============================================================ Tips and tricks, introductions to breaking technologies, Updates on proven software tools, new ideas for old problems. Find it all in the developerWorks newsletter. http://click.topica.com/caaacCMb1ddNBb2HgmNb/developerWorks ============================================================ Hi Everyone,
A couple of people have written to me asking me
about the importance of the Workshop going on, why am I requesting donations and
what is my motivation in all of this..
What's happening here in Pine Ridge is pretty
incredible. A group of people walk into a tribal office building, take
it over peacefully, and they continue to stay there since the original nine
demands haven't been met. This began in January 2000, and they continue. A
person by the name of Jun Little staked himself to this place and gave his life
to it in so many ways, which inspires all of us daily since his passing.
Everytime I walk into that building, I'm overcome by what they are trying to do
there. I want to support them. I want to help them. They stood up for all the
elders, adulss, and children on this reservation...they are fighting not only
for now but for the future generations.
They are working on creating a dream. It's a huge
dream, and it was discussed at the Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council. The
discussion was about the formation of an embassy and one day creating an
Indigenous type of United Nations...this discussion was talked about throughout
the entire weekend through different presentations and in different ways. The
bottom line was that a forum needs to be created where all Indigneous Nations on
the North American Continent can get together, support one another, and speak in
a unified voice on an international level.
For so long we've been working within the federal
system, and it's setting bad precedents left and right as more and more court
cases are being lost. Everyone at the meeting began talking about how we have to
shift our thinking to an international level. When I listened to them, I thought
about my cousin Casey.
He was adopted illegally despite the Indian Child
Welfare Act. He was placed with a non-indian family without even asking our
family if we wanted to raise him. That is a direct violation of the
ICWA. They simply sent a letter asking that my Uncle sign away his parental
rights. My mom took this to court and fought for Casey for six long years, and
in the process of that, a gag order was placed upon us. We weren't allowed to
talk about it. They took away our right to discuss this with all of you. If we
could have, can you imagine the support we would have had? They kept us weak and
unsupported when it went to the Idaho Supreme Court. Prejudicial statements
were made, and there was nothing we could do about it. We lost the case,
and now we sit here waiting for Casey to come home.
We appealed the case to the Supreme Court, but they
turned us down...we had no place else to go. So as I look at this takeover,
which is beginning to transition into an embassy or possibly an Indigenous
United Nations, I think of how maybe we could go there. Maybe we could share
this story there, and maybe it could be heard on an international level one day.
For very personal reasons, as you can see, I wish to support this transition and
the international work that is being done at this time. This is my
motivation.
When Darrell and I began talking about this
workshop, I became very enthused. I felt that he could bring a lot of support to
everyone at the Takeover. I feel that he has incredible ideas, and I believe
what he has to share can support everyone that is trying to create this dream
right now. He will be bringing to the Cree Vision to the Lakota people, and
hopefully the Lakota will bring their vision to the Cree very soon.
This workshop might not provide all of the
answers, but it could plant a lot of seeds that could grow into something
amazing for all of us. This can bring a lot of great training to the people
forging ahead with creating an embassy. I believe that it's vitally
important for all Nations to begin sharing their visions with one another about
rebuilding sovereign nations. This is a first attempt at doing something like
this at Pine Ridge at a Grass Roots level since the takeover. This will be an
international meeting, because it will be two sovereign nations meeting,
discussing issues, forming resolutions and sharing them with other Nations in
the future. It's a step in unifying everyone's voice. The government for too
long has worked diligently at keeping everyone scattered. There are various
groups around the world working at coming together such as the Indigenous
Caucus, and as I said, this is the first attempt at doing this at the
takeover/embassy.
Who is Darrell Brertton? Darrell live on the Saddle
Lake Reserve in Alberta, Canada. He's of the Cree Nation, and they are
descendants of the Big Bear Clan. He wishes to share with the Lakota Nation what
the Cree Nation is working towards.
"Our people are gathering together to unite the
Cree Nations, which is one of the biggest nations in Canada. The initiative has
been underway for many generations. The Vision of our People is to have one
voice, one mind, and also to find a way to protect Mother Earth. My background
is in tribal government, been a council member, administrator, land claims
researcher, I have training in International Relations...I've Fancy Danced all
over the world....done many different things in my short life."
Darrell added, "After meeting the Lakota at the
Treaty Council meeting, hearing the Lakota people talking about the struggle of
Nation building...they were asking for help too. When I went to greet them, I
told them that in our way when we’re asked for help, we just help. I thought
that by offering to facilitate a workshop would be one way of helping to put
perspectives into a process for political development. Sometimes it’s good to
have someone from the outside to look in. Sometimes we get caught in the forest,
and what’s happening in terms of nation building for indigenous people in North
America is happening all over the world. It’s being able to look within the
Nation for the answers.
"We’re going to do a Cree Global perspective on the issues and Treaty 6 as they relate to Great Britain…talk about the violations in the case that is referred to as Lord Benning. Which is a direct violation to Treaty Six. With that I’ll be able to streamline it to compare notes with the Lakota. The message that was given to us at the Treaty meeting was twofold…one was to keep pursuing the World Court initiative and the ongoing development of the Lakota Nation. I look at this as an opportunity to learn and to share information to enhance the ongoing Lakota Nationhood development." With regards to funding. Darrell has stated that he
will fund this himself, which is a huge donation to the Embassy. He doesn't want
this to be about money. However, I want to support him. I don't want him to have
to shoulder this all by himself. If anyone is willing, could you possibly
send a $10 donation to him at:
You can use your credit card or an ATM/Debit card.
Also if you need to send it by snail mail, please write to me privately, and I
will give you my address. I will account for everything to everyone who donates
any funds.
I send this all to you with good
intentions.
Nancy Fouche
Below is the agenda...if you can attend, please
pass it out to everyone who might be interested.
August
7th
9am Pipe
Ceremony
10am Introductions
10:30am Presentation on Treaty Protection
Matter of State.
12noon Lunch
1:30pm Leadership Within
Lecture
3pm Lakota
SWOT Anaylsis - We will look at our strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities
and threats affecting our Nation and
goals.
4pm Evaluating
Lakota Perspectives, Open Discussion and Recap of day
5pm Break for
Day
August
8th
9am
Pipe Ceremony
10am Strategic
Planning for Lakota Nation Building
12n Lunch
1:30pm Strategic
Planning Continued and formation of Resolutions
3pm
Feedback Visit and show your support for the Grass Roots Oyate http://members.tripod.com/GrassRootsOyate Clemency for Leonard Peltier. Sign the Petition. http://petitiononline.com/Release/petition.html ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?b1ddNB.b2HgmN Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
- [Native_American] Statement for Help Sasala Fouche
- [Native_American] Statement for Help Sasala Fouche
