_ __ _____ __ _ __ ___ ____ _ __ ___ ' ) / / ') / / ) ' ) ) / ) / ' ) ) / ) / / / / / / /--/ / / / ___ / / / / ___ (_(_/ (__/ ( / (_ / (_ (___/ '__/_ / (_ (___/ ' ____ _ , ___ _ , ___ / ' ) / / ) ' ) / / ' VOLUME 13, ISSUE 014 / /-< / /--/ /-- __/_ / ) (___/ / ( (___, WOTANGING IKCHE - Lakota - Common News Wotanging Ikche and Native American News Copyright c. 1996-2005 nanews.org Aboriginal/AmerIndian Perspective about the First Nations of Turtle Island April 2, 2005 Kiowa aiden p'a/leaf moon Algonquin Suquanni kesos/moon when they set Indian corn Anishnaabe Iskigamizige-giizis(oog)/broken snowshoe 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; 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: + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + ======================== "The Creator gave stewardship to indigenous peoples to protect and manage the Earth's resources, including all things natural, cultural, spiritual and sacred. Indigenous people are prayerful people who live in harmony with the Earth; and indigenous wealth is not found in monetary values, but in the gift of life from the Earths' natural resources." __ Preamble to The Treaty of Indigenous Nations of the Western Hemisphere +- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -+ | 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! You had to be living on the far side of the moon to not be aware of the horror and tragedy that feel on the Red Lake Nation this past week. Sadly, the tragedy just got worse. Read the lead story "Tribal Chairman defends Son's Innocence" and pray for Chairman Jourdain, the People of Red Lake and especially the children. -=-=-=- My half-side, Janet, read the article about Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, "Hey America, want 1.3 Million Sq. Miles of Land?" inviting dialogue regarding the concept of true international sovereignty for the Treaty Nations. After chewing on some of the implications Janet offers these thoughts for consideration. ---- I found this today when I was looking for news for my web site. I was absolutely intrigued. On the one hand, it's one hell of a bargain for everybody concerned if the US could be trusted to honor treaties made with sovereign nations. It very well could pave the way for increased sovereignty by "dependent" nations inside the US borders, too. Sadly, the US government cannot be trusted. The BIA has proven that repeatedly. I think the Roseau River Anishinabe may be looking at the wrong US Indians for inspiration. The casino-rich Indians are indeed doing well, but that happened in spite of official obstruction, footdragging, and undermining by the US, state, and city government administrations and legislatures. Connecticut provides a fine example. They did well because they and their investors were willing to sink huge amounts of money into lawyers, researchers, and yes, lobbyists to get past official obstruction. The US tribal experience with oil (which is what the Canadian tribes have to offer) and other fuel resources are another story altogether. There was a lot of oil found in Indian Country (aka Oklahoma). Name one tribe that got rich (excepting Osage, and they as a nation did not get rich. Individual Osage landowners made a ton of money initially, but even that was short-lived, thanks to a quickly-enacted law that was expressly designed to make sure Osage oil money filtered through non-Indian hands (and most of the money stuck to the non-Indian hand-filter). Are the Navajo and Hopi rich thanks to the uranium and coal mined on their lands? Hardly. They are among the most impoverished of Indian nations. Navajo who worked in the uranium mines are sick and dying--and still waiting for reimbursement ordered by the courts because the U.S. government encouraged them to expose themselves to uranium, knowing full well what it would do to them. They're in the desert -- and the water resources they do have are being pumped out to slurry coal. Do the tribes in the Dakotas receive fair reimbursement for the grazing permits the BIA manages on their land? They say no, but they can't be sure -- because the land-owners never get to see the bids or the paperwork -- they just get a BIA-printed statement. So should the US be interested in dealing with a Canadian tribe as a sovereign nation? Well, let's see -- these folks are a lot closer to the US than the middle east, so oil transport would be easier and safer. They seem to be one hell of a lot friendlier. They don't seem to be trying to soak us -- just interested in making a decent life for themselves. They probably won't require an armed invasion every 10 years to keep down the latest religious fanatic or dictator. Seems like a deal to me -- it's even a good deal for the US if everybody operates honestly and honorably. Should the Roseau River Anishinabe sign on with the US? Only if they can hire the services of the Mashantucket Pequot's legal team to run the paperwork through a fine-toothed comb, and make sure ANY agreement is legally enforcible in both US and world courts. They need expert management to watch for a corporate knife in the back from the contractors, because I promise you that Halliburton will be first in line. They do have the expertise. But they're experts in a lot of things, including achieving clout in the US government. And the tribe will need a good PR team, too. Because experience has shown that there is very little that a US government bureaucrat likes less than an Indian who can actually make a living without some official holding their hands (while another one is picking their pockets). +/// Janet Smith owlstar@bellsouth.net /*/+ P. O. Box 672168 OwlStar Trading Post + / * Marietta, GA 30008, U.S.A. http://www.owlstar.com * + ---- Dohiyi Ani Oginalii , , Gary Smith (*,*) wotanging@bellsouth.net P. O. Box 672168 (`-') gars@nanews.org Marietta, GA 30006, U.S.A. ===w=w=== http://www.nanews.org ----------- News of the people featured in this issue ----------- - Tribal Chairman - Teenager's Death defends Son's Innocence brings Youth to Reservation - Red Lake reels after Rampage - New Law allows BLM - Indian Country reacts to sell Wild Horses to Indians to deadly Rez Shooting - American Indian Banks turn profit - Statement on Red Lake - Apache Author wins Chippewa Nation Tragedy prestigious Book Award - YELLOW BIRD: - Elders help USFS In Red Lake, Healing begins make over Book on Tlingit Food - YELLOW BIRD: - Native Hawaiian housing on Kauai Many share the Pain, Healing - BENGE: Oaxacan Immigrants - A Nation on his Shoulders face great challenges - Proposed Treaty - GIAGO: A stroke of the Pen could protect Nations to end Indian Gaming - CHIEF LEAFORD BEARSKIN: - GARDNER: A Sorry State of Affairs My Indian World - BENGE: The Illini - CHIEF JIM GRAY: should put away their 'Chief' Today's BIA budget and You - St. Regis Mohawk accord OK'd - Utes' influence - Court rules for Deh Cho in Politics rising in Pipeline Case - Duwamish take issue - Hey America, with History Bill want 1.3 Million Sq. Miles of Land - Tribes demand Respect for Peaks - Residential School Fire - Tohono O'odham Nation evokes mixed feelings sues over Telescope Project - First Nation banishes - Bill seeks Recognition suspected Gang Members for Virginia Tribes - Study of Montana - House approves Hunting changes Prisoner disparities requested on Reservations - Native Prisoner - Business brisk at -- No Religeous items Mariposa's new Indian Clinic at Victorville - Chasco -- High Court to weigh Prisoners' - Students fight to Religious Rights save D-Q TRIBAL COLLEGE - Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days - Huron Campus mostly - Rustywire: Navajo Police left out of Si Tanka Bailout - Spiritdove Poem: SuShawna --------- "RE: Tribal Chairman defends Son's Innocence" --------- Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2005 08:51:28 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHAIRMAN'S SON ARRESTED" http://www.startribune.com/stories/156/5318401.html Tribal chairman defends son's innocence in wake of arrest Howie Padilla, David Chanen and Terry Collins, Star Tribune March 29, 2005 Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd "Buck" Jourdain today came to the defense of his teenage son, who was charged Monday with conspiracy in connection with the shootings at Red Lake on March 21 that killed 10 people. Jourdain's statement was handed out at tribal headquarters late this morning. "Last week I spoke on behalf of the Red Lake Nation as its leader and a saddened member of this community. Today, I speak as a father," Jourdain said in his statement. "As many of you are aware, my son, Louis, has been charged in association with the shootings that occurred here last week. "My heart is heavy as a result of the tragic events that unfolded here at our nation. But it is with optimism that I state my son, Louis', innocence. "He is a good boy with a good heart who never harmed anyone in his entire life. I know my son, and he is incapable of committing such an act." Floyd and Louis Jourdain Jourdain went on to say that he's confident the investigation will show that gunman Jeff Weise, 16, acted alone in the shootings. Weise took his own life. Jourdain, who was elected tribal chairman last August, is spending time with his family and will not be making further public comment, said Holly Cook, a tribal member who is serving as a liaison to the news media. The younger Jourdain was arrested without incident Sunday on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. No other arrests are imminent, the source said. U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger said that juvenile proceedings have begun for the suspect in federal court, but he wouldn't comment on what role the younger Jourdain might have played in the shootings and refused Monday to confirm who had been arrested. Last Tuesday, FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Tabman said authorities believed that Weise was acting alone, and that the motive was unknown. Funeral services for Weise, 16, were held Monday afternoon. Federal authorities and witnesses say Weise killed his grandfather, a tribal police officer, and his grandfather's companion March 21 at their home. Weise then took his grandfather's weapons to the high school, where he killed a security guard, a teacher and five students before turning the gun on himself. As news of the arrest spread Monday afternoon, reaction on the reservation ranged from shock to the hope that everybody involved in the killings will be brought to justice. Victoria Brun, sister of Derrick Brun, the school security guard who was killed, said she had been told that authorities were given evidence on Saturday that more than one person might be involved. That theory may be backed up by comments from a student who said Monday that he was in the school library with Louis Jourdain at the time of the shootings. The student said that as soon as they heard gunfire and even before they saw Weise's face, Jourdain was identifying the shooter as "Jeff." Others involved? Heffelfinger said he couldn't "confirm or deny" that the shootings by Weise were part of a larger attack planned on the high school. He added that the investigation is ongoing in Red Lake and the Twin Cities. Victoria Brun was told that authorities discovered an online conversation between Weise's girlfriend and another person about the shooting. When asked if residents of Red Lake should have been concerned about their safety if another person connected to the shooting had been on the loose for a week, Heffelfinger said all the agencies involved in the investigation have responsibility for public safety on Red Lake. "I won't comment on any facts that relate to arrest ... nor comment on facts developed during the investigation since March 21," Heffelfinger said Monday. "We have a very active and ongoing investigation, and it would be speculation for me to say what is going to come out." He said the timing of the arrest announcement had nothing to do with any events in and around Red Lake, which included funerals for three of the shooting victims and for Weise. Brun's funeral was held in Red Lake followed by burial in Bemidji. Services for schoolteacher Neva Rogers were held in Bemidji and for ninth- grader Alicia Spike in Redby. The final two funerals are scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his aides observed a moment of silence in his office about 2 p.m., then he emerged to speak briefly to reporters. Calling the shootings "a very terrible event," Pawlenty said: "We don't get to pick which tragedies visit us in life ... but we do get to pick how to respond. And this community is responding with love and support and encouragement." Money and offers of assistance or help with counseling is pouring in to the Red Lake Reservation from all over the nation, Pawlenty said. "We can be proud of a very generous response." Principal 'befuddled' News of Louis Jourdain's arrest came between the funerals in Red Lake for Brun and Weise, which were held at the same church. Easter lilies were placed on tables in the rear of the church and platters of food were taken to the kitchen for the Weise funeral. Before the casket was brought into the church, reporters and a photographer were asked by the Rev. Pat Sullivan to leave via a back door because the family requested that no media be present. Red Lake High School Principal Chris Dunshee said he learned about Monday's arrest from reporters. He was planning to meet with other school administrators today to discuss reopening the high school, which is currently scheduled for the middle of April, and then he planned to drive to Fargo to see two students who are still hospitalized there. Now he's not sure what will happen next. "I'm as befuddled as everyone else," Dunshee said. "Right now I'm trying to react to it as it comes." Some of the victim's relatives, such as the mother of Dewayne Lewis, declined to comment on the arrest. A family member of another victim was afraid to talk about it because "someone might come by and shoot at the house." A member of the Red Lake Tribal Council, Donald (Dudie) May, said in a brief telephone interview Monday night that he didn't feel like answering questions "right now." "I've just returned from the cemetery and I'm just beginning to hear about what's happening," May said. "I'm just not going to say anything more." As tribal chairman, Floyd Jourdain is the chief executive of the Red Lake band and leads an elected government of 11 officials. Jourdain, 40, was elected last year in a special election that was scheduled after the previously elected chairman, Butch Brun, died in 2003. At a news conference last Thursday, Jourdain said the shootings were a wake-up call to the community. "We need to pay more attention to our young people and what they're saying and what they're doing," he said. "And that's universal. That crosses cultural lines." Tonya Lussier, the older sister of victim Chase Lussier, said Monday that she was shocked when she learned about the younger Jourdain's arrest -- and is concerned that there could be more people involved. "I hope they catch everybody who was involved and knew what was going on," she said. Said Victoria Brun: "I won't feel safe. These kids won't feel safe. This community won't feel safe until they're all brought in custody." Staff writers Jill Burcum, Doug Grow, Dane Smith and Richard Meryhew contributed to this report. The writers can be reached at statenews@startribune.com. StarTribune Copyright c. 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Red Lake reels after Rampage" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SCHOOL SHOOTING" http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/11199096.htm Red Lake reels after rampage MASSACRE: Ten on Minnesota reservation dead in nation's worst school shooting since Columbine BY JOSHUA FREED ASSOCIATED PRESS March 22, 2005 BEMIDJI, Minn. - A high school student went on a shooting rampage on an American Indian reservation Monday, killing his grandparents at their home and seven people at his school, grinning and waving as he fired, authorities and witnesses said. The gunman exchanged shots with police before apparently shooting himself. It was the nation's worst school shooting since the Columbine massacre in 1999. Students pleaded with the gunman to stop shooting, witnesses said. "You could hear a girl saying, 'No, Jeff, quit, quit. Leave me alone. What are you doing?' " Sondra Hegstrom told the Pioneer of Bemidji, using the name of the suspected shooter. Before the shootings at Red Lake High School, the suspect's grandparents were shot in their home and died later. There was no immediate indication of the gunman's motive. FBI spokesman Paul McCabe said the shooter first killed a school security officer near the school entrance. At some point, he exchanged gunfire with Red Lake police in a hallway, then retreated to a classroom, where he was believed to have shot himself, McCabe said. Six students, including the gunman, were killed at the school, along with a teacher and a security guard, McCabe said. Fourteen to 15 other students were injured, McCabe said. Some were being cared for in Bemidji, about 20 miles south of Red Lake. Authorities closed the reservation while they investigate the shootings. Hegstrom described the gunman grinning and waving at a student his gun was pointed at, then swiveling to shoot someone else. "I looked him in the eye and ran in the room, and that's when I hid," she told the Pioneer. McCabe declined to talk about a possible connection between the suspect and the couple killed at the home, but Red Lake Fire Director Roman Stately said they were the grandparents of the shooter. He identified the shooter's grandfather as Daryl Lussier, a longtime officer with the Red Lake Police Department, and said Lussier's guns may have been used in the shootings. Stately said the shooter had two handguns and a shotgun. "After he shot a security guard, he walked down the hallway shooting and went into a classroom where he shot a teacher and more students," Stately told KARE-TV of Minneapolis. Students and a teacher, Diane Schwanz, said the shooter tried to break down a door to get into her classroom. "I just got on the floor and called the cops," Schwanz told the Pioneer. "I was still just half-believing it." Ashley Morrison, another student, had taken refuge in Schwanz's classroom. With the shooter banging on the door, she dialed her mother on her cell phone. Her mother, Wendy Morrison, said she could hear gunshots on the line. "Mom, he's trying to get in here and I'm scared," Ashley Morrison told her mother. All of the dead students were found in one room. One of them was a boy believed to be the shooter, McCabe said. He would not comment on reports that the boy shot himself and said it was too early to speculate on a motive. The school was evacuated after the shootings and locked down for investigation, McCabe said. "It will probably take us throughout the night to really put the whole picture together," he said. Two people were being treated at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, where two extra neurosurgeons were called in. Three others were being treated at the hospital in Bemidji, but their injuries weren't thought to be life- threatening. It wasn't immediately clear where the other wounded were being handled. Phone calls to a reservation hospital rang busy throughout the evening. Outside the hospital in Bemidji, Martha Thunder shivered in a blue sweat shirt while smoking a cigarette. Her son Cody, 15, a sophomore, was being treated inside for a gunshot wound to the hip. She called him one of the lucky ones. Thunder said her son told her what he saw. "He heard gunshots and the teacher said, 'No that's the janitor doing something.' And the next thing he knew, the kid walked in there and pointed the gun right at him." The shooter fired twice. The first bullet struck a clock on the wall behind Cody, who ducked. The second bullet hit him in the hip, she said. "I'm just afraid of tonight, because I just know he's going to wake with nightmares," she said. Thunder said her son knew the shooter from school, but she refused to give the name of the boy she thought shot her son. It was the nation's worst school shooting since two students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 23 before killing themselves April 20, 1999. The last apparent fatal school shootings involving a student also happened in Minnesota in September 2003, when two students were killed at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. Classmate John Jason McLaughlin, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, awaits trial in the case. That shooting was the first major incident reported since 2001. Red Lake High School, on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in far northern Minnesota, has about 300 students, according to its Web site. The reservation is about 240 miles north of the Twin Cities. It is home to the Red Lake Chippewa Tribe, one of the poorest in the state. According to the 2000 census, 5,162 people lived on the reservation, almost all of them American Indians. Copyright c. 2005 Duluth News Tribune. --------- "RE: Indian Country reacts to deadly Rez Shooting" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RED LAKE SCHOOL SHOOTING" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://64.62.196.98/News/2005/007191.asp Indian Country reacts to deadly reservation shooting March 23, 2005 Tribal nations across the country sent their support to the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota on Tuesday after a deadly tragedy that left 10 dead and more than a dozen injured in the worst incident of school-related violence since Columbine. Tex Hall, the president of the National Congress of American Indians and chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, said he watched "in disbelief" as the tragedy unfolded late Monday. He urged tribes to provide economic aid, prayers and support, especially the youth, to the remote Ojibwe community in Red Lake. "I know I speak for all of Indian Country when I say that our hearts are heavy with the news of this loss," Hall said. "As we wait for further details, I want to say to the families and friends of all students and teachers that we grieve with you, we pray with you -- and we will do anything we can to help you through this sudden and painful tragedy." Harold Frazier, the chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, said the incident shows that reservations are not shielded from the type of school-related violence that has occurred elsewhere. "We are reminded of the fragility of life and the significance of our young," he said. "We share in your mourning and know as Indian people we are not immune to such disastrous events that happen nation-wide." Lawrence T. Morgan, the speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, agreed with that assessment. He said tribes need to work harder to address problems facing Native youth today. "It is also a reminder that we need to offer assistance to our Native youth in any way possible to avoid these types of tragedies from repeating anywhere else," Morgan said yesterday. Ernie Stevens Jr., the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, announced that its member tribes are contributing $25,000 to the Red Lake Nation Memorial Fund to assist the victims and families of Monday's shooting. "We are saddened by this tragedy, the pain and loss of which has been felt throughout Indian Country," he said. The outpouring of support came as the Red Lake Nation was still in shock from what Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr. called "one of the darkest and most painful occurrences in the history of our tribe." The reservation, normally closed to outsiders, teemed with activity -- media and police included -- but all the schools were closed as was the tribe's casino. Jourdain ordered all Red Lake and U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until further notice. Tribal, local, state and federal authorities continue to try and piece together the events on Monday afternoon. The FBI has indicated they know of no motive behind the deadly spree. The shooter was identified as Jeff Weise, age 16. He turned the gun on himself after killing nine others, including his grandfather, and five fellow students at the Red Lake High School. The FBI does not have a motive for the killings but believes Weise acted alone. The tragedy began when he short his grandfather, Daryl "Dash" Lussier, 58, a veteran tribal police officer, and his grandfather's girlfriend, Michelle Sigana, 32, at their home on the reservation. Weise then went to the school, where he shot and killed teacher Neva Winnecoup-Rogers, 62, and Derrick Brun, 28, a security guard. The five students killed were identified as: Dwayne Lewis, 15; Chase Lussier, 15; Alicia Spike, 15; Thurlene Stillday, 15; and Chanelle Rosebear, 15. Five victims remain hospitalized with two in critical condition. Steven Cobenais, 15, took a gunshot wound to the side of his head. Jeffrey May, 15, was shot in the face and has suffered paralysis on his left side. Both are being treated at MeritCare in Fargo, North Dakota. Other hospitalized victims were identified as: Ryan Augunash, 15; Lance Crowe, 15; and Cody Thunder, 15. They are being treated at a hospital in nearby Bemidji. Donations for the victims and their families can be sent to: Red Lake Nation Memorial Fund P.O. Box 574 Red Lake, Minnesota 56671 Copyright c. 2000-2005 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Statement on Red Lake Chippewa Nation Tragedy" --------- Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 1:12 PM From: Karen Francis [karenfrancis@navajo.org] Subj: Statement on Red Lake Chippewa Nation tragedy Contact: Karen Francis, Public Information Officer Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker (928) 871-7160 karenfrancis@navajo.org www.navajonationcouncil.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council Lawrence T. Morgan issued the following statement: As the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, I extend my deepest sympathy and my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Council to the Red Lake Chippewa Nation for the tragic events resulting in the loss of lives yesterday in Minnesota. I further ask the media and members of the public to not rush to judgment in these types of situations as we do not yet have all the facts. The truth is we may never know exactly what happened on that tragic day. Instead, I ask that we concentrate on the lives that have been impacted. Certainly this is a time of mourning for the families and their communities. We should pay our respects to the affected families and friends of the victims and offer prayers to restore harmony to the Red Lake Chippewa Nation. This is a reminder that Native American tribes are not immune to the events that happen nation-wide. It is also a reminder that we need to offer assistance to our Native youth in any way possible to avoid these types of tragedies from repeating anywhere else. If you know of youth who may be in trouble or show or express signs of distress, then seek out help for them. It is up to us - as clan relatives and community members - to address the problems of our youth. It is difficult to comprehend how much impact this type of incident has on the lives of the community members. It is our responsibility to learn from such events to prevent possible, similar occurrences; or we can continue to downplay the soaring echoes of our youth in their cry for help. We can see these occurrences as a cry for help and focus on rehabilitation. To all those affected, I offer our prayers with greatest respect and deepest sorrow. May the Holy People bestow their blessings on your Nation during this difficult time. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: In Red Lake, Healing begins" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: RED LAKE" http://www.grandforks.com/mld//columnists/dorreen_yellow_bird/11215239.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: In Red Lake, healing begins March 24, 2005 In the long history of the Red Lake Nation, March 21 will go down as one of the worst of all days. It is a day when the lives of nine people - four teens - ended before they could step into tomorrow. Nine were gunned down, one took his life and seven are recovering today from gunshot wounds perpetrated by one of their own - a young, teenage student, Jeff Weise. When I arrived Monday at Red Lake, it was dusk. The serenity and calm of this Chippewa nation was broken by the red and blue lights spinning atop ambulances and police cars. Marked cars cruised the length of Highway 89, which runs through the tribal headquarters and community of the Red Lake Nation. The entrance gate to the reservation, the main highway coming into Red Lake, also was ablaze with bright orange flares and highway patrol squad cars. The polished badges and serious faces of the police officers made us realize there was big trouble on the reservation. It is a community in pain. From the highway at Red Lake, I could see the new Indian Health hospital - a hotel-like structure with a covered drive-up, like many motels. Big, white balls of light lit the hospital parking lot. Many people were milling around. I could see people crowded against the windows of the hospital, many with tears on their faces. This is a community of about 5,000 residents. In Indian country, it means many of these people are related in some way to each other. And when there is trouble or someone is hurt in Indian country, we all come together to support that person and their family. Where I'm from, on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, it's common to find 20 or 30 people in the hospital lobby and waiting rooms, prepared to stay with the injured person until he or she is well. Apparently that's common at Red Lake, too. At the hospital, I could see groups of young people in the parking lot and standing on the sidewalks, holding each other, crying softly and whispering in low voices among themselves. The anguish was deep and visible. Then I heard a crying and wailing so loud that the sound crawled up my spine. It was an older woman being supported by two young women. She was wailing like I've heard Native elders do when the pain is so deep and the sound comes from the depth of their soul. I brushed away tears and swallowed hard. When I returned the next morning, I saw a bald eagle perched on the top branch of an evergreen tree. Its head was crooked, as if it was watching the goings-on below. Earlier that day, a Pipe ceremony was held in the emergency parking lot of the hospital in Bemidji, where some of the injured were being treated. During that ceremony, an eagle circled high overhead, one of our reporters said. Reports from St. Paul said three eagles flew in a circle above a Pipe ceremony at the state Capitol, too. The Eagle Grandfathers have come to help with the healing, I thought. The spiritual leaders are calling them. I talked to friends I've met in inipi or sweat ceremonies and one of my Sundance brothers. They told me that far beyond all the media glare, the spiritual leaders of the tribe were taking action. They were holding inipis and Pipe ceremonies that evening and would continue as long as necessary. They would go to the school and wipe it clean, a teacher of Indian culture said. It was a traumatic and awful day, so the terror and killing will need to be taken care of, he said. It will need to be cleaned with smudge and prayer so that the community can start with a clean slate. It would be like a "wiping of the tears" ceremony, he told me. Before I left Bemidji, where I stayed during my visit to Red Lake, I talked with some people about those who passed away. The gut-wrenching hurt you feel when someone dear to you passes away was multiplied 10 times over, I could see. I lost my mother in December, but I sensed that the pain of their loss was so many times worse. And I knew the hurt and deep sadness I felt that day - Dec. 13 - was awful. As I turned my car toward home late Tuesday night, I knew the Red Lake people are strong. They have lost so much over the centuries and have survived. And, as some of the spiritual leaders said, this, too, they will survive. The healing at the behest of the spiritual leaders and the community has begun. ---- Dorreen Yellow Bird's column appears Tuesday and Saturday. Reach her at (701) 780-1228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com Copyright c. 2005 Grand Forks Herald/Grand Forks, ND. --------- "RE: YELLOW BIRD: Many share the Pain, Healing" --------- Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:26:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="YELLOW BIRD: RED LAKE PAIN" http://www.grandforks.com//dorreen_yellow_bird/11234894.htm DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Many share the pain, healing March 26, 2005 After five days of working on the shootings on the Red Lake reservation, I began to feel the awfulness of that fateful day building up in me. I told the inipi (sweat) leader Thursday night that I felt like I had inhaled some of the terror, anguish and sorrow. The nausea in the pit of my stomach was beginning to grow. I needed cleansing. During these past five days, I heard many stories of the shootings at Red Lake. I was on site for two days and for three more days involved in stories coming in nationwide. Our daily fare has been the Red Lake shootings. Some of the stories were secondhand - told by a nephew to his uncle, perhaps - but they were so vivid and heartbreaking I almost could see the tears running down the face of the tribe. I wanted everyone to hear some of these stories because they indicate the strength and bravery of some of these young people, security officers and the English teacher. These people indeed are warriors. But because what I heard was not from a first-person source, the names and the details must wait until they can be confirmed. Yet, the overall stories are enough to haunt my days and nights. For example, on the basis of several accounts, I believe that some of these young people were willing to take a bullet for a friend. One tried to wrestle an out-of-control Jeff Weiss, the 16-year-old boy who went on the rampage, to the ground and was shot for his trouble. Another young man tried to protect a female friend. There is a gentleness about the Red Lake people. Some already have forgiven Weiss. Others have expressed the wish that had they been more aware, perhaps they would have seen the signs or could have helped him. So, my dreams are painted with those stories and accounts of the life and death situations in Red Lake High School. Thursday, the moon was so full that it lit the fields and roadsides as I drove into the country for an inipi. I needed to clear my mind. I was pleased when the inipi leader sang the eagle song that night. I had seen the eagles converging on the area in the days that followed the shootings. I also was pleased that the young men and women in the inipi prayed hard for the Red Lake Nation people - some of those in the inipi had relatives at Red Lake, so they cried and prayer hard for them. These are difficult times. For me, as an outsider to the reservation but as someone who has covered the Red Lake people many times in the past seven years, it is hard to see so much death. But I know that for the people at Red Lake, it must be 100 times worse. They should know, however, that there are people from many reservations, especially in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Wisconsin, who are praying in ceremony for them. They should know that there are people throughout the nation and even the world who have opened their hearts, who feel their pain and who are praying, too. Healing and peace will come again. ---- Dorreen Yellow Bird's column appears Tuesday and Saturday. Reach her at (701) 780-1228 or dyellowbird@gfherald.com. Copyright c. 2005 Grand Forks Herald. --------- "RE: A Nation on his Shoulders" --------- Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:26:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RED LAKE CHAIRMAN FLOYD JOURDAIN" http://www.grandforks.com//special_packages/red_lake/11240956.htm A nation on his shoulders High school shooting makes a heavy burden for Red Lake Nation Chairman Floyd Jourdain By Dorreen Yellow Bird Herald Staff Write March 27, 2005 FARGO - In a matter of hours Monday, Floyd "Buck" Jourdain Jr., tribal chairman of the Red Lake Chippewa Nation, was thrown into the national spotlight. When the tragic school shooting that took the lives of six teens and four adults became public, the media dove into the school shootings without realizing the difference between sovereign tribal nations and the rest of the states. The tragedy that put the Red Lake Band on worldwide screens also set the catastrophe squarely on the shoulders of Jourdain. He was 40 years old when elected chairman and the youngest person to assume the chairman position. He was sworn in only seven months before the incident. Suddenly, Jourdain said, the Red Lake community was looking to him for answers and support. Jourdain isn't alone. He said he has a council who have been tireless in supporting the community. They are a hands-on group. They have gathered donations for the people, provided support and helped with the needs of the people. He said he followed the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo., several years ago, never thinking that same kind of tragedy would visit his home reservation. "It broke my heart," he said, "to see how the high school was bombarded day-after-day by the media." He didn't want that to happen to Red Lake, so he and the tribal council implemented restrictions on the media. "It wasn't good to see three young women on the front page crying," he said, referring to images that ran in newspapers nationwide the day after. On the media Those young women were in pain, and that isn't a public event, Jourdain said. The press took offense at the restrictions, but they need to remember, he said, there is an investigation going on. The tribe must provide for the needs of the survivors. Families also are carrying out traditions and can't be disturbed. "We consider ourselves a unique nation and the survivors have special needs," he said. Jourdain said key areas of the reservation had no-nonsense security officers guarding them. The media, with their huge saucers pointed skyward, were restricted to the parking lot of the Red Lake Police Department - the very department that lost Daryl Lussier, Weise's grandfather and one of their sergeants. The media that didn't take the restrictions seriously found, to their chagrin, cameras and equipment confiscated. They questioned the tribe about their rights as press, but, Jourdain said, when you enter another country, you live in accordance with their rules and policies and respect their law. He asked: Why, then, does the media feel they can go and do whatever they want on the Red Lake reservation? "It is rare that the media comes to the reservation to visit," he said. Jourdain wasn't impressed with some of the questions the media asked. They didn't do their homework, he said. One reporter asked what sage was used for. Another asked if a body needed to be buried in 24 hours. Another reporter asked why the FBI was involved in the shootings. And there were questions about the sovereignty of the Red Lake Nation. They only come when there is an incident and now that there is a tragedy, they want full access, he said. It troubles Jourdain that the interest of the media seems to be about the angst, hurt and carnage of the Red Lake people. The perspective of the media has been focused on the negative, Jourdain said, the appalling negative perspective that perpetuates the state of despair and violence on reservations that Red Lake reads and hears most of the time. That, he said, is not telling the clear truth, either. Next steps Now the tribe is preparing for the days and years ahead, Jourdain said. "We are planning what is next for the Red Lake people, but the concentration remains on the tragic events of March 21." Throughout the days following the shootings, the tribe has come together for strength. They met, a few nights ago, at the Humanities Center in Red Lake. Thirty pipe carriers and traditional drummers came to the center. There were groups from many tribes around the region. Representatives and spiritual leaders from Canada also came. The tribe wants to reach out for the families at home and pray in the traditional way, Jourdain said. Jourdain sees Indian country as a place with problems. Planning for the future has only begun. Jourdain said he and the tribal council want to help the Red Lake people, and all native people, for that matter, make a connection by taking part in traditional activities such as powwows, where all generations sing, dance, pray, eat and have a good time together. There's an overwhelming message in the shootings, he said. "This is a wake-up call for Indian country. We need to pay attention to our children. We need to respect and love one another and we need to find ways to connect better. We need to pay attention to those in the community who are hurting instead of getting lost in our own individuality." ---- Yellow Bird is a Herald columnist and an Arikara member of the Three Affiliated Tribes, North Dakota. Reach her at (701) 780-1228, (800) 477-6572, ext. 228; or dyellowbird@gfherald.com. Copyright c. 2005 Grand Forks Herald. --------- "RE: Proposed Treaty could protect Nations" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TREATY TO PROTECT TRIBAL RESOURCES" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410573 Proposed treaty could protect nations by: Redwing Cloud March 21, 2005 Suggests formation of United League of Indigenous Nations OLYMPIA, Wash. - A new proposal seeks to solve problems common to American Indians and Pacific Rim indigenous nations. The 'Treaty of Indigenous Nations of the Western Hemisphere' is being designed to stop cultural property theft, re-establish ancient trade agreements and co- manage environmental protections for tribal homelands. "Those are the goals," said Alan Parker, coordinator and former staff director to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, "to enable us to protect our cultural property by unification of nations, thus strengthening the role of American Indians and Pacific Rim Natives around the principle of all peoples respecting indigenous law." The Umatilla Tribes of Oregon presented this proposal, which would create a United League of Indigenous Nations, last June to the National Congress of American Indians, after Maori professor Graham Smith of New Zealand suggested the enactment of an Indigenous Nations Treaty. Native scholars and traditional leaders realized that something needed to be done to protect their cultural property. The National Congress of American Indians immediately recognized the importance of such an agreement and established a Special Committee of Indigenous Nations Relationships. Delegates were appointed to meet with Native representatives from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A draft treaty was written and submitted for consideration. The following preamble to the treaty relates the essence of its intent: "The Creator gave stewardship to indigenous peoples to protect and manage the Earth's resources, including all things natural, cultural, spiritual and sacred. Indigenous people are prayerful people who live in harmony with the Earth; and indigenous wealth is not found in monetary values, but in the gift of life from the Earths' natural resources. "We the Indian nations, tribes, First Nations, indigenous nations, and indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Rim that are signatory to this treaty, in mutual recognition of our inherent sovereign powers, hereby re-establish political, social and economic relations, and cooperative control of all natural resources considered essential to the cultural, spiritual and religious rights of our peoples." Principles were then drawn up and circulated for discussion. "Other indigenous peoples of the world are interested in how American Indians have found a way to work together through the NCAI to represent their interest as a group through credentialing," said Parker in his Feb. 27 presentation to the NCAI in Washington, D.C. "Tribal delegates present their credentials to the NCAI committee in the form of a resolution that identifies them as the tribe's representative and able to make decisions on behalf of the tribe. The credentialing process is seen as a possible model for the Maori people so that not just anyone could claim to be a representative. There is interest on an international level as well. There is protocol among nations called international diplomacy that dictates how nations deal with each other. This treaty would be indigenous international diplomacy," said Parker. The NCAI decided that the next step should be a full discussion on the treaty at its mid-year conference, June 13 - 15 at the Oneida Indian Nation's homeland in Wisconsin. Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: CHIEF LEAFORD BEARSKIN: My Indian World" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHIEF BEARSKIN: WYANDOTTE NATION" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=6195 Chief Leaford Bearskin: My Indian World My Indian World March 22, 2005 Commentary: I have been Chief of the Wyandotte Nation for 23 years. These opinions are my own. They are not influenced by anyone or anything except my observations of the American Indian world. Our Indian world has never been a pleasant place to be. Our past, present, and future appear to be a never changing picture. We cannot change the past and the present seems to be following along the same pathway. The future cannot be left alone to stumble along without direction. The best way to handle our future is to take over the leadership of our world ourselves. Strong leaders are needed, planned objectives should be established, and down-to-earth good hard work needs to be the order of the day. One of my first observations is that the majority of Indian tribes are small. Many of them do not possess the capability to compete with the rest of the world for contracts, small or large business ventures. Some Chiefs operate their tribes out of their homes. They do not have attorneys, grant writers, or secretaries to assist them. These facts should be made known to Congressmen, the Secretary of Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Services, State governments, and community governments. All policies and procedures developed for American Indians should take this into consideration. We all don't have casinos or huge contracts with the federal government. We barely exist with scarce assistance from the federal government. Our unemployment status is far above the norm. Our health statistics are deplorable. I was taught by the United States Air Force that one of the best incentives for success is proper planning for obtaining any major objective. I believe that the Secretary of the Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Indian Health Service should have a long-range plan for fixing the problems of our Indian world. To my knowledge there has never been any planning accomplished to even find out what our problems really are. I have always heard that our world has numerous problems, but I have never heard any of the above-named agencies define those problems. You cannot fix anything if you don't know what you are attempting to fix. I believe that a long-range plan should be developed that defines the source of our problems and then adopt a 25 or a 50-year-plan for solving those problems. This should be accomplished by the Secretary of Interior, BIA, IHS and tribal leaders. In my opinion we still have the same problems we had some 200 years ago when our lands were taken from us and we were placed behind barbed wire. It is also my opinion that most of those in power don't care or give a damn! Are there solutions to our problems? I believe there are. I believe that our biggest problem is that we are our own worst enemy. In 1983 when I was elected Chief, I heard other tribal leaders complain about our worst problem was that we don't get together to fight for our people. I have heard this for 23 years. We are still saying the same thing. Unity is paramount to success. If there are 600 tribes in the United States, there should be 600 tribal leaders speaking in unison. There should be a communication system developed to keep us all updated on our efforts. It should be directed upstairs and downstairs. Governors and Attorney Generals should be included. Many of our States have large numbers of Indians in their populations. In those States we have two powerful weapons at our disposal. Those two weapons are the pen and the vote. The pen can be used to publicize our efforts and to advise the powers that be of our objectives as well as our wants and needs. The pen can tell our side of the story. The other power is the most potent weapon that now exists - the power of the vote. Every adult American Indian must not only be registered to vote - they must vote! In those areas where our votes count we should be electing our people to public offices. This includes local governments, state governments, and the Congress of the United States. It is my opinion that candidates get elected because most people don't vote. If people who do vote have a well- organized vote-getting effort, their candidate can be elected. Our own elected officials can represent us better than anyone else. We can have our own people helping run counties, states, and congress. Let's elect American Indians to these offices. This brings another important thought to mind. We have several Congressmen in Washington, D.C. that have been our friends over the years. These Congressmen are reaching an age when they are likely looking to retirement in the not too distant future. When that happens, our friends in Congress will be practically nil. We need to start immediately to be prepared to replace them with people of our own choice. There are other things that should be looked at and corrected. We need to clean up our own act. There are some people among us that create situations that gives us all a bad reputation...embezzlers, crooks, thieves, etc. We need to take care of these types ourselves. We cannot be successful with people of that nature on board. It is my opinion that every person in the United States who holds an elected position should be a role model for children -- Presidents, Congressmen, State officials, County officials. Others who should be role models for the children are movie actors and actresses, professional football, baseball, and basketball players, Hollywood directors and writers--especially those folks; teachers, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas, and all tribal leaders. Myriads of others could and should be included. There are many tribes that have become successful in gaming, contractual economic projects, etc. who set a fine example for all the rest of us. If those folks have any surplus money, it could be spent on upgrading our laws that govern our Indian world. It would be the greatest assistance they could provide to all Indians. Can all this be accomplished? I believe it can. Dedication, sacrifice, teamwork, proper planning, and hard work are essential. The time frame must start today. The handwriting is on the wall. All the above are the writings of an old man. I am proud of my ancestry. I am proud of my Wyandotte Nation. I am proud to be an American. You might say, I am the proudest Chief in the Indian World. P.S. There really is a Great Spirit. Leaford Bearskin is the Chief of Wyandotte Nation. He is also a Lt. Col. USAF (Ret) Native American Times. Copyright c. 2005 All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: CHIEF JIM GRAY: Today's BIA budget and You" --------- Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:36:52 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CHIEF GRAY: BIA BUDGET" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=6210 Chief Jim Gray: Today's BIA budget and you Native American Times guest commentary Jim Gray March 24, 2005 For the past few years, Indian country has taken a beating on the BIA budget. With permanent tax cuts being considered by Congress, more federal spending on the recent wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and the war against terror, it appears domestic spending will suffer hits for some time to come. Which includes Indian country. As co-chairman of the BIA Budget Advisory Council with National Congress of American Indians President Tex Hall, I have become more familiar with a few terms in trying to understand the vast complexity of the BIA's current $2.2 billion dollar budget. Aside from the fact that last year it was a $2.3 billion dollar budget. First: OST, the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, a relatively new creation of Congress that administers the fiduciary trust responsibility of Indian and tribal money matters. Second is the all too familiar BIA, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which was recently reorganized to carry out the trust responsibility to Indians and tribes in all programmatic and resource responsibilities. Third is Cobell v. Norton: the class action lawsuit filed by the Native American Rights Fund in 1996 on behalf of over 500,000 Individual Indian Monies (IIM) account holders. This suit seeks an accounting of all transactions of the funds that have gone into IIM accounts since the Federal Government began to exercise responsibility over Indian people and their land as a trustee, and to fix the trust funds system. Fourth is the BIA-Tribal Budget Advisory Council. This is a group of over 24 tribes representing the BIA's 12 regions have met with the central office of the BIA on numerous occasions in an effort to develop funding priorities in the administration's effort to seek tribal input into the budget. Fifth is the Performance Assessment Rating Tool, also known as PART, is the name given to the evaluation tool created by the President to gauge whether federal agencies and federal programs are accomplishing their objectives and living up to their mission statements. On it's face, this seems like a healthy management tool to assist the Office of Management and Budget in allocating scarce dollars to reward successful programs and to withhold money from programs that are not succeeding anyway. Unfortunately, the already badly under funded programs of the BIA do not fare well under this program, and some of them are being cut even more drastically. The PART program takes no notice whatsoever of need, but identifies the programs that clearly are meeting their stated goals. I could go on with other acronyms and organizations but what you see here are a lot of divergent interests coming to play in a complicated battle over money. With the release of the President's budget request for 2006, (which starts in October,'05), the BIA Central office financial duties has been busy pulling more Indian program money toward Washington, centralizing operations and establishing budget priorities for the Bureau. In recent months the Administration has unveiled its new "Fiduciary Trust Model" (FTM), which is to guide the BIA's trust reform efforts into the 21st century. BIA Central Office functions have been reengineered by a group of key BIA staffers, and a couple of tribal representatives funded by a separate grant to the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET). This group has contributed to the drafting of the FTM that has been rolled out across the BIA's 12 regions in the past year. This costs money... lots of money. In light of national priorities, there are simply few dollars available to fund tribal programs and tribal input has been limited to just a few individuals. The recent reorganization of the BIA along with the FTM has created a new BIA and OST. At this juncture, here is what we know... - The Central office has swept unspent dollars from the 12 BIA regions into central offices functions that once operated under two year budget cycles and moving them to other central office priorities. Until very recently these BIA regional budget priorities have been operating under a two-year budget cycle, so unspent balances from one fiscal year to the next are not entirely unexpected. According to the recently released green books that go into greater detail behind the budget justifications, BIA Central office functions have taken an increase from 4.0% to 6.4% in the past three years, while regional operations as a percent have declined from 1.5% to .2% during the same time period. Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) which fund basic tribal services, such as social services, adult vocational training, child welfare natural resource management, and contract support. TPA gives tribes the opportunity to further Indian self- determination by establishing their own priorities and moving fe deral funds among programs. TPA has remained steady at 1.3 % of the budget, but in real dollars they have also declined from $25,189,000 to $24,588,000. - In response to the Cobell case, Central office has been shifting these funds towards other functions that deal with Judge Lamberth's decisions in mandating the Administration to direct the Department of Interior to do a full accounting of all transactions. - In light of lower PART scores in many BIA programs, the OMB is recommending that the President cut these programs because it appears that the BIA has done a poor job of administering them. Regardless of how underfunded these programs were to begin with, budgets like the backlog in tribal courts have suffered under the PART review because they now have to operate with even less money. - Through self-governance contracting and compacts with the BIA, tribes across the country have are administrating over 50% of the BIA's budget in recent years. Yet as contractors, tribes who are the beneficiaries of these programs are nowhere at the table when it comes to drafting the strategic plan of the BIA and the mission statements and objectives that serve Native communities. - There are many new faces in key OST and other BIA Central Office operations. Unfortunately, there are few if any getting hired under the Indian preference hiring policy. For example, in fiscal year '04, 93.5% were American Indian or Alaska Native; in '05 the ratio is down to 80%. This is an organization of more than 8,000 employees. As you can see, the Administration has framed the debate for the national BIA-Tribal budget Advisory council meeting set for March 29 and 30th in Washington. There is very little tribes can do to reverse a trend that has been set in motion years ago. Suffice it to say, that this is not your Daddy's BIA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing--but what has been lost is the unwritten sense of obligation that once existed from this federal agency towards the tribes and Indian people. Instead in recent years, the BIA has claimed to operate under an official policy of encouraging tribes to move toward an era of self-determination and support for tribal sovereignty. Sadly however, I believe it's time tribes and Indian people suspect the real government policy towards Indian country is one of litigation defense strategy, limited liability and grudging acceptance of its trust responsibility. What's the acronym for that? **** Jim Gray is the Chief of the Osage Nation and co-chairman of the BIA-Tribal Budget Advisory Council. Editors Note: Due to the recent tragedy in Red Lake, the BIA's Tribal Budget Advisory Council meeting has been postponed until April. --------- "RE: Utes' influence in Politics rising" --------- Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:46:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="UTE POLITICAL POWER" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://durangoherald.com/news&article_path=/news/05/news050327_2.htm Utes' influence in politics rising By George Lurie Herald Denver Bureau Chief March 27, 2005 DENVER - They called themselves "the dwellers of the turquoise sky." For centuries - before the arrival of the white man and modern times - Colorado was theirs. But after they were forcibly relocated to reservations around 1900, the Ute Indians lived for decades in relative obscurity. Then, in the early 1990s, casino gambling, booming energy markets and savvy investing catapulted them back into prominence. Today, as the Utes' power and influence continue to expand, the tribes must decide how big a role they want to play in shaping 21st century Colorado. The Southern Utes, already one of the country's richest Indian tribes, control about 1 percent of the United States' natural gas supply; the Ute Mountain Utes operate one of the biggest casino-hotel resorts in the state and have become the single-largest employer in Montezuma County. No longer relegated to hardscrabble lives on remote reservations, the Utes have become major players and are commanding an increasing amount of respect around the region. Colorado Gov. Bill Owens held a lengthy private meeting with top Ute leaders earlier this month, and tribal leaders are expected to play a key role at the historic Indian gambling summit the governor will host in Denver this week. State Rep. Mark Cloer, R-Colorado Springs, skipped a key debate on the House floor to attend the most recent Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs meeting, held at the University of Denver on March 17. "The Utes have become increasingly key players and deserve to be treated as valuable partners by the state," Cloer said. At the same meeting, Southern Ute Chairman Clement Frost, who has served on the Tribal Council for more than two decades, acknowledged that times are changing on the reservation. "I've spent a long time working on behalf of my people and am very proud of where we are as a tribe today," said Frost, 63, who heads a seven- member council that is growing increasingly younger with each election. "We're changing a lot in our leadership and (that affects) our relations with the state," Frost said. "Sometimes, it's difficult working with the younger tribal members. The way we live now, things have to go quicker than in the past. Hopefully, everything will work out." Southern Ute Executive Officer Everett Burch, Frost's right-hand man in Ignacio, said of the tribe's relationship with the state: "Right now, it's is pretty good. But we would like to work with the governor and with the state Legislature more closely on issues pertaining to the tribe." Peter Ortego, general counsel to the Ute Mountain Utes, concurs. "I would characterize our overall relationship with the state as excellent," Ortego said. Another indicator of the Utes' increasing prominence was evident earlier this year when, for the first time since the early 1980s, a tribal member was appointed to a top-level state job. Ernest House Jr., 24, a member of the Ute Mountain tribe who has worked in Lt. Gov. Jane Norton's office for two years, was named executive secretary of the state's Indian affairs commission. House's father, Ernest Sr., has been a member of the Ute Mountain Tribal Council for 22 years. His great-grandfather, Jack House, was the tribe's last traditional chief and is memorialized, along with Southern Ute Chief Ouray, in stained-glass portraits under the Capitol's gold dome. "Ernest is one of the brightest young stars on the scene today," said Norton, who acknowledged that youth is an increasingly key component in the makeup of both Ute tribal councils today. Southern Ute Vice Chairman Melvin Baker is in his early 40s. Newly elected council member Matthew Box is 36. Ute Mountain Chairman Selwyn Whiteskunk and Vice Chairman Manuel Hart are 41 and 43, respectively. Whiteskunk is one of a dozen Ute officials scheduled to attend the upcoming gambling summit, where a number of western state governors, congressmen and representatives from more than two dozens tribes will convene to hear more about the burgeoning national impact of off- reservation Indian gambling. Whiteskunk said the Utes "want to learn more" about a proposal by the Cheyenne-Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, who want to settle a century-old land claim against Colorado by building a Las Vegas-style casino resort near Denver International Airport, a project that Owens adamantly opposes. The Utes have yet to take a position on the Cheyenne-Arapaho proposal, nor have they expressed any formal interest in expanding their gambling operations - on or off the reservation. But as tribal councils on both reservations grow younger - and bolder - that could change. Asked if he was disappointed by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's last- minute cancellation of a scheduled meeting with tribal leaders at the recent Indian affairs commission meeting, Southern Ute councilman Jimmy Newton Jr., 28, said: "Not at all. It's no big deal. I'd rather talk about the new Boys and Girls Club we're starting in Ignacio or the drum group I'm working with at the high school, where teenagers are learning positive ways to deal with the stress and negative influences in their lives." Newton, the youngest member of the Southern Ute Tribal Council, met Owens for the first time last week. "He gave us his full attention and seemed interested in what we had to say," Newton said. "The governor seemed like a pretty cool guy." Reach Herald Denver Bureau Chief George Lurie at georgel@durangoherald.com. Copyright c. 2005 the Durango Herald. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Duwamish take issue with History Bill" --------- Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:26:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="EXCLUDED FROM LAND=EXCLUDED FROM PAST" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/217551_history25.html?source=rss Duwamish take issue with history bill Landless tribes say proposal excludes them By LEWIS KAMB SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER March 25, 2005 The idea came out of a tribal education summit two years ago: It was high time to make Native American history a requirement in Washington's public schools. For too long, tribal leaders from across Washington told state Rep. John McCoy, non-Indian students and their families have held misconceptions about their Indian neighbors. An honest airing about tribal culture and history -- the kind written and taught by Natives themselves -- could help change that, they said. And so, for the past two sessions, McCoy -- a Democrat from Tulalip and the state's lone Native American lawmaker -- has floated the idea in the Legislature. This session, McCoy's proposal seems poised to become state law. The bill -- HB1495S -- has passed by the House with overwhelming support. Today, it is scheduled for a public hearing in a Senate education committee. "It looks like it has a good chance," McCoy said this week. But just when it seems on the verge of approval, the proposal is being assailed by a seemingly unlikely opponent: fellow Native Americans. Members of the Duwamish Tribe this week publicly opposed the measure. In an official statement sent to McCoy and others, Duwamish Tribal Chairwoman Cecile Hansen lambasted the bill as "further genocide -- pure and simple." In its current form, the bill specifically tasks public schools to work with tribes with reservations in their respective school districts when creating a tribal history curriculum. But the Duwamish -- and at least six other tribes in Washington -- are not recognized by the federal government. Those tribes have no reservations, and neither do at least three others in this state that are federally recognized. And so, under the bill's language, Hansen fears the history of her tribe -- one of two to which Sealth, namesake to the state's largest city, served as anointed chief -- would not be taught in public schools -- and perhaps, eventually be written out of existence. "How can you exclude the history of the tribe who gives its name to Seattle?" Hansen asked. "But that's exactly what this bill does. It excludes the history of all landless tribes." Clearing up 'misconceptions' A tribal history requirement in Washington's schools is long overdue, said Denny Hurtado, Indian education program director for the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Part of the reason there's racial problems in schools and communities is because people don't know our real histories," said Hurtado, a Skokomish Indian. "There's a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes based on inaccurate history. So this (bill) is a big deal." Although state law already says any state history and government course required for high school graduation "is encouraged to include" information about tribal culture, history and government, there is no requirement to do so. McCoy's proposal would change that; amending the law to say such courses needed for graduation "shall" include such information. But in its original form, the bill was much stronger. It also required school districts to collaborate with local tribes to develop and implement a tribal history curricula. That rankled some lawmakers and education officials, who noted the state generally doesn't mandate what local school districts should or shouldn't teach. Some also feared that, with scores on the WASL exam soon to start counting for student graduation requirements, the law would pile on new learning requirements at the worst time. In order to fly, the bill had to be amended. A new version replaced language stating a school district "must" collaborate with local tribes to "is encouraged to." It also gave the state school directors association leeway in organizing meetings with tribes to develop curriculum plans, as well as granted more say over when individual school districts needed to include tribal history to their coursework. "It's watered down, big time," Hurtado said. "Some tribal leaders weren't too happy." But, in order to win lawmakers' support, McCoy says, "changes had to be made." Still, it's what hasn't changed that has Hansen and her tribe ticked off Seeking recognition For more than 25 years, the Duwamish has sought federal acknowledgement -- the status that can bring with it federal money for social, government and health programs, and a chance for a reservation. In early 2000, the tribe -- as well as fellow longtime petitioners, the Chinook Indian Nation of southwest Washington -- finally received recognition from the federal Interior Department, only to see it quickly revoked after a change in presidential administrations. "They should be recognized," Hurtado said. "It's not their fault that they're not." Still, Hansen fears the history and culture of her people would be excluded from public instruction under the bill. That's because it specifically states, "(a) school district is encouraged to include in its curriculum information about the history, culture and government of any tribe whose reservation lands, in whole or in part, are within the boundaries of the school district." In 1855, Sealth -- the anointed chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes -- signed the Treaty of Point Elliott, in which the Duwamish ceded the land where Seattle now stands in exchange for a reservation and other guarantees. But the Duwamish never got its reservation -- nor is it among the 29 tribes now federally recognized. By including such language, Hansen said, the bill "discriminates against Native American tribes lacking a reservation." Hansen has made her opinion widely known, sending e-mails to McCoy and others, and asking citizens to contact their state lawmakers to oppose the bill. "She was rather put out with me," said McCoy, who traces part of his heritage to the Duwamish. "But the history of the Duwamish is going to get covered." McCoy said he has encouraged Hansen to work with the Muckleshoot tribe - -- a blend of several traditional tribes that includes some members of Duwamish heritage -- should the time ultimately come to create a tribal history curriculum for public schools. Such suggestions make Hansen angry. The Muckleshoot, she said, has long been a rival of her tribe. Having that tribe in control of what should or should not be taught about Duwamish history is preposterous, she said. "I don't know what planet John McCoy is living on," Hansen says. "If any tribe opposes the Duwamish, it's the Muckleshoot." (A Muckleshoot member referred to by tribal representatives for this story could not be reached for comment.) Other tribal leaders said they understand Hansen's concerns. But such details can always be worked out later, they said. "The most important thing right now is to get the legislation into law," said Craig Bill, deputy director of the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs. And even a diluted version of the measure that doesn't please everyone is better than none at all, Hurtado said. "At least it's something. Once it gets passed, we can always go back and amend it." P-I reporter Lewis Kamb can be reached at 206-448-8336 or lewiskamb@seattlepi.com Copyright c. 1996-2005 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. --------- "RE: Tribes demand Respect for Peaks" --------- Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:36:52 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FIGHTING FOREST SERVICE DECISION" http://www.gallupindependent.com/2005/mar/032405peaks.html Tribes demand respect for peaks Ask U.S. government to reverse recent Forest Service decision By Kathy Helms Dine' Bureau March 25, 2005 CROWNPOINT - Navajo, Hopi and surrounding tribes are asking the U.S. government to stop persecuting them and start respecting their First Amendment guarantee to Freedom of Religion by reversing a recent Forest Service decision affecting one of the Four Sacred Mountains, Dook'o'osliid, the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. On March 8, Coconino National Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure authorized the use of reclaimed wastewater from the City of Flagstaff to make artificial snow at the Arizona Snowbowl located on the Peaks. The Snowbowl consists of 777 acres of national forest lands and operates under a special use permit issued by the forest service. This decision left the tribes, the Navajo Nation in particular, feeling very much disrespected. As a result, members of the Navajo Nation Council's Resources Committee and Lloyd Thompson of Dine' Medicine Men's Association tried Tuesday at a committee meeting in Crownpoint to craft get-tough legislation the federal government will better understand regarding their opposition to the forest service decision. Strong words Rather than reaffirming language included in a 1998 Council resolution approved when Kelsey Begaye was Speaker, the committee approved amended wording proposed by Resources Vice Chairperson LaVern Wagner, Pueblo Pintado/Torreon/Whitehorse Lake. Wagner recommended changing the title of the legislation from "Affirming the Navajo Nation Opposition ..." to state: "The Navajo Nation Strongly Opposes Desecration of Dook'o'osliid (San Francisco Peaks)." At her recommendation the committee also modified a second part of the resolution authorizing the Navajo Nation President, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, Resources Committee and the Washington Office to advocate with the federal government against desecration of the peaks. The committee inserted language recommending working with three agencies in particular U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Interior, and U.S. Forest Service in addition to the already named State of Arizona and City of Flagstaff, in an attempt to be heard. Delegate Nelson Begaye, Lukachukai/Tsaile/Wheatfields, addressed the committee. "I would thank my sister, the Honorable Wagner for that language, because if we just reaffirm the resolution that's there, 'Now therefore be it resolved that the Navajo Nation Council respectfully urges ...'." "I think we're beyond 'respectfully urging' the United States Congress," he said. Begaye also questioned whether the legislation has "enough teeth" to stop the Snowbowl expansion. Sponsor Amos Johnson of Black Mesa asked the committee "for all your wisdom and minds to help me with this legislation. If the word 'reaffirming' is not strong enough, let's say 'strongly oppose.' I'm asking for your wise choice of words." Begaye suggested that Thompson, as a member of the medicine men's association "might have the right language. ... I really don't like 'reaffirming'," Begaye said. Resources Chairman George Arthur, battling a case of laryngitis, mustered enough voice to tell Begaye: "You are right that this legislation should be in a manner that there is no direct misunderstanding on how the Navajo people feel about the development that's being initiated in Dook'o'osliid. "I did not hear Navajo Nation leadership taking a public stand or a strong stand against this initiative. I have only read what is in the news media with comments being made from Navajo Nation leadership," Arthur said. Thompson said the tribes' 45-day appeal period is under way. "Within 45 days another resolution is coming. We try to stay away from the legal sovereignty. We try to use our traditional sovereignty. The white people never understand us," he said. After his presentation, Thompson elaborated further, saying the peaks have not been the only sacred mountain under attack. The medicine men also opposed uranium mining on the west side of Mount Taylor back around 1980. Strong medicine "The white people, they seem like they don't understand, really, because they've never been around the reservation and grew up with the ceremonial way of life. That's the reason why they don't understand. What it says in there (Snowbowl decision), Nora Rasure says economics is No. 1. That's money," Thompson said. The white people talk about God creating people, he said. "He created different races, like us Indians. The Great Spirit gave us our language. He gave us a ceremony to pray for ourselves, to pray for our people. He even let us, sort of like 'own' this world, the Universe. That's why we have Four Directions. "The Navajo pray with this mountain. Seems like this mountain is themselves. ... That's the reason why I say, 'How would you like it if people keep hitting you like this'?" He smacked his fist into his hand. "That is what is happening to us. It is beating us, putting scars on us. ... Way back in 1978 they started. Way back in 1940 they started. Way back in 1830 when Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, then they started hunting us down like we're not human, we're like animals," Thompson said. Now, the federal government once again is in a dispute with the Indians, but next Tuesday, the affected tribes will gather at the museum in Flagstaff, in the shadow of the peaks, to discuss the next course of action. Thompson said the medicine men contacted environmental specialists in California and were told there are 22 ingredients used to clean up the wastewater. "But from the medicine man's point of view, there are human remains in there. "You know those driver's licenses that say, 'Donor'? Those people when they get killed, these interns that want to be doctors, they take them to the hospital and they practice on them. And all that blood goes in there (wastewater). People that have to amputate their arms and legs, that goes in there. And birth. It all goes in there. Monthly from the woman goes in there," he said. To Native Americans, dousing this wastewater on their house of worship is not only a sacrilege, but eventual cultural suicide. Traditional medicine man Johnson Dennison, said, "The Navajo Blessing Way Ceremony says before anyone came, there was a Goddess, Changing Woman, who instructed to find Four Sacred Mountains." One of those, Dook'o'osliid, is in the west and is the color of twilight. "It should be kept pure and clean. If one is not respecting it, there will be consequences," Dennison said. - To contact reporter Kathy Helms: call (928) 729-2331; fax (928) 729-2446; e-mail, khelms@frontiernet.net Copyright c. 2005 Gallup Independent. --------- "RE: Tohono O'odham Nation sues over Telescope Project" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KITT PEAK" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0324kittpeak.html Tribe fights Kitt Peak project Susan Carroll Republic Tucson Bureau March 24, 2005 TUCSON - The Tohono O'odham Nation on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to halt a $13 million telescope construction project atop Kitt Peak as leaders threatened to break a lease signed decades ago allowing scientific observations on the tribe's sacred mountain. The complaint in U.S. District Court in Tucson asserts that the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution violated federal law by starting construction last September on a cluster of four telescopes, dubbed VERITAS, designed to detect high-energy particles from sources such as black holes and exploding stars. "Since the announcement of plans to construct a new array of telescopes and related buildings, the Nation has asserted that further building would destroy the spiritual nature of the site," the lawsuit states. "Not only were its objections ignored, but the federal government violated numerous provisions of federal law in order to commence construction without formally considering the Nation's position." advertisement Curt Suplee, a National Science Foundation spokesman, said Wednesday that officials at the Virginia-based agency had not received a copy of the complaint from the court and could not comment on the lawsuit. VERITAS spokesman Trevor C. Weekes also declined to comment on the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that the National Science Foundation, which has leased land atop Kitt Peak since 1958, ignored concerns by tribal members that the project "would destroy the spiritual nature of the site" and seeks to stop construction during an investigation into whether the government violated historic preservation or environmental policy laws. The site selected for VERITAS, or Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System, is located on Kitt Peak, known as Iolkam to members of the Tohono O'odham Nation and revered as one of the tribe's sacred sites for spiritual ceremonies, according to the complaint. Kitt Peak National Observatory, about 60 miles southwest of Tucson, also is home to more than 20 other telescopes. "The nation has always maintained that this mountain is of cultural significance to our people," said Vivian Juan-Saunders, the nation's chairwoman. "We want a role in decision making, and we have a right to decision making. I'm appalled that certain federal laws are not being abided by a federal entity." The lawsuit states that the Smithsonian Institution subleased the land from the National Science Foundation in 2003, but accuses the government of failing to properly seek approval from the tribe or public comments. A previous site selected for VERITAS in the Santa Rita Mountains eventually was rejected because of its proximity to a Native American sweat lodge, according to the court records. The Tohono O'odham's lawsuit alleges that the National Science Foundation failed to send draft reports to tribal leaders assessing the potential cultural and environmental impact, which prevented the nation from identifying Kitt Peak as a sacred site eligible for historic property protections. Tribal leaders twice denied the National Science Foundation's requests to lease land on Kitt Peak before signing a perpetual lease in 1958, the lawsuit states. Juan-Saunders said tribal leaders were drawn into that agreement by "the promise of revenue and employment" during an era when the federal government was systematically taking away land and certain rights from tribes across the country. "Today we're in an era of self-governance and self-determination, where the Tohono O'odham Nation is concerned that our rights are being violated, " she said, adding that the tribe will seek to break the 47-year-old lease if leaders are not satisfied that cultural and spiritual sites are adequately protected. Reach the reporter at susan.carroll@arizonarepublic.com or 1-(520)-207-6007. Copyright c. 2005, azcentral.com. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Bill seeks Recognition for Virginia Tribes" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="VIRGINIA RECOGNITION REINTRODUCED" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410576 Reintroduced bill seeks recognition for Virginia tribes by: Bobbie Whitehead / Indian Country Today March 21, 2005 WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., has once again introduced a bill that, if passed by Congress, would give six of Virginia's Indian tribes federal recognition. Allen on March 1 introduced Senate bill 480, also known as the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act. A companion bill for the U.S. House of Representatives, sponsored by Reps. Jim Moran, D-Va., and Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., most likely will be introduced by the end of March, said Kenneth Branham, Monacan Indian Nation chief. "It's basically the same bill - nothing's changed since it was first introduced in the last session of Congress," Branham said. The Senate bill, first introduced in 2003, would grant the six tribes federal recognition and place land in trust for the tribes. The tribes that would receive federal recognition include the Nansemond, the Rappahannock, the Upper Mattaponi, the Chickahominy and the Eastern Chickahominy Indian tribes, along with the Monacan Indian Nation. Opponents to the bill have argued it would allow the tribes to operate casinos in the state. The bill, however, includes a provision that prohibits the tribes from utilizing the federal Indian gaming act, according to Allen's office. None of the state's Indian tribes have expressed an interesting in operating casinos, Branham said. Instead, the tribes want to be recognized as Indians to qualify for educational scholarships, reclaim ancestral remains, qualify for low-interest business loans and have access to health benefits available to federally recognized tribes, he said. "I do look for the bill to move, and I'm pretty confident it will pass in the Senate this time," Branham said. "If it passes the Senate this year, then we can concentrate on the House next year. We've been doing it for a little over five years now, and I would like to see it pass this time." Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: House approves Hunting changes on Reservations" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ND REZ HUNTING REGS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/11209620.htm House approves hunting changes on Indian reservations DALE WETZEL Associated Press March 23, 2005 BISMARCK, N.D. - A new state law will end some hunters' obligation to buy a state hunting license to hunt on tribal land on North Dakota's American Indian reservations. Supporters say the change will help foster better tribal-state relationships. "All we're asking is to respect somebody else's license," said Rep. Rod Froelich, D-Selfridge, whose district includes the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. "We do it for Montana, we do it for South Dakota, we do it for Minnesota, we do it for Colorado." The North Dakota House voted 58-33 on Tuesday to approve the change. It has already been endorsed by the Senate, and the bill now heads to Gov. John Hoeven's desk for his review. It affects non-Indian hunters who are hunting on tribal land, within the boundaries of one of North Dakota's five reservations. Some land within reservation boundaries is not Indian-owned, and state hunting rules would still prevail on that property. Indian hunters who hunt on tribal land only need a tribal hunting license. The legislation specifies that non-Indian hunters, who are hunting on tribal land within a reservation, also need only a tribal license. Previously, the state Game and Fish Department has also required non- Indian hunters to obtain a state license as well when hunting on tribal land. The change will allow non-Indian hunters to transport game off the reservation, with only a tribal license. The change has been the subject of protracted negotiations between lawmakers and tribal officials in both the House and Senate. Rep. Jon Nelson, R-Wolford, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said the panel spent more time on the bill than it has on any other during the 2005 Legislature. Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, the committee's vice chairman, opposed the change, saying it would result in confusion among sportsmen about the rules on hunting on Indian reservation land. It will hamper attempts to synchronize hunting seasons, bag limits and possession limits for game, Porter said. "If the state loses concurrent game management powers, important and careful, considered state game management tools ... are lost," Porter said. Froelich said the bill "doesn't take anything away from the state. It doesn't take anything away from the tribes. It says, 'Here, we're going to work together for a change.' ... We need to pass this bill and show the tribes we're willing to sit down and work with them." Said Rep. Mike Norland, R-Williston: "They're going to manage their resource, and I think we should have the respect for those sovereign nations to let them do that." ---- The bill is SB2041. Copyright c. 2005 Aberdeen American News. --------- "RE: Business brisk at Mariposa's new Indian Clinic" --------- Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:46:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MARIPOSA HEALTH CLINIC" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.modbee.com/local/story/10204162p-11019229c.html Business brisk at Mariposa's new Indian clinic By CAROL REITER MERCED SUN-STAR March 27, 2005 MARIPOSA - Two centuries ago, the Mewuk Indians used native plants and tribal healers to take care of aches and pains. Now, a clinic has opened to make sure their health care is state of the art. Mariposa Indian Health Clinic opened across from John C. Fremont Hospital earlier this month, and a steady stream of patients has kept doctors busy. Susie Johnson, assistant clinic manager, said medical and dental services are available for anyone who has insurance coverage the clinic accepts. The clinic is under the auspices of Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne Health Board Inc., which operates facilities in the four counties, and focuses services on American Indians. Steve Riggio, executive director of MACT, said the group's clinics receive funding from the Indian Health Service, a federal agency. Health care for local American Indians is conducted in an atmosphere that respects and supports their traditions, values and beliefs, Riggio said. Providers try to create a nonclinic atmosphere, he added. "We want people to be able to walk in and sit down and talk and spend time here, whether they have an appointment or not," Riggio said. The board serves 3,000 to 4,000 American Indians in the four counties, Riggio said. Mewuks are still the prevalent tribe, but members of other tribes travel to the clinics as well. Tne way to reach out to American Indians is to staff the clinics with as many members of tribes as possible. Johnson is Mewuk, as is the medical office manager, Frannie Gann. The health care providers are not tribe members, but other staff are, Johnson said. One of the biggest problems facing patients of the clinic is diabetes, Johnson said. The clinic focuses on helping diabetics understand and control the disease. "I see about six out of 10 of our patients coming in with diabetes," Johnson said. She said she believes the disease is so rampant because American Indians, like everyone else, weren't designed to eat supersized meals and play video games. "A long time ago, we stored food in the spring and ate it through the winter," she said. "We didn't have the fats that we do now." Gann added that before the Mariposa area was settled by people other than American Indians, people walked everywhere. "It was a totally different type of lifestyle," she said. Johnson focuses on nutrition and preventive care for diabetics and screens her patients for pre-diabetes, hoping to stop the disease before it gets a foothold. The clinic is trying to start an exercise facility to help people get and stay healthy. The clinic also offers dental services - it's the only dental facility that accepts Medi-Cal in Mariposa County, Johnson said. Staffed by two dentists, with a third on the way, the clinic provides all types of dentistry, including oral surgery. Although the clinic has only been open for four days, changes are on the way. Staff members are excited about a piece of landscaping being moved to the site: an American Indian grinding rock still at the town's old clinic. The rock will be placed near the future home of an herb garden and a healing area - a plan aimed at honoring and comforting American Indian patients. "We have people coming from as far away as Turlock and Los Banos," Johnson said. "They come here because it's an Indian clinic, and they feel at home." Copyright c. 2005 The Modesto Bee, The McClatchy Company. --------- "RE: Chasco" --------- Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2005 12:13:21 -0500 From: "princess obriot" Subj: Chasco article How does the Chasco chicken get to the other side? Why they cut across the circle, of course. Every year, when spring is still just a hopeful idea in the northern states, folks in Suncoast Florida are kicking off one of its first seasonal festival openers in New Port Richey Florida. That's one of those tiny dots approx 32 miles north of Tampa, smack dab on the coastal front, in case your looking for it on a map. Most every small town has a fair or festival of some sort, and New Port Richey is no different in that respect, but only in that. You see this particular festival, called the Chasco Fiasco by some locals, has put New Port Richey on the map of controversy. "At 6 o'clock, around the hour of sunset, the pageant proper was staged, and this was quite as interesting as anticipated. Queen Chasco, in the gorgeous dress of the ruler of her tribe, and attended by a numerous retinue, approached the landing at the Indian Village, with a fleet of stately canoes, and to the wild enthusiastic whoops of the assembled Calusas. In the centre of the village, shaded by high and stately palms, the throne had been erected on a dais and under a canopy of rich tropical foliage. Here Chasco took her seat, to bear the renunciation of all his rights and privileges as ruler of the tribe of Chief Mucoshee in her royal favor, and here she was crowned queen. The ceremony was both impressive and picturesque. The old chief's renunciation and words of instruction and advice to his fair follower were listened to with rapt attention. The departure of the abdicated chieftain was dignified and seemed to give rise to a feeling of sympathy and regret among the spectators. Then Queen Chasco instructed her couriers to go to every quarter to proclaim the tidings of the change of dynasty, and the appointment of Prince Pithla ruler of the city and guardian of the queen's seal. Thus ended a ceremony which next year will be repeated with even greater pomp and rite.--" St' Petersburg times 1922. If you come across their web page or a brochure, it'll read, "The Story of Chasco - Since 1922, Chasco Fiesta has honored the romantic legend intertwining the lives of a Spanish boy and girl, a priest, and the Calusa Indian tribe who captured them after defeating a Spanish expedition. According to the story, the boy and girl were later wed as Queen Chasco and her consort Pithla. Today, Florida's Native American heritage is revered, as evidenced by this annual event honoring all Native American tribes. Experience Chasco Fiesta!" But in later years, many Native Americans and supportive activitists began to speak out against the pageant play that was anything but flattering to Native Americans. In fact, it was downright insulting. Children who performed the play were taught the Indians they depicted should be called 'heathens' and re-enacted cannibalism and human sacrifice these Indians supposedly performed. As if that were not enough, locals had come to know the pageant as a representation of a true historical past. In fact, there is no historical value to this 'Chasco story' at all, but pure false fantasy based on a script written by Gerben M. DeVries. AIM moved in, making its strongest appearance in 2001. In 2002 it was decided the pageant would not continue, but not for the reasons AIM or other activists would like to have won, but based on parent's concern for the safety of children that would be future pageant actors. Indians were once more made out to be the threatening bad guys in this. Nonetheless, the Chasco story would not be told again. So we could all sit back and enjoy the the rest of the event now,right? Guess not... Theres still an issue of a float to reckon with. Darn that float. 2005: As if this year would be any different from any previous year. It does seem the complaint is getting old and rusty. The local paper seems road-worn on the subject, and lacking in fresh material. Even I, as the resident Native in town, found little motivation to report on this year's event as I have previously. From my view, I was glad to see the Chasco pageant removed, but saw little importance in bickering over something trivial as a parade float. I have in the past spoke out as a non-supporter of AIM and their relentlessness over such a petty thing, but with what my eyes beheld this year,I'm wondering if maybe we should all just drop it all and walk away? Deny the Fiasco players anyacknowledgement of relevancy to our heritage or culture. Just leave them to what has become a circus of tiaras, pony beads and feather boas. Perhaps our protests should not be aimed at a float or the whole of the Chasco feista, but to our own who sold us out. Indian people who value the coin over traditions and dignity. I'm walking down along the sidewalk heading towards the powwow. My daughter, my daughter, spots our favorite carnival ride set up where the road splits, the left leading to the carnival, the right will take us to the powwow circle. Residental houses line the right side of the street and once we pass the pool party yard with the live jazz band we can finally hear the drums. Ah the drums, I love them. They fill my heart and every blood cell in my body. You know what I'm talking about. Before we even reach the circle my head is bouncing. I glance down at my daughters feet that have already broken out into a crow stomp, one of few steps you can do and still walk through a crowd at the same time. (ha-ha) Seven, maybe eight men traddional dancers are just finishing as we manage a spot near the arbor where we can watch. I wish we hadn't. Small things, little things start to catch my attention and tug at me. The MC invites all the dancers in for a round of intertribals, the last of such before breaking for dinner. A pleasant looking blonde woman inb her fifties in an exceptional buckskin dress dances around the circle's perimeter with a quick step not intended for buckskin. I watch further with amusement, I know that step, it belongs to the Northern straight dance. Now as one of very few women who have earned the right to wear bustles, I'm not likely to scoff at a woman who dances in a man's moccasins, but perhaps she should don them instead of a women's dress first. Yes? No? Maybe? But she isn't what has me bothered. As I watched her feet, I spotted a Coca Cola bottle inside the circle. I looked around and saw there were quite a few pieces of trash inside the circle but that's not all there was inside the ring. Onlookers, those who had come to watch just as I had, were seated comfortably on the bales of hay that lined the circle, with their feet inside the circle. The Intertribal ended, and that seemed to signal some unseen crosswalk sign or something, because several people suddenly stepped into the circle only for the purpose of crossing over to the other side. One fellow even brought his dog through. My daughter started tugging at me for a bite to eat, so we stepped away and headed for the food vendors. Good ol' greazy Indian fry food, makes the taste buds 'hum' right away and the gut churn over later. (worth every grumble) The emcee calls for a veterans dance, so my daughter and I step back up to the circle to make our respects, but as they make their way in from the east they all just step to the edges for a moment rather than circle around, then walked back out in a break to the south. The drum song ends and those still in the circle just hop over the hay bales, making haste for the food lines. I'd seen enough and was in need for some prayer tobacco, so we wandered off to peruse the booths and find some tobacco. Folks acted as if they had never heard of it. I felt like I was speaking a foreign language, "You know? TOE-BAHH-KOE do you have any?" And its not like there weren't enough vendors to ask. Just the right number of vendors are set up each year, many regulars year after year. And with a good strong crowd, vendors usually go home happy. Oh sure I know many of you sing the "We're not it for the money" tune, but lets face it, its nicer to return with a jingle or two in the pocket then not. But would you know out of twenty or so booths, not one single tent had tobacco? Well okay one guy had two small baggies of long leaf which would have been nice but you could see the damn mold growing on it and he wanted three bucks for it... PASS. By this time, I just wanted to get out before I came across one of the princesses strutting around in a tiara or something of the like. I was glad we had run out of time and needed to head out, but as the sidewalk lead us away from the familiar sounds of drums and singers my heart became sad. Six years ago my daughter and I moved down here from Atlanta, Georgia. And for all the love I have for Florida, its wetlands, the ocean, my daughter's school and the fixer upper home we now have, I miss most our friends and family, our intertribal community, our tradional powwows, our people. But after what I saw today I will not give in to such alowly expression of our heritage just to fill the loss. Although it has little relevance in this any more - for you rubberneckers, the following Florida AIM web page contains the Chasco story as it was originally written. http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/aimfl/script.html --------- "RE: Students fight to save D-Q TRIBAL COLLEGE" --------- Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:26:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CALIFORNIA'S ONLY TRIBAL COLLEGE" http://www.pechanga.net/ http://www.news10.net/storyfull1.asp?id=9905 Students Fight to Save California's Only Tribal College D-Q University closed its doors nearly two months ago, but that isn't stopping about 20 students from doing whatever it takes, even ignoring eviction notices, to save their school. The students are living in dorm rooms without heat, and are running out of food. An armed guard blocks the school's entrance, and allows only people on a list on and off campus. Despite the obstacles, the students say they possess the same determination as the original protesters responsible for the school's founding. In 1971, following weeks of protests by Native Americans, the federal government provided the university's founders with the title to the land of a former U.S. Army communication relay station. This was able to happen under the provisions of federal surplus property laws. Now, 30 years later, students hope their protests will keep the school open. However, the students face an uphill battle. In the last year, enrollment at the school has dropped, it has lost its accreditation, and it has fallen on hard times financially. Despite the challenges, D-Q University President Victor Gabriel hopes the school will reopen later this year. The student protesters blame Gabriel and school adminstrators for the school's closure, and have joined forces with the original founders and are seeking Gabriel's resignation. The group has also vowed to go to court to gain control of the school. D-Q University is the first and only university outside a reservation that is operated by Native Americans. KXTV News10 is a Gannett Company, Copyright c. 2005 Gannett Co., Inc. --------- "RE: Huron Campus mostly left out of Si Tanka Bailout" --------- Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:46:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SI TANKA PLAN" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/11238398.htm Huron campus mostly left out of Si Tanka bailout Associated Press March 26, 2005 HURON, S.D. - The Cheyenne River Sioux tribal council has approved a $400,000 loan for Si Tanka University, but the money will go mostly to pay salaries and expenses at the school's Eagle Butte campus. That offers little help to students and faculty at the Huron campus, where employees have not received paychecks since Feb. 15. Huron students waiting for scholarship money got some relief Friday when the school doled out between $100 and $200 in assistance. Amanda Raynor said she was supposed to get about $850. "We appreciate the money, it's not that we don't, but it's just not enough and it's not the money that we're owed," Raynor said. The Internal Revenue Service has also stepped in. Si Tanka University faces foreclosure litigation after it defaulted on $6.6 million in loans and has been hit by a $2 million federal tax lien. Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier said that prompted the IRS to block the $400,000 loan, and officials are trying to get the hold lifted based on student hardship. "It is levied on Si Tanka and not the tribe, so we're trying to assist them any way we can to file an appeal to get the levy lifted," Frazier said. Si Tanka University in Eagle Butte bought Huron University in 2001, which set the course for the current financial problems. The purchase made the percentage of American Indian students at Si Tanka fall below 50 percent. So last summer, the Bureau of Indian Affairs said the school no longer qualified for about $1.4 million in federal tribal college funding. School administrators lobbied the BIA to have the funding restored but were turned down. The council, in Thursday's resolution, distinguished between the classification of the Huron campus as a state charter and the Eagle Butte campus as a tribal charter. Native American students are an overwhelming majority on the Eagle Butte campus, and the move signals a split aimed at getting that federal money restored to Eagle Butte. The partial payouts and staff health insurance premiums through March 31 were the only money approved for the Huron campus in the council's 14-0 resolution Thursday. The $400,000 represents partial repayment of a Jan. 2 loan from the Huron campus to the Eagle Butte campus. Si Tanka President Francine Hall earlier said the loan was $1.2 million. The loan also imposes tighter control by the council, requiring the university to: _ Present invoices to the tribal treasurer before any money is disbursed _ Provide weekly financial reports to council members _ Present to the council by April 1 comprehensive budgets and revenue reports for the remainder of the spring semester, any summer session and the 2005-06 academic year Closure of Si Tanka would mean 191 lost jobs and educational opportunities for 775 students, according to the school and the tribe. ---- Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com Copyright c. 2005 Aberdeen American News. --------- "RE: Teenager's Death brings Youth to Reservation" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="LAKOTA TEEN'S VISION" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://www.argusleader.com//503240334/1001 Vision inspires youths Hopes of girl drowned by cousin in 2001 create cultural bridge from S.D. town to Ohio ROBERT MORAST rmorast@argusleader.com March 24, 2005 LITTLE EAGLE - Weeks before she was found dead, Lakota Rose Madison had a vision of a bridge connecting her home town of Little Eagle to Dayton, Ohio. Madison was 17 years old and trying to distance herself from the chemical addictions and depression that plagued many of her peers on the Standing Rock Reservation. In the vision, she told friends and family, a bridge delivered troubled and curious reservation youths to a Dayton safe house. She hoped the vision would lead to a real cultural exchange that would bring young people she met during a youth conference in Ohio to the reservation. The beginning of the vision was realized Saturday when a group of about 30 people arrived in Little Eagle. They came from the University of Dayton and other parts of Ohio as well as Pennsylvania. A few were Madison's friends, people she bonded with during her trip to Dayton. Others were sympathetic followers to the youth sobriety movement that started in her name after she was found beaten and drowned in the Grand River in June 2001. All came to help. "We're just here trying to achieve what she hasn't because of her death," said Anita Lukey, a Cincinnati native and freshman at the University of Dayton. Sleeping and gathering in the village's community gym, the visitors came to lay a figurative foundation for a safe house on Standing Rock and spread the news that a Lakota Rose peace house will be dedicated at the end of April in Dubois, Pa. Tuesday night, they joined with locals for a ceremony handing out the Lakota Rose sobriety bracelets to youths and adults willing to make a three-year sobriety pledge. More than 8,000 bracelets have been given out across the nation, but this was the first time they had reached Madison's home. Maybe more important, the visitors came to engage the Little Eagle youths in a discussion of cultural differences and similarities. "This is what she wanted, people to come and talk to the youth," said Josephine Madison, Lakota Rose's mother. "Sitting here, thinking about this, I feel bad. I'm wishing she was here to see all this." Josephine Madison speaks with a somber, reflective tone. Aside from dealing with memories of a murdered daughter, she said a family member had just been killed in an automobile accident. And she lamented the fact that teen suicides are a disturbing trend on this reservation straddling the border of North Dakota. "Something like this to happen in this community, this is what we need," Josephine Madison said as she watched the Dayton students interact with Little Eagle children. Lakota Rose's story first was told in the Argus Leader almost a year ago. Just as the visitors from Dayton are a sign of hope, reminders of this area's inertia are present. "It's really hard ... to try and do something," Josephine Madison said. "(People) get you down. They say stuff, try to hurt your feelings. But this is really good. Hopefully, good things come from it." Party and fatal conflict along the Little Grand Lakota Rose Madison had her bags packed and was waiting for Mary Ann Angel, a friend from Dayton, to pick her up and take her to Ohio, where she would spend the summer and they could begin work on the "bridge." But days before Angel arrived in Little Eagle, Madison attended a party with friends at "the tree," a popular hangout along the banks of the Grand River south of town. When she left home, it was the last time her family would see her alive. At the party, Madison and the others started drinking. An altercation developed and ended with Madison's cousin, O'Neil Iron Cloud, drowning her in the river. Three days later, her body was found downstream. Iron Cloud later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving a nine- year sentence. Madison's death, coupled with her attempts to become sober and reach out to the youths of her community, made her a hopeful martyr of youth sobriety. Spreading of bracelets to help realize a dream Thanks to the involvement of the Colorado-based agency White Buffalo, the Lakota Rose sobriety bracelet movement has spread nationally. But Angel said the bracelets are only part of a three-tier initiative trying to follow through with Madison's dreams. Led by Angel, the group from the University of Dayton is intent on returning to Little Eagle next year to begin constructing a peace place in memory of Lakota Rose. Angel says a peace place is similar to a safe house but not bound by the same legal restrictions. "That's what my young people want to negotiate," Angel said. "We don't want to go to a place or a community or organization and say, 'You should have a peace place.' They need to initiate it. If the young people and the elders say they want us to be here, we will collaborate." At this point, it's only talk. There also are discussions of having student exchange programs between the University of Dayton and Standing Rock's Sitting Bull College. "We're open to students coming here and learning about the land, the culture," said Linda Jones, an ethnobotanist at Sitting Bull College. "We have a land base that is large and very open to students for research. And you have an area that is very different and would be good for research." "This means bringing communities together," Angel said. "We really focus on bridging marginalized and oppressed indigenous communities." Reaching out from Ohio for cultural harmony In Little Eagle, that process involved the construction of a mural by area children depicting reservation life. The mural will be taken to Ohio and included in an international festival. When they were interacting with the youths, the Dayton students experienced Lakota traditions such as participating in a sweat lodge ceremony and learning traditional dancing. Others spent time in story circles that shared cultural tales among white, Native American and Latino people. Led by Alicia Pag1/3n, a multicultural arts educator from Dayton, the story circles brought the Little Eagle youths and their visitors together by sharing their cultural similarities. One young boy listened to Pag1/3n tell the story of a Mexican maiden, then opened up about his life in Little Eagle saying he enjoyed reading books but didn't like it when his older cousin beat him. During a story circle session, Tasha Kills Crow, a 17-year-old Little Eagle woman, told the group about Lakota traditions and customs, such as why the eagle is a sacred bird. She said she thinks the bridging of Little Eagle and Dayton will bring hope back to her home. "I think it will change people's lives around here," Kills Crow said. "There's a lot of hating going on, and it will bring the people back together so we can talk about the culture." Reach reporter Robert Morast at 331-2313. Copyright c. 2005 Argus Leader. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: New Law allows BLM to sell Wild Horses to Indians" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BLM HORSE SALES" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3115144&nav=8faOXogX New law allows BLM to sell wild horses to American Indians BISMARCK, N.D. March 24, 2005 The federal Bureau of Land Management says it's selling wild horses to American Indian tribes for the first time. The BLM has sold 141 horses to the Rosebud Sioux in South Dakota and 120 horses to the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota. More sales are planned in the next several weeks, bringing the total to more than 500 horses. BLM director Kathleen Clarke says the sale is under legislation recently passed by Congress. It directs the BLM to sell wild horses and burros that are older than ten years, or have been unsuccessfully offered for adoption at least three times. The BLM says there are 37,000 wild horses and burros roaming the public lands it manages in ten Western states, about 9,000 more than the rangeland can sustain. Copyright c. 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright c. 2001 - 2005 WorldNow and KRNV-4. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: American Indian Banks turn profit" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NATIVE BANKS RETURN HIGHER THAN NATIONAL" http://www.newsok.com/print.php?article=1452917 American Indian banks turn profit March 23, 2005 Profits at American Indian- owned banks last year exceeded those of their peer group, according to figures recently released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. American Indian-owned banks posted an average return on equity of 11.3 percent last year, compared with 8.5 percent by all U.S. banks under $100 million in assets, according to the FDIC. At year's end, there were 19 American Indian- owned banks in the nation, with 11 of these banks in Oklahoma. All 19 of those banks were profitable last year, said J.D. Colbert, president of the North American Native Bankers Association. Copyright c. 2005 The Oklahoman|News 9, Produced by NewsOK.Com. --------- "RE: Apache Author wins prestigious Book Award" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TRUE 'LIFE ON THE REZ' BOOK" http://www.wmicentral.com/14189751&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=505965&rfi=6 Apache author wins prestigious book award By: Jo Baeza, The Independent March 22, 2005 WHITERIVER - Eva Tulene Watt, 92, is the first Native American to win the Evans Biography Award for her book, "Don't Let the Sun Step Over You: A White Mountain Apache Family Life, 1860-1975; University of Arizona Press; 2004." Established in 1983, the $10,000 Evans Award recognizes outstanding research and writing of a biography or history with content relating to the region of the West that was influenced by Mormon institutions. The award is given by the Mountain West Center for Regional Studies at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. The Center was established in 1986 to advance the understanding of the Mountain West. Watt and her family plan to attend the April 22 awards ceremony in Logan. The event is open to the public. It begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Eccles Conference Center Room 201. It will be followed by a reception and book signing. Watt collaborated with Keith Basso, University of New Mexico Regents Professor of Anthropology. Basso is a leading expert on Western Apache culture, language and history. He lived and worked among the Cibecue Apache for many years. Basso and his wife, Gayle, divide their time between Albuquerque and their home near Heber. Basso said last week, "I am pleased and delighted that the book received an award because it recognizes Eva's five and one-half year effort to revive a vanished time in which she and her family lived to the fullest. I would urge anyone interested in Western Apache history and culture or in Arizona history to read this book." In the Introduction to the book, Basso called it "the largest body of historical accounts yet set down by a White Mountain Apache person." He put the book together from more than 200 hours of taped narratives. Her family chronicle reaches back to the time of the Apache wars and ends in modern times. Eva's son, Whiteriver Police Chief Reuben Kessay, said she and Basso sat at his dining room table while she told stories and he taped them. She said, "I thought about it so many times, so I knew what I wanted to say." She was surprised when she heard about the award and thinks it is "wonderful." She will probably share her prize money with her family, in the Apache way. "I have a lot of grandchildren," she said. She has one daughter, two sons, and eight grandchildren of her own family. She has one brother living, Augustine Case. She was born near Grasshopper in 1913. Her mother's clans were Cottonwood and Bear. Her father's clans were Eagle and Big High Mountain. By the time she was an adult, she had traveled over much of Arizona. In her travels she learned to speak several languages. In addition to White Mountain, Cibecue, Tonto, San Carlos and Camp Verde Apache dialects, she learned English, a little Spanish and some Cherokee. As a child she attended St. Johns Indian School in the Valley until third grade. "My mother got glaucoma, so I had to stay home and take care of her," she said. At the time they were living in Cibecue and San Carlos. She believes the biggest change she has seen since childhood has been made by motor vehicles. "In those days we used to walk every place we went. We moved every few months. We lived in wickiups and cooked over an open fire. We had farms and raised corn, squash and beans. We gathered wild food. We didn't have any cattle, but when someone butchered a beef or a deer, they shared the meat." She rode horseback, too, sometimes helping her stepfather, who was a horse wrangler. She said, "I used to help my stepfather gather horses for D.V. Marley down by Young." Food was always scarce. Apache families traveled throughout the mountains of Arizona gathering wild foods. She said, "We went all the way down to Tombstone and Douglas. We were looking for something to eat like acorns and mescal. We were like birds. We ate all kinds of seeds." Eva believes life was better back then. "People moved around more. They used to visit each other a lot. People were happier then. Now people got running water and stoves and cars. They don't want to walk anywhere." She is thankful for some of the modern amenities, though. She said, "It's good to have the kids go to school. It's good for people to have houses with bathtubs." When she was a girl, their bathtub was the river. She said, "In winter you just jumped in. You don't think about it first, you just jump in. They made us go play afterward. They said, `You'll warm up that way.' You don't put your hands to the fire to get warm." In spite of the harsh living conditions, there was little sickness. She said, "Hardly anybody got colds." The exception was the influenza epidemic of 1918. Entire families died at that time, but hers survived because her mother had a knowledge of herbs. She described it: "My mother and father got down first. Then we were all sick. My mother brought in herbs. She boiled them for 10 minutes, then strained it through a cloth. She gave it to us to drink three times a day." The Apache diet was healthier in those days, although the people had to work hard to get enough food to eat. Food in her childhood was either boiled, steamed, or roasted in the fire. She said, "Now the good part is all taken out." Her primary reason for writing the book was to pass her knowledge of the old days on to future generations. She said, "It's mostly for correcting the kids, so they'll know how people used to live." The team of Watt and Basso are already thinking about their next book. "He wants me to do a book about Apache names," she said. "You know, when a baby starts to talk? The family listens to him and if he repeats the same sound over and over, sometimes that's what they name him." Eva Watt is a cultural advisor to the White Mountain Apache Culture Center, and is a recipient of the Arizona Indian Living Treasure Award. The Evans Award Jury wrote: "You cannot read this powerful series of excerpts from the voluminous oral interviews conducted by Keith Basso with Eva Watt without learning to love this woman. A rich, humane, and wise set of insights, this volume captures the essence of Eva's oral narrative style, a slice of life left undocumented, and a set of understandings about how a native person views the world, her position in it, and her responsibility to others." Eva is still surprised by the book's reception. She said, "Some people from France came here and bought the book." Copyright c. 1995 - 2005 White Mountain Independent. --------- "RE: Elders help USFS make over Book on Tlingit Food" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="TLINGIT SUBSISTENCE FOOD BOOK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/032305/loc_20050323015.shtml Elders help USFS make over book on Tlingit food Publication features recipes, preparation, detailed descriptions of how to dry fish By ERIC FRY JUNEAU EMPIRE March 23, 2005 When the U.S. Forest Service approached Southeast Alaska elders about how to revise a booklet on Tlingit food, the elders asked that "subsistence" not appear in the title. "Subsistence" connotes handouts, but putting up food isn't an easy job, elder Ray Wilson said Tuesday. The word seemed to be a regulatory term and didn't convey Native respect for nature and food, elders told the agency. "You can tell there that this was our way of life for generations and generations," Wilson said Tuesday, after hearing archaeologist Madonna Moss talk about elaborate Tlingit fish weirs several thousand years old. "Each generation improved on how we caught fish, how we prepared it, how we took care of the land." "The Subsistence Lifeway of Our People" now has a Tlingit title for its third edition, "Haa Atxaay? Haa Kusteey?x Sitee." In English: "Our Food is Our Tlingit Way of Life." The 50-page booklet is based on oral interviews with elders dating back to 1978. "In this book recipes are shared; there are detailed descriptions of how to dry fish; there are ways of preparing fish that can be replicated," said Lillian Petershoare, a tribal government relations specialist with the Forest Service. Copies of the new edition soon should be in school, university and public libraries and at tribal organizations, she said. The booklet is not copyrighted and may be copied, she said. The booklet was first published in 1984. It was compiled by the late Richard Newton, a Tlingit who worked for the Forest Service as a historian, and Moss, an archaeologist at the University of Oregon. The latest edition updates the spelling of Tlingit words, adds more photographs of elders, and includes a compact disc in which Tlingit words about food are pronounced by Native speakers. A brief closing section about how Tlingits view their homeland was recast from the past tense to the present tense. When the booklet was first published, the culture wasn't as vibrant as it is today, Petershoare said. The section now "reads as a vibrant culture that is very much alive," she said. At first the Forest Service planned to simply reprint the booklet, but the project grew into a revision with the help of Goldbelt, Juneau's urban Native corporation; the Tlingit-Haida Central Council; the Southeast Alaska Inter-Tribal Fish and Wildlife Commission; Sealaska Heritage Institute; and KTOO Public Radio. The partners turned to elders for advice. "The elders are the ones who are knowledgeable about our traditional ways," Petershoare said. "If this revision was to be culturally accurate, it was important that the elders guide us. Because it's the voice of our ancestors that you hear (in the booklet)." Wilson, an elder from Juneau, said working on the revisions brought together Southeast Alaska Natives and opened doors between Natives and the Forest Service. Many Tlingits have hard feelings about the Forest Service "because we feel they stepped in and took our land," Wilson said. "Eventually, this booklet's going to be used as a tool by the younger generation so they'll know how to follow what happened here." The Forest Service in Alaska has been trying for several years to work more closely with Natives, said Dennis Bschor, the Alaska regional forester. "This is Tlingit land as far as their historic land, and we're stewards of it," Bschor said. To be better stewards, the Forest Service needs to know what the Tlingit culture is, he said. The partners celebrated the publication at a luncheon with traditional food Monday at ANB Hall, at which co-author Richard Newton's daughter, Myrna Newton Allen, said she'd like to think her father would view the third edition with pride. On Tuesday at the Goldbelt Hotel, co-author Moss gave a talk and slide show about what archaeologists have learned about Tlingit food. Their studies help show what people ate, the seasonal use of areas, and changes in habitat. A line of wooden stakes - part of a wood-stake fish weir on Admiralty Island - was so well-preserved, its adz cuts so sharp, the wood's color so bright, that scholars at first figured it was about 100 years old, Moss said. In fact, the stakes were 3,000 years old. "It's really a remarkable construction," she said. The archaeological sites "hold lessons for all of us as to how to live with the ecosystem of Southeast and the greater Northwest," Moss said. When the information in Moss' talk can be brought out, "as our elders brought out their blankets, it brings out strength," said Paul Marks, a Tlingit who lives in Anchorage. "When I see these things, I feel the arms of our ancestors wrap around us." Eric Fry can be reached at eric.fry@juneauempire.com. Copyright c. 1997-2005 Juneau Empire, Morris Digital Works & Morris Communications Corporation. --------- "RE: Native Hawaiian housing on Kauai" --------- Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:46:54 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="NATIVE HAWAIIAN HOUSING" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=4906 Groundbreaking held for Native Hawaiian housing on Kauai By Associated Press March 27, 2005 KEKAHA, Hawaii (AP) Officials on Kauai have broken ground on the Garden Isle's first Native Hawaiian housing project in eight years. Officials from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands joined Mayor Bryan Baptiste for the groundbreaking and blessing of the project in Kekaha on Thursday. Hawaiian Homes Chairman Micah Kane says it's the first such project in Kekaha since 1988, and the first on Kauai since 1997. Forty-nine lots on 20 acres will be developed as either turnkey or self- help homes, or vacant lots. Twenty-two of those lots will be reserved for Native Hawaiian families with household incomes below 51-thousand-700 dollars for a family of four. Officials say construction of the homes is expected to start in October, when improvements to infrastructure are done. Construction is expected to take about a year. The five (m) million dollar project is being funded by the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund and Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act funds from the federal government. Copyright c. 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2005 KUPA AM 670, Hilo, Hawaii. --------- "RE: BENGE: Oaxacan Immigrants face great challenges" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BENGE: OAXACAN IMMIGRANTS" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPINION Oaxacan immigrants face great challenges George Benge Gannett News Service March 19, 2005 Among the multitudes of diverse native people living in the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the Americas are the indigenous people of Oaxaca. I learned about the struggles of indigenous Oaxacans now living in the United States in a revelatory package of stories by Claudia Melendez of The (Salinas) Californian. The native Oaxacans (pronounced Wah-HAH-kuns) are Indian people who fled lives of extreme poverty, hardship and discrimination in Oaxaca, Mexico, to establish better lives near Salinas, throughout California and in states that include Oregon, Washington, Delaware, Virginia, New York and Tennessee. Their ancestors were the proud, original people of Oaxaca, a beauteous and geographically diverse state on the Pacific Coast of southern Mexico. According to Leoncio Vasquez, media coordinator for the Oaxacan Indigenous Binational Front (FIOB) in Fresno, some 100,000 people from the Mixtec, Zapotec and Triqui regions of Oaxaca are now living and working in the United States. In addition to their historic cultural origins, what our Mixtec, Zapotec and Triqui immigrants have in common are centuries of mistreatment and discrimination, first under the merciless yoke of the Spanish conquistadors and now from mestizos, mixed-blood Mexicans descended from both Indians and Europeans. "Oaxacans are Native Americans who have no Spanish blood whatsoever," said reporter Melendez, herself a mestizo. "All indigenous people in Mexico have been discriminated against since Columbus arrived because of their culture, religion, skin color and language. "Growing up in Mexico, you are taught to despise your brownness and want to be white like the Spanish. To call somebody an Indian is to call them a lesser human being. Now, I am proud of my dark skin." That pernicious level of discrimination in Mexico is a big reason native Oaxacans immigrate to the United States - like untold millions before them from Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. But once here, they find themselves ensnared in a linguistic and cultural netherworld of existential proportions. The Mixtec, Zapotec and Triqui immigrants can converse fluently only with people who speak their unique native languages, meaning themselves - but not with the employers, teachers, doctors, landlords, police, store clerks and service providers who speak English or Spanish. "Oaxacans in the United States face double and triple discrimination," said Vasquez. "When they contact people who speak English in court or about community services ... they can't understand or explain. They don't understand medical or legal terminology." The native Oaxacans also confront the same challenges as other struggling, undocumented immigrants: They cannot afford to buy health insurance and do not qualify for housing or other basics-of-life assistance. Recently, I applauded U.S. Native American gaming tribes for making philanthropic contributions of more than $100 million to native people and programs in 2004. The thousands of Mixtec, Zapotec and Triqui people who are fighting for better lives in this nation would benefit immensely from a fraction of that financial support from native gaming tribes in the United States. Receiving the acceptance and understanding of all Americans would be even better. George Benge, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, writes a monthly commentary on American Indian issues and people for Gannett News Service. Copyright c. 2005 The Desert Sun. --------- "RE: GIAGO: A stroke of the Pen to end Indian Gaming" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GIAGO: GAMING" http://nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=6180 Tim Giago: All it takes is a stroke of the pen to end Indian gaming Notes from Indian Country Tim Giago (Nanwica Kciji) March 21, 2005 In my last column I mentioned the fact that I do not frequent gaming casinos, Indian or otherwise. I also said that was my personal choice and I do not condemn those who do choose to spend their money gambling. In New Mexico a bill has been introduced to fund a comprehensive study of problem gambling. An editorial in the Albuquerque Journal reads, "The State has no idea how many problem gamblers it has, what the social costs of their addictions are, or whether they are getting effective treatment for their addiction. Perhaps state leaders - habituated to more than $80 million in annual revenue-sharing from tribal casinos and campaign contributions from gambling interests - don't want to know." The bill to study gaming addiction and other problems was introduced by Rep. Kandy Cordova, D-Belen, and has gained the support of the state legislators and of Governor Bill Richardson. The governor said he would form a task force to conduct a quick-turn-around look into compulsive gambling, according to a report in the Albuquerque Journal. I have made it a point to at least do a walk through of Indian casinos while I travel about the country. It has always been a source of annoyance to me to see that so many of the customers glued to the slot machines or sitting at the 21 tables are tribal members. I know that the odds do not favor the gamblers and I often wonder how many families on the Indian reservations are hurt by the addictions of their members. But let me explain my ambivalence about gambling. To many Indian reservations gambling has become the golden goose. It has laid the golden eggs that have brought a comparative prosperity to some Indian nations. How the profits from Indian casinos and those of regular corporate gaming enterprises differ are significant. Profits from Indian casinos go toward improving the lives of their people and profits from private casinos and racinos go into the coffers of the corporate executives and investors. Those Indian nations with wise and strong leadership have turned their profits into social-economic success stories. Health clinics, new schools, roads, utility lines, centers for the elderly, recreation centers for the young, college scholarships, new tribal administration buildings and other tribal facilities, and more than adequate homes for its tribal members are just a part of what some Indian nations have been able to provide for their members since the advent of their gaming enterprises. Funds have become available for the use of tribal members to go into business for themselves. Some have built convenience stores and gas stations, others bakeries and clothing stores and buildings have been constructed for tribal members to use as retail outlets for their arts and crafts. And just as important, jobs have been provided on reservations where unemployment was as high as 50 percent. Some tribes have even purchased or started banks. Tribal members can now borrow money where they were excluded from doing so in the past. Many banks in communities bordering Indian reservations redlined Indian reservations or charged Indians much higher interest rates for loans. It took an Indian newspaper, The Lakota Times, to expose the banks in South Dakota and Nebraska that were using these fraudulent and discriminatory practices in the early 1990s. These banks were heavily fined by the Justice Department and, of course, blamed the newspaper for its reporting and dropped all of their advertising. As I told one bank president at the time, "You did the crime, all we did was report it." The University of New Mexico conducted the last study in New Mexico on problem gambling in 1996; a few years before the State became near saturated with gambling enterprises. When I was an employer I had employees who were addicted to gambling and admitted to it. Their families suffered every payday as they squandered their wages at a gambling establishment. And I was just one small business owner in a state with many small businesses. I have seen so much good happen to the people of many Indian nations because of the profits from their casinos. I have also seen some tribal leaders turn into near potentates. I have seen children so rich that they had no desire to pursue a higher education or to even finish high school. New cars and new highs have become commonplace amongst many young Indians living on reservations with extremely profitable casinos. In the long run, the good far outweighs the bad, but I am still pessimistic about where this is all leading. If the Indian nations do not take the measures to diversify their business enterprises in the very near future, I believe they are making a dreadful mistake. Gaming, as we know it today, is all of the rage across America, but it is also an enterprise that leads to addiction, crime, bankruptcies, and suicide. One day Congress may see more of the bad than the good and all it takes is a stroke of the pen to bring gaming to an end. Copyright c. 2005, Native American Journalists Foundation, Inc. Tim Giago is the former editor and publisher of The Lakota Times, Indian Country Today and the Lakota and Dakota Journals. He can be reached at; giagobooks@iw.net Native American Times. Copyright c. 2005 All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: GARDNER: A Sorry State of Affairs" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:34:17 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="GARDNER: FACING THE PAST AND PRESENT" Jeffry Gardner: A sorry state of affairs The right must step up and address the crisis among American Indians. Start with an apology. By Jeffry Gardner March 2, 2005 Conservatives spent - and still do, I suppose - a lot of time lamenting American Indian gambling. I'm not one of them. Not that I'm big on casinos. It's just that, growing up in the North Valley a couple blocks from what was once the Albuquerque Indian School, I observed up close the economic and societal disassociation that New Mexico's dominant cultures - Anglo and Hispanic - afforded American Indians. So when local tribes and pueblos saw the gambling bandwagon as their opportunity to become a significant economic force in this land, I was all for them. I'm not calling it justice - just about time. You see, while we've rightly acknowledged slavery was wrong, repeatedly apologized for it and set about making amends for that transgression, I don't believe we've faced up to our squalid history in regard to American Indians. That could change, however, if, as conservatives, we start to examine what our principles truly mean. If we believe, as I think we do, that we are all living in this nation as one people under God, then it's time we seize the opportunity our political fortunes have dealt us and hold ourselves to the fire of our standards. First, let's rally behind Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback's call for a national apology for policies in the 1800s that basically endorsed the systematic extermination of Indians. Genocide is the true word for those policies. Brownback, a Republican, sees them for what they were, the disgrace they were, and wants to chart a new path. Next, as Tribune columnist Eddie Chuculate called for a few weeks back ("R.I.P., BIA," Feb. 9), we must eliminate the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It's a joke - a symbol of all that "great white father" absurdity. Tear it down and start fresh. Most importantly, though, we must genuinely address the health problems that are ravaging our fellow Americans on reservations and pueblos right now. Drug use, alcoholism, suicides, obesity and diabetes are at epidemic levels just a few miles away from you and me right now. If President Bush can see the AIDS crisis for what it is in Africa and take action, then surely conservatives can draw his attention to the staggering health problems minorities, particularly Indians, face here at home and engage him in this battle as well. Look: Slot machines and blackjack tables do not an apology make. We're placing the bar too low. Our initiatives must be bold. Rectifying the litany of miseries foisted on Indians by our ancestors is the right thing to do. That starts with an apology - not from the "great white father" but from one people to our equals under God. Copyright c. 2005 Albuquerque Tribune. --------- "RE: BENGE: The Illini should put away their 'Chief'" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BENGE: CURSE ON ILLINIWEK" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPINION The Illini should put away their 'chief' George Benge Gannett News Service March 23, 2005 Where's Chief Illiniwek? He's missing in action, and that's a good thing. Chief Illiniwek is the feathered, prancing, moccasin-wearing mascot of University of Illinois athletic teams. He is also among the most demeaning of the sports mascots, symbols and nicknames whose existence is an affront to all Native Americans. Others of Illiniwek's ilk include the Washington Redskins, Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians and the Tomahawk-chopping fans of the Florida State Seminoles and Atlanta Braves. Chief Illiniwek has been a revered presence at Illinois sports events for nearly 80 years. In 1989, when the "Fighting Illini" team advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the chief danced with them every step of the way. He was the living, breathing, feathered embodiment of school pride for Illinois students, alumni, faculty, trustees and fans. This year, the Illinois men's basketball team, ranked No. 1 in the land, has advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the 2005 NCAA tournament - aka "The Big Dance." But this time there is a big difference for Fighting Illini fans. Chief Illiniwek isn't dancing with them. His feathers and faux costume are packed away back in Champaign-Urbana waiting for football season. Why has the chief stopped dancing? I tried to call Chief Illiniwek to ask him personally. Cathy Arner, an Illinois athletic department spokeswoman, wouldn't put me through to the chief because, "he never speaks. It's a tradition." Besides, Arner added, "The chief is not a mascot, he is a symbol. He only appears at halftime of home games." No matter. It is as obvious as the chief's bogus bona fides that American culture and the times they are a-changing. The irresistible force of diversity has swept across the land. The chief obviously chickened out because he and his handlers were afraid of the controversy, the jeers and the protests his presence might create outside the cozy confines of home. You know what? It makes sense for the chief to stay home. His act means nothing to the people whose performance matters most, the Illinois players. They probably turn their heads in embarrassment when he performs. If they don't, they should. And the fact that the chief is staying home is tacit acknowledgement that the end of his era is at hand. It makes sense for another reason, too. A Native-American elder - me - is invoking the Curse of Illiniwek on the Illinois basketball team. This means that Illinois will not win the championship this year - or any year - as long as Chief Illiniwek exists. My apology if your bracket gets busted by the Curse of Illiniwek. Blame the chief. George Benge, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, writes a monthly commentary on American Indian issues and people for Gannett News Service. Copyright c. 2005 The Desert Sun. --------- "RE: St. Regis Mohawk accord OK'd" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="ST. REGIS AGREEMENT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://www.pressrepublican.com/Archive/2005/03_2005/032320053.htm Tribe accord OK'd Franklin County to get more cash By DENISE A. RAYMO, Staff Writer March 23, 2005 MALONE - Franklin County legislators signed off Tuesday on their portion of the land-claims agreement reached in October between the state and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. But some officials are not confident the agreement will go forward to the next phase of approval. "I've experienced this six times where we've gotten so close" only to have an agreement fall through, said Legislator Guy "Tim" Smith, a Democrat from Fort Covington who was the long-time supervisor there. Patricia Manchester, the current Fort Covington town supervisor, also expressed some doubts. "We're gambling on the community-development fund, but I don't want to go back to the settlement stage," she said. "We've come so far and accomplished a lot in the last five months. "The St. Regis Mohawks will probably pull out tomorrow, but I don't want to go back to square one. I'm afraid of square one," Manchester said. THE DEAL The three governing agencies on the reservation signed a memorandum of understanding with the state in early October. The Mohawks agreed to end all pending land-claim lawsuits against the state as well as a challenge against the relicensing procedure the New York Power Authority is involved in before the Public Service Commission. In exchange, the Native Americans groups, collectively known as the Akwesasne Mohawks, would: - Be paid $100 million over the next 35 years. - Regain nearly 14,000 acres of land with the chance to buy more from willing sellers. - Gain ownership of two islands in the St. Lawrence River. - Be provided with inexpensive electricity. - Be able to attend any SUNY college tuition-free. APPROVALS NEEDED Franklin and St. Lawrence counties and the towns of Massena, Brasher, Louisville, Bombay and Fort Covington are all parties in the lawsuit and must sign off before the measure can move to the next level: approval by the State Legislature. Ultimately, the pact must also get the OK from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Congress. FOUR REQUIREMENTS The county submitted four "drop-dead issues" to Gov. George Pataki's office last week, saying those concerns would have to be worked out before the county would settle. Legislators got three of the four concessions they wanted. One was already addressed in the most recent draft of the legislation, and another is already part of state law. The third issue raised was an increase in the annual payment the county would receive from profits made at a casino to be built in the future in Sullivan County. The fourth issue - adding language that would have made periodic reassessments on future Native-owned lands mandatory - was not approved. THE PAYMENTS The impacted counties had been offered a one-time payment of $10 million for the land that would be permanently taken off the tax rolls as a result of the deal. The money would go into a community-development fund that each county would split with its impacted towns. But each felt the $10 million offer was an insult, since both already have hefty back-tax bills built up during the 20-plus years that land claims have been pending in court. The back-tax reimbursement was upped to $2.5 million a year for each county, but Franklin County said that was still too low. They wanted $4 million a year because other counties with Native American tribes in land-claims disputes are promised between $4 million and $10 million. The state modified the reimbursement to $4 million, with a 2-percent annual increase beginning with the second-year payment. The county now has to decide how to split up its half with the towns, a discussion that started behind closed doors Tuesday. It is expected to continue Thursday, when legislators convene to make decisions about overcrowding in the County Courthouse. SALES-TAX REVENUES State law already includes provisions that assure that sales-tax money generated in Franklin County would remain in the county instead of being shared with St. Lawrence County. DOCUMENT WORDING Legislators also wanted to have the words "in perpetuity" added to the document to indicate that Franklin County would continue to receive tax payments from the state for land that will be lost when land is purchased by a Native American. But the wording is already in there. UNANIMOUS VOTE After about an hour of discussion, legislators voted 5-0 in favor of settlement, with Legislators Gordon Crossman (D-Malone) and Daniel Crippen (D-Burke) absent. Bombay Town Supervisor Philip Reardon said he would go along with the settlement terms now because the longer the parties wait to sign, the longer it will take to build the Sullivan County casino and get it producing money. E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com Copyright 2005, Plattsburgh Press-Republican, a division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Court rules for Deh Cho in Pipeline Case" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="DEH CHO WIN PIPELINE DECISION" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=pipeline-court-03222005 Court rules for Deh Cho in pipeline case CBC News March 22, 2005 YELLOWKNIFE - The Deh Cho First Nation has won a court victory in its bid to block the environmental review process of the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline. A federal court judge ruled that Ottawa must release all documents, briefing notes and records the federal government used when it formed the joint-review panel. The seven-member panel will consider the environmental impacts of the pipeline. Deh Cho lawyer Chris Reid says he hopes the documents will provide an idea how politics shaped the panel. "We've suspected for years now that the real reason that the Deh Cho were excluded from this process is because they, more than any other group in the North, have been pushing for a full, fair, effective environmental assessment," Reid says. Reid says he doesn't know how long the federal government will take to produce the documents. He says that may be the subject of another hearing if the two groups can't decide on a timeline. The judgement is part of a wider lawsuit the Deh Cho filed last September. The First Nation is seeking to block the review process for the pipeline. Copyright c. 2005 CBC. --------- "RE: Hey America, want 1.3 Million Sq. Miles of Land?" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CANADIAN FIRST NATIONS PROPOSAL" http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050322/to299_2.html Hey America, want 1.3 million sq. miles of land? Yahoo News - Source: Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation March 22, 2005 Canadian Indians have taken note of the progress achieved by their American cousins. GINEW, MB, March 22 /PRNewswire/ - In a meeting March 14 and 15 in oil rich Alberta, Canadian Indians committed to closer ties with American Indians. This meeting included representatives of Treaties 1 - 11, which covers areas of four Canadian provinces. A delegation of Canadian Indians will attend the National Indian Gaming Association conference in San Diego April 11 to 13. Further to this decision, a Canadian Chief is inviting dialogue with American politicians about the possibility of international sovereign recognition. Chief Terrance Nelson of the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation (Ojibway) in Manitoba Canada says Canadian Indians, fed up with years of indifference from the Canadian Government, are ready to talk to the United States about lands and resources. According to a Macleans magazine, (March 02, 2005) America is in deep financial trouble, "THE NUMBERs are staggering - a US$43 trillion hole in America's public finances that's getting worse every day..." "America faces the cost of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the medical needs of millions of senior citizen baby boomers at a time when their deficit has hit an all time high of $412 billion," said Chief Nelson. "At three million barrels of oil a day, Canada is the largest supplier of oil to United States. Why should Americans pay Canada for oil when they can make a deal with the real owners and add northern Canada to United States territory" he said. Chief Nelson says poverty stricken Canadian Indians don't have much to lose. "When Suncor announces $10 billion investment into Alberta tar sands without any thought of the Indians, it is time to talk to Suncor's investors. Billions of dollars worth of gaming revenue over the last decade has helped evolve American Indians into a political force. We are told, the question is not if we can meet with US Senators and Congressmen, the question is 'What do you want to talk about?'" Copyright c. 2005 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. Copyright c. 2005 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. --------- "RE: Residential School Fire evokes mixed feelings" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="SITE OF ABUSE BURNS" http://www.indianz.com/News/ http://sask.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=school-fire050321 Residential school fire evokes mixed feelings: former chief CBC News March 21, 2005 REGINA - It's a loss for the community, but some people will have mixed feelings about a residential school building that burned to the ground on Keeseekoose First Nation, a former chief says. The building that was once part of St. Phillips School was completely destroyed after fire broke out on the Kamsack-area reserve at around 7 p.m. Friday. St. Phillips was one of the residential schools in Saskatchewan where some former students say they were abused. The building that was destroyed was constructed in the 1960s. When the residential school closed, it became a day school. At the time of the fire, it hadn't been in use for years. According to former Keeseekoose chief Ted Quewezance, buildings and resources are in short supply on reserves, but some people may be glad this particular facility is gone. "From an economic perspective it's sad," he said. "From a residential school survivor's perspective, the question has been asked: 'Is there some closure to the whole issue by it burning down?' And the feedback I'm getting, there might be some." Quewezance, who works with residential school survivors, says the legacy of residential schools is still one of the biggest issues plaguing First Nations communities. He says he wishes the now-destroyed building could have been used as a place of healing. There's no confirmation yet on how the fire was started. Copyright c. 2005 CBC. --------- "RE: First Nation banishes suspected Gang Members" --------- Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2005 08:32:25 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="BANISHMENT" http://www.owlstar.com/dailyheadlines.htm http://winnipeg.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=mb_gang-ocn-20050322 First Nation banishes suspected Gang Members CBC News March 22, 2005 THE PAS, MAN. - A man from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas says his son has nowhere to go, now that he has been kicked off the reserve. Alex Harris was furious when he saw his son's name on a list of gang members from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and surrounding communities. The list was compiled by the RCMP and turned over to band officials after a series of complaints. Band officials have banned two people on the list from the First Nation, including Harris' 23-year-old son. Shaking the piece of paper clenched tightly in his fist, Harris insists his son is not a gang member. He does hang out with some of the people on the list, Harris says, because they grew up together. He also admits his son did get into the odd fight, but he says it was only to defend himself. Harris is considering challenging the order in court. "I'm really concerned about my son. He's got no place to stay. He's got a girlfriend. He's been travelling to Winnipeg, back and forth - the only reason why he does that is because her cousins stay there." Coun. Ron Constant says the fighting Harris mentions is exactly the type of violence the band hopes to stop by banishing people. "Every weekend we hear that they're beating up this guy. We don't know if it's them, but when the people come in, they say these guys are the ones, and so we're just taking the word as it comes in," he says. Constant says when people don't cool their violent behaviour after they've been warned a couple times, chief and council have no choice but to ban them from the community. Copyright c. 2005 CBC. --------- "RE: Study of Montana Prisoner disparities requested" --------- Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 08:50:13 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MONTANA PRISON DISPARITIES" http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096410575 Lawmakers request study of Montana prisoner disparities by: Ron Selden / Indian Country Today March 21, 2005 HELENA, Mont. - A disproportionate number of American Indians are enmeshed in the Montana justice system, and state Rep. Carol Juneau wants to know why. The Browning Democrat is calling on the Legislature to conduct an interim study on state court sentencing practices and other factors to pinpoint the reasons behind the high numbers. At a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Juneau said that while she believes inequities exist, "perhaps we'll find out that the system is fair." Data compiled in the 2000 U.S. Census showed there were 56,068 Indians living in the state, or about 6.2 percent of the total population. Of that number, 36,459, or about 4 percent of the total state Indian and non- Indian population, lived on reservations and 19,609, or about 2 percent of the total population, lived off-reservation. Indians in Montana's state justice system are usually there because the crimes with which they're charged took place outside reservations. The primary exception to that is the Flathead Reservation, where the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have a shared-jurisdiction agreement with the state under federal Public Law 280. On the state's six other reservations, the federal government retains jurisdiction over most serious crimes, and the subsequent punishment of those offenders is typically in the federal system. Overall, Juneau told the committee, the latest figures show Indians make up 14.7 percent of the total offenders in the state-run system. More specifically, they currently comprise 22.8 percent of the inmate population at the Montana Women's Prison in Billings, 16.7 percent of the inmate population at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, and 22 percent of the inmate population at the Crossroads Correctional Center in Shelby. When it comes to juveniles, Indians make up about 13 percent of arrests and nearly 17 percent of cases involving secure detention across the state, Juneau said. The Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles City, which serves boys, has about 20 percent Indian residents while the Riverside Youth Correctional Facility in Boulder, which serves girls, currently has about 50 percent Indian residents. "We need to find out what is happening to create this," Juneau said. "There is something wrong. There is inequity." House Joint Resolution 15 envisions that the proposed study will include specific recommendations "to alleviate any disparate treatment of minorities" if that conclusion is reached. If the study takes place, its findings will be presented to the 2007 Legislature. Juneau's proposal drew supportive testimony from James Mason, who serves as the American Indian liaison for the state Department of Corrections; Rep. Norma Bixby, D-Lame Deer; Sen. Frank Smith, D-Poplar; Steve Gibson, the Corrections Department's Youth Services administrator; and Montana Assistant Attorney General Pam Bucy. "This is an important step in figuring out what's happening out there," Bucy said. The full House on March 4 approved the proposed study by a 56 - 42 margin. It will now be considered by the Senate. Copyright c. 1998-2005 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved. --------- "RE: Native Prisoner" --------- Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 17:26:42 -0700 From: Janet Smith [owlstar@bellsouth.net] Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - Kim, who manages the Native American Prisoner Network Web site for Native inmates who want to display their artwork or who are seeking pen pals (http://www.napn.us) write the following note about a new federal prison: I received a letter from Ed today - he is in Adelanto, CA waiting for transfer. Said probably be there a couple months. Wants me to let "all support groups" know that the brothers there have NO religious items or anything. He says that the place is brand new, have no religious stuff like sage, handdrum, to smudge with. They've put in cop outs requesting to smudge and pray w/ the sacred pipe. Their answer is they just now barely put in an order for the Native American religious items. He asks people to call and write the facility asking about the smudging and using the pipe. Contact information for the prison is: Federal Correctional Institition - VICTORVILLE Post Office Box 5400 Adelanto, California 92301 (760) 246-2400 FAX: (760) 246-2621 If you would like to know more about Ed or view his artwork (and it's VERY good), go to the NAPN Web site (http://www.napn.us). Ed's mailing address is: Ed Brady #28270-008 FCC P O Box 5700 Adelanto, CA 9230 -=-=-=- http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1111385482243350.xml High court to weigh prisoners' religious rights *2000 law also prohibits communities from zoning out houses of worship* March 21, 2005 BY ROBERT SCHWANEBERG *Star-Ledger Staff* Two New Jersey State Prison inmates in Trenton are demanding the right to build a sweat lodge so they can perform purification rituals of their Native American religion. An inmate at East Jersey State Prison in Woodbridge claims corrections officials violated his right to practice his adopted Wiccan beliefs, more popularly known as witchcraft. Their lawsuits are among scores filed by inmates around the nation under a federal law enacted five years ago to protect the free exercise of religion by those in prisons, nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and other institutions. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case from Ohio on whether that law is constitutional. In 2003, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati ruled it violates the separation of church and state by promoting religion behind bars. "It has the potential to be a blockbuster," said David Goldberger, a law professor at Ohio State University representing Ohio prison inmates invoking the law's protection. If the law is stricken, other government accommodations for religion could also be jeopardized, including employing chaplains in jails and the military or allowing exemptions from vaccination requirements on religious grounds, Goldberger said. And it could also kill a federal ban that keeps local governments from using zoning to stop the construction of houses of worship -- a "very important" weapon for attacking restrictions based on "rank bigotry," according to the American Jewish Congress's Marc Stern, who is Goldberger's co-counsel. The law in question -- The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 -- was prompted by abuses by prison officials who tape-recorded inmates confessing their sins to priests and refused to allow Jewish inmates to have matzo during Passover or Christians to have crosses, according to court papers filed by Solicitor General Paul Clement. The case has made strange bedfellows: Those supporting the law include the American Civil Liberties Union, the Bush administration and Ohio inmates who want to worship Satan, study witchcraft and preach white supremacy. Ohio prison officials attacking the law contend savvy inmates have used religious services as a front for illegal activities and meetings of racist gangs. New Jersey corrections officials want the law to be overturned. They said they accommodate religious practices, up to a point. "We fundamentally believe an inmate should have the right to practice his or her religion as long as it does not impede the order, safety and security of our facilities," Corrections Commissioner Devon Brown said. "We believe if there's any group of individuals who need to find God, we have them." Ronald Bollheimer, the department's head of legal affairs, said if the federal law is upheld, prison security would be threatened, costs would rise and more inmates would file lawsuits claiming religious rights as a way "to manipulate the system." "Using religion is a perfect way to hide some things you want to do as a group," Bollheimer said. He said gang members sometimes show up at religious services to get together, pass notes and plan activities. When they do, they can be banned from attending services. Bollheimer said the department is frequently tipped off by inmates who resent having their faith used as a subterfuge for gang meetings. "The true believers will dime them out," he said. In 1998, in response to gang violence, the corrections department opened a special unit at the Northern State Prison in Newark to isolate and re-educate gang leaders. Since then, organized prison violence has dropped 84 percent, according to Ron Holvey, principal investigator in the department's special investigations division. Several members of the Five Percent Nation, a breakaway black supremacist branch of Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam, went to federal court claiming their transfer to the gang control unit amounted to unconstitutional religious persecution. The claim was rejected by the federal appeals court in Philadelphia. The two New Jersey lawsuits by inmates who say their religious rights have been infringed are on hold until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the federal law. Two convicted murderers, Jesus Sanabria and David Russo, are suing for the right to construct a sweat lodge on the grounds of New Jersey State Prison. According to their lawyers, a sweat lodge is as important to the Native American religion as confession is to Catholics or kosher meals are to Jews. They said other prisons -- including the low-security Federal Correctional Institution at Fort Dix -- provide sweat lodges. State prison officials describe a sweat lodge as a security nightmare. A large hut constructed of willow saplings and covered with blankets or tarps, its darkened interior provides the ideal "blind spot" for inmates to have sex, share drugs, store weapons or assault fellow prisoners, according to an affidavit by Roy Hendricks, the prison administrator. In the second case, Patrick Pantusco, who is serving a 30- to 50-year sentence for murder, claims officials at East Jersey State Prison infringed his right to practice the Wiccan religion to which he converted in 2002. He wants money damages and certain artifacts, including a Wiccan necklace. Prison rules require inmates to wear religious items such as crosses and necklaces under their shirts, except when in their cells or at services. Bollheimer said openly displaying religious items can provoke fights and be used as a means of gang identification. Copyright c. 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission. --------- "RE: Verse: Hawaiian Book of Days" --------- Date: Monday, 28 March, 2005 02:11 am From: Debbie Sanders Subj: Book of Days A HAWAI`I BOOK OF DAYS, week of March 28-April 3 MALAKI March Nana 28 Find the good in every aspect of life. 29 The wind bides for a spell in this place, then it seeks other lands to explore. 30 Stone remains when all else passes away. 31 Build to preserve, not to destroy. `APELILA April Welo April was the last of the 6 months in the Ho`oilo, or Winter, period of ancient times, which ran from November through April. 1 The earth's magic is a gift of wonder. 2 Never abandon your dreams. 3 Memories dwell within the soul. (c) Copyright 1991 by D. F. Sanders Me ke aloha i ka nani, ... Moe'uhanekeanuenue (With love and beauty, ... Rainbow Dream) --------- "RE: Rustywire: Navajo Police" --------- Date: Tue, Jan 25 12:41:09 2003 08:12:44 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="RUSTYWIRE: NAVAJO POLICE" Navajo Spaceships, Star Mountain and Life Navajo Police by Johnny Rustywire There was a time I worked in the Navajo Division of Public Safery, otherwise known as the Navajo Police, the Window Rock District. There were Sergeant stripes on my sand brown uniform, there also was a long green stripe down the pant leg and we used to look pretty good in those days. Well anyway, the work involved answering calls over a wide area, from places with names like Wide Ruins, Ganado, Dilcon, Nazlini, Steamboat, Oak Springs, Lupton and Fort Defiance. There were all kinds of calls, some were minor and others more serious. We worked eight hour shifts, from 7 to 3, 3 to 11 and graveyard from 11 to 7 in the morning. It still goes on even as you see this; the changing of the guard. We used to call the old officers, the "Old Guards", these were the long timers, like Major Robert Henderson, Harry John Yazzie from Fruitland, Sgt. John Y. Holiday from Shiprock, Oliver Kirk from Window Rock and others, who had seen the transition of the Navajo Police from an old time police force to a better run unit, more modern it seemed to us at the time. The officers drove white big bodied sedans and white 4X4 Chevy Blazers and Suburbans, we called them "Panels". These each had green police emblems on the side, "Navajo Police" they said. The roads we patrolled were a mixture of paved state roads going South to the interstate, West to Ganado, East to Gallup, New Mexico and north to Tsaile and I guess to Monument Valley, Mexicoan Water or Shiprock if you wanted to go that way. The dirt roads ranged form gravelled raods to what is called "Chizh atins"-wood hauling roads, faint two track paths through the woods. We learned all these roads well. After a time working together on the road, you begin to learn how the other officers were, their abilities and who was good at what kind of situation. Some like Officer Leland Tom were a crack shots, accurate with a rife or handgun from way off. He was a former Marine, who could nail flies on Jed Clampett's wall in Beverly Hills if he wanted to. Then there was the officer with light brown hair, Officer Janet Thompson, a woman from Sioux country, who we called "Shaky" because she used to shake during firearm qualifications in the police academy. Someone had given here a "Highway Patrolman 44" for her to use. These are big heavy guns and she stood 5'3" in boots. The name stuck with her as she had to repeat her qualifications and the gun made her arm shake. When you hear the name Shaky around the station it was about her they were talking about. She seemed to be a mother who went shopping and took a wrong turn at the meat department and became a cop. Her specialty became child abuse and neglect cases and she was good at it. There were others, Frank Henry was a big easy going, quiet guy. He looked a little like Gregory Peck, same mannerisms, but he could talk Navajo. He married a good friend of mine, Jenny Henry, a Navajo woman with a lot of fire, outspoken and a tireless worker on behalf of her clients, she was Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children making sure that these young kids were not forgotten in the social welfare system. She was fire and Frank was cool snow, a good combination. It took a lot to get him angry and he made a good cop. Then there was Stanley Ashley, when he first applied he said he was from around Lupton, he came in with his hair down to his waist, a real radical, but after it was cut he became a leader among the men there. There are those kind of people who have strength, muscle, stamina and good common sense, this was Stanley. He was on the Special Operations Unit for search operations, man with a gun calls and drug raids. Juanita Redhouse, came from Chinle, she had red hair, with bronze skin and without any makeup she had raw bone good looks, a trim form and was tough as nails. She filled a uniform pretty nicely. She was quiet, calculating and was anyone's equal. On one occasion we had to respond to a fight at a dance in Navajo, New Mexico. There was quite a group fighting, we as officers had to wade into the group and break them up. Some of them turned on us and we were all fighting. I saw a big guy turn around and lay one on Redhouse, full on the chin and she went down. The next thing you know she was up and on him making the arrest. Her hair was messy and her nose bloody, but she got her man. We learned to respect her, she could be counted on in a tough situation. When she made traffic stops North of Chinle, as a Substation officer, she did so alone out on the highway. She had the company of a german shepherd who made his presence known by jumping on the hood of the stopped car and watched the driv er, growling every now and then for good measure. There were many more than this but these are few of the people I worked with at Navajo PD. Many of them are still there, even now. I have to mention there are the officers on shift at the station and then you have the substation officers. These are they guys who live out of trailer in the far off community, working most often alone in isolated conditions. They have to have good common sense and be in a way a judge, arbitrator and counselor for those who call on them anytime twenty four hours a day. When working out there in the field, you learn what works and what doesn' t and after a time you learn who you can count on for backup and who will come when you need help. Officers don't talk about such things, but after a while through experiencing Man with a Gun calls, aggravated assaults, handling violent offenders, you go though it. You say to yourself quietly. I know how this officer is now, he can do this and this, so when I need help with this kind of situation I know who to call. You also learn who will back you up. When you have a gun call in the middle of the night in a far off spot, Dispatcher Smiley will tell you .."It is the house with the green roof passed the second turnoff after you cross the wash..." You realize you are going after someone who probably has been drinking, upset, has a weapon and he was raised right around that area. He knows all the rocks, trees, hollows and area better than you ever will. So you go about your business carefully. That is where experience comes in and there you find Anderson Six, from Dilcon, Wildren Tahy , Ed Cadman, James Bedah, Tom Horse and many others. They learn to talk with the family, the victim and the offender explaining all things in a slow and purposeful way. There are no John Wayne's here, he only makes movies at Monumemt Valley once in while and now uses other names like Dirty Harry. After working a while you learn who you can count on, officers don't talk about such things out loud, you just kind of learn it and when you have handled a few tense situations you form a bond that is unsaid. When the chips are down, you know that these guys will come Code 3 and will be there for you when you need it and you for them. It is unwritten, and you realize that at some point your life could be in each other's hands and you are comfortable with it This is what it is like in a fashion with the Navajo Police. Copyright c. 1999, Johnny Rustywire, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Spiritdove Poem: SuShawna" --------- Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 16:18:45 -0700 From: Spiritdove Subj: Poem: SuShawna SuShawna by Lynda "Spiritdove" Imburgia First Pow Wow dressed in full regalia there to dance in faith traditionally knowing very few I prayed A little girl appeared in full regalia standing, eyes shining, looking into mine I smiled Caught up in the dance I soared feeling my heart beating to the drum a tear As a Grandfather prayed I looked for the little girl she had vanished I wondered A large Eagle circled above the circle was blessed I was in awe content Second Pow Wow miles away I stood ready to dance A little girl ran up and hugged me I asked her name SuShawna Two Pow Wows out of doors I was alone but for her The little Ancestor full of love the Spirit. I have danced in other Pow Wows other gatherings but not alone... I guess she feels I have come home. Copyright c. 1999, Lynda "Spiritdove" Imburgia, all rights reserved. --------- "RE: Upcoming Events" --------- Date: Mon 28 Mar 2005 15:39:14 -0700 From: Gary Smith (gars@speakeasy.org) Subj: Upcoming Events =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= EVENTS ARE FEATURED IN ODD NUMBERED ISSUES ONLY =+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+= ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- Notice of Copyright Clearance by Contributors: The following have granted permission for their original articles to be reposted in order to help mend the Sacred Hoop: Gary Smith, Janet Smith, Karen Francis, Public Information Officer, Navajo Nation Council Office of the Speaker, Princess Obriot, Johnnie Rustywire, Spiritdove, Debbie Sanders --//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//--//- _ __ __ _ / | / /___ _/ /_(_) __ __ / |/ / __ \ __/ / | / / _ \ / /| / /_/ / /_/ /| |/ / __/ /_/ |_/\__,_/\__/_/ |___/\___/ ______ _ / ____/____ ___ __________(_)___ ____ _____ / / / ___/ __ \/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ \/ ___/ / /___/ / / /_/ /__ /__ / / / / / /_/ /__ / \____/_/ \____/____/____/_/_/ /_/\__, /____/ Volume 13, Issue 014 /____/ April 2, 2005 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: Ken Wahpecome" --------- Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 08:40:21 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="KEN WAHPECOME" http://www.indianz.com/News/007173.asp Ken Wahpecome, Kickapoo veteran, dies at 70 March 23, 2005 Kenneth Wahpecome, a Navy veteran and member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, died March 14 in Chula Vista, California, from complications of rheumatoid arthritis. He was 70. Wahpecome was a talented golfer whose passion for the game once compelled him to hitchhike as a youth from Oklahoma all the way to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. "One of his greatest loves was playing golf," said singer/songwriter Arigon Starr, his daughter. "When he wasn't working, you could find him playing on a nearby course." Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Wahpecome attended school in Shawnee and Dale, Oklahoma, and the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. He also attended Oklahoma Baptist University. Wahpecome met Ruth Cornell in 1953 and married her in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1957. He joined the Navy in 1954 and served in numerous duty stations including NAS Pensacola, Patuxent River, Lakehurst and Jacksonville. He served on the USS Midway, USS Roosevelt, Little Rock and Tripoli. During his 20-year career, he crossed the Equator and the Article Circle and worked as an Aviation Mechanic, Recruiter (in Gallup, New Mexico), Career Counselor and Master-At-Arms. His love of the game was fostered at the Elks Country Club in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he started as a caddy. He played on the college golf team and the military golf team. He was the club champion in Gallup, New Mexico, and at the remote duty station of Subic Bay, Philippines. Wahpecome loved sports, including college football. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. His keen interest in country music also was a great influence on his daughter's music career. In 2002, Starr wrote and performed a musical tribute to her father ("Daddy's Records") that featured a guest performance by Grammy-nominated country group BR5-49. "My father was a big fan of their music because it sounded like the music he grew up with - Hank Williams, Sr., Bob Wills and Hank Thompson," Starr said. Wahpecome was also a member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Eastern Star organizations. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ruth Cornell Wahpecome and daughters Gay Noble and Arigon Starr. Ken Wahpecome battled Rheumatoid Arthritis for over twenty years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Arthritis Foundation online at http://www.arthritis.org or by phone at 1-800-283-7800. Condolences can be sent to the family c/o Ruth Wahpecome at 125 E. Naples St., Chula Vista, CA 91911. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Indianz.Com. --------- "RE: Myra Sohappy" --------- Date: Sat, 26 Mar 2005 19:26:47 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="MYRA SOHAPPY" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/sohappy26m&date=20050326&query=sohappy Fishing-rights pioneer Myra Sohappy, 79, dies after fall By The Associated Press March 26, 2005 TOPPENISH, Yakima County - Myra Sohappy, who with her husband helped launch the battle for Indian fishing rights, died yesterday after surgery for an injury suffered in a recent fall, one of the couple's nine children said. Mrs. Sohappy, 79, suffered a dislocated hip in a fall last weekend, said her son David Sohappy Jr. in a telephone interview from the town of Harrah on the Yakama Indian Reservation. She died at Toppenish Regional Hospital. "She was a strong advocate, even though she couldn't read or write," David Jr. said of his mother's role in regional tribes' fight for fishing rights. She had been in good spirits, Sohappy said, joining him in song at the hospital Thursday. "She just wanted to go home," he said. "It's the end of an era," said attorney Tom Keefe, who represented the family in its fishing-rights battle. David Sohappy died in May 1991 at age 66. In the 1960s, the Sohappys lived at Cook's Landing, on an isolated stretch of the Columbia River, where their subsistence lifestyle brought them into conflict with state and federal fishing authorities. Federal charges against David Sohappy in 1969 helped set the stage for the historic 1974 decision in which U.S. District Judge George Boldt allocated half the state's harvestable salmon to tribes under 19th-century treaties. The ruling has been called the most significant on Indian treaty law in the past century. David Sohappy - a leader of the Wanapum, or River People, band of the Yakama Indian Nation - never resorted to violence but claimed the right to fish at will. In 1983, after their arrests in a federal sting operation dubbed "Salmonscam" and designed to test tribal oversight of fisheries, the Sohappys - David Sr., Myra and David Jr. - were tried on charges of selling fish to undercover agents out of season. "It was like arresting Martin Luther King Jr. after he won all his civil-rights battles," Keefe said Friday night in an interview. David Sr. was convicted of selling 317 fish out of season, David Jr. was convicted of selling 29, and both were sentenced to five years in prison, Keefe said, adding that they were acquitted on a conspiracy count. The jury refused to convict Mrs. Sohappy. "They went through living hell for 20 years, up to and including the government trying to evict them from their own home," said Keefe, who went on to work for U.S. Sen. Brock Adams, D-Wash. Mrs. Sohappy was sought after as a speaker, Keefe said. "The only time she got in an airplane in her life was to fly to Geneva and testify before the U.N. Commission on Human Rights about the abuse of federal treaty rights in the Northwest," he said. Services for Mrs. Sohappy were planned throughout the weekend at the Toppenish longhouse, David Jr. said, with burial "before the sun comes up" Monday at the Toppenish Creek Cemetery. Copyright c. 2005 The Seattle Times Company. --------- "RE: Frank Charles" --------- Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:58:12 -0700 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="FRANK CHARLES" http://www.adn.com/news/obituaries/story/6315499p-6192074c.html Frank Charles, advocate for Delta interests, is dead at 47 CALISTA CORP.: Official known for tireless research. By PETER PORCO Anchorage Daily News March 27th, 2005 People of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are mourning the recent passing of an official of Calista Corp., a Bethel man whose family and friends praised him as a dogged researcher, resource specialist and persistent advocate for the region's needs. Frank Charles, who died of a heart attack in his Bethel office March 12 at the age of 47, also was a self-taught computer geek and an ivory carver, members of his family said. "He liked to get himself involved in arts and crafts and technical things," said Bob Charles of Wasilla, an older brother and a Calista vice president. "He was very fastidious about doing volumes of research. When I had to close out his office, he had stacks and stacks and stacks and binders and binders and binders of research that he downloaded and read," Bob Charles said. "On every other page was a sticky note, highlighter marks and notes to himself." More than 500 people attended a memorial service for Frank Charles on March 18 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bethel, according to Thursday's issue of The Tundra Drums. Frank Charles was manager of shareholder relations for Calista Corp., the Native corporation of the region, where he'd worked for three years, said Susan Charles of Bethel, an older sister. He'd worked on a number of projects for Calista, including the proposed Donlin Creek gold mine, she said. The Donlin Creek mine is to be developed by mining companies in the Kuskokwim Mountains upriver from Bethel, on land owned by Calista and Kuskokwim Corp. "He wanted to make sure that ... these developments were environmentally safe," Susan Charles said. "He consulted with elders. He was very concerned with environmental issues, especially anything that would impact the fish. Fish were one of his passions." Her brother was not afraid to oppose government officials and managers of private companies if he felt their actions were harmful to the people of the Delta, she said. He wrote a column for The Tundra Drums and co-chaired the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group, an ad hoc group of salmon users on the Kuskokwim River, according to Bob Charles. "He would review fisheries reports and all the technical reports associated with that, and in consultation with the elders and the fishermen and the fisheries biologists, he would devise ways to resolve the issues," the brother said. Frank Charles was the seventh of eight siblings born to a Yupiaq couple in Bethel, said Elizabeth Ali of Valencia, Calif., another older sister. "He was very bright," Ali said. "As a boy he loved school. He came from a very close-knit, loving family. Our parents, Nick and Elena, were very active in the community and the region. My father was a journeyman carpenter, a fisherman, a very good hunter and provider, and Frank emulated that. My father was the first Alaska deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in Western Alaska." Frank, Ali said, was trying to perfect "yuyaraq," or "the way to live." His devotion to fisheries and other aspects of resource management was part of that. Frank worked in a fishery cooperative as a boy, and as an adult he played a key role in Deltawide resource issues, Ali said. He studied business management at the University of Alaska Anchorage but never got a degree, according to his sister Susan. He had been planning to work for a bachelor's degree in rural development, she said. Her brother was mostly self-taught through reading and talking to people, Susan said. And he was a consummate talker. "I was always in awe and impressed with his ability to present his point of view in public," she said. "He was a very eloquent speaker. My best memory of him is speaking in public, expressing everything so beautifully and so powerfully about the Yup'ik people and the way we view the world, or the way we used to view the world and the importance of bringing back culture and tradition." The Tundra Drums reported that Frank Charles is survived by his mother, two former wives, four children, a granddaughter, three sisters and three brothers. Daily News reporter Peter Porco can be reached at pporco@adn.com or 257-4582. Copyright c. 2005 The Anchorage Daily News, a subsidiary of The McClatchy Company. --------- "RE: Crossings" --------- Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 08:10:52 -0600 From: Gary Smith Subj: NA News Item - - - - - - -- - - - - - - filename="CROSSINGS" March 23, 2005 Cleveland Wilson Hatcher Maxton Cleveland Wilson Hatcher, 84, died March 20, 2005, at home. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel, the Revs. Ricky Deese, Herman Locklear and Kenny Locklear officiating. Burial will follow at Scotland Cemetery. Surviving are three sons, Bobby Hatcher of Westfield, Pete Hatcher of Kansas City, Kan., and Buddy Hatcher of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; six daughters, Betty McDaniel of Laurinburg, Peggy McPherson of Laurinburg, Grace Outlaw of McColl, S.C., Sandra Locklear of Maxton, Mary Williams of Hoffman and Paula Wright of McColl; a brother, Julius Hatcher of Ocean Isle; three sisters, Margie Everett of Honea Path, S.C., Dot Anders of Laurinburg and Christine Cox of Washington, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Richard Boles Funeral Service in Laurinburg. Copyright c. 2005 The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. -=-=-=- March 16, 2005 Katie Russell Wolverton Services for Katie Russell Wolverton were held Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at 4 p.m. from Ott & Lee Funeral Home Chapel in Forest. Elder Leroy Yates officiated. Burial was in Antioch-Steele Cemetery. Mrs. Wolverton, 89, died Monday, March 7, 2005, in Carthage Health Care Center. She was a native of Scott County and had been a resident of the House community in Neshoba County since 1960. She was a member of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church in Forest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Wolverton in 1985. Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews. Adolph Jimmie Services for Adolph Jimmie were held Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. from Pearl River Baptist Church. The Rev. Calvin Gibson officiated. Burial was in Phillip Cemetery under the direction of Milling Funeral Home of Sebastopol. Mr. Jimmie, 53, of Philadelphia, died Saturday, March 12, 2005, in Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian. He was employed with Choctaw Central High School. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack Willie and Nettie Jimmie. Survivors include his wife, Donna Jimmie of Philadelphia; one son, Jon Sebastian of Philadelphia; one daughter, Courtney Leigh Jimmie of Philadelphia; one brother, Mack Jimmie, Sr. of Philadelphia; and five sisters, Maxine Dixon, Irma Boulley, Wanda McMillan, Janice Williams and Joyce King, all of Philadelphia. Content c. 2005 Neshoba Democrat, Philadelphia, MS. -=-=-=- March 12, 2005 Robert Murray Robert Murray, 63, of White Earth, Minn., died Wednesday, March 9, 2005, at his residence. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Naytahwaush, Minn. Visitation will be 4-9 p.m. on Sunday, with a service at 7 p.m., at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church. Burial will be in the Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery, Naytahwaush, under the direction of Mattson Funeral Home of Mahnomen. March 24, 2005 Frank Bernard Hart Frank Bernard Hart, 39, of Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, died on Thursday March 17, 2005, at the Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain. Traditions services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake. A wake will begin today at the center and continue until the service on Thursday. Burial will be at Fox Point Cemetery in Redby under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. March 25, 2005 Alicia Alberta White Alicia Alberta White, 14, of Redby, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, at the Red Lake High School, in Red Lake. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Redby Community Church with Rev. Tom Pollock officiating. A wake will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Redby Community Center. Burial will be in Fox Point Cemetery in Redby. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Frank Bernard Hart Frank Bernard Hart, 39, of Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, died on Thursday March 17, 2005, at the Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain. Traditions services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake. A wake will begin today at the center and continue until the service on Thursday. Burial will be at Fox Point Cemetery in Redby under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Daryl Allen Lussier, Sr. Daryl Allen "Dash" Lussier, Sr., 58, of Red Lake died Monday, March 21, 2005 at his home. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Humanities Center in Red Lake with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin Thursday afternoon at the Humanities Center and go until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Dewayne Michael Lewis Jr. Dewayne Michael Lewis Jr., 15, of Ponemah, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake. A Traditional Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah. A wake will begin Thursday at the Ponemah Community Center. Burial will be in the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Michelle Leigh Sigana Michelle Leigh Sigana, 32, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005 in Red Lake at her home. The funeral for Michelle and Daryl "Dash" Lussier will be held together at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Red Lake Humanities Building in Red Lake, with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin Thursday afternoon at the Red Lake Humanities Building. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Derrick Brian Brun Derrick Brian Brun, 28, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2005, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with Rev. William Mehrkens officiating. A wake will begin Saturday evening at the Red Lake Center and continue until the time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with the arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 Red Lake Net News. -=-=-=- March 26, 2005 Thurlene Stillday Stillday, Thurlene, Marie, 15, of Ponemah, MN, traditional service will be at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, March 27 at the Ponemah Community Center. A wake will begin 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 25 at Ponemah Community Center and go until the time of the service on Sunday. Cease Family Funeral Homes, Bemidji, MN. March 28, 2005 Judy Marie (Isaacson) Diver Judy Marie (Isaacson) Diver, 66 of Cloquet passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2005 in her home surrounded by her family. She was born July 10, 1938 in Cloquet to Theodore, Sr. and Ailie (Nyman) Isaacson. Judy married Ernest Diver Sr. on Aug. 13, 1956 in Carlton. Judy had worked at Jeno's in Duluth, the Pine Knot in Cloquet and most recently at the FDL Tribal Center. She enjoyed bingo, Country Western concerts, spending time with her family, and listening to her music. Judy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest Diver; sisters, Mavis, Dolly, Shirley, and Betty; brother, Theodore Isaacson Jr.; infant daughter, Patricia, and grandson, Kevin Diver. She is survived by her children, Ernest Jr., Patrick, Paul (Renee), Pamela (Daniel) Diver, Keith, Kelly (Mary), and Suzi (Eugene) Brisbois all of Cloquet; 48 grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren; sisters, Peggy DeFoe and Ruby (Eugene) Reynolds both of Cloquet, Bonnie (George) Houle of Wrenshall, Gloria (Glen) Olson of Sturgeon Lake; brothers, Doug and Tom Isaacson both of Cloquet, and Johnny Ray (LouAnn) Isaacson of Thomson; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, St. Luke's Hospital and Hospice in Duluth for the loving and gentle care they provided to Judy and her entire family. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS:5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2005 at the Cloquet ENP. Lunch will be served during this time. Dinner will be served at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2005 at the Cloquet ENP. All friends and family are welcome. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www. northlandfuneralhome.com Copyright c. 2005 Duluth News Tribune. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Dominique Alanza Smith Dominique Alanza Smith, 4 months old, of Walker, died on Friday, March 18, 2005. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Onigum Community Center in the Anishinabe traditional way. A visitation began Tuesday at the Onigum Community Center. Burial be in Old Agency Catholic Cemetery following services. The Thomas-Dennis Funeral Home of Walker assisted the family with arrangements. Frank Bernard Hart Frank Bernard Hart, 39, of Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, died on Thursday March 17, 2005, at the Westview Health Centre in Stony Plain. Traditions services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake. A wake will begin today at the center and continue until the service on Thursday. Burial will be at Fox Point Cemetery in Redby under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. March 24, 2005 Alicia Alberta White Alicia Alberta White, 14, of Redby, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, at the Red Lake High School, in Red Lake. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Redby Community Church with Rev. Tom Pollock officiating. A wake will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Redby Community Center. Burial will be in Fox Point Cemetery in Redby. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Chase Albert Lussier Chase Albert "Beka" Lussier, 15, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin today at the Red Lake Center in Red Lake and continue until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Daryl Allen Lussier, Sr. Daryl Allen "Dash" Lussier, Sr., 58, of Red Lake died Monday, March 21, 2005 at his home. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Humanities Center in Red Lake with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin Thursday afternoon at the Humanities Center and go until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Michelle Leigh Sigana Michelle Leigh Sigana, 32, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005 in Red Lake at her home. The funeral for Michelle and Daryl "Dash" Lussier will be held together at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Red Lake Humanities Building in Red Lake, with Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin Thursday afternoon at the Red Lake Humanities Building. Burial will be at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. March 25, 2005 Derrick Brian Brun Derrick Brian Brun, 28, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, as a result of a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at the Red Lake High School in Red Lake. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with the Rev. William Mehrkens officiating. A wake will begin Saturday evening at the Red Lake Center and continue until the time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Thurlene Marie Stillday Thurlene Marie Stillday, 15, of Ponemah, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake. Traditional services will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah. A wake will begin at 10 a.m. today at the Ponemah Community Center and will continue until the time of the service on Sunday. Burial will be in the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. Jeffrey James Weise Jeffrey James Weise, 16, of Red Lake, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake, Minn. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with the Rev. Patrick Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin on Saturday afternoon at his grandmother's house in Red Lake and will continue until the time of service on Monday at the church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Mission Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji assisted the family with arrangements. March 26, 2005 Neva J. Rogers Neva J. Rogers, 62, of Shevlin, died Monday, March 21, 2005 at Red Lake. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Bemidji. Rev. Genelle Netland will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery of Bemidji. A Neva Rogers Memorial Fund will be established at Security Bank in Bemidji. Dewayne Michael Lewis, Jr. Dewayne Michael Lewis, Jr., 15, of Ponemah died Monday, March 21 , 2005, in Red Lake. Arrangements are pending with Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Traditional services will be held at 2 p.m. April 2 at Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah. A wake will begin Thursday at the Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah. Burial will be at the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Chanelle Star Rosebear Chanelle Star Rosebear, 15, of Ponemah, died Monday, March 21, 2005, in Red Lake at the Red Lake High School. Traditional funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ponemah Community Center with Spiritual Leader Tom Stillday officiating. A wake will begin Monday morning at the Ponemah Community Center and continue until the time of the services. Burial will be at the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah. Arrangements are with the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. March 27, 2005 Marvin Charette Marvin Charette, 28, of Minneapolis, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, in Minneapolis. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Red Lake with the Rev. Pat Sullivan officiating. A wake will begin on Monday at the Red Lake Community Center and will continue until the time of the service. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji. Copyright c. 2005 The Pioneer/Bemidji, MN. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Makes Him First, Luci Luci Makes Him First, 33, Timber Lake, S.D., died March 19, 2005, due to injuries received in a motor vehicle accident near Timber Lake. Services will be held at 8 a.m. MST Saturday, March 26, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte, S.D. Burial will be in the Holy Comforter Cemetery, Lower Brule, S.D. Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. Xavier J. Taken Alive Xavier J. Taken Alive, the child of Toni Taken Alive, Cherry Creek, S.D., was stillborn March 16, 2005, in Eagle Butte, S.D. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MST today, March 24, at the UCC Church, Cherry Creek. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Oster Funeral Home, Mobridge, S.D. March 28, 2005 Matthew Lone Fight Sr. MANDAREE - Matthew Lone Fight Sr., 68, Mandaree, died March 27, 2005, at a Mandan hospital. Arrangements are pending with Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City. Copyright c. 2005 Bismarck Tribune. -=-=-=- March 16, 2005 Minerva Willamette Red Bird Little Elk Funeral service for Minerva Little Elk age 74 of Dupree, South Dakota will be at 10:00 a.m. MT on Thursday, March 17, 2005 at the Cultural Center in Eagle Butte, SD. Mother Marion Rectenwald, Father Jeffry Barnes and Deacon Dora Bruguier will be officiating. Burial will be in the St Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Thunder Butte, SD under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge, South Dakota. There will be an all night wake service held at the Cultural Center starting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Family and friends will gather at the Four Mile Junction just outside of Eagle Butte at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday to follow" the procession. Minerva passed away at Rapid City Regional Hospital on March 10, 2005. Minerva Willamette Red Bird Little Elk was born on September 14, 1930 in Thunder Butte, SD to Moses Red Bird and Anna (Eagle Chasing) Red Bird. She attended school as far as eighth grade and later obtained her GED. Her teen years were spent at the Sioux Sanatorium in Rapid City, SD battling tuberculosis. She learned basket weaving and beading while at the San. She married Joe Little Elk, and to this union one child, David Dean, was born in 1964. She worked for the State of SD in Mission helping blind people. She lived for a short time in Minatare, NE before moving back to Dupree in 1965. Minerva worked for Head Start in Dupree since its inception in 1968, retiring 22 years later to care for her grandchildren. During this time Minerva raised many of her nieces and nephews. In the year of 2000 she was honored for her services to the Head Start program and received a tribal proclamation naming May 16, 2000 as Minerva Little Elk Day. She was very proud of her takojas and their accomplishments- when Angela won the title of Miss Cheyenne River Labor Day Fair and Rodeo in 1999 and Michael attending United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. She is survived by her siblings: Ramona Red Horse of Takini, SD, Phyllis Frame of Whitewood, SD, and Paul Red Bird of Rapid City, SD; her son David Dean of Berlin, Germany; grandchildren: Angela of Wanblee, SD, Amanda of Dupree, SD and Michael of Bismarck, ND and her great-grandchildren: Athena, Avaline, Dante and Sinawacinwin. Minerva was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Douglas (Buddy) Red Bird, Maurice (Bart) Red Bird, Milo Red Bird and Kenneth (Jake) Red Bird. Casketbearers will be: Carlos Red Legs, Keith Red Bird, Phil Frame, Curtis Red Bird, Tom Red Bird, Leo Bianas, Raymond Uses The Knife and Huey White Wolf. Honorary casketbearers will be: Lila Hale, Annie Iron Bird, Regina Good Bear, Lucille High Elk, Elsie Slides Off, Clara High Elk, Ethel Uses The Knife, Mary Red Bird, Juanita Young, Eunice Moudy, Eldora Black Eagle, Beverly Bagola, Rita Elk Eagle, Corky Liston, Virginia White Feather, Marcella LeBeau, Laverna Long, John and Rita Birkeland, Vicki Birkeland, Wade and Carla Stambach, Mary Lu Griffith, Sue Starr, Janie Davis, Esterline and Carrideo Low Dog, Ernestine Frazier, Mae Red Bird, Dana Dupris, Bryce In The Woods, Marcy Miner, Les Starr, Stella Buffalo, Vonda Long, Shiree Russell, Tom and Danette Maxwell, Mary Jane Tiokasin, the Taylor Family, friends at the Eagle Butte Nutrition Center, all co-workers at Head Start, and all friends and family. Special music will be provided by Chug and Karen Garreau.week. Copyright c. 2005 Eagle Butte News, Missouri Dakota Publishing, Inc. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Faralyn C. Feather Location: Wagner, SD Funeral Home: Crosby-Jaeger Wagner - Faralyn C. Feather, 43, of Wagner, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Yankton Sioux Tribal Youth Center Gymnasium in Wagner, with Father Conrad Ciesel officiating. Burial will be at the Episcopal Cemetery, rural Greenwood. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Gym. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of the arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 Sioux Falls Argus Leader. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Luci Makes Him First Timber Lake - Funeral for Luci Makes Him First, age 33, of Timber Lake, S.D., will be at 8 a.m. MDT on Saturday at St. John's Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte, S.D. Burial will be in the Holy Comforter Cemetery in Lower Brule, S.D., under the direction of Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge, S.D. Luci died March 19, 2005, from an auto accident near Timber Lake, S.D. Xavier Jesse Taken Alive Eagle Butte - Funeral for Xavier Jesse Taken Alive, stillborn child of Toni Taken Alive of Cherry Creek, S.D., born March 16, 2005, in Eagle Butte, S.D., will be at 10 a.m. MDT in Cherry Creek, S.D., at UCC Church on Thursday, March 24, 2005. Deacon Ted Knife will be officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Oster Funeral Home. Copyright c. 2005 Aberdeen American News. -=-=-=- Welcome to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe/Dakota Nation Sota Iya Ye Yapi On-Line, News from the Lake Traverse Reservation Volume 36, Issue 13 Wednesday, March 30, 2005 Funeral services held for Darrell Frenier Funeral services for Darrell Frenier, 40, of Sisseton, SD, were held Saturday afternoon, March 26, 2005, at the Tribal community center in Agency Village, SD, with the Rev. Michael Simon officiating. Music was provided by Ridge Runners Drum Group. Active pallbearers were Levi DuMarce, Jr., Glenn Wanna, Sr., Jonathan Gill, Mike Kohl, Richard "Soup" Hill, Tracey Harwood, Alois "Jeff" Wanna, Jr., and Marvin Stone. Honorary pallbearers were Roland "Horse" Frank, Sam Allen, Kenny Merrick, Jr., Stacey Wanna, Randy White, Delvin Uses Arrow, Frances Mazawasicuna, and JoAnn Frank. Special honorary pallbearers will be Wayne, Kasey Francis, Xavier, Kenna, Kyleigh, Jessica, Ashlynn, Shania, Opey, Jacquie, Candice, Shelly, Jennifer, Steven, Levi, Drew, Woods, Ozzy, Wambdi, Hawk, Xana, and the rest of his Tiwahe. There was an all night wake service on Friday, at the community center. Interment is at Mayasan Presbyterian Cemetery in rural Veblen, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD, was in charge of arrangements. Darrell Frank Frenier, "Mahto Ska Num Icahda Kicize," was born on February 10, 1965, to JoAnna Frenier and Francis Gill in Sisseton, SD. Darrell attended the Sisseton Public Schools, Flandreau Indian School, and then graduated from Haskell University with an A.A.S. Degree in Automotive Autobody. In Darrell's early adolescent years he began interest as an amateur boxer with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Boxing Club; he later moved to Flandreau Indian School Boxing Club. While a participant in both clubs, he developed into a five time regional and state champion. In 1980, Darrell advanced to the National Silver Gloves competition held in Davenport, IA, where he became the 106 lb. weight class division champion, representing S.W.B.C. In 1981 to 1984, representing the F.I.S., Darrell advanced to the National Golden Gloves competitions held in Minneapolis, MN. In 1981, he became the 112 lb. weight class division champion. In 1982, he qualified for competition, but was unable to compete at that time. In 1983, he became the 119 lb. weight class division champion. In 1984, he became the 125 lb. weight class division champion. Spectators who watched Darrell compete, including his coaches; S.W.O. Coach, Norbert Jones, and F.I.S. Coach, Gus Frank, would always comment to his family on Darrell's crowd-pleasing abilities. His family enjoyed watching him compete, especially his father. With Darrell's strong passion for boxing, he started coaching a small group of Sisseton-Wahpeton youth in the basement of his home in 1998. He even had a dedicated non-Indian boxer traveling to his home from Watertown. He began the club by using his own funds, fundraisers, and donations from the tribe, and its gaming enterprises. To coach boxing was one of Darrell' s many dreams. He had an opportunity to watch one of his athletes excel to the national bouts; this too was a dream of his, to coach a Tribal youth who wanted to shine at the national competitions. Darrell also started singing Dakota songs at a very young age; in the "Congo Woods" on cardboard boxes or basically whatever he could find that would make similar rhythm sounds. At the age of 17 years, Darrell met up with his long time friend, Richard Hill and began exchanging songs they knew, from honoring to celebrations. They exchanged their knowledge on how to make drum sticks and prepare hides for drums as well. Darrell then started his own drum group which was first know as, "Tate Topa," which he later changed to "Ridge Runners." Darrell and his drum group companions traveled extensively to compete at many pow-wow's all over the United States and Canada, beginning in the early 1980s to the present. Spectators, dancers, and singers alike would all comment to his family on the Ridge Runners talent to sing. Darrell was often called upon by Tribal members to sing honor songs for their relatives journeys, celebrations, and other Tribal ceremonies. Darrell sang for years at various community sundance ceremonies. Darrell had the opportunity to preside on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Annual Pow- Wow Committee. Darrell loved his Dakota language and heritage; he proudly spoke the language in conversations and humbly sang the old lyrics. Darrell's other favorite past times were visiting all his "Tiwahe" and "Koda," fishing, playing moccasin, and watching numerous sports on T.V. Darrell has touched many of his relatives and friends hearts, he will be tremendously missed by all who really knew him and loved him. He had a smile and hug for everyone, we will miss his humor and laughter. Darrell began his journey to the Spirit World on March 23, 2005. Darrell is survived by his mother; five brothers - Jonathan Gill, Reynold DuMarce, Kenny A. DuMarce, Levi DuMarce, Jr., and Dale Frenier, all of Sisseton; five sisters - Beverly Gill, Kathy DuMarce, Donna DuMarce, all of Sisseton, Dolores Allen of Flandreau, and Janice DuMarce- WhiteShield of Montrose, CO; and many nieces and nephews. Darrell was preceded in death by his father, paternal grandparents, Donald Sr. and Emily Gill, and maternal grandparents, Theodore and Thelma Frenier. Copyright c. 1999-2003 by C. D. Floro/Earth and Sky Enterprises. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Faralyn Feather, Wagner Faralyn C. Feather, 43, Wagner, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Yankton Sioux Tribal Youth Center Gymnasium, Wagner, with the Rev. Conrad Ciesel officiating. Burial will be in Episcopal Cemetery, rural Greenwood. Wake servives will be at 7 p.m. today and Friday at the gym. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Wagner. Copyright c. 2005 The Daily Republic/Mitchell, South Dakota. -=-=-=- March 22, 2005 Kia Rain One Horn-Pourier KYLE - Kia Rain One Horn-Pourier, infant, Kyle, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include her parents, Lynelle One Horn and Len Pourier, Kyle; her maternal grandparents, Dale and Mable One Horn, Kyle; and her paternal grandmother, Delores Bear Killer, Gordon, Neb. A one-night wake will begin at noon today at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Kyle. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the church, with the Rev. Cordelia One Horn officiating. Burial will be at St. Barnabas Episcopal Cemetery in Kyle. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. March 23, 2005 Dale Antoine Cuny Tacan-Washagya-Mani-Hoksila FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Dale Antoine Cuny, born Nov. 20, 1980, died March 16, 2005. Dale was in the 82nd Airborne. Dale also had a great love for boxing. He was a member of Martinez Boxing Club. Wakes will be held at Horse Creek Community Center in White River, S.D., on March 22 and 23. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 24, 2005, at St. James Cemetery in White River, S.D., with Father John Spruhan officiating. Survivors include his wife, April Dubray Cuny, son Taylor Antoine Cuny, daughter Jolei Rosalyn Cuny, daughter Mataya Dubray, father Ben Knife, brothers Pete Knife, Jesse Knife and Joe Saul, mother Suzie Cuny, aunt Delores Cordier, sister Leona Cuny, uncle Clare Moran and wife Sylvia, aunt Judy Roubideaux, aunt Judith Yellow, aunt Josie Yellow, aunt Brenda Yellow, aunt Phyliss Yellow, uncle Tom Yellow, special friends John and Cheryle Slagle, Caryn Slagle, Eddie Martinez and Chauncey LaPointe, and numerous cousins and nephews and nieces. Robert Richard Ferron RAPID CITY - Robert Richard Ferron, 85, Rapid City, died Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Cora "Candy" Ferron, Rapid City; two sons, Leonard Ferron and Paul Dyson Ferron, both of Beaverton, Ore.; four daughters, Roberta Ferron, Bellingham, Wash., Jacqueline Left Hand Bull Delahunt, Rapid City, Sandra Frazier, Eagle Butte, and Jeanette Frago, Denton, Texas; one brother, Frank Ferron, Columbus, Ohio; 17 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at St. Charles Church in St. Francis. Burial will be at St. Charles Cemetery in St. Francis. A wake will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday at Digman Hall in St. Francis. You may sign Robert's online register book at www.kirkfuneralhome.com. March 24, 2005 Luci Makes Him First TIMBER LAKE - Luci Makes Him First, Toka he Keyapi Win, 33, Timber Lake, died Saturday, March 19, 2005, as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident near Timber Lake. An all-night wake service will begin at 6 p.m. today at Timber Lake Community Service. A second all-night wake service will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte. Services will be at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 26, at the church, with the Rev. Jeffry Barnes, Mother Marion Rectenwald, the Rev. Norman Blue Coat and Deacon Dora Brugier officiating. Burial will be at Holy Comforter Cemetery in Lower Brule. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Xavier Taken Alive CHERRY CREEK - Xavier Jesse Taken Alive, infant child of Toni Taken Alive of Cherry Creek, was stillborn Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Services will be at 10 a.m. today at UCC Church in Cherry Creek, with Deacon Ted Knife officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Oster Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements. Patrick M. "Rick" Yankton PINE RIDGE - Patrick M. "Rick" Yankton, 39, Pine Ridge, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Survivors include three sons, Steve Yankton, Kyle Yankton and Edward Yankton, all of Pine Ridge; his mother, Virginia Yankton, Pine Ridge; two brothers, Steve J. Yankton, California, and Philip Yankton, Denver; and one sister, Linda Yankton, Denver. A two-night wake began Tuesday, March 22, at Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge. Services will be at 10 a.m. today at Billy Mills Hall, with Charles McGaa and the Rev. Asa Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery in Pine Ridge. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. March 25, 2005 Baby Boy Shangreaux MARTIN - Baby Boy Shangreaux, infant, Martin, was stillborn Saturday, March 12, 2005, at Pine Ridge Hospital. Survivors include his parents, Sophia Pack, Martin, and Wilson Collins, Gering, Neb.; seven brothers, Frank Pack, Jesse Pack and Wilson Star, all of Martin, Jason Star Jr., Manitoba, and Michael Caesar, John Caesar and James Caesar, all of Cameron Park, Calif.; and two sisters, Pamela Shangreaux and Paula Shangreaux, both of Martin. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. today at Black Eyes Family Cemetery in Martin, with the Rev. Jeff Cisco officiating. Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements. March 27, 2005 Charles Janis ALLEN - Charles Janis, 53, Allen, died Friday, March 25, 2005, at Allen. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge. Valentino Sierra CALICO - Valentino Sierra, 78, Calico, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at his home. Arrangements are pending with Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge. Copyright c. 2005 The Rapid City Journal. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Vera June (Nawanaway/Kent) White Vera June (Nawanaway/Kent) White, 74, of Shawnee, died Tuesday, March 22, 2005, in Baptist Medical Center. Services will be in Bah-Kho-Je Chena Building Friday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Tom Morris will officiate. Interment will be in Iowa Tribal Cemetery, Perkins. Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. She was born June 19, 1930, in Perkins, to the Rev. Solomon N. Kent and Rosa (Dailey) Kent. She married Nelson B. White in 1947 in Sayre. He died Oct. 9, 1997. Her Indian name, Meha Chay (sja) means second to the oldest daughter. Her father was the last of the bloodline of the chiefs of the Iowa Tribe and Eagle and Buffalo clans. She attended and graduated from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. After her marriage, she moved throughout the state of Oklahoma, following her husband's work in construction. They lived in Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Elk City and Sayre. She worked as a seamstress, making draperies. Later she and her family moved to Shawnee. She was very involved in her tribe, where she served on the Iowa Tribal business committee in many positions, such as secretary and treasurer. She served on the Iowa powwow committee and the American Indian Exposition board as co-director. She was an advocate for the traditions of the Iowa and the Otoe-Missouria Tribes of Oklahoma. She was active with the Iowa elders' group. She enjoyed traveling and participating in the Golden Age dance competitions. In her youth, she was a fancy dancer and was an award winning traditional dancer in southern cloth dance. She has been the head lady dancer for many powwows. She enjoyed shell shaking, camping, playing pool, participating in rodeos and traveling with her friends and family. She also worked hard in her community, volunteering her time and being a member of M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving.) She belonged to North Rock Creek Church, Assembly of God. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and two daughters, Movita White Dumont and Marilyn White. She is survived by one daughter, Ada White of Shawnee; adopted daughters, Sandra Knight of Broken Arrow, Noel Gover of Perkins and Pauline Tsosie of Claremore; 11 grandchildren, Michelle and Byron Walker of Tulsa, Brian White of Shawnee, Justina Pewewardy of Oklahoma City, Lydia Davis of Shawnee, Leland White of Shawnee, Lila Martinez of Shawnee, Carman Tehauno of Shawnee, Kent Tehauno of Shawnee, Starling Knight Jr. of Sapulpa, Samson Knight of Broken Arrow and Ashlee Jacobsen of Perkins; three great- grandchildren, Matias Pewewardy of Oklahoma City, Marie Davis of Shawnee and Wamblee Martinez of Shawnee; one sister, Loretta Roberts of Shawnee; sister-in-laws, Wanda Stoneroad of Oklahoma City and Doris Hunter of Perkins; cousin, Linda BigSoldier and other numerous cousins. Condolences may be e-mailed the family at www.strodefh.com Copyright c. 2005 Stillwater NewsPress/Stillwater, OK. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Vera June White Shawnee resident Vera June (Nawanaway/Kent) White died Tuesday, March 22, at the age of 78. Service will be held Friday at Bah-Kho-Je Chena Building in Perkins. Burial will follow in the Iowa Tribal Cemetery. Strode Funeral Home of Stillwater is directing arrangements. Copyright c. 1997-2005 The Shawnee News-Star. -=-=-=- March 24, 2005 Homer F. Holcombe HOLCOMBE - Homer F. Holcombe, 86, passed away on March 21, 2005. Homer was born in Cedar Rapids, IA on June 1, 1918. He moved to Albuquerque with his parents at three years of age. He graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1936. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard and served during World War II. While in the service, he met and married Roselee Neel, who preceded him in death. Homer is survived by five children, Kathy Spencer and husband, Jim, of Big Sandy, TX, Glenna Mitchell and husband, Allan, of Albuquerque, Harold Holcombe and wife, Jacque, of Los Lunas, Sandy Marcus and husband, Charlie, of San Juan Pueblo, and Susan Broekstra and husband, Pete, of Los Lunas. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Homer was a printer. He belonged to the International Typographical Union and worked for the Albuquerque Tribune 40 years, retiring in 1981. He loved photography, poetry, built his own home as well as helped build his son's home. He was a loving father and grandfather. Cremation will take place immediately with the family having a Memorial Service at a later date. Aspen Funeral Alternatives 1935 Juan Tabo NE Albuquerque, NM 87112 323-9000. Copyright c. 1997 - 2005 Albuquerque Journal: Albuquerque, New Mexico. -=-=-=- March 22, 2005 Joe Mitchell Sr. ROCK SPRINGS, NM - Services for Joe Mitchell, Sr., 78, were at 10 a.m., Monday, March 21 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Br. Bowling Pastor officiated. Burial followed at the Gallup City Cemetery. Mitchell died March 16 in Gallup. He was born May 14, 1926 in Littlewater, N.M into the Towering House Clan for the Mescalero Apache Clan. Mitchell worked for the railroad for 32 years. He was a silversmith and carved fetishes. He enjoyed traveling and watching TV. Survivors include his wife Florita Rose Mitchell; sons, Larry Mitchell and Joe Mitchell Jr.; daughters, Alice Claw, Lorena Lee, Rosita Benally; brothers Jones Mitchell; sister Zonnie Herbert; 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Mitchell was preceded in death by his father, Antonio Mitchell and mother Mary Mitchell. Pallbearers were Harry John, Tony Enrico, Elroy Lee, Philip Begay, Joe Mitchell Jr., and Harlen Claw. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Rock Springs Chapter House after services. Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Clarence Farland KAYENTA - Services for Clarence Mc Farland, 33, will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 23 at the Kayenta Bible Church. Preacher Josh Austin will officiate. Burial will follow at the family cemetery in Baby Rocks, Ariz. Farland died March 19 in Kayenta. He was born August 14, 1971 into the Red House People Clan for the Under His Cover People Clan. Farland worked as a mechanic and he enjoyed being with his children. Survivors include his son, Vaughn Farland; daughters, Alyssia Farland, Yolanda Farland, Pekabo Farland; father, Ned E. Farland; mother, Anna Farland, both of Baby Rocks; brothers, Joseph Farland, Michael Farland; sisters, Dorothy Eaglefeather of Minn., Karen Johnson of Hogback, Caroline Beyale, Evageline Farland both of Phoenix. Pallbearers will be Allen Denny, Joseph Chief, Joseph Farland and Leonard Johnson. Ronald Multine FORT DEFIANCE - Funeral services for Ronald "Ron" Multine, 32, was at 11 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, March 22 at the First Assembly of God, Holbrook. Shaun Haven will officiate. Burial will be in the Holbrook City Cemetery. Multine died March 16 in Fort Defiance. He was born Jan. 9, 1973 in Keams Canyon into the Coyote Gap People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Multine attended Holbrook High School and Kicking Horse. He worked for the BIA forestry and enjoyed riding horses. Survivors include his wife, Perfelia Ann Multine; sons, Araya Mishilo Multine, Damian Andrew Multine, Lodin Jay Multine; parents, Guy and Mary Lou Multine; brothers, Jefferson Multine, Leroy Multine, Larson Multine, Gary Multine; sisters, Doris Multine, Laura Multine, Gloria Multine, and Clara Multine. Pallbearers will be Jefferson Multine, Leroy Multine, Larson Multine, Earl Ross, Michael Keams and Alzado Gorman. The family will receive relatives and friends at the First Assembly of God Church following services. Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. March 23, 2005 Walter H. Begay, Sr. WHEATFIELDS - Funeral mass for Walter H. Begay, Sr., 92, will be at 10 a.m, Thursday, March 24 at St. Michaels Mission. Father Gilbert Schneider, O.F.M will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Michaels cemetery. Visitation will be held from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. prior to services. rosary will be recited this evening, March 23 at Cope Memorial Chapel at 5 p.m. Begay, Sr. died March 21 in Winslow. He was born March 2, 1913 in Wheatfields into the Red Bottom People Clan for the Bitter Water People Clan. Begay, Sr. retired from the BIA after 40 years of service. He served in the Marine Corps and trained as a Navajo Code Talker receiving the National Congressional Silver Medal of Honor. Survivors include his sons, Wesley L. Begay of Tsaile, Paul C. Begay, William Begay both of Fort Defiance, Walter Begay, Jr. of Kayenta; daughters, Francis Mary Legah of St. Michaels, Genevieve Yazza of Wheatfields, Helena Begay of Farmington, Helen Leslie of Tucson; brothers, Kenneth White of White Cone, Kee White of Wheatfields; sisters, Mary Francis, Rita Bahe, Pearl White all of Wheatfields; 28 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Begay, Sr. was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Mary Begay; son, Jimmie J. Begay; father, White Mule; mother, Rose White; brothers, Edmund White and Allen "Chuck" White. Pallbearers will be Michael Legah, Norman Leslie, Adrian Begay, Ivan Cayedito, Loren Begay and Kyle Begay. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements. Thomas Yazzie TSE BONITO - Funeral services for Thomas Yazzie, 67, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 24 at Good Shepherd Mission. A visitation will be held Thursday prior to services. Yazzie died March 19 in Gallup. He was born July 11, 1937 in Hunters Point into the Waters Edge People Clan for the One Who Walks Around You People Clan. He was a member of the United Workers Union of America #1332, where she was employed with PNM for 32 years. Yazzie was a roadman for the Native American Church. He enjoyed hunting and sports. Survivors include his wife, Louise W. Yazzie of Coalmine; daughters, Mildred Blackgoat, Kathleen Lee both of Coalmine, Sharon Lee of Grand Canyon, Maurie Yazzie of Blackhat; sons, Alvin Lee of Coalmine, Norman Lee of Window Rock, Ernest Yazzie, Gilbert Yazzie, Herman Yazzie, Timothy Yazzie, Tommy Yazzie all of Blackhat; brothers, Joe Chischillie of Navajo, Paul Chischillie of St. Michaels, Dan Yazzie, Joseph Chee Yazzie both of Tse Bonito; sister, Mary Tsosie of Nazlini and eight grandchildren. Yazzie was preceded in death by his father, John Sam; mother, Glehasbah Bershone; son, Christopher Lee and brother, Tully Yazzie, Sr. Pallbearers will be George Gordy, Alvin Lee, Norman Lee, Larry Plummer, Virgil Plummer and Bobby Sandoval. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Matthew J. Yellowhair ST. MICHAELS - Services for Matthew Joshua Yellowhair, infant, were at 10 a.m. this morning, March 23 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bishop Mark Graham will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Michaels community cemetery. Yellowhair was born and died March 19 in Phoenix. He was born into the Many Goats People Clan for the Red Running into Water People Clan. Survivors include his father, Skeet Boyd Yellowhair; mother, Sharon Yellowhair both of St. Michaels; brother, Sheridan Yellowhair of St. Michaels; sisters, Paula Yellowhair, Ashley Yellowhair, Marianne Yellowhair all of St. Michaels; grandparents, Dr. Paul and Linda Platero of Canoncito; Skeet and Shirley Yellowhair of Window Rock. Pallbearers will be Boyd Yellowhair and Skeet Yellowhair. March 24, 2005 Bessie Spencer TWIN BUTTES - Funeral services for Bessie Spencer, 57, will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 25 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Don Phoebus will officiate. Burial will be in the Gallup City Cemetery. Spencer died March 22 in Gallup. She was born April 21, 1947 in Twin Buttes into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Towering House People Clan. Spencer was employed with Shamrock truckstop and Holiday Inn. She enjoyed sewing, taking walks and tending to livestock. Survivors include her brothers, Ray Bennett of Yatahey, Lee Bennett, Eddie Jim, Sr. both of Twin Buttes; sisters, Grace Smith of Okla. and Nellie Bennett of Twin Buttes. Spencer was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charlie and Jennie Spencer; parents, Tom K. Bennett and Helen Spencer; brothers, Wayne Bennett, Richard Bennett and Raymond Bennett, Sr. Pallbearers will be Damon Smith, Eddie Jim, Jr., Nathaniel Browning, Charleston Bennett, Stenson Sam and Brother Peachy. Cope Memorial is in charge of arrangements. Jennie Y. Johnson GALLUP - Funeral services are pending for Jennie Y. Johnson, 71. Johnson died March 22 in Albuquerque. She was born Jan. 5, 1934 in Gallup into the Salt Water People Clan for the Edgewater People Clan. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Mabel Wauneka Chee SHEEP SPRINGS - Funeral services for Mabel Wauneka Chee, 61, are pending. Chee died March 23 in Gallup. She was born Jan. 14, 1944 in San Francisco, Calif. into the Towering House People Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. March 25, 2005 Valencia Ann Thompson STEAMBOAT - Funeral services for Valencia Ann Thompson, 44, will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President Peter Yazzie will officiate. Burial will be in the Ganado Community Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Thompson died March 20 in Gallup. She was born March 25, 1960 in Ganado into the Mexican People Clan for the Coyote Pass People Clan. Thompson attended Ganado High School, Class of 1980. She worked for Toyei Nursing Home, the Steamboat Chapter, and the elections during the Navajo elections. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, listening to music and helping others. Survivors include her daughter, Vanessa R. Thompson of Steamboat; mother, Susan Thompson of Steamboat; brother, Arnold Thompson of Steamboat and sister, Serafina Thompson of Steamboat. Thompson was preceded in death by her father, Harry H. Thompson and Amos Thompson. Pallbearers will be Arnold Thompson, Brian Thompson, Lee Mike Rogers and Gilbert Begay, Jr. March 26, 2005 Jennie Johnson GALLUP - Funeral services for Jennie Y. Johnson, 71, will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 28 at Rollie Mortuary. Pastor Alvin Cayatineto will officate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Johnson died March 22 in Albuquerque. He was born Jan. 5, 1934 in Gallup into the Salt Water People Clan for the Edgewater People Clan. Johnson was a silversmith and enjoyed traveling and cooking. Survivors include her daughters, Gloria Begay of Rehoboth, Laverna Johnson, Virginia Johnson, Agnes Smith, all of Gallup, Janice Reid of Glendale; sons, Daniel Kee Johnson, Ernest Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Roy Johnson, all of Gallup; sisters, Marlene Begay of Shiprock, Marie Henry of Grand Canyon, Ariz., Pauline Whitegoat of Mentmore; brothers, Keith Yazzie of Gallup, Mark Yazzie, Sr. of Smith Lake, Oscar Yazzie of Iyanbito; 29 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Kee Johnson; father, Sam Yazzie; mother, Astaa Yazzie; sons, Bobby Kee Johnson, Gary Kee Johnson, Jerry Kee Johnson and one granddaughter. Pallbearers will be Vincent Begay, Jr., Daniel Earl Kee Johnson, Ernest Johnson, Roy Johnson, Ryan Lee and Art Smith, Jr. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Willie Yazzie Jr. MEXICAN SPRINGS - Services for Willie Yazzie, Jr. will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 28 at Cope Memorial Chapel in Gallup. Tohatchi LDS President Lee A. Yazzie will officiate. Burial will follow in Lone Pine Cemetery. Yazzie died March 23 in Gallup. He was born May 27, 1952 in Gallup into the Bitter Water People Clan for the Red Running into the Water People Clan. Yazzie went to school in Tohatchi. He made kachina-style wooden carvings and was an artist. He enjoyed ranching. Survivors include his sisters, Doris Yazzie, Jasmine Yazzie, Gloria John, Wilhemina Yazzie; brothers, Harold Roy Yazzie, Sr., Steven Yazzie and Patrick Yazzie. Yazzie was preceded in death by his parents Will Yazzie Sr., and Grace Gorman Yazzie. Pallbearers will be Harold Yazzie Sr., Steven Yazzie, Patrick Yazzie, Angelo Castillo, Brian Smith, Harold Yazzie Jr., Luther Begay and Sammie John. March 28, 2005 Mabel W. Chee SHEEPSPRINGS - Funeral services for Mabel Wauneka Chee, 61, will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29 at the Sheepsprings Full Gospel Church. Rev. Dennis Keith will officiate. Burial will be in the Sheepsprings community cemetery. Chee died March 23 in Gallup. She was born Jan. 14, 1944 in San Francisco, Calif. into the Towering House People Clan for the One Who Walks Around People Clan. Chee enjoyed cooking, word puzzles, oldies music, going to church and being with her family. Survivors include her daughters, Jolene C. Bryant, Martha W. Yazzie both of Sheepsprings, Dianna S. Harrison of Farmington, Loretta W. Lee of Window Rock, Cynthia Wauneka of Provo, Utah; sisters, Margaret Keith, Christine W. Wilson both of Crystal, Jennie Lopez, Genevieve Abe both of Albuquerque, Stella Pinto of Houck, Julia Plummer of Fort Defiance; brothers, Herman Abe of Salt Lake City, Albert Wauneka, Sr., Jerry Wauneka both of Fort Defiance and 14 grandchildren. Chee was preceded in death by her father, Willie Wauneka; mother, Ida Abe; son, Calvin Wauneka and Elizabeth Wauneka. Pallbearers will be Garron Keith, David A. Lee, Jr., Duchesne Roanhorse, Kellen Shirley, Leonard Wauneka, Travis Wauneka, Darrell Wilson and Jared K. Yazzie. Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 the Gallup Independent. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 William Mark Allen William Mark Allen of Cave Creek, beloved son, brother, and uncle passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20 after a brief illness. He was born on December 12, 1970 in Sioux City, IA, and was a member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Mark was a graduate of McClintock High School and attended Yavapai College. Currently he was enrolled in Bryman School, studying to be a surgical technician. Mark was preceded in death by two sisters, Lorraine Allen and Alyssa Allen Fielder. Survivors include his parents, William and Sara (Bunny) Allen, Cave Creek; two sisters: Sara Johnson (husband David), Los Altos, CA, and Karen Allen, Los Angeles, CA; three nephews: Tim Fielder, Josh Fielder and Chase Johnson; and four nieces: Pam Goselin, Jennifer, Kiera, and Britney Johnson. Also surviving are his Aunt Barbara Long, Chattanooga, TN, his cousins Elizabeth Qualey, Chattanooga, TN and Robert Long, Jr., Newark, DE; his dearest friend Patti Comes At Night, Whitefish, MT, and many extended family members. Mark's special interests were cooking, music, animals, and the wilderness in our national parks. Mark was witty, loving, and devoted to his family. A special thank you to the staff of Banner Thunderbird Hospital and Hospice of the Valley at Phoenix Baptist Hospital for their competent and caring help. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 26, at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree, at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley's Phoenix Baptist PCU, 2000 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85015 or Foothills Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 4865, Cave Creek, AZ 85327. Copyright c. 2005 The Arizona Republic. -=-=-=- March 22, 2005 Leroy C. Henry Leroy C. "Pubby" Henry, 57, of Peridot died March 15, 2005, at Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix. Born in San Carlos, he worked as a laborer in the ranching industry. He is survived by three sisters, Nora Cassadore, Sarah Bendle and Emily Henry, all of Peridot; and one brother, Harold Henry of Peridot. A wake will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the Nora Cassadore residence, 50 Hallelujah Square in Peridot. Funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at San Carlos Miracle Church. Interment will follow in Upper Peridot Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Lamont Mortuary of Globe. Copyright c. 2005 Arizona Silver Belt/Apache Moccasin. -=-=-=- March 17, 2005 Simon Williams FORT HALL - Our father, grandfather and "Zo-Zo", Simon Williams, left his earthly home Wednesday, March 9. Simon passed away at his home-a victim of colon cancer. He was born on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation on January 12, 1919 to Rooker and Effie Tissidimit Williams. His mother died when he was a small child so his upbringing came from his close relatives. Simon attended the Fort Hall Boarding School with other Shoshone-Bannock children. Although his formal education ended with the fourth grade, he was self-educated and an avid reader. He was recognized by his peers for his pitching and batting talents, participated in basketball (not his sport), and gave bull riding a whirl. One of his favorite stories was when he "lost his marbles" in Tremonton, Utah. Simon married Irene Shay in 1941 made their home in Tyhee, Idaho, and they received their first blessing, Geraldine Gail; followed by Jacqueline Ramona, and completed the family with Shirley Lorene. He worked as a ditch rider and truck driver for the BIA, was employed by the Pacific Fruit Express as a laborer then retired early, as a Carman, due to a back injury. For a brief period he worked for the Fort Hall Police Department as a jailor. He entertained his friends and coworkers with jokes and pranks. He participated in traditional war dancing and loved to "jitterbug" and won a "twist" contest with his daughter Geraldine. He was a born-again Christian since the mid-1970s. Sie was a quick learner and a hard worker. He was a jack-of-all trades and took pride in taking care of his property and doing chores for his family. Simon was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Daniel, wife Irene, and daughter Jackie. His survivors include daughters Geraldine and Shirley; grandchildren Michaeline Edmo, Todd Edmo, Daniel K. Broncho, Carmela Mora, Candice Broncho, Earl Roger Galloway, Tara Tinajero, Darla Mendez, Jack Galloway, and Shellie Galloway; great-grandchildren, Todd Thomas Edmo, Mia Appenay, Mason Edmo, Gilbert Edmo, Tia Cerino, Tashelle Cerino, Reese Coby, Nasser Edmo, Ezira Edmo, and Alejandro Tinajero; and great great-granddaughter, Aliya Irene Appenay. Funeral services were Saturday, March 12, 2005 at 2p.m. in the Cornelison ~ Henderson Funeral Home, 431 N. 15th Ave., Pocatello. The family received friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday evening and one hour prior to services Saturday in the funeral home. Graveside services were at the Gibson Cemetery. Copyright c. 2005 Sho-Ban News. All rights reserved. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Kim Kelly (Moke) Cliff LODGE POLE - Kim Kelly (Moke) Cliff, "Eagle Flying Home," 40, died Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Fort Belknap Hospital, as the result of a brain tumor. Wake services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Medicine Bear Lodge in Lodge Pole. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Medicine Bear Lodge, with interment in the Longfox Family Cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge. Mildred "Ishtaleechia Itchiish" (Yellow Weasel) Old Crow LODGE GRASS - Nora Mildred Yellow Weasel Whitearm Old Crow, "Ishtaleechia Itchiish" (Good Squirrel), 87, of Lodge Grass, passed away of a short illness on Sunday, March 20, 2005, at the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Frank Covers Up, Sr. and Barbara Yellow Weasel. She was born June 21, 1917, in Lodge Grass. When her mother died, Whitearm and Dirty Foot raised her along with Genevieve Nappy Conger and Faye Iron. She went to Petzoldt School until the sixth grade. In June of 1935, she married her sweetheart, Edmund Old Crow; he was an outstanding basketball player, that's why she was such an avid basketball fan. Edmund died in March of 1972. After his death, she took over his position as a Head Start Bus driver until 1983; she retired due to her health. Mildred was a traditional woman; she loved playing hand games and attending Powwows, where she was one of the few Crow Indian women who dressed traditionally. She enjoyed cooking and making fry bread, stew, dry meat and pemmican. A grandmother to all the children she babysat and attached to them all. She also gave Indian names to many of her clan children. She was a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and Child of Big Lodge Clan, Ties the Bundle, member of Sacred Tobacco Society, a member of the First Crow Indian Baptist Church and a descendent of Chief Pretty Eagle. All of her grandsons belong to the drum group, Black Whistle Singers. Mildred followed them throughout the U.S. Powwow circuit. She traveled to Connecticut along with the group and went sightseeing to Washington, D.C., and New York. Her parents; adopted parents; husband; sisters, Faye Iron, Genevieve Conger, Evelyn Covers Up, Velma Gros Ventre, Marie and Theresa Covers Up; brothers, Frank Covers Up, Jr., Wallace Red Star, Sr., Craig and George Medicine Crow; nephews, Lamont Pretty Weasel, Frank Old Bull, Felix Faraway; nieces, Miriam and Gail Iron, Eleanor Medicine Crow, Nadine Old Bull Iron, Aline Pretty On Top; stepmother, Jennie Bad Horse; stepbrother, Paul Bad Horse, Sr.; adopted brothers, James Bear Below, Raymond Bear Below, Ross Old Crow, David Bravo, Adam Birdinground, William Gros Ventre; adopted sisters, Dorothy Old Crow, Amanda Old Crow, Pearl Bear Below, Katie Real Bird, Susanna One Bear; grandchildren, Greg Pretty Weasel, Jude Old Crow, Starla Fitzpatrick, Vanessa Gardner, Nathan Old Crow; a great- grandson, Paul Dexter Morning, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Lauren (Scott) Medicine Horse, Roxanne and Craig (Mary) Old Crow, all of Lodge Grass; grandchildren, Edmund and Miriam Old Crow, Malerie and Jennie Rose, Roseen, Jordale, Leland "Skeeter, " Noranda, Andrew, Larissa and Darrin (Bobbi Jo) Old Coyote; a great- -grandson, Robert; sister, Virginia Covers Up of Lodge Grass; niece, Bertha Bear Claw; nephew, William Medicine Crow; adopted children, Lawrence (Bertha) Old Bull, Benedict Old Bull, Billie Jean Old Bull, Alpha (Calvin) Birdinground, Woodson (Deana) Faraway, Donna (Bernard) Jefferson, Regina (Archie) Jefferson, Jennie (Raymond) BigDay, Ben (Nancy) GrosVentre, John (Susan) GrosVentre, Bernard (Delilah) Covers Up, Manuel (Linda) Covers Up, Clarise (Ronnie) Medicine Crow, Arbutus Covers Up, Terrence (Gwen) Covers Up, Tracie Covers Up, Tina Covers Up, Mavis Covers Up, Jack Covers Up, Larry (Agnes) Pretty Weasel, Lenora Pretty Weasel, Leland (Marlene) Walking Bear, Alice Iron, Frank Iron, Jr., Virjama (Gerry) PlainBull, Mike Iron, Suzanne Iron, Tilton (Sarah) Old Bull, Harold Back Bone, Jr., Twyla Tsosie, Ursula Bad Horse, Fatima Bad Horse, Newton Old Crow, Jr., Marlene Bird, Byron Bird, Annette Rose Bird, Pete Good Luck, Al Good Luck, Mitchell Hawk, Nathelle Jefferson, Lauren and Vincent Spint, Elmer Yarlott, Jr., Chester (Sharolyn) Nomee, Rana Amyotte, Gordon Real Bird, Jr., Clarice Bad Horse, Paul Bad Horse, Jr., Kathryn Old Man of Wyoming, Russell John of Arizona; children of the late Blanche Brown Crooked Arm; adopted sisters, Mary Ann Little Nest, Frances Bends, Ruth Alden, Henrietta Pretty On Top, Joy Matt, Kathryn Old Crow, Mae House, Priscilla Stewart Gardner, Wilma Stands, Beverly Pretty On Top, Edith Jack Rabbit; adopted brothers, Newton Old Crow, Sr., Star Not Afraid, John Pretty On Top, David Sr. and Rueben Stewart, Sylvan "Chuck" Brown of Eagle Butte, S.D. She has many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great- grandchildren. Extended families include Real Bird, Good Luck, Red Star, Bright Wings, Brown, Bravo, Bad Bear, Lion Shows, Wallace, Plain Feather, Stops, Bear Crane and Rock Above. Please accept our apology if we have forgotten your name. The families of Mildred Old Crow/Covers Up, Walking Bear, Pretty Weasel and Iron would like to thank the nurse's station staff, during her short time of illness at the Crow Hospital. Dr. Kirk Gastineau, Ann Horseman, Ken Groth, Debbie Passes, Janice Gets Down, Toni Zwaryck, and Mary Bartly. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Absaalooka Center, Crow Agency. Pastor Newton Old Crow will officiate. Interment will follow in the Lodge Grass Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- Golden Triangle On-Line Obituaries The following obituaries appeared in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Shelby Promoter, Valierian or Glacier Reporter this week. March 23, 2005 Belva 'Tiny' Wenzel Belva "Tiny" (Bouttier) Wenzel, 69, of Great Falls, a homemaker, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005, at a Great Falls hospital of complications from a motor vehicle accident. Rosary was recited Friday at Old Eagle Shield. Her funeral was Saturday at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Holy Family Mission Cemetery. Day Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Tiny was born in Birch Creek and attended Cut Bank Boarding School, Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota and Browning High School. In 1955, she married Duane McCurdy in Canada. They later divorced. She married Bud Wenzel in Valier in 1979. She worked as a waitress and bartender and owned the Log Cabin Restaurant in Hungry Horse. She was a "softball mother" and enjoyed playing Nintendo, Keno, dice and cards. She enjoyed crocheting, beading, quilting, embroidery, cross stitch, reading and fishing. Survivors include daughters Lynette Johnson, Anita Davison and Julie McCurdy, all of Great Falls; a stepdaughter, Zerita Berger of Simms; sons Ed McCurdy and Owen McCurdy of Great Falls and Audie McCurdy of Washington; a stepson, Mike Wenzel of Helena; sisters Pat DeBoo of Valier and Betty Brown of Great Falls; brothers James Bouttier of Georgia and Curtis Bouttier of Great Falls; 22 grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Wenzel; and granddaughters, Nichol and Jessica. Copyright c. 2005 Golden Triangle Newspapers. -=-=-=- March 22, 2005 Gary Gene Youpee BROCKTON - Decorated Vietnam War veteran Gary Gene Youpee, 55, of Brockton, died of health complications March 14 at his home. Services have taken place in Brockton. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point is handling arrangements Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com. Gary is survived by his father, Jim Youpee of Brockton; a special nephew, Ira (Olivia) Track Jr. of Brockton, who he took as a son; five brothers, Russel, Joe and Sheldon (Illenda), all of Poplar, Robert (Luanna) Sr. of Brockton and Ernie Yuzicapi of Minot N.D.; six sisters, Dolly (Wayne) Boyd, Sharon Red Thunder, Millie (Marion) RunsThrough, all of Poplar, Linda RedBoy, Kate Youpee and Jamie Youpee, all of Brockton. He is also survived by a special grandson, Baily Track of Brockton and a special niece, Millie (Marly Love) RunsThrough of Poplar, plus numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Gary was born Dec. 4, 1949, in Poplar, to Jim and Jeanette (Cloud) Youpee. He resided all of his life in Brockton, attending and graduating from Brockton High School in 1969. After high school Gary entered in the U. S. Army, serving a year in the Vietnam war where he was awarded various medals, including a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1973. After the army, Gary attended Northern Montana College in Havre. He returned to Brockton where he became employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a police officer. After leaving the Bureau, Gary worked various places including A & S Tribal Industries, police dispatcher, Brockton Youth Coordinator and the Vocational- Rehab program. March 23, 2005 Kim Kelly Cliff LODGE POLE - Kim Kelly "Moke" Cliff, 40, a firefighter whose Indian name meant "Eagle Flying Home," died of a brain tumor Sunday at a hospital in Fort Belknap. A wake service is 7 this evening at the Medicine Bear Lodge in Lodge Pole. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Thursday at the lodge, with burial in Longfox Family Cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Stacey Gunn Cliff of Lodge Pole; children Kimberly, Kelly, Lynette, Tiana, Moke and Tiffany Cliff, all of Lodge Pole; a stepson, Derek Gunn of Lodge Pole; sisters Colleen Longfox-Stein of Bozeman, Judy Has Eagle of Lodgepole, Stephanie Joseph of Portland, Ore. and Twila Old Coyote of Missoula; and brothers Darrell Longfox of Butte, Craig Cliff of Fort Belknap, Bill Powell of Browning and Willie Has Eagle and Erwin Little Sun of Rocky Boy. March 25, 2005 Joy DuBray BROWNING - Joy DuBray, 57, a retired school bus driver, died of a heart attack Monday at a Great Falls hospital. Services took place Thursday at Little Flower Parish, with burial in Willow Creek Cemetery. Day Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Bill DuBray of Browning; daughters Joy Sue Davis of Choctaw, Okla., and Tricia DuBray and Melonie DuBray of Browning; a son, Michael Hilton of Choctaw; her stepmother, Donna Flamond of Great Falls; sisters Kathy Gervais and Peggy Monroe of Babb and Charlotte Flammond and De Anna Ingraham of Browning; brothers Mano Flammond of Great Falls, Charlie Flammond, Jim Flammond and Moe Woodward, all of Babb, and Stubby Flammond, Clay Flammond, Rick Flammond and Hank Flammond, all of Browning; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. March 28, 2005 Wayne Thomas Many Guns BROWNING - Army veteran Wayne Thomas Many Guns, age 53, a Glacier National Park Service employee for many years, died of heart failure Saturday at a Browning Hospital. His wake is in progress at Glacier Homes Community Building in Browning, where his funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, with burial with military honors in Willow Creek Cemetery. Whitted Funeral Chapel of Cut Bank is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent on their web site, whittedfuneralchapel.com. Wayne was born Aug. 10, 1952, in Gleichan, Alberta, Canada, to Margaret and Thomas Many Guns. He was raised in Browning and Siksika, Alberta, and attended Little Badger School in Browning and Busby Indian Schools. He later served with the U.S. Army in the early 1970's. On Nov. 30, 1973, he married his soul mate, the love of his life, Carol Ann Little Dog, and had four beautiful children: Thomas John (Rochelle) Many Guns, Rose Hosteneez, William (Starla) Many Guns, and Julius Many Guns. His favorite activity was spending time with his grandchildren; Iverson, Margaret, Wayne Roy, Lashinta, Muriel, William Jr., Angel, and Jasmine, Also Pius and Holmes Jr. of Arizona. He was a wonderful father, husband, uncle, grandfather, brother and friend. Wayne is survived by his siblings Donna (Byron) French, Billings, MT, Jimmy Monroe, Alberta, Leonard (Nadine) Salway, Siksika, Alberta, and George (Rachel) Cardinal, Siksika, Alberta. He cherished his wife's family, Julia Little Dog and family, Helen (Joe) Burdeau and family, Mike (Carol) Little Dog and family, Martina Little Dog and Gus Sharp and family, Florence (Jess) Spotted Bear and family, Betty Ann and the Late Leo Bull Child Sr. and family, Loretta (Frances) Wild Gun and family, The late Johnny 'Boy" Little Dog and Mary Ellen Roundine and family. He had a close kinship to his nieces Martina (Ray) Hart- Many Guns and kids, Rena Santio and family, Karen (Stanford) Three Suns and family of Siksika, Alberta, and his nephew, Les Munro and family. Wayne was preceded in death by his loving mother, Margaret Many Guns; his father, Thomas Many Guns; sisters Rose Marie Bear Robe, Edna Munro- Turtle and Lillian Many Bears of Siksika, Alberta, and also the late John and Margaret Little Dog of Browning. Wayne was an avid fisherman, hunter, and enjoyed camping, traveling to stickgames and powwow. He was a member of the Crazy Dog Society. He talked highly of his best friends Joe Fisher, Donnie White, Wayne Juneau and Paul McEvers, Shawn Garrow and all his Park Service Co-workers, North Dakota Hunting buddies, and all his stickgame friends. Copyright c. 2005 Great Falls Tribune, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Francis O. `Frenchy' Burland ARLEE - Francis O. "Frenchy" Burland, 68, passed away at his home Monday evening, March 21, 2005. He was born Dec. 24, 1936, to Olivia (Oily-Morigeau) and Francis Burland. He was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He had an older sister, Patty, who died in infancy. Shortly after his birth, his mother died and he went to live with his grandparents, Collette and Octave Morigeau, who raised him as their own. He attended Arlee schools, where he graduated in 1954, and then worked at various jobs, including Van Evans mill in Missoula. In 1957, he married Loretta Blood and began working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a mechanic/machine operator and bookkeeper for the irrigation project. In 1962, he continued with the BIA as a reality specialist/officer and retired as the head of the department after 34 years of service. From there, he briefly worked for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes before permanently retiring. Frenchy was active in the community by serving on the Arlee School Board from 1968 through the early '80s. He served as the board chair from 1977 through 1980 and received an honorary diploma at the end of his service. During his tenure, he was instrumental in working through a defeated bond issue to add on the elementary multipurpose room, library and classrooms. He was also a Boy Scout leader for about eight years while his sons were scouts. Frenchy also volunteered for the Arlee Fire Department from 1964- 1977. Beginning in his teens, Frenchy began a lifelong hobby of mechanics and cars. He was particularly fond of his 1960 Chevy that he drag raced often in Spokane. He passed this love of cars on to his sons and daughter. After retirement, he and his sons opened the Jocko River Auto Sales. Frenchy and Loretta had three sons, Richard, David and John; and one daughter, Lawna. Loretta passed away in 1982. Frenchy was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Paul Morigeau, Evelyn Grenier, Josephine Steele, Joe "Bud" Morigeau, Carl Morigeau, Dorothy "Sis" Shelby, Azicda (Sis), Sonny Burland and the twins. He is survived by his sons, Richard (Kelly), David (Amy) and John; one daughter, Lawna (T.J.); his siblings, Abby Gardipe, Barbara Man, Florance Gehring, Dick Burland, Betty Hernandez, Janice Durant, Sharon Whiting, Marilyn Howell and Tracy Burland; and his stepmother, Olivine Burland. A dedicated grandfather, he helped with the raising of his granddaughter, Chelsey Garfield, and is survived by six grandchildren, Shannon, Chelsey, Sarah, Holly, Trae and Dominic; and one great-grandchild, Cherai (with one on the way); as well as a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Arlee Community Center with the rosary being recited at 8:30 p.m. Viewing will continue until midnight. Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Arlee Community Center. Interment will follow at the Jocko Catholic Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks to T.J. for his help. It was above and beyond anything they could have asked for and asks that memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Copyright c. 2005 Missoulian, a division of Lee Enterprises. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Kim Cliff LODGE POLE - Kim Kelly "Moke" Cliff, whose Indian name meant "Eagle Flying Home," 40, a firefighter, died Sunday, March 20, 2005, at Fort Belknap Hospital as the result of a brain tumor. A wake service will be 7 p.m. today at the Medicine Bear Lodge in Lodge Pole. The funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Medicine Bear Lodge with interment in the Longfox Family Cemetery. Kim was born on June 12, 1964, at Fort Belknap to Gilbert Cliff and Marlys Stiffarm and was raised by Charles (Chap) and Naomi Stiffarm- Longfox. He was raised in Butte and attended Webster Garfield Elementary School and graduated from Butte High School. Kim won numerous boxing awards, including several Golden Gloves championships in his weight division. He was recognized as one of the Indian Champions in Boxing for the state of Montana. Kim graduated from College of Technology in Butte with an associate degree in drafting. He returned to Fort Belknap as Indian firefighter, serving as a crew boss since 1993 and as an engine boss, dozer boss, tractor/plow boss, felling boss, firing boss and strike team leader since 2001. He was dispatched for the Columbia Shuttle Recovery in Texas as a strike team leader and was thanked by NASA for facilitating the "Return to Flight" of the space shuttle program. He served as strike team leader for task force, wild line engine, crew representative, engine boss, helicopter crew member and incident commander. Moke was CPR certified, first-aid certified and had numerous trainings and certifications in basic air operations. He was part of the Interagency Helitack Training, wildland fire behavior calculation, and fire operations in the urban interface. He was qualified in wildfire power saws, fire-line leadership and task force leader. He held the record for many years for the fastest time in the 3-mile run in the physical fitness test. Moke had been on more than 100 fires all over the United States, including New Mexico, Florida, California, Oregon, Wyoming, Minnesota, North Carolina and Virginia. Moke married his longtime love and soul mate, Stacey Gunn, on March 3, 2005. Moke was preceded in death by fathers, Chap Longfox and Gilbert Cliff; brother, Andy Longfox; aunts, Leona Messerly, Caroline Sullivan and Cora Crabtree; uncles, Jody Cliff and Lee Stiffarm; grandparents; Florence and Ignatius Stiffarm, Olivia Healy and Tom Cliff. Survivors include his wife, Stacey Gunn Cliff; children, Kimberly, Kelly, Lynette, Tiana, Moke and Tiffany Cliff; stepson, Derrick Gunn; sisters, Colleen Longfox-Stein of Bozeman, Judy Has Eagle of Lodge Pole, Stephanie Joseph of Portland, Ore., and Twila Old Coyote of Missoula; brothers, Darrell Longfox of Butte, Craig Cliff of Fort Belknap, Bill Powell of Browning, Willie Has Eagle and Erwin Little Sun of Rocky Boy; god children, Lynette Chandler and Jesse Runs Above; favorite uncle, Iggy Stiffarm; numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements. Kathryn Hines HAVRE - Kathryn M. Hines, 75, a retired personal care attendant with home health, died Monday, March 21, 2005, at her home of natural causes. A vigil service was Monday and Tuesday nights and tonight at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Havre. Kathryn was born March 29, 1929, at Fort Belknap to George and Open Eyes (Little Bear) Denny. She was raised and educated in Rocky Boy and Flandreau, S.D. Kathryn worked at different motels as a housekeeper. She married Jack Hines on Aug. 17, 1971, in Havre. She also worked as a personal care attendant for home health until retirement. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed listening to country music, her family and friends, and watching TV with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and children, Clemente Moreno, Richard Moreno, Manuel Moreno, Vince Moreno, Wesley Moreno, Leslie Moreno, Gordon "Snuff" Denny and Michael Denny. Survivors include her husband, Jack Hines of Havre; sons, Larry Denny of Oklahoma, Robert Moreno of Havre and David Moreno of Illinois; daughters, Carmen Cox of Portland, Ore., and Donna Moreno of Illinois; brothers, Walter "Moose" Denny and Vince Denny of Rocky Boy; sisters, Gail Denny of Rocky Boy, Bonnie Denny of Crow Agency and Liz Denny of Great Falls; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements. Copyright c. 2005 Havre Daily News. -=-=-=- March 27, 2005 Jack Curtis, 54 Anchorage Anchorage resident Jack Paul Curtis "Unawock," 54, died March 22, 2005, at Alaska Native Medical Center after a short illness. A funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at Alaska Native Lutheran Church, 15th Avenue and Cordova Street, with the Rev. Sonray officiating. Burial will be at 2:15 p.m. Friday at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery with a potluck to follow at the church. Mr. Curtis was born June 9, 1950, in Kotzebue. He had lived in Anchorage since about 1978. Mr. Curtis worked for Western Geophysical for 10 years before becoming disabled in March 1984 because of a hit-and-run motor vehicle incident. His family said: "Despite this, Jack remained generous and giving toward family members and his many friends. Jack loved life. He was always a happy-go-lucky person, making the best of his circumstances and joking about it. Jack was well loved by his family, and his many friends, and we will always keep his memory close to our hearts." Mr. Curtis is survived by his son, Eric Hash; grandchildren, Kiana Pete and Modawn LaFramboise; siblings, Marilyn Omnik, Meg St. Amant, Nora Sund, Calvin Curtis, Elsie Ratcliff and John E. Curtis Jr.; aunt, Irene Gallahorn, and family; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rita Curtis, and sisters, Carol and Pearlie. Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. Sonray at Alaska Native Lutheran Church or to Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Account 171622. Memorial tributes may be left by family and friends at www.mem.com. Arrangements were by Kehl's Forest Lawn Mortuary & Crematory. Copyright c. 2005 The Anchorage Daily News. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Joseph Bechard JOSEPH BECHARD Jonn Frank - Taken from us much too soon. Suddenly on Sunday, March 20, 2005 at the age of 22 years; beloved son of ReJaine LaForme and Michael Bechard; loving brother of Michael, Robbynne, Robert, Riki, Raven and Randall; dear uncle of Karissa, Daylin and Masen; nephew of Pauline Bechard, Ed Bechard and Kathryn LaForme. Jonn will also be sadly missed by many cousins and friends. He was a member of the Six Nations Writers and achieved a brown belt in Karate. The family will honour his life with a visitation after 11 a. m. Wednesday at STYRES FUNERAL HOME, Ohsweken where Funeral Service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, March 24 at 2 p. m. Interment Ohsweken Baptist Cemetery. Evening Prayers 7 p. m. Wednesday. "Jonn will be fondly remembered and sadly missed." - March 28, 2005 Mabel Irene Powless POWLESS Mabel Irene - Peacefully at Versa Care, Brantford on Saturday, March 26, 2005, Mabel (MtPleasant) Powless, age 90 years; wife of the late Leslie Ernest Powless; loving mother of Maureen Powless - Dunlap of Niagara Falls, New York, and Randall Powless of Kansas; dear grandmother of Duane and Sue Dunlap, Lesley and Hank Lostracco, and Sonny Dunlap; dear great-grandmother of Brittany, Carly, Derek and Danielle Dunlap, Jason, Amanda and Joshua Baker; dear aunt of Lori, and Joelle Stogner, David, and Deanna Boyton; predeceased by parents Thomas and Flossie (Clause) MtPleasant; brother Stanley Jr. and a sister Nelda Boyton. Mabel was retired from Nabisco Niagara Falls, New York and was a member of the Six Nations Veterans Association, the Ojistoh Club, and the Silver Fox Club of Ohsweken. The family will honour her life with visitation at the STYRES FUNERAL HOME, Ohsweken after 2 p. m. Monday. Funeral Service and Burial will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Ohsweken on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 1 p. m. Evening Prayers 7 p. m. Monday. Copyright c. 2005 Brantford Expositor. -=-=-=- March 17, 2005 Russell Albert Leask, of Whitefish Bay August 20, 1949 - March 17, 2005 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Russell Albert Leask of Whitefish Bay, Ontario on March 17, 2005. He passed away at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital after a lengthy illness. His family were by his side. He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Catherine Adams, daughter Marilyn (Kirby), grandchildren Kyra, Devin, Keston, daughter Priscilla and grandchildren Taylor and Carson, stepsons Joey Adams (Sharon) and Thomas Adams, brother Norman (Margaret) Donald and Garfield (Jackie), sisters Elizabeth Garrow (James) Caroline Kematch, Louise Payment (Brian), brothers Don Kematch (Flora), Eddy Gott, and sister Edna Brass, sisters- in-law Helen Joseph and Elizabeth Joseph, brothers-in-law Francis and Harvey Joseph, numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Russell was born August 20, 1949 to Alfred and Sarah Leask on the Birch River First Nation. He spent his early years in Birch River, Manitoba. He came to Ontario in the early 1970's working at various logging camps cutting pulp with his brother Patrick and cousin Louie Moore. He met Catherine in April 1971. Together they raised two daughters and to follow were six grandchildren. Russell and Catherine made Noatkamegwanning home, where he became a guide at the Red Indian Lodge for a number of years. Russell ran the sawmill at Red Indian where he logged to keep the sawmill in operation. To this day the furniture that adorns these cabins at Red Indian were made at this sawmill and sawyered by Russell. Russell also worked as a commercial fisherman with his brothers-in-law Harry and Francis Joseph who taught him the ways of the lake. Russell was a devoted grandfather who loved spending time with them all. Catherine and Russell spent a lot of their time driving around with their grandchildren accompanying them all. Russell worked hard all his life fishing, guiding and logging. Illness forced Russell into early retirement but he never complained. He showed us in many ways he was a man with strong principles and values by the love and devotion he showed to his children, grandchildren and wife Catherine. Russell was a class one guide who had been well taught by his brothers- in-law. No one could fry fish as well as he could. Russell enjoyed country music, a good joke and lived his life to the fullest. He could always tell a humorous story about his guiding trips or be teasing a family member. Russell was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Sarah Leask, his mother-in-law Mae Joseph, stepson Christopher Knight, brothers Patrick, Dennis and Hughie Leask, brother-in-law Clarence Flett, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Russell was 55 years when the Creator called him home. A Traditional Wake will be held at the Northwest Angle on Monday, March 21, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. On Tuesday, March 22, 2005 Russell will be laid to rest on a knoll overlooking the lake on the Noatkamegwanning First Nation. Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre entrusted with arrangements. Traditional Wake Monday, March 21, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. Northwest Angle. Copyright c. 2005 Kenora Daily Miner and News. -=-=-=- March 22, 2005 Lauren Nicole Moosemay MOOSEMAY - On Thursday, March 17, 2005 Lauren Nicole Moosemay, at the tender age of 17, was called by her loving Creator, along with her mother Bonnie. She was also predeceased by her grandparents Nathan Bitternose and Marjorie Bitternose (Cyr), Lauren is survived by her father George Bitternose (Amanda); brothers Kenny Bitternose and Nathan `Ozzie' Bitternose; sisters Jessica Moosemay, Brandi Moosemay, Chanel and Cheyenne Sinclair and Jordan Bitternose; great-grandfather Albert Oochoo ; grandparents Richard Moosemay (Ivadelle), Linda Pruden (Clayton) and special friend Ashley Desjarlais as well as her `bro's' Prairie Pruden, Dwight Oochoo, Lee Pratt, Terry McNab and Travis Oochoo; many other relatives, schoolmates, teachers, community members and all those touched by Lauren's life. A Wake will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 commencing at 4:00 P.M. at the Gordon First Nation Gymnasium. The Funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gordon First Nation Gymnasium with Elders Gabe Crowbuffalo, Francis Crowbuffalo and Harvey Ironeagle, officiating. The Burial will follow in the Oochoo Burial Ground. (The family kindly requests that no small children, ages 10 and under, be brought to the services for Bonnie and Lauren.) Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645. Bonnie Lee Moosemay MOOSEMAY - On Thursday, March 17, 2005, Bonnie Lee Moosemay, age 36 years, was called home by her Creator, along with her daughter Lauren. She was predeceased by her grandparents Rosa Oochoo (Hunter), Christabelle Moosemay and Alexander Moosemay. Bonnie is survived by her loving partner Kevin Cyr; children Nathan `Ozzie' Bitternose, Jessica Moosemay and Brandi Moosemay; parents Richard Moosemay (Ivadelle) and Linda Pruden (Clayton); grandfather Albert Oochoo; brothers Richard `Mozz' Moosemay (Terry Lynn), Bradley `Picket' Moosemay, Albert `A.J' Moosemay (Amanda), Jimmy Pruden, John Moosemay and Matthew Moosemay; sisters Rosa `Eeky' Moosemay (Jason), Shannon Moosemay and Prairie Pruden; step-daughter Jordan Bitternose and special friend Lorna McNabb. Bonnie will be sadly missed by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, community members, co-workers as well as others too numerous to mention. A Wake will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 commencing at 4:00 P.M. in the Gordon First Nation Gymnasium. The Funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. in the Gordon Gymnasium with Elders Gabe Crowbuffalo, Francis Crowbuffalo and Harvey Ironeagle, officiating. The Burial will follow in the Oochoo Burial Ground. (The family kindly requests that no small children, ages 10 and under, be brought to the services for Bonnie and Lauren.) Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645. March 24, 2005 Olive Kinniewess KINNIEWESS - It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Olive Helen Kinniewess, our mother, grandmother and a good friend of many at the age of 48 years on Tuesday, March 22, 2005. She has courageously battled with cancer. Olive was predeceased by her father, mother, two sons and many brothers and sisters along with two grandchildren. Olive was born in Yellow Quill First Nation Reserve on November 18, 1956. She goes ahead on her journey and leaves one brother Donald; five daughters Margaret, Elizabeth (Kevin), Rose (Lonnie), Barbara (Graham), Sandra (Greg); two sons Andrew (Adrinne) and Alexander; and she enjoyed and loved 22 grandchildren. We would like to say special "thanks " to the nurses and doctors at the Pasqua Palliative Care and to William Booth in Regina for caring for our wonderful mother and grandmother who will be sadly missed. Services will be held at Yellow Quill First Nation on Friday, March 25, 2005 at 10:00 A.M.. The Wake will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 5:00 P.M. at Yellow Quill First Nation. Arrangements are in the care of LEE FUNERAL HOME 757-8645. Copyright c. 2000-2005 Regina Leader Post Group Inc. -=-=-=- March 23, 2005 Kenneth Clint Jr. Knife KENNETH CLINT JR. KNIFE - MOHSOOYAWASTOM (HAIR TAIL FLAG) Born June 5, 1989 in Lethbridge, Alberta - Passed away March 17, 2005 on the Blood Reserve in the Old Agency Area. Clint was the child of Lorraine and Curtis Iron Shirt, and the late Ken Knife Sr. Besides his parents Clint leaves to mourn brothers, Clayton Knife, CJ, Joseph and Tex Iron Shirt, Jay Shouting, Bud Bruised Head, Mitch Creighton and Lane Cross Child; sisters, Kurtsie and Candice Iron Shirt; special aunt and uncle, Sharon and Bill Mistaken Chief; special uncle - Jono Mistaken Chief; uncle and auntie (grandma and grandpa), Joe and Margaret Knife; adopted parents, Kirk and Lorna White Quills; grandmas, Alvine Crop Eared Wolf, Teresa Mistaken Chief; adopted grandparents, Irma and John Wolf Child, Pat Brewer. He is survived by many aunts and uncles, Franklin (Faye), Duane (Bernadette), Randy and Cameron (Melissa) Shouting, Bernice (Glen) Yellow Feet, Connie, Karen (Tyrone), Kara-lyn Shouting, Bryan Wadsworth and Tom Bruised Head; Rita (Robert) Calf, Shelly Iron Shirt, Rocky White Quills, Audrey (John) Matt, Beverley (Terry), Cathy Four Horns and Janice. Aunts and uncles, Ronnie (Cynthia) Scout, Bernadine Healy, Charlene (Roger) Plume, Pam (Martin) Heavy Head and Wes (Naomi) Black Rabbit. Other relatives include; Annie Labelle, Members of Shouting, Knife, Crop Eared Wolf, Wings, Small Eyes, Mistaken Chief, Whiteman Left, Russell, Calf Robes, Crazy Boy, Bull Shields, Eagle Child, Red Crow, Creighton, Black Water and White Man families. Clint was a special boy who was valued by everyone. One not to hurt a soul. He was given to us to see the joy of life at its finest. Full of humour, love and carefree enjoyment of life. To cool was not one of his traits. Throughtout his short life Clint gained many friends and touched many hearts. In his 15 years Clint has left a lifetime of laughter and a sense of knowledge beyond his years. He had a special connection to children enjoying his job of being "warden" to his cousins, nephews or nieces. A child himself, he was more than willing to take care of his responsibilities of carrying a child in his arms, or leading by hand. All that was expected in payment was a coke and perhaps a pizzone or pizza. Clint's interest included basketball, drawing, video games and cruising through town-site in his favourite bike or foot-mobile. Other interests included weight lifting and doing his version of rating movies. He did not have great dreams. However, he did have the dream to someday take the Kainai Warriors to the 4A Championship. His education included attendance at Aahsoapii Elementary, Kainai Tatsikisapoop Middle Schools on the Blood Reserve, G.R. Davis and F.P. Walshe in Fort Macleod. At These schools Clint left his mark with his unique and crazy nature. Through this he gained many friends within the student and staff population. So Special was Clint at the time of his death he was able to bring together the community of the Blood Reserve wherein countless volunteers participated in his search. Clint was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Joseph and Beatrice Shouting Jr., paternal grandfather, Reginald Crop Eared Wolf; great grandparents, Joe and Minnie Shouting, George and Rosie Small Eyes, Aloysius and Teresa Crop Eared Wolf, Jim and Maude Knife; brothers, Rance, Cody and Philip; uncle, Reginald Knife; aunties, Patsy White Quills and Geraldine Trottier. Not to be left out is his beloved dog "henry". The Wake Service will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd at St.Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Reserve from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 23rd at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Reserve at 11:00 a.m. with Father Pawel Andrasz Celebrant. Interment in St. Catherine's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Southern Alberta Search and Rescue Associations. Arrangements entrusted to Salmon Funeral Home, Cardston, AB, 653-3844. March 28, 2005 Mary Chief Body Apinakakii (Morning Woman) MARY CHIEF BODY - Passed away peacefully with family by her bedside on Sunday, March 20, 2005 in Raymond Hospital. A family service will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2005 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON FUNERAL HOME, 327-10 Street South, Lethbridge. A Wake Service will be held on Monday, March 28, 2005 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blood Reserve. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in, Blood Reserve, with Fr. Paul Andrasz celebrant. Interment in the Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve. Copyright c. 2005 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc./Lethbridge Herald.