An hour passed, an eon to a small boy. Soon he could hear the squirrels chattering, no longer mindful of the boy, his rifle. "You just have to wait them out one at a time," he says. "I just picked them off." Twenty years later, patience and the desire to notice everything about the land are still his guides. Night, when the desert cools and the stars are out, is the best time to track. It also is the time when the drug runners are most active. A hundred feet off the road, Heim bends to note footprints in the dust. "This guy shouldn't be out here alone," he says. The footsteps are at least a day old. Wind has rounded off the edges where a sole once left a sharp, clear print. A piece of a leaf has settled into one. And on another print, a bug walked across, leaving a straight line. The tracks are not those of a man weighted with a bale of pot, Heim says. And he's not dragging his feet due to lack of water. Everything that moves through the desert leaves a mark: drug runners, migrants, cars, cattle, horses, the wind. A thread caught in a bush tells who passed through. If it's burlap, it probably came from one of the sacks used to wrap bales of marijuana. Soft cotton could be from a baby's blanket, indicating a female migrant with a child. A shiny synthetic thread probably came from a male migrant's shirt. A discarded piece of food can tell a time. Heim knows how long it takes an orange peel, a bit of tortilla, a prickly pear to dry out. Markings under a tree can indicate the time of day a group stopped to rest. The tree's shade moves during the day, and in the desert, people don't sit in the sun. Sometimes drug runners try to disguise their tracks by tying squares of carpet to their shoes. The carpet actually makes them easier to track, Heim says. It buffs the earth as they move along, and the markings are readily apparent under a flashlight beam at the right angle. Besides, the fibers leave their own telltale marks, Heim says. Sometimes drug runners will have the last man in a group walk backward, erasing prints with a branch. The best way, Heim says, is to have the last man sprinkle dirt in the prints. But Heim has caught these tracks, too - he noted where the man knelt to gather more dust. "They always mess up," Heim says. "They always leave a trail, no matter how hard they try." ---- First glance * The Shadow Wolves are an elite unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents whose job is to track and catch drug runners in the Sonoran Desert west of Tucson, Ariz. * The 18-member unit, composed entirely of American Indians, faces death threats from the criminals they hunt. To reach Mary Sanchez, call (816) 234-4752 or send e-mail to msanchez@kcstar.com. Copyright c. 2004 The Kansas City Star, Knight Ridder. --------- "RE: School rejects blame in Ronan boys' deaths" --------- Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 08:44:19 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SCHOOL DENIES RESPONSIBILITY" http://www.billingsgazette.com//2004/11/11/build/state/68-ronan-deaths.inc School rejects blame in Ronan boys' deaths Associated Press November 11, 2004 RONAN - School officials here denied responsibility Wednesday in the deaths of two 11-year-old boys whose frozen bodies were found in a snowy field in February, after they guzzled vodka. "The fault lies with all the individuals in our community," said Andy Holmlund, Ronan school superintendent. "But the ultimate authority and responsibility, in my opinion, lies with the parents." The families of Justin Benoist and Frankie Nicolai III filed a lawsuit against the school district last week in Polson, alleging the district failed to protect the children Feb. 27 when they skipped class. The families also accuse the district of bias and discrimination for not hiring enough American Indian staff. The families seek $4 million in damages. Holmlund said the allegations are shocking, and finger-pointing will not help solve the area's problem of alcohol abuse. Holmlund said he sympathizes with the boys' families, but plans to fight the lawsuit. Justin and Frankie vanished Feb. 27 from Ronan Middle School. A friend found their bodies three days later. Tests concluded alcohol poisoning killed Frankie, whose blood-alcohol level was 0.50 percent, more than six times the drunken-driving threshold in Montana. Justin, whose blood alcohol was 0.20 percent, died from a combination of alcohol poisoning and hypothermia. No one was charged in the case. Justin's 14-year-old brother, Tyler Benoist, was found dead of smoke inhalation in a burned trailer last November in Pablo. Authorities said he had passed out from drinking, and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.233. Copyright c. 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. --------- "RE: Court sides with Tribe in Law Enforcement dispute" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 16:57:46 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JURISDICTION DECISION" http://www.indianz.com/News/2004/005337.asp Court sides with tribe in law enforcement dispute November 12, 2004 In a victory for tribal law enforcement, a federal appeals court last week barred a county sheriff from imposing state law on a tribe's police force even when those officers leave the reservation. According to the state vehicle code, the use of emergency light bars is limited to "authorized emergency vehicles" performing emergency services. For several years, the sheriff in Riverside County has been using this law against the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The Cabazon Reservation is composed of four non-contiguous sections, so tribal police officers must travel on non-reservation roads to get from one area to another. But whenever they did so using emergency lights, they were stopped and cited by the county for violating the state law. In response, the tribal police were forced to remove the lights every time they left the reservation. The chief of the tribe's public safety department said this practice posed a danger to the officers and limited their ability to carry out their duties. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in a decision released on November 3. Describing the removal of the lights as a "preposterous and time-consuming ritual," a panel of three judges held that the state law was "discriminatory" towards tribes because no other government is treated the same. "It is clear that the challenged vehicle code sections do not treat the tribe's police force the same as other law enforcement entities within California," Judge Harry Pregerson wrote for the majority. "California permits all state, county, and city law enforcement officials within the state to display and to use emergency light bars." The decision overturned a federal judge's ruling that went in favor of the county. It also reversed a split May 2001 opinion from the 9th Circuit that said the tribe was subject to the state law. The tribe sought a rehearing, as is common when a court is divided on an issue. In the meantime, the tribe entered into a deputization agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs that granted federal commissions to every tribal officer who met the requirements. The agreement was key to the tribe's case. It led the California Highway Patrol to conclude the federal commissions meant the police officers are allowed to use their emergency lights off the reservation. But the county balked and argued that the tribe's use of emergency lights would cause traffic, safety and other problems. The 9th Circuit rejected all of the county's arguments. The court went further and embraced a view that tribal law enforcement is not absolutely limited by the boundaries of a reservation. In a Public Law 280 state like California, the holding appears to be landmark. "Every law enforcement jurisdiction shares the same obligation and purpose: to protect and to serve their respective communities and citizens," the court said. "We agree with the BIA that the boundaries of Indian Country should not impede tribal officers' travel, use of marked vehicles, emergency response, or other aspects of their policing authority necessary to meet the officers' law enforcement obligations to their reservation community." Over the years, law enforcement officials in California have clashed with tribes over the reach of state law on the reservation. In a highly- publicized incident that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the sheriff in Inyo County raided a tribe's casino and used bolt-cutters to seize records. Copyright c. 2000-2004 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Man shot by Deputies had known tragedy" --------- Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 08:36:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SHOT NAVAJO" http://www.indianz.com/News http://www.currentargus.com/artman/publish/article_10123.shtml Man shot by deputies had known tragedy By Karen Polly/Current-Argus Staff Writer November 12, 2004 CARLSBAD - Tommy Charley's death after allegedly assaulting Eddy County sheriff's deputies Saturday north of Artesia was the end of a life that had known terrible tragedy. On New Year's Day 2002, according to Associated Press stories from the time, Charley received a phone call from his estranged wife, Elvira Charley. She told him that she had shot their three oldest children, Ganelle, 11, Jerrel, 10 and Radell, 9. It was the day after his son, Jerrel's, 10th birthday. After Elvira Charley called investigators to her home in Klagetoh, Ariz., they found that the children had been dead for at least five hours, but three other children, then ages 8 months, 16 months and five years, were physically unharmed. The two girls were shot as they slept, while it took three shots from a .22-caliber rifle she had bought to fire in celebration of the New Year to kill her son, according to The Associated Press. Elvira Charley was convicted in U.S. District Court in Prescott, Ariz., of three counts of murder and three counts of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to a news release from the U. S. Attorney's Office. She was sentenced to three life sentences. Prosecutors in the trial said Elvira Charley murdered the three eldest children to get back at Tommy Charley for leaving her. Defense attorneys presented evidence that Elvira had been a victim of domestic violence for 10 years at the hands of Tommy Charley. In a letter to the Gallup Independent 10 days after the deaths of his children, Tommy Charley blamed social services for the deaths because he said the children should have been taken away from his estranged wife. According to his letter, after becoming frustrated with the lack of service, she told social service staff members, "I might as well go shoot my kids." Charley said he had contacted social services after Elvira threatened to kill herself, and he said the department knew that she had threatened to kill herself by drinking antifreeze. "It is my desire to regain custody of my surviving children and attempt to put back together our lives and put this horrible incident behind us... Now, more than ever, my kids need me, and I need them," Charley wrote to the newspaper. Elvira Charley's trial was followed by media around the world, and in June 2003, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. highlighted the case as he called for public hearings on whether the tribe should reverse its long-held opposition to capital punishment. According to The Associated Press, federal prosecutors handle serious crimes on Native American reservations, but cannot seek the death penalty unless a tribe signs an accord allowing tribal members to face execution. Tommy Charley, 44, was pronounced dead at the Artesia General Hospital at 2:45 a.m. Saturday. He was first involved in a crash at 1:40 a.m. Saturday at N.M. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 285 north of Artesia, and he left the scene of the accident. When officers later located Charley, he allegedly confronted them with a knife. Eddy County Sheriff Kent Waller and Capt. Eddie Carrasco have said they are keeping Charley's family in their prayers. "Nobody takes it lightly, to take the life of another person," Carrasco said Monday. According to an obituary published Wednesday in the Gallup Independent, Charley's three surviving children were living with him in Artesia. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at the Iyanbito Gospel Lighthouse Church. Charley's sister, Melinda Chee, of Iyanbito, declined to comment about her brother in a phone call Thursday night. Copyright c. 2004 Carlsbad Current-Argus, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Sun, 14 Nov 2004 21:38:50 -0500 From: Janet Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - http://www.journalstar.com//doc4194466288015444982027.txt Deal sets rules for Native inmates By KEVIN O'HANLON / The Associated Press November 12, 2004 State prison officials have agreed to new rules to accommodate the religious and cultural needs of Native inmates in order to settle a federal court action. The settlement agreement, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, arose from a complaint filed by inmate Richard T. Walker, a Native sentenced in Thurston County to a life term in 1966 for second-degree murder. His complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Lincoln on behalf of the prison system's approximately 200 Native inmates. Among Walker's allegations was a claim that prison officials made so many demands for qualifications on a medicine man that he stopped coming to the prison to conduct religious and cultural affairs services for the state's Native inmates. Walker also alleged that prison officials required the medicine man to be able to "acclimate" to the religious needs of other inmates, including Christians and Muslims. The settlement agreement would replace a 1974 consent decree signed by U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom requiring prison officials to allow Native inmates to conduct religious ceremonies and have access to medicine men and ceremonial tobacco. Urbom must approve the settlement before it can take effect. The consent decree, many argued, was diluted by the 1996 Prison Litigation Reform Act, which was meant to reduce the number of inmate lawsuits. Courts often have responded to inmate lawsuits over prison conditions by ordering state officials to relieve those that violate some constitutional right. Congress enacted the 1996 law out of its concern that federal courts were intruding too far into state prison management. The law limits a judge's power to order changes in conditions of confinement "no further than necessary to correct the violation of the federal right of a particular plaintiff or plaintiffs." Under the law, remedies must be the "least intrusive means necessary" to correct any violation. "The consent decree ... lost a lot of its usefulness after the enactment of the" 1996 law, said Bassel El-Kasaby, one of the lawyers representing the inmates. "We thought it was in the interests of the inmates to create this new framework." In the proposed settlement, prison officials agreed to allow Native inmates to have two powwows a year and give them time for religious education and worship ceremonies. The inmates also can use traditional, ceremonial foods such as fry bread, corn and "berry dish" in their ceremonies. The inmates agreed to not use tobacco - which is banned in the prison system - in their ceremonies. But prison officials will let them use chinshasha, which is made from the bark of red willow trees, as a substitute. Prison officials also agreed to allow the reinstatement of the Native American Club and allow access to medicine men and other spiritual leaders. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Tomka, who helped reach the settlement, was not in her office because of Veterans Day and could not be reached to comment. But she had argued earlier that prison officials had gone out of their way to accommodate Native inmates. She said, for example, that inmates were allowed to proceed with their religious ceremonies even when a medicine man failed to show up to lead a ceremony. Copyright c. 2004 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2004, Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Rustywire: Chiliman" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 08:27:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: CHILIMAN" http://www.geocities.com/rustywire/grow/chiliman.html Navajo Spaceships, Star Mountain and Life An online journal- Star Mountain-Navajo Life Chiliman...by Johnny Rustywire Tahzii' (Turkey!) Tahzii' Tahzii "Why does he keep saying that?" Nahgebah (Nah-gee-bah) said, looking at her 5-year-old nephew, Chee. "Tahzii', Tahzii', Tahzii" he said again. He is worried about Thanksgiving, about not having a Tahzii' (Turkey) for Thanksgiving Dinner. "Tahzii, Tahzii', Tahzii" Chee said, his small round eyes looking out the window, down Frisco street, the Southside of Flagstaff, his parents had moved into a small apartment behind the Manhattan Club, a hard luck bar that was across the alley. The light reflected all kinds of colors of the broken wine and beer bottles that lined the alleyway separating their place from the back door of the bar. "We won't need a Tahzii' Sharlene said,"We can cook him!" pointing at Chee, who looked at her quickly with large eyes and she laughed at him. "Don't say that!" Nahgebah said. The little boy with curious eyes had been looking out the window and watched the world from this spot. He saw men and women standing out there with brown paper bags, drinking Roma wine, cheap liquor. They were out there all the time, some standing, and some staggering as they walked around falling down, some dirty and dressed in rags. Some just layed out there until the police came and picked them up.. His mother told him, not to talk to them, not to look at them, don't take anything from them even if they want to give you a candy bar she said. He didn't speak to them; he would just look and then run inside. Some he saw all the time. It was a strange world, far different than Shiprock where they had lived.. His mother was off working somewhere and her sisters were watching him. They were teenagers and they were mean to him, Nahgebah and Sharlene. They were in high school raised there in town and thought living on the Navajo reservation was uncivilized, they were "Town Navajos"; much better than those who came from the Gap, Grand Falls, Dennehotso, Cow Springs and Shiprock and a host of other places they didn't want to know about or cared for.. "Tahzii', where is the Tahzii'? " he would say over and over. The two girls got tired of him saying it.. Chee could see Che' (Grandfather) the old man somewhere way out there where he lived in Dinetah. Chee could run around there and no one cared, but here he was cooped up like a chicken all day. Chee remembered he saw some tahzii's in a pen at his Che's and they were always around. Che' told him that they were there to help them those tazhii's. long ago there was a boy who was poor and left his home to make his way in the world and he left his home near Two Gray Hills and went to Dibensa, the mountain and when he left he was followed by a tahzii', a companion who kept him company during his time there. This tazhii' taught the Mountain Boy to walk in a circle to find his way sometimes, making th e circle a little bit bigger each day starting from a place he knew and then going out a little further each time. They were put there to help the Dine', the Navajo people, like his family long ago. The Mountain Boy was alone and poor dressed in rags, and the tazhii' walked in a circle and the boy followed and each day this happened the Mountain Boy learned something new.. In doing this the Mountain Boy found out about other people and places and how they lived. His Che' told him that when you caught a tazhii' that sometimes they have things hidden in their wings and when you caught one and held it up you could see a rainbow in their wings.. This boy from long ago carried the bird and learned some things from it; it was a special bird, a friend to him. It was a long story and Chee used to dream about that Tahzii'. Che' told him that it was put there to help Navajos, his people, Tsinalbiiltnii, Mountain People Clan and that it was here a long time and that is why Che' kept them. During this time, Keshmish Yazhi- Little Christmas the tazhii' would be fixed up and they would gather as a family, and he would see his cousins, his brothers in the Navajo way of speaking and they would play and run around all over the place.. Chee could see that these people outside his window were different from the ones he had known, they were there and then they were gone.They carried on with the bottles they were drinking, breaking them on the ground as they finished them. Chee would look at them and seeing the broken bottles, the small pieces of glass and wonder if these were the special jewels he had heard the Twin Heroes had gathered for gifts to their father. They glistened under the lights of the bar, all colors, red, blue, green, brown and clear. He sometimes picked them up and held them in his hand, they were pretty, but his mother told him they were glass and could cut him.. Chee's father was gone, working in California for the Southern Pacific railroad laying tracks. He would be back to pick them up and they would be going with him to live on a railroad car. He had seen his cousins at Belmont on a railroad car; it was place that rolled around on wheels. He wondered how would be to live on such a thing. His father left to work and to find a railroad car for them to live in. It was his father's people that came from Two Gray Hills and he missed seeing them and only knew the place from when he heard people talk about it, he didn't know where it really was, except it was long ways off.. Chee waited by the door and watched the outside world go by, sometimes when his mother went home they went to Chacon's store on Frisco street, he was kind Nakai man who gave him a penny candy when he went in. They would go and stand in line next door and get relief, commodity food with other people. He saw the kids there, some were like him, others he tried to talk to but they couldn't understand him, he was told these were Nakai, (Mexicans) a different people who spoke in another way. ... It was that day, he heard it on the radio, KCLS, and the announcer said Thanksgiving was here. Chee looked around and his aunts were getting dressed to go to Indian Mission for some kind of show, somewhere, but he didn't know where it was. His mother's sisters, Nahgebah and Sharlene told him to go to sleep and then left him behind. When he woke he was all alone and he began to cry to be by himself. Why had they left him behind? He looked outside and wished his mother was home but she didn't come when he called. He stood by the window and cried. There was this one old man who came around and he would drink out there everyday, staggering around and drank with different people. Chee would watch him sometimes and see him walk funny, sometimes the old man would try to talk to him; he talked Dine Bizaad, the Navajo language. He spoke like his mother. His aunts would hide when they saw him come by, standing out there, they called him "Chili Man", because when he got mad and started shouting his head would turn all red.. It was him who was outside and heard the boy, Chee crying. He came to the window and said, "What is wrong?" in Navajo.. Chee talked better Navajo than Beligana (English) and said his mother was gone and his aunts had left him alone and he cried out loud for his mother. The Glahnees (Winos) in the alley just looked at him and said, poor boy, but continued to drink and just looked at him every once in a while.. In those days people didn't want to get involved with such things, they kept to themselves, it was the rough part of town, and so the little boy cried and called out for his mother for along time and no one came. It grew dark, and he kept calling for her and for his Che' and the turkey he wanted.. In the light of the bar across the way, he could see that someone was coming, carrying a bag and some cooked food. It was the one they called Chili Man, he was carrying a gunnysack and he reached in through the screen door and opened it. The boy's eyes were swollen from crying and he could see that Chili Man came into the place. He reached in the bag and gave the boy some Kneel Down Bread and Sweet Corn Cake. It was traditional food and he liked the taste. He could see the old man go into the kitchen and do some things, he was not sure what he was doing, so he just watched.. The old man turned around and he had a plate full of food and it was turkey, with dressing and gravy and some sweet potatoes. The little boy sat at the table and the old man fed him a little at a time, by the spoonful. He talked to him and sang him a song his mother used to sing to him. He made him laugh as he told him some stories about Tazhii' and the mountain boy, like he remembered Che' telling him. The old man had a strong laugh and was easy to talk to, but something inside him made him wonder why his aunts hid when they saw him around. It was as if he knew them somehow.. It was then that Sharlene and Nahgebah came home and saw the old man sitting at the table with Chee the little boy. One got a broom and the other a stick and they told him to get out. It was then that the old man stood up and started to talk to them, scolding them for leaving the little boy alone, that his mother was working and they had left his Shi'Na"hli" (Little One) all alone. The girls yelled at him and started hitting him with the broom and told him to get out, "Get Out Chili Man, Get Out!" they said. He left and ran out the door running down the alley into the night. Later when his mother got home after working all day, he told her what happened even though his aunts had said not to say anything about it. Chee told his mother what happened. She listened carefully to him when he said, they called him Chili Man, and as he said his name, his mother asked him to say what they called him again, and he said Chili Man. She sat there for while and looked away out the window and there were tears in her eyes as she looked outside. She sat him down and Chee asked his mother, "What's wrong Shima?" She looked at him and said, that man, the one they called "Chili Man" is my father. He is your Che' (Grandfather) too. Chee sat there and smiled at his mother and said, I wished for my Che' to come and get me and he did, he did. He heard me and came. He made me laugh Shima. She sat there and told him about the old man, and how he couldn't live in the city and had no place on Dinetah (Navajoland) to go to, that he had lost his parents long ago and lived anywhere he was. The little boy told her that he knew the story of Mountain Boy and Tazhii' and had told him about the way things were back then in the Navajo Way. After a while, the two, Chee and his mother went out into the streets under the lights of the honkytonks went from place to place and found him standing outside the Rose Tree and brought him home. Chili Man stayed with them and gave up the life he led before and that is how it came to be that Chili Man found his way back home one Thanksgiving back then in Kinlani (Flagstaff as they called it back then in the Navajo way of saying things). So it goes sometimes with little boys named Chee. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: History: Carlisle Indian School" --------- Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 23:30:00 -0400 From: Barbara Landis Subj: October 16, 1891 INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle Indian School. [Editorial Note: These reprints are being included in this newsletter so that you might know the mind of those who ran institutions like Carlisle.] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER FROM THE Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa. ================================================ VOL. VII. FRIDAY, October 16, 1891 NUMBER 6 ================================================ WANTED - the world wants boys today, And she offers them all she has for pay, -- Honor, wealth, position, fame, A useful life and a deathless name. Boys to shape the paths for men, Boys to guide the plough and pen, Boys to forward the tasks begun; For the world's great work is never done. The world is anxious to employ Not just one, but every boy Whose heart and brain will e'er be true To work his hands shall find to do. Honest, faithful, earnest, kind; To good awake, to evil blind; Heart of gold without alloy. Wanted - the world wants such a boy. -*Chicago Post.* ============== IN THE HEART OF THE WEST. ------------ AT WORK AMONG THE INDIANS. ------------ From a friend now at work among the Indians of a great reservation in the West, the following heart cry comes for Indian boys and girls. In a private letter she says: "Oh! How I do wish that all Indian children who go East to school could be induced to stay there! They never can be anything among their wretched friends and in the surroundings on a reservation." It will be seen that our friend is at an agency where the Indians are partially civilized, when she says: "Even here where all wear citizen's clothing, attend church, have their houses and lands, horses and carriages, money to spend, and are said to be partly civilized, there exists the most abject filth and immorality. "I am so glad we were able to find employment for _____ (a returned Carlisle girl) for although she has a father who is said to be almost if not altogether white, her stepmother is real Indian and the home anything but pleasant. "She is doing very nicely indeed. "People who know something of other tribes, when they visit this tribe are surprised at the apparent advancement of these Indians, but visitors only see the outside. "I tell you, for real depravity they are far worse than some of the poor, utterly savage tribes who never had a missionary among them. "To fill our school, the pupils have to be literally gathered in from the highways and hedges - the lame, the halt and the ____ well, almost blind. "We teachers take turns, going, day after day, with an interpreter, among the homes and tepees, getting now and then one, and many promises of more 'as soon as the hay is all in; or, the payment is over,' which payment it seems never will be over. "It is one of those long-drawn-out transactions that makes 'Uncle Sam' famous in the management of Indian affairs." And here our friend describes a disgraceful and terrible experience forced upon a bright, pretty and most promising young girl, and closes with the wise doctrine: "I hope when the reservation is really open to settlement, the law will take hold of such cases. "I believe that rigid enforcement of the civil law would be very wholesome for the red man and much more effectual than moral suasion or agency supervision. ============================================ (p. 2) The Indian Helper. ----------------------------- PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY, -AT THE- INDIAN INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA. BY INDIAN BOYS. --> THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The-Man-on-the-band-stand, who is NOT an Indian. ----------------------------- Price: - 10 cents a year. ============================== Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss M. Burgess, Manager. ============================== Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. ============================== The INDIAN HELPER is paid for in advance, so do not hesitate to take the paper from the Post Office, for fear a bill will be presented. ============================= Who is the Visitor? That man of able bearing and dignified tread who is coming down the path from the entrance gate, who is he? He steps like a person of authority and attracts the attention of every one as he walks along. He goes into the office and asks to see the steam-pump connected with the large boilers recently put in for heating our buildings. The pump is an ingenious machine used to force the return hot water from the radiators, back into the boilers. It is called Creamer's Steam Pump. This gentleman is taken to the boiler-house and the pumping machine carefully inspected. Soon follows the discovery that the gentleman is none other than Mr. Creamer himself, the INVENTOR of the pump, which stands second to none in the country for the purpose intended. Mr. Creamer is head of a large establishment in New York City, where the pumps are manufactured and sent out over the world. He has taken out thirteen different patents in Germany, England and other foreign countries. Mr. Creamer is a self-educated man. He worked hard when a young man, saved his small earnings and put himself through a technical school in New York. And, see! Look at his face! He is a COLORED man. Ah! Oh! Then why isn't he in the South where he belongs, helping his people? Simply because he is doing more to help his people every moment he stays in the North than he could do in weeks in the South. Every time he puts in one of those extraordinary steam-pumps he preaches a sermon for the colored race, that has more influence for good and the uplifting of his people than the eloquence of a thousand preachers, lawyers of doctors could possibly have. Mr. Creamer says in the South he cannot ride in a car with intelligent people. He is treated as an under dog, there, simply because the good Lord gave him a black skin instead of a white one. In the South he is set apart and made to associate with the lowest of the low, while in the North he is treated as a gentleman and given all the rights accorded to men of intelligence and skill. He says as for himself he feels no race prejudice, and hires men to work for him regardless of the fact that many have white skins. As he talked, the Man-on-the-band-stand could but look at him in wonder, and say to himself: Here is a fitting illustration of the Indian situation. Why must the Indian always go back to his people? Why is he made to feel that he must educate himself with that end in view? Would not an Indian, who, after years of schooling and experience such as this man passed through, if he could invent a STEAM PUMP for instance, and then would work with all his might in a land where intelligence, skill and industry predominates, to get the machine into general use, would not the example of such an Indian do more for his people than all the theoretical teachings of a thousand of his race, no matter how well-learned in the professions they had become, or how widely they were scattered over the reservations as professional spouters? Three cheers for Mr. Creamer!!! Where is the Indian to equal him? --------------- Clarence W. Thunder writes of his Franklin trip. While we were at Franklin we went to see some of the sights around the town. One of the places was where they make candles and chewing gum out of coal oil. The building was a very large one, and at the top the oil was brought down through large pipes, and carried downward. In the first room the oil looked thick and dirty, so that it did not look fit to use. Down on the next floor it was a little clearer and kept getting clearer as it passed through each room until it was mixed with some other stuff, and put into a press. From this it came out thick and white and a man was busy wrapping it up and putting it in boxes. In another room they were making it into candles. Another place that I visited was a large oil refinery. Here the oil is refined and made fit for use in lamps. Franklin is right in the coal, oil, and natural gas region. All along the sides of the mountains at night, we could see the light of the coke-ovens, gas wells, and burning oil wells. It was very interesting and instructive to see all these things that we have heard of so often. --------------- Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, These three alone lead to sovereign power. -*Tennyson.* ====================================================== (page 3) Boiled chestnuts are good. The steam heat works to perfection. Ned Clarke lost his valise on his way home. Miss Dawson is still very ill at her home in town. The printing office clock has died a natural death. The year's supplies for the school are slowly coming in. People who think too little are sure to talk too much. Frank Twiss of Pine Ridge, Dak. renews his subscription. They had a Kettle full of mumps in the hospital, last week. The boys who went to the Y.M.C.A. State Convention, at Franklin, report having a thoroughly good and inspiring time. Orderlies need to be very alert. They should always be on hand, never Miles away when wanted. Few can get over Miles in a short time. George McDaniels, a Cherokee, is the latest addition to our school. He is a bright little boy, and came all the way from St. Louis unattended. Emily Peake has gone to a delightful home in the country for the winter. On giving good-bye she said she anticipated a pleasant and useful winter. The potted plants have been lifted and a number of the school-rooms have been decorated with the same, thus giving freshness and beauty to scenes within doors. John Frost has gone to his home in Big Timber, Mon., where he has cattle interests to look after. John, in his short stay at Carlisle, proved himself to be a young man of the highest type in point of character and fidelity to duty. We shall all miss him and none more than his teachers and the officers with whom he closely associated. Two years ago at the Fair a common $50 set of harness took the premium over William Springer's handsome handmade set afterwards sold for $150, hence Mr. Kemp was not greatly surprised when this year a handsome set made by Thomas Metoxen was crowded out of the main building over into the horticultural department. This harness received favorable mention in the town papers, however, and Thomas received a diploma. The Regulars have reorganized, and defeated the Union Reserves by a score of 19 to 4, last Saturday. The players are as follows: Robert Silas, pitcher; Ota C. Eagle, catcher and captain; Jos. Taylor, 1st base; Peter Cornelius, 2nd base; Levi St. Cyr, 3rd base; Albert Metoxen, short stop; Edwin Schanandore, center field; Josiah Powlas, left field; Jimison Schanandore, right field; Reuben Wolf, substitute; Mr. Wm. P. Campbell, Manager. It is an actual fact corroborated by observations of one of our teachers that on the Sisseton reservation, North Dakota, an Indian who had received his per capita proportion of money paid for lands recently by the Government invested from three to four hundred dollars in a hearse, which some livery stable keeper made him believe was just the thing for a family carriage. Percy Kable is working for one of the traders at Cheyenne Agency, I.T. Miss Frances C. Wright and niece Miss Willetts, of Sea Girt, N.J., were among the visitors last week. A monument is to be erected to the memory of the six Indian policemen who were killed in the capture of Sitting Bull. A note from Richard Yellow Robe enclosing ten cents for the HELPER, says he is Assistant Agency Farmer, at Rosebud, Dak. Miss Rogers, Assistant Secretary of the Women's Presbyterian Home Mission Board, was an interested visitor, last week. Mr. Reighter was taken suddenly ill last Thursday afternoon and was obliged to leave the tailor shop and go to his home in town. He is again on duty. A skilful person can manage a coal fire and make the coal last twice as long as one who is careless and stupid. It is all in the way the drafts are managed. The west end of the girls' quarters is about completed and is very nice. Heat is turned into the radiators, and general preparations are being made for the incoming girls, today. Miss Cora M. Folsom, one of the editors of the *Southern Workman,* Hampton, Va., favored us with a visit recently. She is at work on a biographical catalogue of the Indian pupils of Hampton Institute. -[*Word Carrier,* Santee, Nebraska. "I write for another year's subscription. I think the INDIAN HELPER the most delightful paper that I ever read. Saturday morning, I read it while I eat my breakfast and I'd much rather go without my breakfast than my HELPER. -[A Philadelphia Friend. An account of the Indian Conference, held at Mohonk Lake, N.Y., on the 7th, 8th, and 9th, will be given in the October number of the *Red Man,* which will be out not much before the end of the month, from present indications. This issue of the *Red Man* will also contain Capt. Pratt's annual report and full excerpts from the strong and most excellent report of the Honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Miss Rote is about to leave us after six years of most faithful, efficient and acceptable service as matron of the teachers' Club. Her many friends at the school, especially the members of the Club, will miss her quiet, gentle, kindly attentions, always so freely and willingly given, and can but wish that she did not feel it right to take the step, while all willingly given, and can but wish that she did not feel it right to take the step, while all willingly concede that she knows her own wishes best. It being extremely difficult to find just the proper person to grace this place of dignity and responsibility, after the efforts in vain of a committee appointed by the Club to look up such a one, Mrs. Pratt, ever ready for emergencies, kindly volunteers to look after the affairs of the Club till such suitable person as all can agree upon, shall be found for the position of matron. That the Club feels very greatly indebted to Mrs. Pratt for thus offering to help it over the breach, need not be said, and that each and every member will feel under special obligations to do his and her part to make as light as possible the duties of our care-taker is also certain. ================================================== (page 4) (Continued From the First Page.) -------------------------------------------------- A BUSIER SCHOOL THAN CARLISLE. Miss Stanton, who was transferred from our school to Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas, at the beginning of the present year, says in a business letter, a part of which we take the liberty to print: "This is, if possible, a busier place than Carlisle, at least *I* feel more crowded. Perhaps the newness of things is the cause. "The workings of Haskell will compare quite a favorably with Carlisle, all things considered. "Our work is very much crippled by insufficient accommodations for the number of children - 450 pupils and only six schoolrooms. "Other rooms have been pressed into use, but why not have rooms which will allow us to do the *most* with the time and opportunity? Our Government can afford it. A BRIGHT PUPIL. "In questioning my school about Washington City the other day, they said it was the capital of the United States. "I then asked what was meant by 'capital.' "A little nine-year-old quickly answered: "The boss.'" ------------------------------------ They Thought the Man-on-the-band-stand Could not see Them. Away over in Chester county, the other day, two of our girls went chestnutting, but to use one of the girl's expressions, "We could not found any, so," she says, "we turned out to be walnut pickers. "We was sitting by a little stream and washing our walnuts, while we take the shell out off, then we said the old Man-on-the-band-stand didn't saw what we are doing in on this day, even though he is wise. "This was asked me once, 'Is the Man-on-the-band-stand an old Indian chief?' but I could not tell, because I only saw him once in old chapel, but I couldn't see whether he was red, black or white, but I guess its every teachers are the Man-on-the-band-stands." For the benefit of the writer of this letter and several others who have recently asked who the Man-on-the-band-stand is we will volunteer the information that he is red, but the word is spelt r-e-a-d. In fact he is the NEWS personified. ---------- Volume VII, No. 1 of THE INDIAN HELPER comes to our table much improved with a brand new and novel heading. The INDIAN HELPER is one of the best papers published in an Indian Industrial Training School. Long live the HELPER and the M.O.T.B.s. -*Good Will Press.* Boys, Let us Learn To be useful; To be truthful; To be manly; To be polite in manners; The value of time and money; Careful and correct business habits; How to do things WELL; How to get the most for our money; The habits of cleanliness and good order; To avoid profane and indecent language; To be neat and genteel in our appearance; And we will have reached a long way on the road to success. --------- "I have taken the Ind. HLPER for almost a year and it is such a bright little paper, I would feel lost without it. I have learned a great deal about the Indians through it and would rather be an Indian girl who had won a place in the world for herself than own thousands of dollars. SUBSCRIBER." --------- A BIBLE PUZZLE. A well-known clergyman was asked to solve the following puzzle. The reverend gentleman worked at it faithfully but was obliged to give it up. Let us see how many of our boys and girls can answer: If all the children that King Herod killed were buried in such a manner that only their arms from the elbow to the tips of their fingers were visible above the ground, how could you distinguish the arms of the boys from those of the girls? --------- ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S ENIGMA: English Speaking. ==================================================== STANDING OFFER. Premiums will be forwarded free to persons sending subscriptions for the INDIAN HELPER, as follows: 1. For one subscription and a 2-cent stamp extra, a printed copy of the Pueblo photo advertised below in paragraph 5. 2. For two subscriptions and a 1-cent stamp extra, the printed copy of Apache contrast, the original photo of which, composing two groups, on separate cards (8x10), may be had by sending 30 subscriptions and 5 cents extra. (This is the most popular photograph we have ever had taken, as it shows such a decided contrast between a group of Apaches as they arrived and the same pupils four months later.) 3. For five subscriptions and a 1-cent stamp extra, a group of the 17 Indian printer boys. Name and tribe of each given. Or, pretty faced pappoose in Indian cradle. Or, Richard Davis and family. 4. For seven subscriptions and a 2-cent stamp extra, a boudoir combination showing all our prominent buildings. 5. For ten subscriptions and a 2-cent stamp extra, two photographs, one showing a group of Pueblos as they arrived in their Indian dress and another of the same pupils three years after, showing marked and interesting contrast. Or, a contrast of a Navajo boy as he arrived and a few years after. 6. For fifteen subscriptions and 5-cents extra, a group of the whole school (9x14), faces show distinctly. Or, 8x10 photo of prominent Sioux chiefs. Or, 8x10 photo of Indian baseball club. Or, 8x10 photo of graduating classes, choice of '89, '90, '91. Or, 8x10 photo of buildings. 7. For forty subscriptions and 7-cents extra, a copy of "Stiya, a returned Carlisle Indian girl at home." Without accompanying extra for postage, premiums will not be sent. ================================================= Transcribed from the original by Barbara Landis-- http://www.carlisleindianschool.org There is a discussion page and blog linked among the menu options on the web pages. ================================================== Barbara C. Landis Carlisle Indian School Research Pages http://www.epix.net/~landis Tel: 717.418.2158 (cell) --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Monday, November 15, 2004 01:18 am From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of November 15-21 NOWEMAPA November Welehu 15 In this land, it is always spring. 16 The path of self-knowledge is different for every person. 17 If I can hear the ocean's song and feel the wind's caress, then I am at peace. 18 All things return to the ocean at last. 19 Wishes made by starlight are wishes born of the heart. 20 The fairy terns are pale ghosts against the night sky. 21 The haunting call of the pueo invokes the spirit of the wind. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Rustywire Poem: I am Desolate and Barren" --------- Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 08:27:29 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE POEM: SURVIVE" http://www.geocities.com/rustywire/starship/survive.html I am Desolate and Barren by Johnny Rustywire I am desolate, barren void of joy, happiness and contentment a despair emerges from the depths holding and binding me as a lamb to the slaughter where go I about this land tinseled and oh how it glistens brightness and shiny before me it glows it is a cold as ice like blue steel it touches me so, it is my life Roaming about the earth I go so fearful I have nothing to utter not a word I have left my kin and they know not why where shall I go though the world dances I stand still walls of stone surround me Look at him, lo the fool, he calls to me let me laugh at your struggle gloat with glee at your despair he stands looking at me, Black God He calls to me take a step, it is all that you need to do go ahead, it is easy, you are tired my child come with me he says, in a moment it will all pass come with me, leave that world behind you have suffered enough, come with me you have not seen this part of life it is easy, no one cares, walk this way it is a short step and you are here with me leave all that behind, the hurt, the pain come into the abyss, into nothingness you shall feel it all fall away leave it all behind, step this way my child I can see his face, he hides nothing his sweet breath calls cold and emptiness, he is nothing except to hear him say, come with me journey down this path you have not known it is easy come with me I stand and look at his face, Black God he beckons me to come and here I stand one more step and it is done it sounds so easy, so caressing I look back one more time at all there is behind me turning around I have to go back though I want to leave it all behind Black God his fingers tear at my heart I am torn, rent, tattered and old I feel the pain once more somehow I will go on with Black God watching me he still calls and faintly he moves on I want to leave this place how did I get here I turn and walk back To my life, and it calls out to me I stand in the midst of the noise and glare I see it all once again I am alive I have survived I have survived Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon 22 Nov 2004 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= Events are too numerous to list for the entire year and are updated periodically. =================================== Andersons-web.com http://andersons-web.com/native_events.htm Updated July 21, 2004 January 14 -16, 2005: The 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow by NAIA in Shelbyville, Tennessee at the Calsonic Indoor Arena. For more information visit the web site at: http://tennesseewinterfestpowwow.gem-of-r.com You can e-mail: tuhaniesa@charter.net July 6 - 9, 2005: National Powwow 13 Vermillion County Fairgrounds Danville, Illinois. See the web site at: http://www.nationalpowwow.com A word of advice, no matter how hard we try, mistakes happen! Please try to get in contact with the event staff and verify the important information before leaving for it. ========================================================================= Crazy Crow Trading Post Updated July 21, 2004 http://www.crazycrow.com/events_nativeamerican/ NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN POWWOW CALENDAR This Native American Indian powwow calendar and related events listing is brought to you as a courtesy of Crazy Crow Trading Post to help keep you up-to-date on the latest powwows & events. We will do our best to validate the accuracy of the information provided, including checking links to web sites, but cannot be responsible for inaccuracies. Check with the contact names and website links of powwow event sponsors for the latest info. N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 4 November 19-21: Thanksgiving-n-da-Woods Rendezvous Location: Near Clyde, KS More Information Coming Soon. Nov 19-21: Three Rivers Rendezvous Location: Southeast Kansas, 3/4 mile north of Peru, KS 67360 Event Detail: Three River's is a non-profit club with only one goal in mind having fun and living back in time of the days of mountain men, traders, trappers and craftsmen of the 1840s. We are located just north of Peru, Kansas on 60 acres, so watch for the signs on Hwy. 166 at Peru, Kansas. Our activities include: black powder shoots, flintlocks and side hammer (rifle and pistol), shotguns, long bows, hawk and knife throws, primitive and semi-modern camping, outdoor cooking, fire starting with flint, wood provided, fire-side chats, singing or just plain old tall tells, games and learning for kids and grown-ups. Contact: Ron Paslay, phone: 620-725-3371, email: drifter@hit.net ========================================================================== Aboriginal Multi-Media Society Updated July 21, 2004 Aboriginal Community Events Listing http://www.ammsa.com/ammsaevents.html DECEMBER December 31, 2004 & January 1, 2005 New Years Pow Wow Leech Lake Tribal College Cass Lake, Minnesota 1 (800) 442-3642 (218) 335-7400 2005 January 14,15,16, 2005 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow Sponsored by the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee (NAIA) Location: Calsonic Indoor Arena Shelbyville, Tennessee Contest including Drum Contest Concert Equine Presentation Contact: Barbara Burch: tuhaniesa@charter.net Web-site: tennesseewinterfestpowwow Sept 23 - 26, 2005 Gathering of the Good Minds A Celebration of First Nations Arts and Wisdom FREE ADMISSION London, Ontario Contact: Dan & Mary (519) 659-4682 Email: dsmoke@uwo.ca ========================================================================== Whispering Winds Updated July 21, 2004 A Magazine of American Indian Crafts*Material Culture*Powwow http://www.whisperingwind.com/ NOVEMBER 2004 20 7th Annual White Star Gourd Dance Society Gourd Dance & Social. Clermont Lions Club, Clermont, IN. Info: (812) 327-6875. 25-28 25th Annual Chambers Farm Thanksgiving Pow Wow. Fort McCoy, Florida. \ chambersfarm.org or contact Michael @ 513-423-8866/ext103. JANUARY 2005 15 Morning Star Celebration, A Benefit Powoww for St Labre Indian School. John Carroll School, Bel Air, MD. Info: 410-838-8333 x2002. Vendors call 410-885-2800 15-16 1st Annual Tennessee American Indian WinterFest & Powwow. Shelbyville, TN, Calsonic Indoor Arena. Info: Barbara Burch @tuhaniesa@charter.net Web-site: http://tennesseewinterfestpowwow.gem-of-r.com/ MARCH 2005 4-6 M.T.S.U. American Indian Festival. Info: Georgia Dennis at powwow@mtsu.edu or www.mtsu.edu/~powwow or call 615-898-5645 or fax 615-904-8263 4-6 24th Annual Powwow sponsored by The Strong Hearts native Society. Ft Yuma Quechan Reservation, Winterhaven, CA. Info: (760) 572-0222. 11-13 9th Annual Apache Gold Casino Resort Powwow. Glove, AZ. Info: 1-800-APACHE8 ext. 3248 APRIL 2005 1-3 23rd Annual Chambers Farm Spring Pow Wow. Fort McCoy, Florida. Southeast U.S. largest free pow wow. Website: chambersfarm.org or contact Michael@ 513-423-8866/ext103. JUNE 2005 18-19 Plains Indian Museum Powwow. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY. www.bbhc.org/events JULY 2005 6-9 National Powwow 13. Vermillion County Fairgrounds, Danville, IL. www.nationalpowwow.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- 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, Gary Smith, Janet Smith, Chris Milda, Johnnie Rustywire, Debbie Sanders, Barbara Landis --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 12, Issue 047 /____/ November 20, 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: Jeanette Clark Cassa" --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="JEANETTE CLARK CASSA" http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2004/11/10/news/news02.txt November 10, 2004 San Carlos loses one of its beloved elders By Seth Pilsk and Diane Drobka, contributing writers The San Carlos Apache Tribe and the entire Apache world have lost one of their most remarkable leaders and advocates, Jeanette Clark Cassa. She passed away at the age of 75 on Oct. 10. A wake and rite of Christian burial were celebrated on Oct. 15 and 16. Cassa led an active life driven by an abiding will to serve her community. In her later years, her concern for the future of her community and grandchildren and a thirst for knowledge dominated her life. She was very concerned for the younger people in San Carlos and throughout Indian country. It was for them that she worked so hard. She spent what should have been her retirement years learning in minute detail the Apache knowledge and science that has been passed down for thousands of years and the sense of belonging, health and respect that this knowledge provides. Ten years ago, she founded the Elders' Cultural Advisory Council in San Carlos and served as its coordinator, actively documenting the tribe's traditions and botanical knowledge. The council, with Cassa as the lead for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, ensured the return of Apache sacred objects from museums to be put back in the mountains, according to Apache tradition. The group was so successful that they were nationally recognized for their ground-breaking work. In 2000, the Elders' Council was awarded high honors by Harvard University's Honoring Nations program. Cassa was also a frequent speaker at cultural and tribal conferences. In 2003, her talk, "Developing Systems to Support the Cultural Way of Life of Your Tribe," was presented to the One Voice for Change Tribal Summit. As the tribe's cultural adviser, she provided opinions to proposals on both tribal lands and adjoining traditional cultural properties based on her vast knowledge of Apache tradition and culture. In the Gila Valley, Cassa is probably best known for her participation and guidance in the Southeastern Arizona Cultural Internship Program. This summer internship - hosted by the Bureau of Land Management, the city of Safford, Graham County, Phelps Dodge and the San Carlos Apache Tribe - gave groups of high school students from Graham and Greenlee counties an opportunity to learn about job opportunities in the area and the diverse cultures in the Gila Valley. One week of the internship was spent at San Carlos, where participants learned about the tribe's many responsibilities, including forestry and recreation, and issues facing the tribe. Interns also had a chance to receive hands-on experience in the creation of traditional Apache foods and crafts. Cassa was instrumental in the tribe's support of this program. Cassa was born on March 20, 1929, in Seven Mile Wash to the late Florence Allen Clark and Peter Clark. She was raised Apache, living in her great grandparents' wickiup. Her childhood was shortened when she and her brothers and sister were orphaned. She remembered the hunger and cold of childhood, the sense of not belonging after being orphaned, the early responsibility of caring for her younger family and separation from her relatives in Mescalero. She also remembered, however, the warmth of her brothers and sister in their grass bed in the wickiup, the comforting sounds of their great-grandparents next to them, her dear cousins, running outside, the early morning prayers sung before dawn and the respect that they were taught in those early days. Eventually, with no place for them to stay, the orphans enrolled in a boarding school. After graduation in 1947, Cassa returned home, where she and her husband started a family. They worked various jobs in San Jose and Dallas, eventually returning to San Carlos to stay. She immediately began relearning her Apache language and could read and write in Apache. She helped with many translations and was a certified bilingual educator. Cassa never lost that sense of respect, caring for others and closeness to the natural world. She often spoke of relationships being the most important thing in Apache life. To survive and thrive requires that one carefully maintain one's relationships in life. Cassa believed that one has to be brutally honest about one's abilities and shortcomings and consciously combat pride, so that one doesn't harm others. She also believed the relationship with family and friends is important because these are the people that you rely on for help, and they, in turn, rely on you. Another element of her belief system was the importance of a relationship with the natural world - the plants, animals, insects, rocks and beings that cover the earth. Being aware of all these things and treating them with respect ensures that they will be there for you when you need food, medicine, shelter and companionship. Above all, Cassa believed one must always maintain a relationship with God, giving thanks for life and all the things that sustain us. Cassa worked hard to gather information from elders to educate tribal members about these relationships, and it was her greatest wish that this information make its way to the Apache communities. She worked closely with elders from White Mountain, Payson and Camp Verde, documenting their knowledge of plants, animals and elements in the Apache world. She compiled and translated information for future generations to be used in a series of books for tribal members. Cassa was an outspoken advocate for the preservation of traditional Apache knowledge and wanted these values to guide the community. Her work will ensure that future generations know and cherish these traditions. Many of Cassa's friends and family members gathered to celebrate her extraordinary life and achievements at a special party in her honor on Sept. 17, 2004, at the San Carlos High School. Cassa is survived by six daughters, Velma Swift, Janet Pahe and Francelia Cassa of San Carlos, Darlene Singleterry of Jemison, Ala., Carmen Stuart of Newport, Tenn., and Lorna Jean Jones of New Bern, N.C.; two sons, Samuel Cassa of San Carlos and Burnette Dale Cassa of Lompoc, Calif.; one brother, Martinez Clark of Oakland, Calif.; 33 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Burnette, sister, Josephine Russell, and brothers, Christopher and Benedict Clark. Copyright c. 2004 Eastern Arizona Courier. --------- "RE: Ambrose Pechuli Sr." --------- Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="AMBROSE PECHULI SR." http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2004/11/10/news/news02.txt November 10, 2004 Ambrose Pechuli Sr. Ambrose Pechuli Sr., 64, of Peridot passed away Oct. 28 in Peridot. Wake service was held Friday, Nov. 5, at the Pechuli residence. The funeral service was Saturday, Nov. 6, in the World Evangelism Church. Interment followed at the Veterans Cemetery in San Carlos - Morris Safford Funeral Home. Daren Natsyn Jr. of Bylas passed away Oct. 31 at the young age of 12. A wake was Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Natsyn residence. The funeral service was Sunday, Nov. 7, at Stanley Hall. Interment followed at Black Point Cemetery in Bylas - Morris Safford Funeral Home. John Jackson passed away Oct. 30 in Mesa at the age of 20. A wake was held Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Pahe residence. The funeral service was Sunday, Nov. 7, at the American Indian Church. Interment followed at Elgo Cemetery in San Carlos - Morris Safford Funeral Home. Stanley Pasley Jr., 80, of Safford passed away Nov. 5. Services were held Nov. 8, and Nov. 9 - Morris Safford Funeral Home. Rita Edwards, 69, of San Carlos passed away Nov. 4 Services are being conducted by Morris Safford Funeral Home. Funeral services for David Knight, 72, a lifelong resident of the Gila Valley, will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Mount Graham LDS Chapel by Bishop Bernie Elicio. Concluding services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Further visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Mount Graham LDS Chapel Relief Society Room - Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Funeral services for Nina Reed, 93, of Safford, will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Thatcher LDS Stake Center. Concluding services will follow in the Graham Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening at Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Further visitation is scheduled for Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Thatcher LDS Stake Center Relief Society Room - Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Copyright c. 2004 Eastern Arizona Courier. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" November 10, 2004 Mildred L. Oxendine Cameron Mildred L. "Granny" Oxendine, 87, of Cameron, died Nov. 7, 2004, at her home. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Home Baptist Church in Vass, the Revs. Weymon Oxendine and Henry Grant officiating. Burial will follow at the Johnson Grove Cemetery. Surviving are four sons, Clester Oxendine Jr. of Aberdeen, Charles Wesley Oxendine of Pinebluff, Weldon Oxendine of Cameron, and James A. Martin of Vass; six daughters, Dorothy Evans of Eagle Springs, Katie Wright and Dorothea Wright, both of Aberdeen, Rhonda Buie of Cameron, Lisa Hart of Florence, Texas, and Rose Marie Chavez of Georgia; three brothers, Horace Burnett and Clesley Burnett, both of Lumberton ,and Herbert Burnett of Pembroke; two sisters, Ethel Jacobs and Essalene Jacobs, both of Lumberton; 29 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and eight great- great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at Boles Funeral Home and Crematory in Southern Pines. Copyright c. 2004 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- November 12, 2004 Archie Locklear LAURINBURG - Archie Locklear, 79, of 301 Maple St., died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, in his home. Mr. Locklear worked as an electrician with the city of Laurinburg and McCarter Electric before retiring. Services: Funeral, 11 a.m. Saturday in Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial in Hillside Memorial Park. Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium in Laurinburg. Survived by: Wife, Mildred; sons, James, Robert and Ricky; daughters, Geraldine Covington, Shirley Martin, Carol Melton and Dianne Hudson; stepson, J.C. Hunt; stepdaughters, Mary Hunt and Doris Hunt; 17 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. November 13, 2004 Wordie Oxendine PEMBROKE - Mrs. Wordie Oxendine, 75, of Pembroke, died Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, in Sunbridge Care Rehab. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Sunday, Harpers Ferry Baptist Church. Burial, Lumbee Memorial Gardens, Lumberton Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at Revels Funeral Home in Pembroke. Survived by: Daughter, Brenda Perleth; son, Bobby; sister, Moncel Morrison; brothers, Jerry Cummings and Jerald Cummings; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. November 15, 2004 Gail H. Oxendine LUMBERTON - Mrs. Gail Hunt Oxendine, 50, of N.C. 211, Lot No. 2, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center. Services: Funeral, 2 p.m. Tuesday in Floyd Memorial Chapel. Burial in Floyd Memory Gardens. Visitation: 7 to 9 tonight at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory in Lumberton. Survived by: Husband, Eugene; son, Brian Carter; brothers, Johnny Hunt, Robert Hunt, Bobby Hunt and Mearl Hunt Jr.; sisters, Judy Jones, Lisa Britt, Shelia Barksdale and Willa Hunt; and three grandchildren. Copyright c. 2004 The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. -=-=-=- November 12, 2004 Charlotte Hornbuckle Cherokee - Charlotte Hornbuckle of Cherokee died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, at Skyland Care Center after a period of declining health. Melton-Riddle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 Asheville Citizen-Times. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Phillip Sam Phillip Sam, 38, of Minneapolis, died on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chiminising Community Center on the Mille Lacs Reservation near Isle with Lee Staples officiating. Burial will be in Isle Sunset Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Copyright c. 2004 Mille Lacs Messenger/Isle, MN. -=-=-=- November 13, 2004 Isadore William Perkins Isadore William Perkins, (Indian Name, Chi MookomaaN meaning "Big Knife"), 71, of Ponemah, died on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, at Jourdain- Perpich Extended Care Center in Red Lake. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Blackduck assisting the family with the arrangements. Traditional Indian services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah with Spiritual Leader Tom Stillday Jr. officiating. A wake will begin at noon today at the Ponemah Community Center and will continue until the time of services on Monday. Burial will be in Perkins' Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah. Copyright c. 2004 The Pioneer/Bemidji, MN. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 Clement Looking Back Little Eagle - Clement Looking Back, 38, of Little Eagle died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at the Medical Center One Hospital in Bismarck, N.D. Arrangements are pending with Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge. Copyright c. 2004 Aberdeen American News. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Mildred Banks, Lower Brule Mildred Faye Banks, 64, Lower Brule, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004, at Mid Dakota Medical Center, Chamberlain. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Lower Brule High School Gymnasium, Lower Brule. Burial will be in the Messiah Episcopal Cemetery, Iron Nation. Visitation will begin at 8 p.m. today and Thursday at the gymnasium. Copyright c. 2004 The Daily Republic/Mitchell, South Dakota. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 Laura Condon An all-night wake for Laura Condon, 85, Eagle Butte, will begin at 7 p.m. today at H.V. Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. A second wake will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Community Gym in Cherry Creek. Windelyn Shoulderblade LAME DEER, Mont. - Windelyn Shoulderblade, 53, Lame Deer, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Deaconess Billings Clinic. A wake will begin at 8 p.m. today and Wednesday, Nov. 9 and 10, in Lame Deer. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Lame Deer Boys and Girls Club. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is in charge of arrangements. November 10, 2004 Clement Looking Back LITTLE EAGLE - Clement Looking Back, 38, Little Eagle, died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at Medical Center One Hospital in Bismarck, N.D. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, with a prayer service at 6 p.m., at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Elk Horn Congregational Church in Little Eagle, with the Rev. Leslie Bobtail Bear, the Rev. Harvey Schmeichel and the Rev. Dana Covey officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Desmond J. Red Star PINE RIDGE - Desmond J. Red Star, 22, Pine Ridge, died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in Lincoln, Neb. Survivors include his parents, Lina Long, Lincoln, and the Rev. James Jumping Eagle, Minneapolis; his stepfather, Darwin Long Sr., Porcupine; one brother, Darwin Long Jr., Yankton; and four sisters, Jennifer Long and Vanessa Long, both of Pine Ridge, and Goldie Long and Desert Long, both of Lincoln. A two-night wake will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Billy Mills Hall, with the Rev. Abraham Tobacco officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Episcopal Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Alexis Y. Waters PINE RIDGE - Alexis Y. Waters, infant, Pine Ridge, was stillborn Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, in Pine Ridge. Survivors include her parents, Jeremy Waters and Leslie Pond, both of Pine Ridge; one brother, Tyrell Pond, Pine Ridge; her maternal grandmother, Edie Bissonette, Pine Ridge; and her paternal grandparents, Charles Waters and Charlene Roberts, both of Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, with the Rev. Steve Sanford officiating. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. November 12, 2004 Norma Lone Elk OGLALA - Norma Lone Elk, 63, Oglala, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include two sons, James Lone Elk Jr. and Wade Lone Elk, both of Oglala; two daughters, Loretta Lone Elk, Oglala, and Charlotte Lone Elk, St. Louis, Mo.; one brother, Francis He Crow, Pine Ridge; and 12 grandchildren. A one-night wake will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Brother Rene Catholic Hall in Oglala. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at the hall, with the Rev. Asa Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Makasan Presbyterian Cemetery in Oglala. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. Jolene Red Cloud RAPID CITY - Jolene Red Cloud, 41, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include her mother, Patricia Red Cloud, LaFollette, Tenn.; one sister, Devan England, Caryville, Tenn.; one son, Charles Red Cloud, Chicago; and one daughter, Trisha Walters, Lawton, Mich. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in Wisconsin. November 13, 2004 Gerald Benedict "Soup" Agard McLAUGHLIN - Gerald Benedict "Soup" Agard, Mahto-cha-nu-pa, 53, McLaughlin, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, in McLaughlin. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. CST Monday, Nov. 15, at Oster Funeral Home in Mobridge. An all-night wake will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at Rock Creek Grant School Gym in Bullhead. Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the gym, with the Rev. Kerry Prendiville officiating. Burial will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church Cemetery in Bullhead. Albert T. Wilcox RAPID CITY - Albert T. Wilcox, 62, Rapid City, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, in Rapid City. He served in the U.S. Navy. Survivors include one son, Marvis Bad Cob, Wanblee; one daughter, Mavis Wilcox, Wanblee; one brother, William Wilcox, Rapid City; three sisters, Geneva Gonzalez, Rapid City, Zona Brown, Pine Ridge, and Florence Wilcox, Denver; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A first-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee. A second-night wake will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at Mother Butler Center in Rapid City. Services will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Mother Butler Center. Burial will be at noon Tuesday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge and Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home of Rapid City are in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 the Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Taka X. GoodTracks Taka X. GoodTracks, an active member of the Native American Church as a drummer, cedarman and fireman, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, in Las Cruces, N.M. The cause of death was not disclosed. He was 42. Mr. GoodTracks was born in Durango on Nov. 26, 1961. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Williams GoodTracks of Ignacio; his adoptive father, Jimm GoodTracks of Kansas; six children, Juniper, Sebastian, Gabriella, Isabella, Alexandra and Clayton; a granddaughter, Tierra; two sisters, Pathimi, Jennifer and cousin Corliss Taylor, all of Ignacio; and three brothers, Robb, Lark and Waukeen, all of Ignacio. Mr. GoodTracks' maternal grandparents were the late John Spencer Williams and Cora Allen Burch. His paternal grandparents were the late William Cloud Monte and Ruth Chavez Archuleta. Mr. GoodTracks is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. Evening wake services will be held at 7 p.m. today at the home of Waukeen GoodTracks, 164 Howe Drive, County Road 517, Ignacio. Native American Church songs will be sung in memory of Mr. GoodTracks. A sunrise ceremony will be conducted by Terry Knight on Wednesday, as Mr. GoodTracks had participated in the Sundance for many years. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Ignatius Church in Ignacio, where Mr. GoodTracks was baptized and attended church as a young boy. Interment will take place at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery. Dinner will be served at the Sky Ute Casino's Rolling Thunder Hall after burial services. November 10, 2004 Paul G. Eaton Paul G. Eaton, 90, died on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004. He lived on the Uintah-Ouray Indian Reservation all his adult life, and chose to live the past 10 years at the Uintah Care Center in Vernal, Utah. Mr. Eaton served in the front lines of World War II from 1943-1945. He served his tour of duty in Germany, loading torpedoes into the large artillery guns. He always said that the only way he and his buddies stayed alive was by jumping into nearby foxholes when they heard the whistling of enemy gunfire overhead. Mr. Eaton did not want to talk about his war days much, but he appreciated the magnitude of his experiences. After he came back from the war, he worked for the U.S. government at the dairy farm for the Ute Vocational Indian School in Ignacio. He was a fireman for the old power plant, stoking the fire to heat all the old government buildings at the Southern Ute Agency. In 1960, Mr. Eaton married Effe Wash, from Fort Duchesne, Utah. After she passed away, he did not want to return home to Ignacio. He always said: "Everyone that I knew are all gone. My aunt Nana is gone. I want to stay here." Mr. Eaton is survived by his sisters, Shirley Frost and Effie Monte of Ignacio, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Hood Mortuary. The rosary will be said at 6 p.m. today at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, in Ignacio. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Ignatius Catholic Church with the Monsignor Daniel Huber officiating. Burial will follow at Ouray Memorial Cemetery in Ignacio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Uintah Care Center, 500 W. 510 South, Vernal, Utah. Top of Page Copyright c. 2004 Durango Herald. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 Diane Sue Oxley Chandler resident Diane Sue Oxley, 59, died Saturday, Nov. 6, in Oklahoma City. Wake service will be 7 p.m. today at the Sac and Fox Community Building in Stroud. Graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Sac and Fox Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Morris officiating Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Stroud is directing arrangements. Copyright c. 1997-2004 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- November 14, 2004 Andrea Williams The funeral for Andrea Renee Williams, 21, of Fairview will be 10 a.m. Monday at Nazarene Church in Fairview. The traditional dinner feast will be held at noon at Indian Baptist Church in Watonga. Burial will follow in Canton Cemetery. Arrangements are by Haigler Funeral Home Inc. A traditional wake service will be from 7 to 10 p.m. today at Canton Community Center. She was born March 10, 1983, in Lawton to Daryl and Vera Chain Williams and died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004. She grew up in the Fairview community and graduated from Fairview High School in 2001 with high honors. She was listed in Who's Who and was a member of the Honor Society. She was in her second year at Northern Oklahoma College. She was employed at Vinton Baker Ford in Fairview. Surviving are her parents, Daryl Williams and Vera Bell, both of Watonga; four sisters, Stacy Williams of Watonga, Jessica Haigler of Canton, Marinda Williams of Watonga and Yolanda Williams of Wannero, Calif.; two brothers, Colby Bell of Enid and Joel Williams of Watonga. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. Copyright c. 2004 The Enid News & Eagle. -=-=-=- November 11, 2004 Jimmie Charlie, Sr. Newcomb Feb. 2, 1949 - Nov. 4, 2004 Jimmie Charlie Sr., 55, of Newcomb, passed from this life on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Two Grey Hills. Jimmie was born Feb. 2, 1949, to Morris and Mary Begay Charley in Farmington. Services will be at 11 a.m., today, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, at Toadlena Christian Reform Church, Toadlena. He will then be laid to rest at Toadlena Community Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, 458 CR 6100, Kirtland, (505) 598-9636. November 14, 2004 Richard Charlie Veneno-Antone Dulce Nov. 9, 2004 Our little angel, Richard Charlie Veneno-Antone of Dulce, went home too soon on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque. He came to us on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004, and left us all too soon. Graveside services were held Friday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Dulce Community Cemetery with Pastor William DeBoer officiating. Interment followed. Arrangements were under the care of Cope Memorial Chapel of Farmington, (505) 327-5142. Copyright c. 2004 Farmington Daily Times, a Gannett Co., Inc. newspaper. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 Evelyn T. Mike TOHATCHI - Services for Evelyn T. Mike, 104, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Tohatchi Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Cope Memorial Chapel. Mike died Nov. 6 in Gallup. She was born July 6, 1900 in Black Water Springs into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Tangle People Clan. Mike attended Sherman Institution and Riverside school for nursing. She worked at Wingate Boarding School and El Rancho Hotel and was a foster grandparent in Tohatchi. Mike enjoyed weaving, sheep herding, cooking and ranching. Survivors include her brothers, Roy Toney, Edward Tony; sister, Alice Toney; 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 61 great-great- grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren. Mike was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Mike; sons Henry Begay Sr., and Edward Begay and her parents Ned Tony and Shibah Tony . Pallbearers will be Wilsell Chee, Delbert Begay, Patrick Toney, Roy Chee, Wilfred Chee and Toby Charley. The family will receive relatives and friends at Roy Toney's residence in Buffalo Springs. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements. David Allen Lee, Sr. RED LAKE - Services for David Allen Lee, Sr., 57, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Navajo. Pastor Steve Greene will officiate. Burial will be on a family plot in Red Lake. Lee died Nov. 4 in Phoenix. He was born May 9, 1947 in Red Lake into the Zuni People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan. Lee attended Fort Defiance Boarding School and graduated from Window Rock High School in 1966. Lee joined the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutists Badge and Sharpshooter awards. Lee worked with Navajo Engineering and Construction and the B.I.A. with roads department, retiring in 1995. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and auto mechanics. Survivors include his sons, David A. Lee of Window Rock; daughter, Deborah A. Lee of Gallup; brother, Timothy Yazzie of Red Lake; sisters, Loretta Lee, Karen King both of Red Lake, Gloria Dennison of Gallup, Barbara Chischilly of Albuquerque, Valencia Descheenie of Phoenix and six grandchildren. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, John Tom Lee, Lorraine Roanhorse; grandparents, Frank Crawford, Akinabah Roanhorse; and brother, Mica Yazzie, Sr. Pallbearers will be Lydell Chischilly, Kevin King, Ian Lee, Derek Descheenie, Seymour Yazzie and Donald Lee. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. November 10, 2004 Tommy Charley ARTESIA - Funeral services for Tommy Charley, 44, will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Iyanbito Gospel Lighthouse Church. Pastor Mark Thomas will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Charley died Nov. 6 in Artesia. He was born Jan. 27, 1960 in Gallup into the Towering House People Clan for the Meadow People Clan. He was employed in the oil fields as a mechanic. Survivors include his mother, Esther Charley of Iyanbito; father, Tom Morgan of Pinedale; son, Leander Charley of Artesia; daughters, Aszahbah Charley, Vanessa Charley both of Artesia; brother, Melvin Charley of Iyanbito; sister Melinda Chee of Iyanbito. Charley was preceded in death by his children, Ganelle Charley, Jerrell Thomas Charley, Radelle Genine Charley. Pallbearers will be Aldren Chicharello, Wilfred Murphy, Lawrence Martinez, Victor Chee, Casey Charley and Melvin Robbie Charley, Jr. Compassion Mortuary of Grants, is in charge of arrangements. November 11, 2004 Leroy Bennie Chavez GALLUP - Funeral services for Leroy Bennie Chavez, 66, will be held at 10 a.m. at the Zuni Christian Reform Mission. Pastor Mike Meekoff will officiate. Burial will be in Quincy Panteah Memorial Cemetery. Visitation was held Wednesday evening in Zuni. Chavez died on Nov. 8 in Albuquerque. He was born on July 8, 1938 in Zuni, New Mexico. Chavez was a graduate of Fort Wingate High School and attended Haskell Institute in Kansas. He moved to San Jose, California where he worked for 25 years as a drilling rig operator with the Local Three Union. As a hobby, Chavez started silversmithing in the late 1970's while attending Native American pow-wows throughout the Bay Area. He returned to Zuni and started making fetishes and other carvings. His work has been sold throughout the U.S. and overseas. Survivors include sons Michael R. Chavez of Gallup, Lee D. Chavez and Steve K. Chavez both of Zuni; daughters Carol J. Hughte, Debbie L. Chavez, both of Gallup, Darlene Chavez of Zuni; brother David Chavez of Zuni; sisters Verna Chavez of Zuni and Juana Chavez of Albuquerque; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Chavez was preceded in death by his grandfather Lorenzo Chavez and parents Ervin and Theresa Chavez. Pallbearers will be Alex Chavez, Herbert Him Jr., Vincent Chavez, David G. Chavez Jr., Ephran Chavez, and Burton Chavez. A reception will occur after burial at the Zuni Christian Reform Mission. November 12, 2004 Marcus Kenzie Alonzo LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Funeral services for Marcus Kenzie Alonzo, 27, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Sandmountian Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Julian Gunn officiating. Burial will follow in the Martine family cemetery in Mountian View. Alonzo died Nov. 6 in Las Vegas, Nev. He was born Sept. 18, 1977 in Gallup into the Tangle People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Survivors include his father, Samuel Alonzo, Sr. of Pinehill; mother, Nancy Alonzo of Albuquerque; son, Kenzie Lloyd Alonzo of Laguna; brothers, Malcolm X. Alonzo, Matthias Alonzo, Maynard X. Alonzo, Samuel Alonzo all of Albuquerque, Tyren Jose, Tyson Jose, both of Ramah, Alfonso Lee of El Morro; sisters, Martina Alonzo, Michelle Alonzo, both of Pinehill, Joselyn Jose of Ramah, Brenda Lee Yazzie of Mountian View and grandmother, Annie Alonzo of Pinehill. Alonzo was preceded in death by his mother, Lolita Alonzo; brothers, Melchor K. Alonzo, Irvin Lee, Russell Lee; grandmothers, Alice Alonzo, Florence Martine; grandfathers, Tom Alonzo and Sheppie Alonzo. Pallbearers will be Kerwin Maria, Abishai Martine, George Martine, Jr., Tom Chee Martine, Otis Pino and Ruben Pino. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 13, 2004 Dan B. Begay CHAMBERS - Funeral services for Dan B. Begay, 69, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Indian Holiness Mission, Chambers. Rev. Carl Noggle will officiate. Burial will follow in Wide Ruins cemetery. Begay died Nov. 10 in Albuquerque. He was born July 8, 1935 in Wide Ruins into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Red House People Clan. Begay attended Inter-Mountian school in Utah for five years. He worked with the Union Pacific Railroad for 10 years. He enjoyed tending to sheep and horses. Survivors include his step-daughter, Patricia Begay; brothers, Sam Begay, Emerson Begay; sisters, Sarah Six, Sadie Begay all of Chambers and 11 grandchildren. Begay was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Begay and his parents, Billy and Hattie Begay. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. November 15, 2004 Johnny Wilson TWIN BUTTES - Services for Johnny Wilson, 52, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Pastor Terry Goodin will officiate. Burial will be in the Gallup City Cemetery. Wilson died Nov. 8 in Twin Buttes. He was born April 8, 1952 in Gallup into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Survivors include his brothers, Lee Wilson and Ben Wilson of Twin Buttes. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Annie Wilson, brother, Tom Wilson and maternal grandmother, Mary Ross. Pallbearers will be Anthony Spencer, Mark Spencer, Thomas Benally, Lee Wilson, Eddie Lee and David Begay. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Red Rock Chapter House. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements. Nata Yazzie HOUCK - Funeral services for Nata Yazzie, 92, will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the St. Anslem Catholic Church. Father Cormac will officiate. Burial will be in the Houck Community Cemetery. Yazzie died Nov. 11 in Gallup. He was born Nov. 13, 1913 in Houck into the Towering House People Clan for the Edge Water People Clan. He served in the U.S. Army and retired form the Santa Fe Railroad. He enjoyed herding sheep. Survivors include his sons, Henry L. Yazzie of Houck, Jimmie L. Yazzie of Querino; brothers, John Sam of Houck, Jim Tabaha of Gallup; sisters, Elizabeth Joe of Winslow, Maggie Casuse of Gallup, Emma Wilson of Houck; 11 gradchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in death by his parents, Bah Tabaha and Tabaha Yazzie. Pallbearers will be Randy Joe, Delbert Russell, Gilbert Russell, Jeffery Sam and Jerry Joe. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Houck Chapter House. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2004 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- November 12, 2004 Eugene Arnold Johnson TOPPENISH - Eugene Johnson, 71, of Toppenish, WA, went to the Creator on Wednesday, November 9, 2004 at the Toppenish Community Hospital. Eugene was born October 4, 1933 in Toppenish, WA to John and Mae (Underwood) Johnson. He lived in Tacoma when he was younger, where he delivered papers to the barracks during the war and great depression. He also was a Golden Gloves Boxer for the police gym in Tacoma. Later he moved back here to the Satus, where he helped his Aunt Meg and Uncle George Foster with their cattle ranch. He had some very good memories his whole life through. He was always ready to go if it had anything to do with horses, hunting, fishing or going to the mountains. He had many good times with his partners and so many stories, he wanted to write a book. He always had time to sit down and tell you about it. He married Betty Burril Foster in 1956. They lived in Glenwood, WA, where he had three kids, Deborah, Rodney and Diane Johnson. He worked logging out of Glenwood. He worked for Jay Neals for about 10 years as a faller, chocker setter, grader and bull of the woods as he'd put it. He learned from some of the best and passed down what he learned to many of us. He attended Bates Tech. in Tacoma, for building roads and surveying and had built many roads around the reservation. He also worked for Tribal Maintenance, plumbing with his brother Willy Root for 8 years. He was also and instructor at Job Corp for heavy equipment operators and fire fighters for five years. He helped during the plumbing and surveying of the new Yakama Indian Agency years ago. One of his best partners, brother, cousin, was Richard Olney, Jr., they lived life to the very fullest in everything they did. They had many good times and memories of riding the high country with him, his family and grandchildren. He watched everyone rodeo and grow up from the time they were babies, taking part in their lives and just being a "good ol pard" in everyway possible and imaginable. They were just like a couple of rogue studs running together and forever. He also had great love for his last wife, partner, companion and love of his life, Clara Sohappy. Having many good times and loving memories with her, the kids and grandchildren whom he loved very much. They brought him great joy going huckleberry picking with them, fishing the Columbia with his sons and nephews and going to the Pow Wows and rodeos with all of them. He always had his famous words of advice (lectures) for all of us. Including his family, Richard Sohappy, Timmy Sohappy, Jeffrey Sohappy, Donald Sohappy, Marilyn Goudy Sohappy, Boo Boo Jean Sohappy Oldperson, Kathleen Sohappy Fiander, Ida Sohappy Ike, and his babies, baby, Sara Sohappy. He had a great love for everyone of his family members and especially loved his grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He loved going to his office at Little John's where he would meet up with many of his good ol pard's and discuss good times, old times and celebrate life. He will be greatly missed and loved by all who knew him. We all have beautiful memories of him and always will. Remembering "Hey Babe" and "That's good son". He was a member of Yakama Nation and Alaska Aleute Tribes. Eugene is survived by his sisters, Emily Frederick, and Doreen Karpierz; children, Deborah Johnson, Rodney Johnson, Richard Sohappy, Marilyn Sohappy (Steve) Goudy, Timothy Sohappy, Jeffrey Sohappy, Cynthia Oldperson, Kathryn (Tony) Fiander, Donald (Len) Sohappy and Ida (Doug) Ike; 27 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Underwood, father, John Woodrow Johnson, wife, Clara Sohappy, daughter Diane Johnson, brother Willis Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Woody Johnson, sister, Beverly Johnson. Recitation of the Rosary will be held Friday, November 12, 2004 at 7:00 p.m., followed by Washat services at Richard Olney, Jr.'s home - 9190 Marion Drain Road, Toppenish, WA. Food will be available all day. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 13, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in White Swan. Concluding services and burial will be in the Abrams/Chillum Cemetery at White Swan. Dinner will follow at the Saint Mary's Parish Hall. Arrangements under the direction of Merrit Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2004 Yakima Herald-Republic/Yakima, WA. -=-=-=- November 14, 2004 Bradley Lewis Tendoy Jr. FORT HALL - Bradley Lewis Tendoy Jr., 19, passed away Nov. 9, 2004, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. Burial service will be in the Gibson Cemetery, Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. Family and friends may visit at the Emory "Chico" Tendoy residence on East Sheepskin Road, Fort Hall. All arrangements are family-directed. Copyright c. 2004 Pocatella Idaho State Journal. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Capt. Windelyn Valdo Shoulderblade LAME DEER - On Nov. 4, 2004, Homa'ehesta (Beaver Heart) Capt. Windelyn Valdo Shoulderblade, 53, of Lame Deer, went to be with Maheo and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He overcame through many miracles against medical problems with kidneys, heart and diabetes until he was called Home, where he awaits his family and friends. Windy is survived by his wife, Bernadette Henry Shoulderblade of Lame Deer; his children, Aretha Hoops of Crow Agency, Contessa Lee of Lame Deer, Benedict Daniel of Tulsa, Okla., Vanessa Lee, Windelyn Valdo, Jr., Timothy James, Renessa Lee, Scott Ryan Shoulderblade of the family home. He leaves his very much loved grandchildren, Amber Hope, John Thomas Windelyn (JT), Priscilla Rose Hope Walks, Nichelle Birdie Hope, Ethen Robert, LaRosa Paula Hoops and Jerome Shoulderblade. Windy was an adopted son of Helen Hiwalker. Mother-in-law, Sadie Henry of family home and his Sioux relatives, Redding Lays Bad and Christine Lays Bad and brother-in-law, Elmer Henry also grieve for Windy. His surviving brothers and sisters are Leonard Wolfblack, Sr. of Crow Agency, Alonzo Walker, John Joseph Woodenlegs, Max Delphino Guavera, Jr., Titus Shoulderblade, Phyliss Lee Long Sioux, all of Lame Deer, and Magoo Shoulderblade of Albuquerque, N.M. ; and cousin-brother, Norman W. Spang of Idaho Falls, Idaho. His honored uncles and aunts are Samuel Hoffman of Portland, Ore., Fern Shoulderblade, Frank Whiteman, Sr., Hazel Whiteman, Josephine Whiteman, Robert Whiteman, Nancy Yellowrobe and Bertha Harris, all of Lame Deer. Preceding Windy in memoriam are his son, James Benedict Shoulderblade II; his parents, James and Julia Shoulderblade; his grandparents, Benedict and Mary Alfrey Shoulderbade, Milton and Rose Coalbear Whiteman, John Yellowhorse; his father-in-law, Percy Henry; his sisters, Gloria Redneck Big Back, Beatrice Bryant, Gwendolyn Jewel Shoulderblade and Verna Wallace; his brothers, Wallace Bearchum Sr., Richard Cummins, Samuel DeCory, Richard M. Fisher Jr., Timothy James, Sr.; his brother-in-law, Waldo Yellowrobe Sr.; his uncles, Edward Foote, Sr., Anthony, Francis, Isaac, Thomas, Wendell, Shoulderblade, Sr., Grover, Harvey, John, Phillip Whiteman, Sr., and Tony Zamora; his aunts, Fannie Bement, Margaret Brady, Regina Foote, Arlene Hoffman, Eva Rowland, Thelma Two Two, Annie Bixby Shoulderblade, Gladys and Ruth Shoulderblade, Florence Whiteman, Regina Whiteman, Claudia Shoulderblade Zamora;, and his Sioux relatives, Kyle Jason Henry, Agnes, Everette, Francis and Ramsey Lays Bad. Beginning his education at the Lame Deer Public School, Lame Deer, he entered and graduated from high school at King's Garden High School, now known as Crista Schools in Seattle. His college career began at Haskell Indian Nations University in general studies and a minor in business. At Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Okla., Windy graduated from the Pastoral Training Program and continued his bachelor of arts in Theology and a minor in Church Administration at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, where he was a senior. Windy exemplified leadership from every job he had to further his ministry. Some of these jobs were child life counselor, police officer, director of Thunderchild Treatment Center, Tribal Employment Rights Office director, dorm supervisor at Busby Schools, moving van driver, prayer partner at the prayer tower at Oral Roberts University, automotive tech, stocker, staff trainer in education. Windy served on many boards and committees, of which he was most proud was his being instrumental in starting Chief Dull Knife College. As a member of the board of directors, he was dedicated to the goals of the Morning Star Foundation which supports CDKC. Most recently, Windy was appointed to the Montana Indian Education Association. Windy served in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Captain in 1993. His service as a Green Beret gave him the opportunity to serve in the Vietnam conflict and also in the training of paratroopers in China. After active duty, he enlisted in the National Guard until his health complications prevented him from continuing. Until he became a retired reservist, Windy remained active by participating at every opportunity such as an honor guard in various chapters of military wherever he lived. In 1984-'85, Windy was President of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, where he served his people in a crucial time of history. Tribal sovereignty status gave new meaning and direction for him as he served with many tribal leaders on many committees, symposia and hearings. With much prayer and inspiration, he continued his education after the presidency. He believed that God was allowing him to reach more people with the gospel of Jesus that changes lives and entered into the ministry where he has been invited from throughout the U.S. As a minister and pastor, Windy responded to countless calls to preach, teach, and counsel whenever he could. Highlights of these assignments were pastoring the Seiling and Canton, Okla., churches. When God sent him out to minister, He also called his family and it was their vision to preach the gospel throughout the world and at great sacrifice. The vision continues, "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land." In sports, Windy excelled in football, basketball and baseball. His children's participation in sports became his pride and joy, extending to grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Among his citations, awards, recognition, he was thankful to participate and achieve the Phi Beta Lambda national award for speech. He received his pilot's license to further help in ministry work. At home, Windy's best times were with family and always eating together, great laughs, teasing in-laws, adventures anywhere and anytime. We will miss the tugs to go to school or work and advice on how to do it better and promises to marry us when we find that cool guy or gal, and the list goes on ... Most of all, we'll remember the call to give our life to God and live according to God's Word. Mark 11 :22-24 will come alive in us like it did for you! "If you only have faith in God.... all that's required is that you really believe and have no doubt! Listen to Me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you have it; it's yours!" Those who remain to mourn Windy are families of the Shoulderblade, Akins, Baker, Bearchum, Bellymule, Big Hawk, Brady, Bray, Charette, Chavez, Cummins, DeCory, Eagle, Fightingbear, Firecrow, Fisher, Flying, Foote, Galey, Guavera, Harris, Hart, Hiwalker, Hoffman, Horn, Huber, Issues, Killsnight, Knowshisgun, Limberhand, Limpy, Littleoldman, Lonebear, Looksbehind, Marion, McMakin, McManus, Medicine Elk, Messer, Miller, Moore, Onebear, Plentychief, Poitra, Posey, Redhat, Rowland, Russell, Runsabove, Sandcrane, Seminole, Small, Smart, Spang, Tallbear, Tallbull, Three Fingers, Teeth, Two Moons, Two Two, Walker, Walksalong, Waters, Whistling Elk, Whiteman, Whitewolf, Wilson, Wolfblack, Woodenlegs, Wounded Eye and Yellowrobe. Forgive us if your name is not mentioned, but our family is very large. Pallbearers are the Morning Star Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of Lame Deer. His brothers are honorary pallbearers along with his other brothers: Isaac, Morris, Robert Bement; Arnold, Calvin, Elmer, Jr., Raymond Brady, Jr.; Adrian, Clifford, Daniel, Edward, Jr., James Foote; Emil Fraser; Clinton, Matthew, Raymond Harris, Jr.; Alan Hoffman; Eric, Marvin Killsnight; Gary Lightning; Lloyd Littlebird, Raymond and William Rowland; Donald, Francis, Dennis, Shoulderblade; Larry Sioux; Mervin, Moses Tallbear; Vincent Two Two; Edwin Dean, Frank, Jr., Grover Lee, Jason, John C., and Phillip Whiteman, Jr. We thank the countless health providing staff at the hospitals, including the Dialysis Unit, ICU, and Ambulatory Teleme Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- November 11, 2004 Bruce Remmich Bruce Remmich, 53, an industrial arts teacher at Shepherd High School, died Nov. 4, 2004, at home in his sleep. He was born Oct. 18, 1951, to Arthur and Alma (Buechler) Remmich in Wolf Point. He grew up on a ranch near Lindsay and graduated from Dawson County High School. He earned an associate's degree from Dawson Community College and a bachelor of science degree in education and art from Eastern Montana College in 1973. He married Susan Squires of Glendive in 1976. Before teaching industrial arts in Shepherd, he taught special education. Mr. Remmich trained hunting dogs and was an honorary member of the Crow Tribe. He was deeply involved in Alcoholics Anonymous. Family members said, "He was loved by children and dogs - a true test of a man's character." Survivors include his wife; sons, Seth of Newington, Conn., and Dean of Billings; a sister, Donna Mae Beutler of Billings; and brothers, Sherald of Billings and Raymond of Sun Prairie, Wis. A celebration and sharing of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. November 13, 2004 Lillian Three Fingers LAME DEER - Lillian Three Fingers, 67, matriarch of her family, went to be with Mahe'o on Nov. 11, 2004, at her residence in Lame Deer. Ma'hpevetaxeohtse'e "Walks on the Water Woman" was born Dec. 4, 1936, in Busby, a daughter of John and Carrie Deafy Whistling Elk. She grew up and received her education in Busby. She married Joseph Three Finger, Sr. in 1954 and the couple made their home in Birney and later Ashland, before settling in Lame Deer. Mr. Three Fingers died in 1988. During her younger years, she was an avid horsewoman. She was a traditional Northern Cheyenne woman who was a Junior War mother and was one of the last Ceremonial Painted Women of the Tribe. She was a frequent participant in the Sun Dances and assisted her sons with the Dance. Lillian enjoyed hand-games, bingo, sewing quilts, cutting meat and cooking fry bread. Her home was the social center for her family, always open to any and all. Her daughters, Justina Three Fingers, Iris Whistling Elk, Roselie and Blossom Red Woman; nephew, Richard Whistling Elk; niece, Jamie Little Boy; and grandchildren, Toby Castro and Sarah Other Bull, preceded Lillian in death. Survivors include her children, Joyce, Anthony, Judy, Jolene, John, Judas and Joseph Three Fingers, Jr., Arbutus (John) Brown, Jocelyn (John) Little Boy of Lame Deer and Clyde (Sarah) Red Woman of Crow Agency; her sisters, Mae and Newta Whistling Elk, Viola Littlewhirlwind, Anna Limberhand of Lame Deer and Lanell Ballard of Missoula; her brothers, Jimmy Red Cloud, Donald His Many Horses, Alfred Bad Horses and Mathew Two Moons; her adopted son Dave Quenzer of Forsyth; adopted brother, John Garfield of Lame Deer; 69 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, in the Lame Deer Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Three Fingers Family Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangemeents. Copyright c. 2004 The Billings Outpost. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. November 10, 2004 Theresa Dubray Theresa Marie Sarceeman "Charlie Girl" Dubray, 61, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 at the Evergreen Nursing Home of natural causes. A wake was held at Starr School gym. Services were held Sunday at Starr School gym with burial in Home Gun Cemetery. Day Funeral Home handled arrangements. Dubray was born in Browning June 3, 1943. She was raised at Starr School and graduated from Browning High School. She graduated with a degree as a registered nurse from Los Angeles, Calif. She was a nurse and worked at Blackfeet Hospital and the Browning Nursing Home. She worked as a hairdresser, truck driver, cook, seamstress and waitress. She was a member of the Blacktail Society. She enjoyed rodeos, playing baseball and basketball, hunting, cutting drymeat, picking berries, attending powwows, camping, playing cards and crocheting. She was an "ace" at pool playing. Her hobbies included authentic Native beading, Indian arts and crafts, dancing, writing, listening to Indian music and dancing traditional women's dancing, reading, sewing and talking on the phone. When she was younger, she loved to ride horses. She is survived by daughters, Jacqueline Dubray of Kalispell, Eugenia Dubray of Spokane, Twilla Jo Dubray of Cut Bank and Teri Dubray; a son, Shawn Dell Dubray of Browning; and 15 plus grandchildren. Billy CalfRobe Ranchhand Billy CalfRobe, also known as Bill Regan, 50, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004, of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident. Rosary was recited at Glacier Homes Community Center. Funeral mass was Monday at Little Flower Parish. Burial followed in Willow Creek Cemetery. Day Funeral Home handled arrangements. CalfRobe was born Jan. 23, 1954 in Butte. He was raised in Great Falls and attended Central High School and eighth grade, graduating from Holy Family School in Great Falls. He graduated from CM Russell High School in 1973. He worked as a seismographer, firefighter, railroad worker, carpenter, fencer, ranch hand and all-around handyman. He was an artist who enjoyed painting, riding horses, doing handyman work, snow skiing, fishing, camping, and hiking mountain trails. He loved adventure and traveling. Survivors include his wife, Darlene Tatsey of Browning; stepdaughters, April and Shawnda Tatsey of Browning and Ronae Tatsey; a stepson, Shawn Whitegrass, Jr.; foster parents, Jake and Polly Quinn of Dana Point, Calif. ; sisters, Diane Regan Sandbak (Dennis) of S.D., Patty Quinn or Oregon, Bridget Quinn of Calif., and Wilma Grace of Cut Bank; brothers, Chris Quinn of Fort Shaw, John Quinn of Great Falls, Pat Quinn of Missoula, Tom Quinn of Spokane, Wash., and Brendhan Quinn of Calif. Flora Young Running Crane Flora Jean Young Running Crane, 39, of Browning, a personal care attendant, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 at a Browning hospital of injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident south of Browning. A prayer service was Friday at Old Eagle Shield in Browning. Her funeral was Saturday at Old Eagle Shield, with burial in Old Cemetery. Day Funeral Home handled arrangements. Young Running Crane was born Dec. 21, 1964 in Browning. She worked in healthcare, as a fire fighter and helped raise her grandchildren. She enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren and all her family. Survivors include daughters Felecia Jean Blackman and Deanna Blackman of Browning and Terrena Blackman of Pablo; a brother, Willard Young Running Crane of Browning; a nephew, Cody Hinman; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Barbara Young Running Crane and a sister, Patty Young Running Crane. Ralph D. Gobert Ralph D. Gobert, 72, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004, at his home from complications of diabetes. A vigil was held at Seville Community Center. A memorial service is Thursday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. at Seville Community Center (old Bingo Hall). Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank. Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gobert was born June 20, 1932 south of Starr School. He was raised at Seville, west of Cut Bank. He attended Seville Day School and Cut Bank High School. On April 21, 1952, he married Louise Cobell Bird in Shelby. He was a farmer/rancher and worked as the manager for BIA Irrigation Systems for 35 years. After retirement he worked as a fishing guide and Elder for AmeriCorps on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Gobert served on the Blackfeet Water Board and was a Glacier County EMS First Responder. He was an Elder of the Blackfeet Starr Society. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and gunsmithing. He was a master storyteller and enjoyed visiting with his friends and family. Survivors include his wife, Louise Bird Gobert of Cut Bank; children and grandchildren, Eloise and Roy Nollkamper (Jennifer); Leetta Ankney (Manley, Eddie, Steven and Erica); Leo Gobert and Dana Kruse (Lee, Danny); Helen and Mike Connelly (Jamie, Michael Jr., Heidi and Dani Rae); Laurie and Darryl Larson (Becky, Carle and John Rattler); Ursula Spotted Bear (Jessey Jo, Jay, Justin and DeeDee); Bill and Glenda Gobert (Chad, Ryan and Tyler); Duane and Diana Gobert (Duana, Deana and Devon); siblings, Mildred Joy Tangye, Roselle Ortloff and Susan Arnett; and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Roselle Gobert; siblings, Eloise, Jumbo, Marjorie, Ursula and Tom; and a grandson, Danny Gobert. Copyright c. 2004 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Henry Calvin Courville POLSON - Henry Calvin Courville, 80, died Monday, Nov. 1, 2004, at St. Joseph Hospital. Henry was born June 5, 1924, to Henry Lewis Courville and Victoria Burland Courville. His parents died at an early age and his grandparents and his Aunt Anny Garcia raised him. Henry went to school in Polson until he was 15, when he and his sister, Laura, moved to Chenoweth, Ore., where he finished high school. He was a member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Henry enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. Henry returned to Polson after he was discharged from his military service. He went to work for Dupuis Lumber Mill at the Dog Lake site and he dynamited the logs apart when they became frozen. A short time later, war in Korea broke out and Henry was called back to serve his country. Henry was a mechanic and worked on aircraft while he was in Korea and earned his air wings. In 1951, Henry was discharged, and he stayed in San Diego to continue his education and was licensed as a barber. He then met and married Fredaleen Iona Marquardt in 1952. They moved back to Kalispell, where he continued to barber and mechanic. They then decided to move to Washington and Henry went to work at Boeing Aircraft for a few years. They then packed up and went back to California and continued his schooling in refrigeration and electrical works. Henry moved back to Montana and operated the Blue Bay Lodge for three years. He then helped build Dupuis Lumber Mill in Polson. He moved to Clearfield, Utah, where he worked at the Hill Air Force Base for nine years building aircraft. He retired and moved back to Montana and did odd jobs until he went to work for Kicking Horse Job Corps. He then worked for the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement. Henry loved to fish, hunt, camp and ride in the mountains. He also loved his John Wayne movies and building things. Henry was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife, Fredaleen. He is survived by his children, Kip (Jeanne) Courville of Polson, Sandy (Bob) Casteel of Thompson Falls and Linda Douglas of California; grandchildren, Kip, Cal, Liz and Alice Courville and Jesse Newby, Tia Hawkins, Brandon and Jeff Cunningham; and numerous great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Nov. 5, at the Grogan Funeral Home Chapel. Inturnment with military honors followed at Lakeview Cemetery The family thanked Ron Grogan and his staff for the wonderful care they took with Henry and his family. Donations are requested by the family to be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children at 911 W. Fifth Ave., P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472. Copyright c. 2002 Lake Country Leader Advertiser/Polson, MT. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 John Big Leggins WOLF POINT - John Big Leggins, 40, of Frazer, who enjoyed playing bingo, died Saturday at a Wolf Point hospital after an extended illness. Visitation is 1 to 7 p.m. today at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. His funeral is 10 a. m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Frazer. Condolences may be sent to the family at csmcnemontel.net or wwwstevensonandsons.com. Survivors include children Lorrina Big Leggins and Loren Big Leggins of Great Falls, John Big Leggins Jr., Cole Big Leggins and Devin Big Leggins, all of Frazer; his parents, Garrett and Edith Big Leggins of Frazer; brothers Garrette Big Leggins of Poplar, Roger Big Leggins of Warm Springs, Ore., Garrett Big Leggins Jr. and Shanon Big Leggins, both of Frazer, and Robert Big Leggins of Billings; sisters Sarah Keiser of Billings, Juanita Jones of Poplar, Lori Ackerman of Billings and Tanya Big Leggins and Vickie Big Leggins, both of Frazer; and his longtime companion, Corky Ackerman. November 10, 2004 Ralph Duane Gobert CUT BANK - Ralph Duane Gobert, 72, a retired BIA employee and enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe, died of complications from diabetes Saturday at his home in Cut Bank. A memorial service is 2 p.m. Thursday at Seville Community Center, with burial at Crown Hill Cemetery in Cut Bank. A wake is in progress at Seville Community Center until the service. Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Louise Bird Gobert; children Eloise and Roy Nollkamper (Jennifer), Leetta Ankney (Manley, Eddie, Steven, Erica), Leo Gobert and Dana Kruse (Lee, Danny), Helen and Mike Connelly (Jamie, Michael Jr., Heidi, Dani Rae), Laurie and Darryl Larson (Becky, Carle and John Rattler), Ursula Spotted Bear (Jessey Jo, Jay, Justin and DeeDee), Bill and Glenda Gobert (Chad, Ryan and Tyler), and Duane and Diana Gobert (Duana, Deana and Devon); sisters Mildred Joy Tangye, Roselle Ortloff and Susan Arnett; and 14 great-grandchildren. Ralph was born June 20, 1932, at the family home south of Starr School, Mont. He was raised in Seville, west of Cut Bank, and attended Seville Day School and Cut Bank High School. He married Louise Cobell Bird on April 21, 1952, in Shelby, Mont. In addition to ranching and farming, Ralph was an irrigation systems manager for the BIA, retiring after 35 years. After retiring, he worked as a fishing guide and elder for AmeriCorps on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. He served on the Blackfeet Water Board, Glacier County EMS First Responder and was an elder of the Blackfeet Starr Society. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gunsmithing, was a master storyteller and loved visiting with friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Roselle Gobert; siblings Eloise, Jumbo, Marjorie, Ursula and Tom; and a grandson, Danny Gobert. November 12, 2004 Leo John Bull Child Sr. BROWNING - Leo John Bull Child Sr., 58, a construction worker, died of natural causes Wednesday at a Browning hospital. A wake is in progress at Glacier Homes Community Center, with rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday at the center. His funeral is 2 p.m. Monday at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Pondera Funeral Home of Conrad is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Betty Ann Little Dog Bull Child of Browning; sons Melvin C. Long Time Sleeping of Ethete, Wyo., and Leo John Bull Child Jr., and Arnold Long Time Sleeping of Browning; a daughter, Charlene Long Time Sleeping Mancha of Browning; brothers Joseph C. Bull Child, Alvin Bull Child, Francis E. Bull Child Sr., Fred Bull Child and Harold Bull Child, all of Browning; sisters Elizabeth F. Bull Child Blackman and Mona J. Bull Child of Browning; and seven grandchildren. November 13, 2004 Richard 'Fritzie' Brown BROWNING - Richard "Fritzie" Brown, 87, a World War II Marine Corps veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, died of natural causes Thursday at a Browning nursing home. A wake is in progress at Old Eagle Shield until the service time, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Monday. His funeral is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Survivors include a daughter, Helen Augare of Browning; an adopted daughter, Tony Brown of Browning; a son, Charles "Butch" Brown of Browning; James Beau Glaze Jr. of Spokane, Ronnie Blackman, Doug Blackman, Stewart Blackman and "Lil Stu" Brown, all of Browning, whom he raised; and sisters Geneva "Wizzie" Bird of Cut Bank and Aurice Show, Leona "Deeds" Racine and Betty Ann Hall, all of Browning. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Conway Brown; and a daughter, Marlene Glaze. Loretta Roundine BROWNING - Loretta (New Breast) Roundine, 75, of Browning, a nursing assistant, died of natural causes Wednesday at a Great Falls hospital. A wake is in progress at her home, with rosary at 7 p.m. Monday at Little Flower Parish. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anne's Catholic Church, with burial in St. Anne's Cemetery. Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Survivors, all of Browning, include daughter La Vern Prairie Chicken, Ethel "Cookie" Costello, Carol Garrow, Mary Ellen Roundine, Laurie Vielle and Rena Barnaby; sons Harold St. Goddard, Jimmy St. Goddard, David "Pumpkin" Roundine and Hoovey La Plant; a sister, Cecile Doore; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Roundine Sr.; and a son, Glen St. Goddard. Copyright c. 2004 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Char-Koosta News - The official publication of the Flathead Indian Nation October 2004 Obituaries Adeline Upton ST. IGNATIUS - Adeline Joan (Jones) Upton died on Oct. 20, 2004, as a result of many ailments, at the Village Health Care Center in Missoula. She was born on Aug. 27, 1939, in Lapwai, Idaho, to John and Amelia Jones. When she was two months old, the family moved to St. Ignatius. Adeline graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1957. On Dec. 12, 1959, she married Glenn H. Upton and together they had four children whom they reared in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where she was a Cub Scout den mother and active in the Open Bible Church. In early 1995, Adeline moved back to Montana to care for her ailing mother. In her last years, she was very active in the community and the Cornerstone Faith Church. She loved to sing, and was involved in many church choirs. She loved walking outdoors and eating chocolate. She was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Glenn (Polson), four children and their families: Daniel,Tammy and Meghan Upton (Arlee); Denice, Michael, Jordan, and Miciah Ritz (Mt. Pleasant); Darren, Annette, Cris, Colton, Robin, and Rachel Upton (Wichita, KS); and Derric and Becky Upton (Missoula); siblings and their spouses: Alfred and Ada Jones (Ronan), Ken Jones (Kamiah, ID), Marie Ashley (St. Ignatius), Dennis and June Jones (Ronan), Pauline and Del Nicholson (Arlee), Leo Jones (Lewiston, ID), Lubert and Norma Jones (Ronan); Ira and Alice Jones (Arlee), Dalon and Anita Jones (St. Ignatius), and Vicky and Dave Belgard (Hays, MT). A traditional wake service began on Oct. 23 at the Salish Longhouse in St. Ignatius. Funeral services were conducted on Oct. 25 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, followed by a graveside service at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. Copyright c. 2004 Char-Koosta News. -=-=-=- November 11, 2004 Elizabeth James, 73 Anchorage Anchorage resident Elizabeth "Betty" Merculieff James, 73, died Nov. 5, 2004, at Alaska Native Medical Center of natural causes. A visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St., with services at 10 a.m. The Rev. Paul Merculieff will officiate. Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery with a gathering to follow at the Sheraton Hotel. Mrs. James was born Aug. 23, 1931, on St. George Island. Many knew her as "Betty" and "Baby-Mine." "Betty was known for her great personality and for her love to help others," her family said. "During her employment at the previous Alaska Native service hospital, she always greeted all patients with a smile, kindness and a helping hand. "Mrs. James was awarded a 10-year pin for working as a nurse's aide and wonderful day care provider. "She resided in Anchorage for the majority of her life after she evacuated from St. George Island during World War II. Her home in Anchorage was always open to travelers who were passing through from the Aleutians and Pribilofs. She loved her people, the Aleuts and their culture. And she loved her faith, the Orthodox church and its traditional way of life. "Mom had a good heart, always helping others. She will be missed." Mrs. James enjoyed word search puzzles, reading, playing cards and board games. Survivors include her daughter, Linda Merculieff; son, Kelvin James; grandson, Austin Merculieff; granddaughter, Joyce Merculieff; great- grandsons, Nicholas "Tiger" James and Brandon "Mr. T" Merculieff; great- granddaughters, Tiara "Betsy" Merculieff and April "Tootsie" Albert, all of Anchorage; sisters, Alexandria Tu of Seattle, Angelina Covert of New York, Evangia "Jeannie" Gromoff of Wasilla, Zena Gilbert of New York, N.Y., and Piama Merculieff of St. Paul Island; and brother and sister-in-law, Elary Jr. and Suzanne Gromoff of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by her mother, Matuska Elizabeth Gromoff; father, George Merculieff; brother, Peter Merculieff; and sister, Mabel Gromoff. Arrangements were with Evergreen Memorial Chapel. Copyright c. 2004 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- November 9, 2004 Esther May Mckenzie MCKENZIE - Esther May (Sweetheart) of Regina, SK, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2004 at the age of 44 years. She was predeceased by her father Samuel George McKenzie; mother Alice Marie McKenzie; sister Geraldine Anne DiazMcKenzie. Esther will be sadly missed by her children Greg, Crystal (Thomas), Laura (Evan), Devon and Nathan; grandchildren, Keenen, Doyle, Cody, Aidan, Ashantay, and one on the way; sisters Karen, Brenda (Mike), Debbie (Dwayne), and Rose; brothers, Darren (Jen), Bernard (Gwen), Brad (Gerri), Leslie, Eldon (Sharon), all of Regina, SK, Ivan of Winnipeg, MB; as well as numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Esther was the Number 1 fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Anyone who knew Esther (Sweetheart) knows she had a warm heart and everyone was always welcome in her special home. You will always be loved, missed and never forgotten. We love you mom. Prayers will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. in Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. in the Regina Metis Sports and Culture Centre, 1235 2nd Avenue North. Inurnment will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. in Riverside Memorial Park (meet inside the gate). Flowers gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations, in memoriam, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 2360 2nd Avenue, Regina S4R 1A6 or Saskatchewan Roughriders, Administration Office, 2940 10th Avenue, Regina S4P 3B8. Arrangements in care of Speers Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Services. Condolences to the family may be emailed to reception@speersfuneralchapel. com Avery Musqua MUSQUA - Avery Joseph John (Sungmanitou Ho Wakan) Coyote with a Sacred Voice. October 5, 2003 (Regina) November 3, 2004. (Fort Qu'Appelle). It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Avery, he was almost 13 months old. Avery was predeceased by his father Johnnie Musqua and one older sibling through miscarriage. Avery leaves to mourn his mother Amanda Maple and older sister Mercedes Musqua. Special grandparents Angela Redman (Louis MovesCamp), Maurice Maple (Roberta Akapew), Karen (Lambert) Keshane. Special relatives Uncle Damon (Nepi) Donavon, Kory, Washtay, Bryanna, Alicia, Summer. Uncle Jon, Teanna. Auntie Amy, Elijah. Uncle Bobby (Roberta) Cheyanna, Indy, Shante, Wakan Win. Auntie Leona (Trev) Lemay, Taylen, Uncle Lyndon, Auntie Cheryl (Justin) Cody, Bray, Sierra. Special friends Sebass and Aiden. As well as numerous other relatives. Avery's wake will be Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 at 4:00pm, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 Standing Buffalo First Nation. Interment Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, Badger Cemetery Cote First Nation. Traditional ceremony Sam Moves Camp officiating. We were all blessed to have been a part of Avery's life. Avery brought us all happiness and strength. Avery was all that was innocent and pure. We will forever cherish Avery's memory. Avery will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We all love you so much Avery. We'll see you again. November 12, 2004 Amy Stonechild STONECHILD - It is with great sadness that, we, the family of Amy Stonechild (Blacksmith) announce her sudden passing on Monday, November 8, 2004. Part of our beautiful world left us on this day to be with the Creator. Our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunty and Sister touched many hearts and she will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. She left us with the tools to make a good life and never failed to remind us that the choice was always ours to make. During her time in Prince George, BC she became involved as a soldier in the Salvation Army. Under the direction of Captain Law, she dedicated her life in service to the Creator. Her love for her family, her Pow-Wow family and her traditional way of life will be celebrated by means of a Traditional Wake held at Okanese Learning Center on the Okanese First Nation, on November 12, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. In respect of her final wishes she will be laid to rest at Sioux Valley Cemetery, Sioux Valley, Manitoba, amongst her mother, father and siblings on November 13, 2004. Funeral Procession will leave Okanese Learning Center at 9:00 a.m. Upon arrival, at Sioux Valley Band Hall, there will be a final service welcoming her home. Amy is predeceased by her parents, Jim and Jenny Blacksmith, her husband; Richard (Dickie) Stonechild, brother, Clarence Blacksmith, sisters, Marie, Grace, Juno and Ivy Blacksmith; special grandchildren: Sydelle Akapew, Allan Noel Starr, Megan and RaeLynn Stonechild. She leaves to mourn her passing her children, Faith (Frank), Dale Sr., Joanne (Sid), Patti (Huggy), Rick, Clarence, Warren, Ron, Roberta (Basil), Pamela, Cory (Amanda); adopted sons: Elmer Pelletier, Vern Chocan, Barry Foreman, Perry Bellegarde, Larry Asapace, Dexter Asapace, Darren Gowan, Tom Tuckanow and Wilfred Abigosis; adopted daughters: Arlene Frazer, Myrna Starr, Lucy Asham Fisher, and Gloria Stonechild; her adopted mother Dolly Neapetung; her adopted sister Inez Dieter; her special children: Marlene and Ernest Tuckanow, Isabelle Cyr (Russell), Irma Cyr and Patty Cyr; sisters, Bertha Chief, Carrie Blacksmith, Eva McKay; brothers Clifford Blacksmith, Mike Blacksmith, Harold Blacksmith and Jimmy Elk; grandchildren: Starla Starblanket, Eagle (Carla) Stonechild, Nina Mackinaw, Janice, Dale Jr., Chelsea Stonechild, Everette (Angela) Akapew, Evan, AmyJo (Joe) Akapew, Robin, Jacqueline, Alicia Starblanket, Alicia, Robert, Oliver, Timmy Stonechild, Darrell Joe and Boomer Keewatin, Leanne, Allison, Clarence Moneybird, Chay, Shae-Lynn, Trey Stonechild, Joseph, Richard Jr., Shannon, Ashley, Chantel and all of her other special grandchildren; as well as twentyfive great-grandchildren. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jan Lombard and his staff at the All Nations Healing Center at Fort Qu'Appelle as well as Dr. Lutterodt, nurse Cory, and the staff of 3F at the Regina General Hospital. Thank you to the Sioux Valley Chief and Council, the Okanese Chief and Council and the Community who helped in fulfilling her final wishes. Amy was traditionally adopted by the community of Nelson House, Manitoba. We, the family, are grateful you were all a part of her life because you helped make her such a beautiful Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunty and Friend. Thank You. All My Relations. Arrangements in care of Speers Funeral Chapel and Crematorium Services. Condolences to the family may be emailed to reception@speersfuneralchapel.com Copyright c. 2000-2004 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. -=-=-=- November 10, 2004 Dorothy Yellow Horn (nee North Peigan) SAKOKSISSKSTAKIAAKII (Last Beaver Woman) DOROTHY YELLOW HORN, beloved wife of Ed Yellow Horn of the Piikani Nation, passed away at Pincher Creek on Friday, November 5, 2004 at the age of 75 years. Dorothy was born on the Peigan Reserve on November 23, 1928. On August 24, 1945 she married her life long partner, Edward Yellow Horn. Dorothy received her education at the St. Cyprian Boarding School on the Peigan Reserve. She worked at numerous positions in and around the Peigan Reserve. She worked as a Home Care Worker for Peigan Social Services, she worked for Mrs. Legg and also the Peigan Day Care. Dorothy was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) on March 19, 1966. In October of 1980, Dorothy and Ed opened their own business, Ed's Service Station.She retired from Ed's Service Station. Dorothy was a loving wife, a caring mother and a doting grandmother and great grandmother. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Edward Yellow Horn; nine children: Caroline, Linda (Willard) Yellow Face, Bryan, Murray (Margaret), Charlotte (David) McLeod, Lenora (Sam Herman), Alvin, Bernice (Emery) Grier and Rick (Kathy); adopted children: Gary (Melanie) Yellow Horn, Loretta English, Terry North Peigan, Albert (Faye) Morning Bull and Yvonne Provost; 31 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by one great grandchild, Hope (1997); two sons: Myron Yellow Horn (July 1966) and Kenneth Yellow Horn (February 1973) and by her parents: Nora North Peigan (1968), Victor North Peigan (1983) and Ethel Crow Shoe (1955). A Wake Service will be held at the home of Ed and Dorothy Yellow Horn on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fort Macleod on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. with President David Piepgrass officiating. Interment in Brocket Cemetery. Arrangements in care of Edens Funeral Home, Fort Macleod, 553-3772. Copyright c. 2004 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald.