NATIVE_NEWS: AFN's Fontaine and Pope hold secret meetings
And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes: NATIVE LEADER HOLDS SECRET MEETING WITH POPE Canadian Press, January 10, 1998 [S.I.S.I.S. note: The following mainstream news article may contain biased or distorted information and may be missing pertinent facts and/or context. It is provided for reference only.] REGINA (CP) - Canada's top native leader had a private audience with the Pope to lay groundwork for further talks about Canadas aboriginal people. A source told The Canadian Press that Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Phil Fontaine met with John Paul at the Vatican on Dec. 2. The source would not reveal what was discussed, except to say the meeting was to pave the way for a more formal, detailed discussion in the future. A Vatican spokeswoman in Ottawa confirmed the meeting but said a date hasn't been set for any future meetings. Fontaine was to have met with the Pope in November. The meeting was abruptly cancelled after it was reported Fontaine intended to appeal for an apology and financial compensation from the Roman Catholic Church for its role in Canadas residential school system. Fontaine was one of the first Indian leaders to go public almost 10 years ago with his story of the sexual and physical abuse he endured at a Manitoba school run by the Catholic church. More than 1,400 former students have filed lawsuits against the federal government alleging sexual and physical abuse at the more than 80 residential schools that existed in almost every province. The last ones were shut down in the mid 1980s. "One of the great strengths of Canada and Saskatchewan is the co-operative relationship First Nations and other aboriginal leaders have shown in the last years, recognizing that history has been very difficult for them," said Saskatchewan Aboriginal Affairs Minister Berny Wiens. "But they want to move on to create a new and positive future. So I'm encouraged that Phil has had that meeting and wish he and the church well in their future discussions." :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
NATIVE_NEWS: NWT/Arctic Highway Road Megaproject for Mining industry
And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes: ARCTIC COAST HIGHWAY PROPOSAL RESURRECTED IN NEW NORTHERN ECONOMY Canadian Press, January 10, 1998 by Bob Weber [S.I.S.I.S. note: The following mainstream news article may contain biased or distorted information and may be missing pertinent facts and/or context. It is provided for reference only.] YELLOWKNIFE (CP) - Northern leaders are reviving the idea of an all-weather highway to open one of the last great wilderness areas on the planet to the mining industry. The $600-million project calls for an 850-kilometre road from Yellowknife to a proposed saltwater port at Bathurst Inlet. It would cross the trackless tundra, Canadian Shield and muskeg of the central Arctic. It would rival the creation of the Alaska Highway in scale, says Masood Hassan of the Northwest Territories department of transport, which is spending $1.2 million to study the idea. "That would be a reasonable analogy," he said. "We are not at all daunted." Environmentalists, however, are wary. "This is one of the last large remaining wildlife areas in the world," said Bob Bromley of Ecology North, who sits on a government committee studying the road. "If you look at roads anywhere in the world, you lose wildlife diversity." The Arctic coast highway would run through the mineral-rich Slave Geological Province. That region is home to Canadas diamond developments as well as a number of gold and base metal deposits. Although a feasibility study of the road wont be complete until March, Hassan says the question is when, not if. "In the long term, an all-weather road will be required. The issue is when will it be needed and who will pay for it." Aerial mapping of possible routes is nearly complete. A private company has proposed building the seaport near Kugluktuk on Bathurst Inlet. Discussions on economic strategies for the North, which will include the road, have begun with the federal government. Consultants have already started an environmental-impact assessment of the road. Although the current winter road is adequate for existing mines, other deposits would require a regular road to be profitable, Hassan says. The highway has been proposed before and abandoned as uneconomic. But new diamond projects and new construction techniques may change that, says Richard Bushey of the N.W.T. Construction Association. "I think the economics are more viable," he said. The politics have changed as well. The territories argue that if Ottawa refuses to give up its control of the North's resources, it has the responsibility to build the infrastructure necessary to develop them. As well, if the federal government wants the North to be more self-sufficient, it has to give it the means to reduce the 75 per cent of its budget the territories now get from Canadian taxpayers. "It is of absolute importance that minerals are developed in the N.W.T.," says Hassan. "That would be the main hope of our economic future." Territorial documents suggest that known reserves have the potential to triple mineral exports, which contributed $542 million to the territorys economy in 1997. But Bromley wonders at the price. "Caribou is high on my list of concerns," he says, pointing out that herds of tens of thousands of the animals migrate through the area. He questions the whole strategy of banking on mining to develop the economy of the North. Mines eventually run out, he says, leaving scars on the land and unemployed people who have forgotten their previous skills. "It's the old story about putting all their eggs in one basket," he says. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
NATIVE_NEWS: Gitanyow challenge bad faith Nisga'a deal
And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (S.I.S.I.S.) writes: GITANYOW-NISGA'A WRANGLE OPENS IN BC COURT Canadian Press, January 18, 1999 [S.I.S.I.S. note: The following mainstream news article may contain biased or distorted information and may be missing pertinent facts and/or context. It is provided for reference only.] VANCOUVER (CP) -- The Gitanyow want a court to declare that the B.C. and federal governments must negotiate in good faith and sign a treaty, a lawyer for the First Nation said Monday. "Is there a duty to negotiate in good faith?" Gitanyow lawyer Peter Hutchins said in his opening address to Justice Paul Williamson in B.C. Supreme Court. "What is that duty?" After months of legal wrangling, the Gitanyow finally began its challenge of the historic Nisga'a final treaty. It has said previously that much of its traditional land was taken in negotiations that excluded them. Depending on its outcome, the Gitanyow hearing could have significant ramifications on the Nisga'a treaty, which has been initialled but not yet ratified by the B.C. and federal governments. The Gitanyow, a northwest B.C. native band with a history as long as the Nisga'a, claims the Nisga'a final agreement overlaps on its territory. It has said the provincial and federal governments acted in bad faith against the Gitanyow in negotiating the Nisga'a deal, the first modern-day treaty in British Columbia. The Gitanyow claims the Nisga'a treaty encompasses about 84 per cent of Gitanyow traditional territory. In launching the legal challenge last year, the Gitanyow said federal and provincial governments violated the treaty process because it was excluded from land claim negotiations involving the Nisga'a. The Gitanyow seek a court declaration that the federal and B.C. governments are not negotiating in good faith. Outside the court, Gitanyow lawyer Peter Grant said arguments aimed at the first declaration should conclude this week. The Gitanyow could then ask the court at a subsequent trial to make a second declaration -- that signing the Nisga'a treaty before the Gitanyow has reached a treaty would nullify the Gitanyow treaty process. The hearing was initially adjourned earlier in the day when Grant said further discussions were under way with the B.C. government. Gitanyow chief negotiator Glen Williams explained outside the courtroom that the government had recently offered to "revitalize our (treaty) process" through the B.C. Treaty Commission. The Gitanyow is part of the more than 50 "treaty tables" now in negotiations through the commission. Its claim was begun with the commission in 1994. Williams said the two governments offered to appoint two negotiators to expedite the Gitanyow treaty to try to have it settled by the end of the year. But the government also made it clear that the Nisga'a final agreement is inviolate. "The message was loud and clear from the government that there would be no change to the Nisga'a agreement," said Williams. The governments also wouldn't agree to expedite the Gitanyow treaty talks unless the Gitanyow agree to adjourn the hearing, said Williams. The Gitanyow decided to proceed because the Nisga'a treaty will likely be ratified by the B.C. and federal governments in the next few months. The two governments are defendants and the Nisga'a has intervener status. Among other things, the treaty gives the Nisga'a 1,900 square kilometres of land in the Nass Valley and $190 million over 15 years. The Nisga'a would also get some rights to hunting, fishing, forestry and wildlife management outside that area. :-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-: "The purpose of the BC Treaty Process is to legitimize the theft of our lands." Haida Elder Lavina White. For more information on the BC Treaty Commission and the Nisga'a deal: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/BCgovt.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/jan3198bctc.html http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/Clark/aug98nis.html In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only.
NATIVE_NEWS: History: A Hundred Years Ago - Carlisle - Week 91.
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 09:19:56 -0500 From: Landis [EMAIL PROTECTED] THE INDIAN HELPER ~%^%~ A WEEKLY LETTER -FROM THE- Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa. VOL. XIV. FRIDAY, January 20, 1898 NUMBER 13 WORTH WHILE. --- IT is easy enough to be pleasant When life flows by like a song. But the man worth while is the one who will smile When everything goes dead wrong; For the test of the heart is trouble. And it always comes with the years. And the smile that is worth the praises of earth Is the smile that shines through tears. It is easy enough to be prudent When nothing tempts you to stray. When without or within no voice of sin Is luring your soul away. But it's only a negative virtue Until it is tried by fire. And the life that is worth the honor of earth Is the one that resists the desire. -ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. == LATEST FROM THE BERMUDAS. -- Mrs. Pratt again writes to her children and we are permitted to see the letter, thus giving her adopted Indian children and her friedns another peep at the interesting doings of our absent ones on the little islands of the sea. PRINCESS HOTEL, HAMILTON, BERMUDA. January 10th, 1899. Your will notice that we have moved over to the Princess Hotel, and we are delighted with the change. We are almost opposite our former home - Pickwick. Hamilton town although lying close to the water's edge has a much milder climate than the country across the bay, owing to its southern exposure. Still the few chilly days we had last week over there were not cold enough for a fire. I took a drive one of our "cold" (?) afternoons and although we were out three hours, wtih the exception of a half-hour's call upon some new friends, I was not uncomfortable with my little lace cape and its silk frill about the neck; so you see we do not know much about cold weather here. I had a good opportunity to practice wheeling when in the country on the other side of the bay, and I hope to take some delightful rides on this side of the island. Our room here at the Princess is the southeastern corner one on the sky floor, a most delightful outlook over the bay and town. Everything that comes into Hamilton Harbor must pass the Princess. There is always a breeze and even when there is a stormy wind it is neither a rough one nor a "clammy" one as we experience at our eastern seacoast resorts. I believe this is the place to get clear of neuralgia, for my old companion has given me several hints of itself, but a walk or wheelride soon drives it away. Your father has been so busy in his idleness: He walks, rides his wheel, sails and goes fishing, though as yet he has not met with his usual success. There are plenty of fish in the water, but they seem to be too English to be caught by an American. The sailing is such a complete change from what your father can do at Carlisle, and he is so fond of it, too, that I think it will do him good. His St. Augustine experiences and training in sailing seem not to have been forgotten. We have met friends of Miss Hyde, and Misses Shaffner and Ackerman whom they met in London, and acquaintances of some of your father's friends, when he was a boy. -- The rest of this letter is of a personal nature and not of general interest, but since it came we have seen for the first time Mrs. Pratt's first letter which was written immediately upon their arrival, and which was sent to Denver before the Man-on-the-band-stand got hold of it. As there are some interesting things therein, we will take the liberty of culling notes even at this late date: "My dear children," says Mrs. Pratt, "If wishes were carrier doves a thousand of them would have been tapping at your windows almost daily, the past week with sweet messages. -- (Continued on the Fourth Page.) = (page 2) THE INDIAN HELPER PRINTED EVERY FRIDAY --AT THE-- Indian Industrial School, Carlisle, Pa., BY INDIAN BOYS. --- THE INDIAN HELPER is PRINTED by Indian boys, but EDITED by The man-on-the-band-stand who is NOT an Indian. P R I C E: --10 C E N T S A Y E A R Entered in the P.O. at Carlisle as second class mail matter. Address INDIAN HELPER, Carlisle, Pa. Miss Marianna Burgess, Supt. of Printing. Do not hesitate to take the HELPER from
NATIVE_NEWS: Supporting Indigenous Visions and Strategies in Latin America
And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-Id: v04011700b2cb89503f23@[128.253.55.14] Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 09:30:27 -0400 To: Recipient List Suppressed:; From: Native Americas [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Supporting Indigenous Visions and Strategies in Latin America The following is an article from the Winter 1998 issue of Native Americas, published by the Akwe:kon Press at Cornell University. For more information on how to stay informed of emerging trends that impact Native peoples throughout the hemisphere visit our website at http://nativeamericas.aip.cornell.edu. Supporting Indigenous Visions and Strategies in Latin America By Charles David Kleymeyer We sat in a circle of school chairs in a small classroom with low ceilings in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador. Present were approximately 25 leaders, men and women, representing an equal number of communities belonging to a local indigenous federation. One of the leaders translated my words into Quichua and theirs into Spanish, just to be sure everyone was understanding what was being said. We had just finished a two-hour discussion of the new grant agreement I had arrived with, which described a project being funded by the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), entailing training, sustainable agriculture, marketing and cultural revitalization. There was a lull in the conversation and I asked if anyone else had any questions or comments. One man stood up and hesitated for quite some time. Ask anything, I reassured him. He cleared his throat. Everyone sat quietly, waiting. Finally he spoke: Why do you do this? I spent the next half-hour explaining why I traveled thousands of miles from the capital city of an industrialized nation to analyze proposals from indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorian communities and federations, and then recommend funding for their self-designed and self-managed efforts to achieve socioeconomic and cultural change. Colleagues in other bilateral and multinational institutions ask an equally challenging question: not why do the work, but why choose to concentrate such efforts on traditional peoples of various ethnic origins and how to go about it? In the article that follows I attempt to answer the questions laid out above regarding support for indigenous peoples' development projects and their broader movements. I begin by presenting a few of the advantages of working with indigenous peoples. Then, I discuss some of the risks and difficulties involved in doing so. Finally, I comment on three relatively new approaches to this kind of work. My analysis is based on my personal experience working with indigenous peoples since the mid-1960s, particularly in the United States, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador. Much of that work was done during nearly two decades at IAF. I am still learning, and the IAF is still learning. Speaking personally, I feel privileged to have worked so long with some of the most creative and energetic groups and individuals in this hemisphere. Advantages of Working with Indigenous Peoples Supporting indigenous peoples has a number of significant advantages. First, Indigenous people have vast pools of cultural energy and creativity. This cultural energy and creativity enables them to carry out innovative projects and programs, and build social movements, against great odds. It also enables them to be productive in agriculture, crafts, conservation of natural resources and other expressive forms, at significant levels. After all, these are descendants of the people who developed historically renowned societies: Tihuanaku, Inca, Maya, Aztec, Anasazi, Moundbuilder, Iroquois and many others. Although empires came and went, the people continue. Second, indigenous peoples have an unusual capacity to form effective coalitions, such as federations, confederations and campesino unions. These coalitions are the vehicles of development of the future, which will make many classic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) obsolete. These coalitions are major engines of empowerment, warranting support by outside institutions that are truly serious about enabling the disadvantaged to transform their historically vertical power relations with outsiders and bring about increased social justice and decreased impoverishment. Two notable examples of such coalitions are the Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador (CONAIE)-the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, and Coordinadora de Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA)-the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin. Each of these coalitions represents more than two million people, organized into federations of communities and confederations of those federations. CONAIE spans the three regions of Ecuador-coast, highlands and Amazon-and COICA is made up of the Amazonian confederations-of regional federations and local tribal groups-of all nine
NATIVE_NEWS: Gold Mine Threatens Quechan Sites
And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-Id: v04011700b2cb89503f23@[128.253.55.14] Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 09:30:27 -0400 To: Recipient List Suppressed:; From: Native Americas [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Supporting Indigenous Visions and Strategies in Latin America The following is an article from Native Americas, published by the Akwe:kon Press at Cornell University. For more information on how to stay informed of emerging trends that impact Native peoples throughout the hemisphere visit our website at http://nativeamericas.aip.cornell.edu. Gold Mine Threatens Quechan Sites By Lydia Fernandez A Canadian gold mining company wants to mine more than 1,600 acres of federal land sacred to the Quechan tribe in southern California. Under the Mining Act of 1872, the Imperial Glamis Chemgold Mining Co., of British Columbia, plans to mine the area for gold through the year 2018. The mining company would use the cyanide heap leach-mining method and disturb more than 1,400 acres of land to get about 150 million tons of ore and 300 million tons of waste rock from three open pits. I believe that the project represents a grave threat to the religion and culture of the Quechan Indians-one of the seven Yuman tribes tracing their origin to Spirit Mountain near Laughlin, wrote Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., in a letter to the Bureau of Land Management. A sacred trail links the Quechan's original home to their current home near Yuma, one branch of which runs through the gold mine site. That sacred trail, the Trail of Dreams, is still used by the tribe and would be destroyed if the mine were constructed. Glamis has offered to relocate one ore heap away from the trail, but the tribe remains opposed to the project. When our people traveled from around here to the area, they stayed there, said Pauline Owl, chairperson of the Quechan Cultural Committee. This land has been traversed for hundreds of years. This clash between native religious beliefs and development has been cited as one of the first tests of President Bill Clinton's 1996 executive order to protect American Indian sacred sites on federal land. According to the executive order, federal agencies should to the extent practicable, permitted by law and not clearly inconsistent with essential agency functions ... avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of such sacred sites. Furthermore, opponents of the mine, including wildlife groups and other agencies, contend that the mine would also threaten endangered species of plants and animals, such as the desert tortoise, considered sacred by some area tribes. To counteract these threats to wildlife, Glamis has offered to compensate by purchasing about 1,600 acres of land elsewhere for the Bureau of Land Management and to build three wildlife guzzlers-sunken tanks used to collect water for wildlife. The company and the Bureau of Land Management have had to prepare two environmental-impact statements and reviews to address the strong public criticism. The public comment period for the second statement and review ended in April, and Quechan leaders are waiting to learn the latest status of the mining project. Native Americas Journal Akwe:kon Press Cornell University 300 Caldwell Hall Ithaca, New York 14853 Tel. (607) 255-4308 Fax. (607) 255-0185 E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://nativeamericas.aip.cornell.edu =-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-= If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito African Proverb =-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-= IF it says: PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
NATIVE_NEWS: Fwd: Hunger Strike and Protest to free Leonard Peltier
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 09:42:20 -0500 From: Leonard Peltier Defense Committee [EMAIL PROTECTED] (by way of Peter d'Errico) Subject: Hunger Strike and Protest to free Leonard Peltier PLEASE REPORT - NEW LOCATIONS and HUNGER STRIKE UPDATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO FREE LEONARD PELTIER on the 23 anniversary of his arrest. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 18, 1999 Contact Gina Chiala or Keith McHenry at 785-842-5774 On February 6th supporters of Native American Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier will be holding protests and starting hunger strikes in an effort to pressure the Clinton Administration to keep its 1992 campaign promise. These protests will be happening in cities all over the world including Amsterdam, Brussels, Chicago, San Francisco, London, Washington DC, San Diego, Tacoma and Rapid City, South Dakota. ( A current list of locations and times is included below. ) Leonard Peltier is an American Indian Movement (AIM) activist who was framed in a case involving the death of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation on June 26, 1975. Leonard was arrested in Canada on Feb. 6, 1976 and has remained in prison ever since. In 1975 there had been a large number of FBI agents at Pine Ridge for the purpose of defending multi-national energy company's attempt to take Lakota land for uranium mining. The FBI was a part of the oppression of the traditional Lakota People and AIM who were the resistance to the illegally taking of Lakota land. In the two years before the shootout over 60 resisters were murdered by a death squad that was armed, trained and directed by the FBI. On the day of the shootout two FBI agents came into an AIM camp in the same manner that the death squad had done all over Pine Ridge. Internal government files show that there is much proof that this was a setup against the AIM leadership, which included Leonard Peltier. Two FBI agents and one Indian were killed during the firefight. In the first trial two AIM members were found not guilty by reason of self-defense. Then the government illegally had Leonard extradited from Canada based upon false statements. They then moved his trial to a judge that had been cited for his anti-Indian attitude. Leonard's trial was a frame-up that included falsified evidence and the intimidation of witnesses. Through the appeals process Leonard's defense has disproved the government's case to the point that the government prosecutor has come out and stated that they don't know who killed the agents and that if Leonard were to have a trial today they could not convict him. They say now that Leonard's crime was that he "aided and abetted" in the deaths because he was there that day. Since the first two AIM members were found not guilty for reason of self-defense, this means that Leonard has been locked-up for 23 years for aiding and abetting in an act of self-defense. Leonard was arrested in Canada on February 6, 1976. Supporters are marking that day by starting hunger strikes and holding protests as part of an international campaign for justice for Leonard Peltier. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST TO FREE LEONARD PELTIER - FEBRUARY 6TH THE LEONARD PELTEIR DEFENSE COMMITTEE PO Box 583 - Lawrence, KS 66044 - 785-842-5774 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Here is list of protests planned for February 6, 1999 ALBANY, NY We're planning an action on Feb. 6th for International Leonard Peltier Day in Albany, New York . We will draw in people from the surrounding cities of Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga, and other nearby towns. We don't have the details yet but will keep you posted as things unfold. thanks! Francie, Leonard Peltier Solidarity Committee ATLANTA, GA The LPSG, Atlanta is interested in participating in the fast for Leonard Peltier. So far we have around a half dozen people who have committed to fasting for four days, one person following the next. There are many people in the Indian community here that we have not called yet. I'm sure that more will be interested. We're having a meeting this coming Sunday and will know a little more about our commitment afterwards. In the mean time, please send more information, press-releases, guidelines, etc. I talked to Arthur Miller yesterday and he said his people will be doing twelve day fasts. I'll see if anyone here is willing and able to do that. I look forward to hearing from you. Reid freeman Jenkins coordinator LPSG, Atlanta BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Feb. 6, 1999 - afternoon - Wake at U.S. Embassy or protest action at international airport Zaventem (depends on how many people will come) We're also checking how many people would participate in a 48-hour hunger fast. And the petition drive has been increased via email and hopefully before February 6th via a new website (since our Internet Coordinator is having summer vacation - he lives in Australia - and complains he's bored, I'm sure the page will be finished this week... smile) More
NATIVE_NEWS: CORRECTION--I GOOFED!!
And now:"Save Ward Valley" [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The dates for the friendship/cultural gathering in Juarez, Mexico--Coalicion Binacional Contra Tiraderos Toxicos y Radiactivos--are January 21, 22, and 23 not Feb. 21-23. Molly Save Ward Valley 107 F Street Needles, CA 92363 ph. 760/326-6267 fax 760/326-6268 http://www.shundahai.org/SWVAction.html http://earthrunner.com/savewardvalley http://www.ctaz.com/~swv1 http://banwaste.envirolink.org http://www.alphacdc.com/ien/wardvly4.html http://www.greenaction.org
NATIVE_NEWS: Fwd: A message to all Ward Valley activists
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From: "Save Ward Valley" [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: "Mike Means" [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: A message to all Ward Valley activists Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 08:43:25 -0800 X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1 -Original Message- From: Felicity Hill [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Save Ward Valley [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 6:40 PM Subject: Re: Friendships Across the Borders Dear Ward Valley Wonders, My name is Felicity Hill and I am from Australia and have just returned from a visit to my home. I live in New York City. I am writing to you about another nuclear cemetary proposed by a US corporation for the desert of Australia. The people of that region, the Kokotha and Arabunna people, seek the solidarity of those sisters and brothers from other nations. I hope you will reach out to them and begin a dialogue. It was on the land of the Kokotha and Arabunna people, in South Australia, that British nuclear testing took place. For a pepper corn rent, the US Spy base Nurrungar also sits on Kokotha and Arabunna land. The Woomerra Rocket Range annexes a huge expanse of their land, and the Roxby uranium mine, soon to be the biggest in the world, degrades and pollutes the land, air and water of the Kokotha and Arabunna people. While the horror stories are multiple in Australia, it could be said that the Kokotha and Arabunna are the most disaffected, abused and colonised indigenous people in Australia. Their land is a beautiful land, red earth, moody skies, delicate and unusual plants. Underneath their earth lies the Great Artesian Water Basin, the underground water source that is sucked up by over 30,000 bores - 5 million litres a day by the Roxby Uranium mine alone. The Great Artesian Water Basin is connected to Lake Eyre, which is often dry, but when the big rains come, (and when they come they come down in buckets), a huge amount of birds are attracted the area which is lit up with the unusual desert flowers as well as incredible frog and other wildlife. The stories Rebecca Bear Wingfield, Aboriginal spokesperson for the land can tell about the people, the land and the affects of the mine, the rocket range, the base and in particular the nuclear testing are harrowing. As if this isn't enough, after a 2 year process, the Australian government has decided to put a low level radioactive waste dump for radioactive waste created domestically in Australia at a place called Bila Kallina in the same area. On the coat tails of this A US BASED COMPANY CALLED PANGEA HAS DECIDED TO PUSH THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO AGREE TO USE THE SITE FOR THE DUMPING OF PLUTONIUM FROM DISMANTLED NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Together we can stop this! International solidarity decreases the isolation felt by activists in Australia, spreads the facts around and boosts the spirit. Please could you busy active Ward Valley activists send messages of solidarity, information, posters, newsclips of your actions etc to: Rebecca Bear-Wingfield c/o Friends of the Earth P O Box 222 Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, 3065 Ph: 011 61 39 419 8700 Fax: 011 61 39 416 2081 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] =-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-= If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito African Proverb =-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-= IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW" Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
NATIVE_NEWS: Fwd: Re: Rodriguez Gonzales Winona LaDuke at EMU this weekend
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: The University of Michigan - Flint To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 11:37:25 EDT Subject: Re: Rodriguez Gonzales Winona LaDuke at EMU this weekend X-Confirm-Reading-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-pmrqc: 1 Priority: normal X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.53/R1) Roberto Rodriguez and Patrisia Gonzales are the syndicated newspaper columnists who pen "Column of the Americas" and they have authored several books. Winona LaDuke is one of the most celebrated environmentalists in the United States. ** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 1999 CONTACT: Eleanor Loikits FEAST, POETRY, SONG, DANCE AND STORYTELLING SET AT EMU FOR ËNATIVE AMERICAN-XICANO ETHNICITIES: A GATHERING OF CULTURESì Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti) will celebrate the cultural heritage of both the Native American and Xicano communities at a symposium Friday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 23, at McKenny Union. Events are free and open to the public. The symposium will include a feast, poetry, artwork and an evening of song, dance and storytelling and is part of EMUìs Sesquicentennial celebration in 1999. The prelude to events is Thursday, Jan. 21, when a 6-9 p.m. reception will highlight poetry and art featuring Native American and Chicano artists and poets in the McKenny Union Intermedia Gallery. The symposium begins at 4 p.m. Jan. 22 with three keynote addresses: Winona LaDuke, an acclaimed Anishinaabe activist and Ralph Naderìs 1996 vice presidential candidate; and Roberto Rodriguez and Patrisia Gonzales, award- winning syndicated columnists for Universal Press Syndicate. A community feast at 6 p.m., with foods native to North America, will follow the speeches. At 7:30 p.m., ÉA Gathering of Cultures: An Evening in Song, Danceand StoryÊ will feature Larry Plamondon, an Odawa Storyteller; Treetown Drum and Dance in the Great Lakes tradition; and Nahua Olin, music and dance in the Aztec tradition. Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 1p.m., offers a panel discussion and breakout sessions putting scholars, students and local community leaders in dialogue on Native American and Chicano studies. Dance and craft workshops will be offered. The symposium is sponsored by the steering committee for Native American/Xicano Studies, Office of Campus Life, Womenìs Studies Program, Native American Students Organization, Xicano Students Association and MEXA. For information, call Campus Life Programs at 734.487.3045. For anyone interested in making the trip to E.M.U. to hear Rodriguez, Gonzales, and LaDuke...among other activities. Friday's keynote speeches begin at 4:00 p.m. in the McKenny Union Building which is on Eastern Michigan Union's campus. ** Take I-75/23 to Washtenaw Avenue Washtenaw Avenue runs east and west between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti If you are coming from areas north of Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor please remember to stay on I-75 and don't follow 23 into Ann Arbor...this would take you away from Ypsilanti into the west side of A2. In getting to Washtenaw Avenue you should turn east towards Ypsilanti In Ypsilanti there is a huge water tower and right before you get to the water tower you will find the corner of Washtenaw and Oakwood You will notice this water tower because it resembles a particular part of the male anatomy. The water tower is famous all over the United States. You will turn left on Oakwood and make a right at the first street You will follow this street to the pay-parking lot Go to the back of the lot and you will be at the McKenny Union Building which is where the activities for this conference are to take place. Going into the building you will find an Information Office and persons there will answer questions about directions to the rooms. =-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-= If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito African Proverb =-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-= IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW" Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
NATIVE_NEWS: RECA update
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From BIGMTLIST [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:34:40 -0800 (PST) From: tom goldtooth [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RECA update Return-Path: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 09:37:46 -0700 From: Lori Goodman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Organization: Dine' CARE. Dine' CARE is one of the founding organizations of the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and a current organization member of the IEN National Council. Subject: RECA update (Radiation Exposure and Compensation Act - an amendment action) Date: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 PRESS RELEASE: Navajo Nation, Red Valley community meeting: Contact: Lori Goodman, Dine' CARE, (970) 259-0199 ELECTION PARTY CENTERS ON RADIATION VICTIMS' ISSUES Red Valley, AZ, Jan 16: The swearing-in party for newly elected Navajo Nation Council delegate JC Begay (representing Red Valley Cove Navajo Chapters) took on a serious tone Saturday, as constituents voiced their concerns with the ongoing problem of radiation contamination in their homeland. As Begay listened, audience members informed him of their ongoing struggle to inform local citizens about the dangers of radiation contamination from mines and mill sites. Councilman Begay committed to the cause of bringing relief to radiation victims. In the audience were newly elected Navajo Nation Vice-President Dr. Taylor McKenzie and Navajo Nation Council delegate Ervin Keeswood. In Attendance also, were key Navajo and non-Navajo leadership of the larger cross-cultural Western States RECA Reform Coalition: Navajo Nation RECA Working Group Co-Chairs, Alexander Thorne and Melton Martinez; Paul Hicks, President of NM Uranium Workers Council; Alyce Mae Yazzie, Kayenta Chapter RECA Liaison; and Tommie Reed, Post 71 Uranium Workers. They all informed VP McKenzie and Councilman Begay about the need to educate Navajo citizens about the ongoing risk of radiation exposure and to reform the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. "Nobody knows about RECA," explained Mr. Reed to the newly elected leaders. "People don't know who's eligible. Is it miners? Is it their children? "We have been working together, people from all around the Navajo Nation and the entire Four Corners Area," said Melton Martinez, member of the RECA Reform Working Group, a coalition of local Navajo activists working to bring relief to radiation victims on the Navajo Nation and beyond. Martinez told Councilman Begay that the Working Group wants the Navajo Nation government to stick to its previous call for broad reforms of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). (See "Keeping the bills straight" below). After listening to concerns, Begay pledged that he would make reform of RECA his "number one priority." Although the gathering was not an official chapter meeting, Begay expressed his appreciation for the information provided him, and encouraged the attendees to keep up the work. The Navajo activists, all part of a larger Western States RECA Reform Coalition, have been arguing for a much broader, more inclusive reform of RECA, to include victims besides miners. Navajo Nation Vice President Dr. Taylor McKenzie, fielded concerns about RECA reform. Dr. McKenzie, like Councilman Begay, pledged his support. He told the people at Red Valley that President Kelsey Begay, is "100 per cent" behind the Council's ten points for reform. "We would like President Begay keep the pressure on RECA reform," said Ms. Yazzie, of Kayenta. "We have seen a number of bills, and possible compromises. We have nothing to compromise. No one is getting any relief. We need to push for the most comprehensive RECA reform we can get." The Western States RECA Reform coalition are in agreement about having a bill reintroduced in the House that mirrors Redmond's bill in the last congress. They are also in agreement on asking Senator Bingaman to reintroduce his bill, as his was the most comprehensive. Letters to JD Hayworth (AZ) and Skeen (NM) have been written asking them to champion the bill. Visits to Skeen's office are currently being planned by Mr. Paul Hicks and Mr. Melton Martinez. Mr. Paul Hicks, President of NM Uranium Workers Council from Grants visits Arizona and Colorado to attend RECA meetings in four days. Mr. Mrs. Hicks attended the Grand Junction, Colorado Uranium Workers Council monthly meeting on Jan 14, where the consensus was also NO COMPROMISE AND TO HAVE A REDMOND LIKE RECA BILL REINTRODUCED. Outcomes: 1) Community members from Red Valley and Cove wanted more information on RECA and called for a duly called Chapter meeting on RECA. 2) Tribal Council delegate JC Begay committed to making RECA reform his #1 Priority. 3) Navajo Nation RECA Reform Working Group coordinators met with Navajo Nation Vice-President Dr. Taylor McKenzie. 4) Coordinators clarified for Dr. McKenzie that RECA Reform Working Group is providing information to people about
NATIVE_NEWS: [eric@mitco.com ] American Indians Tapped For Programming Jobs
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: * From: Eric Vaughen [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is for tom... but others may find it interesting... makes me want to be a native american... almost. I think this is a much better endeavor than gambling... ( 1/14/99; 3:00 PM EST) By Robert Bellinger, EE Times Native Americans have largely missed the great hiring surge in the high-technology industry. Only 668 American Indian freshmen enrolled in engineering schools last year out of 14,000 minorities. But the Internet, distance-learning technology, a perceived shortage of software engineers, and a changing mix of skills may now open the field to more American Indians who otherwise might be shut out. Delta-One Takes Shape A joint government-corporate coalition that includes programming managers from the Defense Department, defense contractors, IBM, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin are initiating a program called "Delta-One" to recruit, train, and employ American Indians in software. Some participants may even use newly acquired skills to set up sorely needed businesses on Indian reservations. The beauty of Delta-One, said Sam Adams, IBM distinguished engineer, is American Indian trainees will not have to leave their beloved lands to get a job, a key reason why other economic-development programs have failed in the past. Adams, whose heritage includes Cherokee and southern Cheyenne, said there are diverse American Indian communities and experiences, and consequently, it's difficult to pinpoint any common trait. For instance, Adams grew up in an average American town and did not live on a reservation. "There are tribes that have assimilated the American culture," he said, while others have lived all their lives on Indian land, speaking two languages: English and their community's native tongue. But Adams pointed to at least one commonality: "There's a strong sense of community, of strong extended family relationships." Prior to the Internet revolution, it was difficult for Americans Indians to stay tied to their communities and gain viable, good-paying jobs. Visitors to the Navajo lands near Flagstaff, Ariz., will be awed by the beauty of the stark desert, the striking plateaus, and startling rock formations. But they'll also see cars and trucks filled with Navajos leaving the reservation to commute to low-paying jobs because the reservation doesn't have enough employers. Now that so much software development takes place over the Net, the work can come to the American Indians. Adams is confident American Indians offer some unique qualities that "give them an advantage in technology": Many are bilingual. They're used to thinking abstractly in different languages. There's a strong musical heritage. Just ask any software company about the "music connection." The proportion of software employees who play music is above the average for other professions. Holistic thinking. The American Indian culture constantly refers to the interconnectedness of nature. Part of the reason American Indians have been called the original ecologists is their appreciation of how changing one facet of their natural environment affects another part. "They worked with holistic systems all their lives," said Adams, a distinct advantage when working with software systems and networks. The cultural tendency is to explore all ramifications of a design or change in a system, and not be satisfied working on an isolated piece. At a meeting in New Mexico recently, government agencies and private corporations got together to iron out details of a training program that would use Internet technology and distance-learning tools in these communities. Adams, who's heading up a corporate committee, cited several goals, including the need to increase the pool of software workers. The National Software Alliance cites studies estimating a need for 137,000 software workers per year for the next 10 years. Some dispute these numbers, but few quarrel with the second main goal of Delta-One: to encourage economic development in American Indian communities. Unemployment reaches as high as 54 percent in some Native American communities. Norm Brown, director of the National Software Alliance, said the reaction from several American Indian communities has been encouraging. After the New Mexico meeting, one chief approached Brown and said, "All we need now is a floor plan to start building a center." The intent, said Brown, is to train people in software skills that industry needs immediately, and that easily can be conducted via the Internet. Delta-One participants will learn how to work in teams of six. Curriculum Pending Academia, corporations, and the government are working on a curriculum that will match industry needs and academic courses. Many software jobs don't require a four-year college degree. A website administrator, for instance, would spend much of his or her time posting data written by someone else. This means high school graduates or
NATIVE_NEWS: From Pierre George Concerning Ipperwash Stoney Point
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 19:44:49 -0500 From: Carolyn Zavitz [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.0 (Win95; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Concerning Ipperwash: Aazhoodena Territory is the correct name and the land is also known as Stoney Point. In 1992 the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs stated that in order to rectify a serious injustice done to the Stoney Point People the land must be returned to them. To me, Pierre George, Aazhoodena is my ancestral home, my inheritance. This includes the sacred burial grounds in the park. The community should and must be restored as it was prior to 1937. Jane Stewart states: That the federal government has the authority to call for public inquiries into matters within federal jurisdiction --hence, the elected band council and chief fall under this jurisdiction. I hereby enter these three paragraphs taken from the Ontario Provincial Police logs pertaining to the events leading up to the murder of my brother Dudley. They concern the actions of the elected chief and band council of Kettle Point (also known as Kettle and Stony Point): [Pg.19] 08.18: Asked him (Tom Bressette) to notify his counselors, he and counselors dont support the action of the natives, he feels they should be dealt with. [Pg.21] Inspector Carson advises that Tome Bressette agrees with what we are doing. [Pg.24] 09.25: meeting: John Carson advises that Tom Bressettes on board, agrees, thinks they are criminals. These are clear indicators of gross misconduct at the very least. I hereby state that these people have played a major role in the paramilitary assaults on the peoples of Aazhoodena-Stoney Point, which resulted in the death of Dudley. The Stoney Point People were there defending the sacred burial grounds in the park. A full public inquiry is needed to expose the acquisition of these particular lands. I myself wouldnt even dream of selling my grandfathers and grandmothers graves. So it is up to Jane Stewart to live up to her statement. The theft of our territory has never stopped, it has now just taken the form of the Agreement in Principle. It is backed by one of the signers, namely chief norman shawnoo, who also is one of the counselors who advocated that the natives should be dealt with. (Sept 6, 1995) So, all is not well in Aazhoodena as Jane Stewart seems to write. The Kettle Point band council of the day, Sept/95, and chief tom bressette are corrupt. The Agreement in Principle moves toward signing away our territory thereby giving Kettle Point the so-called power to enforce the police to move against us. These police being the Anishnabek Police Services who are backed by the Ontario Provincial Police, the same police who murdered my brother Dudley George. The same police who then produced racist and appalling memorabilia commemorating the killing of Dudley. (Team Ipperwash 95) The truth shall prevail! In the Spirit of Dudley, Pierre George Aazhoodena-Stoney Point PS: Please post this wherever you like. PPS: Please phone Jane Stewart or Indian Affairs to push for a federal inquiry into Tom Bressette and council's activities. Jane Stewart states that she cannot call a public inquiry into the misconduct of elected provincial officials. But elected band councils etc fall under federal jurisdiction. Please push for federal public inquiry by phoning or faxing these people: --Delia Opekokew, barrister solicitor: Toronto: ph. (416)598-2645 fax:(416)598-9520 --Kettle Point Band Council: ph.(519)786-2125 or (519)786-2126 fax (519)786-2108 --Ontario Federation of Labour: ph (416)441-2731 fax:(416)441-1893 attn: Ethel LaValley --Murray Klippenstein of Iler, Campbell Klippenstein ph(416)598-0103 fax(416)598-3484 =-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-= If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito African Proverb =-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-= IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW" Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
NATIVE_NEWS: Fwd: Leonard Peltier Solidarity Fast/Hunger strike, up-date #1
And now:Ish [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 11:38:20 -0800 From: arthur [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ADate: 20/01/99 11:28:56 AM X-Mailer: Acorn Email v1b2 Subject: Leonard Peltier Solidarity Fast/Hunger strike, up-date #1 NORTHWEST LEONARD PELTIER SUPPORT NETWORK TACOMA OFFICE P.O. BOX 5464 TACOMA, WA 98415-0464 USA [EMAIL PROTECTED] LEONARD PELTIER SOLIDARITY FAST (HUNGER STRIKE) UP-DATE #1 This action is progressing along good so far. We now have 18 people who have joined the fast/hunger strike and another 11 people who are going to be helping to get our daily statements out starting on Feb. 6th. Right now we are conducting a poll of those involved on if this should be called a fast or hunger strike. It may come out that different people will decide to call it what they want. Regardless, we are all a part of the same action and we stand in unity with each other. We are also working on the final draft of our joint statement, with input from all those involved. When this is done we will be issueing it. We wish to acknowledge that there are many activists working on other very important struggles. This is very important, not only so that these important struggles continue, but also it is important to political prisoners that they do continue. This is because if the struggles stopped when the government seeks to suppression an activist by placing them in prison, then the government will use this tactic more often. The struggles must continue, but at the same time we must let the government know that we will not sit back and just let them throw our people in prison. This means we need to establish a balance between continuing our on going struggles and defending our people in prison. As they say, the best defense is a good offense. Thus the key to victory is not only in good legal defense, but also by building a support movement that organizes publicly around the issues inwhich the government seeks to suppress. When we are able to do these things then the government will come to understand that by trying to suppress us they are only making us stronger. Thus, aiding in the struggle of Leonard Peltier will benefit all struggling people. There are different levels of aiding Leonard at this time, and they are all very important. There is helping to organize marches and rallies on Feb. 6th. There is joining the fast/hunger strike. There is joining the computer support network to help get out the daily statements. There is sending daily messages to the Bureau Of Prisons demanding the end of the torture of Leonard (these can be very short messages). What ever people decide to do, they will be joining with people from around the world in a powerful statement of solidarity. The wrongs of the world have us all struggling on many different fronts. But, from time to time we need to join together and act together in order to get the powers of oppression to understand the great power of solidarity among all opressed people. Ending the torture of Leonard is one such time that unified solidarity is greatly needed. A web site has been set up for the fast/hunger strike at:http://www.angelfire.com/mi/FreePeltier/index.html. This web site is linked to the LPDC and NWLPSN web sites. We still need those that can help us to join us. If you wish to join the fast/hunger strike or if you wish to help support it by sending out our daily statements, please fill out the form below. I wish to thank everyone who has helped us and let all know that this action is determined to continue until the torture of Leonard has ended. In Solidarity Arthur J. Miller NWLPSN For Fasters; Name__City, state, country _Organizational affiliate, Tribe, profession_ ___ Means of contact_ ___ Support person and means of contact ___ Statement relay support, name and means of contact_ ___ Please return to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] =-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-= If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito African Proverb =-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-= IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW" Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
