Native American News
What's going on in indigenous communities around the world, and right here in the USA.
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Disgraced lobbyist tried to extend reach into Oklahoma
Sam Lewin 1/3/2006
Even though his dealings only involved a handful of tribes, news that indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff is pleading guilty to a series of federal charges is being watched by many in Indian Country.
Betty Cooper, a member of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, says the scandal feeds the public perception that all tribes are wealthy and engage in gaming.
"This whole thing really bugs me," Cooper told the Great Falls Tribune. "The impact is shattering across all the tribes."
Abramoff also tried to get involved in Oklahoma politics. He gave a donation to Rep. Ernest Istook, which was later returned, and his firm contacted the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in an attempt to represent the tribe.
"We did not hire them on," Cherokee spokesman Mike Miller told the Native American Times. "They wanted to be full lobbyists but we did not do it."
He said the incident happened a few years ago.
"You get sales pitches all the time," Miller said.
Abramoff will plead guilty to federal charges in Washington and Miami, clearing the way for him to cooperate in a massive government investigation of influence peddling involving members of Congress, his lawyers are reported as saying by the Associated Press. Any such plea agreement likely would secure the Abramoff?s testimony against several members of Congress who received favors from him or his clients. Federal investigators are believed to be focusing on as many as 20 lawmakers and aides.
You can reach Sam Lewin at sam@okit.com
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Sunday, November 13, 2005
In Honor of Vine Deloria, Jr. (1933-2005)
The great indigenous visionary, philosopher, author and activist Vine Deloria, Jr. passed over to join his ancestors today, November 13, 2005. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Barbara, to his children and his other relatives. The passing of Vine creates a huge intellectual and analytical void in the native and non-native worlds. He will be greatly missed.
It is appropriate on this website to reflect on the meaning of Vine's contibutions to indigenous peoples' resistance, and to reflect on our responsibilities to maintain and to advance the lessons that Vine gave to us. It is safe to say that without the example provided by the writing and the thinking of Vine Deloria, Jr., there likely would have been no American Indian Movement, there would be no international indigenous peoples' movement as it exists today, and there would be little hope for the future of indigenous peoples in the Americas.
Vine Deloria, Jr. was a true revolutionary when he wrote "Custer Died for Your Sins" in 1969, the first of his scores of books and scholarly articles. He had the courage and the vision to challenge the dominating society at its core. He was unapologetic in confronting the racism of U.S.law and policy, and he was prophetic in challenging young indigenous activists to hone their strategies.
We will write much more about Vine in the upcoming days. He was our elder statesman and mentor. For now, we will share this passage from "Custer Died For Your Sins," as a reminder of our responsibilities, and to ensure that we are more deliberate and strategic in our resistance.
"Ideological leverage is always superior to violence....The problems of Indians have always been ideological rather than social, political or economic....[I]t is vitally important that the Indian people pick the intellectual arena as the one in which to wage war. Past events have shown that the Indian people have always been fooled by the intentions of the white man. Always we have discussed irrelevant issues while he has taken our land. Never have we taken the time to examine the premises upon which he operates so that we could manipulate him as he has us."
-- "Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto," (1969) pp.251-
252
and this relevent passage regarding the example of the great Oglala Lakota leader Tashunka Witko (Crazy Horse):
"Crazy Horse never drafted anyone to follow him. People recognized that what Crazy Horse did was for the best and was for the people. Crazy Horse never had his name on the stationery. He never had business cards. He never received a per diem. *** Until we can once again produce people like Crazy Horse all the money and help in the world will not save us. It is up to us to write the [next] chapter of the American Indian upon this continent." page 272
For many of us, Vine was a contemporary Crazy Horse. Perhaps we squandered his time with us. We took him for granted, and assumed that he would always be with us. Now, the question is, not only will we produce more Crazy Horses, but will we produce more Vine Deloria, Jr.s?
Vine, we will miss you, but we will continue your work toward
freedom for native peoples everywhere. Mitakuye Oyasin.
For a partial bibliography of Vine's important books go to:
CLICK HERE
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UPDATE FROM JOHN GRAHAM DEFENSE COMMITTEE
John's extradition appeal hearing (preliminary?) was held on Monday, November 7, 2005 at the BC Supreme court in Vancouver Canada. There are currently 2 other extradition hearings in canada that have to be held before John's appeal process can begin. The date June 23, 2006 was set to check in about booking his extradition appeal process. If the 2 other extradition hearings are held fast enough, than it is possible that John's extradition appeal process begin before June 23.
Now is an important time for individuals, organizations and unions put pressure on the Canadian Justice minister Irwin Cotler to dismiss the US's request for John Graham's extradition. Letters to the Federal Justice Minister are important at this time requesting that he request full disclosure on several matters in the USA?s summary of evidence. At this time, only the Justice Minister has the ability to demand disclosure.
All Canadians should be concerned that the Extradition Act 1999 disregards and dismisses Canadian Sovereignty and our Canadian Constitutional rights and allows the United States to seek and be granted extradition on the basis of hearsay and other evidence that does not meet the legal standard to warrant a trial in Canadian Courts. Again, I thank you for your continued support with your letters to the Justice Minister and copies to the Prime Minister as well your local member of parliament.
Lastly, John Graham's current legal struggle reflects the political repression that natives in bc who wish to protect their lands from resource exploitation, have been experiencing. The criminalization of native people who defend their land, and who have been excersising their rights to live on their land has been on the rise since 1995. Most of BC has never been ceded to any colonial government, and the indigenous nations living in bc have full jurisdiction over the lands and resources. BC ranks the 8th in the world for mineral potential, and surprisingly enough, taking into consideration other regions in canada and the u.s, bc is very rich in natural resources. The province has plans to carve up the mountains with wall to wall ski resorts by 2010. Currently, there is much indigenous resistance to mining and resort development!
If the us can extradite a native person from the colonial borders of canada, than than the us will be able to extradite any native peron in the future. It will be a much easier process for canadians to be extradited also.
Please lend in your support, and increase pressure on Cotler to dissmiss John Graham's extradition, and for more background information on John's legal struggle, please go to www.grahamdefense.org please also visit www.warriorsofwoundedknee.com
Billie Pierre
Native Youth Movement
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PROTECT BEAR BUTTE! (UPDATE)
What's going on in indigenous communities around the world, and right here in the USA.
Sam Lewin 1/3/2006
Even though his dealings only involved a handful of tribes, news that indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff is pleading guilty to a series of federal charges is being watched by many in Indian Country.
Betty Cooper, a member of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, says the scandal feeds the public perception that all tribes are wealthy and engage in gaming.
"This whole thing really bugs me," Cooper told the Great Falls Tribune. "The impact is shattering across all the tribes."
Abramoff also tried to get involved in Oklahoma politics. He gave a donation to Rep. Ernest Istook, which was later returned, and his firm contacted the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in an attempt to represent the tribe.
"We did not hire them on," Cherokee spokesman Mike Miller told the Native American Times. "They wanted to be full lobbyists but we did not do it."
He said the incident happened a few years ago.
"You get sales pitches all the time," Miller said.
Abramoff will plead guilty to federal charges in Washington and Miami, clearing the way for him to cooperate in a massive government investigation of influence peddling involving members of Congress, his lawyers are reported as saying by the Associated Press. Any such plea agreement likely would secure the Abramoff?s testimony against several members of Congress who received favors from him or his clients. Federal investigators are believed to be focusing on as many as 20 lawmakers and aides.
You can reach Sam Lewin at sam@okit.com
Sunday, November 13, 2005
In Honor of Vine Deloria, Jr. (1933-2005)
The great indigenous visionary, philosopher, author and activist Vine Deloria, Jr. passed over to join his ancestors today, November 13, 2005. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Barbara, to his children and his other relatives. The passing of Vine creates a huge intellectual and analytical void in the native and non-native worlds. He will be greatly missed.
Vine Deloria, Jr. was a true revolutionary when he wrote "Custer Died for Your Sins" in 1969, the first of his scores of books and scholarly articles. He had the courage and the vision to challenge the dominating society at its core. He was unapologetic in confronting the racism of U.S.law and policy, and he was prophetic in challenging young indigenous activists to hone their strategies.
We will write much more about Vine in the upcoming days. He was our elder statesman and mentor. For now, we will share this passage from "Custer Died For Your Sins," as a reminder of our responsibilities, and to ensure that we are more deliberate and strategic in our resistance."Ideological leverage is always superior to violence....The problems of Indians have always been ideological rather than social, political or economic....[I]t is vitally important that the Indian people pick the intellectual arena as the one in which to wage war. Past events have shown that the Indian people have always been fooled by the intentions of the white man. Always we have discussed irrelevant issues while he has taken our land. Never have we taken the time to examine the premises upon which he operates so that we could manipulate him as he has us."
-- "Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto," (1969) pp.251-
252
and this relevent passage regarding the example of the great Oglala Lakota leader Tashunka Witko (Crazy Horse):
"Crazy Horse never drafted anyone to follow him. People recognized that what Crazy Horse did was for the best and was for the people. Crazy Horse never had his name on the stationery. He never had business cards. He never received a per diem. *** Until we can once again produce people like Crazy Horse all the money and help in the world will not save us. It is up to us to write the [next] chapter of the American Indian upon this continent." page 272
For many of us, Vine was a contemporary Crazy Horse. Perhaps we squandered his time with us. We took him for granted, and assumed that he would always be with us. Now, the question is, not only will we produce more Crazy Horses, but will we produce more Vine Deloria, Jr.s?
Vine, we will miss you, but we will continue your work toward
freedom for native peoples everywhere. Mitakuye Oyasin.
For a partial bibliography of Vine's important books go to:
CLICK HERE
John's extradition appeal hearing (preliminary?) was held on Monday, November 7, 2005 at the BC Supreme court in Vancouver Canada. There are currently 2 other extradition hearings in canada that have to be held before John's appeal process can begin. The date June 23, 2006 was set to check in about booking his extradition appeal process. If the 2 other extradition hearings are held fast enough, than it is possible that John's extradition appeal process begin before June 23.
Now is an important time for individuals, organizations and unions put pressure on the Canadian Justice minister Irwin Cotler to dismiss the US's request for John Graham's extradition. Letters to the Federal Justice Minister are important at this time requesting that he request full disclosure on several matters in the USA?s summary of evidence. At this time, only the Justice Minister has the ability to demand disclosure.
All Canadians should be concerned that the Extradition Act 1999 disregards and dismisses Canadian Sovereignty and our Canadian Constitutional rights and allows the United States to seek and be granted extradition on the basis of hearsay and other evidence that does not meet the legal standard to warrant a trial in Canadian Courts. Again, I thank you for your continued support with your letters to the Justice Minister and copies to the Prime Minister as well your local member of parliament.
Lastly, John Graham's current legal struggle reflects the political repression that natives in bc who wish to protect their lands from resource exploitation, have been experiencing. The criminalization of native people who defend their land, and who have been excersising their rights to live on their land has been on the rise since 1995. Most of BC has never been ceded to any colonial government, and the indigenous nations living in bc have full jurisdiction over the lands and resources. BC ranks the 8th in the world for mineral potential, and surprisingly enough, taking into consideration other regions in canada and the u.s, bc is very rich in natural resources. The province has plans to carve up the mountains with wall to wall ski resorts by 2010. Currently, there is much indigenous resistance to mining and resort development!
If the us can extradite a native person from the colonial borders of canada, than than the us will be able to extradite any native peron in the future. It will be a much easier process for canadians to be extradited also.
Please lend in your support, and increase pressure on Cotler to dissmiss John Graham's extradition, and for more background information on John's legal struggle, please go to www.grahamdefense.org please also visit www.warriorsofwoundedknee.com
Billie Pierre
Native Youth Movement
by Carter Camp, Ponca Nation
Ah-ho My Relations,
Last night we attended the monthly meeting of the Meade County Commissioners to voice our objection to the planned "biker bar" and 600 acre entertainment venue adjacent to our sacred mountain Bear Butte. It is unfortunate that none of the statewide media were present to report the proceedings as person after person, representing a very broad range of Indian Nations and groups, rose to testify against allowing this obscene development to proceed. Indian people were joined by many concerned citizens from the surrounding area until the first hearing room became too crowded and the meeting was moved into an auditorium.
First to be heard was a group of landowners and local people who are opposed to the development. They explained that not only was the development harmful to Indian interests it is also not in the best interests of the county to have more and more huge campsites with liquor licenses proliferating throughout the county. They not only made a powerful economic case they also clearly informed the Commissioners of the sacred nature of Bear Butte as they were represented by Lakota women Jace DeCory, Ann White Hat and Nancy Kyle. I will give you the name of their organization in the next update but they've been working on this issue from the beginning and deserve our appreciation.
After their presentations the "Defenders of the Black Hills" began with a presentation by Executive Director Charmaine White Face. Charmaine made all the arguments we had earlier made in our fight against the shooting range, citing the freedom of religion acts in the Constitutions of South Dakota and America. She then presented the Commissioners with an official resolution from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe opposing the development on behalf of the Sicangu Nation. She spoke for all of us as she told them of all the Indian Nations who still journey to the sacred mountain to pray and conduct ceremonies. Her presentation was thorough as well as powerful and when she finished I think even the Commissioners were impressed and more open to our requests.
Charmaine introduced Debra White Plume who spoke to the Commissioners about her Nation's special and sacred ties to "Mato Paha" and the Black Hills. She explained the map of the sky that guided the Oglala Lakota and the greater Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations to perform certain of their sacred ceremonies upon the Sacred Mountain. She explained that at certain times of the year the people gather at Mato Paha to consider important questions to the tribe and make lasting decisions for the people, as well as to gather medicine and food. She then presented a very forceful Resolution from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council strongly opposing the development and directing the Tribal President to make every effort at the local, state and federal levels to stop the development and to establish a five mile buffer zone around Bear Butte.
Next to speak was State Senator Teresa Two Bulls who voiced her opposition as both a Lakota and an elected official. She reminded the Commissioners that as elected officials they serve the people just as she does and it is her hope that they will listen to the people's voices. I was impressed with what Ms Two Bulls had to say and I was also encouraged to see an elected official in the State legislature stand with her people seeking justice. We need more like her.
I was introduced next to speak for my Ponca Nation as then speaker after speaker rose to speak on behalf of their people, our Nations, and our most Sacred Mountain. Men and women of many Nations called for unity and urged the People to protect Bear Butte and stop all further development near the sacred mountain. I informed the Commissioners of the seriousness with which we take this effort to save Bear Butte and I invited them to join us in our next effort which will be to ask the State of South Dakota to create a five mile buffer zone against all further development and to also stop all liquor sales with the same zone. It will be interesting to see if they accept.
One young man, speaking on behalf of "Owe Aku" and the NYM (Native Youth Movement) warned the Commissioners that many young warriors are prepared to sacrifice their lives to protect the place where so many Indian youth must go to Fast and to prepare themselves to be strong men and women. His words were strong and powerful to those in the room and caused them to applaud him and say "HO"! One Commissioner felt threatened and protested but others reassured him that true words aren't threats and the meeting continued with a better understanding of the stakes. I'm not sure, but I think I'd be just as proud of another young man saying the same thing, the fact that Vic Camp is my son shouldn't matter.
Unfortunately several speakers spoke while I was out of the room and I can't report their words, but all of us reinforced the points made in the beginning and each speaker added something good to the whole until by the end of the meeting our meanings were clear to the Meade County Commissioners, the State of South Dakota and to the world? It is time for the mountain sacred to so many Nations to be protected and rescued from the steadily encroaching development that is exemplified by, but not limited to, the obscene development proposed as "Sacred Ground". In this we are united as a people and we intend to use every resource at our disposal to protect our true sacred ground, Bear Butte.
Now it is up to us all to build on and utilize the unity and momentum we have begun. Although in the words of the whiteman, "all options remain on the table" our next effort must be in attempting to convince the State legislature to take action to protect Bear Butte. Senator Two Bulls offered to copy and print each and every email.
The wind knows where to find me....
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Online voters pick "Greatest Native American Ever"
Results may cause surprise
Native American Times 10/17/2005
Results from an online poll show imprisoned American Indian activist Leonard Peltier has been voted the Greatest Native American ever.
Peltier beat out scores of legendary Indian figures-including chiefs, lawmakers, athletes and scholars-to win the contest. He received 272 votes out of nearly 7000. The somewhat bizarre results also show singer Wayne Newton, Powhatan/Cherokee, coming in third.
The Red Roots Educational Project, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting understanding between Native and non-Natives, sponsored the poll.
The project came up with a list of people that, they said, represents the greatest of the greats: scientists, ballerinas, businessmen, politicians, authors, advocates, tribal chiefs, athletes, teachers, activist, community leaders, astronauts, and musicians are just a few of the professions - and qualities - noted and celebrated.
Peltier is currently serving two life sentences for the murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. He has now been in a federal penitentiary for 28 years.
The projects Terri Jean said she was not surprised that Peltier won.
He received the most nominations so I figured he would have received the most votes, Jean said. He represents the 60s and 70s movement towards Native rights and a lot of people believe that the movement ended with him.
Jean said she personally would have voted for either Tecumseh or Jim Thorpe.
Despite the somewhat unusual results, Jean said she believed that Natives participated in the contest.
People who werent from Indian Country were voting for people like [singer] Johnny Cash and [University of Colorado professor] Ward Churchill, she said.
In addition, Jean says a somewhat snide comment in the Native American Times last month about Newtons inclusion in the list may have caused supporters of the Vegas crooner to rally around their candidate, encouraging others to vote for him and skewing the results.
The following is the list. The first column represents the persons ranking, the second is the number of votes they garnered and the third is the person (or people in case of a tie).
Rank Number of Votes Name
1 272 Leonard Peltier
2 232 Tecumseh
3 217 Wayne Newton
4 213 Crazy Horse
5 197 Chief Joseph
6 187 Wilma Mankiller
7 157 Jim Thorpe
8 129 Lillie Roberts/ Robbie Robertson
9 122 Geronimo/ Sitting Bull
10 117 Kevin Locke/ Code Talkers/ Elizabeth Peratrovich
11 113 Sherman Alexie
12 95 Lori Piestewa
13 93 Sequoyah
14 87 Buffy Sainte Marie
15 82 Sealth
16 77 Wes Studi
17 71 N Scott Momaday
18 69 Will Rogers
19 68 Chief Logan
20 63 Black Elk
21 62 Billy Mills/ Charlene Teters
22 61 Frank Fools Crow
23 60 Evelyn Yellow Robe
24 59 John Herrington
25 58 Wovoka
26 57 Patricia Locke/ Russell Means
27 55 Billy Frank
28 54 RC Gorman
29 53 Chris Eyre
30 52 Little Turtle/ Louis Riel/ Maria Tallchief
31 47 Hiawatha/ Leslie Marmon Silko
32 46 Dekanawidah/ John Echohawk
33 44 Winona LaDuke
34 43 Anna Mae Pictou Aquash/ Ernest Childers/ Ohiyesa
35 41 Vine Deloria Jr/ Pontiac
36 40 Anita East/ Shawnee Prophet/ Standing Bear
37 39 Joseph Bruchac/ Delaware Prophet/ Susan LaFlesche/ Powhatan
38 38 Suzan Shown Harjo
39 37 Jack Montgomery
40 35 Maria Martinez
41 34 Mary and Carrie Dann/ Ira Hayes/ Simon Ortiz
42 33 Black Kettle/ Susette LaFlesche
43 32 Dennis Banks/ Jay Silverheels/ John Trudell
44 31 Van Barfoot/ Osceola
45 30 Rita Collidge/ Woogie Watchetaker
46 29 5 Nations of Iroquois/ Adam Beach/ Joseph Brant/ Cochise
47 28 Dave Anderson/ Edward Benton-Banai/ Handsome Lake/ Everrett Weeden
48 27 Lori A Alvord/ Henry Roe Cloud/ Louis Erdrich/ Graham Greene/
Allan Houser/ Metacom/ Red Cloud
49 26 Billy Bowlegs/ Pope'/ William Weatherford
50 24 Walter Echohawk/ Bernie Whitebear
51 23 Harold Cardinal/ Gabriel Horn/ Dr Ben Reifel
52 22 Big Foot/ Doris Seale
53 21 Ben Nighthorse Campbell/ Corn Planter/ Tim Giago/
Ron His Horse is Thunder/ Will Sampson
54 19 Nancy Ward
55 18 Benjamin Bratt/ Ada Deer/ Tex Hall/ Joy Harjo/ Indigenous
56 17 Paula Gunn Allen/ LaDonna Harris
57 16 Henry Chee Dodge/ Dan George/ Oren Lyons/ Jerry Potts
58 15 Rose Avad
59 14 Joseph Deloria/ Vine Deloria Sr./ David Mahooty/ Quannah Parker/ Washakie
60 13 Big Bear/ Abel Blosum/ Joseph DelaCruz/ Ella Cara Deloria/
Crystal Gayle/ Louis Hall/ He-Dog/ Frank James/ Little Wolf/
Loretta Lynn/ Ely Parker/ Wicked Chief
61 12 American Horse/ Canassatego/ Jerry Chris Elliot/ Harry Fonseca/ Gall/
Keokuk/ David Pendleton/ John Ross
62 11 Georgianna Lincoln/ Low-Dog/ Roman Nose/ Dean Seneca/ Wolf Robe
63 10 Black Hawk/ Hendrick/ Naiche
64 9 Blue Jacket/ Betty Mae Jumper/ Red Jacket/ Branscombe Richmond
65 8 Duane Champagne/ Choncape/ George Copway/ Henen Cordero/
Dull knife/ James Gladstone/ Hole-in-the-day/ Ishi/ Joseph/
Phil Lane/ Lone Wolf/ Massasoit/ Pocahontas/ Tom Porter/
Elvis Presley/ Rain-in-the-face/ Sacajawea/ Spotted Tail/
66 7 William Least Heat Moon/ Captain Jack/ Johnny Cash/ Ward Churchill/
William McIntosh/ Oihduz/ Santana/ Wamsutta
67 6 Canonicus/ Wendell Chino/ Datsolalee/ Eagle of Delight/
Joseph LaFlesche/ Edmonia Lewis/ Little Crow/ Smohalla/
Louis Sockalexis/ Tamahay/ Catherine Tekakwitha/ Two Strikes
68 5 Elias Boudinot/ Chonmanicase/ Mangas Coloradas/ Charles Curtis/
Michael Dorris/ Charles George
69 4 Marty Araynado/ Maria Chona/ Polly Cooper/ Angel DeCora Dietz/
Hanay Geiogamah/ Alexander McGillivray/ Miantonomo/
Wayne Newell/ Samson Occom/ Mitchell Red Cloud/
Samoset/ Squanto/ Sweet Medicine of the Cheyenne/
Marjorie Tallchief
70 3 Sacheen Littlefeather
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This is the page for the transcripts of the Ipperwash Inquiry
(The inquiry into Dudley George's murder by the RCMP):
CLICK HERE FOR TRANSCRIPTS
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Hurricane Rita heads to coast
Posted: September 23, 2005
by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096411613
Houma receiving no federal aid
HOUSTON - While Hurricane Rita headed to the coast of Texas and Louisiana, the United Houma Nation and other Louisiana tribes - already hit by Hurricane Katrina - said they have received no federal or national aid to help them with their recoveries.
Houma Chief Brenda Dardar Robichaux said the Houma, the American Indian tribe hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina, has received no national or federal assistance: tribal members have received nothing from FEMA or the America Red Cross, and cannot get through to either agency.
Grass roots volunteers are camped in Robichaux's yard in Raceland, La., south of New Orleans. They are living in tents and delivering medical and construction aid to tribal members, but have little in the way of cash or supplies.
Robichaux, speaking live on ''Radio Left'' on Sept. 21, said the floodwaters from Hurricane Rita could further devastate the tribal communities.
Further, Robichaux said some tribal members are still unaccounted for and assumed to be in shelters or relatives' homes. The tribe is searching for those Houma tribal members in shelters who speak only Cajun French and may be unable to communicate their needs.
One Houma village was blown away by Hurricane Katrina and another, ''Boothville,'' is underwater. There are 3,400 Houma tribal members who lost their homes or have damage to their homes
Robichaux, however, said tribal members realize they are responsible for themselves and rebuilding their lives and are not waiting for others to help them.
The Biloxi-Chitimacha Tribe has received no aid. Chief Albert Naquin, of the Isle de Jean Charles Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha, said: ''We haven't received any relief yet. I have an 86-year-old woman with a roof that leaks, and rain is on the way.
'There are some workers in Pointe-au-Chien, and I will go see if they can go do a quick patch job on her roof.'
Patty Ferguson, Pointe-au-Chien tribal member, said Poarch Creek Band tribal members from Alabama are in the tribal community, but funds are needed for construction supplies.
'They can do the work themselves, if they have supplies,' Ferguson said.
Ferguson, also live on Radio Left, said community members want to hold on to their ancestral land. She said some tribal members are homeless and others are suffering because the fishing and seafood industry has provided little income during the hurricane season.
Robichaux, Ferguson and Indian Country Today were interviewed on Radio Left regarding the lack of coverage by the mainstream media of Louisiana's coastal tribes hard hit by Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Rita was headed for the Texas and Louisiana coasts on Sept. 22. The Louisiana Coushatta Tribe, in the southwestern corner of Louisiana, is among the Indian communities expected to be hit by the hurricane.
The Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas, in east-central Texas, could receive storm winds and damage unless the hurricane's path changes.
Houston, one of the nation's largest cities with more than 4 million people, was evacuated. Fleeing residents were stalled in traffic, some advancing only 15 miles after 17 hours in gridlock. Meanwhile, some southeastern Texas gas stations said they were out of gas on Sept. 22.
Described by FEMA representatives as a ''powerful and dangerous'' storm that could be as severe as or worse than Hurricane Katrina, residents were urged to evacuate.
The entire Gulf Coast, from Morgan City, La., west beyond Galveston, Texas, was being evacuated on Sept. 22, as Hurricane Rita was expected to hit land Sept. 23. Tropical storms could precede the hurricane.
*********************************************** Saving a sacred lake: Zuni activist Pablo Padilla
by Hillary Rosner
Pablo Padilla is lying low right now, but don't expect him to remain quiet for long. The 29-year-old law student at the University of New Mexico and member of the Zuni Tribe was an instrumental player in his tribe?s recent victory against an Arizona energy company
He?s now trying to be just your average law student ? albeit one who grew up on a reservation, attended Harvard, earned his stripes in a triumphant fight for a American Indian sacred site, and has not ruled out running for political office. "I think of it as taking a little break, getting some energy for the next round," Padilla says.
Padilla and his fellow activists ? American Indians and environmental groups aligned in the Zuni Salt Lake Coalition ? battled Salt River Project, a company that provides power to Phoenix. SRP planned to build an 18,000-acre strip mine to extract coal from a site 10 miles from Zuni Salt Lake, a focal point of the spiritual life of the Zuni and other tribes. The coalition argued that the proposed mine would ultimately drain the lake by tapping underground aquifers.
After pushing its proposal for nearly two decades, SRP abandoned its plans in late July last year. SRP claimed it had found a cheaper alternative in Wyoming, though company officials acknowledged that a letter of opposition from New Mexico?s congressional delegation may have played a part.
As tribal representative to the coalition ? and as the tribe?s first environmental protection specialist ? Padilla served as liaison between the tribe and the environmental groups and lawyers working on the case, and also coordinated the efforts of the 22 tribes that united to fight the mine. He authored the written testimony about Zuni Salt Lake given to both the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples, and was on the negotiating team that met unsuccessfully eight times with SRP to attempt to resolve the dispute.
"There wasn?t any task I assigned him that he didn?t deliver on," says former Zuni Governor Malcolm Bowekaty.
For Padilla, the fight was about more than a strip mine and a lake. "This was not a battle between Salt River Project and the Zuni Tribe," Padilla says. "This was a battle of values. It just happened to play itself out between a coal mine company and a tribe. (On one side there were) energy resources, security, those sorts of things that are involved in producing electricity, and then (there were) the other values ? having something sacred and holding onto it."
Padilla says the values conflict was a powerful communication tool. "Once we realized it was about bigger things going on, we were able to get a lot more people on board and change the minds of decision-makers," he says.
One of the coalition?s most successful efforts was a campaign ? spearheaded by environmental groups ? that targeted SRP?s energy customers in Phoenix. The coalition sent out letters to SRP customers about the dispute, explaining that they might save a few cents on their electricity bill, but at the expense of a sacred site. "That was a brilliant strategy," says Padilla. The coalition also outfitted Padilla?s uncle, Calbert Seciwa, with a truck (donated by the Sierra Club) emblazoned with the message, "SRP is targeting Salt Lake," which Seciwa drove around Phoenix.
Padilla feels that within the coalition ? which included groups such as the Sierra Club, the Citizens Coal Council, and the Water Information Network ? there was a crucial recognition of differences in approach. "The tribe, the indigenous part of this campaign was geared toward protecting the sacred site," says Padilla. "We had a whole other part of the campaign that was trying to protect the natural resources. When we realized we were coming at it from these two separate angles, we were able to work together, realizing we could disagree."
As an American Indian and a law student, Padilla also struggles with conflicting modes of thought. In law, he says, "there?s always this emphasis on breaking things down, looking at the world through a microscope. But as Indians, as Zunis, our way is to look outward, to say, How is this going to affect us four generations down the line? Its a very different way of seeing things."
Padilla spent the summer working as an intern at Environmental Defense in Boulder, Colo., focusing on tribal water rights. "It was a time for me to distance myself from the tribe and law school physically," he says, "to get away so I could work on my thinking, developing personally."
Back in Albuquerque, he is concentrating on Indian and water law, and trying to spend as much time as he can with his wife, Mila, and 4-year-old son, Charles. "He?s an urban Indian transplant," Padilla says of his son growing up in Albuquerque. "But the great thing about New Mexico is there are 22 tribes here, so we have friends in all the tribes, and we go to all their feast days. The other day we went to the Jemez feast day. They made it rain."
The author is a writer living in Boulder, Colorado.
United Nations calls for U.S. accountability by: Brenda Norrell / Indian Country Today, Posted: August 29, 2005
CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY
GENEVA - A United Nations committee on racial discrimination has asked the United States to respond to the Western Shoshone appeal for urgent intervention, regarding the attack on their spiritual and cultural areas by the United States and mining corporations.
Mario Yutzis, chairman of the U.N. Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, issued a formal letter to the United States and questioned why Western Shoshone sacred land and treaty rights are not being honored.
The committee pressed the United States for an explanation of expanded mining and nuclear waste storage on Western Shoshone ancestral land, and for ''placing their land up for auction for privatization.''
Further, the committee questioned whether the Treaty of Ruby Valley of 1863 has been abrogated and the imposition of grazing fees, trespass and collection notices, horse and livestock impoundments and restrictions on hunting and fishing.
Western Shoshone said their lands cover approximately 60 million acres stretching across what is now referred to as the states of Nevada, Idaho, Utah and California. The United States claims about 90 percent of the land base is ''public'' or federally controlled lands.
Western Shoshone challenge the United States' assertion of ownership, stating that there has never been a legally valid transfer, sale or cession of land by the Western Shoshone.
The United States was asked to report to the U.N. committee on the arrests of Western Shoshone while using lands claimed as their ancestral lands. Further, the United States was asked how it deals with sacred lands and whether it ensures effective participation by indigenous communities in decisions affecting them.
The United States was asked to provide an explanation of the approval of expanded mining activities in the Mt. Tenabo area in Crescent Valley and the approval to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.
''Both areas are of spiritual and cultural importance to the Western Shoshone and are sites where local creation stories originate,'' a Western Shoshone delegation, in Geneva Aug. 8 - 20, said in a statement.
Western Shoshone said the appeal for urgent intervention was taken to prevent further escalation of federal assaults on Western Shoshone people and their ancestral lands. The delegation was and presented the requests.
Chief Raymond Yowell of the Western Shoshone National Council was encouraged by the U.N. response.
''We are pleased that the United Nations committee is willing to look into this. We encourage the U.S. to respond in an honorable manner and to begin to work toward a solution on this long standing matter - for the benefit of all
concerned.''
In the August letter, the U.N. committee noted with concern the allegation that Western Shoshone are being denied their traditional rights to land. Further, the committee questioned whether the subsequent use and occupation of these lands by others would cumulatively lead to irreparable harm:
''The committee, in particular, has received information concerning reinvigorated federal efforts to open a nationwide nuclear waste repository on Western Shoshone land; passage of controversial legislation allowing for distribution of compensation for the alleged extinguishment of Western Shoshone title over land; alleged legislative efforts to privatize Western Shoshone lands for transfer to multinational extractive industries and energy developers; and alleged seizures of Western Shoshone livestock and imposition of heavy trespass fines against Western Shoshone people.''
Further, the committee questioned the United States' assertion that the Western Shoshone people lost their rights to their ancestral lands, as identified in the 1863 treaty, as a result of ''gradual encroachment'' by non-American Indians.
The committee asked whether this violated the right of everyone, without discrimination, to own property alone as well as in association with others.
Another issue raised was whether Western Shoshone were involved and informed of the U.S. Indian Claim Commission decision regarding their ancestral lands.
The United States was asked for its response to Western Shoshone protests over compensation in the 2004 Western Shoshone Claims Distribution Act and whether the act was fair and adequate.
Another question raised concerned Western Shoshone's access to the judicial process to assert title to their land.
The committee's letter was issued on the final day of its 67th session, Aug. 19, after a private meeting with representatives from the United States. The United States was informed that the questions presented were based on the request from the Western Shoshone National Council, and by the Western people of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, Winnemucca Indian Colony and Yomba Shoshone Tribe.
In the letter, Yutzis said the committee appreciates the frank and open preliminary discussion, which took place Aug. 8 between representatives of the United States and the committee's Working Group on Early Warning and Urgent Action Procedure.
According to Yutzis, the United States assured the committee that reports on Western Shoshone issues, now far behind schedule (they were due in November 2003), are currently being prepared. However, the committee said it regrets that the United States has not agreed to submit the reports by a specific date.
The committee asked for a response to the questions by Dec. 31 for further examination at its next session, beginning Feb. 20, 2006 in Geneva.
Copyright 2005 Indian Country Today
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Is it time for an Indian Museum Board of Trustees,
Made up of All Indians?
The story of the California State Indian Museum goes back to the late 1930's, now located at Sutter's Fort. In April of 1969, Senate Bill 1400 proposed the creation of an "Indian Museum Board of Trustees," unfortunately it was defeated. Is it time to re-visit the idea? At the present time there is a designated "Indian Task Force" reviewing the issue of a new State Indian Museum, however it is not made up of all Indians. In reality, it is a "Museum Task Force" made up of Indians and non -Indian "professionals" to shepherd them. I have proposed a paper for the up coming California Indian Conference to be held at Humboldt this year in October. The title of the paper is "Institutional Paternalism" in which I address issues like: why are Indian people still treated by governmental agencies like "children" and "wards" in need of a "White Shepherd;" which State agency is the best one to develop an autonomous "Indian Museum Board of Trustees;" and should the Board members be nominated by governmental agencies like the State Library, State Parks and the Resources Agency? Or, should Board members be nominated from Tribal Councils, Tribal Chairmen and agencies controlled by the Indian community?
As many people know in the 1970's California State Parks "reallocated" the 7 million dollars Vivian Hailstone (Hoopa) secured for a new State Indian Museum, to build the Railroad Museum. State Parks glorified the "Robber Barons" and gave them prime real estate at Old Town Sacramento. The present Task Force and managers in State Parks want to build a new State Indian Museum out at Northgate (northern Sacramento), a known flood plain with a reputation among the locals as a "high crime area." Is a known flood plain the best place to build a new home for the California Indian "Sacred Heritage," the non-Indian professionals call "artifacts?" Does the California Indian people want an "Interpretive Style" museum for the tourist trade to increase State & local revenue, or a "Living Museum" that is a part of the Native Community's cultural fabric and an instrument for California Indian Cultural Preservation? I will be happy to share my paper with anyone who requests it.
If anyone feels strongly enough about this issue, and want to see an "Indian Museum Board of Trustees," made up of all Indians, nominated by the Indian community write to: John Kabateck, Director of External Affairs for Governor Schwarzenegger's Office. A door has opened, Mr. Kabateck co-chaired a Tribal Liaison Meeting with leaders from the Indian Community, and said the Governor wants to hear the honest concerns from the Indian Community. Let it be known that it is time to discard "Institutional Paternalism" and acknowledge "Indian Self-Determination," especially in the area of Cultural Preservation.
Jose Rivera: natives55@hotmail.com
John Kabateck, Director of External Affairs
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Email: JOHN.KABATECK@GOV.CA.GOV
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Indian Arts and Crafts Board
Indian Trust
National Park Service
Office of Self-Governance
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians
U.S. Geological Survey
Alaska Inter-Tribal Council
Inter-Tribal Agriculture Council
Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative
Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.
Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
Inter-Tribal Environmental Council
Inter-Tribal Timber Council
Native Americans Fish & Wildlife Society
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Taino History
Taino Tribe
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